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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

FDA Turns Down Hep B Vaccine for Now
(MedPage Today) -- The FDA wants more safety data on an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine before granting approval, the vaccine's manufacturer said Monday. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)
Source: MedPage Today Public Health - February 26, 2013 Category: American Health Source Type: news

FDA Rejects Novel Hepatitis B Vaccine FDA Rejects Novel Hepatitis B Vaccine
Heplisav's novel adjuvant boosts immunogenicity but may be associated with autoimmune disorders. FDA Approvals (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases News Alert Source Type: news

Dynavax may have to repitch hepatitis B vaccine for smaller market
(Reuters) - Dynavax Technologies Inc may need to repitch its hepatitis B vaccine for a smaller patient population, after U.S. health regulators declined to approve the vaccine for adults - an estimated $700 million global market. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Dynavax Vaccine Needs Further Evaluation
Dynavax Technologies has been told by the FDA that its hepatitis B vaccine needs further safety evaluation before it can be approved for use in adults. (Source: WSJ.com: Health)
Source: WSJ.com: Health - February 25, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Tags: PAID Source Type: news

Dynavax slides as FDA rejects adult hepatitis B vaccine
(Reuters) - U.S. health regulators denied approval for Dynavax Technologies Inc's adult hepatitis B vaccine and sought additional data to evaluate its safety, delaying the market entry of a faster-acting and less frequently needed vaccine for the liver-attacking infection. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Dynavax Receives FDA Complete Response Letter on HEPLISAV(TM) Biologic License Application
Conference Call Scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET Today BERKELEY, CA--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) - Dynavax Technologies Corporation ( NASDAQ : DVAX ) announced today that it received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Admi... BiopharmaceuticalsDynavax Technologies, HEPLISAV, hepatitis B vaccine, hepatitis B (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)
Source: HSMN NewsFeed - February 25, 2013 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news

Scientists divided over device that 'remotely detects hepatitis C'
Developers say C-Fast – developed from bomb detection technology – will revolutionise diagnosis of other diseasesThe device the doctor held in his hand was not a contraption you expect to find in a rural hospital near the banks of the Nile.For a start, it was adapted from a bomb detector used by the Egyptian army. Second, it looked like the antenna for a car radio. Third, and most bizarrely, it could – the doctor claimed – remotely detect the presence of liver disease in patients sitting several feet away, within seconds.The antenna was a prototype for a device called C-Fast. If its Egyptian developers are to be be...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 25, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Patrick Kingsley Tags: Middle East and North Africa World news Egypt guardian.co.uk Medical research Society Features Hepatitis C Science Source Type: news

FDA rejects Dynavax's adult hepatitis B vaccine on safety concerns
(Reuters) - U.S. health regulators denied approval to Dynavax Technologies Inc's adult hepatitis B vaccine in its current form and asked for more data to evaluate the vaccine's safety. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - February 25, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Posttranslational modifications and secretion efficiency of immunogenic hepatitis B virus L protein deletion variants
Conclusions: The large deletion in 1-48preS/S in presence of the myristoylation site facilitated formation and secretion of protein particles with neutralizing preS1 epitopes at their surface and could be a useful feature for future hepatitis B vaccines. (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - February 25, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Baiba Niedre-OtomereAnce BogdanovaRuta BruvereVelta OseWolfram GerlichPaul PumpensDieter GlebeTatjana Kozlovska Source Type: research

EMA recommends approval of 6-in-1 paediatric vaccine
Source: European Medicines Agency Area: News The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of a new paediatric vaccine intended for the primary and booster vaccination of infants and toddlers from six weeks to 24 months of age against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib). The new vaccine will be commercialised under the brand name Hexyon® in Western European countries and Hexacima® in Eastern European countries. Please see the links below for fu...
Source: NeLM - News - February 25, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Acute kidney injury and inflammatory immune reconstitution syndrome in mixed genotype (A/E) hepatitis B virus co-infection in HIV-associated lymphoma.
We report a first case of HIV-associated lymphoma (HAL) presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI) and inflammatory immune reconstitution syndrome (IRIS). A 39-year-old male, treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for one month prior to admission, developed AKI, left testicular tumor, and recurrent swelling of the right parotid gland. A resected testicular tumor exhibited features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. Renal biopsy showed hydro-degeneration of renal tubules, interstitial inflammatory cells, and a small number of lymphoma cells in the sub-capsule, compati...
Source: International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology - February 21, 2013 Category: Pathology Authors: Tajima K, Kohno K, Shiono Y, Suzuki I, Kato Y, Hiroshima Y, Yamamoto M, Ohtake H, Iwaba A, Yamakawa M, Kato T Tags: Int J Clin Exp Pathol Source Type: research

