MedWorm: Smallpox Vaccine

Scientists call for curbs on own research on deadly bird flu virus

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0100

Virus experts in the US say outbreak of genetically engineered bird flu could be worst influenza pandemic in historyA group of the leading virus experts in the US has called for new, permanent restrictions on research in the face of a new genetically engineered flu virus that could kill half the population of the world.Scientists are currently observing a 60-day moratorium on research into the bird flu virus, after two groups found a way to make it infectious through airborne transmission.An outbreak of this virus could be worse than the 1918 Spanish flu that killed tens of millions of people, warned Michael Osterholm – who has led research into previous dangerous outbreaks – at a public meeting on censorship in science in New York on Thursday night."Frankly, I don't want a virus out t...

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The challenge of malaria eradication in the twenty-first century: Research linked to operations is the key.

Vaccine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Breman JG, Brandling-Bennett AD Abstract Interest and support for malaria control, eradication, and research has increased greatly over the past decade. This has resulted from appreciation of the huge medical, social, and economic burden that malaria exacts from endemic populations. Recent breakthroughs in drug development (artemisinin-based combination treatments), preventive interventions (long-lasting, insecticide-treated bed nets), improved diagnosis (rapid diagnostic tests), and community mobilization have resulted in deployment of new antimalarial tools. National programs supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, and other donors have resulted in substantial reductions in malaria morbidity and morta...

Outbreaks of human monkeypox after cessation of smallpox vaccination.

Trends in Microbiology — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Reynolds MG, Damon IK Abstract The recent observation of a surge in human monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prompts the question of whether cessation of smallpox vaccination is driving the phenomenon, and if so, why is re-emergence not universal throughout the historic geographic range of the virus? Research addressing the virus's mechanisms for immune evasion and induction, as well as that directed at elucidating the genes involved in pathogenesis in different viral lineages (West African vs Congo Basin), provide insights to help explain why emergence appears to be geographically limited. Novel vaccines offer one solution to curtail the spread of this disease. PMID: 22239910 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Trends in Microbiology)

Vaccinia virus-induced smallpox postvaccinal encephalitis in case of blood-brain barrier damage.

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

This study suggests that VACV is able to cross the BBB but encephalitis occurs only in the presence of a co-infection by bacteria. So, a model of co-infection, mimicked by LPS treatment, could have important implication towards the assessment of neurovirulence of new vaccines. PMID: 22227123 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Can Polio Vaccine Really Eradicate The Disease?

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0100

Declaring the eradication of polio will be far more difficult than it was for smallpox, according to a review published in the Journal of General Virology. Further research into the complex virus - host interactions and how the vaccine is used in the final stages of the eradication programme is crucial to its success. Poliomyelitis, also known as infantile paralysis, was one of the most feared diseases of the 1950s. By the mid 1970s, thanks to vaccination, the viral disease had been controlled and eradicated from the developed world, including the UK, US and most of Europe... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Is the end of polio truly in sight?

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Society for General Microbiology) Declaring the eradication of polio will be far more difficult than it was for smallpox, according to a review published in the Journal of General Virology. Further research into the complex virus-host interactions and how the vaccine is used in the final stages of the eradication program is crucial to its success. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

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Deletion of the vaccinia virus F13L gene results in a highly attenuated virus that mounts a protective immune response against subsequent vaccinia virus challenge.

Antiviral Research — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, F13L-deleted vaccinia virus may have the potential to be developed as a smallpox vaccine. PMID: 22138484 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antiviral Research)

Global Challenges for Disease Eradication

AAAS — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0100

Weigh Disease Eradication Campaigns With Broader Health Goals, Experts Say at AAAS Vaccination eradicated smallpox in 1979, but experts speaking at AAAS said a changing world makes it tougher to eliminate other infectious diseases. (Source: AAAS)

Preface

Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:49:20 +0100

Vaccine science has been a critical field in the control of numerous diseases with infectious and noninfectious etiologies. Through widespread vaccination programs, smallpox has been eradicated globally, while polio has been eliminated from the Western hemisphere and is poised for global elimination as well. One by one, a number of devastating diseases, that in the past were leading causes of worldwide mortality, have been so successfully controlled that most present-day individuals, laypersons, and clinicians alike have no experience with them (). (Source: Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice)

Smallpox vaccine doubles liver cancer survival time

New Scientist - Health — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:12:00 +0100

Two tweaks to the smallpox vaccine intensify its attack on liver tumours, doubling survival time for people with advanced liver cancer (Source: New Scientist - Health)

[Correspondence] The remaining smallpox stocks: the wrong debate? – Authors' reply

LANCET — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Like Lenias Hwenda and Bjørn-Inge Larsen, we were gratified that a compromise decision was reached at the May, 2011, World Health Assembly (WHA) to table for another 3 years the question of destruction of the remaining stocks of variola (smallpox) virus held in the USA and Russia. This decision will enable laboratory research that can only be done with live variola virus to continue unabated. This work has already shown important progress towards the development of safer, new-generation vaccines; the production of licensed antiviral agents; and improvement of animal models for smallpox. (Source: LANCET)

Smallpox vaccine extends life in cancer trial

Reuters: Health — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:03:39 +0100

(Reuters) - A genetically engineered smallpox vaccine reduced the risk of death for patients with advanced liver cancer by nearly 60 percent in a mid-stage study, prompting the launch of a later-stage trial. (Source: Reuters: Health)

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

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

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

Newer smallpox vaccines require new test methods.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:01:51 +0100

Authors: Traynor K PMID: 22011978 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Deadly Choices: How the anti-vaccine movement threatens us all -- review | @GrrlScientist | Punctuated Equilibrium

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:21:00 +0100

My review of the exposé that presents a reasoned and carefully documented argument about paranoid claims spouted by shrill "anti-vaxxers" -- a powerful citizen misinformation activist movementThere was a time when vaccines were recognised as the life-saving medical advances that they are, but somewhere along the way, a portion of the public became side-tracked by the paranoia spouted by the powerful citizen misinformation activist movement, the anti-vaxxers, and stopped vaccinating their children. How did one of the safest of all medical practices become so widely feared and maligned? In the book, Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All (Basic Books: 2011; Amazon UK; Amazon US), pediatric infectious disease specialist and developer of the rotovirus vaccine, Paul Off...

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Britain Backs Final Push To Rid World Of Guinea Worm Disease

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +0100

In a final push to wipe out Guinea worm disease around the world, Britain announced on Wednesday it will give substantial backing to a new project to eradicate the parasite within this decade but insists other donors and countries must also provide much needed funds. If money is forthcoming, the final push funded by Britain and other donors, spearheaded by former US president Jimmy Carter, looks set to consign the debilitating parasitic disease to the history books alongside smallpox, and become the first ever to be eradicated without the help of drugs or vaccines... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Doctors Inc.: Small Fixes: How a Failure With Measles Helped to Eradicate Smallpox

NYT Health — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:00:32 +0100

Medicine might never have achieved its greatest triumph to date — eradicating smallpox — if small errors had not been made in a measles immunization program. (Source: NYT Health)

Swinepox virus outbreak, Brazil, 2011.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Medaglia ML, Pereira Ade C, Freitas TR, Damaso CR Abstract To the Editor: Swinepox virus (SWPV), which replicates only in swine, belongs to the Suipoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. It is the etiologic agent of a skin disease of pigs, characterized by generalized pustular lesions and associated with high rates of illness (occasionally >80%). It occurs mainly on farms with poor management and housing conditions and affects primarily pigs <3 months of age; adult pigs show milder signs. The disease is mechanically transmitted by pig lice or through direct animal contact (1). Vaccinia virus (VACV; Orthopoxvirus genus) also causes a similar pustular disease in pigs that is difficult to distinguish clinically from SWPV infections. VACV infections were common during s...

