MedWorm: Pneomococcal Vaccine

UK announces cash boost for vaccines and free health care in poor countries

BMJ Online First — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:20:54 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

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BCG vaccination in developing countries

BMJ Online First — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:54:56 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

GAVI Alliance Reaches Agreement With Drugmakers On Reduced-Price Pneumococcal Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Several drugmakers have reached an agreement "to supply up to 200 million doses a year of cut-price pneumococcal vaccines to developing nations," according to GAVI Alliance, Reuters reports. A formal announcement of the deal is expected "in the next couple of weeks," GAVI's Deputy Chief Executive Officer Helen Evans told the news service Thursday. "Pneumococcal disease is one of the world's biggest killers of children, claiming up to 1.6 million lives each year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GAVI Alliance Reaches Agreement With Drugmakers On Reduced-Price Pneumococcal Vaccines

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Several drugmakers have reached an agreement "to supply up to 200 million doses a year of cut-price pneumococcal vaccines to developing nations," according to GAVI Alliance, Reuters reports. A formal announcement of the deal is expected "in the next couple of weeks," GAVI's Deputy Chief Executive Officer Helen Evans told the news service Thursday... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Use Shot that Targets 13 Strains of Pneumococci (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Public Health — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:13:14 +0100

Giving kids the new 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may further decrease disease burden, researchers have found. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Young Kids to Benefit From Broader Pneumococcal Vaccine

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Young Kids to Benefit From Broader Pneumococcal VaccineCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/11/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/12/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

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Young Kids to Benefit From Broader Pneumococcal Vaccine

MedicineNet Hepatitis C General — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Young Kids to Benefit From Broader Pneumococcal VaccineCategory: Health NewsCreated: 3/11/2010 12:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 3/12/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Hepatitis C General)

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Young Children Before Licensure of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine --- United States, 2007

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Licensure of a 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) and Recommendations for Use Among Children --- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

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

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 12, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Licensure of a 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) and Recommendations for Use Among Children --- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes recommendations approved by ACIP on February 24, 2010, for 1) routine vaccination of all children aged 2--59 months with PCV13, 2) vaccination with PCV13 of children aged 60--71 months with underlying medical conditions that increase their risk for pneumococcal disease or complications, and 3) PCV13 vaccination of children who previously received 1 or more doses of PCV7. CDC guidance for vaccination providers regarding transition from PCV7 to the PCV13 immunization program also is included. PMID: 20224542 [PubMed - in process] (Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl...)

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Invasive pneumococcal disease in young children before licensure of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine --- United States, 2007.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that among 427 IPD cases with known serotype in children aged <5 years, 274 (64%) were caused by serotypes contained in PCV13. In 2007, an estimated 4,600 cases of IPD occurred in children in this age group in the United States, including approximately 2,900 cases caused by serotypes covered in PCV13 (versus 70 cases caused by PCV7 serotypes). PCV13 use has the potential to further reduce IPD in the United States. Post-licensure monitoring will help characterize the effectiveness of PCV13 in different populations and track the potential changes in disease burden caused by non-PCV13 serotypes. PMID: 20224541 [PubMed - in process] (Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl...)

Article Outlines Use of PCV13 Vaccine in Young Children

Modern Medicine — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was recently licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is recommended for all children ages 2 to 59 months, as well as some older children with underlying conditions, according to a report in the March 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. According to another report in the same issue, the vaccine could greatly reduce the prevalence of pneumococcal disease in children younger than 5 years. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Evaluation of Mycoplasmas Inactivation during Production of Biologics: Egg-Based Viral Vaccines as a Model.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: David SA, Volokhov DV, Zhiping Y, Chizhikov V Although mycoplasmas are generally considered to be harmless commensals, some mycoplasma species are able to cause infections among pediatric, geriatric or immunocompromised patients. Thus, accidental contamination of biologics with mycoplasmas represents a potential risk for the health of individuals who receive cell-derived biological and pharmaceutical products. To assess the efficiency of mycoplasma inactivation by the agents used in the manufacture of egg-derived influenza vaccines, we carried out a series of experiments aimed at monitoring the viability of mycoplasmas spiked into both chicken allantoic fluid and protein-rich microbiological media and followed by treatment with beta-propiolactone, formalin, cetyltrimethyl ammo...

Drugmakers agree on landmark vaccines deal for poor

Reuters: Health — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:19:26 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Several drug firms have agreed on a landmark deal to supply up to 200 million doses a year of cut-price pneumococcal vaccines to developing nations, according to the global immunization alliance that is overseeing the deal. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Young Kids to Benefit from Broader Pneumococcal Vaccine

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:00:00 +0100

CDC study found newest vaccine lowered chances of those under 5 getting the disease Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, Streptococcal Infections (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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The pneumococcal Eukaryotic-Type Serine/Threonine Protein Kinase StkP co-localizes with the cell division apparatus and interacts with FtsZ in vitro.

Microbiology — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Giefing C, Jelencsics KE, Gelbmann D, Senn BM, Nagy E The importance of serine/threonine phosphorylation in signalling and regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes has been widely recognized. Driven by our interest in StkP, the pneumococcal serine/threonine kinase homologue, for vaccine development, we studied its cellular localization. We found that the C-terminally located PASTA (Penicillin-binding protein And Serine Threonine kinase Associated) domains, but not the N-terminal kinase domain of StkP, were surface located on live pneumococcal cells grown in vitro and also accessible to antibodies during pneumococcal infection in mice and man. Most importantly, we discovered by immunofluorescence microscopy that StkP co-localized with the cell division apparatus. StkP and F...

The effect of age on the response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. To prevent invasive pneumococcal diseases, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is recommended in subjects over 65 years of age. Although it provides approximately 50-80% protection against invasive disease in the general elderly population, there is still controversy as to the effectiveness of the PPV in the elderly. Methods: To evaluate the immune response to the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the elderly, samples from young adults and elderly were obtained before and one month after vaccination. The quantitative and qualitative response to the vaccine were measured by the ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay for eight vaccine type serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18...

Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced memory CD4+ T cell activation in human peripheral blood correlates with distinct antibody response patterns.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bunk S, Schaffert H, Schmid B, Goletz C, Zeller S, Borisova M, Kern F, Rupp J, Hermann C Chlamydia pneumoniae is a frequent pathogen of the respiratory tract and persistent infections with this obligate intracellular bacterium have been associated with different severe sequelae. Although T cell activation during acute C. pneumoniae infections has been described, little is known about the frequency and role of C. pneumoniae-specific memory T cells that reside in the human body after resolved infection. In the present study, C. pneumoniae-induced T cell responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 56 healthy volunteers were analyzed and compared to the donor's serum antibody reactivity towards whole C. pneumoniae as well as recombinant C. pneumoniae antigens. Following sho...

Efficacy of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in preventing pneumonia and improving survival in nursing home residents

NeLM - News — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News The effects of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in nursing home residents has been assessed in a double blind, randomised and placebo controlled trial conducted in Japan. The study involved 1006 nursing home residents who were randomised to either 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (n=502) or placebo (n=504). The primary end points were the incidence of all cause pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia. Secondary end points were deaths from pneumococcal pneumonia, all cause pneumonia, and other causes. The following findings were reported: . Pneumonia occurred in 63 (12.5%) participants in the vaccine group and 104 (20.6%) in the placebo group. . Pneumococcal pneumonia was diagnosed in 14 (2.8%) par...

Documentation of preventive screening interventions by general practitioners: a retrospective chart audit

BMC Family Practice — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Documentation of preventive screening interventions by general practitioners was relatively low compared to the number of patients eligible for preventive screening. Some physicians opt to screen for PSA and DRE which is not recommended by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive HealthCare. (Source: BMC Family Practice)

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UK Food Standards Agency Workshop Report: Diet and Immune Function.