Safety and reactogenicity of primary vaccination with the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine in Vietnamese infants: a randomised, controlled trial
Conclusions: PHiD-CV had a clinically acceptable safety profile when co-administered with DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib in Vietnamese infants. The reactogenicity of PHiD-CV was comparable to that observed in other South-East Asian populations. This study has been registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01153841. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases - February 21, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tran HuuNguyen ToanHa TuanHo VietPham Le Thanh BinhTa-Wen YuFakrudeen ShafiAhsan HabibDorota Borys Source Type: research

uBiome project will sequence the bacteria that share our bodies
Paying volunteers will provide samples to help investigate potential links between the 'microbiome' and diseaseA British researcher's "citizen science" project to sequence the genomes of thousands of bacteria that live on and inside our bodies could help pinpoint the causes of disorders, including autism, depression, obesity and multiple sclerosis.Jessica Richman, a PhD student at Oxford University, has raised more than $290,000 from over 1,300 people who have paid to take part in the uBiome project. The volunteers will provide samples from their ears, nose, mouth, genitals and gut. The microbes' genomes will then be seque...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - February 18, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Charles Arthur Tags: Genetics Biology World news guardian.co.uk Medical research Microbiology Human biology UK news Science Source Type: news

Brilliant X-Rays Light Up Dangerous Viruses In Detailed 3D
Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron facility, is launching a new lab to study the detailed atomic and molecular structures of dangerous viruses and bacteria, including those that cause serious diseases such as AIDS, Hepatitis and some types of flu. Studying the detailed structures of pathogens in this way can help the development of new treatments and vaccines. Situated at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus near Oxford, Diamond is the first and only facility of its kind in Europe, and only one of two in the world... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 18, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical Devices / Diagnostics Source Type: news

Diamond sheds light on basic building blocks of life
(Diamond Light Source) The UK's national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, is now the first and only place in Europe where pathogens requiring Containment Level 3 - including serious viruses such as those responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis and some types of flu - can be analyzed at atomic and molecular level using synchrotron light. Studying pathogens in this way has the potential to open up new paths for the development of therapeutic treatments and vaccines. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 17, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Hepatitis B vaccine fails to fully protect against later infection
Significant numbers of people who receive the vaccine against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) as infants will already be vulnerable to HBV infection by the time they reach adolescence, according to a study conducted by researchers from Mackay Medical College in New Taipei... (Source: NaturalNews.com)
Source: NaturalNews.com - February 14, 2013 Category: Consumer Health Advice Source Type: news

Are trans‐complementation systems suitable for hepatitis C virus life cycle studies?
Summary Complementation is a naturally occurring genetic mechanism that has been studied for a number of plus‐strand RNA viruses. Although trans‐complementation is well documented for Flaviviridae family viruses, the first such system for hepatitis C virus (HCV) was only described in 2005. Since then, the development of a number of HCV trans‐complementation models has improved our knowledge of HCV protein functions and interactions, genome replication and viral particle assembly. These models have also been used to produce defective viruses and so improvements are necessary for vaccine assays. This review provides an...
Source: Journal of Viral Hepatitis - February 14, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: C. Fournier, G. Duverlie, S. Castelain Tags: Review Source Type: research

Enhanced Influenza VLP Vaccines Comprising Matrix-2 Ectodomain and Nucleoprotein Epitopes Protects mice from Lethal Challenge.
In this study, a recombinant M2 protein with three tandem copies of M2e (3M2e), nucleoprotein (NP) epitopes and hepatitis B virus core (HBc), were expressed in E. coli and purified by column chromatography. Mice immunized with 3M2e-NP-HBc in combination with an oil-in-water SP01 adjuvant produced robust M2e specific antibodies and cellular immune responses. Most importantly, the 3M2e-NP-HBc VLP vaccine provided enhanced protection against a lethal challenge with pandemic 2009 H1N1 and HPAI H5N1 virus through increased survival rates, a significant decrease in viral replication, and obvious alleviation of histopathological ...
Source: Antiviral Research - February 14, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Gao X, Wang W, Li Y, Zhang S, Duan Y, Xing L, Zhao Z, Zhang P, Li Z, Li R, Wang X, Yang P Tags: Antiviral Res Source Type: research

