Advancing the understanding of autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA): Global research trends, key themes, and emerging frontiers

Background: This study investigates global research on autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) to address gaps in disciplinary trends, research directions, and emerging topics, aiming to enhance understanding of ASIA's role in immune dysregulation and multi-system diseases.

Methods: This study uses bibliometric methods, based on data from the Web of Science (WOS) database, to analyze 203 ASIA-related publications from 2011 to 2024. Analytical tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the bibliometrix R package, were employed to identify key research directions and frontier topics.

Results: Contributions from 40 countries, 318 institutions, and 824 researchers were analyzed, providing a global perspective on ASIA research. Israel contributed the highest publication volume, with Tel Aviv University being the most prolific contributor. Analysis showed that Immunologic Research published the most ASIA-related articles, whereas the Journal of Autoimmunity had the highest citation count. Keyword analysis identified six main research themes, including vaccine and adjuvant components, silicone implant-associated diseases, and connections between specific vaccines and autoimmune conditions. Thematic mapping highlighted key yet under-explored areas, such as immune responses to COVID-19 and HPV vaccines, and responses to specific adjuvants, offering insights into ASIA's complexity.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of ASIA's core themes and trends, highlighting key areas for future research, especially on the immune effects of vaccine adjuvants and implants. Although relying on a single data source, WOS's extensive coverage and citation tracking support the validity of these findings, laying a foundation for future ASIA research and clinical applications.