MedWorm: Meningitis Vaccine

Bexsero® shows promise for meningococcal B

Pharmacy Europe — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:30:00 +0100

Pivotal study confirms potential of vaccine to protect infants against meningococcal serogroup B (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

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Is a single dose of meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccine sufficient for protection? Experience from the Netherlands

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

DiscussionSince 2001, the MenC conjugate vaccine has been implemented in the Netherlands by offering a single dose to all children aged 14 months. Prior to the introduction of the vaccine into the national immunisation programme, a catch-up vaccination campaign was initiated in which a single dose of the MenC conjugate vaccine was offered to all children aged from 14 months up to and including 18 years. Since then, there has been no report of any case of MenC disease among immunocompetent vaccinees. Administration of a single dose of MenC conjugate vaccine after infancy could be beneficial considering the already complex immunisation schedules with large numbers of vaccinations in the first year of life. The present paper deals with the advantages and critical aspects of a single dose of t...

New Meningitis Vaccine Works in Infants: Study

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0100

If licensed, it would protect babies from a strain of bacterium that can cause serious disease (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Meningococcal Vaccine Effective Against Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine Effective Against Serogroup B

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:19:50 +0100

The 4CMenB vaccine provides broad protection against serogroup B when given in 2 different schedules, either with or separately from routine vaccinations. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Novel Vaccine Protects Against Meningococcus B (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Geriatrics — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:10:18 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- An investigational vaccine against meningococcal B disease produced robust immune responses in infants, researchers reported. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)

New Meningitis Vaccine Works in Infants

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0100

If licensed, it would protect babies from a strain of bacterium that can cause serious disease Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, Meningitis (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Development made in breakdown of a Meningitis B vaccine component

Health Protection Agency — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:24:35 +0100

Scientists from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are a step closer to ensuring the stability of a component of a vaccine that may one day be used to protect against Meningitis B. The research is published today (Tuesday) in Vaccine. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

Immunogenicity and Tolerability of Recombinant Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine Administered With or Without Routine Infant Vaccinations According to Different Immunization Schedules: A Randomized Controlled Trial [Original Contribution]

JAMA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion A 4CMenB vaccine is immunogenic against reference strains when administered with routine vaccines at 2, 4, and 6 or at 2, 3, and 4 months of age, producing minimal interference with the response to routine infant vaccinations. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00721396 (Source: JAMA)

Inching Toward a Serogroup B Meningococcal Vaccine for Infants [Editorial]

JAMA — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Teenagers should get meningitis C booster

Nursing Times Breaking News — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:01:00 +0100

A significant change is likely in the routine schedule for meningitis C vaccination, following new recommendations from government advisors. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Cost-effectiveness of introducing the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine into the universal immunisation of infants in Brazil

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion The PCV10 universal infant immunisation programme is a cost-effective intervention (1–3 GDP per capita/DALY avoided). Owing to the uncertain burden of disease data, as well as unclear long-term vaccine effects, surveillance systems to monitor the long-term effects of this programme will be essential. (Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health)

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Carriage of encapsulated bacteria in Gabonese children with sickle cell anemia

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, carriage and resistance rates are similar in children with and without SCA. Our data provide the basis to guide empiric therapy of invasive diseases caused by S. pneumoniae, S. aureus and H. influenza in children in Gabon. (Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)

Pediatricians' Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for Boys

Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Immunization schedules for meningitis, flu also updated (Source: Cancercompass News: Gynecological Cancer)

Pediatricians’ Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for Boys

The Doctors Lounge - Oncology — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Immunization schedules for meningitis, flu also updated (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Oncology)

Pediatricians' Group Recommends HPV Vaccine for Boys

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0100

Immunization schedules for meningitis, flu also updated Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, HPV (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Improving the Quality of Immunization Delivery to an At-Risk Population: A Comprehensive Approach

PEDIATRICS — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: We were able to implement a comprehensive immunization QI program that was sustainable over time. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

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[National Survey of Vaccination Coverage (Influenza, pneumococcus and tetanus) in Mexican population of 60 years of age and older].

Salud Publica de Mexico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Important improvements are shown in vaccination coverage among elderly in Mexico. Differentials suggest the need to intensify information campaigns and actions that could improve the accessibility to vaccines for this population. PMID: 22286827 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Salud Publica de Mexico)

Prevnar 13 Should Be Watched for Febrile Seizure RiskPrevnar 13 Should Be Watched for Febrile Seizure Risk

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:14:41 +0100

The panel concurs with the Food and Drug Administration that the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine should continue routine monitoring, including for febrile seizure risk. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Vaccinate teenagers against meningitis, say DH advisers

HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:02:00 +0100

Millions of teenagers may be set to routinely receive a 'booster' dose of the meningitis C vaccine following recommendations from government advisers. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Pharmacist News)

PREVNAR 13 (Pneumococcal 13-Valent Conjugate Vaccine) Injection, Suspension [Wyeth Pharmaceutical Division Of Wyeth Holdings Corporation, A Subsidiary Of Pfizer Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jan 31, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

How Bacteria Behind Serious Childhood Disease Evolve To Evade Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Genetics has provided surprising insights into why vaccines used in both the UK and US to combat serious childhood infections can eventually fail. The study, published in Nature Genetics, which investigates how bacteria change their disguise to evade the vaccines, has implications for how future vaccines can be made more effective. Pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae) causes potentially life-threatening diseases including pneumonia and meningitis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Prospective epidemiologic surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia in children in San José, Costa Rica.

Vaccine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable burden of IPD and pneumonia in children in San José. These epidemiologic data serve as a baseline to evaluate the effectiveness of the incorporation of new conjugate pneumococcal vaccines into the National Immunization Program in Costa Rican children. PMID: 22300725 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Is the pneumococcal vaccine Advance Market Commitment motivating innovation and increasing manufacturing capacity? Some preliminary answers.

Vaccine — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Plahte J Abstract This paper seeks to give some preliminary evidence on the potential outcome of the pneumococcal vaccine Advance Market Commitment (AMC), with a focus on its impact on innovation in 'emerging' vaccine manufacturers in developing countries. The evidence is derived from a series of interviews with executives at industrial vaccine developing organizations with pneumococcal vaccines in their R&D portfolio, including both multinational pharmaceutical companies and 'emerging' manufacturers. The main findings are that so far there is no evidence to support any claim that the AMC is speeding innovation of pneumococcal vaccines, or that it is contributing to productive capacity expansion. Representatives of emerging manufacturers consistently state that the AMC...

Refolding, purification and crystallization of the FrpB outer membrane iron transporter from Neisseria meningitidis

Acta Crystallographica Section F — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

FrpB is an integral outer membrane protein from the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. It is a member of the TonB-dependent transporter family and promotes the uptake of iron across the outer membrane. There is also evidence that FrpB is an antigen and hence a potential component of a vaccine against meningococcal meningitis. FrpB incorporating a polyhistidine tag was overexpressed in Escherichia coli into inclusion bodies. The protein was then solubilized in urea, refolded and purified to homogeneity. Two separate antigenic variants of FrpB were crystallized by sitting-drop vapour diffusion. Crystals of the F5-1 variant diffracted to 2.4 Å resolution and belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 176.5, b = 79.4, c = 75.9 Å, β = 98.3°. Crystal-packing calculatio...