Hepatitis B vaccine in celiac disease: Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Abstract Some studies showed that in celiac patients the immunological response to vaccination is similar to that one found in general population except for vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV). The non-responsiveness to HBV vaccine has also been described in healthy people, nevertheless the number of non-responders has been demonstrated to be higher in celiac disease (CD) patients than in healthy controls. Several hypothesis explaining this higher rate of unresponsiveness to HBV vaccine in CD patients have been described, such as the genetic hypothesis, according with CD patients carrying the disease-specific h...
Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG - February 14, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Vitaliti G, Praticò AD, Cimino C, Di Dio G, Lionetti E, La Rosa M, Leonardi S Tags: World J Gastroenterol Source Type: research

Epidemiology of hepatitis D in patients infected with hepatitis B virus in bucharest: A cross‐sectional study
Abstract Epidemiological analyses indicate a decreasing level of hepatitis D (HDV) infections in most developed countries during the last 15 years. Romania, however, is one of the European countries that still has high morbidity from HDV; this study was performed in order to estimate the HDV prevalence in the Bucharest area. Three thousand four hundred sixty‐one hepatitis B (HBV) infected patients were invited to participate and 1,094 were recruited. Serum anti‐HDV IgG was detected in 223 patients indicating a hepatitis D seroprevalence of 20.4% (95% CI = 18.1–22.9) in patients chronically infected with HBV, less...
Source: Journal of Medical Virology - February 13, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: G.A. Popescu, D. Otelea, L.C. Gavriliu, E. Neaga, C. Popescu, S. Paraschiv, M. Fratila Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

Immunity to hepatitis B virus infection two decades after implementation of universal infant hepatitis B vaccination: the association of detectable residual antibody and response to a single hepatitis B vaccine challenge dose.
Abstract Most persons who receive hepatitis B vaccine during infancy will have a level of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) <10 IU/L if measured 10-15 years later; however, most will demonstrate immune memory by an anamnestic response to a vaccine challenge dose. To determine whether there was a difference in anamnestic response among college students vaccinated during infancy, we compared anti-HBs levels after a dose of Engerix-B 20 μg between those with a residual anti-HBs level of 0 IU/L versus those with a level of 1-9 IU/L. Anti-HBs was measured before (baseline) and two weeks after a chal...
Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology - February 13, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Spradling PR, Xing J, Williams R, Masunu-Faleafaga Y, Dulski T, Mahamud A, Drobeniuc J, Teshale EH Tags: Clin Vaccine Immunol Source Type: research

[Comment] Scar undone: long-term therapy of hepatitis B
In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the prevention and control of hepatitis B, a major cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer worldwide. A safe and effective hepatitis B virus vaccine was developed in the early 1980s, and its subsequent widespread use resulted in notable decreases in rates of hepatitis B, at least in countries that adopted universal hepatitis B vaccination. Therapies for hepatitis B were developed more recently and are only now showing an effect on the burden of this disease. (Source: LANCET)
Source: LANCET - February 8, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Michele M Tana, Jay H Hoofnagle Tags: Comment Source Type: research

Some Whooping Cough Strains Now Outsmarting Vaccine
Title: Some Whooping Cough Strains Now Outsmarting VaccineCategory: Health NewsCreated: 2/6/2013 6:36:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 2/7/2013 12:00:00 AM (Source: MedicineNet Hepatitis C General)
Source: MedicineNet Hepatitis C General - February 7, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news

Clinical impact of hepatitis B and C virus envelope glycoproteins.
Abstract Chronic infection by either hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) share epidemiological characteristics with risks for development of severe complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV and HCV also share a high genetic variability. Among highly variable regions, viral genes encoding surface proteins (hepatitis B surface antigen, E1/E2 HCV glycoproteins) play key roles in the stimulation of the host-related immune response and viral entry into hepatocytes. Specific segments of HBV envelope proteins (preS1, "a" determinant) are crucial in the entry process into permis...
Source: World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG - February 7, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Jeulin H, Velay A, Murray J, Schvoerer E Tags: World J Gastroenterol Source Type: research

