Vaccine-induced strain replacement: theory and real-life implications

Mahroum N., Karaoglan B. S., Ulucam E. S., Shoenfeld Y.

Future Microbiology, vol.19, no.11, pp.1017-1026, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 19 Issue: 11
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17460913.2024.2345003
  • Journal Name: Future Microbiology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.1017-1026
  • Keywords: human papillomavirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, SARS-CoV-2, strain fitness, Streptococcus pneumoniae, vaccine-induced strain replacement, vaccines
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The value of preventive medicine is superior to treatment with vaccinations occupying high priority. Nevertheless, heavy pressure has started to form in regard to strains not included in vaccines contributing to the changing epidemiology of pathogen subtypes leading to ‘vaccine-induced strain replacement’. Among other mechanisms, increasing fitness of nonvaccine strains and metabolic shifts in the subtypes have been described. Classical examples include pneumococcal infections and viral diseases, such as the human papilloma virus. Recently, it has been described in SARS-CoV-2, leading to the emergence of new subtypes, such as Omicron and Delta variants. The phenomenon has also been reported in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Neisseria meningitidis and rotavirus. This study addresses the concepts, examples and implications of this phenomenon.