Vaccines and Neurologic Disease

Seminars in Neurology — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Semin Neurol 2011; 31: 338-355DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1287655ABSTRACTVaccines have undoubtedly been a medical milestone, preventing immeasurable morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases worldwide. Modern vaccines have tremendously reduced the global impact of numerous infections; they have succeeded in eliminating smallpox completely. However, the nature by which vaccines confer their protection—by stimulation of the immune system—means that in rare cases, adverse often immunologically mediated events may occur following vaccination. Some of the most severe of these involve the nervous system. The author provides an overview of the mechanisms of vaccinology, and describes the various vaccines available for particular neurologic illnesses. Possible neurologic adverse events followin...

HIV vaccine passes phase 1 trial

NHS Networks — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The researchers recruited 30 people who did not have HIV and gave 24 of them three injections of the new HIV vaccine, which was based on a smallpox vaccine. The other six people received placebo injections. The researchers followed the volunteers for 48 weeks. (Source: NHS Networks)

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Detection of Vaccinia Virus-Specific IFNγ and IL-10 Secretion from Human PBMCs and CD8+ T Cells by ELISPOT

Springer protocols feed by Immunology — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

High-throughput in vitro assays, which rapidly and succinctly assess the immune status of large cohorts of individuals, are essential tools for conducting population-based studies, including vaccine research. The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay has emerged as a sensitive, reliable high-throughput tool to measure functional recall immunity by assessing the frequency of antigen-specific cytokine-secreting lymphocytes present in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). For the past 10 years, ELISPOT method has been the dominant platform and a standard for the cell-mediated immune (CMI) assays. ELISPOT assays are used extensively as a measure of CMI response to vaccines, including smallpox (vaccinia), following primary or secondary vaccination. Here, we present detailed methodology...

The Doctor’s World: Small Fixes: How a Failure With Measles Helped to Eradicate Smallpox

NYT Health — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:14:52 +0100

Medicine might never have achieved its greatest triumph to date — eradicating smallpox — if small errors had not been made in a measles immunization program. (Source: NYT Health)

Governing through time: preparing for future threats to health and security - Samimian‐Darash L.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:32:25 +0100

During preparations for the Second Gulf War, Israel considered universal smallpox vaccination. In doing so, it faced a problem: how to legitimise carrying out a security action against an uncertain future danger (smallpox pandemic), when this action car... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

Old Friend But New Foe - Cowpox Virus

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The observation that milkmaids are frequently infected with cowpox but rarely catch smallpox is generally credited to the English doctor Edward Jenner. Although Jenner might not have been the first person to notice the correlation, he was the first to make use of it: in 1796 he "vaccinated" children with material from cowpox blisters and showed that they became immune to smallpox. Jenner's work led directly to the development of a smallpox vaccine and less than 200 years later the disease was eradicated... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Camelpox virus.

Antiviral Research — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Duraffour S, Meyer H, Andrei G, Snoeck R Abstract Camelpox virus (CMLV) causes a smallpox-like illness in a unique host, the camel. The disease is enzootic in almost all regions where camel husbandry is practiced, and is responsible for severe economic losses. Although it is genetically the closest known virus to variola virus, the etiologic agent of smallpox, CMLV remains poorly studied. It is characterized by a narrow host range, the capacity to induce giant cells in culture and to counteract host immune defenses; however, the genetic bases associated with these features are not understood. Also, it still needs to be demonstrated whether CMLV strains of variable virulence circulate and how arthropod vectors might be involved in virus transmission. Current evidence indica...

Cowpox virus: Old friend but new foe

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna) Recent findings from an international consortium including the group of Norbert Nowotny at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna suggest that smallpox vaccines come from central or eastern Europe. The results have been published in the prestigious online journal PLoS one. The work is not merely of historical interest: since the cessation of smallpox vaccination there has been a rise in cases of related diseases and pox viruses once again represent a serious threat to public health. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Smallpox vaccine virus puts cancer in its sights

Chemistry World | Latest News — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:27:12 +0100

Anti-cancer virus can infect tumours but leaves healthy tissue unharmed (Source: Chemistry World | Latest News)

Smallpox vaccination and all-cause infectious disease hospitalization: a Danish register-based cohort study

International Journal of Epidemiology — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Smallpox vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of infectious disease hospitalization in a high-income setting. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology)

100 years of allergy treatment

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:47:45 +0100

Immunology celebrates its 100th birthday this month Written by Joshua Feblowitz One hundred years ago, a British scientist by the name of Leonard Noon attempted to treat hay fever by injecting patients with of small amounts of grass pollen. Inspired by successful vaccines for diseases like smallpox, Noon hoped to cure patients of their allergy by helping them build up an “active immunity” to the pollen. In his laboratory at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, Noon carefully prepared “pollen extracts” to test his theory. To study patients’ reactions to pollen, he sprinkled the extract directly into their eyes – undoubtedly a very unpleasant experience, as anyone with seasonal allergies can imagine. Finally, he injected patients with the extract over several weeks in increasing amo...

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Smallpox: Eradicated but a possible bioterrorism agent

MayoClinic.com Full Feed — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Smallpox — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, vaccine prevention of this devastating disease. (Source: MayoClinic.com Full Feed)

Infection of cynomolgus macaques with a recombinant monkeypox virus encoding green fluorescent protein

Archives of Virology — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:41:25 +0100

Abstract Monkeypox virus (MPXV) causes a vesiculopustular rash illness resembling smallpox in humans and produces a similar disease in nonhuman primates. To enhance the ability of researchers to study experimental MPXV infections, we inserted a gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) into Monkeypox virus Zaire-79. Wild-type and MPXV-GFP replicated with similar kinetics in cell culture and caused a similar disease when injected intravenously into cynomolgus macaques. In MPXV-GFP-infected animals, examination under fluorescent light facilitated the identification of skin lesions during disease development and internal sites of replication at necropsy. MPXV-GFP could improve the quantitative assessment of antiviral therapy and vaccine efficacy. Content Type Journal ...

An epitope conserved in orthopoxvirus A13 envelope protein is the target of neutralizing and protective antibodies.

Virology — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Xu C, Meng X, Yan B, Crotty S, Deng J, Xiang Y Primary immunization of humans with smallpox vaccine (live vaccinia virus (VACV)) consistently elicits antibody responses to six VACV virion membrane proteins, including A13. However, whether anti-A13 antibody contributes to immune protection against orthopoxviruses was unknown. Here, we isolated a murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) against A13 from a mouse that had been infected with VACV. The anti-A13 mAb bound to recombinant A13 protein with an affinity of 3.4nM and neutralized VACV mature virions. Passive immunization of mice with the anti-A13 mAb protected against intranasal VACV infection. The epitope of the anti-A13 mAb was mapped to a 10-amino acid sequence conserved in all orthopoxviruses, including viriola virus and monkey...

From Arabick Roots to the Arab spring

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:47:19 +0100

The Arabick Roots exhibition at the Royal Society helps to correct the 'clash of civilisations' view of the history of scienceAlkali, algebra, algorithm, alembic. Spotted the pattern? It's no coincidence that many scientific words in English contain the Arabic definite article. In recent years, historians and scientists such as Jim al-Khalili have done a fantastic job of shedding some light on the Arabic origins of modern science (Arabic here referring to all cultures that made use of the script, rather than just the Arab people).In particular it's the "golden age" of Arabic science, between the 8th and 13th centuries, that gets all the press. So while the Vikings were romping around northern Europe, the 8th century Persian mathematician al-Khwārizmī was developing solutions to quadratic...