The British Journal of Nutrition — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of the workshop was to review this research and to establish priorities for future research. Several of the trials presented at the workshop showed some effect of nutritional interventions (e.g. vitamin D, Zn, Se) on immune parameters. One trial found that increased fruit and vegetable intake may improve the antibody response to pneumococcal vaccination in older people. The workshop highlighted the need to further clarify the potential public health relevance of observed nutrition-related changes in immune function, e.g. susceptibility to infections and infectious morbidity. PMID: 20211037 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The British Journal of Nutrition)

Cellular CD4 T Cell Responses to the Diphtheria‐Derived Carrier Protein of Conjugated Pneumococcal Vaccine and Antibody Response to Pneumococcal Vaccination in HIV‐Infected Adults

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:02:29 +0100

Conclusions. The PCV prime‐elicited memory T cell responses were associated with better and sustained humoral SPP specific IgG responses. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier. NCT00148824. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Efficacy of 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in preventing pneumonia and improving survival in nursing home residents: double blind, randomised and placebo controlled trial

BMJ Online First — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:02:29 +0100

Objective To determine the efficacy of a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in people at high risk of pneumococcal pneumonia. Design Prospective, randomised, placebo controlled double... (Source: BMJ Online First)

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in high risk adults

BMJ Online First — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:02:29 +0100

(Source: BMJ Online First)

Study Finds Pfizer's Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Protects Against Recurrent Pneumonia In HIV Patients

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine, which protects against pneumonia and meningitis, has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent pneumococcal infection in patients living with HIV in Malawi, according to a study published Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine, Reuters reports. "In HIV-infected patients, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the risk of developing [invasive pneumococcal disease] IPD ... is between 30 and 100 times higher, the scientists said in their study," Reuters writes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Study Finds Pfizer's Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Protects Against Recurrent Pneumonia In HIV Patients

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Pneumococcal Vaccine Offers Protection To HIV-infected African Adults In Clinical Trial

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A clinical trial of a vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis has shown that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa. The trials, conducted in Malawi and funded by the Wellcome Trust, studied the efficacy of a vaccine against infection with the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. These bacteria are a primary cause of pneumonia and when they invade the blood stream and brain - so called invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) - they cause the serious and often fatal illnesses of septicaemia and meningitis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Pneumococcal Vaccine Offers Protection To HIV-infected African Adults In Clinical Trial

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

[Correspondence] Governments should reduce prices before rationing care

LANCET — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Mexico is not alone in being forced to implement a suboptimum pneumococcus vaccine strategy owing to the high cost of pneumococcus vaccine (PCV-7; Jan 9, p 114). South Africa's roll-out of PCV-7 vaccination has been limited in some provinces and there is no nationwide catch-up strategy for older children. (Source: LANCET)

Invasive pneumococcal disease in children prior to implementation of the conjugate vaccine in the Zurich region, Switzerland

Acta Paediatrica — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: IPD is a serious disease with a high complication rate and mortality. The clinical signs tachycardia, tachypnea, and meningism were highly predictive for severe IPD. The initial clinical presentation and laboratory evaluation were mostly unpredictable with respect to complications and outcome in contrast to the clinical signs. (Source: Acta Paediatrica)

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Conjugate Vaccine Prevents Recurrent Pneumococcal Disease in HIV

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:59:30 +0100

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine cuts the risk of recurrent invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in HIV patients, according to a study from Malawi. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Obesity and Receipt of Clinical Preventive Services in Veterans.

Obesity — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yancy WS, McDuffie JR, Stechuchak KM, Olsen MK, Oddone EZ, Kinsinger LS, Datta SK, Fisher DA, Krause KM, Ostbye T Although obese individuals utilize health care at higher rates than their normal weight counterparts, they may be less likely to receive certain preventive services. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of veterans with visits to 136 national Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinics in the United States in the year 2000. The cohort included 1,699,219 patients: 94% men, 48% white, and 76% overweight or obese. Overweight and obese patients had higher adjusted odds of receiving each of the targeted clinical preventive services as recommended over 5 years compared with normal weight patients. The odds for receiving vaccinations increased linearly with BMI category...

Pfizer pneumonia shot helps HIV-infected patients

Reuters: Health — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:20:18 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - Results of a trial of Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis showed on Wednesday that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Pfizer Pneumonia Shot Helps HIV-Infected Patients

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:20:18 +0100

Results of a trial of Pfizer's Prevnar 7 vaccine against a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis showed on Wednesday that it can prevent three out of four cases of re-infection in HIV-infected adults in Africa.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: AIDS and Infections, International Health, Pneumonia (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Beneficial in HIV

Modern Medicine — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can protect adults with HIV against recurrent pneumococcal infection, according to research published in the March 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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A Trial of a 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in HIV-Infected Adults

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Pneumococcal infection is an important cause of death and complications in adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, particularly in Africa. In this placebo-controlled, randomized trial involving 496 predominantly HIV-infected Malawian adults who had recently had an invasive pneumococcal infection, the 7-valent conjugated pneumococcal vaccine was found to have 74% efficacy in preventing subsequent invasive pneumococcal infection with a vaccine-associated serotype. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

Aggregation of Streptococcus pneumoniae by a pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide-specific human monoclonal IgM correlates with antibody efficacy in vivo.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we sought to determine the biological activity of and mechanism by which one such MAb, A7 (a human PPS3-specific IgM), mediates protection. In vitro studies demonstrated that co-incubation of A7 with ST3 in the absence of phagocytes or a complement source resulted in a reduction in CFUs on blood agar plates that was largely reversible by sonication. A chromogenic cellular proliferation assay demonstrated that A7 did not affect replication of ST3 in liquid culture. The ability of A7 to induce aggregation of ST3 was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry: A7 induced aggregation of ST3, and in the presence of a complement source, A7 promoted deposition of complement component 3 (C3) on aggregated bacteria in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, administration o...

Increased Risk of Hospitalization for Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infection among Australian Indigenous Infants 5–23 Months of Age Following Pneumococcal Vaccination: A Cohort Study

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:04:54 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. Background. Australian Indigenous children are the only population worldwide to receive the 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) at 2, 4, and 6 months of age and the 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV) at 18 months of age. We evaluated this program’s effectiveness in reducing the risk of hospitalization for acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) in Northern Territory (NT) Indigenous children aged 5–23 months. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving all NT Indigenous children born from 1 April 2000 through 31 October 2004. Person‐time at‐risk after 0, 1, 2, and 3 doses of 7vPCV and after 0 and 1 dose of 23vPPV and the number of ALRI f...

Serotype 19A Is the Most Common Serotype Causing Invasive Pneumococcal Infections in Children

PEDIATRICS — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:02:26 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Since 2005, the number of invasive pneumococcal infections in children has increased at 8 children's hospitals, primarily as a result of serotype 19A isolates, one third of which were resistant to multiple antibiotics in 2007 and 2008. Continued surveillance is necessary to detect emerging serotypes after the planned introduction of 13-valent or other pneumococcal vaccines. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Safety and immunogenicity of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine at 12 months of age, following one, two, or threes doses of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infancy.

Vaccine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Russell FM, Licciardi PV, Balloch A, Biaukula V, Tikoduadua L, Carapetis JR, Nelson J, Jenney AW, Waqatakirewa L, Colquhoun S, Cheung YB, Tang ML, Mulholland EK Fijian infants aged 6 weeks were stratified by ethnicity and randomized to receive 0, 1, 2, or 3 PCV-7 doses with or without the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV-23) at 12 months. Strong booster effects for all 7 PCV-7 serotypes were elicited, and for 4/7 serotypes these responses were highest in the single PCV-7 group. There were fourfold rises in GMC for all non-PCV-7 serotypes. By 17 months the PPV-23 group still had significantly higher GMC (each p<0.001) for all serotypes. The PPV-23 was well tolerated and induced excellent responses for all serotypes which were greatest in the single PCV-7 gr...

