MedWorm: Anthrax Vaccine

Anthrax Vaccine Shows Promise in Monkeys

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0100

Research is part of U.S. military's anti-bioterrorism efforts (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

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HIV vaccine candidates generate in vitro T cell response to putative epitopes in Chinese-origin rhesus macaques.

Vaccine — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Liao Q, Strong AJ, Liu Y, Liu Y, Meng P, Fu Y, Touzjian N, Shao Y, Zhao Z, Lu Y Abstract The Indian rhesus macaque is the established animal model for HIV infection and vaccine research. Growing evidence suggests that the more readily available Chinese rhesus macaque may be a more relevant option. As increasing numbers of novel Chinese rhesus MHC alleles are reported, we decided to explore potential HIV vaccine epitopes in this model. We immunized forty Chinese rhesus macaques with three different HIV vaccine candidates either individually or following a prime/boost strategy. We used ELISPOT to measure immune response in vitro to HIV-1 p24C and HIV-1 gp160 peptide libraries. We identified five putative epitopes with associations to HLA-I alleles including HLA*B-2705 and HL...

Anthrax capsule vaccine protects monkeys from lethal infection

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases) Vaccination with the anthrax capsule -- a naturally occurring component of the bacterium that causes the disease -- protected monkeys from lethal anthrax infection, according to US Army scientists. The study, which appears in the Jan. 20th print edition of the journal VACCINE, represents the first successful use of a non-toxin vaccine to protect monkeys from the disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Bounds on the Effect of Vaccine Induced Immune Response on Outcome

The International Journal of Biostatistics — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:51:04 +0100

A major goal of vaccine development is the identification of immune responses that are responsible for vaccine efficacy. In theory, modest vaccines could be successfully improved by increasing such immune responses. And for a vaccine with a great benefit in one population, inducing such immune response in a different population could help one conclude the vaccine would have great benefit there. Such identification is tricky because the immune response to vaccination can only be measured in the vaccine group and thus immune responses might only be identifying individuals with a constitutional ability to remain uninfected, rather than being causal. Define the vaccine induced immune response as X(1). The value X(1) is a potential outcome; it is measured directly in vaccinees but unobserved in...

Health-related quality of life in the anthrax vaccination program for workers in the laboratory response network.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: These results do not favor an association between receipt of AVA and an altered health related quality of life over a 30-month period. PMID: 22230591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

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Abbott setback hits Emergent beyond just revenue

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:00:09 +0100

This year was supposed to be a big one for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. and oncology. Cancer drugs represent Emergent’s best hope of becoming more than just a federal biodefense contractor. And TRU-016, a compound the biotech acquired last year, represents the brightest prospect of that new front. That’s why the news Wednesday that Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) — Emergent’s big-pharma partner in developing and commercializing TRU-016 — plans to wind down that program is so damaging. Damaging because of lost potential milestone payments, but also — and perhaps more importantly — because it will hinder Emergent’s goal of diversifying its revenues beyond the anthrax vaccine BioThrax... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

US government urges scientists to censor findings on new strain of bird flu

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:11:00 +0100

Scientists warn that redacting information from new research on H5N1 virus could hinder the discovery of a vaccineMoves by the US government to restrict the publication of papers describing potentially dangerous new strains of bird flu could do more harm than good by hampering progress towards a vaccine, scientists warn.The US biosecurity watchdog has asked two leading scientific journals, Science and Nature, to remove sensitive details from the papers amid fears the research might fall into the hands of bioterrorists. But scientists involved in the research discussed their experiments at public conferences earlier this year, leading some experts to doubt whether redacting the papers will have much effect."There is a cause for concern, but to restrict publication now is shutting the stable...

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

I hope that fear of terrorism will not lead to the suppression of valuable research about engineering the H5N1 virusA few months ago, Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier made what he hoped would be a low-key announcement at a conference on influenza in Malta. After a series of painstaking experiments, Fouchier announced he had achieved the holy grail of influenza research: engineering the H5N1 bird flu virus so that it could pass easily between mammals. The "airborne" virus had been created, Fouchier explained, not by using sophisticated, lab-based genetic technology but by the relatively low-tech method of passaging H5N1 repeatedly through ferrets.The significance of the discovery was not lost on the assembled delegates. If ferrets could be infected this way, then so could humans. Fouchier had ...

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist | Mark Honigsbaum

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

Phase 1 Study of a Recombinant Mutant Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bellanti JA, Lin FY, Chu C, Shiloach J, Leppla SH, Benavides GA, Karpas A, Moayeri M, Guo C, Robbins JB, Schneerson R Abstract A Phase 1 study of a recombinant mutant Protective Antigen (rPA) vaccine was conducted in 186 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 years. Volunteers were randomized to receive one of three formulations of rPA (formalin-treated, alum-adsorbed or both) in 10 or 20 μg dosages each, or the licensed vaccine, AVA. Three injections were given at 2 months intervals and a 4(th) one year after the third. Vaccinees were examined once at 48-72 hours following each injection at the clinic. Adverse reactions were recorded in diaries for 7 days. Sera were collected before each injection, one week post-1(st), 2 weeks post-3(rd) and -4(th) and one year post the 4(th). Ser...

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Validation and long term performance characteristics of a quantitative enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for human anti-PA IgG.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The objective of the AVRP was to determine the feasibility of reducing the number of priming series and booster doses of the licensed Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) (BioThrax®; Emergent BioSolutions, Lansing, MI) and changing the route of administration from subcutaneous (SC) to intramuscular (IM) (Marano et al., 2008). In this paper we report the validation and long term performance characteristics of the assay during its six year application in the AVRP (2002-2008). The critical features are 1) extensive validation of the assay using two standard reference sera; 2) long term stability and 3) consistency of the data for quantitative analysis of human long term anti-PA IgG responses. The reportable value (RV) of the assay was expressed as anti-PA IgG concentration (μg/ml). Accuracy of th...

Anthrax Vaccine Antigen-Adjuvant Formulations Completely Protect New Zealand White Rabbits against Challenge with Bacillus anthracis Ames Strain Spores.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Peachman KK, Li Q, Matyas GR, Shivachandra SB, Lovchik J, Lyons RC, Alving CR, Rao VB, Rao M Abstract In an effort to develop an improved anthrax vaccine that shows high potency, five different anthrax protective antigen (PA)-adjuvant vaccine formulations that were previously found to be efficacious in a nonhuman primate model were evaluated for their efficacy in a rabbit pulmonary challenge model using Bacillus anthracis Ames strain spores. The vaccine formulations include: PA adsorbed to Alhydrogel®, PA encapsulated in liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A, stable liposomal PA oil-in-water emulsion, and PA displayed on bacteriophage T4 by the intramuscular route and PA mixed with E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin administered by the needle-free transcutaneous route....

[News & Analysis] Bioterror Research: Panel Endorses Anthrax Vaccine Study in Children

Science: Current Issue — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 16:26:03 +0100

Last week, the full National Biodefense Science Board voted 12–1 in favor of a clinical trial of the anthrax vaccine in children, assuming its ethics are approved by a review board.Author: Jennifer Couzin-Frankel (Source: Science: Current Issue)

US to test anthrax vaccine in children... maybe

New Scientist - Health — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:18:09 +0100

An ethical review will decide whether or not the US tests its anthrax vaccine in the nation's children (Source: New Scientist - Health)

The Munich Outbreak of Cutaneous Cowpox Infection: Transmission by Infected Pet Rats.

Acta Dermato-Venereologica — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

We report here clinical aspects of 8 patients from the Munich area who had purchased infected pet rats from a local supplier. Pet rats are a novel potential source of local outbreaks. The morphologically distinctive skin lesions are mostly restricted to the patients' necks, reflecting the infected animals' contact pattern. Individual lesions vaguely resemble orf or Milker's nodule, but show marked surrounding erythema, firm induration and local adenopathy. Older lesions develop eschar, leaving slow-healing, deep ulcerative defects after eschar separation. Severe flu-like illness may be present in the acute phase. Smallpox-vaccinated patients tend to develop less severe reactions and heal more quickly. The differential diagnosis may include other localized orthopoxvirus infections, herpes s...