From Arabick Roots to the Arab spring | James Poskett at the Royal Society

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:47:19 +0100

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

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

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Targeted and Armed Oncolytic Poxviruses for Cancer: The Lead Example of JX-594.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Breitbach CJ, Thorne SH, Bell JC, Kirn DH Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are designed to replicate in, and subsequently lyse cancer cells. Numerous oncolytic virus platforms are currently in development. Here we review preclinical and clinical experience with JX-594, the lead candidate from the targeted and armed oncolytic poxvirus class. JX-594 is derived from a vaccinia vaccine strain that has been engineered for 1) enhanced cancer targeting and 2) has been "armed" with the therapeutic transgene granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to stimulate anti-tumoral immunity. Poxviruses have many ideal features for use as oncolytic agents. The development of oncolytic vaccinia viruses is supported by a large safety database accumulated in the smallpox eradication progra...

[Perspectives] Arabic roots of modern medicine

LANCET — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:28:32 +0100

Vaccination fears that creep through societies like malevolent susurrations send chills through scientists' hearts. Calming these concerns is challenging health-care experts almost as much as the discovery of new vaccines. Yet these fears echo insistently through each generation; the original blare of concern, at least in the UK, seems to date back to the 18th century, when smallpox ravaged the country. (Source: LANCET)

Malaria - on the long, slow but steady road to elimination

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:42:00 +0100

A new report on malaria research says funding has risen dramatically and should lead to new drugs, vaccines and other weapons for the fight against malaria within a few yearsAmid all the gloomy talk of economic recession and dire warnings that the amount of money available for development aid is going to shrink, a report on the state of malaria research out on Tuesday is refreshingly upbeat. Investment has more than quadrupled in the past 16 years, it says, from $121m in 1993 to $612m in 2009. Yes, malaria is a massive health burden in many countries and was neglected for decades. But, it goes on – and this is worth quoting because it's a rare moment of good news:Fortunately, a dramatic increase in support for R&D since the mid-1990s means funders are now well on the way to achieving glo...

Mucosal Immunization Induces a Higher Level of Lasting Neutralizing Antibody Response in Mice by a Replication-Competent Smallpox Vaccine: Vaccinia Tiantan Strain

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:02:54 +0100

The possible bioterrorism threat using the variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, has promoted us to further investigate the immunogenicity profiles of existing vaccines. Here, we study for the first time the immunogenicity profile of a replication-competent smallpox vaccine (vaccinia Tiantan, VTT strain) for inducing neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) through mucosal vaccination, which is noninvasive and has a critical implication for massive vaccination programs. Four different routes of vaccination were tested in parallel including intramuscular (i.m.), intranasal (i.n.), oral (i.o.), and subcutaneous (s.c.) inoculations in mice. We found that one time vaccination with an optimal dose of VTT was able to induce anti-VTT Nabs via each of the four routes. Higher levels of antiviral Na...

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Enhancement of immune response to an antigen delivered by vaccinia virus by displaying the antigen on the surface of intracellular mature virion.

Vaccine — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Embry A, Meng X, Cantwell A, Dube PH, Xiang Y Vaccinia virus (VACV) is the vaccine for smallpox and a widely used vaccine vector for infectious diseases and cancers. The majority of the antibodies elicited by live VACV vaccination respond to virion structural proteins, including many integral membrane proteins on the intracellular mature virion (MV). Here, we showed that antibody response to an exogenous antigen delivered by VACV was greatly enhanced by incorporating the antigen as an integral membrane protein of MV. We constructed recombinant VACV expressing a Yersinia pestis protective antigen, LcrV, unmodified or fused with either a signal peptide or with the transmembrane domain of VACV D8 protein (LcrV-TM). Electron microscopy showed that LcrV-TM was displayed on the surf...

Experts predict meningitis B vaccine

NHS News Feed — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 18:00:00 +0100

News stories have extensively covered the possibility of a vaccine that could offer “new hope in the war on meningitis”. The Daily Mail said that the “first vaccine against deadly meningitis B will be available within months”, and The Independent said that the vaccine will offer “80% protection against the main causes of meningitis”. The news stories come in response to a series of articles on vaccines published in the medical journal The Lancet. The articles discussed the likely developments in vaccine biology and discovery expected over the coming years. The series follows a pledge from the charitable Gates Foundation in 2010 that called for a new “decade of vaccines” to help protect the vulnerable against disease and suffering. The foundation estimates that if vaccine co...

Smallpox vaccine: Vaccinia in a child following secondary and tertiary transmission: 4 case reports

Reactions — Mon, 30 May 2011 16:35:06 +0100

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Books in brief

Nature — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Nature 473, 7347 (2011). doi:10.1038/473281a Adding to the series of California/Milbank Books on Health and the Public, this part-memoir, part-history by epidemiologist William Foege recounts his involvement in the global vaccination programmes that eradicated smallpox in the 1960s and 1970s. Foege, now a senior fellow at the Bill & Melinda (Source: Nature)

Endpoint: Should Russian, U.S. Smallpox Supplies Be Destroyed Forever?

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 16 May 2011 17:00:00 +0100

Smallpox was proclaimed completely eradicated in 1980, but there is much debate as to destroy the existing supplies that still exist in two laboratories, one in Atlanta and a Russian government laboratory near Novosibirsk, or keep them aliive for future usage if need be. The United States has been making its case to health officials in meetings in many countries over the past several weeks, arguing that scientists need more time to finish developing antiviral drugs and vaccines to protect the public from a potential outbreak. The U.S... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Smallpox: The First Vaccine.

American Journal of Public Health — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fee E, Roth G PMID: 21566041 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Public Health)

Systems biology approaches to new vaccine development.

Current Opinion in Immunology — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Oberg AL, Kennedy RB, Li P, Ovsyannikova IG, Poland GA The current 'isolate, inactivate, inject' vaccine development strategy has served the field of vaccinology well, and such empirical vaccine candidate development has even led to the eradication of smallpox. However, such an approach suffers from limitations, and as an empirical approach, does not fully utilize our knowledge of immunology and genetics. A more complete understanding of the biological processes culminating in disease resistance is needed. The advent of high-dimensional assay technology and 'systems biology' along with a vaccinomics approach [1,2(•)] is spawning a new era in the science of vaccine development. Here we review recent developments in systems biology and strategies for applying this approach and...

Leslie Collier obituary

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:39:21 +0100

Virologist who played a critical role in eliminating smallpoxProfessor Leslie Collier, who has died aged 90, was a virologist and bacteriologist who played a key role in eradicating smallpox. He worked out a way of freeze-drying smallpox vaccine so that it could be carried into remote areas in high temperatures. He also made the crucial link between trachoma, affecting 84 million people worldwide, of whom about 8 million are visually impaired, and the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia. His work changed the method of treatment for patients with trachoma, saving eyesight and many lives.The world was at the mercy of the smallpox virus when Leslie began his research at the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine, then in Chelsea, London, in 1948. In the early 1950s, an estimated 50m cases...

Foreword: Allergen Immunotherapy

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 15:42:41 +0100

This year is the 100th anniversary of the first scientific publication on allergen immunotherapy. Leonard Noon, the father of allergen immunotherapy, called it “prophylactic inoculation against hay fever.” In his pioneering article, he acknowledged that Dunbar in Hamburg, Germany, through his animal experiments, provided the initial scientific understanding for sensitivity to pollens. Alexandre Besredka in Paris was the first to successfully perform allergen hyposensitization in animals. The foregoing scientific works formed the foundation for “prophylactic inoculation” against hay fever. However, the concept of prophylactic inoculation, ie, vaccination, was introduced to the Western medicine more than 100 years earlier in 1798 by Edward Jenner. Therefore, it is likely that Leonard...