BCG vaccine/hepatitis B vaccine recombinant: Lymphadenitis in a neonate: case report
(Source: Reactions)
Source: Reactions - February 6, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Short communication Source Type: research

Impaired lymphocyte reactivity as measured by immune function testing in untransplanted patients with cirrhosis.
Abstract The Immune Function Test is an integrated measure of total mitogen-inducible CD4+ T cell metabolic activity in the peripheral blood, and it is used to guide the dosing of immunosuppressive medications after solid organ transplantation. Recently, low CD4+ T cell metabolic activity due to pharmacologic immunosuppression has been linked to rapidly progressive cirrhosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected liver transplant recipients. We speculate that either cirrhosis or HCV might adversely affect the CD4+ T cell reactivity even in the absence of immunosuppressive medications. We thus performed this assay on a...
Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology - February 6, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Yee RM, Lehil MS, Rongey C, Shen H, Cozen ML, Monto A, Ryan JC Tags: Clin Vaccine Immunol Source Type: research

Declining incidence of hepatitis A in Amsterdam (The Netherlands), 1996-2011: Second generation migrants still an important risk group for virus importation.
CONCLUSION: Though incidence of HAV in Amsterdam has declined substantially since 1996, it is still higher in SGM children of Moroccan & other non-western ethnic backgrounds. In line with WHO recommendations of June 2012, introduction of single-dose HAV vaccination, targeted at SGM children from HAV endemic countries, could be considered within the routine childhood vaccination schedule. PMID: 23395735 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)
Source: Vaccine - February 6, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Whelan J, Sonder G, van den Hoek A Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection: New estimates of age‐specific antibody to HCV seroprevalence
Conclusion: The high prevalence of global HCV infection necessitates renewed efforts in primary prevention, including vaccine development, as well as new approaches to secondary and tertiary prevention to reduce the burden of chronic liver disease and to improve survival for those who already have evidence of liver disease. (HEPATOLOGY 2012) (Source: Hepatology)
Source: Hepatology - February 4, 2013 Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Khayriyyah Mohd Hanafiah, Justina Groeger, Abraham D. Flaxman, Steven T. Wiersma Tags: Viral Hepatitis Source Type: research

Vaccination Site and Risk of Local Reactions in Children 1 Through 6 Years of Age
CONCLUSIONS: Injection in the thigh is associated with a significantly lower risk of a medically attended local reaction to a DTaP vaccination among children 12 to 35 months of age, supporting current recommendations to administer IM vaccinations in the thigh for children younger than 3 years of age. (Source: PEDIATRICS)
Source: PEDIATRICS - February 1, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Jackson, L. A., Peterson, D., Nelson, J. C., Marcy, S. M., Naleway, A. L., Nordin, J. D., Donahue, J. G., Hambidge, S. J., Balsbaugh, C., Baxter, R., Marsh, T., Madziwa, L., Weintraub, E. Tags: Infectious Disease & Immunity Article Source Type: research

Noninfluenza vaccination coverage among adults - United States, 2011.
This report summarizes the results of that analysis for pneumococcal vaccine, tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines (including tetanus and diphtheria toxoid [Td] with acellular pertussis vaccine [Tdap]), and hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster (shingles), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, by selected characteristics (age, race/ethnicity,† and vaccination target criteria). Influenza vaccination coverage estimates for the 2011-12 influenza season have been published separately. Compared with 2010, the data indicate modest increases in Tdap vaccination among persons aged 19-64 years and HPV vaccination among women, ...
Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - February 1, 2013 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research

Hepatitis B Virus in the Maghreb Region:From Epidemiology to prospective Research
Abstract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents an important health problem in the Maghreb countries, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia but no detailed synthesis of its epidemiology is available. In the present review, we systematically searched for data about HBV in the Maghreb in peer‐reviewed databases and included in our analysis works written in English and French, as well as institutional reports and regional conference meeting abstracts. We estimated national and regional prevalence of chronic HBV infection. In addition, we discuss molecular features of the viral strains circulating in the region. Data a...
Source: Liver International - February 1, 2013 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Sayeh Ezzikouri, Pascal Pineau, Soumaya Benjelloun Tags: Review Source Type: research

