Staphylococcal Vaccine Results Show Short-Term, But Not Long-Term,Efficacy

xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> Staphylococcal Vaccine Results Show Short-Term, But Not Long-Term, Efficacy

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July 16, 2001

 

“Staphylococcal Vaccine Results Show Short-Term, But Not Long-Term, Efficacy” Infectious Diseases in Children (www.idinchildren.com) (06/01)

Vol. 14, No. 6, P. 19; Kronemyer, Bob

Recent tests failed to show a long-term protectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, but the experimental vaccine StaphVAX may provide short term protection from nosocomial infections in special groups of patients.  The study involved about 1,80tients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis.  After six months, patients who were randomly chosen to receive StaphVAX showed a 58 percent decrease in S.  aureus bacteremia compared to the other individuals, and a 57 percent decrease after 10 months.  However, the researchers note that after 12 months, the same group showed only a 26 percent reduction rate.  Dr. Gary S. Horwith, vice president of clinical research and medical affairs for Nabi, commented that the vaccine would be targeted for patients at high risk for S. aureus infections, including those undergoing orthopedic or cardiothoracic surgery, as such patients require only short-term protection.  Containing target specific antibodies, StaphVAX was designed to attack the two serotypes of S. aureus: type 5 and type 8, which are responsible for up to 90 percent of human S.  aureus infections.  A second phase III trial is anticipated for the first part of next year, and armed with the results of the past tests, Nabi is contemplating recommending more frequent administration to achieve longer protection for high-risk individuals.

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