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Serotype coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and drug susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from invasive or non-invasive diseases in central Thailand, 2006-2009.

Vaccine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Srifeungfung S, Tribuddharat C, Comerungsee S, Chatsuwan T, Treerauthanaweeraphong V, Rungnobhakhun P, Nunthapisud P, Chokephaibulkit K The serotype of 172 S. pneumoniae isolates obtained from normally sterile sites from January 2006 to February 2009 in Thai patients was evaluated. The most common serotypes were 6B, 23F, 14, 19F, and 19A in patients <5 year-old, and 6B, 19A, 23F, 4, 9V in patients >65-year old. Seven-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV-7) covered 70.3%, 43.6%, and 43.5% of patients <5, 5-64 and >/=65 years of age, respectively, while PCV-13 covered 81.2%, 59.7%, and 60.9%, respectively. PCV-9, PCV-10, PCV-11 had very similar coverage as PCV-7. The antibiotic susceptibility rates of the isolates from sterile sites were 88.7-95.7% for penicil...

CDC's Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices Recommends Pfizer's Prevnar 13™ Vaccine For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) announced that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the use of Prevnar 13™ (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]) for healthy children aged 2 months through 59 months for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

CDC's Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices Recommends Pfizer's Prevnar 13™ Vaccine For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) announced that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the use of Prevnar 13™ (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]) for healthy children aged 2 months through 59 months for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the 13 pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Impact of a single dose of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on colonization.

Vaccine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Frazão N, Sá-Leão R, de Lencastre H The impact of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) on the pneumococcal flora has been mostly studied without evaluating multiple colonization and the mechanism(s) leading to serotype replacement. These issues are addressed here, while assessing the effect of a single PCV7 dose. A group of children received one PCV7 dose just after nasopharyngeal sampling, with the control receiving no vaccine and both groups being sampled again a month later. Up to 10 pneumococcal isolates were recovered per colonized child-1224 isolates were serotyped and representative ones characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. In vaccinated children, serotype replacement between vaccine (VT) and non-vaccine (NVT) types occurred in...

A parenteral DNA vaccine protects against pneumonic plague.

Vaccine — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Yamanaka H, Hoyt T, Yang X, Bowen R, Golden S, Crist K, Becker T, Maddaloni M, Pascual DW The chemokine, lymphotactin (LTN), was tested as a molecular adjuvant using bicistronic DNA vaccines encoding the protective Yersinia capsular (F1) antigen and virulence antigen (V-Ag) as a F1-V fusion protein. The LTN-encoding F1-V or V-Ag vaccines were given by the intranasal (i.n.) or intramuscular (i.m.) routes, and although serum IgG and mucosal IgA antibodies (Abs) were induced, F1-Ag boosts were required for robust anti-F1-Ag Abs. Optimal efficacy against pneumonic plague was obtained in mice i.m.-, not i.n.-immunized with these DNA vaccines. These vaccines stimulated elevated Ag-specific Ab-forming cells and mixed Th cell responses, with Th17 cells markedly enhanced by i.m. immuni...

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New Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Approved In U.S.; Pfizer, GAVI Will Lower Price In Developing Countries

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The FDA approved Prevnar 13 - a "new version of a blockbuster vaccine that fights pneumonia, meningitis and other infections" - for use in children up to age 5 in the U.S., Reuters reports (Richwine, 2/24). Such infections cause the deaths of an estimated one million children in developing countries and "dozens of deaths" in the U.S. each year, according to health officials, New York Times reports... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Pneumonia, Meningitis Vaccine Approved In U.S.; Pfizer, GAVI Will Lower Price In Developing Countries

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The FDA approved Prevnar 13 - a "new version of a blockbuster vaccine that fights pneumonia, meningitis and other infections" - for use in children up to age 5 in the U.S., Reuters reports (Richwine, 2/24). Such infections cause the deaths of an estimated one million children in developing countries and "dozens of deaths" in the U.S... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Pfizer Receives FDA Approval For Prevnar 13™ For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Infants And Young Children

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Prevnar 13™ (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), the Company's 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Prevnar 13 is indicated for active immunization of children 6 weeks through 5 years of age for the prevention of invasive disease caused by 13 Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Pfizer Receives FDA Approval For Prevnar 13™ For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Infants And Young Children

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Use of Newly Approved Pneumococcal Vaccine

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:22:26 +0100

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to replace Prevnar with Prevnar 13, which provides broader protection for young children against pneumococcal diseases. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Green light for pneumococcal jab

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:12:17 +0100

Health officials in the US have approved a new pneumococcal vaccine that is expected to slash the number of children and teenagers diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

FDA Approves Broader Pneumococcal Vaccine

Physician's First Watch current issue — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:51:19 +0100

(Source: Physician's First Watch current issue)

New Version of Pneumococcal Vaccine Gets Okay

MedPage Today Product Alert — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:43:14 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA has approved a 13-valent version of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Prevnar for use in pediatric patients 6 months to 5 years old. (Source: MedPage Today Product Alert)

FDA Approves Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine With Broader Protection

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine for infants and young children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Prevnar 13 will be the successor to Prevnar, the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine licensed by the FDA in 2000 to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and otitis media. The new vaccine extends the protection to six additional types of the disease-causing bacteria. Prevnar 13 is approved for the prevention of invasive disease caused by 13 different serotypes of the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

FDA Approves Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine With Broader Protection

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0100

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News From The American Journal Of Pathology, March 2010

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Toxin Does Not Affect MRSA-Induced Pneumonia A group led by Dr. James M. Musser at the Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research of The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston, Texas has demonstrated that the cytotoxin Paton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) does not affect methicillin-resistant Staphlococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced pneumonia... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

FDA approves new pneumonia vaccine with wider reach

Los Angeles Times - Science — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Prevnar 13 protects against more strains of bacteria than the existing vaccine and is expected to produce a sharp drop in infections. The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a new pneumococcal vaccine that protects against more strains of bacteria than the existing one and is expected to produce a sharp reduction in the number of cases of bacterial pneumonia and ear infections in children and adolescents. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Successor to Combination Pneumococcal Vaccine Approved

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Successor to Combination Pneumococcal Vaccine ApprovedCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/24/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/25/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

Pfizer's Prevnar 13 Recommended by CDC's Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices

World Pharma News — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) announced that the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended the use of Prevnar 13™ for healthy children aged 2 months through 59 months for the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the 13 pneumococcal serotypes included in the vaccine. (Source: World Pharma News)

[Pneumococcal pneumonia highly probable in immunized children cared for in-group settings.]

Archives de Pediatrie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gendrel D, Vallet C, Gelmetti C, Moulin F, Brasme JF, Chalumeau M, Cohen R, Raymond J Invasive pneumococcal diseases were reduced after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, but infections due to non-vaccine serotypes persisted. The pneumococcal origin of community-acquired pneumonia remains difficult to affirm, but high procalcitonin and C-reactive protein blood levels and duration of fever 48h or less after initial antibiotic treatment are excellent predictors of pneumococci. Among 259 patients under 7 years of age hospitalized from 2003 to 2008 for community-acquired pneumonia, 47 met these criteria, including 27 of 141 hospitalized between 2006 (date of vaccine generalization) and 2008. Of these 27, 21 had previously received pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and 19...

