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Effective Vaccines (effective + vaccine)
Selected AbstractsEmergence of Salmonella paratyphi A as a Major Cause of Enteric Fever: Need for Early Detection, Preventive Measures, and Effective VaccinesJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Monthida Fangtham MD First page of article [source] Recent advances in the management and prophylaxis of respiratory syncytial virus infectionACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 2001A Greenough Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is an important cause of morbidity, particularly in prematurely born infants who have had chronic lung disease. Current therapy is essentially supportive. Overall, the results of randomized trials do not support the use of bronchodilators, corticosteroids or Ribavirin. Nitric oxide and exogenous surfactant may improve the respiratory status of those infants who require ventilatory support. Nosocomial infection can be reduced by appropriate handwashing. There is no safe and effective vaccine for use in infants. Immunoprophylaxis reduces hospitalization and requirement for intensive care. Palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, is preferred to RSV immune globulin as the immunoprophylactic agent. Immunoprophylaxis should be reserved for infants at highest risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus infection, if this strategy is to be used most cost-effectively. [source] Evaluation of IL10, IL19 and IL20 gene polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B infection outcomeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF IMMUNOGENETICS, Issue 3 2008Ann L. Truelove Summary Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious global health problem despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine. Approximately 5% of HBV-infected adults develop chronic hepatitis B, which may result in liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Variants of interleukin-10 (IL10) have been previously associated with chronic hepatitis B infection and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; n = 42) from the IL10, IL19 and IL20 gene regions were examined for an association with HBV infection outcome, either chronic or recovered, in a nested case,control study of African Americans and European Americans. Among African Americans, three nominally statistically significant SNP associations in IL10, two in IL20, and one haplotype association were observed with different HBV infection outcomes (P = 0.005,0.04). A SNP (rs1518108) in IL20 deviated significantly from Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium in African Americans, with a large excess of heterozygotes in chronic HBV-infected cases (P = 0.0006), which suggests a strong genetic effect. Among European Americans, a nominally statistically significant SNP association in IL20 and an IL20 haplotype were associated with HBV recovery (P = 0.01,0.04). These results suggest that IL10 and IL20 gene variants influence HBV infection outcome and encourage the pursuit of further studies of these cytokines in HBV pathogenesis. [source] Conserved regions from Plasmodium falciparum MSP11 specifically interact with host cells and have a potential role during merozoite invasion of red blood cellsJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2010Ana Zuleima Obando-Martinez Abstract Despite significant global efforts, a completely effective vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, the species responsible for the most serious form of malaria, has not been yet obtained. One of the most promising approaches consists in combining chemically synthesized minimal subunits of parasite proteins involved in host cell invasion, which has led to the identification of peptides with high binding activity (named HABPs) to hepatocyte and red blood cell (RBC) surface receptors in a large number of sporozoite and merozoite proteins, respectively. Among these proteins is the merozoite surface protein 11 (MSP11), which shares important structural and immunological features with the antimalarial vaccine candidates MSP1, MSP3, and MSP6. In this study, 20-mer-long synthetic peptides spanning the complete sequence of MSP11 were assessed for their ability to bind specifically to RBCs. Two HABPs with high ability to inhibit invasion of RBCs in vitro were identified (namely HABPs 33595 and 33606). HABP-RBC bindings were characterized by means of saturation assays and Hill analysis, finding cooperative interactions of high affinity for both HABPs (nH of 1.5 and 1.2, Kd of 800 and 600,nM for HABPs 33595 and 33606, respectively). The nature of the possible RBC receptors for MSP11 HABPs was studied in binding assays to enzyme-treated RBCs and cross-linking assays, finding that both HABPs use mainly a sialic acid-dependent receptor. An analysis of the immunological, structural and polymorphic characteristics of MSP11 HABPs supports including these peptides in further studies with the aim of designing a fully effective protection-inducing vaccine against malaria. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 882,892, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dichotomy in cross-clade reactivity and neutralization by HIV-1 sera: Implications for active and passive immunotherapy,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 2 2005Lisa A. Cavacini Abstract The identification of broadly reactive and cross-clade neutralizing antibodies will facilitate the development of a more universally effective vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antibodies in sera from individuals infected with Clade B HIV bind native primary viral isolates, and virus binding correlates with neutralization and stable clinical disease. In this study, we quantified cross-clade antibody reactivity and neutralization by Clades B and C sera. Primary viral isolates were captured by serum IgG bound to anti-human IgG and quantitated as p24 released by lysis of captured virus. Neutralization was determined using PHA-stimulated PBMC. Clade B antibodies reacted more frequently with Clade B R5 virus, but positive sera captured quantitatively more X4 virus than R5 and R5X4 virus. Clade B sera reacted less frequently and captured less Clade C virus than Clade B virus. Antibodies in Clade C sera captured Clades B and C isolates with equal frequency and quantity. There was no difference in neutralization of Clade B virus by either group of sera; however, Clade C sera neutralized Clade C virus, whereas Clade B sera were ineffective against Clade C virus. Thus, there are distinct differences in cross-clade reactivity of and neutralization by antibodies induced in response to Clade C infection compared to Clade B infection. Understanding antibody responses to native virions after Clade C infection and cross clade antibody behavior has implications for understanding pathogenesis and vaccine development. J. Med. Virol. 76:146,152, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Rapid production of a plasmid DNA encoding a malaria vaccine candidate via amino-functionalized poly(GMA- co -EDMA) monolithAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 11 2008Michael K. Danquah Abstract Malaria is a global health problem; an effective vaccine is urgently needed. Due to the relative poverty and lack of infrastructure in malaria endemic areas, DNA-based vaccines that are stable at ambient temperatures and easy to formulate have great potential. While attention has been focused mainly on antigen selection, vector design and efficacy assessment, the development of a rapid and commercially viable process to manufacture DNA is generally overlooked. We report here a continuous purification technique employing an optimized stationary adsorbent to allow high-vaccine recovery, low-processing time, and, hence, high-productivity. A 40.0 mL monolithic stationary phase was synthesized and functionalized with amino groups from 2-Chloro-N,N-diethylethylamine hydrochloride for anion-exchange isolation of a plasmid DNA (pDNA) that encodes a malaria vaccine candidate, VR1020-PyMSP4/5. Physical characterization of the monolithic polymer showed a macroporous material with a modal pore diameter of 750 nm. The final vaccine product isolated after 3 min elution was homogeneous supercoiled plasmid with gDNA, RNA and protein levels in keeping with clinical regulatory standards. Toxicological studies of the pVR1020-PyMSP4/5 showed a minimum endotoxin level of 0.28 EU/mg pDNA. This cost-effective technique is cGMP compatible and highly scalable for the production of DNA-based vaccines in commercial quantities, when such vaccines prove to be effective against malaria. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008 [source] Decreasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma among children following universal hepatitis B immunizationLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2003Mei-Hwei Chang Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the 10 most common malignant tumors worldwide. Chronic infection with hepatitis B or C virus is closely related to hepatocarcinogenesis. The outcome of current therapies for HCC is not satisfactory. Prevention is the best way to control HCC. Among the various strategies of HCC prevention, immunization against hepatitis B virus infection is the most effective. Universal hepatitis B immunization has proved to be effective in reducing the incidence of HCC to 1/4,1/3 of that in children born before the hepatitis B vaccination era in Taiwan. The problems we face in achieving global control of hepatitis-related HCC include: (1) no effective vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis C and its related HCC; (2) no immunization program for hepatitis B in areas with inadequate resources; (3) poor compliance to the immunization program as a result of ignorance, anxiety, or poverty; and (4) vaccine failure. Integration of the hepatitis B vaccination program into the expanded program of immunization for all infants throughout the world will be most urgent and important for HCC control. The reduction of the incidence of HCC will be seen in adults 30,40 years of age after the launch of the universal hepatitis B vaccination program. This concept of cancer vaccine can be applied to other infectious agents and their related cancers. [source] Protecting