Recent advances in pneumococcal peptidoglycan biosynthesis suggest new vaccine and antimicrobial targets.

Current Opinion in Microbiology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sham LT, Tsui HC, Land AD, Barendt SM, Winkler ME Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae is a serious human respiratory pathogen that has the capacity to evade capsule-based vaccines and to develop multidrug antibiotic resistance. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms and regulation of peptidoglycan (PG) biosynthesis that result in ellipsoid-shaped, ovococcus Streptococcus cells. New results support a two-state model for septal and peripheral PG synthesis at mid-cell, involvement of essential cell division proteins in PG remodeling, and mid-cell localization of proteins that organize PG biosynthesis and that form the protein translocation apparatus. PG biosynthesis proteins have already turned up as promising vaccine candidates and targets of an...

Measurement of antibodies to pneumococcal, meningococcal and haemophilus polysaccharides, and tetanus and diphtheria toxoids using a 19-plexed assay.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Whitelegg AM, Birtwistle J, Richter A, Campbell JP, Turner JE, Ahmed TM, Giles LJ, Fellows M, Plant T, Ferraro AJ, Cobbold M, Drayson MT, Maclennan CA Abstract The measurement of antibody responses to vaccination is useful in the assessment of immune status in suspected immune deficiency. Previous reliance on enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA) has been cumbersome, time-consuming and expensive. The availability of flow cytometry systems has led to the development of multiplexed assays enabling simultaneous measurement of antibodies to several antigens. We optimized a flow cytometric bead-based assay to measure IgG and IgM concentrations in serum to 19 antigens contained in groups of bacterial subunit vaccines: pneumococcal vaccines, meningococcal vaccines, Haemoph...

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Study: Vaccine against bacterial meningitis shows promise

USATODAY.com Health — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

A new vaccine to protect against meningococcus B, a common cause of bacterial meningitis, shows promise in clinical trials. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Meningococcal Vaccine: A Position Statement of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

Journal of Adolescent Health — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:56:16 +0100

Although rates of meningococcal disease have remained low in the United States since 2000, the severity of the disease, rapidity with which it strikes, and significant sequelae remain compelling reasons to employ all means possible to prevent it. Meningococcal disease has a bimodal peak distribution in the United States with its highest incidence rates in infants and adolescents aged 16 years and older. The 2005 recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were intended to protect youth entering adolescence including individuals 16–21 years of age, the ages at which meningococcal disease rates peak for children and young adults. Administration of the quadrivalent (serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135) meningococca...

Pneumococcal disease in South Australia: Vaccine success but no time for complacency.

Vaccine — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: There has been a large direct and sustained benefit from the universal 7vPCV program in children, particularly those aged <2 years, with some evidence for serotype replacement. There is also good evidence that the childhood program has provided indirect benefits to adults aged ≥65 years, although serotype replacement has reduced the initial benefits. PMID: 22273663 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Geographic Information System and tools of spatial analysis in a pneumococcal vaccine trial

BioMed Central — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The collection of geographic locations in intervention trials should become a routine task. The results of public health research may highly depend on spatial relationships among the study subjects and between the study subjects and the environment, both natural and infrastructural.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN62323832 (Source: BioMed Central)

Group B Meningococcal Disease - New Vaccine Shows Promise

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0100

In a study published Online First in The Lancet, researchers have examined the efficacy of a new vaccine against serogroups of Neisseria meningitides, which unlike the four out of six existing safe and efficacious vaccines, also includes protection against serotype B. Serogroups of Neisseria meningitides cause meningococcal diseases, including meningitis. Even though serotype B is the most prevalent strain across South America, it is also common in high-income countries causing much of the remaining meningococcal disease burden... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Meningitis: is a major cause of disability amongst Papua New Guinea children?

Disability and Rehabilitation — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach is required to manage the child with meningitis. Adequate knowledge, resources and assistance about the condition among the health professionals, carers and teachers would enable the children to achieve the quality of life. [Box: see text]. PMID: 22256779 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Disability and Rehabilitation)

Cost-effectiveness of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines of 7, 10, and 13 valences in Colombian children.

Vaccine — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Routine vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae in Colombia would be cost-effective with PCV-10, with ICER below the per-capita GDP, but its inclusion requires evaluating the budget impact. PCV-13 would prevent more disease and deaths with a higher LYG, but PCV-10 would save more cost to the healthcare system due its higher impact in the prevention of AOM. There is limitation in the clinical evidence of both strategies. PMID: 22266291 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Meningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Is Effective in ChileMeningococcal Serogroup B Vaccine Is Effective in Chile

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:43:31 +0100

The new vaccine includes protection against serotype B, which is not covered by currently available meningococcal vaccines. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows Promise

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0100

Disease caused by the B strain can be deadly (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Meningitis jab ‘protection hope’

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:49:11 +0100

A vaccine against one of the most common forms of childhood meningitis could reduce the number of deaths in the UK even further. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Monitoring The Impact Of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination In The Gambia

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Grant MacKenzie of the MRC Unit in The Gambia and colleagues describe in this week's PLoS Medicine how they set up a population-based surveillance system to assess the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and radiological pneumonia in children in The Gambia. The surveillance system is expected to inform immunisation policy and serves as a potential model for those introducing routine PCV vaccination in diverse settings... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows Promise

MedicineNet Cancer General — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Vaccine Against Bacterial Meningitis Shows PromiseCategory: Health NewsCreated: 1/18/2012 10:06:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 1/18/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Cancer General)

New vaccine against deadly meningitis B 'will be available in the spring'

the Mail online | Health — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:47:09 +0100

The jab could dramatically cut the toll of infants and children dying from the disease or struggling with lifelong disabilities. Data suggests it could guard against 80 per cent of 1,000 meningitis strains in Europe. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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Dominance of multidrug resistant CC271 clones in macrolide-resistant streptococcus pneumoniae in Arizona

BMC Microbiology - Latest articles — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The dual-positive, multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae clones have likely expanded by switching to non-vaccine serotypes after the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine release, and their success limits therapy options. This upsurge could have a considerable clinical impact in Arizona. (Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles)

[Assessment of primary care physicians' adherence to the national childhood vaccination schedule.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The level of physicians' knowledge about the vaccination schedule in children was insufficient in northern France, especially for pertussis and measles. This can decrease vaccination coverage levels as well as its beneficial effects for children. PMID: 22264997 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives de Pediatrie)

Two-dose vaccine for meningitis B developed

MedWire News - Infectious Diseases — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Researchers have developed a vaccine against group B meningococcal disease that provides highly effective protection after two doses. (Source: MedWire News - Infectious Diseases)

Pneumococcal vaccine: Anaphylaxis in a child: case report

Reactions — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:08:18 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Clarifying Meningococcal Booster Dose RecommendationsClarifying Meningococcal Booster Dose Recommendations

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0100

Dr. Amanda Cohn clears up confusion about when to give the meningococcal booster vaccine and which product to use. CDC Expert Commentary (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Unencumbered by facts: what upsets me most about the anti-vaccine movement

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:30:11 +0100

Recently I watched a clip of Andrew Wakefield being interviewed on Good Morning America, and it gave me the chills. Andrew Wakefield, if you haven’t heard of him, is the guy who pretty much singlehandedly scared thousands of parents away from the MMR vaccine with a study he published in the Lancet linking the vaccine with autism. The study has since been retracted, something journals almost never do, after it was discovered that data in it was falsified. Not only that, Wakefield lost his medical license. But is he backing down? No way. On the contrary: he is suing the British Medical Journal (from Texas) for defamation. And he is still defending his findings. It was stunning to watch. George Stephanopoulos, who was interviewing him, pointed out that his colleagues who worked with him h...

