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Clin Infect Dis 2002 Aug 15;35(4):378-80
 

If you could halve the mortality rate, would you do it?

Poland GA

Publication Types:
 

• Comment
• Editorial

PMID: 12145719, UI: 22139835

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Clin Infect Dis 2002 Aug 1;35(3):268-76
 

Epidemiology of invasive group a streptococcus disease in the United States, 1995-1999.

O'Brien KL, Beall B, Barrett NL, Cieslak PR, Reingold A, Farley MM, Danila R, Zell ER, Facklam R, Schwartz B, Schuchat A

Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. klobrien@jhsph.edu

Severe invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) disease is believed to have reemerged during the past 10-20 years. We conducted active, laboratory, population-based surveillance in 5 US states (total population, 13,214,992). From 1 July 1995 through 31 December 1999, we identified 2002 episodes of invasive GAS (3.5 cases per 100,000 persons). Rates varied by age (higher among those <2 or >/=65 years old), surveillance area, and race (higher among black individuals) but did not increase during the study period. The 5 most common emm types (1, 28, 12, 3, and 11) accounted for 49.2% of isolates; newly characterized emm types accounted for 8.9% of isolates. Older age; presence of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, meningitis, or pneumonia; and infection with emm1 or emm3 were all independent predictors of death. We estimate that 9600-9700 cases of invasive GAS disease occur in the United States each year, resulting in 1100-1300 deaths.

PMID: 12115092, UI: 22109657

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Clin Infect Dis 2002 Jul 15;35(2):213-5; discussion 215
 

Intradermal regimens for rabies postexposure prophylaxis: more confusion.

Warrell MJ, Warrell DA

Publication Types:
 

• Comment
• Letter

PMID: 12087534, UI: 22081629

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Clin Infect Dis 2002 Jul 15;35(2):189-96
 

Prospective study of measles in hospitalized, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected children in Zambia.

Moss WJ, Monze M, Ryon JJ, Quinn TC, Griffin DE, Cutts F

W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205-2179, USA. wmoss@jhsph.edu

Measles in persons coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been reported to be unusual in its presentation and frequently fatal. To determine the effect of HIV coinfection on the clinical features and outcome of measles, a prospective study of hospitalized children with measles was conducted between January 1998 and October 2000 in Lusaka, Zambia. One-sixth (17%) of 546 children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed measles were coinfected with HIV. One-third of the HIV-infected children hospitalized with confirmed measles were <9 months old, compared with 23% of HIV-uninfected children (P=.03). Few differences in clinical manifestations, complications, or mortality were found between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children with measles. HIV-infected children constitute a significant proportion of children hospitalized with measles in countries with high HIV prevalence and are more likely to be younger than the age for routine measles immunization.

PMID: 12087526, UI: 22081621

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J Immunol 2002 Aug 15;169(4):2196-203
 

Characterization of CD8(+) Effector T Cell Responses in Volunteers Immunized with Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Strain Ty21a Typhoid Vaccine.

Salerno-Goncalves R, Pasetti MF, Sztein MB

Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201.

[Medline record in process]
 

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) strain Ty21a remains the only licensed attenuated typhoid vaccine. Despite years of research, the identity of the protective immunological mechanisms elicited by immunization with the Ty21a typhoid vaccine remains elusive. The present study was designed to characterize effector T cell responses in volunteers immunized with S. typhi strain Ty21a typhoid vaccine. We determined whether immunization with Ty21a induced specific CTL able to lyse S. typhi-infected cells and secrete IFN-gamma, a key effector molecule against intracellular pathogens. We measured the functional activity of these CTL by a (51)Cr-release assay using 8-day restimulated PBMC from Ty21a vaccinees as effector cells and S. Typhi-infected autologous PHA-activated PBMC as target cells. Most vaccinees exhibited consistently increased CD8-mediated lysis of targets by postimmunization PBMC when compared with preimmunization levels. We also developed an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay to quantify the frequency of IFN-gamma spot-forming cells (SFC) in PBMC from Ty21a vaccinees using an ex vivo system. Significant increases in the frequency of IFN-gamma SFC following immunization (mean +/- SD, 393 +/- 172; range 185-548 SFC/10(6) PBMC; p = 0.010), as compared with preimmunization levels, were observed. IFN-gamma was secreted predominantly by CD8(+) T cells. A strong correlation was recorded between the cytolytic activity of CTL lines and the frequency of IFN-gamma SFC (r(2) = 0.910, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this work constitutes the first evidence that immunization of volunteers with Ty21a elicits specific CD8(+) CTL and provides an estimate of the frequency of CD8(+) IFN-gamma-secreting cells induced by vaccination.