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

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

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

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Immunization Safety in US Print Media, 1995-2005

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

CONCLUSION: Ongoing monitoring of news on vaccine safety may help the content and framing of vaccine-safety messages. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Fast Track to Vaccines: How Systems Biology Speeds Drug Development (preview)

Scientific American Topic - Biotechnology — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:02:00 +0100

Aids researchers and advocates were devastated in 2007, when a much anticipated vaccine against HIV unexpectedly failed to protect anyone in a clinical trial of 3,000 people. Even worse, the experimental inoculation, developed with money from the Merck pharmaceutical company and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, actually increased the chances that some people would later acquire HIV. Millions of dollars and more than a decade of research had gone into creating the vaccine. Meanwhile, in that same 10-year period, 18 million people died of AIDS, and millions more were infected.The Merck vaccine failed in large part because investigators do not yet know how to create the perfect vaccine. Yes, a number of vaccines have been spectacularly successful. Think of polio and ...

Governing through time: preparing for future threats to health and security

Sociology of Health and Illness — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractDuring preparations for the Second Gulf War, Israel considered universal smallpox vaccination. In doing so, it faced a problem: how to legitimise carrying out a security action against an uncertain future danger (smallpox pandemic), when this action carried specific, known risks (vaccine complications). To solve this problem, the Israeli preparedness system created a new domain through which the security action could reach its goal with minimum risk: first responders (a group of medical personnel and security forces). First‐responder vaccination represents a shift in the form of ‘securing health’ and in the governmental technology applied to this goal, in which past, present, and future occurrences are governed to enable the execution of a security action. Through this practi...

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Polio set to follow smallpox into the dustbin of history

The Irish Times - Health — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:19:11 +0100

Fifty-five years after the first successful vaccine trial in the US, the battle to eradicate the disease is almost complete, writesKEVIN CONNOLLY (Source: The Irish Times - Health)

TapImmune Receives Notice of Allowance for U.S. Patent Application Relating to Vaccines Containing TAP for the Treatment of Pox Virus Infections

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:42:00 +0100

SEATTLE, April 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TapImmune Inc. (OTCBB:TPIV) announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for U.S. patent application number 20100303894 entitled "POXVIRIDAE TREATMENT". This patent claims a vaccine composition containing TAP-1 and/or TAP-2 to augment the antigen processing capability of infected cells and hence their immunogenicity. The composition may be used alone or as an adjuvant with a pox antigen-based vaccine, especially in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections such as smallpox. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Vaccinia Virus Infections in Martial Arts Gym, Maryland, USA, 2008.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report on a cluster of 4 cases of vaccinia virus infection in Maryland, USA, likely acquired at a martial arts gym. PMID: 21470473 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Remaining Questions about Clinical Variola Major.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lane JM After the recent summary of World Health Organization-authorized research on smallpox, several clinical issues remain. This policy review addresses whether early hemorrhagic smallpox is disseminated intravascular coagulation and speculates about the cause of the high mortality rate among pregnant women and whether ocular smallpox is partly the result of trachoma or vitamin A deficiency. The joint destruction common in children with smallpox might be prevented by antiviral drugs, but intraarticular infusion of antiviral drugs is unprecedented. Development of highly effective antiviral drugs against smallpox raises the issue of whether postexposure vaccination can be performed without interference by an antiviral drug. Clinicians should consider whether patients with sma...

Smallpox Virus Destruction and the Implications of a New Vaccine

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:00:53 +0100

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science)

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Impact of Imitation Processes on the Effectiveness of Ring Vaccination.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wells CR, Tchuenche JM, Meyers LA, Galvani AP, Bauch CT Ring vaccination can be a highly effective control strategy for an emerging disease or in the final phase of disease eradication, as witnessed in the eradication of smallpox. However, the impact of behavioural dynamics on the effectiveness of ring vaccination has not been explored in mathematical models. Here, we analyze a series of stochastic models of voluntary ring vaccination. Contacts of an index case base vaccinating decisions on their own individual payoffs to vaccinate or not vaccinate, and they can also imitate the behaviour of other contacts of the index case. We find that including imitation changes the probability of containment through ring vaccination considerably. Imitation can cause a strong majority of co...

It's time to destroy the U.S. smallpox reserves

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:49:39 +0100

The eradication of smallpox was possibly the greatest victory of science over disease in the history of mankind. Thanks to a determined, worldwide vaccination effort, led by the World Health Organization, the last known human smallpox case occurred over 30 years ago, in Somalia in 1977. The WHO declared smallpox eradicated in 1980. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Growing lifespan shows no sign of slowing, but don't expect immortality

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:13:46 +0100

People have been living longer since 1800, but experts believe new illnesses will slow lifespan risesEvery day the lifespan of the average British citizen increases by between five and six hours. That means that babies born today will life five or six hours longer, on average, than those who were born yesterday.It is a striking statistic. And we should note that the trend is likely to continue every day this year and possibly for the rest of the decade. In 10 years, the average British lifespan will have risen more than two years, an increase that has been observed every decade since 1800, when the average UK lifespan was 40. Today it stands at 77.7 for men and 81.9 for women."Lifespans have increased with remarkable consistency since 1800," says Professor Tom Kirkwood, director of the Ins...

Essay: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Vaccines

NYT Health — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:14:20 +0100

Standardized immunization was a public health measure that framed the early days of our nation as tightly as the “unalienable rights.” (Source: NYT Health)

Nanoparticles That Mimic Viruses Can Stimulate Long Lasting Immunity

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Vaccine scientists say their "Holy Grail" is to stimulate immunity that lasts for a lifetime. Live viral vaccines such as the smallpox or yellow fever vaccines provide immune protection that lasts several decades, but despite their success, scientists have remained in the dark as to how they induce such long lasting immunity. Scientists at the Emory Vaccine Center have designed tiny nanoparticles that resemble viruses in size and immunological composition and that induce lifelong immunity in mice... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Niall Ferguson: 'Westerners don't understand how vulnerable freedom is'

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 00:04:07 +0100

Niall Ferguson is one of the world's leading historians, but his pro-colonial views have been heavily criticised. Here, he explains why he's now targeting a younger audienceMy first thought, on meeting Niall Ferguson, is that he looks too smart to be an academic. It's a Wednesday afternoon, and the Philippe Roman chair in history and international affairs is sitting in his shoebox-shaped office in the Ideas centre at the London School of Economics. Though the setting is hardly glamorous, Ferguson is dressed in the informal-but-smart get-up of a movie executive or hedge-fund manager: suave blue suit, pressed white shirt, gleaming Chelsea boots. His skin is ruddy and his hair is coiffed. Somehow it seems improbable that he has spent the day supervising seminars or reading dissertations. He b...

Can Polio Be Eradicated? A Skeptic Now Thinks So

NYT Health — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 19:58:42 +0100

Dr. Donald A. Henderson had always doubted that polio could be eradicated, but he has now changed his mind. (Source: NYT Health)

Smallpox virus: crunch time for the fate of a global killer

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 00:04:15 +0100

Smallpox has long been eradicated but the virus still exists at two high-security labs. Should these stocks now be destroyed?Twenty miles south-east of Novosibirsk, in Siberia, several dozen concrete buildings have been erected outside the town of Koltsovo. The settlement is ringed with triple rows of barbed wire fences. Video cameras and motion sensors monitor any activity near the wires while soldiers from an elite Russian army unit patrol its perimeter.This is Russia's State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology – or Vector, as it is usually known. Frozen in winter, when temperatures plunge below -30C, and then scorched in summer, when the heat routinely rises above 30C, the place is as unwelcoming as you could imagine. Given its name, location and a high-security protect...