Case‐control study of risk factors for spasmodic dysphonia: A comparison with other voice disorders

The Laryngoscope — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions:SD is likely multifactorial and associated with several endogenous and exogenous factors. Certain viral exposures, voice use patterns, and familial neurological conditions may contribute to the onset of SD later in life. (Source: The Laryngoscope)

Monitoring the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination in The Gambia

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Public Library of Science) Grant MacKenzie of the MRC Unit in the Gambia and colleagues describe in this week's PLoS Medicine how they set up a population-based surveillance system to assess the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease and radiological pneumonia in children in the Gambia. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

Monitoring the Introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines into West Africa: Design and Implementation of a Population-Based Surveillance System

PLoS Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

by Grant A. Mackenzie, Ian D. Plumb, Sana Sambou, Debasish Saha, Uchendu Uchendu, Bolanle Akinsola, Usman N. Ikumapayi, Ignatius Baldeh, Effua Usuf, Kebba Touray, Momodou Jasseh, Stephen R. C. Howie, Andre Wattiaux, Ellen Lee, Maria Deloria Knoll, Orin S. Levine, Brian M. Greenwood, Richard A. Adegbola, Philip C. Hill (Source: PLoS Medicine)

Pseudoseptic arthritis of the shoulder following pneumococcal vaccination.

Orthopedics — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:24:05 +0100

Authors: Floyd MW, Boyce BM, Castellan RM, McDonough EB Abstract Pseudoseptic arthritis is primarily described in rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic inflammatory conditions. To our knowledge, only 1 case report of pseudoseptic arthritis associated with intra-articular injection of a pneumococcal polyvalent vaccine (PPV) has been published. Here, a second case is presented in which a patient presented with swelling, pain, and erythema of the affected shoulder.A 59-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of severe pain and decreased mobility of her left shoulder after receiving a PPV vaccination. Her clinical and laboratory workup was suspicious for septic arthritis; however, magnetic resonance imaging of the affected shoulder with and without c...

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Nasopharyngeal carriage rate of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Ugandan children with Sickle Cell Disease

BMC Research Notes — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Nasopharyngeal carriage of penicillin resistant pneumococci in Ugandan children with homozygous sickle cell disease is high. While nasopharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae is a determinant for invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumococcal bacteremia is reportedly low in Ugandan children with sickle cell disease. Studies on the contribution of high carriage rates to invasive pneumococcal disease in these children will be helpful. This is the first report on pneumococcal carriage rate in Ugandan children with sickle cell disease. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

The effect of iron availability on transcription of the Neisseria meningitidis fHbp gene varies among clonal complexes.

Microbiology — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study iron accessibility was found to effect fHbp transcription. However, regulation differed among meningococcal clonal complexes (cc). For the majority of isolates increased iron concentrations upregulated transcription. This effect was enhanced by the presence of an 181bp insertion element upstream of fHbp, associated with isolates belonging to cc4 and cc5. Conversely, meningococci belonging to cc32 showed iron-repressed control of fHbp as regulation was dominated by cotranscription with the iron-repressed upstream gene, cbbA. These results highlight the complexity of fHbp regulation and demonstrate that control of transcription can vary among genetic lineages. PMID: 22241045 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Microbiology)

Immunogenicity and safety of LBVH0101, a new Haemophilus influenzae type b tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine, compared with Hiberix™ in Korean infants and children: A randomized trial.

Vaccine — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: LBVH0101 showed a good immunogenicity and safety profile in infants and children. The two-dose infant-priming schedule with a booster dose may suffice for Hib immunization in Korean infants (Clinical trial registration numbers: NCT01019772 and NCT01251133). PMID: 22245607 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Lenalidomide-Induced Immunomodulation in Multiple Myeloma: Impact on Vaccines and Antitumor Responses.

Clinical Cancer Research — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first clinical evidence demonstrating that lenalidomide augments vaccine responses and endogenous antitumor immunity in patients and as such may serve as an adjuvant for cancer and possibly infectious vaccines. PMID: 22241792 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

Post-vaccination increase of serotype 19A pneumococcal disease in Norway is driven by expansion of penicillin-susceptible strains of the ST199 complex.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vestrheim DF, Steinbakk M, Aaberge IS, Caugant DA Abstract Serotype replacement in invasive pneumococcal disease has been observed after wide-spread use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). Replacement is dominated by penicillin non-susceptible serotype 19A in several countries. Antibiotic selection pressure has been proposed to interact with immunisation leading to a rapid replacement. In Norway, where prescription of antibiotics is limited, post-PCV7 replacement by serotype 19A is dominated by penicillin-susceptible clones. Hence, serotype 19A replacement occurs, although not driven by antibiotic selection pressure. PMID: 22237889 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

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Changing trend of antimicrobial resistance and serotypes in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Asian countries: an ANSORP study.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kim SH, Song JH, Chung DR, Thamlikitkul V, Yang Y, Wang H, Lu M, So TM, Hsueh PR, Yasin RM, Carlos CC, Pham HV, Lalitha MK, Shimono N, Perera J, Shibl AM, Baek JY, Kang CI, Ko KS, Peck KR, Abstract Antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a serious concern worldwide, particularly in Asian countries, despite the introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). The Asian Network for Surveillance of Resistant Pathogens (ANSORP) performed a prospective surveillance study of 2,184 S. pneumoniae isolates collected from patients with pneumococcal infections from 60 hospitals in 11 Asian countries from 2008 to 2009. Among non-meningeal isolates, prevalence rate of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml) was 4.6% and penicill...

Recombinant outer membrane secretin PilQ(406-770) as a vaccine candidate for serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis.

Vaccine — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Haghi F, Peerayeh SN, Siadat SD, Zeighami H Abstract Secretin PilQ is an antigenically conserved outer membrane protein which is present on most meningococci. This protein naturally expressed at high levels and is essential for meningococcal pilus expression at the cell surface. A 1095bp fragment of C-terminal of secretin pilQ from serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-28a. Recombinant protein was overexpressed with IPTG and affinity-purified by Ni-NTA agarose. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with purified rPilQ(406-770) mixed with Freund's adjuvant. Serum antibody responses to serogroups A and B N. meningitidis whole cells or purified rPilQ(406-770) and functional activity of antibodies were determined by ELISA and ...

A genomics-based approach to assessment of vaccine safety and immunogenicity in children.