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FDA Approves Prevnar 13 Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine

Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:36:36 +0100

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine for infants and young children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Prevnar 13 will be... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals)

Successor to Combination Pneumococcal Vaccine Approved

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:33:00 +0100

Prevnar 13 offers broader protection against a host of bacterial diseases Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Childhood Immunization, Ear Infections, Pneumonia (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

FDA Approves Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine with Broader Protection

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:40:53 +0100

Source: Food and Drug Administration Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, Meningitis, Pneumonia (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Young kids should get new Prevnar, U.S. experts say

Reuters: Health — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:11:29 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Children under the age of 5 who already got four doses of Pfizer Inc's Prevnar vaccine should get a fifth booster dose of the new version that covers more strains of pneumonia-causing bacteria, the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said on Wednesday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

FDA Approves Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine with Broader Protection

Food and Drug Administration — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:10:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine for infants and young children ages 6 weeks through 5 years. Prevnar 13 will be the successor to Prevnar, the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine licensed by the FDA in 2000 to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and otitis media. The new vaccine extends the protection to six additional types of the disease causing bacteria. (Source: Food and Drug Administration)

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Pfizer Receives FDA Approval For Prevnar 13™ For The Prevention Of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease In Infants And Young Children

Pharmaceutical Online News — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:22:00 +0100

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Prevnar 13T (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), the Company's 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Pfizer Receives FDA Approval for Prevnar 13 for the Prevention of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Infants and Young Children

HSMN NewsFeed — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:59:16 +0100

NEW YORK--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE ) announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Prevnar 13(TM) (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), the Companys 13-va... Biopharmaceuticals, FDAPfizer, Prevnar 13, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, vaccine (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Successor to Combination Pneumococcal Vaccine Approved

Modern Medicine — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Modern Medicine)

Pneumococcal 23-valent vaccine gives effective longer term protection in middle-aged and older people

NeLM - News — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: J Inf Dis Area: News A study has examined the duration of protection given by vaccination and re-vaccination using the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) in people aged 50 and above. In the first report, the authors note that there is some controversy over the degree of protection given by the 23-valent PPV in older people. They therefore examined response to primary vaccination and re-vaccination up to five years. Participants were adults aged 50 and over who were generally healthy and whose medical condition was stable. They were divided into four groups by age (50-64, and 65+), and by previous vaccination status. They then received the standard PPV or matching placebo in one arm, and one month later were crossed over and given the alternate preparati...

Novel mucosal vaccines generated by genetic conjugation of heterologous proteins to pneumolysin (PLY) from Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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

Authors: Douce G, Ross K, Cowan G, Ma JT, Mitchell TJ Induction of immunity at mucosal surfaces is thought to be an essential feature in the protection of the host against the many pathogens that gain access through these surfaces. Here we describe how strong local and systemic immune responses can be generated when proteins are genetically conjugated to pneumolysin (PLY) from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Using green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and PsaA from S. pneumoniae, we have shown that genetic fusion (eGFPPLY and PsaAPLY) is essential to ensure high levels of antigen specific IgG and IgA in the serum and at mucosal surfaces. This form of vaccination is highly effective with antigen specific antibodies detected after a single dose of nanogram quantities of the conjugated proteins. In ...

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Pneumococcal Vaccine Prompts Lasting Response in Older People

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:48:16 +0100

A 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PN23) induces enduring antibody responses in middle-aged and elderly people, researchers report in 2 papers in the February 15th Journal of Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

New type of pneumococcal infection dominates in wake of vaccine

Baylor College of Medicine News — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

The pneumococcal vaccine for infants and children introduced in 2000 caused a precipitous drop in infections until 2005, when serious illnesses began to rise again, especially infections caused by a strain of the pneumococcal bacteria called 19A, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital in a report in the current issue of the journal Pediatrics . "Of the serotypes (or variants) of Streptococcus pneumoniae (the bacteria that cause pneumococcal disease) now causing invasive disease, 19A is responsible for almost half the infections in children," said Dr. Sheldon Kaplan, head of the section of pediatric infectious diseases at BCM and chief of infectious disease services at Texas Children's. Resistance to multiple common antibiotics occurs in abo...

Outbreak of chickenpox in a refugee camp of northern Thailand

BioMed Central — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Although chickenpox is a generally mild, self-limited illness of children, it can cause fatal disease in adults. Accumulating reports from tropical countries showed a high prevalence of seronegativity among the adults, implying that varicella diseases could become a heavy burden in tropical countries. However, in the situation of humanitarian emergencies in tropical areas, chickenpox has largely been ignored as a serious communicable disease, due to lack of data regarding varicella mortality and hospital admissions in such a context. This is the first report describing an outbreak of chickenpox in a refugee camp of tropical region. In 2008, we experienced a varicella outbreak in ethnic Lao Hmong refugee camp in Phetchabun Province, northern Thailand. The attack rate was 4.0% (309/7,815) an...

Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who work with the elderly.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:58:05 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: No effect was shown for specific outcomes: laboratory-proven influenza, pneumonia and death from pneumonia. An effect was shown for the non-specific outcomes of ILI, GP consultations for ILI and all-cause mortality in individuals >/= 60. These non-specific outcomes are difficult to interpret because ILI includes many pathogens, and winter influenza contributes < 10% to all-cause mortality in individuals >/= 60. The key interest is preventing laboratory-proven influenza in individuals >/= 60, pneumonia and deaths from pneumonia, and we cannot draw such conclusions.The identified studies are at high risk of bias.Some HCWs remain unvaccinated because they do not perceive risk, doubt vaccine efficacy and are concerned about side effects. This review did not find inform...

Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:58:05 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence is of poor quality and provides no guidance regarding the safety, efficacy or effectiveness of influenza vaccines for people aged 65 years or older. To resolve the uncertainty, an adequately powered publicly-funded randomised, placebo-controlled trial run over several seasons should be undertaken. PMID: 20166072 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)

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UPDATE: Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths from August 30, 2009 to February 13, 2010

CDC Swine Flu Updates — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0100

FluView reports that for the week of February 7 – February 13, 2010, flu activity in the United States was relatively low, with most flu continuing to be caused by 2009 H1N1. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but is expected to continue for weeks. It’s possible that the United States could experience another wave of flu activity, or more likely, localized outbreaks of 2009 H1N1 in communities that have been relatively unaffected by illness thus far, or where 2009 H1N1 vaccination rates may have been lower. (Source: CDC Swine Flu Updates)

Epidemiology of pediatric community-acquired bloodstream infections in a children hospital in Paris, France, 2001 to 2008

Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:29:57 +0100

Abstract: In 2001 to 2008, we documented 483 cases of pediatric community-acquired bacteremia mostly because of Streptococcus agalactiae (5 years). Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination affected the serotype distribution of pneumococcal bacteremia but not its frequency. Serotype 19A represented 12% and 22% of pneumococci in the prevaccine and vaccine periods, respectively. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)

Immunisation practices of paediatric oncology and shared care oncology consultants: A United Kingdom survey

Pediatric Blood and Cancer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In March 2002, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) introduced guidelines for re-immunisation of children after completion of standard-dose chemotherapy and after haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).To ascertain whether these guidelines form standard unit policy by undertaking a survey of UK paediatric principal treatment centre (PTC) consultants and shared care (SC) consultants.In October 2008, a link to an on-line anonymised survey was sent by e-mail to all UK PTC consultants in Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG) centres and to SC consultants linked to eight of these centres.Responses were received from 55 PTC consultants (representing all 21 CCLG centres) and 54 SC consultants. In accordance with the RCPCH guidelines, most PTC and SC consultants rec...