babies: vaccine strategies to prevent foetopathy in Neospora caninum -infected cattlePARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Review Article SUMMARY Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that is a significant infectious abortifacient agent in cattle. Despite the fact that it is a member of a well described taxonomic group, it is a relatively newly discovered parasite and its biology is not yet fully understood. Cattle become infected either congenitally via transplacental transmission or post-natally by ingesting oocysts derived from the definitive host; dogs and coyotes are the only definitive hosts that have been described to date. It is not known which of these two forms of transmission occurs most frequently and which is the most likely to result in abortion; there are no drugs available to treat infected cattle, so current control strategies rely on prevention of infection by management methods and strict hygiene; an effective vaccine would be a great advantage in its control. Neospora caninum is an economically important veterinary pathogen, but we can also draw analogies between its foetopathic effects and those of human pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii, Chlamydophila abortus and Plasmodium falciparum. Understanding the immune response and the materno,foetal relationship in N. caninum -infected cattle may help us to design vaccination strategies, not only for neosporosis but also for other foetopathic agents. [source] The hemoglobins of the trematodes Fasciola hepatica and Paramphistomum epiclitum: A molecular biological, physico-chemical, kinetic, and vaccination studyPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 10 2008Sylvia Dewilde Abstract The trematode Fasciola hepatica (Fa.he.) is a common parasite of human and livestock. The hemoglobin (Hb) of Fa.he., a potential immunogen, was chosen for characterization in the search for an effective vaccine. Characterization of trematode Hbs show that they are intracellular single-domain globins with the following remarkable features: (1) Fa.he. expresses two Hb isoforms that differ at two amino acid sites (F1: 119Y/123Q; F2: 119F/123L). Both isoforms are monoacetylated at their N-termini; (2) the genes coding for Fa.he. and Paramphistomum epiclitum (Pa.ep.) Hbs are interrupted by two introns at the conserved positions B12.2 and G7.0.; (3) UV/VIS and resonance Raman spectroscopy identify the recombinant Fa.he. HbF2 as a pentacoordinated high-spin ferrous Hb; (4) electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of cyano-met Fa.he. HbF2 proves that the endogenously bound imidazole has no imidazolate character; (5) the major structural determinants of the globin fold are present, they contain a TyrB10/TyrE7 residue pair on the distal side. Although such distal-site pair is a signature for high oxygen affinity, as shown for Pa.ep. Hb, the oxygen-binding rate parameters for Fa.he. Hb are intermediate between those of myoglobin and those of other trematode Hbs; (6) the three-dimensional structure of recombinant Fa.he. HbF2 from this study closely resembles the three-dimensional structure of Pa.ep. determined earlier. The set of distal-site polar interactions observed in Pa.ep. Hb is matched with small but significant structural adjustments; (7) despite the potential immunogenic character of the fluke Hb, vaccination of calves with recombinant Fa.he. HbF2 failed to promote protection against parasitic infection. [source] Neospora caninum infections in Australia and New ZealandAUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2000MP REICHEL Objective To review the current state of knowledge of Neospora caninum infections with particular reference to Australia and New Zealand. Procedure Several databases were searched electronically including Medline, Current Contents, Vet CD using several Key words (Neospora caninum, neosporosis, abortion, cattle, dogs) and authors names. References in original articles were also traced and use made of the author's own original research in the field. ConclusionN caninum is recognised worldwide and is also widespread, in particular in dairy cattle, in Australia and New Zealand. It has been reported in both countries retrospectively (in dogs) from the early 1970s. Abortion storms in dairy herds appear to be the most common feature. Recent reports indicate that the dog is the definitive host, in which the sexual cyle is completed. Further studies are however required to establish important aspects of the epidemiology, such as mode of transmission. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the most effective control strategy is selective culling of infected animals and the prevention of access of dogs to expelled placentas and foetuses and, possibly, to raw beef. [source] Antimalarial drugs , host targets (re)visitedBIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 3 2006Margarida Cunha-Rodrigues Abstract Every year, forty percent of the world population is at risk of contracting malaria. Hopes for the erradication of this disease during the 20th century were dashed by the ability of Plasmodium falciparum, its most deadly causative agent, to develop resistance to available drugs. Efforts to produce an effective vaccine have so far been unsuccessful, enhancing the need to develop novel antimalarial drugs. In this review, we summarize our knowledge concerning existing antimalarials, mechanisms of drug-resistance development, the use of drug combination strategies and the quest for novel anti-plasmodial compounds. We emphasize the potential role of host genes and molecules as novel targets for newly developed drugs. Recent results from our laboratory have shown Hepatocyte Growth Factor/MET signaling to be essential for the establishment of infection in hepatocytes. We discuss the potential use of this pathway in the prophylaxis of malaria infection. [source] The differential response of human dendritic cells to live and killed Neisseria meningitidisCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 12 2007Hannah E. Jones Summary There is currently no effective vaccine for Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) serogroup B. Generation of optimal immune responses to meningococci could be achieved by targeting meningococcal antigens to human dendritic cells (DCs). Recent studies have shown that diverse DC responses and subsequent generation of protective immunity can be observed if the microbes are viable or killed. This is important because the host is likely to be exposed to both live and killed bacteria during natural infection. There are currently few data on comparative DC responses to live and killed meningococci. We show here that exposure of human DC to live meningococci does not result in a typical maturation response, as determined by the failure to upregulate CD40, CD86, HLA-DR and HLA-Class I. Despite this, live meningococci were potent inducers of IL-12 and IL-10, although the ratios of these cytokines differed from those to killed organisms. Our data also suggest that enhanced phagocytosis of killed organisms compared with live may be responsible for the differential cytokine responses, involving an autocrine IL-10-dependent mechanism. The consequences of these findings upon the effectiveness of antigen presentation and T-cell responses are currently under investigation. [source] Prevention of pneumococcal disease in children.ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 5 2001Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: their use globally could have a major impact on public health Pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children worldwide. New pneumococcal conjugate vaccines include 7 to 11 serotypes, which are the most common cause of paediatric disease in most parts of the world. The efficacy of a 7-valent conjugate vaccine was 97.4% (95% CI, 82.7,99.9) against invasive pneumococcal disease, and 57% (95% CI, 44,67) against otitis media, caused by vaccine serotypes. Evidence shows that the vaccine has the potential to prevent pneumonia. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccination has also been shown to reduce nasopharyngeal carriage of vaccine serotypes (particularly serotypes associated with antibiotic resistance). Thus widespread use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine could substantially reduce the burden of invasive disease and would have the potential to control the global spread of antibiotic resistance in pneumococci. Conclusion: It is important that these highly effective vaccines should be made available to children in the developing countries. [source] Safety and efficacy of vaccinesDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2 2009Brenda L. Bartlett ABSTRACT For the past two centuries, vaccines have provided a safe and effective means of preventing a number of infectious diseases. Although the safety of some vaccines has been questioned in recent years, the currently available vaccines are more than a millionfold safer than the diseases they are designed to prevent. Vaccines, however, should always be used in conjunction with other public health interventions. One important intervention is education because the general public can be led to believe that vaccines are unsafe and not needed by misinformation readily available electronically and in print. Not only are some vaccines available via injection but other vaccines are also given orally or intranasally. New vaccines are being studied for topical and intravaginal use. In addition, new systems are being developed for more efficient production of vaccines, especially for influenza. Vaccines are currently available for only a limited number of viral and bacterial diseases. In the future, it is anticipated that safe and effective vaccines will be developed against a number of other viral and bacterial infections as well as fungal and protozoan diseases. [source] Immunisation with BCG and recombinant MVA85A induces long-lasting, polyfunctional Mycobacterium tuberculosis -specific CD4+ memory T lymphocyte populationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Natalie Abstract In the search for effective vaccines against intracellular pathogens such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, recombinant viral vectors are increasingly being used to boost previously primed T cell