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

Authors: White OJ, McKenna KL, Bosco A, van den Biggelaar A, Richmond P, Holt PG Abstract Immune responses to vaccines in infants and young children are typically Th2-biased, giving rise to concerns regarding potential atopy-like side effects, and antagonism of Th1-associated sterilising immunity. Conventional immunological methodology has limited capacity to effectively address these problems because of the inherent complexity of the immune responses involved. In the present study, we sought to develop an unbiased systems biology approach to elucidate superficially similar Th2-associated responses to paediatric vaccines and allergens, and to differentiate between them via gene coexpression network analysis. We demonstrate below that in immune responses to the diptheria/acellular p...

Adverse events following immunization during mass vaccination campaigns at first introduction of a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine in Burkina Faso, 2010.

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

We report on the monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) in Burkina Faso where more than 11 million people aged 1-29years were vaccinated. Vaccine pharmacovigilance relied on stimulated passive AEFI surveillance countrywide and active surveillance for 12 clinical conditions in one sentinel district (Ziniaré) with 97,715 people eligible for vaccination. All AEFI occurring during the 10days of mass campaign or the 42 subsequent days were to be notified. Serious AEFI were submitted to a national expert committee (NEC) for causality assessment. A total of 11,466,950 people were vaccinated with 1471 vaccines reported to have experienced at least one AEFI (12.83 cases per 100,000). 1444 AEFI were minor; the most common of which were fever, headache, gastro-intestinal disorder...

The challenge of post-implementation surveillance for novel meningococcal vaccines.

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

Authors: Snape MD, Medini D, Halperin SA, Detora L, Drori J, Moxon ER Abstract Novel serogroup B meningococcal vaccines are currently in late stage development and may be used in mass immunisation campaigns over the coming years. This represents an exciting development in the prevention of childhood meningitis, however monitoring the impact of these vaccines on meningococcal disease epidemiology will provide significant challenges. Although designed to prevent serogroup B meningococcal disease the vaccine antigens are not serogroup specific, creating the potential for multiple definitions of vaccine effectiveness and vaccine failure. PMID: 22230578 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

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FDA approves extended use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as a single dose to adults 50 years and older

Drug Topics - Clinical News — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

FDA has approved Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein] (Prevnar 13, Pfizer) as a single dose for use in adults aged 50 years and older. (Source: Drug Topics - Clinical News)

Definition and characterization of localised meningitis epidemics in Burkina Faso: a longitudinal retrospective study

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This definition of localised epidemics a the health centre level will be useful for risk factor and modelling studies to understand the meningitis belt phenomenon and help documenting vaccine impact against epidemic meningitis where no widespread laboratory surveillance exists for quantifying disease reduction after vaccination. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

FDA approves extended use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine as a single dose to adults 50 years and older

Drug Topics - Top News — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

FDA has approved Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein] (Prevnar 13, Pfizer) as a single dose for use in adults aged 50 years and older. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

New vaccine is nothing to sneeze at

Health Facts and Fears — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A new option for staving off pneumococcal pneumonia — one of the biggest causes of death among older adults in the United States — has just been approved for use in Americans aged 50 and older. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Medicaid reimbursement and the uptake of adolescent vaccines.

Vaccine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that, contrary to what has been shown for childhood vaccines, raising Medicaid reimbursement rates may not improve adolescent vaccine utilization. Instead, other policy changes may be more effective, such as expansion of VFC programs into universal purchase programs, further implementation of school-based vaccine mandates and efforts to raise preventive care visits among adolescents. PMID: 22226859 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

[Relationship between precariousness, social coverage, and vaccine coverage: Survey among children consulting in pediatric emergency departments in France.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Poor children living in southern France had significant delays in their routine immunizations, resulting in gaps in their protection. Every medical visit, even those conducted in an emergency ward, should identify children with immunization delays and offer a catch-up schedule if necessary. PMID: 22226013 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives de Pediatrie)

FDA Okays Pneumococcal Vaccine for Older Adults FDA Okays Pneumococcal Vaccine for Older Adults

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:07 +0100

The agency has expanded the indication for the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13, Wyeth) to adults aged 50 years and older. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

FDA OKs Prevnar for Patients 50 and Older

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA has expanded the indication for the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar 13 to include patients 50 and older. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

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FDA Expands Use of Prevnar 13 Vaccine for People Ages 50 and Older

Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:01:42 +0100

SILVER SPRING, Md., Dec. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine, was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people ages 50 years and older to prevent pneumonia and invasive... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals)

FDA Approves Pneumococcal 13 Vaccine

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:01:59 +0100

From UPI Health News (Business) (December 31, 2011) Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13 vaccine, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people age 50 and older to prevent pneumonia, officials said. Dr. Karen Midthun, director of... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

Licensure of a Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine for Children Aged 2 Through 10 Years and Updated Booster Dose Guidance for Adolescents and Other Persons at Increased Risk for Meningococcal Disease--Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011 [From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

JAMA — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Pfizer pneumonia vaccine receives FDA clearance

Drug Development Technology — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the extended use of Pfizer's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine- Prevnar 13 as a single-dose treatment for pneumonia in adults. (Source: Drug Development Technology)

FDA Greenlights Pneumonia Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

The FDA has approved Prevnar 13, for use on people over 50. Prevnar 13 is a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine, that can prevent pneumonia and disease caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae. The bacterium most commonly infects the lungs, (Pneumococcal pneumonia), causing congestion and a potentially fatal build up of fluid and mucus. However it can become more invasive entering the spinal fluid, and even the blood. Karen Midthun, M.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Mumps vaccine effectiveness against orchitis.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hahné S, Whelan J, van Binnendijk R, Swaan C, Fanoy E, Boot H, de Melker H Abstract TO THE EDITOR: Yung et al. reported in the April 2011 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the epidemiologic characteristics of the nationwide mumps outbreak in England and Wales in 2004-2005 (1). The associated effect of disease was considerable, with >43,000 reported cases and >2,600 hospitalizations. Compared with the prevaccine era, the average age of infection was higher, with infection occurring mostly in older teenagers and young adults (2). Older age at infection is associated with a higher risk of certain complications, particularly orchitis (3). Yung et al. reported that among cases of mumps, previous mumps measles rubella (MMR) vaccination offered considerable protecti...