New Smallpox Vaccine Protects People With Atopic Dermatitis

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:33:30 +0100

A vaccine currently in development might be suitable for patients with atopic dermatitis who are currently excluded from vaccination with traditional smallpox vaccines. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Stamping Out Fires! Controlling Smallpox with Targeted Mass Vaccination

Medical Decision Making — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Reactive nationwide mass vaccination remains a suboptimal strategy for controlling an expanding smallpox outbreak in all but the most extreme circumstances. Rather, targeted mass vaccination of affected areas is likely to result in fewer deaths. The vaccines administered are also likely to be much fewer because they would probably be distributed to a much smaller number of districts, thus relieving pressure on potentially stretched public health systems. (Source: Medical Decision Making)

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Sick Brains in Teens - Is There A Root Cause?

NaturalNews.com — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) It's been nearly a month since the nation's attention was focused on Tucson, where five were killed and 13 injured , including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, several other shootings missed the mainstream news. Violence seems to be erupting among youths everywhere, from Los Angeles(1) to Omaha(2) to Brooklyn(3) - indicating something is seriously going wrong in the minds of young persons in this country.Why Young Brains Are SickThe list of assailing particles on children is long, and starts with chemical exposure in the womb. In July, 2005, the Environmental Working Group released a hallmark study using cord blood to assess the chemical exposure of neonates in-utero. The placenta has long been thought to shield the developing baby from pollutants in the environment. The stu...

Are MMR vaccines dangerous for children? Dr Suzanne Humphries urges parents to get informed

NaturalNews.com — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) Are routine vaccines dangerous for children? Dr Suzanne Humphries, a practicing nephrologist (kidney physician) says the vaccine industry isn't giving people both sides of the story, and parents need to get informed before subjecting their children to vaccines that can potentially cause serious harm or even death.It's all being revealed in a one-hour NaturalNews interview with Dr Suzanne Humphries. You can view the entire interview on NaturalNews.TV at: http://naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=BAE7F6323813CFAFB8338173FB11D429In that interview, you'll hear Dr Humphries talk about:• Why she became concerned about vaccines after noticing kidney failure in patients who recently received vaccines.• Why vaccines are often contaminated with unknown viral strains, and why the vaccine ...

Optimizing high dimensional gene expression studies for immune response following smallpox vaccination using Taqman® Low density immune arrays.

Journal of Immunological Methods — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude a time of 18h with a MOI of 0.5PFU/cell is the optimal time/MOI combination for the full scale gene expression study. The strategy described herein is a general and resource efficient way to make critical decisions regarding experimental parameters for studies utilizing expensive assays that interrogate a large number of variables. PMID: 21277306 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Immunological Methods)

Where Vaccine Scares Come From?

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 03:14:52 +0100

Michael Willrich, an associate professor at Brandeis, had a thought-provoking Op-Ed in the New York Times today about why people are scared of vaccines -- and it goes way beyond Andrew Wakefield. Vaccines have had to fight against public skepticism from the beginning. In 1802, after Edward Jenner published his first results claiming that scratching cowpox pus into the arms of healthy children could protect them against smallpox, a political cartoon appeared showing newly vaccinated people with hooves and horns. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Smallpox: the most successful vaccination ever

Telegraph Health — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:21:26 +0100

The world has a lot to thank Edward Jenner for. The English scientist is credited with discovering the smallpox vaccine, then the first in the world. (Source: Telegraph Health)

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'We must keep smallpox stocks' US and Russia tells World Health Organisation

Telegraph Health — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:07:45 +0100

Washington and Moscow are joining forces to prevent an international effort to destroy their remaining stocks of smallpox, arguing that the supplies could be needed develop a vaccine in the event of a bio-terror attack. (Source: Telegraph Health)

Smallpox vaccines: targets of protective immunity

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

Summary: The eradication of smallpox, one of the great triumphs of medicine, was accomplished through the prophylactic administration of live vaccinia virus, a comparatively benign relative of variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox. Nevertheless, recent fears that variola virus may be used as a biological weapon together with the present susceptibility of unimmunized populations have spurred the development of new‐generation vaccines that are safer than the original and can be produced by modern methods. Predicting the efficacy of such vaccines in the absence of human smallpox, however, depends on understanding the correlates of protection. This review outlines the biology of poxviruses with particular relevance to vaccine development, describes protein targets of humoral and ...

Five Years In, Gauging Impact of Gates Grants

NYT — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:27:28 +0100

Of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s $450 million in grants, Mr. Gates says, “We were naïve when we began.” (Source: NYT)

The role of non-human primates in the neurological safety of live viral vaccines (review).

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Levenbook I This review covers comprehensive data accumulated during the long history of using monkeys in the determination of neurovirulence activity and safety of live poliomyelitis, flaviviral, smallpox and mumps vaccines, as well as newly developed transgenic mouse and molecular-biological tests. The review also analyzes processes caused by some of these viruses in infant rodents (mice, rats) and evaluates the role of these processes in vaccine safety control. Recommendations resulting from this analysis are presented. PMID: 21183358 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biologicals : Journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization)

Five Years in, Gauging Impact of Gates Grants

NYT Health — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:47:59 +0100

Of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s $450 million in grants, Mr. Gates says, “We were naïve when we began.” (Source: NYT Health)

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Preclinical Efficacy Of Inovio Pharmaceuticals' Smallpox DNA Vaccine Featured In The Journal Of Infectious Diseases

Pharmaceutical Online News — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the development of therapeutic and preventive vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, announced today that an article describing 100% protection of non-human primates against a highly pathogenic monkeypox challenge after vaccination with its smallpox DNA vaccine has been published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases. (Source: Pharmaceutical Online News)

Trials Begin On Potential Vaccine To Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission Of HIV After Birth

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0100

The Medical Research Council (MRC) together with researchers from Kenya, The Gambia, United States of America, Sweden, and Spain, has opened enrolment in two infant HIV vaccine trials, known collectively as PedVacc. These trials are examining the safety of a new type of HIV vaccine, MVA.HIVA, in infants. The vaccine is called MVA.HIVA and was developed at the University of Oxford in England. The vaccine carrier called modified vaccine virus Ankara (MVA) is a weakened virus previously used as a smallpox vaccine... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Post-exposure Prevention of Progressive Vaccinia in SCID mice treated with Vaccinia Immune Globulin.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fisher RW, Reed JL, Snoy PJ, Mikolajczyk MG, Bray M, Scott DE, Kennedy MC A recently reported case of progressive vaccinia (PV) in an immune compromised patient has refocused attention on this condition. Uniformly fatal prior to licensure of vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) in 1978, PV was still fatal in about half of VIG-treated patients overall, with a greater mortality rate in infants and children. Additional therapies would be needed in the setting of a smallpox bioterror event, since mass vaccination following any variola release would inevitably result in exposure of immune compromised people through vaccination or contact with vaccinees. Well-characterized animal models of disease can support licensure of new products when human studies are not ethical or feasible, as in ...

Lung surfactant DPPG phospholipid inhibits vaccinia virus infection.

Antiviral Research — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Perino J, Crouzier D, Spehner D, Debouzy JC, Garin D, Crance JM, Favier AL Vaccinia virus (VACV) was used as a surrogate of Variola virus (genus Orthopoxvirus), the causative agent of smallpox, to study orthopoxvirus infection via the respiratory airway. Lung surfactant, a physiological barrier to infection encountered by the virus, is predominantly composed of phospholipids whose role during orthopoxvirus infection has not been investigated. An attenuated Lister strain, derived from the traditional smallpox vaccine and the Western Reserve (WR) strain, lethal for mice infected by the respiratory route, were examined for their ability to bind various surfactant phospholipids. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) was found to interact with both VACV strains. DPPG incorporated...

Do statisticians bewitch data?

European Journal of Integrative Medicine — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 05:37:42 +0100

A common phrase, attributed to Disraely says: “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics”. This talk – hold from a statistician – picks it up and exemplarily investigates two claims from the literature, which both are based on statistics: (1) that epidemiological data show that vaccination has not had any effect on the incidence of tuberculosis and smallpox, and (2) that only low quality trials on homeopathy have shown its effectiveness beyond placebo. It is shown that both claims are based on unrealistic assumptions, leading to potentially biased statistical results, which might be called a lie. However, this talk shows that simple criteria exists whether a statistic can be trusted or not, and that statistics in itself is not a bewitching technique. (Source:...