Intercell: Phase I data for Pneumococcus vaccine candidate

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:32:17 +0100

Intercell obtains results from its first Phase I investigational vaccine study for Streptococcus pneumoniae » Initial results from a first?in?man Phase I study indicate safety and immunogenicity of the Streptococcus pneumoniae... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Intercell obtains results from its first Phase I investigational vaccine study for Streptococcus pneumoniae

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:35:04 +0100

» Initial results from a first-in-man Phase I study indicate safety and immunogenicity of the Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine candidate Vienna (Austria), February 11, 2010 – Intercell AG (VSE: “ICLL”) today announced results... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

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Blacks in Nursing Homes Vaccinated Less Than Whites

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 +0100

Disparities seen for flu and pneumonia inoculations, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: African-American Health, Immunization, Nursing Homes (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Positive correlation between swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and severe respiratory disease

Thorax — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:31:21 +0100

(Source: Thorax)

African meningitis belt pneumococcal disease epidemiology indicates a need for an effective serotype 1 containing vaccine, including for older children and adults

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine strategies in GAVI-eligible countries are focusing on infant immunization but this strategy may not be optimal in all settings. We aimed to collect all available population based data on pneumococcal meningitis throughout life in the African meningitis belt and then to model overall meningitis risk to help inform vaccine policy. Methods: After a systematic review of literature published from 1970 through the present, we found robust population-based Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) meningitis data across age strata for four African meningitis belt countries that included 35 surveillance years spanning from 1970 to 2005. Using these data we modeled disease risk for a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 persons followed throughout life. Results: Similar to ...

Racial Disparities in Receipt of Influenza and Pneumococcus Vaccinations Among US Nursing-Home Residents.

American Journal of Public Health — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Racial disparities exist in vaccination coverage among US nursing-home residents. Targeted interventions to improve vaccination coverage for minority nursing-home residents are warranted. PMID: 20147674 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Public Health)

Epidemiology, natural history, and risk factors: Panel report from the Ninth International Research Conference on Otitis Media

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:19:34 +0100

This report summarizes important trends in disease incidence and prevalence, describes established and newly identified risk factors for acute and chronic OM and OM with effusion, and conveys information on newly discovered genetic factors. In this report, researchers have described declining rates of OM diagnosis, antibiotic prescriptions, offices visits for OM, and middle ear surgery since the licensure and routine use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants. The panel report also recommends short and long term goals for current and future OM research. (Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology)

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Increasing Incidence of Empyema Complicating Childhood Community‐Acquired Pneumonia in the United States

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:48:58 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. Background. The incidence of childhood pneumonia decreased following introduction of 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in the United States. Recent regional reports suggest an increase in the incidence of childhood pneumonia complicated by empyema. We assessed whether early decreases in pneumonia hospitalization rates were sustained and trends in such hospitalizations complicated by empyema in United States children aged (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

CAS Alert: Introduction of Prevenar 13® into the Childhood Immunisation Programme

NeLM - News — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News This letter from Professor David Salisbury provides further information about the Department of Health's plans to replace the pneumococcal vaccine Prevenar® (containing antigens against seven pneumococcal strains) with Prevenar 13® (effective against 13 strains of the pneumococcal bacteria) in the routine childhood vaccination schedule. This follows a previous alert issued on the 19th January 2010 (reference CEM/CMO/2010/02; see link below). The annexes contain the information required for the introduction of the new vaccine, including background, timing, administration, consent, pharmacy issues, supply, storage, PGDs, information resources, recording, reporting adverse reactions, stock management, and funding arra...

Low-cost, high-throughput, automated counting of bacterial colonies

Cytometry Part A — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Research involving bacterial pathogens often requires enumeration of bacteria colonies. Here, we present a low-cost, high-throughput colony counting system consisting of colony counting software and a consumer-grade digital camera or document scanner. We demonstrate that this software, called "NICE" (NIST's Integrated Colony Enumerator), can count bacterial colonies as part of a high-throughput multiplexed opsonophagocytic killing assay used to characterize pneumococcal vaccine efficacy. The results obtained with NICE correlate well with the results obtained from manual counting, with a mean difference of less than 3%. NICE is also rapid; it can count colonies from multiple reaction wells within minutes and export the results to a spreadsheet for data processing. As this program is freely ...

Impact of the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) during the 2009 Autumn‐Winter Season in a Large Hospital Setting in Santiago, Chile

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:26:18 +0100

Conclusions. Many cases of influenza A (H1N1) occurred in school‐aged and adult individuals who required an ED visit; these visits resulted in a low impact on the use of hospital beds. Aggressive ICU management and/or experience in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation significantly improved outcomes. Early antiviral treatment may have played an important role in the low number of severe cases. Vaccines targeted for school‐aged children and young adults may modify the first epidemic wave in the northern hemisphere. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Most Adults Are Not Getting Necessary Vaccinations

MedPage Today Pediatrics — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:13:11 +0100

Particularly concerning about the number of U.S. adults who receive recommended vaccinations is the low number of seniors who get immunized against pneumonia, a new report showed. (Source: MedPage Today Pediatrics)

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New Report Finds Low Adult Vaccination Rates For Pneumonia In U.S.

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

A new report, Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives, released by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that more than 30 percent of adults ages 65 and older had not been immunized against pneumonia in 36 states as of 2008. The U.S... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Report Finds Low Adult Vaccination Rates For Pneumonia In U.S.

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Health News of the Day

Clinical Cases and Images — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:26:00 +0100

is a daily summary made from the selected links I post on Twitter. It is in bullet-point format with links to the original sources which include 350 RSS feeds that produce about 2,500 items per day: How Many Endoscopic Exams Could You Handle? Volunteers in 6-mo study got 15 endoscopic exams each http://bit.ly/9jGzMN http://bit.ly/9PHKsr Tens of thousands of American adults die each year from pneumonia, influenza that could be prevented by routine vaccines http://goo.gl/UqiJ A Wii Fracture Reported in the NEJM http://bit.ly/alIIoy, 3 Years After the First Case of Acute Wiiitis http://bit.ly/dn36Yb "The government has your baby's DNA" from samples for genetic disease screening - CNN http://goo.gl/OsvS What Costs $282 Million an Hour? Healthcare in America. WSJ http://goo.gl/FH6y Acute...

More than 30 Percent of Seniors Are Not Immunized Against Pneumonia in 36 States; New Report Finds Low Adult Vaccination Rates in U.S.

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:00:00 +0100

A new report, Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives, released today by the Trust for Americas Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that more than 30 percent of adults ages 65 and older had not been immunized against pneumonia in 36 states as of 2008. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

[Correspondence] Preventable deaths in sickle-cell anaemia in African children

LANCET — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Thomas Williams and colleagues (Oct 17, p 1364) provide the strongest evidence to date on the risk of bacteraemia in sub-Saharan African children with sickle-cell anaemia. That Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading cause of bacteraemia in such children in Kenya comes as no surprise given that this has already been shown in the general population of children in the same region. Data on the use of penicillin prophylaxis or prior immunisation with pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in children with sickle-cell anaemia in the population study would have been helpful in further defining the magnitude of this problem. (Source: LANCET)

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[Correspondence] Preventable deaths in sickle-cell anaemia in African children – Authors' reply

LANCET — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Stephen Obaro asks about the use of penicillin prophylaxis and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in our study population. Because of the retrospective approach we adopted, most (80/108 [74%]) patients with sickle-cell anaemia identified through our study had not yet been diagnosed at the time of their hospital admission and were not, therefore, on prophylaxis. (Source: LANCET)

Surveillance of certain health behaviors and conditions among States and selected local areas --- behavioral risk factor surveillance system, United States, 2007.

MMWR Surveill Summ — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This report presents results for 2007 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, 184 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), and 298 counties. Results: In 2007, prevalence estimates of risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and the use of preventive services varied substantially by state and territory, MMSA, and county. The following is a summary of results listed by BRFSS question topic. Each set of proportions refers to the range of estimated prevalence for the disease, condition, or behavior, as reported by the survey subject. Adults who reported fair or poor health: 11% to 32% for states and territories and 6% to 31% for MMSAs and counties. Adults with health-care coverage: 71% to 94% for states and territories ...