PMID: 12165550, UI: 22155343

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J Virol 2002 Sep;76(17):8973-6
 

The Vaccinia Virus I7L Gene Product Is The Core Protein Proteinase.

Byrd CM, Bolken TC, Hruby DE

Molecular and Cellular Biology Program. Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331. SIGA Technologies, Inc., Corvallis, Oregon 97333.

[Medline record in process]
 

Maturation of vaccinia virus (VV) core proteins is required for the production of infectious virions. The VV G1L and I7L gene products are the leading candidates for the viral core protein proteinase (vCPP). Using transient-expression assays, data were obtained to demonstrate that the I7L gene product and its encoded cysteine proteinase activity are responsible for vCPP activity.

PMID: 12163618, UI: 22153727

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J Virol 2002 Sep 1;76(17):8900-8909
 

Intranasal Vaccination with a Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Expressing Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus L1 Protein Provides Complete Protection against Papillomavirus-Induced Disease.

Reuter JD, Vivas-Gonzalez BE, Gomez D, Wilson JH, Brandsma JL, Greenstone HL, Rose JK, Roberts A

Section of Comparative Medicine. Department of Pathology. Department of Cellular Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510. Laboratory of Viral Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-0445.

[Record supplied by publisher]
 

Immunizations with live recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSV) expressing foreign viral proteins have successfully protected animals from challenges with several heterologous viruses. We developed an rVSV expressing the major capsid protein (L1) of cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) and tested the efficacy of protection following CRPV challenge. An rVSV expressing L1 of CRPV (VSV-L1) was characterized for the protective ability afforded by intranasal, intradermal, or intramuscular vaccination in rabbits subsequently challenged with CRPV. Protein expression of L1 in VSV-L1 was confirmed by radioimmunoprecipitation assays. Nuclear localization of L1 was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence assays. Immunized rabbits elicited significant VSV neutralization and VLP-L1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers. VSV-L1 vaccination was not associated with weight loss or any other adverse clinical signs in the rabbit model. VSV shedding in nasal secretions occurred in some rabbits, peaking at 4 to 6 days after intranasal vaccination, with no further shedding after day 6. Specific humoral immunity to the L1 protein was consistently seen after a single VSV-L1 vaccination when administered through an intradermal or intramuscular route or after a boost via the intranasal route. Rabbits were completely protected from CRPV-induced papillomas after VSV-L1 vaccination and boost given intranasally or intramuscularly. Vaccination with VSV-L1 is a novel approach to prevent papillomavirus-induced disease and demonstrates a potential strategy for developing a human papillomavirus vaccine that can be given without injection.

PMID: 12163609

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J Virol 2002 Aug;76(15):7544-53
 

Enhanced presentation of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag-specific epitopes after DNA immunization with vectors coding for vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-pseudotyped HIV-1 Gag particles.

Marsac D, Loirat D, Petit C, Schwartz O, Michel ML

Unite de Recombinaison et Expression Genetique, INSERM U.163, Institut Pasteur, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

In vivo priming of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by DNA injection predominantly occurs by antigen transfer from DNA-transfected cells to antigen-presenting cells. A rational strategy for increasing DNA vaccine potency would be to use a delivery system that facilitates antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells. Exogenous antigen presentation through the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted pathway of some viral antigens is increased after adequate virus-receptor interaction and the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. We used DNA-based immunization with plasmids coding for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag particles pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) to generate Gag-specific CTL responses. The presence of the VSV-G-encoding plasmid not only increased the number of mice displaying anti-Gag-specific cytotoxic response but also increased the efficiency of specific lysis. In vitro analysis of processing confirmed that exogenous presentation of Gag epitopes occurred much more efficiently when Gag particles were pseudotyped with the VSV-G envelope. We show that the VSV-G-pseudotyped Gag particles not only entered the MHC class II processing pathway but also entered the MHC class I processing pathway. In contrast, naked Gag particles entered the MHC class II processing pathway only. Thus, the combined use of DNA-based immunization and nonreplicating pseudotyped virus to deliver HIV-1 antigen to the immune system in vivo could be considered in HIV-1 vaccine design.