responses. Published data have shown prime-boost vaccination with BCG-MVA85A (modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing antigen 85A) to be highly immunogenic in humans as measured by ex vivo IFN-, ELISPOT. Here, we used polychromatic flow cytometry to investigate the phenotypic and functional profile of these vaccine-induced Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) antigen 85A-specific responses in greater detail. Promisingly, antigen 85A-specific CD4+ T cells were found to be highly polyfunctional, producing IFN-,, TNF-,, IL-2 and MIP-1,. Surface staining showed the responding CD4+ T cells to be relatively immature (CD45RO+ CD27intCD57,); this observation was supported by the robust proliferative responses observed following antigenic stimulation. Furthermore, these phenotypic and functional properties were independent of clonotypic composition and epitope specificity, which was maintained through the different phases of the vaccine-induced immune response. Overall, these data strongly support the use of MVA85A in humans as a boosting agent to expand polyfunctional M.tb -specific CD4+ T cells capable of significant secondary responses. [source] Enhancement of protective humoral immune responses against Herpes simplex virus-2 in DNA-immunized guinea-pigs using protein boostingFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Fatemeh Fotouhi Abstract Genital Herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease that is caused mostly by Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Its prevalence has increased in developing countries in spite of the availability of valuable antiviral drug therapy. Considering the importance of HSV-2 infections, effective vaccines remain the most likely hope for controlling the spread of HSV diseases. In the present study, the complete HSV-2 glycoprotein D gene was isolated and cloned into different plasmid vectors to construct a DNA vaccine and prepare recombinant subunit vaccines using a baculovirus expression system. The vaccines were tested alone or in combination to evaluate their ability to induce protective immunity in guinea-pigs against genital HSV infections. Immunization elicited humoral responses as measured by neutralization tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunized animals had less severe genital skin disease as well as reduced replication of the challenging virus in the genital tract during experimental infection. Our results further demonstrate that DNA priming-protein boosting induced a neutralizing antibody titer higher than that obtained with DNA,DNA vaccination. The massive increase of antibody titer following DNA priming-protein boosting might be attributed to a recall of B cell memory. [source] Discovery of rotavirus: Implications for Child healthJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2009Ruth Bishop Abstract For centuries, acute diarrhea has been a major worldwide cause of death in young children, and until 1973, no infectious agents could be identified in about 80% of patients admitted to hospital with severe dehydrating diarrhea. In 1973 Ruth Bishop, Geoffrey Davidson, Ian Holmes, and Brian Ruck identified abundant particles of a ,new' virus (rotavirus) in the cytoplasm of mature epithelial cells lining duodenal villi and in feces, from such children admitted to the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Rotaviruses have now been shown to cause 40,50% of severe acute diarrhea in young children worldwide in both developing and developed countries, and > 600 000 young children die annually from rotavirus disease, predominantly in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Longitudinal surveillance studies following primary infection in young children have shown that rotavirus reinfections are common. However the immune response that develops after primary infection is protective against severe symptoms on reinfection. This observation became the basis for development of live oral rotavirus vaccines. Two safe and effective vaccines are now licensed in 100 countries and in use in 17 countries (including Australia). Rotarix (GSK) is a single attenuated human rotavirus, representative of the most common serotype identified worldwide (G1P[8]). RotaTeq (Merck) is a pentavalent mixture of naturally attenuated bovine/human rotavirus reassortants representing G1, G2, G3, G4, and P(8) serotypes. Preliminary surveillance of the numbers of children requiring hospitalization for severe diarrhea, in USA, Brazil, and Australia, after introduction of these vaccines, encourages the hope that rotavirus infection need no longer be a threat to young children worldwide. [source] A serological and molecular survey of hepatitis B in children 15 years after inception of the national hepatitis B vaccination program in eastern China,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 9 2009Ying Dong Abstract The emergence of mutations in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) S gene has threatened the long-term success of vaccination programs since the worldwide introduction of effective vaccines against hepatitis B. This study was conducted on 5,407 children (0,8 years old) in