Surveillance of certain health behaviors and conditions among states and selected local areas - Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2007.

MMWR Surveill Summ — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This report presents results for 2007 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, 184 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), and 298 counties. RESULTS: In 2007, prevalence estimates of risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and the use of preventive services varied substantially by state and territory, MMSA, and county. The following is a summary of results listed by BRFSS question topic. Each set of proportions refers to the range of estimated prevalence for the disease, condition, or behavior, as reported by the survey subject. Adults who reported fair or poor health: 11% to 32% for states and territories and 6% to 31% for MMSAs and counties. Adults with health-care coverage: 71% to 94% for states and territories ...

Make Adult Vaccinations as Widespread as Those for Children, Say Immunization Advocates

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:01:52 +0100

Tens of thousands of adults die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases such as seasonal influenza and pneumonia, according to a study. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Too Few Adults Get Recommended Vaccinations

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0100

Shots could save thousands of U.S. lives each year, report authors say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Immunization, Pneumonia (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Increased Penicillin Nonsusceptibility of Nonvaccine‐Serotype Invasive Pneumococci Other than Serotypes 19A and 6A in Post–7‐Valent Conjugate Vaccine Era

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:53:59 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 201, Issue 5, Page 770-775, March 2010. According to population‐based invasive pneumococcal surveillance in the United States during 2007, 898 (26%) of 3,511 isolates were penicillin nonsusceptible. Non–7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) serotypes other than 19A accounted for 40% of these penicillin‐nonsusceptible isolates; of these, serotypes 15A (11%), 23A (8%), 35B (8%), and 6C (5%) were most common (cumulatively 32% of penicillin‐nonsusceptible isolates). Each except 6C represented a single serotype and clonal complex combination that predated the introduction of PCV7. We evaluated the genetic characteristics and nonsusceptibility to penicillin of non‐PCV7 serotypes, and we found increased proportions of specific ...

U.S. adults forgo routine immunization: report

Reuters: Health — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:26:28 +0100

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of American adults die each year from pneumonia, influenza and other infectious diseases that could be prevented by routine vaccinations, according to a report released Thursday. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Feb 4, 2010 - More than 30 Percent of Seniors Are Not Immunized Against Pneumonia in 36 States; New Report Finds Low Adult Vaccination Rates in U.S.

RWJF - News Releases — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

(Source: RWJF - News Releases)

U.S. Adults Forgo Routine Immunization: Report

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Tens of thousands of American adults die each year from pneumonia, influenza and other infectious diseases that could be prevented by routine vaccinations, according to a report released Thursday. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant immunization practices in the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium

Pediatric Blood and Cancer — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A survey of National Marrow Donor Program transplant centers in 1995 demonstrated a wide range of immunization practices in post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, which led to the 2000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for vaccination after HSCT. We surveyed the principal investigators of the Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium (PBMTC) to identify immunization practice patterns after HSCT and assess compliance with the 2000 CDC guidelines.Approval was obtained from the Medical University of South Carolina Institutional Review Board. A 33 question survey using surveymonkey.com was distributed by email to principal investigators in the PBMTC.Forty-one (40%) of the 102 pediatric HSCT centers participating in the PBMTC responded. ...

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[Pregnancy and pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009. Current concepts for anaesthesia and critical care medicine.]

Annales Francaises d'Anesthesie et de Reanimation — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dubar G, Launay O, Batteux F, Tsatsaris V, Goffinet F, Mignon A Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009. Indeed, they are at high risk of developing a severe or fatal form of the disease. The physiological changes and the "immune deviation" from cellular to humoral immunity occurring during pregnancy are hypotheses to explain this vulnerability. Severe forms, mainly viral pneumonias, require an urgent prescription of an effective antiviral therapy. Preventive measures, mainly vaccination, are essential to avoid the appearance of these severe forms. PMID: 20138461 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annales Francaises d'Anesthesie et de Reanimation)

PATH To Pay FDA $480,000 To Speed Creation Of Pneumococcal Vaccine For Developing World

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

The FDA on Monday said it's entering into a collaboration with the nonprofit group PATH "to speed creation of a pneumococcal vaccine for children in developing nations," United Press International reports (2/1). "The bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, can cause fatal infections of the ear, lungs, blood and brain; worldwide, it kills almost one million children a year," the New York Times writes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

PATH To Pay FDA $480,000 To Speed Creation Of Pneumococcal Vaccine For Developing World

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Health News of the Day

Clinical Cases and Images — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:25:00 +0100

is a daily summary made from the selected links I post on Twitter. It is in bullet-point format with links to the original sources which include 350 RSS feeds that produce about 2,500 items per day: Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices from CDC (collection of PDFs) http://goo.gl/brO9 Billing codes for patient care delivered over the phone - American Medical News http://goo.gl/0r7q If you want your marriage to last, try to make heavy use of the first-person plural pronoun, "we" - New Scientist http://goo.gl/at5A -- Pronouns and behavior in marital conflict - We-ness versus Separateness - We can work it out. PubMed: http://bit.ly/ddpZ2T Empyema Hospitalizations Increased in US Children Despite Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine http://bit.ly/co0Qfq and http://bit.ly/bslRJi...

FDA Collaboration Seeks To Speed Development Of Pneumococcal Vaccines For Children In Developing Countries

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

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FDA Collaboration Seeks To Speed Development Of Pneumococcal Vaccines For Children In Developing Countries

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Do pneumococcal conjugate vaccines provide any cross-protection against serotype 19A?

BMC Pediatrics - Latest articles — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

DiscussionWe systematically assessed the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of 19F-containing vaccines against 19A disease or nasopharyngeal carriage by searching English-language articles in the electronic databases PubMed, Current contents, Scopus, and Embase from 1985 to 2008. The vaccine efficacy and effectiveness point estimates were consistently positive for modest protection against 19A IPD and acute otitis media (AOM). However, statistical significance was not reached in any individual study. No consistent impact of 7vCRM on 19A nasopharyngeal colonization could be detected. These findings are discussed in context of immunogenicity analyses indicating that 7vCRM induces functionally active anti-19A antibodies after the booster dose, and that other 19F-containing vaccine formulatio...

Infection Persists, Despite Vaccine

NYT > Health — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:09:21 +0100

The PCV7 vaccine has all but eliminated strains of pneumococcal disease, but a serious and sometimes fatal complication has become more common. (Source: NYT > Health)

Global Update: Seattle Group Paying F.D.A. for Work on a Pneumococcal Disease Vaccine

NYT > Health — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:52:55 +0100

The agency said the group, PATH, would pay it $480,000 to begin building a better vaccine for the disease. (Source: NYT > Health)

FDA Collaboration Seeks to Speed Development of Pneumococcal Vaccines for Children in Developing Countries

Food and Drug Administration — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:38:00 +0100

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced a collaboration with PATH to advance development of a vaccine to protect children against diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), especially pneumonia. Worldwide, the bacterium also causes infections of the brain (meningitis), blood (sepsis), and middle ear (otitis media) and each year kills about 1 million children younger than 5 years of age. The collaboration aims to improve the techniques used to produce effective, safe, and affordable vaccines against pneumococcal disease for children in the developing world. PATH is an international nonprofit organization based in Seattle that creates sustainable, culturally relevant, and affordable solutions to help communities worldwide to break cycles of poor healt...