PMID: 12097567, UI: 22092507

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J Virol 2002 Aug;76(15):7506-17
 

Robust recall and long-term memory T-cell responses induced by prime-boost regimens with heterologous live viral vectors expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag and Env proteins.

Haglund K, Leiner I, Kerksiek K, Buonocore L, Pamer E, Rose JK

Department of Pathology, Program in Microbiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.

We investigated long-term memory and recall cellular immune responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Env and Gag proteins elicited by recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (VSVs) expressing Env and Gag. More than 7 months after a single vaccination with VSV-Env, approximately 6% of CD8(+) splenocytes stained with major histocompatibility complex class I tetramers containing the Env p18-I10 immunodominant peptide and showed a memory phenotype (CD44(Hi)). The level of tetramer-positive cells in memory was about 14% of the peak primary response. Recall responses elicited in these mice 5 days after boosting with a heterologous recombinant vaccinia virus expressing HIV-1 Env showed that 40 to 45% of CD8(+) splenocytes were tetramer positive and activated (CD62L(Lo)), and these cells produced gamma interferon after stimulation with Env peptide, indicating that they were functional. Five months after the boost, the long-term memory cell population (tetramer positive, CD44(Hi)) constituted 30% of the CD8(+) splenocytes. Recall responses to HIV-1 Gag were examined in mice primed with VSV recombinants expressing HIV-1 Gag protein and boosted with a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing Gag. Using this protocol, we found that approximately 40% of CD8(+) splenocytes were activated (CD62L(Lo)) and specific for a Gag immunodominant peptide (tetramer positive). The high-level Gag recall response elicited by the vaccinia virus-Gag was greater than that obtained by boosting with a VSV-Gag vector with a different VSV glycoprotein. The corresponding levels of CD44(Hi) memory cells were also higher long after boosting with vaccinia virus-Gag than after boosting with a glycoprotein exchange VSV-Gag. Our results show that VSV vectors elicit high-level memory CTL responses and that these can be amplified as much as six- to sevenfold using a heterologous boosting vector.

PMID: 12097563, UI: 22092503

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Pediatrics 2002 Aug;110(2 Pt 1):e15
 

Vaccination coverage of foreign-born children 19 to 35 months of age: findings from the National Immunization Survey, 1999-2000.

Strine TW, Barker LE, Mokdad AH, Luman ET, Sutter RW, Chu SY

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. tstrine@cdc.gov

[Medline record in process]
 

OBJECTIVE: To compare coverage estimates of foreign-born children 19 to 35 months old with those of US-born children of the same age group. METHODS: The National Immunization Survey is a multistage, random-digit dialing survey designed to measure vaccination coverage estimates of US children 19 to 35 months old. Data from 1999-2000 were combined to permit comparison of vaccination coverage among foreign- and US-born children. RESULTS: Foreign-born and US-born children 19 to 35 months of age had comparable 3:3:1 series coverage (3 or more doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine [DTP/DTaP/DT], 3 or more doses of poliovirus vaccine, and 1 or more doses of measles-containing vaccine), the standard in most countries. However, coverage for a US standard, 4:3:1:3 series (4 or more doses of DTP/DTaP/DT, 3 or more doses of poliovirus vaccine, 1 or more doses of measles-containing vaccine, and an adequate number of Haemophilus influenzae type b [Hib] doses based on age at first dose) was lower among foreign-born children because of markedly lower Hib cover and marginally lower DTP/DTaP/DT coverage. In addition, hepatitis B coverage was markedly lower in foreign-born children. CONCLUSION: Lower vaccination coverage among foreign-born children, especially against Hib and hepatitis B, is of concern because foreign-born children often live in households and communities characterized by more intense exposure to these diseases, and many originate from countries with much higher prevalence rates of these diseases than the United States. The differences in Hib and hepatitis B coverage suggest a need for increased culturally competent public health immunization interventions to increase coverage among foreign-born children.

PMID: 12165614, UI: 22155790

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Science 2002 Aug 9;297(5583):937-9
 

Medicine. The intangible value of vaccination.