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Third-Generation Smallpox Vaccines: Challenges in the Absence of Clinical Smallpox

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:39:41 +0100

Concerns on the use of variola virus as a bioweapon or possible outbreaks of related poxviruses have heightened interested in the development of a safer, immunogenic smallpox vaccine. Future Microbiology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Generation and characterization of a large panel of murine monoclonal antibodies against vaccinia virus.

Virology — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Meng X, Zhong Y, Embry A, Yan B, Lu S, Zhong G, Xiang Y Vaccinia virus (VACV), the vaccine for smallpox, induces an antibody response that is largely responsible for conferring protection. Here, we studied the antibody response to VACV by generating and characterizing B cell hybridomas from a mouse immunized with VACV. Antibodies from 66 hybridomas were found to recognize 11 VACV antigens (D8, A14, WR148, D13, H3, A56, A33, C3, B5, A10 and F13), 10 of which were previously recognized as major antigens in smallpox vaccine by a microarray of VACV proteins produced with a prokaryotic expression system. VACV C3 protein, which was not detected as a target of antibody response by the proteome array, was recognized by two hybridomas, suggesting that selection of hybridomas based on i...

VennVax, a DNA-prime, peptide-boost multi-T-cell epitope poxvirus vaccine, induces protective immunity against vaccinia infection by T cell response alone.

Vaccine — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moise L, Buller RM, Schriewer J, Lee J, Frey S, Weiner DB, Martin W, De Groot AS The potential for smallpox to be disseminated in a bioterror attack has prompted development of new, safer smallpox vaccination strategies. We designed and evaluated immunogenicity and efficacy of a T-cell epitope vaccine based on conserved and antigenic vaccinia/variola sequences, identified using bioinformatics and immunological methods. Vaccination in HLA transgenic mice using a DNA-prime/peptide-boost strategy elicited significant T cell responses to multiple epitopes. No antibody response pre-challenge was observed, neither against whole vaccinia antigens nor vaccine epitope peptides. Remarkably, 100% of vaccinated mice survived lethal vaccinia challenge, demonstrating that protective immunit...

Marking Nov 12, 2010 - World Pneumonia Day: Where are we, where are vaccines?

Pain Physician — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dagan R, Quadros CA, Garau J, Klugman KP, Khuri-Bulos N, Levine O, Sow S, Yang Y Infectious diseases such as smallpox, pneumonia, rotavirus, malaria and measles have inflicted untold pain, suffering and death on the human population. The fingerprints of these deadly diseases can be found across the pages of history. The harrowing effects of pneumonia on the human body were described by Hippocrates as early as 460 B.C.;1 smallpox scarring can be found on Egyptian mummies dating back more than 3,000 years ago;2 and the Persian philosopher and physician Rhazes detailed the devastation of measles in the 10 century A.D.3 Without the benefits of modern medical interventions, our ancestors had little to no defense against infectious disease, and mortality rates were staggering. In 15...

[Newsdesk] Research brief

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

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

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Impact of ST-246(®) on ACAM2000™ smallpox vaccine reactogenicity, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy in immunodeficient mice.

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

Authors: Berhanu A, King DS, Mosier S, Jordan R, Jones KF, Hruby DE, Grosenbach DW Although a highly effective vaccine against smallpox, vaccinia virus (VV) is not without adverse events, some of which can be life-threatening, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. We have recently demonstrated that the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of Dryvax(®) in immunocompetent mice is preserved even when co-administered with ST-246, an orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of orthopoxvirus egress and dissemination. In addition, ST-246 markedly reduced the reactogenicity of the smallpox vaccine ACAM2000 and the highly neurovirulent VV strain Western Reserve (VV-WR). Here, we evaluated the impact of ST-246 co-administration on ACAM2000 reactogenicity, immunogenicity, and prot...

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

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

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

The identification of HLA class II-restricted T cell epitopes to vaccinia virus membrane proteins.

Virology — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

In this study we focused on 4 vaccinia membrane proteins known to be targeted by humoral responses in vaccinees. In spite of the narrow focus of the study we identified 36T cell epitopes, and provide additional support for the physical linkage between T and B epitopes. This information may prove useful in peptide and protein-based subunit vaccine development as well as in the study of CD4 responses to poxviruses. PMID: 20961593 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Virology)

Virus Deadly in Livestock Is No More, U.N. Declares

NYT Health — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 02:56:22 +0100

A vaccine campaign stopped the virus, which was last seen in Kenya in 2001. It is only the second disease, after smallpox, to be declared eradicated. (Source: NYT Health)

Livestock Virus Eradicated, U.N. Says

NYT Health — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:40:40 +0100

A vaccine campaign stopped the virus, which was last seen in Kenya in 2001. It is only the second disease, after smallpox, to be declared eradicated. (Source: NYT Health)

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PharmAthene sues for share of smallpox vaccine revenue

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:52:31 +0100

Ongoing litigation between PharmAthene Inc. and a New York technology company could result in a royalty agreement or millions of dollars in payment to PharmAthene. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

Rinderpest Virus, Deadly in Livestock, Is No More, U.N. Says

NYT Health — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:43:39 +0100

A vaccine campaign stopped the virus, which was last seen in Kenya in 2001. It is only the second disease, after smallpox, to be declared eradicated. (Source: NYT Health)

Combination smallpox-anthrax vaccine developed

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

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

Twofer for the Biggest Bioterror Threats?

ScienceNOW — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 21:19:13 +0100

Dual vaccine could replace existing shots against smallpox and anthrax—and have advantages over both (Source: ScienceNOW)

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Researchers combine smallpox, anthrax vaccines

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

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

Researchers Combine Smallpox, Anthrax Vaccines

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

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

Third-generation smallpox vaccines: challenges in the absence of clinical smallpox

Future Microbiology — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:58:28 +0100

Future Microbiology , September 2010, Vol. 5, No. 9, Pages 1367-1382. (Source: Future Microbiology)

Major increase in human monkeypox incidence 30 years after smallpox vaccination campaigns cease in the Democratic Republic of Congo [Medical_Sciences]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:44:40 +0100

Studies on the burden of human monkeypox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were last conducted from 1981... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

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Selected Medicines in Development for Infectious Diseases - 2010

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

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

Smallpox-related disease thriving

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:53:38 +0100

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Elimination of the smallpox vaccine in 1980 because the disease had ended has allowed a related virus -- human monkeypox -- to thrive, U.S. researchers say. Smallpox - Monkeypox - Infectious disease - Health - Conditions and Diseases (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Monkeypox Rising in Wake of Smallpox Eradication

Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:20:46 +0100

Some thirty years after authorities doled out the last dose of smallpox vaccine, the world faces another multiplying menace: monkeypox. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines)

Monkeypox rising in wake of smallpox eradication

Reuters: Health — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:44:52 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some thirty years after authorities doled out the last dose of smallpox vaccine, the world faces another multiplying menace: monkeypox. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Also In Global Health News: Monkeypox In Congo; Indonesian Volcano; Latrines In Cambodia; Maternal Health In India

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Monkeypox Prevalence Surges In Smallpox 'Vaccine Naive' In Congo The New York Times reports on monkeypox cases, which are "surging in tropical Africa." Researchers found that "monkeypox was 20 times as common" in nine rural Congolese districts as it was 30 years ago, the newspaper writes, citing a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (McNeil, 8/30)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Virus Related To Smallpox Rising Sharply In Africa

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Virus related to smallpox rising sharply in Africa