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Unethical to test anthrax vaccine in kids? What panel says

Health News: CBSNews.com — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:41:37 +0100

National Biodefense Science Board gave government its recommendation Friday (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Advisory Panel Urges U.S. to Conduct Controversial Anthrax Vaccine Trial in Children

ScienceNOW — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:42:46 +0100

An advisory board to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this afternoon... (Source: ScienceNOW)

No anthrax vaccine testing on children for now

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:03:53 +0100

The question is whether to do tests so doctors will know if children's immune systems respond to the shots well enough to signal protection. ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Test anthrax vaccine in kids? Feds mull thorny question

Health News: CBSNews.com — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:14:21 +0100

Panel considering whether to test now - or administer untested vaccine later in event of bioterror attack (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

U.S. considers testing anthrax vaccine in kids

CTV Health — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:51:45 +0100

Concerned that terrorists might use anthrax in some future attack, the U.S. government is considering testing a vaccine on children to learn how well they respond to the shots. (Source: CTV Health)

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Federal Government Wants To Test Anthrax Vaccine On Children

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0100

Terrorists could use the potentially deadly Anthrax bacteria on an attack against the United States, and there is plenty of vaccine stockpiled for use against this and other possible biological agents of warfare. However they have never been tested on children so the effectiveness and possible side effects of the vaccines are unknown in children. The Obama administration has asked the National Biodefense Science Board to meet today (Friday) to discuss this rather delicate and slightly shocking issue... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Gov't considers testing anthrax vaccine in kids

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:09:10 +0100

A government advisory panel is considering whether the anthrax vaccine should be tested in children. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

New Developments in Vaccines, Inhibitors of Anthrax Toxins, and Antibiotic Therapeutics for Bacillus anthracis.

Current Medicinal Chemistry — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Beierlein JM, Anderson AC Abstract Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent responsible for anthrax infections, poses a significant biodefense threat. There is a high mortality rate associated with untreated anthrax infections; specifically, inhalation anthrax is a particularly virulent form of infection with mortality rates close to 100%, even with aggressive treatment. Currently, a vaccine is not available to the general public and few antibiotics have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. With the threat of natural or engineered bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the limited population for whom the current drugs are approved, there is a clear need for more effective treatments against this deadly infection. A comprehensive review of curre...

U.S. decides on anthrax vaccine for kids

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:06:24 +0100

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Obama administration is deciding whether U.S. children should be tested for an anthrax vaccine against a bioterrorism attack, officials say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

U.S. to decide on anthrax vaccine for kids

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:06:24 +0100

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The Obama administration is mulling whether an anthrax vaccine meant to protect against a bioterrorism attack should be tested on U.S. children, officials say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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Determination of post-culture processing with carbohydrates by MALDI-MS and TMS derivatization GC-MS.

Talanta — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 07:19:55 +0100

Authors: Wunschel DS, Wahl KL, Melville AM, Sorensen CM, Colburn HA, Valentine NB, Stamper CL Abstract Biological materials generally require stabilization to retain activity or viability in a dry form. A number of industrial products, such as vaccines, probiotics and biopesticides have been produced as dry preparations. The same methods and materials used for stabilizing commercial microbial products may be applicable to preserving biothreat pathogens in a dry form. This is a likely step that may be encountered when looking at samples from terrorism attempts since only spores, such as those from Bacillus anthracis, are inherently stable when dried. The stabilizers for microbial preparations generally include one or more small carbohydrates. Different formulations have been reporte...

A Phase I Study Evaluating the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Valortim(R) (MDX-1303), a Fully Human Monoclonal Antibody against Bacillus Anthracis Protective Antigen, in Healthy Volunteers.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Riddle V, Leese P, Blanset D, Adamcio M, Meldorf M, Lowy I Abstract Valortim® (MDX-1303) is a fully human monoclonal antibody (hmAb) with a high affinity for Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA). Valortim binds to PA and interferes with the activity of the anthrax toxin; it was selected based on its superior functional activity in the toxin neutralization activity assay (TNA). Valortim has demonstrated efficacy in the post-exposure and therapeutic settings in New Zealand White rabbits, cynomolgus monkeys, and African green monkeys. This Phase I study sought to characterize the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) of Valortim in healthy human subjects. Cohorts of 3 to 10 subjects were administered Valortim as either a ...

BARDA funds Vaxin to develop anthrax vaccine

Pharmaceutical Technology — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:06:26 +0100

Vaxin, a clinical-stage vaccine development company, has been awarded a $21.7m contract by the Office of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the development of the company's proprietary anthrax vaccine, AdVAV.Post to:Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon (Source: Pharmaceutical Technology)

Anthrax sub-unit vaccine: The structural consequences of binding rPA83 to Alhydrogel®

European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study also shows that informative structural characterisation is possible for adjuvant bound sub-unit vaccines. PMID: 21964315 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics)

Novel Anthrax Vaccine and Antitoxin Being Developed with Federal Support

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:39:07 +0100

Source: Dept. of Health and Human Services Related MedlinePlus Pages: Anthrax, Biodefense and Bioterrorism (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

News analysis: Remembering the health IT lessons that followed 9/11

Healthcare IT News — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:20:18 +0100

With the recent 10th anniversary of 9/11, there have been many personal and political remembrances of the events that scarred families and jarred the country that day. Health IT had its own significant events a decade ago, but they began about a week after 9/11 when letters with Anthrax in them were mailed. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

The use of Microwells to investigate the effect of quorum sensing on growth and antigen production in Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F2

Journal of Applied Microbiology — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Quorum sensing mediated by the auto‐inducer 2 molecule plays a significant role in both B. anthracis growth and toxin production. (Source: Journal of Applied Microbiology)

Human Genome Sciences losses widen

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:22:21 +0100

Rockville-based Human Genome Sciences Inc., which won approval in March to sell its lupus drug, saw losses widen on higher costs associated with beginning to sell the drug. Human Genome Sciences also saw revenue fall compared with a year ago, when it was still getting milestone and royalty payments from Novartis AG in connection with a previous partnership. The company had second-quarter revenue of $24.9 million, compared with $38.8 million a year earlier. Revenue included $12.9 million in sales of its anthrax vaccine to the government and $7... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

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Anthrax vaccine/smallpox vaccine: First report of hypothyroidism: case report

Reactions — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:51:36 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Singapore Health Sciences Authority Approves Emergent BioSolutions Anthrax Vaccine, BioThrax

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +0100

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has approved Emergent's product license application for the marketing and sale of BioThrax® (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) in Singapore. BioThrax is the only vaccine licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to protect against anthrax infection. "Emergent is pleased with this development as it continues to grow its presence in the Pacific Rim," said Daniel J. Abdun-Nabi, president and chief operating officer of Emergent BioSolutions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Temporal and spatial distribution of cattle anthrax outbreaks in Zimbabwe between 1967 and 2006

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:43:34 +0100

Abstract This retrospective study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal distribution of anthrax and to identify risk areas in Zimbabwe. The data were extracted from the monthly and annual reports of the Division of Livestock Production and Veterinary Services for the period 1967 to 2006. The data were analyzed in relation to temporal and spatial factors. The hot-dry season was found to be significantly (X 2 = 847.8, P < 0.001) associated with the occurrence of anthrax in cattle, and the disease was found to be approximately three times more likely to occur during this season compared to other seasons. Anthrax outbreaks demonstrated a gradual temporal increase from an annual mean of three outbreaks for the 5-year period (1967–1971) to 42 for the 5-year perio...

Disease control during the colonial period in Australia

Australian Veterinary Journal — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:04:24 +0100

The first permanent European settlers of Australia arrived in 1788 to establish a penal colony at Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). As the colony grew and wool production increased, more free settlers and emancipists developed farming in inland Australia. During the 1840s veterinarians commenced arriving in small numbers but they were not closely associated with the development and execution of disease control programs, which was left to lay inspectors of stock. The arrival of William Tyson Kendall and coordinated action with Graham Mitchell led to the establishment of a private veterinary college following the passage of veterinary surgeons legislation in Victoria. From this time, veterinarians came to be appointed to positions formerly occupied by lay inspectors and the veterinary professio...