Rappuoli R, Miller HI, Falkow S

IRIS, Chiron SpA, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy. rino_rappuoli@chiron.it

[Medline record in process]
 

PMID: 12169712, UI: 22160419

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3197
 

Further studies on the early protective responses of pigs following immunisation with high potency foot and mouth disease vaccine.

Barnett P, Cox S, Aggarwal N, Gerber H, McCullough K

Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, Surrey, UK

[Medline record in process]
 

The ability of an emergency oil adjuvanted foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine to elicit early protective immunity in pigs against direct contact homologous challenge was examined. All vaccinates showed reduced viraemia and shedding of FMDV, and certain animals were protected, showing no clinical signs. IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12 were consistently detected in challenged animals that had been vaccinated. Other cytokines-IL-1, IL-2, TNF, TGF and interferons-were not detected. This demonstrates that the vaccine did not induce a systemic inflammatory response, nor a systemic elevation of T lymphocyte activity. Although the IL-6 and IL-8 did not relate to protection, IL-12 production was highest in the protected vaccinated pigs. Thus, the induction of monocytic cell activity, demonstrable by the production of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12, appears to play a critical role in FMDV emergency vaccine induction of the innate immune defences which relate to early protection against FMD. The possible modes of defence in which such cytokine activity would be involved are discussed.

PMID: 12163272, UI: 22154002

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3193
 

IL-1beta gene polymorphisms influence hepatitis B vaccination.

Yucesoy B, Sleijffers A, Kashon M, Garssen J, de Gruijl F, Boland G, van Hattum J, Simeonova P, Luster M, van Loveren H

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, 26508, Morgantown, WV, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

Considerable variability exists in the vaccine response to hepatitis B with 5-10% of healthy young adults demonstrating no or inadequate responses following a standard vaccination schedule. As the interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) cytokine has been shown to be important in the development of immune responses, we determined whether vaccine efficacy is influenced by genetic polymorphisms associated with IL-1beta expression. Ninety-two healthy individuals who were negative for antibodies to hepatitis B antigen (anti-HBs) were vaccinated against hepatitis B according to a standardized schedule. At selected times, antibody titers and lymphoproliferative capacity to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were determined. DNA genotyping for IL-1beta polymorphisms using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique demonstrated that both the anti-HBs titer and the T-cell lymphoproliferative response to HBsAg are significantly increased in individuals possessing the IL-1beta (+3953) minor allelic variant.

PMID: 12163271, UI: 22154001

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3187
 

In vivo protein expression and immune responses generated by DNA vaccines expressing mycobacterial antigens fused with a reporter protein.

Quinn A, Jiang W, Velaz-Faircloth M, Cobb A, Henry S, Frothingham R

Infectious Disease Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Building 4, 508 Fulton Street, 27705, Durham, NC, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

We cloned six mycobacterial antigens into a mammalian expression vector as fusion proteins with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Plasmid DNA was injected intramuscularly, and the injection sites were examined 1 week later. Expression of each antigen-EGFP fusion protein was visualized as green fluorescence in muscle tissue sections. A plasmid expressing EGFP alone and a plasmid with a frameshift mutation served as positive and negative controls. Visualization of fluorescent protein in vivo was 100% specific when compared to in vitro results. In vivo sensitivity was only 37% based on individual injection sites, but increased to 100% when results from multiple injection sites were combined for each plasmid. EGFP alone was expressed in a higher proportion of myocytes than the antigen-EGFP fusion proteins (P<0.001). There was a trend toward an inverse correlation between protein size and the proportion of myocytes with visible fluorescence (r=-0.68; P=0.09). We compared antibody subtypes generated to Mycobacterium bovis antigen 85A, when it was expressed alone or as a fusion protein. Inclusion of EGFP modified the immune response toward a Th1 response, as indicated by the ratio of antigen 85A-specific IgG2a to IgG1 generated by each plasmid (antigen 85A alone 0.73+/-0.18 versus antigen 85A-EGFP 1.82+/-0.57, mean+/-S.D.; P<0.01), though the magnitude of the antibody isotype shift was modest. Direct visualization of antigen-EGFP fusion proteins provided a simple and rapid method to confirm in vivo antigen expression.

PMID: 12163270, UI: 22154000

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3171
 

A novel chimeric Rev, Tat, and Nef (Retanef) antigen as a component of an SIV/HIV vaccine.