FDA approves pneumococcal 13 vaccine

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:06:24 +0100

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13 vaccine, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people age 50 and older to prevent pneumonia, officials said. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

U.S. approves Prevnar pneumonia vaccine for adults

Reuters: Health — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:22:40 +0100

(Reuters) - U.S. health regulators approved the expansion of Pfizer Inc's blockbuster Prevnar vaccine for use in adults 50 and older to fight pneumonia, meningitis and other diseases cause by pneumococcus bacteria. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Pfizer Vaccine Wins Expanded Approval

WSJ.com: Health — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:21:47 +0100

Pfizer said its blockbuster pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13 won FDA approval for use in adults 50 years and older. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)

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FDA clears Pfizer vaccine for adults over 50

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:16:25 +0100

The FDA has approved Pfizer's best-selling Prevnar 13 vaccine for use in preventing pneumococcal disease in adults age 50 and older. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

FDA approves Pfizer's Prevnar pneumonia vaccine for adults

Reuters: Health — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:10:10 +0100

FDA expands use of Prevnar 13 vaccine for people ages 50 and older

Food and Drug Administration — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:22:00 +0100

Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine, was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for people ages 50 years and older to prevent pneumonia and invasive disease caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

2011's best health news

NHS News Feed — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:43:00 +0100

Although Behind the Headlines often spends time explaining mistaken or misguided news reports, the joy of this service is when there are genuinely exciting medical advances to report. Over the past year there have been many important and fascinating stories, and it is a credit to the national press that so many of them have been so well understood and so well reported. Here’s our pick of some of the best stories from the many brilliant health articles and impressive studies published in 2011. Heartwarming gene therapy By far the most heartwarming breakthrough in medical science involves the story of seven-year-old Jack Crick (presumably no relation to the co-discoverer of the DNA double helix). Jack was born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) – an inherited genetic mutati...

Combat pneumococcal infections: adhesins as candidates for protein-based vaccine development.

Current Drug Targets — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gámez G, Hammerschmidt S Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is an asymptomatic colonizer of the upper respiratory tract in humans. However, these apparently harmless bacteria have also a high virulence potential and are known as the etiologic agent of respiratory and life-threatening invasive diseases. Dissemination of pneumococci from the nasopharynx into the lungs or bloodstream leads to community-acquired pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. Traditionally, pneumococcal diseases are treated with antibiotics and prevented with polysaccharide-based vaccines. However, due to the dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance and limitations of the current available vaccines, the burden of diseases remains high. Thus, combating pneumococcal transmission and infe...

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Baseline Epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes in Canada Prior to the Introduction of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine

Microbial Drug Resistance — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:07:49 +0100

Microbial Drug Resistance , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Microbial Drug Resistance)

SNPs in the TLR3 and CD44 genes are associated with persistence of vaccine-induced immunity to serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moore CE, Hennig BJ, Perrett KP, Hoe JC, Lee SJ, Fletcher H, Brocklebank D, O'Connor D, Snape MD, Hall AJ, Segal S, Hill AV, Pollard AJ Abstract The rate of decay of antibody concentration following Serogroup C meningococcal (MenC) polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccination varies between individuals. This partly depends on vaccination age but may be influenced by human genetics. We studied 721 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 131 candidate genes in a first cohort of 905 Caucasians (11-21 years, mean 4.9 years after vaccination) and 30 SNPs across 17 genes in a replication study using 155 children aged (six to twelve years, mean 6.7 years after vaccination) and 196 infants (one year, mean eight months after vaccination). Individuals were classified as respon...

Serotyping and multilocus sequence typing of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from the blood and posterior nares of Japanese children prior to the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Oishi T, Wada A, Chang B, Toyabe S, Uchiyama M Abstract In Japan, the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in 2010. To assess the effects of PCV7 on invasive pneumococcal infection in children, a population-based prospective survey has been conducted in 10 prefectures. As a part of the study, blood and nasopharyngeal isolates from children admitted to the Shibata Hospital, Niigata Prefecture, were analyzed for determining the serotypes, their susceptibilities to antimicrobial agents, and multilocus sequence types. Sixteen blood isolates were obtained from October 2007 to December 2009. Sixty-three nasopharyngeal isolates were obtained from the posterior nares of 118 children with pneumonia from April to September 2008. The coverage rates of the blo...

Seroprevalence of serum bactericidal antibodies against group W135 and Y meningococci in England in 2009.

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

Authors: Trotter CL, Findlow H, Borrow R Abstract Serological surveillance has been used in the UK to inform vaccine policy for several infections, including group C meningococci. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines, containing capsular groups A, W135 and Y in addition to C are now available but their use in the UK is restricted to at risk groups and travellers to endemic areas. The aim of this study is to establish a baseline for natural immunity for groups W135 and Y. Serum samples collected in 2009 from individuals of all ages were obtained from the Health Protection Agency Seroepidemiology Unit, which collects residual sera from participating laboratories across the country. Serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) activity against two reference strains representing group Y (strain M03 2...

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MSF releases 10 stories that mattered in 2011

MSF News — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 20:31:00 +0100

A list of 10 Stories that Mattered in Access to Medicines in 2011 was released this week by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The list looks at developments in 2011 that had an impact – whether positive or negative – on people’s ability to access needed drugs, diagnostics and vaccines in developing countries. “For the diseases our medical teams encounter every day in places where we work, 2011 was a year of both critical progress and dangerous backsliding,” said Tido von Schoen-Angerer, a physician and executive director of MSF’s Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines. “At a time of so much promise, it is crucial to continue pushing forward, and refuse to accept a double standard in care between rich and poor countries.” The list covers key developments regarding ...

MSF Releases 'Ten Stories That Mattered in Access to Medicines in 2011'

MSF News — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:14:00 +0100

Geneva/New York, December 20, 2011—A list of "Ten Stories that Mattered in Access to Medicines in 2011" was released today by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The list looks at developments in 2011 that had an impact—whether positive or negative—on people’s ability to access needed drugs, diagnostics, and vaccines in developing countries. Access to Essential Medicines: Ten Stories That Mattered in 2011 Download full report [1989 KB] For the diseases our medical teams encounter every day in places where we work, 2011 was a year of both critical progress and dangerous backsliding,” said Dr. Tido von Schoen-Angerer, executive director of MSF’s...

Drug-induced immune thrombocytopaenia: results from the Berlin Case–Control Surveillance Study

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:46:52 +0100

Conclusions Our study confirms known ITP risks for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists and sulphonamides and generates signals for several other drugs and vaccines. New onset of ITP should not only direct attention to drugs as possible aetiological agents, but also to vaccines that are known to cause autoimmune phenomena. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Pharmacoepidemiology and PrescriptionPages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s00228-011-1184-3Authors Edeltraut Garbe, Centre of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, GermanyFrank Andersohn, Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economy, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, GermanyElisabeth Bronder, Centre of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, C...

Meningococcal quadrivalent (serogroups a, C, w135, and y) conjugate vaccine (menveo®)†: profile report.

Paediatric Drugs — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:12:40 +0100

Authors: Deeks ED Abstract † Adapted and reproduced from the original article published in BioDrugs 2010; 24 (5): 287-97.[1]. PMID: 22149552 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Paediatric Drugs)

Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (13-valent, adsorbed) [prevenar 13®]†: profile report.