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Anthrax: Symptoms depend on how you're infected

MayoClinic.com Full Feed — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 01:45:00 +0100

Anthrax — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, vaccine, risks of this deadly bacterial disease. (Source: MayoClinic.com Full Feed)

Feasibility of the use of ELISA in an immunogenicity-based potency test of anthrax vaccines.

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jiménez-Alberto A, Parreiras P, Castelán-Vega J, Sirota L, Arciniega J Complexities of lethal challenge animal models have prompted the investigation of immunogenicity assays as potency tests of anthrax vaccines. An ELISA was used to measure the antibody response to protective antigen (PA) in mice immunized once with a commercially available (AVA) or a recombinant PA vaccine (rPAV) formulated in-house with aluminum hydroxide. Results from the anti-PA ELISA were used to select a single dose appropriate for the development of a potency test. Immunization with 0.2mL of AVA induced a measurable response in the majority of animals. This dose was located in the linear range of the vaccine dose-antibody response curve. In the case of rPAV, practical limitations prevented the findin...

Multivalent display of proteins on viral nanoparticles using molecular recognition and chemical ligation strategies.

Biomacromolecules — Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Venter PA, Dirksen A, Thomas D, Manchester M, Dawson PE, Schneemann A Multivalent display of heterologous proteins on viral nanoparticles forms a basis for numerous applications in nanotechnology, including vaccine development, targeted therapeutic delivery and tissue-specific bio-imaging. In many instances, precise placement of proteins is required for optimal functioning of the supramolecular assemblies, but orientation- and site-specific coupling of proteins to viral scaffolds remains a significant technical challenge. We have developed two strategies that allow for controlled attachment of a variety of proteins on viral particles using covalent and noncovalent principles. In one strategy, an interaction between domain 4 of anthrax protective antigen and its receptor was us...

Safer, Cheaper Treatments Expected Following Vaccine 'Revolution'

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 May 2011 11:00:00 +0100

An innovative way of making vaccines at the University of Central Florida has attracted the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for its potential to make vaccines less expensive, more effective and needle free. Since 2000, UCF Professor Henry Daniell has been developing a new method of creating vaccines using genetically engineered tobacco and lettuce plants to fight diseases like malaria, cholera, dengue or biothreat agents like anthrax or plague. This month, the Gates Foundation awarded Daniell a two-year $761,302 grant to develop a polio vaccine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Internet-Based Reporting to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System: A More Timely and Complete Way for Providers to Support Vaccine Safety

PEDIATRICS — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The improved timeliness and completeness of IBRs allow VAERS to more rapidly detect new or rare vaccine AEs. This important advantage is critical in times of increased public concern about vaccine safety. Clinical vaccine providers should be aware of VAERS and use IBRs whenever feasible to report vaccine AEs. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

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Antibiotics cure anthrax in animal models

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 12:05:01 +0100

In the absence of early antibiotic treatment, respiratory anthrax is fatal. The 2001 bioterrorism attacks in the US killed four people, out of 22 infected (10 of them with respiratory anthrax), despite massive antibiotic administration, probably because therapy did not begin until the disease had reached the fulminant stage. But a multi-agent prophylaxis initiated within 24 hours post-infection prevented development of fatal anthrax respiratory disease, and treatment combining antibiotics with immunization with a protective antigen-based vaccine conferred long-term protective immunity against reestablishment of the disease, according to a new study. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

A combination of the TLR4 agonist CIA05 and alum promotes the immune responses to Bacillus anthracis protective antigen in mice.

International Immunopharmacology — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we investigated whether CIA05, a TLR4 agonist, is able to promote the immune response to an anthrax vaccine adjuvanted with alum. BALB/c mice were immunized intraperitoneally three times at 2-week intervals with a recombinant B. anthracis PA alone or in combination with CIA05 in the absence or presence of alum, and immune responses were determined 2 or 3weeks after the third immunization. The results showed that the combination of CIA05 and alum significantly increased both serum anti-PA IgG antibody and toxin-neutralizing antibody titers, and the adjuvant effects were greater when lower antigen doses were used for immunization. Both CIA05 and alum stimulated PA-specific splenocyte secretion of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-6. A combination of the two yielded synergistic ...

Surface display of the 20-kDa N-terminal fragment of anthrax protective antigen based on attenuated recombinant Bacillus anthracis

World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:05:30 +0100

Abstract Extracellular antigen 1 (EA1), a major component of the Bacillus anthracis surface layer (S-layer), was used as a fusion partner for the expression of heterologous antigen. A recombinant B. anthracis strain was constructed by integrating a translational fusion harboring the DNA fragments encoding the cell wall–targeting domain of the S-layer protein EA1 and the 20-kDa N-terminal fragment of anthrax protective antigen (PA20) into the chromosome. A thermosensitive plasmid expressing Cre recombinase was introduced at a permissive temperature to remove the antibiotic marker. Cre recombinase action at the loxP sites excised the spectinomycin resistance cassette. The final derivative strains were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, W...

Anthrax vaccination induced anti-lethal factor IgG: Fine specificity and neutralizing capacity.

Vaccine — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This study (n=1000) was designed to identify AVA vaccinated individuals who generate neutralizing antibodies and to determine what specificities correlate with protection. The number of vaccine doses, years post vaccination, and PA titer were associated with in vitro neutralization, reinforcing previous reports. In addition, African American individuals had lower serologic neutralizing activity than European Americans, suggesting a genetic role in the generation of these neutralizing antibodies. Of the vaccinated individuals, only 69 (6.9%) had moderate levels of anti-LF IgG compared to 244 (24.4%) with low and 687 (68.7%) with extremely low levels of IgG antibodies to LF. Using overlapping decapeptide analysis, we identified six common LF antigenic regions targeted by those individuals wi...

The early humoral immune response to Bacillus anthracis toxins in patients infected with cutaneous anthrax

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

AbstractBacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, elaborates a tripartite toxin composed of two enzymatically active subunits, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF) which, when associated with a cell‐binding component, protective antigen (PA), form lethal toxin (LT) and edema toxin (ET), respectively. In this preliminary study we characterised the toxin‐specific antibody responses observed in 17 individuals infected with cutaneous anthrax. The majority of the toxin‐specific antibody responses observed following infection were directed against LF with IgG detected as early as 4 days after onset of symptoms in contrast to the later and lower EF‐ and PA‐specific IgG responses. Unlike the case with infection, the predominant toxin‐specific antibody response of those im...

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The early humoral immune response to Bacillus anthracis toxins in patients infected with cutaneous anthrax

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

AbstractBacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, produces a tripartite toxin composed of two enzymatically active subunits, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), which, when associated with a cell‐binding component, protective antigen (PA), form lethal toxin and edema toxin, respectively. In this preliminary study, we characterized the toxin‐specific antibody responses observed in 17 individuals infected with cutaneous anthrax. The majority of the toxin‐specific antibody responses observed following infection were directed against LF, with immunoglobulin G (IgG) detected as early as 4 days after the onset of symptoms in contrast to the later and lower EF‐ and PA‐specific IgG responses. Unlike the case with infection, the predominant toxin‐specific antibody respon...

Antibody Responses to a Spore Carbohydrate Antigen As a Marker of Non-fatal Inhalation Anthrax in Rhesus Macaques.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Saile E, Boons GJ, Buskas T, Carlson RW, Kannenberg EL, Barr JR, Boyer AE, Gallegos-Candela M, Quinn CP The Bacillus anthracis exosporium protein BclA contains an O-linked antigenic tetrasaccharide whose terminal sugar is known as anthrose (3). We hypothesized that serologic responses to anthrose may have diagnostic value in confirming exposure to aerosolized B. anthracis. We evaluated the serologic responses to a synthetic anthrose-containing trisaccharide (ATS) in a group of five Rhesus macaques (RM) that survived inhalation anthrax following exposure to B. anthracis Ames spores. Two of five animals were treated with ciprofloxacin starting at 48 (RM2, RM3) hours and two at 72 hours (RM4, RM5) post-exposure; one animal was untreated (RM1). Infection was confirmed by blood cul...