ScienceDaily Headlines — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 +0100

Researchers report that 30 years after mass smallpox vaccination campaigns ceased, the rates of a related virus called human monkeypox has dramatically increased in the rural Democratic Republic of Congo, with sporadic outbreaks in other African countries and even the United States. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Monkeypox rising in wake of smallpox eradication

Reuters: Health — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:13:40 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some thirty years after authorities doled out the last dose of smallpox vaccine, the world faces another multiplying menace: monkeypox. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Monkeypox Rising in Wake of Smallpox Eradication

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:13:40 +0100

Some thirty years after authorities doled out the last dose of smallpox vaccine, the world faces another multiplying menace: monkeypox.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: International Health, Monkeypox Virus Infections (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Pox Swap: 30 Years After the End of Smallpox, Monkeypox Cases Are on the Rise

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0100

The ancient scourge smallpox was relegated to biowaste bin of history more than 30 years ago, the result of the world's first and only successful disease eradication programs. Since then, however, cases of monkeypox--a serious, although less severe smallpoxlike illness--have substantially increased in central Africa, according to a study published August 30 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . The authors stress that better surveillance and a thorough assessment of the public health threat posed by this once-rare viral infection are needed."I'm concerned about monkeypox," says Don Burke director of the Center for Vaccine Research at the University of Pittsburgh, who wasn't involved in the study. "It isn't going to emerge as pandemic tomorrow, but could at any...

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Kinetics of Immune Cell Infiltration in Vaccinia Virus Keratitis [Cornea]

Investigative Ophthalmology — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 22:19:04 +0100

Conclusions. These results suggest that sequential migration of neutrophils, then CD4+ cells, plays an important role in vaccinia virus keratitis. (Source: Investigative Ophthalmology)

Global Update: Africa: Monkeypox Cases Surge in Rural Areas as Price of the Victory Over Smallpox

NYT Health — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:10:35 +0100

Monkeypox is 20 times as common in parts of the Congo as it was 30 years ago, when smallpox vaccination was discontinued. (Source: NYT Health)

Virus related to smallpox rising sharply in Africa, UCLA researcher finds

UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:00:00 +0100

In the winter of 1979, the world celebrated the end of smallpox, a highly contagious and often fatal viral infection estimated to have caused between 300 and 500 million deaths during the 20th century. The virus was eradicated through an aggressive worldwide vaccination campaign, which itself ended in 1980. After all, with no virus, there was no longer a need for a vaccine. Now, researchers at UCLA say the elimination of the smallpox vaccine has allowed a related virus to thrive. In the current online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Anne Rimoin, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the UCLA School of Public Health, and colleagues report that 30 years after the mass smallpox vaccination campaign ceased, rates of a related virus known as hu...

Virus related to smallpox rising sharply in Africa, UCLA researchers find

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(University of California - Los Angeles) UCLA researchers report that 30 years after mass smallpox vaccination campaigns ceased, the rates of a related virus called human monkeypox has dramatically increased in the rural Democratic Republic of Congo, with sporadic outbreaks in other African countries and even the United States. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

One Company Aims To Re-Purpose A Smallpox Vaccine To Battle HIV

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Researchers from The Wistar Institute recently reported that a human adenovirus called AdHu26, once thought uncommon, is not so rare after all. This could be bad news for scientists eager to use engineered AdHu26 human adenoviruses as vaccines against HIV and other diseases. In this approach, adenoviruses, which commonly cause respiratory-tract infections, are rendered relatively harmless before being used as vectors to deliver genes from pathogens, which then stimulate the body to generate an immune response... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Sabin Vaccine Institute, Fogarty, and Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz Convene Smallpox Eradication Symposium

Fogarty International Center News Releases — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

News Release (Source: Fogarty International Center News Releases)

[Newsdesk] Smallpox: should we destroy the last viral stocks?

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

An International Symposium held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 24–27, has focused on the lessons learned from the smallpox experience and featured debates on one very thorny issue still surrounding smallpox—whether we should destroy all stocks of the viral strains held in the world. WHO declared smallpox officially eradicated 30 years ago and it is still the only infectious disease that vaccination has succeeded in completely removing from the human population worldwide. Smallpox was highly virulent and killed 20–60% of those it infected, and caused long-term disability, such as deafness and blindness, in many of the rest. “Originally, stocks of the smallpox virus were held at dozens of locations but this was reduced to only two WHO Collaborating Center repositories—the Sta...

Alternate Mechanisms of Initial Pattern Recognition Drive Differential Immune Responses to Related Poxviruses.

Cell Host and Microbe — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: O'Gorman WE, Sampath P, Simonds EF, Sikorski R, O'Malley M, Krutzik PO, Chen H, Panchanathan V, Chaudhri G, Karupiah G, Lewis DB, Thorne SH, Nolan GP Vaccinia immunization was pivotal to successful smallpox eradication. However, the early immune responses that distinguish poxvirus immunization from pathogenic infection remain unknown. To address this, we developed a strategy to map the activation of key signaling networks in vivo and applied this approach to define and compare the earliest signaling events elicited by immunizing (vaccinia) and lethal (ectromelia) poxvirus infections in mice. Vaccinia induced rapid TLR2-dependent responses, leading to IL-6 production, which then initiated STAT3 signaling in dendritic and T cells. In contrast, ectromelia did not induce TLR2 acti...

Smallpox vaccine with integrated IL-15 demonstrates enhanced in vivo viral clearance in immunodeficient mice and confers long term protection against a lethal monkeypox challenge in cynomolgus monkeys.

Vaccine — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zielinski RJ, Smedley JV, Perera PY, Silvera PM, Waldmann TA, Capala J, Perera LP Despite the eradication of smallpox, there is heightened concern that it could be reintroduced as a result of intentional release of Variola major virus through an act of bioterrorism. The live vaccine that was pivotal in the eradication of smallpox though considered a gold standard for its efficacy still retains sufficient residual virulence that can cause life-threatening sequelae especially in immune deficient individuals. Therefore, a safer smallpox vaccine that can match the efficacy of first generation vaccines is urgently needed. We previously reported that the integration of human IL-15 cytokine into the genome of Wyeth strain of vaccinia (Wyeth/IL-15), the same strain as the licensed vac...

TapImmune Signs Research and Technology License Option Agreement for Smallpox Vaccine

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:00:00 +0100

SEATTLE, Aug. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TapImmune Inc. (OTCBB:TPIV) announced that it has signed a Research and Technology License Option Agreement with Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, for the development of a smallpox vaccine technology. Research will be conducted by Gregory Poland M.D., at Mayo Clinic, to evaluate novel peptide antigens together with TapImmune's proprietary TAP technology. TapImmune also has an exclusive Option to the smallpox vaccine technology after research studies have been completed under the terms of the agreement. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

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Diazepam leads to enhanced severity of orthopoxvirus infection and immune suppression.

Vaccine — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Huemer HP, Lassnig C, Nowotny N, Irschick EU, Kitchen M, Pavlic M Benzodiazepines are drugs widely used as tranquilizers and in various other indications. We treated Balb/c mice with diazepam and infected them with cowpox (CPXV) and vaccinia virus (VACV). Disease index, weight loss and the antibody response were determined. Additionally the influence of different benzodiazepines on the mitogen response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen cells was tested. Diazepam led to earlier disease onset, prolonged duration of symptoms, higher weight loss and overall disease index in VACV infected mice. CPXV infected mice developed poxviral skin lesions only after drug administration and a significant decrease in the specific antibody response was also observed. Diazepam and ...

A protein-based smallpox vaccine protects non-human primates from a lethal monkeypox virus challenge.