Paediatric Drugs — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:12:30 +0100

Authors: Duggan ST Abstract † Adapted and reproduced from the original article published in Drugs 2010; 70 (15): 1973-86. PMID: 22149553 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Paediatric Drugs)

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Meningococcal Quadrivalent (Serogroups A, C, W135, and Y) Conjugate Vaccine (Menveo): Profile Report

Pediatric Drugs — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:25:18 +0100

(Source: Pediatric Drugs)

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine (13-Valent, Adsorbed) Prevenar 13: Profile Report

Pediatric Drugs — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:25:18 +0100

(Source: Pediatric Drugs)

GSK extends pneumococcal vaccine agreement with GAVI Alliance

GSK news — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:10:27 +0100

GSK today announced it has expanded its agreement with the GAVI Alliance in a move to help protect millions more children in the world‟s poorest countries from pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease can lead to pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis and is a leading cause of death in children under the age of five in developing countries. (Source: GSK news)

Vaccines: Enhancing glycan presentation increases vaccine efficacy

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery 11, 21 (2012). doi:10.1038/nrd3637 Author: Monica Hoyos Flight Carrier proteins coupled to polysaccharides that are extracted from bacterial cell walls are used as vaccines to prevent many infectious diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis. These glycoconjugate vaccines elicit a T cell response that boosts the production of high-affinity antibodies against the polysaccharide by (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery)

Immunization schedule of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics: 2012 recommendations.

Anales de Pediatria — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moreno-Pérez D, Alvarez García FJ, Aristegui Fernández J, Barrio Corrales F, Cilleruelo Ortega MJ, Corretger Rauet JM, González-Hachero J, Hernández-Sampelayo Matos T, Merino Moína M, Ortigosa Del Castillo L, Ruiz-Contreras J, Abstract The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP) updates the immunization schedule every year, taking into account epidemiological data as well as evidence on the effectiveness and efficiency of vaccines. The present schedule includes grades of recommendation. We have graded as routine vaccinations those that the CAV-AEP believes all children should receive; as recommended those that fit the profile for universal childhood immunization and would ideally be given to all children, but that can be pri...

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Pharmacodynamic Effects of Steady-State Fingolimod on Antibody Response in Healthy Volunteers: A 4-Week, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group, Multiple-Dose Study.

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Boulton C, Meiser K, David OJ, Schmouder R Abstract Fingolimod, a first-in-class oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator, is approved in many countries for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, at a once-daily 0.5-mg dose. A reduction in peripheral lymphocyte count is an expected consequence of the fingolimod mechanism of S1PR modulation. The authors investigated if this pharmacodynamic effect impacts humoral and cellular immunogenicity. In this double-blind, parallel-group, 4-week study, 72 healthy volunteers were randomized to steady state, fingolimod 0.5 mg, 1.25 mg, or to placebo. The authors compared T-cell dependent and independent responses to the neoantigens, keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), and pneumococcal polysaccharides vaccine (PPV-23), respec...

Updated Case Counts

About.com Pediatrics — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:44:55 +0100

Some updated case counts of vaccine-preventable diseases (not all pediatric) include: at least 223 reported cases of measles for the year, the most since 1996 120 pediatric flu deaths from the 2010-2011 flu season, an increase from the previous total of 118 deaths to include two deaths that were recently reported to the CDC 7 cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) 168 cases of invasive meningococcal disease types A, C, Y, and W-135 1,078 cases of hepatitis A 2,315 cases of hepatitis B 13,188 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) ...Read Full Post (Source: About.com Pediatrics)

Childhood immunisation with conjugate vaccines and prevention of pneumonia

Thorax — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Principi and Esposito1 describe that widespread use of Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has nearly eliminated pneumonia due to the first pathogen and significantly reduced the number of cases due to the second pathogen. So, they advise a strong recommendation of these vaccines worldwide. However, the Indonesia probe-trial cited by them actually found more cases of pneumonia admitted to hospital among those vaccinated, and meningitis admissions were not reduced significantly either. The trial did not support a major role for Hib vaccine in overall pneumonia prevention programmes, but in view of high incidences of Hib meningitis and pneumonia found in the study, the authors mentioned that inclusion of Hib vaccine in routine immunisation programmes in A...

Authors' response

Thorax — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We thank Dr Das for his letter1 regarding our paper on the management of severe community-acquired pneumonia in children.2 He questions our suggestion that both Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate and pneumococcal conjugate (PCV) vaccines could be given to Asian children living in developing countries on the grounds that the incidence of infections due to Hib and the pneumococcal serotypes included in PCV is low. He also states that there is no clear demonstration that either vaccine is effective, and the risk of replacement phenomena is a significant limitation. Regarding the burden of Hib infection, data show that Hib is significantly more important in Asia than previously thought mainly because a number of cases are not identified by the short-term administration of low-dose a...

[Immunization schedule of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics: 2012 recommendations.]

Anales de Pediatria — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moreno-Pérez D, Alvarez García FJ, Arístegui Fernández J, Barrio Corrales F, Cilleruelo Ortega MJ, Corretger Rauet JM, González-Hachero J, Hernández-Sampelayo Matos T, Merino Moína M, Ortigosa Del Castillo L, Ruiz-Contreras J, Abstract The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP) updates the immunization schedule every year, taking into account epidemiological data as well as evidence on the effectiveness and efficency of vaccines. The present schedule includes grades of recommendation. We have graded as routine vaccinations those that the CAV-AEP believes all children should receive; as recommended those that fit the profile for universal childhood immunization and would ideally be given to all children, but that can be pri...

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Safety of Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal Polysaccharide and Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Drug Safety — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:05:59 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Serotype-specific pneumococcal antibody concentrations in children treated for acute leukaemia

Archives of Disease in Childhood — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Children treated for acute leukaemia are at increased risk of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The basis for this may include low levels of pneumococcal antibody but this has not been well studied. The authors measured serotype-specific pneumococcal IgG antibody concentrations in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ≥6 months after completion of standard-dose chemotherapy. Pneumococcal serotype-specific IgG antibody concentrations were low. None of the subjects had protective concentrations against all the heptavalent-pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes. There was no significant difference in antibody concentrations between subjects with ALL and AML (p≥0.05). Children treated for ALL and AML generally have non-protect...

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) Coverage Among Children Aged

JAMA — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Pneumococcal Disease and Vaccine in Children Aged

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0100

What are the latest recommendations for immunizing very young children against pneumococcal infections? Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Turning bacterias shield into a weapon against it

Chemistry World | Latest News — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 07:23:20 +0100

Meningitis-causing bacteria produce a sugar layer that could be used against them in a vaccine (Source: Chemistry World | Latest News)

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Three more African countries to roll out new meningitis vaccine, UN says

UN News Centre - Health, Poverty, Food Security — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Three more countries in the so-called "meningitis belt" stretching across Africa will this month introduce a new vaccine designed to eliminate a particular strain of the often deadly disease, the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) reported today. (Source: UN News Centre - Health, Poverty, Food Security)

AAP Updates Meningococcal Vaccine/Booster Dose GuidelinesAAP Updates Meningococcal Vaccine/Booster Dose Guidelines

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:27:23 +0100

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that 16-year-olds receive a booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Concomitant MMRV, Prevnar Safe for Healthy InfantsConcomitant MMRV, Prevnar Safe for Healthy Infants

Medscape Pediatrics Headlines — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:52:35 +0100

Administering a child's first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine together with the pneumococcal vaccine is "highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated." Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Pediatrics Headlines)

Recurrent bacterial meningitis by three different pathogens in an isolated asplenic child

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:03:18 +0100

We describe a girl with ICA who developed recurrent meningitis by three different pathogens. The first, meningitis by Escherichia coli, occurred 4 days after premature birth. The other two pathogens were serotype 6B Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), at 18 and 25 months of age, respectively. The patient was successfully treated with prompt antimicrobial therapy in all episodes. Serum anti-polyribosylribitol phosphate (PRP) and anti-6B-type pneumococcal antibodies were below the levels for protective activity after natural infections. Although anti-PRP antibody was significantly increased after Hib vaccination, two (6B and 19F) of seven serotype-specific pneumococcal antibodies were not elevated to protective levels after the second 7-valent pn...