The role of HLA–DR–DQ haplotypes in variable antibody responses to Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed

Genes and Immunity — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The role of HLA–DR–DQ haplotypes in variable antibody responses to Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Genes and Immunity advance online publication, March 3, 2011. doi:10.1038/gene.2011.15 Authors: N M Pajewski, S D Parker, G A Poland, I G Ovsyannikova, W Song, K Zhang, B A McKinney, V S Pankratz, J C Edberg, R P Kimberly, R M Jacobson, J Tang & R A Kaslow (Source: Genes and Immunity)

Room temperature stabilization of oral, live attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi-vectored vaccines.

Vaccine — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ohtake S, Martin R, Saxena A, Pham B, Chiueh G, Osorio M, Kopecko D, Xu D, Lechuga-Ballesteros D, Truong-Le V Foam drying, a modified freeze drying process, was utilized to produce a heat-stable, live attenuated Salmonella Typhi 'Ty21a' bacterial vaccine. Ty21a vaccine was formulated with pharmaceutically approved stabilizers, including sugars, plasticizers, amino acids, and proteins. Growth media and harvesting conditions of the bacteria were also studied to enhance resistance to desiccation stress encountered during processing as well as subsequent storage at elevated temperatures. The optimized Ty21a vaccine, formulated with trehalose, methionine, and gelatin, demonstrated stability for approximately 12weeks at 37°C (i.e., time required for the vaccine to decrease in poten...

Monoclonal antibodies directed against protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis enhance lethal toxin activity in vivo

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:50:24 +0100

AbstractProtective antigen (PA) from Bacillus anthracis binds to cellular receptors, combines with lethal factor (LF) forming lethal toxin (LeTx), and facilitates the translocation of LF into the cytosol. LeTx is cytotoxic for J774A.1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, and causes death of Fisher 344 rats when injected intravenously. PA is also the major protective component in anthrax vaccines. Antibody‐dependent enhancement has been reported for several viral diseases, a bacterial infection, and for B. anthracis LeTx in vitro cytotoxicity. Further screening of our 73 PA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) identified a total of 17 PA mAbs that enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity at suboptimal concentrations of LeTx. A competitive binding ELISA showed that these 17 PA mAbs identified eight differe...

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Progress and novel strategies in vaccine development and treatment of anthrax

Immunological Reviews — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Summary: The lethal anthrax disease is caused by spores of the Gram‐positive Bacillus anthracis, a member of the cereus group of bacilli. Although the disease is very rare in the Western world, development of anthrax countermeasures gains increasing attention due to the potential use of B. anthracis spores as a bio‐terror weapon. Protective antigen (PA), the non‐toxic subunit of the bacterial secreted exotoxin, fulfills the role of recognizing a specific receptor and mediating the entry of the toxin into the host target cells. PA elicits a protective immune response and represents the basis for all current anthrax vaccines. Anti‐PA neutralizing antibodies are useful correlates for protection and for vaccine efficacy evaluation. Post exposure anti‐toxemic and anti‐bacteremic ...

Emergent BioSolutions Starts Phase I Clinical Trial For Third Generation Anthrax Vaccine

Pharmaceutical Online News — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:31:00 +0100

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. today announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial for NuThrax™ (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed with CPG 7909 Adjuvant), also known as AV7909, with the dosing of the first subject. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Cholera- and Anthrax-Like Toxins Are among Several New ADP-Ribosyltransferases

PLoS Computational Biology — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We present a ranked list and computational characterization of six new toxins combined with cell-based tests. (Source: PLoS Computational Biology)

The phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Bacillus anthracis isolates from Iran

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 07:04:58 +0100

Abstract To understand epidemiology of Bacillus anthracis in Iran, the morphological, biochemical, and virulence specifications of 32 B. anthracis isolates, collected from human, sheep, cattle, goat, and environmental specimens obtained from throughout Iran were examined by conventional and molecular approaches. B. anthracis isolates were characterized in multiple ways: (1) capsule formation both on bicarbonate agar and in defibrinated horse blood, (2) motility of vegetative forms, (3) hemolysis on 5% sheep blood agar, (4) penicillin G susceptibility, (5) lecithinase production on egg yolk agar, (6) gelatin hydrolysis, (7) ability to develop “string of pearls” on tryptose agar, and (8) capability to develop mucoid colonies in presence of CO2 were assessed. In addition, b...

Highly effective generic adjuvant systems for orphan or poverty-related vaccines.

Vaccine — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rao M, Peachman KK, Li Q, Matyas GR, Shivachandra SB, Borschel R, Morthole VI, Fernandez-Prada C, Alving CR, Rao VB Safe and effective adjuvants are needed for many vaccines with limited commercial appeal, such as vaccines to infrequent (orphan) diseases or to neglected and poverty-related diseases. Here we found that three nonproprietary liposome formulations containing monophosphoryl lipid A each induced 3-fold to 5-fold increased titers of binding and neutralizing antibodies to anthrax protective antigen compared to aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed antigen in monkeys. All vaccinated monkeys were protected against lethal challenge with aerosolized Ames strain spores. PMID: 21115053 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

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How Anthrax Bacteria Hamper Frontline Defense Cells

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have determined a key mechanism by which Bacillus anthracis bacteria initiate anthrax infection despite being greatly outnumbered by immune system scavenger cells. The finding, made by studying genetically modified mice, adds new detail to the picture of early-stage anthrax infection and supports efforts to develop vaccines and drugs that would block this part of the cycle... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

How anthrax bacteria impair immune response

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Researchers have determined a key mechanism by which Bacillus anthracis bacteria initiate anthrax infection despite being greatly outnumbered by immune system scavenger cells. The finding, made by studying genetically modified mice, adds new detail to the picture of early-stage anthrax infection and supports efforts to develop vaccines and drugs that would block this part of the cycle. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

NIH scientists show how anthrax bacteria impair immune response

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) Researchers from NIAID, part of the National Institutes of Health, have determined a key mechanism by which Bacillus anthracis bacteria initiate anthrax infection despite being greatly outnumbered by immune system scavenger cells. The finding, made by studying genetically modified mice, adds new detail to the picture of early-stage anthrax infection and supports efforts to develop vaccines and drugs that would block this part of the cycle. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

November 16-17, 2010: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee Briefing Document Pathway to Licensure for Protective Antigen-based Anthrax Vaccines for a Post-exposure Prophylaxis Indication Using the Animal Rule

What's New at CBER — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:34:00 +0100

Pathway to Licensure for Protective Antigen-based Anthrax Vaccines for a Post-exposure Prophylaxis Indication Using the Animal Rule (Source: What's New at CBER)

Bacillus anthracis produces membrane-derived vesicles containing biologically active toxins [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report the isolation of extracellular vesicles from the supernatants of Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive bacillus that is a powerful agent for biological warfare. B. anthracis vesicles formed at the outer layer of the bacterial cell had double-membrane spheres and ranged from 50 to 150 nm in diameter. Immunoelectron microscopy with mAbs to protective antigen, lethal factor, edema toxin, and anthrolysin revealed toxin components and anthrolysin in vesicles, with some vesicles containing more than one toxin component. Toxin-containing vesicles were also visualized inside B. anthracis-infected macrophages. ELISA and immunoblot analysis of vesicle preparations confirmed the presence of B. anthracis toxin components. A mAb to protective antigen protected macrophages against vesicles from ...