Vaccine — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Buchman GW, Cohen ME, Xiao Y, Richardson-Harman N, Silvera P, Detolla LJ, Davis HL, Eisenberg RJ, Cohen GH, Isaacs SN Concerns about infections caused by orthopoxviruses, such as variola and monkeypox viruses, drive ongoing efforts to develop novel smallpox vaccines that are both effective and safe to use in diverse populations. A subunit smallpox vaccine comprising vaccinia virus membrane proteins A33, B5, L1, A27 and aluminum hydroxide (alum)+/-CpG were administered to non-human primates, which were subsequently challenged with a lethal intravenous dose of monkeypox virus. Alum adjuvanted vaccines provided only partial protection but the addition of CpG provided full protection that was associated with a more homogeneous antibody response and stronger IgG1 responses. These r...

First Smallpox Vaccine For Special Populations Delivered Under Project BioShield

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Delivery to the Strategic National Stockpile of the first 1 million doses of the nation's first smallpox vaccine for certain immune-compromised populations is now complete, the result of a Project BioShield contract. Under this contract the Danish company Bavarian Nordic is manufacturing and delivering 20 million doses of its next generation smallpox vaccine known as modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) or Imvamune. Delivery of the first million doses began in May and deliveries will continue through 2013... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Health Highlights: July 13, 2010

The Doctors Lounge - Health News — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:58:00 +0100

Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner Dies Of Heart Attack Do More to Cut Blood Infections In Hospital Patients: Survey New Type Of Smallpox Vaccine Added To U.S. Stockpile Obesity At Age 20 Takes 8 years Off Men's Lives: Study FDA Has Concerns About New Weight Loss Drug's Side Effects Fewer Young Africans Being Infected With HIV: U.N. (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Health News)

The inverse of immunity

Nature Medicine — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 06:00:12 +0100

Nature Medicine 16, 740 (2010). doi:10.1038/nm0710-740 Author: Elie Dolgin Ever since Edward Jenner discovered the smallpox vaccine two centuries ago, immunization efforts have almost exclusively focused on activating the immune system. But when it comes to multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune disorders, researchers hope to switch off—rather than ramp up—the body's defenses. Even an automotive service mogul has taken the idea on board. Elie Dolgin investigates how the idea of vaccination is being turned on its head. (Source: Nature Medicine)

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Surfing a genetic association interaction network to identify modulators of antibody response to smallpox vaccine

Genes and Immunity — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: N A Davis, J E Crowe, N M Pajewski & B A McKinney (Source: Genes and Immunity)

Vital Signs: Risks: Smallpox Vaccine and Sexual Contact

NYT Health — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:40:29 +0100

There are five known cases in the past 12 months of women from four states who got vaccinia through sexual contact with a member of the military. (Source: NYT Health)

Sex With Recent Smallpox Vaccine Recipient Can Lead to Illness

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Title: Sex With Recent Smallpox Vaccine Recipient Can Lead to IllnessCategory: Health NewsCreated: 7/1/2010 4:10:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 7/2/2010 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

Woman ill after sex with vaccinated man

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 02:41:24 +0100

ATLANTA, July 1 (UPI) -- A woman who had sex with a member of the U.S. military vaccinated against smallpox subsequently contracted a related virus, health officials say. Smallpox - Health - HIV - Conditions and Diseases - Vaccination (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Sex With Recent Smallpox Vaccine Recipient Can Lead to Illness

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

CDC reports case of woman who contracted vaccinia virus, main ingredient in the shot (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

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CDC: Vaccinia Virus Infection Linked to Sexual Contact

Modern Medicine — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Following sexual contact with her military serviceman boyfriend, who had been recently vaccinated for smallpox, a woman in Washington state contracted vaccinia virus infection in her vagina, according to a case report published in the July 2 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Vaccinia virus infection after sexual contact with a military smallpox vaccinee --- washington, 2010.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

This report describes the patient's clinical course and the associated epidemiologic investigation. Health-care providers caring for U.S. military personnel or their contacts should consider vaccinia virus infection in the differential diagnosis of clinically compatible genital lesions. Contact precautions should be emphasized to all persons who are vaccinated, as well as their contacts with unexplained lesions that might represent vaccinia infection from contact transmission. PMID: 20592687 [PubMed - in process] (Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl...)

Vaccinia virus infection after sexual contact with a military smallpox vaccinee -Washington, 2010.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Sex with Recent Smallpox Vaccine Recipient Can Lead to Illness

MedlinePlus Health News — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 21:00:00 +0100

CDC reports case of woman who contracted vaccinia virus, main ingredient in the shot Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Immunization, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Smallpox (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Volunteers needed for smallpox clinical research study

Baylor College of Medicine News — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Baylor College of Medicine is recruiting volunteers for a seven-month smallpox study. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, born after 1971 and be in general good health. Volunteers will be asked to take two shots of the smallpox vaccine and follow up with clinic visits and phone calls for approximately seven months. Volunteers will be compensated for their time. For more information, call 713-798-4912. (Source: Baylor College of Medicine News)

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A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CJ-50300, a newly developed cell culture-derived smallpox vaccine, in healthy volunteers.

Vaccine — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jang HC, Kim CJ, Kim KH, Lee KH, Byun YH, Seong BL, Saletti G, Czerkinsky C, Park WB, Park SW, Kim HB, Kim NJ, Oh MD A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CJ-50300, a newly developed cell culture-derived smallpox vaccine, and to determine its minimum effective dose. The overall rates of cutaneous "take" reaction and humoral and cellular immunogenicity in CJ-50300 vaccinees were 100% (123/123), 99.2% (122/123), and 90.8% (109/120), respectively, and these rates did not differ significantly between the conventional-dose and the low-dose CJ-50300 (1.0x10(8) and 1.0x10(7) plaque-forming units/mL, respectively) (P>0.05 for each). No serious adverse reaction was observed. However, one case of possible generalize...

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

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

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

Whence feral vaccinia?

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:43:13 +0100

Authors: Condit RC When the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1979, smallpox vaccination was discontinued worldwide. Although cessation of smallpox vaccination is well justified, given the risks associated with complications from the vaccine, lack of vaccination nevertheless creates a growing population of persons now susceptible to infection by a few poxviruses previously covered by the smallpox vaccine. These include the orthopoxviruses monkeypox; cowpox; and, ironically, vaccinia, the virus used for smallpox vaccination. Although few persons die from these infections, they are nevertheless a public health nuisance and expense. Thus, understanding the epidemiology of these viruses is in the interest of public health. PMID: 20507763 [PubMed - in process] (S...

Thirty years after smallpox: celebration and sobering thoughts.

Vaccine — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Poland GA, Henderson D PMID: 20534323 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Vaccine)

[Leading Edge] Polio—a pathogen on a precipice

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Mon, 24 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100

30 years ago, on May 8, 1980, the World Health Assembly formally recognised the global eradication of smallpox. For thousands of years the disease had claimed many millions of lives (an estimated 300 million to 500 million in the 20th century alone). The culmination of 200 years of public health efforts from Edward Jenner's discovery of the cowpox vaccine, the achievement was a milestone in global health and gave hope that other diseases might too be consigned to the history books. But despite efforts before and since the eradication of smallpox, no other infectious disease has been successfully eradicated, and to some people the demise of smallpox seems like a fluke. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)

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Smallpox scheme 'fought HIV spread'

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:06:00 +0100

Ending smallpox vaccination programmes may have contributed to the global spread of HIV/Aids, research has suggested. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Study: Smallpox Eradication Helped HIV Spread

Health News: CBSNews.com — Wed, 19 May 2010 16:30:03 +0100

Scientists Argue Smallpox Vaccine Helps Immune System Slow HIV's Progress; Widespread Immunizations Stopped in 1970s (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

Could Smallpox Vaccination Combat HIV?

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Could the end of smallpox vaccination in the mid-20th century have caused a loss of protection that contributed to the rapid spread of HIV in the years since then? (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)