Concomitant MMRV, Prevnar safe for healthy infants

Modern Medicine — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Administering a child's first dose of the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine together with the pneumococcal vaccine is "highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated," a new study shows. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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[Review] Serotype replacement in disease after pneumococcal vaccination

LANCET — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryVaccination with heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) has significantly reduced the burden of pneumococcal disease and has had an important public health benefit. Because this vaccine targets only seven of the more than 92 pneumococcal serotypes, concerns have been raised that non-vaccine serotypes (NVTs) could increase in prevalence and reduce the benefits of vaccination. Indeed, among asymptomatic carriers, the prevalence of NVTs has increased substantially, and consequently, there has been little or no net change in the bacterial carriage prevalence. (Source: LANCET)

FDA Committee Votes to Broaden PCV13 Indication to Adults 50 and Older

AAFP Health of the Public — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:55:00 +0100

The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, or PCV13, which is marketed as Prevnar 13, most likely will receive an expanded age indication -- and, possibly, a CDC recommendation -- by the middle of 2012. That's according to one family physician who currently sits on the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP. (Source: AAFP Health of the Public)

FDA advisory committee votes to extend use of pneumococcal vaccine to adults

Modern Medicine — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologics Advisory Committee recently voted in favor of expanding the indication for the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13) for the prevention of pneumococcal disease in adults age 50 years and older, Pfizer Inc, the drug’s manufacturer, said in a statement. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Regulatory Update: Glaxosmithkline Submits Additional Information for Candidate Meningococcal and Hib Combination Vaccine

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:58:14 +0100

Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 1, 2011 -GlaxoSmithKline [NYSE:GSK] today submitted additional information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the candidate meningococcal and... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

Regulatory Update: GlaxoSmithKline submits additional information for candidate meningococcal and Hib combination vaccine

GSK news — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:15:51 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline [NYSE:GSK] today submitted additional information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the candidate meningococcal and Hib combination vaccine MenHibrix® (Hib-MenCY-TT). This information was submitted in response to the September 2011 Complete Response letter received from the FDA. (Source: GSK news)

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Regulatory Update: Glaxosmithkline Submits Additional Information for Candidate Meningococcal and Hib Combination Vaccine

Drugs.com - New Drug Applications — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:12:26 +0100

Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 1, 2011 -GlaxoSmithKline today submitted additional information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in support of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the candidate meningococcal and Hib combination... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Applications)

Nigeria: Mothers Urged to Immunize Against Meningitis

AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:08:40 +0100

Chairman Bauchi state Primary health care development Agency, Dr Musa Dambam has charged pregnant women and nursing mothers in the state to participate fully in the upcoming meningitis vaccination scheduled take place in state, so as to order boost their immunity against the epidemic. (Source: AllAfrica News: Pregnancy and Childbirth)

Adolescent Vaccination-Coverage Levels in the United States: 2006-2009

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent vaccination coverage is increasing but could be improved. Strategies are needed to increase parental knowledge about adolescent vaccines and improve provider recommendation and administration of all vaccines during the same visit. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Washington State Pediatricians' Attitudes Toward Alternative Childhood Immunization Schedules

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Washington State pediatricians are regularly being asked to use ACISs, and most of them are comfortable using them if requested. Pediatricians are least willing to delay H influenzae type b vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus toxoids-acellular pertussis vaccine, and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, which suggests prioritization of immunizations that protect against potentially devastating bacterial infections of infancy and early childhood. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccines Policy Update: Booster Dose Recommendations

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics approved updated recommendations for the use of quadravalent (serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y) meningococcal conjugate vaccines (Menactra [Sanofi Pasteur, Swiftwater, PA] and Menveo [Novartis, Basel, Switzerland]) in adolescents and in people at persistent high risk of meningococcal disease. The recommendations supplement previous Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for meningococcal vaccinations. Data were reviewed pertaining to immunogenicity in high-risk groups, bactericidal antibody persistence after immunization, current epidemiology of meningococcal disease, meningococcal conjugate vaccine e...

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Immunogenicity and Safety of MMRV and PCV-7 Administered Concomitantly in Healthy Children

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of the MMRV and PCV-7 is highly immunogenic and generally well tolerated. Similar immune responses between the groups support concomitant administration of the MMRV and PCV-7 to healthy children 12 to 15 months of age. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Emergency Department Laboratory Evaluations of Fever Without Source in Children Aged 3 to 36 Months

PEDIATRICS — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Little is known about emergency department (ED) physicians' practice patterns in diagnostic testing of patients with fever without source (FWS) in the 3- to 36-month-old age group, particularly after introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. In the majority of US ED visits for FWS among children aged 3 to 36 months, physicians ordered no tests (complete blood count, urinalysis, blood culture, radiographs, or rapid influenza). Physicians ordered a urinalysis in <50% of visits by girls with a temperature of ≥39°C. (Read the full article) (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Antibody response is reduced following vaccination with 7‐valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine in adult methotrexate‐treated patients with established arthritis, but not those treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors

Arthritis and Rheumatism — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionTreatment with MTX and higher age were predictive of an impaired antibody response to the 7‐valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine in this cohort of patients with chronic arthritis. TNF inhibitors did not significantly affect antibody responses. (Source: Arthritis and Rheumatism)

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles associated with bacterial meningitis among children: A referral hospital-based study in Iran.

Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, despite the advances in antibiotic therapy and vaccine development, bacterial meningitis still is a health problem. S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and N. meningitidis are the main sources of bacterial meningitis, but other organisms such as E. coli should also be suspected, when a case is admitted to a referral pediatric hospital. PMID: 22207285 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Microbiologica et Immunologica Hungarica)

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13-valent pneumococcal vaccine is underused, CDC finds

Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Only about one-third of children for whom a supplemental dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was recommended actually received it, according to CDC researchers. (Source: Modern Medicine Contemporary Pediatrics)

Advance market commitment for pneumococcal vaccines: putting theory into practice.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cernuschi T, Furrer E, Schwalbe N, Jones A, Berndt ER, McAdams S Abstract Markets for life-saving vaccines do not often generate the most desired outcomes from a public health perspective in terms of product quantity, quality, affordability, programmatic suitability and/or sustainability for use in the lowest income countries. The perceived risks and uncertainties about sustainably funded demand from developing countries often leads to underinvestment in development and manufacturing of appropriate products. The pilot initiative Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for pneumococcal vaccines, launched in 2009, aims to remove some of these market risks by providing a legally binding forward commitment to purchase vaccines according to predetermined terms. To date, 14 countries ha...