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[Newsdesk] Research brief

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 18:30:43 +0100

Variola major and Bacillus anthracis are pathogens that might be used in bioterrorist attacks. Vaccines exist for both agents but are not ideal for mass use after a bioterror attack because of inadequacies such as adverse effects and lack of effectiveness. Now, however, researchers have developed a single vaccine (Wyeth/IL-15/PA) that is both safe and effective in animal models of smallpox and anthrax. The researchers made the new vaccine by inserting the genes for the immune-enhancing cytokine IL-15 and for the B anthracis protective antigen (PA; part of the bacterium's exotoxin) into a licensed smallpox vaccine. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)

A requirement for Fc{gamma}R in antibody-mediated bacterial toxin neutralization

The Journal of Experimental Medicine — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

One important function of humoral immunity is toxin neutralization. The current view posits that neutralization results from antibody-mediated interference with the binding of toxins to their targets, a phenomenon viewed as dependent only on antibody specificity. To investigate the role of antibody constant region function in toxin neutralization, we generated IgG2a and IgG2b variants of the Bacillus anthracis protective antigen–binding IgG1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 19D9. These antibodies express identical variable regions and display the same specificity. The efficacy of antibody-mediated neutralization was IgG2a > IgG2b > IgG1, and neutralization activity required competent Fc receptor (FcR). The IgG2a mAb prevented lethal toxin cell killing and mitogen-activated protein kin...

Development of a highly efficacious vaccinia-based dual vaccine against smallpox and anthrax, two important bioterror entities [Medical_Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Bioterrorism poses a daunting challenge to global security and public health in the 21st century. Variola major virus, the etiological agent of smallpox, and Bacillus anthracis, the bacterial pathogen responsible for anthrax, remain at the apex of potential pathogens that could be used in a bioterror attack to inflict mass casualties. Although licensed vaccines are available for both smallpox and anthrax, because of inadequacies associated with each of these vaccines, serious concerns remain as to the deployability of these vaccines, especially in the aftermath of a bioterror attack involving these pathogens. We have developed a single vaccine (Wyeth/IL-15/PA) using the licensed Wyeth smallpox vaccine strain that is efficacious against both smallpox and anthrax due to the integration of im...

Disulphide bonds of the peptide protegrin-1 are not essential for antimicrobial activity and haemolytic activity

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In its natural state, the antimicrobial peptide protegrin-1 (PG-1) has two disulphide bonds, with the four cysteines linked at positions 6–15 and 8–13 . Linear protegrin analogues, or analogues containing only one of the two disulphide bonds, have been made either by (a) reducing and then alkylating cysteines on intact protegrins with iodoacetamide, (b) synthesising protegrins using cysteines blocked with triphenylmethyl or acetamidomethyl groups, (c) synthesising protegrins with cysteine to alanine substitutions or (d) synthesising protegrins with cysteine to threonine substitutions and arginine to d-proline substitution at position 10 of the sequence . The linear forms of the peptide have been reported to be considerably less active than the native form as well as being sensitive to ...

Research To Focus On Improving Delivery Of Dengue And Anthrax Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, today announced three new contracts to fund research on vaccines to protect against emerging infectious diseases and biological threats that could be used in a terror attack. Each project focuses on simple and efficient vaccine delivery approaches that could be deployed quickly. The total funding for the three contracts could reach $68 million, depending on the successful completion of defined project milestones... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Combination smallpox-anthrax vaccine developed

Health Facts and Fears — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

A U.S. government team has developed a new dual vaccine that they say will protect against both smallpox and anthrax better than existing vaccines. The new combination vaccine can be freeze-dried and stockpiled for rapid delivery in the event of a bioterrorist attack, the researchers write in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Researchers combine smallpox, anthrax vaccines

Reuters: Health — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:24:14 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Researchers have combined vaccines against smallpox and anthrax into one vaccine that could protect against both germs in a biological attack. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Researchers Combine Smallpox, Anthrax Vaccines

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:02:11 +0100

Researchers have combined vaccines against smallpox and anthrax into one vaccine that could protect against both germs in a biological attack. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Anthrax, Immunization, Smallpox (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

A review of sentinel laboratory performance: identification and notification of bioterrorism agents.

Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions.—The bioterrorism challenge program (LPS, LPX) provides important comparative data from more than 1300 sentinel laboratories that can be used by individual laboratories to evaluate their identification and LRN reporting performance. PMID: 20923306 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)

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A two-stage, multilevel quality control system for serological assays in anthrax vaccine clinical trials.

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Soroka SD, Schiffer JM, Semenova VA, Li H, Foster L, Quinn CP A two-stage, multilevel assay quality control (QC) system was designed and implemented for two high stringency QC anthrax serological assays; a quantitative anti-PA IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an anthrax lethal toxin neutralization activity (TNA) assay. The QC system and the assays were applied for the congressionally mandated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Phase 4 human clinical trial of anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA, BioThrax). A total of 57,284 human serum samples were evaluated by anti-PA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and 11,685 samples by anthrax lethal toxin neutralization activity (TNA) assay. The QC system demonstrated overall sample acceptance rates of 86%...

BARDA Awards $51 Million Contract For Next Generation Anthrax Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) awarded a $51 million contract to Emergent BioSolutions, Inc., of Rockville, Md., for the development of a new anthrax vaccine using the protective antigen (rPA) to stimulate a protective immune response that neutralizes the anthrax toxins. Anthrax preparedness remains one of BARDA's top priorities. This contract builds on HHS investments in antibiotics, antitoxins, and vaccine development for anthrax... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Distinct immune responses of recombinant plasmid DNA replicon vaccines expressing two types of antigens with or without signal sequences.

Vaccine — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yu YZ, Li N, Wang WB, Wang S, Ma Y, Yu WY, Sun ZW Here, DNA replicon vaccines encoding the Hc domain of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (AHc) or the receptor binding domain of anthrax protective antigen (PA4) with or without signal sequences were evaluated in mice. Strong antibody and protective responses were elicited only from AHc DNA vaccines with an Ig Îº signal sequence or tissue plasminogen activator signal sequence. Meanwhile, there were no differences in total antibody responses or isotypes, lymphocyte proliferative responses, cytokine profiles and protective immune responses with the PA4 DNA vaccines with or without a signal sequence. Therefore, use of targeting sequences in designing DNA replicon vaccines depends on the specific antigen. PMID: 20854897 [PubMed ...

Selected Medicines in Development for Infectious Diseases - 2010

PHRMA — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:01:23 +0100

SELECTED MEDICINES IN DEVELOPMENT FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES* View the News Release View the Report Anthrax – The potential for infectious agents to be used in bio-warfare has led to increased research into protecting people from the effects of the infection. Two separate immune globulins are in clinical testing for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. The intravenous post-exposure treatments are hyperimmune antibodies derived from human plasma of individuals who have been vaccinated against anthrax previously. E. coli Infections – Shiga-toxin E. coli (STEC) bacteria infections are primarily food-born infections that cause serious health implications, especially in young children and the elderly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 70,0...

Emergent Awarded NIAID Contract That Increases Potential Funding To Over $58 Million For Advanced Development Of Third Generation Anthrax Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has signed a contract valued at up to $28.7 million with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), an institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for advanced development of the company's third generation anthrax vaccine candidate. The award of this contract increases to over $58 million the total potential development funding from NIAID for this product... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Emergent BioSolutions wins more anthrax work

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:01:44 +0100

Rockville-based Emergent BioSolutions Inc. has been awarded more funding to pursue development of a next-generation anthrax vaccine. (EBS) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Emergent BioSolutions Awarded NIAID Contract That Increases Potential Funding to Over $58 Million for Advanced Development of Third Generation Anthrax Vaccine

Pharmaceutical Online News — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Case-control study investigating an anthrax outbreak in Saskatchewan, Canada - Summer 2006.

The Canadian Veterinary Journal — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Epp T, Waldner C, Argue CK In 2006, an outbreak of anthrax in Saskatchewan affected several species but most of the losses occurred in cattle. Potential risk factors contributing to this outbreak were investigated through questionnaires involving 117 case farms and 259 control farms geographically representative of the Saskatchewan beef herd. The occurrence of flooding [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8 to 6.4], wetter pastures (Good: OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.5; Wet: OR = 7.2; 95% CI: 2.9 to 18.1), shorter pasture grass length (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4 to 6.4), and higher density of the animals on pasture (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.6 to 5.7) were more likely to have been reported for case herds than for control herds. Case farms were more likely than control fa...