Hel Z, Johnson J, Tryniszewska E, Tsai W, Harrod R, Fullen J, Tartaglia J, Franchini G

Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, 41/D804, 20892, Bethesda, MD, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) regulatory proteins Rev, Tat, and Nef are expressed at early time post-infection and represent attractive targets to be included in a vaccine candidate for AIDS. However, the putative immunosuppressive activities of some of these proteins may limit their immunogenicity. To circumvent these issues, a novel chimeric polyprotein vaccine candidate (Retanef), comprising genetically modified and re-assorted rev, tat, and nef open reading frames of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), was constructed and optimized for its expression in mammalian cells. Retanef encodes a protein of approximately 55kDa localized primarily in the cytoplasm of transfected cells. The Retanef gene expressed in context of an eucaryotic expression vector (DNA-SIV-Retanef) or cloned into a highly attenuated poxvirus-based NYVAC vector (NYVAC-SIV-Retanef) was used to immunize either naive rhesus macaques or macaques chronically infected with SIVmac251 undergoing anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Three immunizations of naive macaques with DNA-SIV-Retanef followed by a single NYVAC-SIV-Retanef boost induced a response to the Mamu-A(*)01-restricted Tat epitope (Tat_SL8, TTPESANL) demonstrated by staining with a specific tetramer and by direct cytolytic activity assays, as well as responses to Rev, Tat and Nef proteins demonstrated by ELISPOT assays using overlapping peptide pools encompassing the entire proteins. Immunization of infected macaques with either DNA-SIV-Retanef or NYVAC-SIV-Retanef expanded the frequency of Tat-specific tetramer-staining cells by two- to seven-fold. No adverse effects were observed in either naive or SIV-infected rhesus macaques. Thus, an analogous HIV-1-based chimeric vaccine may represent useful component of an HIV-1 vaccine.

PMID: 12163269, UI: 22153999

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3165
 

Eight-plasmid system for rapid generation of influenza virus vaccines.

Hoffmann E, Krauss S, Perez D, Webby R, Webster R

Department of Virology and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale, 38105-2794, Memphis, TN, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

The antigenic variation of influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins requires frequent changes in vaccine formulation. The classical method of creating influenza virus seed strains for vaccine production is to generate 6+2 reassortants that contain six genes from a high-yield virus, such as A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) and the HA and NA genes of the circulating strains. The techniques currently used are time-consuming because of the selection process required to isolate the reassortant virus. We generated the high-yield virus A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) entirely from eight plasmids. Its growth phenotype in embryonated chicken eggs was equivalent to that of the wild-type virus. By using this DNA-based cotransfection technique, we generated 6+2 reassortants that had the antigenic determinants of the influenza virus strains A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), A/Panama/2007/99 (H3N2), A/teal/HK/W312 (H6N1), and A/quail/HK/G1/97 (H9N2). Our findings demonstrate that the eight-plasmid system allows the rapid and reproducible generation of reassortant influenza A viruses for use in the manufacture of vaccines.

PMID: 12163268, UI: 22153998

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3155
 

Expression in plants and immunogenicity of plant virus-based experimental rabies vaccine.

Yusibov V, Hooper D, Spitsin S, Fleysh N, Kean R, Mikheeva T, Deka D, Karasev A, Cox S, Randall J, Koprowski H

Biotechnology Foundation Laboratories at Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Room 346 JAH, 19107, Philadelphia, PA, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

A new approach to the production and delivery of vaccine antigens is the use of engineered amino virus-based vectors. A chimeric peptide containing antigenic determinants from rabies virus glycoprotein (G protein) (amino acids 253-275) and nucleoprotein (N protein) (amino acids 404-418) was PCR-amplified and cloned as a translational fusion product with the alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) coat protein (CP). This recombinant CP was expressed in two plant virus-based expression systems. The first one utilized transgenic Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun NN plants providing replicative functions in trans for full-length infectious RNA3 of AlMV (NF1-g24). The second one utilized Nicotiana benthamiana and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) plants using autonomously replicating tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) lacking native CP (Av/A4-g24). Recombinant virus containing the chimeric rabies virus epitope was isolated from infected transgenic N. tabacum cv. Samsun NN plants and used for parenteral immunization of mice. Mice immunized with recombinant virus were protected against challenge infection. Based on the previously demonstrated efficacy of this plant virus-based experimental rabies vaccine when orally administered to mice in virus-infected unprocessed raw spinach leaves, we assessed its efficacy in human volunteers. Three of five volunteers who had previously been immunized against rabies virus with a conventional vaccine specifically responded against the peptide antigen after ingesting spinach leaves infected with the recombinant virus. When rabies virus non-immune individuals were fed the same material, 5/9 demonstrated significant antibody responses to either rabies virus or AlMV. Following a single dose of conventional rabies virus vaccine, three of these individuals showed detectable levels of rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies, whereas none of five controls revealed these antibodies. These findings provide clear indication of the potential of the plant virus-based expression systems as supplementary oral booster for rabies vaccinations.

