ASCIA has released a new position statement on a rare immune disorder, which may be more common in children of Western Polynesian descent.
The condition can affect an individual’s risk of severe infection following certain vaccines.
The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy has recently released a position statement on a rare immune disorder, interferon-α/β receptor 1 (IFNAR1) deficiency.
“IFNAR1 deficiency is a genetic condition which affects immune cell communication,” ASCIA said in its statement.
“This disruption leads to a higher chance of life-threatening or fatal viral infections when a person is infected with a virus or has it introduced through vaccines containing live viruses.”
A 2002 study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reported IFNAR1 deficiency may be more common among people of Western Polynesian ancestry, primarily those of Tongan, Samoan and Niuean descent.
Consequently, ASCIA has recommended that healthcare professionals caring for patients whose parents are both of Western Polynesian heritage should consult a clinical immunologist if one of the following red flags are present:
- Children who have been admitted to hospital due to a life-threatening and serious viral infection.
- Children with family members who have experienced a severe illness after receiving a live-attenuated virus vaccine.
- Children with family members who have a known immunodeficiency, including IFNAR1 deficiency.
ASCIA has also recommended that individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of IFNAR1 deficiency should not receive the MMR vaccine or any other vaccines that contain live attenuated viruses, such as varicella, yellow fever and certain influenza vaccines.
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However, most childhood vaccines, such as inactivated influenza, mRNA covid and human papillomavirus vaccines do not contain live viruses and therefore can be safely given to people with IFNAR deficiency.
“ASCIA believes the benefits of MMR vaccination continue to strongly outweigh the risks for all people in Australia and in Aotearoa New Zealand, including those of Western Polynesian ancestry,” the statement read.
“Whilst the early diagnosis of IFNAR1 deficiency remains a challenge, the number of cases will be small in the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand context, and the risk of measles outbreaks is increasing internationally due to the reductions in childhood vaccine uptake in recent years.”
IFNAR1 deficiency is diagnosed through genetic testing, including genotyping assays, Sanger sequencing and Next Generation Sequencing, as well as through functional testing using STAT-phosphorylation assays.
There is currently no known cure for IFNAR1 deficiency.
The complete position statement is available via the ASCIA website.