Influence of particle size on the pathology and efficacy of vaccination in a murine model of inhalational anthrax.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Thomas RJ, Davies CH, Nunez A, Hibbs SE, Flick-Smith H, Eastaugh L, Gates A, Oyston P, Atkins T, Eley S Deposition of Bacillus anthracis endospores within either the lungs or nasal passages of the A/J murine model resulted in different infection kinetics. The infection resulting from the inhalation of endospores within a 12 mum particle aerosol was prolonged compared to a 1 mum particle aerosol with a mean time-to-death (MTD) of 161 +/- 16.1 h and 101.6 +/- 10.4 h respectively. Inhalation of endospores within 1 mum or 12 mum particle aerosols resulted in a median lethal dose (MLD) of 2432 and 7656 cfu respectively. Initial involvement of the upper respiratory tract lymph nodes was observed in both the 1 and 12 mum particle inhalational infections (80-85%). Lung deposition was ...

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Vaccination of Rhesus macaques with AVA Produces a Serum Antibody Response that Effectively Neutralizes Receptor Bound Protective Antigen In Vitro.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Clement KH, Rudge TL, Mayfield HJ, Carlton LA, Hester A, Niemuth NA, Sabourin CL, Brys AM, Quinn CP Anthrax toxin (ATx) is comprised of binary exotoxins lethal toxin (LTx) and edema toxin (ETx). They have separate effector proteins (edema factor (EF) or lethal factor (LF)) and share the common binding protein Protective Antigen (PA). PA is the primary immunogen in current licensed vaccine "Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed" (AVA, Biothrax(R)). AVA confers protective immunity by stimulating production of ATx neutralizing antibodies, which could block the intoxication process at several steps (binding of PA to target cells surface, furin cleavage, toxin complex formation, and binding/translocation of ATx into the cell. To evaluate ATx neutralization by anti-AVA antibodies, we developed t...

ACIP updates anthrax vaccine recommendations

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:25:23 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

Targeted expression of anthrax protective antigen by Lactobacillus gasseri as an anthrax vaccine

Future Microbiology — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:06:16 +0100

Future Microbiology , August 2010, Vol. 5, No. 8, Pages 1289-1296. (Source: Future Microbiology)

A chimeric protein that functions both as an anthrax dual-target antitoxin and trivalent vaccine.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we first demonstrated that the chimeric protein LFn-PA, created by fusing PA-binding domain of lethal factor (LFn) to protective antigen (PA), retained functions of the respective molecules. Based on this observation, we attempted to develop an antitoxin that targets the binding of lethal factor (LF) and/or edema factor (EF) to PA and the transportation of LF/EF. Therefore, we replaced PA in LFn-PA with a dominant-negative inhibitory PA (DPA), i.e., PAF427D. In in vitro models of anthrax intoxication, the chimera LFn-DPA showed 3-fold and 2-fold higher potency than DPA in protecting sensitive cells against anthrax lethal toxin (LeTx) and edema toxin (EdTx), respectively. In animal models, LFn-DPA exhibited strong potency in rescuing mice from lethal challenge with LeTx. We a...

An anthrax subunit vaccine candidate based on protective regions of Bacillus anthracis protective antigen and lethal factor.

Vaccine — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

We examined the antibody and T cell responses to PA and LF in human volunteers immunized with the UK anthrax vaccine (AVP). Individual LF domains were assessed for immunogenicity in mice when given alone or with PA. Based on the results obtained, a novel fusion protein comprising D1 of LF and the host cell-binding domain of PA (D4) was assessed for protective efficacy. Murine protection studies demonstrated that both full-length LF and D1 of LF conferred complete protection against a lethal intraperitoneal challenge with B. anthracis STI spores. Subsequent studies with the LFD1-PAD4 fusion protein showed a similar level of protection. LF is immunogenic in humans and is likely to contribute to the protection stimulated by AVP. A single vaccine comprising protective regions from LF and PA wo...

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New CDC Guidelines for Use of Anthrax Vaccine

Physician's First Watch current issue — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:58:37 +0100

(Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS: Use of Anthrax Vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:03:41 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Use of Anthrax Vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009.

MMWR Recomm Rep — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: These recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) update the previous recommendations for anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) (CDC. Use of anthrax vaccine in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 2000;49:1--20; CDC. Use of anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism: supplemental recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 2002;51:1024--6) and reflect the status of anthrax vaccine supplies in the United States. This statement 1) provides updated information on anthrax epidemiology; 2) summarizes the evidence regarding the effectiveness and efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of AVA; 3) provides recommendations for pre-event and preexposure use of AVA; ...

Deletion of the Bacillus anthracis capB homologue in Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis generates an attenuated strain that protects mice against virulent tularemia.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Michell S, Dean RE, Eyles JE, Hartley MG, Waters E, Prior JL, Titball RW, Oyston PC As there is currently no licensed vaccine, Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, is an agent of concern as a potential bioweapon. Although F. tularensis has a low infectious dose and high associated mortality, it possesses few classical virulence factors. An analysis of the Francisella tularensis subspecies tularensis genome sequence has revealed the presence of a region containing genes with low homology to part of the capBCADE operon of Bacillus anthracis. We have generated an isogenic capB mutant of F. tularensis subspecies tularensis SchuS4 and shown it to be attenuated. Furthermore, using BALB/c mice, we have demonstrated that this capB- strain affords protection agains...

The effects of preexisting immunity to influenza on responses to influenza vectors in mice.

Vaccine — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Langley WA, Li ZN, Bradley KC, Talekar GR, Galloway SE, Steinhauer DA The use of viral vectors as vaccine candidates has shown promise against a number of pathogens. However, preexisting immunity to these vectors is a concern that must be addressed when deciding which viruses are suitable for use. A number of properties, including the existence of antigenically distinct subtypes, make influenza viruses attractive candidates for use as viral vectors. Here, we evaluate the ability of influenza viral vectors containing inserts of foreign pathogens to elicit antibody and CD8(+) T cell responses against these foreign antigens in the presence of preexisting immunity to influenza virus in mice. Specifically, responses to an H3N1-based vector expressing a 90 amino acid polypeptide der...

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Anthrax spore detection by a Luminex assay based on monoclonal antibodies recognizing anthrose-containing oligosaccharides.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tamborrini M, Holzer M, Seeberger PH, SchÃ¼rch N, Pluschke G The similarity of endospore surface antigens between bacteria of the Bacillus cereus group complicates the development of selective antibody-based anthrax detection systems. The surface of B. anthracis endospores exposes a tetrasaccharide containing the monosaccharide anthrose. Anti-tetrasaccharide mAbs and anti-anthrose-rhamnose disaccharide mAbs were produced and tested for their fine specificity in a direct spore ELISA with inactivated spores of a broad spectrum of B. anthracis strains and related species of the Bacillus genus. Although the two sets of mAbs had different fine-specificities, all of them recognized the tested B. anthracis strains and showed only limited cross-reactivity with two B. cereus strains....

Emergent boosts business outlook

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:01:38 +0100

Rockville-based Emergent BioSolutions Inc., which supplies the government with the only regulator-approved vaccine for Anthrax, boosted its full-year forecast for sales and earnings based on rising sales of that vaccine. (EBS) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

PharmAthene Presents New Data For Lyophilized RPA Anthrax Vaccine Showing Enhanced Immunogenicity

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:00:00 +0100

PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP), a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced results from a New Zealand White Rabbit study showing that its lyophilized recombinant Protective Antigen (rPA) anthrax vaccine was more immunogenic than a liquid formulation of rPA vaccine and produced a robust response with only 2 doses... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Emergent BioSolutions wins $107M HHS contract

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:51:49 +0100

Rockville-based Emergent BioSolutions Inc., the only producer of a government-approved anthrax vaccine, has won a government contract to ensure it can produce large quantities of it. (EBS) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Analysis of Antibody Responses to Protective Antigen-Based Anthrax Vaccines through Use of Competitive Assays.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we examined the antibody response elicited by PA-based vaccines and identified the domains of PA that contribute to that response in humans as well as non-human primates (NHPs) and rabbits, animal species that will be used to generate efficacy data to support approval of new anthrax vaccines. To this end, we developed a competitive ELISA assay using purified, recombinant forms of intact PA and its individual domains. We found that PA-based vaccines elicited IgG antibodies to each of the four PA domains in all three species. We also developed a competitive toxin neutralization assay, which showed that rabbits, NHPs, and humans all have functional antibody populations that bind to domains 1, 3, and 4. While the domain specificity of the antibody response elicited by PA-based v...