Expression of a hepatitis A virus antigen in Lactococcus lactis and Escherichia coli and evaluation of its immunogenicity.
Abstract An epidemic shift in Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been observed in recent years in rapidly developing countries, with increasing numbers of severe adult cases which has led to renewed interest in vaccination. Our approach in vaccine development uses recombinant expression of the highly immunogenic HAV antigen VP1-P2a in food-grade lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis and in Escherichia coli. We used genetic constructs that enable nisin-controlled expression of the antigen in L. lactis in three different forms: (a) intracellularly, (b) on the bacterial surface and (c) on the bacterial surface f...
Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - January 31, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Berlec A, Malovrh T, Zadravec P, Steyer A, Ravnikar M, Sabotič J, Poljšak-Prijatelj M, Strukelj B Tags: Appl Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

Clinical and laboratory features of viral hepatitis A in children.
Abstract Recent outbreaks of viral hepatitis A in non-endemic European countries and the potential outbreak risk in susceptible populations has led us to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children hospitalised with hepatitis A. Retrospective study included 118 children (68 boys and 50 girls) with the mean age of 8.5 years hospitalised at Hospital Na Bulovce in Prague from June 2008 to June 2009. The clinical course was symptomatic icteric in 57 (48.3 %) children, symptomatic anicteric in 23 (19.5 %), subclinical in 22 (18.6 %) and asymptomatic inapparent in 16 (13.6 %). The relapse of the disease occurre...
Source: Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift - January 29, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Blechová Z, Trojánek M, Kynčl J, Cástková J, John J, Malý M, Herrmannová K, Marešová V Tags: Wien Klin Wochenschr Source Type: research

[Vaccination coverage in 6-year-old preschool children, France, 2005-2006.]
CONCLUSION: In 2005-2006, vaccination coverage for BCG, DTPolio, pertussis, and Hib was stable and satisfactory in 6-year-old children. MMR (first dose) and hepatitis B coverage were insufficient. MMR coverage (second dose) had increased since 2002 but still needs to be improved. PMID: 23375080 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Archives de Pediatrie)
Source: Archives de Pediatrie - January 29, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Fonteneau L, Urcun JM, Guthmann JP, Collet M, Neulat N, Bristol-Gauzy P, Guignon N, Lévy-Bruhl D, Herbet JB Tags: Arch Pediatr Source Type: research

Reactivation of occult hepatitis B virus infection following cytotoxic lymphoma therapy in an anti‐HBc negative patient
Abstract Screening hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV core antibody (anti‐HBc) is recommended prior to cytotoxic or immunosuppressive therapy. This case describes an anti‐HBc negative, DNA positive occult HBV infection in a 71‐year‐old Caucasian male following rituximab‐based treatment for follicular lymphoma. Pre‐screening serology indicated negative HBsAg and anti‐HBc. However, following sequential treatment cycles the patient developed weak HBsAg with a low HBV DNA load (<1,000 IU/ml), but remained anti‐HBc negative. The DNA load peaked 5 months later (>1 × 106 IU/ml) ...
Source: Journal of Medical Virology - January 28, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Susan A. Feeney, Conall McCaughey, Alison P. Watt, Moulod R. El Agnaf, Neil McDougall, Ulrike C. Wend, Wolfram H. Gerlich, Peter V. Coyle Tags: Case Report Source Type: research

Synergistic and Additive Effects of Cimetidine and Levamisole on Cellular Immune Responses to Hepatitis B virus DNA Vaccine in Mice
In this study, we investigated the synergistic and additive effects of CIM and LMS on the potency of antigen‐specific immunities generated by a DNA vaccine encoding the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, pVax‐S2). Compared with CIM or LMS alone, the combination of CIM and LMS elicited a robust HBsAg‐specific cellular response that was characterized by higher IgG2a, but did not further increase HBsAg‐specific antibody IgG and IgG1 production. Consistent with these results, the combination of CIM and LMS produced the highest level of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ in antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells, whereas the combination of ...
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology - January 24, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: X. Niu, Y. Yang, J. Wang Tags: Experimental Immunology Source Type: research

Hepatitis B virus infection among first-time blood donors in Italy: prevalence and correlates between serological patterns and occult infection.
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HBV infection among Italian first-time blood donors is much lower than in the past. The presence of occult infections in this group was confirmed (frequency: 1 in 2,599), supporting the hypothesis of long-term persistence of HBV infection after clearance of HBsAg. HBsAg and nucleic acid amplification testing for blood screening and vaccination against HBV are crucial in order to further reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HBV towards zero. PMID: 23399361 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Blood Transfusion)
Source: Blood Transfusion - January 23, 2013 Category: Hematology Authors: Romanò L, Velati C, Cambiè G, Fomiatti L, Galli C, Zanetti AR Tags: Blood Transfus Source Type: research