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Red Cross Chat — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:39:39 +0100

This Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up is courtesy of Scott Waggoner, from Cross Blog: Award-winning Red Cross news and views from Oregon and beyond Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It’s a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work… MALDIVES: Last week the Maldivian Red Crescent became the 187th member of the IFRC at its 18th General Assembly in Geneva. The process of forming the new National Society began in the wake of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which affected over 27,000 people in the Maldives. These low-lying islands will be among the most threatened territories should sea levels rise signi...

'HIV tests for all' proposed

NHS News Feed — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:53:00 +0100

“UK experts call for universal HIV testing in a bid to reduce infections,” BBC News has said. This widely reported news is based on recommendations in the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA) annual report on HIV in the UK. The HPA says that the number of people living with HIV has reached an estimated 91,500, but more than 21,000 of these people may not know that they have the infection. It wants everyone who attends a sexual health clinic to be tested to reduce the number of people who are unaware that they have HIV. In areas where rates of HIV infection are high, the HPA also wants tests for everyone who registers with a new GP or is admitted to hospital. The HPA recommends that people most at risk of HIV infection (such as men who have sex with men, black Africans and people who in...

A Vaccine Prototype Stronger Than Traditional Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) researchers have created a vaccine that is more potent than traditional vaccines available today. The glycoconjugate vaccine prototype is 100 times more effective than traditional glycoconjugate vaccines. Their work is published in the December 2011 issue of Nature Medicine. A glycoconjugate vaccine is comprised of covalently bound carbohydrate and protein molecules, and is the standard design for many vaccines used to protect against common diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Active Immunization with Pneumolysin versus 23-Valent Polysaccharide Vaccine for Streptococcus pneumoniae Keratitis [Immunology and Microbiology]

Investigative Ophthalmology — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Active immunization with pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide and Freund's adjuvant fails to produce opsonizing antibodies, and passive administration of serotype specific opsonizing antibodies offers no protection against pneumococcal keratitis in the rabbit, whereas active immunization with the conserved protein virulence factor PLY and Freund's adjuvant is able to reduce corneal inflammation associated with pneumococcal keratitis, but has variable effects on bacterial loads in the cornea. (Source: Investigative Ophthalmology)

Pediatric Group Updates Meningoccal Vaccine Policy

WDSU.com - Health — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:29:04 +0100

The American Association of Pediatrics has updated vaccine policy recommendations for meningococcal vaccines, advising a booster dose be given three years later, to bolster immunity against meningococcal illness among teens and young adults. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

AAP Publishes Meningococcal Vaccine Guidance (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Pediatrics — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued updated guidelines on the use of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines, bringing it in line with those issued by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). (Source: MedPage Today Pediatrics)

[Review] Making new vaccines affordable: a comparison of financing processes used to develop and deploy new meningococcal and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines

LANCET — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 12:00:53 +0100

SummaryMechanisms to increase access to health products are varied and controversial. Two innovative mechanisms have been used to accelerate the development of low-price supply lines for conjugate vaccines. The Meningitis Vaccine Project is a so-called push mechanism that facilitated technology transfer to an Indian company to establish capacity to manufacture a vaccine. The Advanced Market Commitment for pneumococcal vaccines is a so-called pull mechanism that guarantees companies a supplement paid in addition to the purchase price for vaccines for a specific period. (Source: LANCET)

Meningococcal Vaccine in Children Aged 9 Through 23 MonthsMeningococcal Vaccine in Children Aged 9 Through 23 Months

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:50:32 +0100

What are the latest recommendations on vaccinating very young children against meningococcal infections? Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Nigeria: 'FG Will Introduce Pneumonia Vaccine in 2013'

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:31:59 +0100

Despite calls for the inclusion of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) the immunization programme, the Federal Government said funding challenges has made it impossible to do so. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

Invasive HiB in a previously immunised child following chemotherapy for ALL: Category: Clinical lesson

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

In the absence of vaccination, Haemophilus Influenza Type B is the commonest cause of bacterial meningitis in children worldwide. Rates of invasive HiB in the UK have fallen dramatically since the introduction of vaccination programmes. Consequently, it is something that is rarely seen by paediatricians but remains a threat amongst vulnerable populations, as is demonstrated in this case. (Source: Journal of Infection)

An investigation into the molecular basis of Streptococcus pneumoniae of different isolates: Category: Lesson in Microbiology & Infection Control

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

The objective of this research programme is to identify the differentially synthesised bacterial proteins between resistant and sensitive S. Pneumoniae isolates. In addition, proteins that define bacterial pathogenesis, particularly bacterial invasiveness, will also be located using proteomic and mass spectrometry technology to establish correlations between bacterial invasiveness, antibiotic resistance and the differential protein expression. The data obtained from the study can be used as a valid approach for the potential development of new therapeutic and diagnostic solutions. (Source: Journal of Infection)

Nigeria: Nation Stands Against Child Killer Pneumonia

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:24:07 +0100

An expert committee on pneumococcal disease has recommended routine immunisation of children from the first six weeks of life till they turn 5 years in a bid to prevent death by pneumonia using new vaccines to be introduced by 2013. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Structure of a Potential Vaccine Target from N. meningitidis [Protein Structure and Folding]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Neisseria heparin binding antigen (NHBA), also known as GNA2132 (genome-derived Neisseria antigen 2132), is a surface-exposed lipoprotein from Neisseria meningitidis that was originally identified by reverse vaccinology. It is one the three main antigens of a multicomponent vaccine against serogroup B meningitis (4CMenB), which has just completed phase III clinical trials in infants. In contrast to the other two main vaccine components, little is known about the origin of the immunogenicity of this antigen, and about its ability to induce a strong cross-bactericidal response in animals and humans. To characterize NHBA in terms of its structural/immunogenic properties, we have analyzed its sequence and identified a C-terminal region that is highly conserved in all strains. We demonstrate ex...

Recognizing the symptoms of meningitis

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:36:27 +0100

A Boston middle school student died earlier this week, and bacterial meningitis is thought to be the cause of death. According to reports, the young girl complained to a school nurse that she felt sick on Friday; by Monday night she had died. Meningitis is the term for an infection that affects the brain and spinal cord. There are lots of different kinds, from mild types of viral meningitis that completely resolve without any problems, to the severe kind of bacterial meningitis that is being blamed for this young girl’s death. It’s a tragic story and one that’s likely to get media coverage because of the patient’s young age and the fact that bacterial meningitis can be contagious. It’s most likely to be transmitted from person to person in close living quarters, especially throug...

Primary vaccination with the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) in infants in Mali and Nigeria: a randomized controlled trial

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Background: Pneumonia is still the leading cause of death among children in Africa, and pneumococcal serotypes 1 and 5 are frequently isolated from African children with invasive pneumococcal disease below the age of 5 years. The immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity of 3-dose primary vaccination with the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) were evaluated in infants in Mali and Nigeria. Methods: In an open, randomized, controlled study, 357 infants received DTPw-HBV/Hib and OPV primary vaccination with (PHiD-CV group) or without (control group) PHiD-CV co-administration at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age. Pneumococcal antibody responses and opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) were measured and adverse events (AEs) recorded. Results: On...

PNEUMOVAX 23 (Pneumococcal Vaccine Polyvalent) Injection, Solution [Merck Sharp Dohme Corp.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Nov 22, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))