Mucosal priming of newborn mice with S. Typhi Ty21a expressing anthrax protective antigen (PA) followed by parenteral PA-boost induces B and T cell-mediated immunity that protects against infection by passing maternal antibodies.

Vaccine — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ramirez K, Ditamo Y, Galen JE, Baillie LW, Pasetti MF The currently licensed anthrax vaccine has several limitations and its efficacy has been proven only in adults. Effective immunization of newborns and infants requires adequate stimulation of their immune system, which is competent but not fully activated. We explored the use of the licensed live attenuated S. Typhi vaccine strain Ty21a expressing Bacillus anthracis protective antigen [Ty21a(PA)] followed PA-alum as a strategy for immunizing the pediatric population. Newborn mice primed with a single dose of Ty21a(PA) exhibited high frequencies of mucosal IgA-secreting B cells and IFN-gamma-secreting T cells during the neonatal period, none of which was detected in newborns immunized with a single dose of PA-alum. Priming w...

Firms Vie for Anthrax Contract

WSJ.com: Health — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 23:36:36 +0100

Emergent BioSolutions and PharmAthene are in a pitched battle to supply the U.S. government with a next-generation anthrax vaccine. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

Emergent sells anthrax vaccine to allies

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:30:21 +0100

Rockville-based Emergent BioSolutions Inc., which supplies anthrax vaccines to the U.S. government, has delivered doses of its BioThrax vaccine to governments of several allied nations. (EBS) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

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Protection Against Anthrax Attacks With New Medical Weapons

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States are fostering development of a new generation of vaccines, antibiotics, and other medications to protect people against the potentially deadly bacteria in any future bioterrorist incident. That's the conclusion of a sweeping overview of scientific research on medical technology to combat the anthrax threat. It appears in ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. In the article, Dimitrios Bouzianas notes that several existing antibiotics are available to combat an anthrax infection. However, the emergence of artificially engineered B... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New medical weapons to protect against anthrax attacks

ScienceDaily Headlines — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Adverse Events Following Smallpox Vaccination With ACAM2000 in a Military Population [Observation]

Archives of Dermatology — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:50:51 +0100

Conclusions We present the first confirmed case of generalized vaccinia following immunization with the second-generation smallpox vaccine ACAM2000. In addition, we describe 7 cases of benign, acral, papulovesicular eruptions thought to be associated with ACAM2000 administration. Further research is needed to discern the pathogenesis of these benign eruptions as well as their incidence and prevalence and that of generalized vaccinia with ACAM2000. (Source: Archives of Dermatology)

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Select Human Anthrax Protective Antigen Epitope‐Specific Antibodies Provide Protection from Lethal Toxin Challenge

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:46:47 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. Bacillus anthracis remains a serious bioterrorism concern, and the currently licensed vaccine remains an incomplete solution for population protection from inhalation anthrax and has been associated with concerns regarding efficacy and safety. Thus, understanding how to generate long‐lasting protective immunity with reduced immunizations or provide protection through postexposure immunotherapeutics are long‐sought goals. Through evaluation of a large military cohort, we characterized the levels of antibodies against protective antigen and found that over half of anthrax vaccinees had low serum levels of in vitro toxin neutralization capacity. Using solid‐phase epitope mapping and confirmatory assa...

Ruling Favors Anthrax-Vaccine Maker

WSJ.com: Health — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:03:42 +0100

Biotechnology company, PharmAthene, won a ruling allowing it to keep a government contract worth about $78 million for developing a new anthrax vaccine. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

From the Cover: Mucosal adjuvant activity of cholera toxin requires Th17 cells and protects against inhalation anthrax [Immunology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:40:30 +0100

Cholera toxin (CT) elicits a mucosal immune response in mice when used as a vaccine adjuvant. The mechanisms by which... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

Key roles of dendritic cells in lung infection and improving anthrax vaccines.

Trends in Molecular Medicine — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tournier JN, Mohamadzadeh M Lung immune responses control pathogens while avoiding detrimental inflammation. The dynamics of lung homeostasis are not fully understood. Primary antimicrobial defenses are orchestrated by epithelial cells (ECs), interacting in close association with dendritic cells (DCs) and other innate immune cells. However, microbes, such as Bacillus anthracis use host cellular machinery, including DC-migratory capacity to reach the draining lymph nodes where they germinate and produce toxins that disrupt protective immunity leading to death. Here, we describe the immunobiology of major lung cell subsets and their cellular synapses, to reveal the dynamics of B. anthracis infection and its effects on lung immune mechanisms. Vaccines strategies that mobilize pro...

iBio Announces Rights Grant For Anthrax-Plague Combination Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +0100

iBio, Inc. (OTCBB: IBPM) confirmed today the grant of rights to use iBio's proprietary technology, the iBioLaunch™ platform, in support of a $5.3 million government-funded project for the development of a single vaccine to protect against both anthrax and plague. The project will be managed by Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology (CMB) pursuant to the long-term agreement between iBio and CMB for advancement of the iBio technology... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Comparison of Three Anthrax Toxin Neutralization Assays.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we sought to determine whether three commonly used toxin neutralization assays-a J774A.1, a RAW 264.7 and a CHO cell-based assay-yield comparable estimates of neutralization activities for sera obtained after vaccination with anthrax vaccines composed of recombinant protective antigen (rPA). In order to compare among assays, sera were assayed alongside a common reference serum and neutralization titers were expressed relative to the reference in each assay. Analysis of sera from rabbits immunized with multiple doses of rPA vaccine showed that, for later bleeds, quantitative agreement between assays was good, however for early bleeds, some heterogeneity in relative neutralization estimates was observed. Analysis of serum samples from rabbits, non-human primates and humans imm...

Universal Detection Technology Addresses First Responder Anthrax Vaccinations

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, issued a response today to a growing interest in the security and emergency response communities to immunize first responders most susceptible to anthrax exposure. The issue was brought to the forefront recently at the annual EMS Today Conference in Baltimore, where Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccination, squalene and anti-squalene antibodies: Facts or fiction?

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:37:01 +0100

Authors: Lippi G, Targher G, Franchini M Squalene, a hydrocarbon obtained for commercial purposes primarily from shark liver oil and other botanic sources, is increasingly used as an immunologic adjuvant in several vaccines, including seasonal and the novel influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic flu vaccines. Nearly a decade ago, squalene was supposed to be the experimental anthrax vaccine ingredient that caused the onset of Persian Gulf War syndrome in many veterans, since antibodies to squalene were detected in the blood of most patients affected by this syndrome. This evidence has raised a widespread concern about the safety of squalene containing adjuvants (especially MF59) of influenza vaccines. Nevertheless, further clinical evidence clearly suggested that squalene is poorly immunogeni...

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Emergent BioSolutions revenue up 50%

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:22:41 +0100

Sales of its anthrax vaccine to the U.S. government boosted revenue for Rockville-based Emergent BioSolutions Inc. by 50 percent. (EBS) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides: Effect on gene expression and utility as vaccine adjuvants.

Vaccine — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Klinman DM, Klaschik S, Tomaru K, Shirota H, Tross D, Ikeuchi H Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing unmethylated CpG motifs mimic the immunostimulatory activity of bacterial DNA. CpG ODN directly stimulate B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), promote the production of Th1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and trigger the maturation/activation of professional antigen presenting cells. CpG ODN are finding use as vaccine adjuvants, where they increase the speed, magnitude and duration of vaccine-specific immune responses. For example, CpG ODN significantly prolong the protection induced by AVA (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed). Unexpectedly, a majority of animals immunized with CpG-adjuvanted AVA maintain resistance to anthrax infection even after their Ab titers d...