DTaP-IPV-Hep B-Hib Vaccine (Hexaxim(®)) : A Review of its Use in Primary and Booster Vaccination.
Abstract Hexaxim(®) (DTaP-IPV-Hep B-Hib) is a new, thiomersal-free, fully liquid, hexavalent combination pediatric vaccine containing diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis, inactivated poliovirus, recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen produced in the yeast Hansenula polymorpha, and Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide (polyribosylribitol phosphate) conjugated to tetanus toxoid. It is currently registered in markets outside of the EU for primary vaccination of infants from 6 weeks of age and for booster vaccination up to 24 months of age. In randomized controlled trials, primary vacc...
Source: Paediatric Drugs - January 22, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: McCormack PL Tags: Paediatr Drugs Source Type: research

Clinical round-up
Huge burden of undiagnosed gonorrhoea and Chlamydia due to sole testing of urogenital sites While routine multi-site testing for gonorrhoea and Chlamydia in men who have sex with men (MSM) is increasingly becoming the standard of care, the same is not true for heterosexual women who may also practice oral and anal sexual intercourse. A group of Dutch investigators have reported a study exploring the number of missed infections if only the urogenital site was tested using nucleic acid amplification tests.1 Sampling of the urogenital site was considered to be urine or swabs taken from the urethra, vagina or cervix. A missed ...
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - January 21, 2013 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Desai, M. Tags: Liver disease, Drugs: infectious diseases, Hepatitis and other GI infections, HIV/AIDS, Vaccination / immunisation, Reproductive medicine, Ophthalmology, Respiratory medicine, Hepatitis (sexual health), HIV / AIDS, Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV infections, O Source Type: research

Vaccine update: January 2013
Source: Department of Health (DH) Area: News The November 2012 issue of the Vaccine Update bulletin is now available. The current issue highlights the following: . Flu surges in North America . Catch it. Bin it. Kill it campaign . Clarification on codes for flu vaccination uptake monitoring . Vaccine wastage . Migrant health in the primary care setting, with a focus on infectious diseases - training videos . Vaccine supply (hepatitis A and typhoid) . Green Book chapter update (Source: NeLM - News)
Source: NeLM - News - January 21, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Geographic Variability in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among U.S. Young Women
Conclusions: Results demonstrate disparity in HPV vaccine uptake by region of residence in the U.S. among young women. Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to this geographic disparity. Evaluation of vaccination policies and practices associated with higher coverage regions might help characterize effective methods to improve HPV vaccination among women aged 18–26 years. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)
Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine - January 19, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Feifei Wei, Page C. Moore, Angela L. Green Tags: Brief Reports Source Type: research

Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B and C virus infections among the general population and blood donors in Morocco
Conclusions: Our study provided much important information concerning hepatitis B and C prevalence and risk factors; it confirmed the intermediate endemicity for HCV infection and pointed to a decreasing trend of HBV incidence, which might reclassify Morocco in low HBV endemicity area. This could be attributed primarily to the universal HBV vaccination among infants and healthcare workers over the past 13 years. HCV and HBV infections in the present survey were mainly associated with nosocomial exposures. Prevention and control of HBV infection are needed to reduce HBV transmission between adults. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)
Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles - January 18, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Warda BahaAbderrahim FoullousNoureddine DersiThierry They-theyKhadija alaouiNadia NourichafiBouchra OukkacheFatiha LazarSoumaya BenjellounMy EnnajiAbdelouhad ElmalkiHassan MifdalAbdelouaheb Bennani Source Type: research

Routine hepatitis B vaccination of adults with diabetes mellitus may decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mortality and be cost effective
(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)
Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News - January 17, 2013 Category: Health Management Tags: Research article Source Type: research