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FDA Collaboration Seeks to Speed Development of Pneumococcal Vaccines for Children in Developing Countries

Food and Drug Administration — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:38:00 +0100

Reporting Drawbacks in a Vaccine

NYT > Health — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:07:20 +0100

The PCV7 vaccine has all but eliminated strains of pneumococcal disease, but a serious and sometimes fatal complication has become more common. (Source: NYT > Health)

Li S-TT and Tancredi DJ. Empyema Hospitalizations Increased in US Children Despite Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. Pediatrics. 2010;125(1):26-33

PEDIATRICS — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:03:20 +0100

(Source: PEDIATRICS)

WHO Pneumonia Expert Recognized For Efforts To Ensure Children Receive Life-saving Vaccines

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0100

WHO pneumonia expert Dr. Thomas Cherian will be honored by a group of the world's leading infectious disease experts today for his pivotal work to accelerate access to vaccines preventing pneumococcal disease, the world's leading vaccine-preventable killer of children under age five... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

WHO Pneumonia Expert Recognized For Efforts To Ensure Children Receive Life-saving Vaccines

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:00:00 +0100

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Vaccine Research: Gates Foundation Announcement Commended By IVAC Executive Director Dr. Orin Levine Commends

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hasvannounced that it will dedicate $10 billion over the next ten years to support vaccine research, development and delivery throughout the developing world. This commitment is unprecedented. Preventable diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea and malaria take the lives of 5 million children worldwide every year, mostly in low-income countries, simply because life-saving vaccines don't reach those who need them most. Today's commitment from the Gates Foundation promises to take the biggest step yet toward addressing this global inequity... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Clonal distribution of invasive pneumococci, czech republic, 1996-2003.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zemlickova H, Urbaskova P, Jakubu V, Motlova J, Musilek M, Prochazka B We conducted surveillance on invasive pneumococci isolated from adults in the Czech Republic during 1996-2003. The 7 most prevalent serotypes were characterized. Coverage with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was low. Our observations confirm that detection methods may have modified the expected effect of this vaccine. PMID: 20113561 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Efficacy of inactivated swine influenza virus vaccines against the 2009 A/H1N1 influenza virus in pigs.

Vaccine — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inactivated vaccines prepared with North American swine influenza viruses as well as an experimental homologous A/H1N1 vaccine to prevent infection and disease from 2009 pandemic A/H1N1. All vaccines tested provided partial protection ranging from reduction of pneumonia lesions to significant reduction in virus replication in the lung and nose. The multivalent vaccines demonstrated partial protection; however, none was able to prevent all nasal shedding or clinical disease. An experimental homologous 2009 A/H1N1 monovalent vaccine provided optimal protection with no virus detected from nose or lung at any time point in addition to amelioration of clinical disease. Based on cross-protection demonstrated with the vaccines evaluated ...

Global implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: Lessons from hepatitis B vaccine.

Gynecologic Oncology — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kane MA Development of safe and effective vaccines against human papillomavirus (HPV)-the second vaccine against a major human cancer-is one of the most important medical and public health achievements of this century. As with all new vaccines, HPV is currently expensive and this cost precludes its use in the developing world, which has the greatest burden of disease from HPV-related cancers. Hepatitis B (HB) virus vaccine, which prevents chronic HB infection and related cirrhosis and liver cancer, has been successfully introduced as a routine vaccine for children in 89% of countries, including the poorest. The success of this vaccine provides a model for the introduction of HPV vaccine and control of cervical and other HPV-related cancers and genital warts. Lessons learned fr...

Immunization in Rituximab: Timing Matters

Rheumatology News — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The timing of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations can substantially influence the degree of antibody response in rheumatoid arthritis patients taking rituximab, concluded investigators in two independent studies. (Source: Rheumatology News)

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WHO pneumonia expert recognized for efforts to ensure children receive life-saving vaccines

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(GAVI's PneumoADIP) WHO pneumonia expert Dr. Thomas Cherian will be honored by a group of the world's leading infectious disease experts today for his pivotal work to accelerate access to vaccines preventing pneumococcal disease, the world's leading vaccine-preventable killer of children under age five. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Pneumococcal Vaccination and Revaccination in the Elderly Population

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:20:42 +0100

The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates That Cause Invasive Disease among Chinese Children

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 21:00:21 +0100

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Latest Articles. A total of 171 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates causing invasive disease were isolated from Chinese children. The serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance were tested. The results suggested that the 7‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has a preventive effect among children and that there should be long‐term surveillance for serotype 19A. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

IVAC Executive Director Dr. Orin Levine commends Gates Foundation announcement

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(GAVI's PneumoADIP) Today, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced it would dedicate $10 billion over the next ten years to support vaccine research, development and delivery throughout the developing world. This commitment is unprecedented. IVAC Executive Director Dr. Orin Levine commends this announcement. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

[Department of Error] Department of Error

LANCET — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Black S, Eskola J, Siegrist C-A, et al. Importance of background rates of disease in assessment of vaccine safety during mass immunisation with pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines. Lancet 2009; 374: 2115–22—In this Public Health paper (Dec 19), the Conflict of interest statement should have included the following: “JE has been a member of a Data & Safety Monitoring Committee for a meningococcal vaccine developed by Novartis, and has received an honorarium from Novartis for attending a scientific meeting on pneumococcal protein vaccines.” (Source: LANCET)

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Clarifications about pneumococcal vaccines.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:32:32 +0100

Authors: Morgenstern D, Garcia-Curiel CS PMID: 20101057 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Sleep apnoea may lie behind chronic cough

OnMedica Latest News — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Chronic cough widespread among sleep apnoea sufferers, especially women Related items from OnMedicaGenes do not modify lung function with salmeterol Non-adherence blamed for some ‘difficult’ asthmaGovernment offers health workers swine flu vaccineCut down on antibiotics for sinusitis and pneumonia, GPs advised Just-in-case flu sick days likely to hurt economy (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Immune response to the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine after the 7-valent conjugate vaccine in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients: Results from the EBMT IDWP01 trial.

Vaccine — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cordonnier C, Labopin M, Chesnel V, Ribaud P, Camara RD, Martino R, Ullmann AJ, Parkkali T, Locasciulli A, Yakouben K, Pauksens K, Bonnet E, Einsele H, Niederwieser D, Apperley J, Ljungman P The current recommendations for active immunization after stem cell transplant include 3 doses of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) from 3 months after transplant, followed by a 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23). However, until now, the immune response to PPV23 after PCV7 has not been assessed after SCT. In the EBMT IDWP01 trial, 101 patients received 1 dose of PPV23 at 12 or 18 months, both after 3 doses of PCV7. The efficacy of PPV23 was assessed 1 month later and at 24 months after transplant by the pneumococcal serotype 1 and 5 antibody levels. Serotype...

Impact of pneumococcal vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in Taiwan

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:29:13 +0100

Abstract In Taiwan, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) and the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) have been available since January 2001 and October 2005, respectively. A hospital-based surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in a medical center was conducted from 2000 to 2008 to evaluate the epidemiologic changes after pneumococcal vaccination. A total of 337 episodes in 328 patients were identified. The cumulative coverage rate of PPV23 among persons of age ≥75 years increased from 12% in 2007 to 41% in 2008, and that of PCV7 among children aged <5 years was 0.7% in 2005 and 25.2% in 2008. The annual incidence of IPD decreased from 6.2 cases per 10,000 hospitalizations in 2000–2005 to 3.8 cases in 2006–200...

Pfizer Outlines New Drug R&D Pipeline (PFE, MRK, NVS, GSK)

BioHealth Investor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:32:40 +0100

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) is making a pipeline presentation today, and it is meant to address a serious and potentially severe issue affecting all Big Pharma companies from Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) after its Schering-Plough deal all the way down to where drug companies become biotech companies: That is the billions and billions of dollars that may disappear from profits as key drug patents expire in the coming years. This is also affecting Roche and companies like Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) and GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK) on an international basis, which is why you have seen them make their own partnerships and acquisitions where possible. Pfizer is giving a pipeline update showing its own efforts to address a whole new class of potential blockbuster drugs in the years ahead. Today...