PMID: 12163267, UI: 22153997

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3148
 

Gene gun bombardment with gold particles displays a particular Th2-promoting signal that over-rules the Th1-inducing effect of immunostimulatory CpG motifs in DNA vaccines.

Weiss R, Scheiblhofer S, Freund J, Ferreira F, Livey I, Thalhamer J

Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Street 34, A-5020, Salzburg, Austria

[Medline record in process]
 

The mode of administering a DNA vaccine can influence the type of immune response induced by the vaccine. For instance, application of a DNA vaccine by gene gun typically induces a Th2-type reaction, whereas needle inoculation triggers a Th1 response. It has been proposed that the approximately 100-fold difference in the amount of DNA administered by these two methods is the critical factor determining whether a Th1 or a Th2 response is made. To test this hypothesis, BALB/c mice were immunized with two plasmid DNA constructs encoding different proteins (OspC/ZS7 of Borrelia burgdorferi and Bet v 1a, the major birch pollen allergen). Both vaccines were applied by needle and/or by gene gun immunization at the same and at different sites of injection. An analysis of the IgG subclass distribution and measurement of IFN-gamma after antigen-specific lymphoproliferation does not support the widely accepted view that Th2-type immunity induced by gene gun application is solely due to the low amount of injected plasmid DNA thus falling below the critical concentration of CpG motifs necessary for Th1-induction. Furthermore, the data also indicate a strong and even systemic adjuvant effect of the gene gun shot itself.

PMID: 12163266, UI: 22153996

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3130
 

A random cluster survey and a convenience sample give comparable estimates of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases in children of school age in Victoria, Australia.

Kelly H, Riddell M, Gidding H, Nolan T, Gilbert G

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Locked bag 815, 10 Wreckyn Street, North Melbourne 3051, Vic. 3053, Carlton South, Australia

[Medline record in process]
 

We compared estimates of the age-specific population immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and varicella zoster viruses in Victorian school children obtained by a national sero-survey, using a convenience sample of residual sera from diagnostic laboratories throughout Australia, with those from a three-stage random cluster survey. When grouped according to school age (primary or secondary school) there was no significant difference in the estimates of immunity to measles, mumps, hepatitis B or varicella. Compared with the convenience sample, the random cluster survey estimated higher immunity to rubella in samples from both primary (98.7% versus 93.6%, P=0.002) and secondary school students (98.4% versus 93.2%, P=0.03). Despite some limitations, this study suggests that the collection of a convenience sample of sera from diagnostic laboratories is an appropriate sampling strategy to provide population immunity data that will inform Australia's current and future immunisation policies.

PMID: 12163264, UI: 22153994

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3123
 

Intranasal administration of a synthetic peptide vaccine encapsulated in liposome together with an anti-CD40 antibody induces protective immunity against influenza A virus in mice.

Ninomiya A, Ogasawara K, Kajino K, Takada A, Kida H

Department of Disease Control, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, 060-0818, Sapporo, Japan

[Medline record in process]
 

Mucosal immunity is critical for protection from viral infections. We attempted to activate mucosal cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP) which play an important role in protective immunity. It has been shown that dendritic cells (DCs) activated by signaling via CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interaction are required for the differentiation of naive CD8(+) T cells into antigen-specific CTLs in a non-mucosal environment. We herein inoculated mice intranasally with an anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (anti-CD40 mAb) and NP366-374 peptide, corresponding to a CTL epitope on NP, encapsulated in liposome (liposomal NP366-374) to induce protective CTL responses against influenza A virus. Intranasal but not subcutaneous immunization with liposomal NP366-374 effectively induced mucosal immunity to reduce virus replication in the lung, suggesting that anti-CD40 mAb also functioned as a mucosal adjuvant. Interestingly, neither MHC class I- nor class II-deficient mice immunized intranasally with these materials were resistant to the infection. Since anti-CD40 mAb was considered to help replace CD4(+) T cells, another help of CD4(+) T cells are presumably required for the induction of CTL activity in the lung. This approach may prove promising for developing vaccines to induce mucosal CTL responses, and seems to highlight differences between mucosal and non-mucosal immunity.