Immunovaccine Presents Results For An Enhanced Anthrax Vaccine Candidate

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Immunovaccine Inc. (TSX VENTURE:IMV) announced that it has been invited to present at the Canada - U.S. Partners in Biomedical Defense II Conference in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. At the Conference the Company will present positive new research, done in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), confirming the number of required doses for an anthrax vaccine candidate can be reduced when formulated in DepoVax™... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

PharmAthene Submits White Paper To BARDA For Advanced Development Funding For SparVax(TM) - Novel Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE Amex: PIP), a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced that it has submitted a White Paper in response to the Broad Agency Announcement (Solicitation Number: BAA-BARDA-09-34) issued by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the Advanced Research and Development of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures. In December 2009, this BAA was specially modified and extended to accommodate rPA-related submissions. David P... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Gastrointestinal anthrax diagnosed in U.S.

CBC | Health — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:09:02 +0100

Antibiotics and vaccines are being offered to about 80 people in the state of New Hampshire as authorities investigate America's first known case of gastrointestinal anthrax. (Source: CBC | Health)

PharmAthene shares plunge after vacine request is axed

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:34:18 +0100

Shares in biodefense company PharmAthene were down more than 50 percent Tuesday after a federal agency canceled its request for an anthrax vaccine supplier. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

Elsevier Journal Vaccine Features Milestone Biodefense Publication

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Last week during the 'Vaccines for Biothreats and Emerging and Neglected Diseases Symposium' in Galveston TX, USA, the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense. This publication provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview on vaccines that have been developed against a diverse group of human and veterinary pathogens, including Bacillus anthracis, smallpox, and blue tongue. (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

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Milestone biodefense publication by Elsevier journal Vaccine

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Elsevier) Last week during the Vaccines for Biothreats and Emerging and Neglected Diseases Symposium in Galveston Texas, the Elsevier journal Vaccine released a supplement dedicated to vaccines for biodefense. This publication provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview on vaccines that have been developed against a diverse group of human and veterinary pathogens, including Bacillus anthracis, smallpox and blue tongue. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

BslA, the S-layer adhesin of B. anthracis, is a virulence factor for anthrax pathogenesis

Molecular Microbiology — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Microbial pathogens use adhesive surface proteins to bind to and interact with host tissues, events that are universal for the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. A surface adhesin of Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, required to mediate these steps has not been discovered. Previous work identified BslA, an S-layer protein, to be necessary and sufficient for adhesion of the anthrax vaccine strain, Bacillus anthracis Sterne, to host cells. Here we asked whether encapsulated bacilli require BslA for anthrax pathogenesis in guinea pigs. Compared with the highly virulent parent strain B. anthracis Ames, bslA mutants displayed a dramatic increase in the lethal dose and in mean time-to-death. Whereas all tissues of animals infected with B. anthracis Ames contained high numbers...

Scott Miller's 'A Call To Arms' And 'Fatal Immunity' Are Available For World-Wide Licensing

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:59:08 +0100

The Human Anthrax Vaccine Program must be stopped. Scott Miller and Company has completed the feature film "A Call to Arms:2009 Edition" and the one-hour television documentary "Fatal Immunity: The Human Anthrax Vaccine Story" to inform the public about the clear and present danger of top secret government science turned into for-profit human anthrax vaccines with no accountability to its victims. It is available for world-wide licensing by motion picture and television distributors and exhibitors. (PRWeb Nov 4, 2009) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/scottmillerandco/documentarypackage/prweb3147264.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Human Anthrax Vaccines - A Call To Arms

Disabled World — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:38:32 +0100

BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Emergent BioSolutions) - updated on RxList

RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

BioThrax (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Emergent BioSolutions) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList (Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)

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Questions raised about Human Genome Science's anthrax vaccine

bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:28:00 +0100

A report prepared for a Food and Drug Administration panel scheduled to consider approval of Human Genome Sciences Inc.’s experimental anthrax drug questions whether it works better in humans than existing treatments. (HGSI) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Health Insurance headlines)

What is the Appropriate Treatment for a Pedal Puncture Wound?

PediatricEducation.org — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:19:02 +0100

Discussion Ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones have demonstrated cartilage and joint toxicity when administered to immature laboratory animals. Therefore health care providers have been reluctant to use fluoroquinolones in young children and voluntarily have avoided them. However in 2002, more than 182,000 courses of fluoroquinolones were administered to children. Research data is limited but the pediatric safety profile appears to be similar to the adult safety profile. Current indications for fluoroquinolones include complicated urinary tract infections, treatment of opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients such as patients with cancer, patients with cystic fibrosis and certain Shigella and Salmonella infections, and for inhalational anthrax. Fluoroquinolones are often...

NIAID To Fund Development Of Emergent BioSolutions' Advanced Anthrax Vaccine Candidate

Bio-terrorism / Terrorism News From Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced that it was awarded a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to further the development of one of Emergent's advanced anthrax vaccine candidates known as dmPA7909... (Source: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism News From Medical News Today)

Unanswered questions and ethical issues concerning US biodefence research [Controversies]

Journal of Medical Ethics — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:01:30 +0100

Unanswered questions and ethical issues associated with US biodefence medical research over the past five decades are discussed. Objective scientific standards are essential for making policy decisions that can stand the test of time. For decades, scholars have reported that the human anthrax vaccine field trials conducted in the 1950s by Brachman and his colleagues were single-blind rather than double-blind. Nevertheless, in March 2005, Dr Philip S Brachman reported in a letter to the US Food and Drug Administration that his study had been double-blind. It is here argued that, rather, the field trial of a human anthrax vaccine should continue to be deemed as single-blind unless more detailed information is provided to explain exactly how the investigators were kept unaware of which subjec...

[Controversies] Unanswered questions and ethical issues concerning US biodefence research

Journal of Medical Ethics — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Development of antibodies against anthrose tetrasaccharide for specific detection of B. anthracis spores.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kuehn A, Kovác P, Saksena R, Bannert N, Klee SR, Ranisch H, Grunow R The immunological detection of Bacillus anthracis in various environmental samples and the discrimination from other members of the B. cereus group is not well established yet. To generate specific discriminating antibodies, we immunized rabbits, mice and chicken with inactivated B. anthracis spores and, additionally, rabbits and mice with the tetrasaccharide [beta-Ant-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->3)-alpha-L-Rhap-(1-->2)-L-Rhap]. It is a constituent of the exosporium glycoprotein BclA and contains the newly discovered sugar anthrose [2-O-methyl-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutamido)-4,6-dideoxy-beta-D-glucose]. The BclA protein is a major component of the exosporium of B. anthracis spores and is decorated ...

Military Anthrax Vaccine Mandate is Upheld

Health News: CBSNews.com — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:15:35 +0100

Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit by Service Members who Question Its Effectiveness (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Medical countermeasures to protect humans from anthrax bioterrorism.

Trends in Microbiology — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This article summarizes the most important medical countermeasures that have mostly been developed since the 2001 events, and highlights current problems and possible avenues for future research. PMID: 19781945 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Trends in Microbiology)

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Recombinant Sindbis Virus Vectors Designed to Express Protective Antigen of Bacillus anthracis Protect Animals from Anthrax and Display Synergy with Ciprofloxacin.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Thomas JM, Moen ST, Gnade BT, Vargas-Inchaustegui DA, Foltz SM, Suarez G, Heidner HW, König R, Chopra AK, Peterson JW Recombinant Sindbis viruses were engineered to express alternative forms of the protective antigen of Bacillus anthracis. The recombinant viruses induced PA-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies in Swiss Webster mice. Vaccination with the recombinant viruses induced immunity that offered some protection from a lethal Ames spore challenge, and synergized the protective effects of ciprofloxacin. PMID: 19759250 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

Scientists Move Closer To A Safer Anthrax Vaccine

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:37:40 +0100

Researchers have identified two small protein fragments that could be developed into an anthrax vaccine that may cause fewer side effects than the current vaccine. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Einstein Scientists Move Closer to a Safer Anthrax Vaccine

Einstein News — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:10:11 +0100

Future Vaccine Could Benefit Military and Others at High Risk ... go to aecom.yu.edu for full story (Source: Einstein News)