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Impact of a Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination Programme on Carriage among Children in Norway.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vestrheim DF, Høiby EA, Aaberge IS, Caugant DA In July 2006, the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in Norway in a reduced (2+1) dose schedule. Post PCV7 shifts in the pneumococcal reservoir were assessed by two point prevalence studies of nasopharyngeal colonization among children in day-care centres, before (2006) and after (2008) widespread use of PCV7. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 1213 children, 611 in 2006 and 602 in 2008. A total of 1102 pneumococcal iaolates were recovered. Serotyping, multilocus sequence typing and antimicrobial drug susceptibility testing were performed on all isolates. Although carriage of PCV7 serotypes decreased among both vaccinated and unvaccinated children, the overall prevalence of pneumococcal car...

Failure to vaccinate or failure of vaccine? Effectiveness of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine program in Indigenous adults in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Vaccine — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We examined the utility of two common methods, the screening method and the indirect method, to determine the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine effectiveness (VE) in prevention of IPD amongst Indigenous adults in this setting. VE was calculated for the period 2001-2005 across two distinct geographical areas where the disease burden was known to differ. VE against vaccine-type IPD was 3.4% (95% CI -43, 35) for the NT. However, population vaccination coverage varied widely according to geographical region and where this was within the range appropriate for the use of the screening method, VE was within the expected range (67.2%, 95% CI 47, 80). VE according to the indirect cohort appeared unreliable in this setting due to the analysis being based on a very limited number of non-v...

Inactivation of respiratory syncytial virus by zinc finger reactive compounds

BioMed Central — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This work presents evidence that compounds that inactivate retroviruses by targeting the zinc finger motif in their nucleocapsid proteins are also effective against RSV. AT-2-inactivated RSV vaccine is not strongly immunogenic in the absence of adjuvants. In the adjuvanted form, however, vaccine induces immunopathologic response. The mere preservation of surface antigens of RSV, therefore may not be sufficient to produce a highly-efficacious inactivated virus vaccine that does not lead to an atypical disease. (Source: BioMed Central)

Anticipatory Guidance in Pediatric Practice: Hill LF. J Pediatr 1960;56:299-307

The Journal of Pediatrics — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:34:18 +0100

In 1960 pediatricians were first and foremost infectious disease specialists. Haemophilus influenzae meningitis and epiglottitis, Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis and pneumonia, Neisseria meningitides disease, newborn sepsis, and other life- and limb-threatening infectious diseases were the battleground that were daily fought by our colleagues. The articles published in pediatric journals at that time were concerned with these infectious diseases, the treatment of premature infants, and trauma. Hill's prescient discussion about anticipatory guidance is an early look at what has become the main focus of primary care pediatrics in the 21st century. The conquering of the deadly infectious diseases with the Haemophilus influenzae type B, pneumococcal, and meningococcal vaccines, as well as ...

PSV-23 response impaired in IBD patients receiving immunosuppressant therapy

MedWire News - Gastroenterology — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:19:44 +0100

Immune response to the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is impaired in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on combination immunosuppressive therapy but is normal among those not receiving immunosuppressant drugs, researchers have found. (Source: MedWire News - Gastroenterology)

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Management of post-splenectomy patients in the Netherlands

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:09:57 +0100

Abstract After splenectomy, patients are at increased risk of sepsis with considerable mortality. The risk of sepsis can be reduced by immunising these patients and by prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis. The purpose of our study was to determine compliance with the international standards for the management of splenectomised patients in the Netherlands by investigating: (i) vaccination rates, (ii) the prescription of antibiotics and (iii) information in discharge letters. A retrospective review of the medical records and discharge correspondence of 609 splenectomy patients from 1997 to 2008 was performed. Data were collected from 28 hospitals. Adherence to vaccination guidelines and the prescription of antibiotics were assessed. It was found that 85.4% of post-splenectomy ...

Safety and Antibody Response, Including Antibody Persistence for 5 Years, after Primary Vaccination or Revaccination with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Middle‐Aged and Older Adults

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:42:15 +0100

Conclusions. Both primary vaccination and revaccination with PN23 induce antibody responses that persist during 5 years of observation. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

DH announce replacement pneumococcal vaccine

Nursing Times Breaking News — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:48:00 +0100

A replacement pneumococcal vaccine (Prevenar 13) will be introduced into the routine childhood immunisation programme later this spring. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Public health and economic impact of vaccination with 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine (PCV7) in the context of the annual influenza epidemic and a severe influenza pandemic

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: PCV7 vaccination is highly effective and cost saving in both normal and severe pandemic influenza seasons. Current infant vaccination practices may prevent >1 million pneumococcal-related deaths in a severe influenza pandemic, primarily due to herd protection. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Revaccination with a 23‐Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Induces Elevated and Persistent Functional Antibody Responses in Adults Aged ⩾65 Years

The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:44:58 +0100

Conclusions. Revaccination of older adults with PN23 was comparable to primary vaccination for inducing elevated and persistent functional and IgG antibody responses. (Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

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Paper round: Wednesday

OnMedica Latest News — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

English NHS most efficient in the UK, Andy and Sarah off work again, and moreRelated items from OnMedicaEmployers urged to prepare for imminent Equality ActHPV testing prevents more invasive cervical cancers than cytologyDH expands pneumococcal vaccination for childrenHigh drug error rate found in children’s treatmentMinimum pricing on unit of alcohol is still a possibility (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Immunization of mice with single PspA fragments induces antibodies capable of mediating complement deposition on different pneumococcal strains and cross-protection.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moreno AT, Oliveira ML, Ferreira DM, Ho PL, Darrieux M, Leite LC, Ferreira-Jr JM, Pimenta FC, Andrade AL, Miyaji EN PspA is an important candidate for a vaccine with serotype-independent immunity against pneumococcal infections. Based on sequence relatedness, PspA has been classified into 3 families comprising 6 clades. We have previously addressed the cross-reactivity of antibodies against PspA fragments containing the N-terminal plus the proline-rich regions of PspA from clades 1 to 5 (PspA1, PspA2, PspA3, PspA4 and PspA5) by Western Blot and described that anti-PspA4 and anti-PspA5 were able to recognize pneumococci expressing PspAs from all clades analyzed. We have now analyzed the functional capacity of these antibodies to bind and to mediate complement deposition on inta...

EXPRESSION OF HOMING RECEPTORS ON IgA1 AND IgA2 PLASMABLASTS IN BLOOD REFLECTS DIFFERENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF IgA1 AND IgA2 IN VARIOUS BODY FLUIDS.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Pakkanen S, Kantele JM, Moldoveanu Z, Hedges S, Häkkinen M, Mestecky J, Kantele A Although secretory IgA is the most abundantly produced Ig isotype, mechanisms underlying the differential distribution of IgA-subclasses in various body fluids remain unclear. To explore these mechanisms, we examined the distribution of IgA-subclasses, the influence of the nature and the encounter sites with antigens, and the correlation between IgA-subclass distribution and homing potentials of circulating IgA-plasmablasts. IgA1 predominated in serum, tears, nasal wash and saliva, the levels of IgA1 and IgA2 were comparable in vaginal wash and IgA2 predominated in intestinal lavage. 71% of circulating IgA-plasmablasts secreted IgA1. The intestinal homing receptor (HR), alpha4beta7, was expr...

Kids' Chest Infections Up Since Vaccine

WebMD Health — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 23:24:07 +0100

Pneumococcal vaccination may be linked to an increase in a serious chest infection, although the benefit of the vaccine far outweighs this possible risk. (Source: WebMD Health)