Mortality and Morbidity Among Military Personnel and Civilians During the 1930s and World War II From Transmission of Hepatitis During Yellow Fever Vaccination: Systematic Review.
Abstract During World War II, nearly all US and Allied troops received yellow fever vaccine. Until May 1942, it was both grown and suspended in human serum. In April 1942, major epidemics of hepatitis occurred in US and Allied troops who had received yellow fever vaccine. A rapid and thorough investigation by the US surgeon general followed, and a directive was issued discontinuing the use of human serum in vaccine production. The large number of cases of hepatitis caused by the administration of this vaccine could have been avoided. Had authorities undertaken a thorough review of the literature, they would have d...
Source: American Journal of Public Health - January 17, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Thomas RE, Lorenzetti DL, Spragins W Tags: Am J Public Health Source Type: research

Policy Recommendation Approved For Immunizations For All Health Care Providers
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has approved a policy recommendation that all health care providers (HCPs) be immunized against influenza; diphtheria; hepatitis B; measles, mumps, and rubella; pertussis (whooping cough); and varicella (chickenpox) according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Adult Immunization Schedule. ACP's policy exempts HCPs for medical reasons or a religious objection to immunization... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 16, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Immune System / Vaccines Source Type: news

Cellular Immunogenicity of a Multi-Epitope Peptide Vaccine Candidate Based on Hepatitis C Virus NS5A, NS4B and Core Proteins in HHD-2 Mice.
Abstract To develop a vaccine against hepatitis C virus (HCV), a multi-epitope peptide was synthesized from nonstructural proteins containing HLA-A2 epitopes inducing mainly responses in natural infection. The engineered vaccine candidate, VAL-44, consists of multiple epitopes from the HCV NS5A, NS4B and core proteins. Immunization with the VAL-44 peptide induced higher CTL responses than those by the smaller VL-20 peptide. VAL-44 induced antigen-specific IFN-γ-producing CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. VAL-44 elicited a Th1-biased immune response with secretion of high amounts of IFN-γ and IL-2, compared with VL-2...
Source: Journal of Virological Methods - January 16, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Huang XJ, Lü X, Lei YF, Yang J, Yao M, Lan HY, Zhang JM, Jia ZS, Yin W, Xu ZK Tags: J Virol Methods Source Type: research

Kinetics of maternally acquired anti-hepatitis A antibodies: Prediction of waning based on maternal or cord blood antibody levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Complete waning of maternal anti-HAV antibodies may take until early in the second year of life. The here-derived formula relating maternal or cord blood antibody concentrations to the age at which passive immunity is lost may be used to determine the optimal age of childhood HAV vaccination. PMID: 23328312 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)
Source: Vaccine - January 14, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Brinkhof MW, Mayorga O, Bock J, Heininger U, Herzog C Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Despite Vaccination As Infants, Teens May Be Susceptible To Hepatitis B Infection And Mom Could Be The Link
New research reveals that a significant number of adolescents lose their protection from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, despite having received a complete vaccination series as infants. Results in the January 2013 issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, suggest teens with high-risk mothers (those positive for HBeAg) and teens whose immune system fails to remember a previous viral exposure (immunological memory) are behind HBV reinfection... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Liver Disease / Hepatitis Source Type: news

Small-molecule Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Documented in Patents.
Abstract Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious health problem worldwide, and the current treatment methods including vaccines, immunomodulators, interferons and nucleoside analogs are far from satisfactory. For the search of new anti-HBV agents, much investigation has revealed a large number of small-molecule compounds with various skeletons and promising anti-HBV activities. Although some reviews on anti-HBV progress have been published, they are mainly concentrated on the results reported in journal articles. This review provides an overview of the structural features and anti-HBV properties of the small...
Source: Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry - January 10, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Geng CA, Wang LJ, Guo RH, Chen JJ Tags: Mini Rev Med Chem Source Type: research

Synergistic and Additive Effects of Cimetidine and Levamisole on Cellular Immune Responses to HBV DNA Vaccine in Mice
In this study we investigated the synergistic and additive effects of CIM and LMS on the potency of antigen‐specific immunities generated by a DNA vaccine encoding the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, pVax‐S2). Compared to CIM or LMS alone, the combination of CIM and LMS elicited a robust HBsAg‐specific cellular response that was characterized by higher IgG2a, but did not further increase HBsAg‐specific antibody IgG and IgG1 production. Consistent with these results, the combination of CIM and LMS produced the highest level of IL‐2 and IFN‐γ in antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells; whereas, the combination of CI...
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Immunology - January 9, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Xinli Niu, Yongjie Yang, Junpeng Wang Tags: Experimental Immunology Source Type: research