Objectives: To determine if T cells in skin lesions in systemic sclerosis (SSc) express the early activation antigen CD69 that participates in cell-cell interactions. Methods: Skin biopsy specimens from 17 patients with SSc were analysed by immunohistochemistry using the indirect peroxidase method and monoclonal antibodies for CD3 (T cell marker), CD69 (early T cell activation marker), and CD68 (macrophage marker). Results: Mononuclear cells, containing mostly T cells and macrophages, were increased in SSc skin lesions and were present in perivascular areas. CD69 was expressed in these mononuclear cells. There was no correlation between the number of CD3+, CD69+, or CD68+ cells and the Rodnan skin score or disease duration. Conclusions: The expression of early T cell activation antigen CD69 in skin lesions suggests that T cells may actively participate in cell-cell contact with fibroblasts to promote fibrosis.

Vaccines are important for older adults, and the morbidity and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases among older adults are high. There are limited data on vaccination coverage among elderly people in Greece. The aim of this observational study was to record the vaccination coverage for vaccines recommended by the National Vaccination Program in Greece for the elderly people ≥60 years old. Two hundred general practitioners (GPs) around the country from the primary healthcare system were invited to “participate,” and one hundred fifty from them participated in the present study. The GPs were selected using geographically stratified random sampling methodology. Two thousand and seventy-two participants participated in the present study: of which, 1043 were males and 1029 were females. The mean age of the participants was 73.3 years, and 83% vaccination coverage for flu vaccine, 49.5% for conjugate pneumococcal vaccine, and 23.5% for polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine were recorded. In addition, the vaccination coverage for herpes zoster vaccine was 20%, while very low percentages were recorded for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio vaccine for adults. We found significant gaps in vaccination coverage, especially with regard to pneumococcal, herpes zoster, and tetanus. On the contrary, influenza vaccination coverage was satisfactory.