PMID: 12163263, UI: 22153993

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3088
 

Enhanced sensitisation of mice with diphtheria tetanus acellular pertussis vaccine to local swelling reaction to the booster immunisation.

Yamamoto A, Nagata N, Ochiai M, Kataoka M, Toyoizumi H, Okada K, Horiuchi Y

Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Infection Control, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 4-7-1 Gakuen, Musashimurayama, 208-0011, Tokyo, Japan

[Medline record in process]
 

Severe local swelling has been regarded as a serious safety problem for the booster immunisations of diphtheria tetanus acellular pertussis combined (DTaP) vaccine and DT combined toxoids (DT-td). We attempted to search for the factor of DTaP vaccines possibly contributing to the enhanced local reaction by using the mouse hind paw swelling reaction. Mice were immunised intramuscularly with DTaP vaccine twice at 1-month interval and were challenged their hind paw with one of the antigens of DTaP vaccine 2 weeks later. D-td was shown to elicit the strongest swelling among the vaccine antigens. No causal relationship was found between the swelling and the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgE in mice. Residual pertussis toxin (PT) activity of DTaP vaccines for immunisation was shown to play a role in the enhanced sensitisation of mice to the D-td-related hind paw swelling.

PMID: 12163259, UI: 22153989

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3052
 

Assessment of the antibody response in 110 healthy individuals who have been subject to Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine.

Dizer U, Gorenek L, Guner O, Pehlivan T, Ozguven V, Pahsa A

GATA Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department, 6010, Ankara, Turkey

[Medline record in process]
 

Thyphoid fever is a disease predominant in underdeveloped and developing countries. Thyphoid fever is more prevalent, in fact endemic, in countries where fecal contamination of water and food sources are very common. The majority of the reported cases are in the adult age group. There are three different vaccines which can be used to prevent thyphoid fever. In this study, we have used the parenteral Vi vaccine which was developed using the polisaccharide Vi antigen that covers the bacteria's surface, thus, concealing the O antigen protecting the bacteria against Anti-O antibodies and regarded as virulence factor. A total of 110 individuals whose sera were negative for seroconversion prior to vaccination were included in this study in which we have assessed Anti-Vi antibodies by tube agglutination. Serum and stool samples of 110 individuals were assessed 1 month after the vaccination. A total of 105 (95.5%) of the vaccinated people were considered to have positive (1/40 and higher) response and this result was regarded as prophylactic seroconversion. None of the people in the study group had Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi A,B,C isolated from their stool cultures.

PMID: 12163256, UI: 22153986

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3049
 

Medication errors reported to the vaccine adverse event reporting system (VAERS).

Varricchio F

Office of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Division of Epidemiology, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, 20852, Rockville, MD, USA

[Medline record in process]
 

PMID: 12163255, UI: 22153985

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3047
 

Immunisation of dairy cattle with recombinant Streptococcus uberis GapC or a chimeric CAMP antigen confers protection against heterologous bacterial challenge. M.C. Fontaine et al. [Vaccine 20 (2002) 2278-2286].

Leigh J

Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratory, Compton, Berkshire RG20 7NN, Newbury, UK

[Medline record in process]
 

PMID: 12163254, UI: 22153984

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Vaccine 2002 Aug 19;20(25-26):3043
 

Accelerating the development and introduction of a dengue vaccine for poor children, 5-8 December 2001, Ho Chi Minh City, VietNam.

Almond J, Clemens J, Engers H, Halstead S, Khiem H, Pablos-Mendez A, Pervikov Y, Tram T

Aventis Pasteur, Campus Merieux, 1541 Avenue Marcel Merieux, F-69280, Marcy-L'Etoile, France

[Medline record in process]
 

PMID: 12163253, UI: 22153983

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