eastern China in 2007. We analyzed the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HBs, and "a"-determinant mutations in the HBV S gene by microparticle enzyme immunoassays, PCR, and DNASTAR software. The total HBsAg prevalence was 1.52% (82/5,407) in the children and increased with age. In contrast, the positive rate (65.42%, 2,374/3,629) and the titers of anti-HBs decreased with age. The predominant infection was HBV of genotype C and serotype adr (45/51; 88% of cases). Mutations of I126T, amino acid 137 (nt553T deletion mutation), G145A, G145R, and F158S were found in the children; the mutations of amino acid 137 and F158S have not been reported previously. The total prevalence of mutant strains was 14% (7/51). To investigate whether the infection resulted from maternal transmission, we compared the S gene sequences in 16 mother,child pairs. Fourteen mother,child pairs exhibited the same HBV genotype, with 99.5,100% sequence homology in the S gene, while two pairs exhibited different genotypes. This study suggested that the hepatitis B vaccination strategies in eastern China have been successful. Although the emergence of "a"-determinant mutations in the HBV S gene have resulted in HBV infection in immunized children, this does not pose a threat to the vaccination strategies. The HBV-infected children had contracted the infection via vertical transmission. J. Med. Virol. 81:1517,1524, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Global Governance of Communicable Diseases: The Case for Vaccine R&DLAW & POLICY, Issue 1 2005DANIELE ARCHIBUGI Fighting communicable diseases such HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB, and malaria has become a global endeavor, with international health authorities urging the development of effective vaccines for the eradication of these global pandemics. Yet, despite the acknowledged urgency, and given the feasibility of effective vaccine development, public and private research efforts have failed to address a response adequate to the magnitude of the crisis. Members of the academic community suggest bridging this gap by devising research pull mechanisms capable of stimulating private investments, confident that competition-based market devices are more effective than public intervention in shaping scientific breakthroughs. With reference to the economics of innovation, the paper argues that, whilst such an approach would lead to a socially suboptimal production of knowledge, direct public intervention in vaccine R&D activities would represent a far more socially desirable policy option. In recognition of the current financial and political fatigue affecting the international community towards communicable disease control, the paper resorts to the theories of global public goods (GPGs) to provide governments, both in the North and in the South, with a powerful rationale for committing to a cooperative approach for vaccine R&D. The paper encourages the creation of a Global Health Research Fund to manage such exercise and proposes enshrining countries' commitments into an International Health Treaty. The paper ends by providing a number of policy recommendations. [source] Selective human enterovirus and rhinovirus inhibitors: An overview of capsid-binding and protease-inhibiting moleculesMEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 4 2004Shin-Ru Shih Abstract The absence of effective vaccines for most viral infections highlights an urgent necessity for the design and development of effective antiviral drugs. Due to the advancement in virology since the late 1980s, several key events in the viral life cycle have been well delineated and a number of molecular targets have been validated, culminating in the emergence of many new antiviral drugs in recent years. Inhibitors against enteroviruses and rhinoviruses, responsible for about half of the human common colds, are currently under active investigation. Agents targeted at either viral protein 1 (VP1), a relatively conserved capsid structure mediating viral adsorption/uncoating process, or 3C protease, which is highly conserved among different serotypes and essential for viral replication, are of great potential to become antipicornavirus drugs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 24, No. 4, 449,474, 2004 [source] Recommendations for immunizations in stem cell transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2003Deborah C. Molrine Abstract: Investigations over the past decade have documented that there is a decline in immunity to vaccine preventable diseases in many SCT recipients. The majority of immunization studies conducted in SCT recipients to date support the use of multi-dose regimens for most protein and polysaccharide-conjugate vaccine antigens. The consensus immunization schedule recommended by ACIP/IDSA/ASBMT provides guidance for centers to utilize available vaccines in their SCT populations. With the exception of pneumococcal disease, a schedule beginning at 12 months after SCT is reasonable given the low incidence of disease in HSCT recipients for most of the recommended vaccines and improved immune reconstitution in most recipients by one year post transplant. SCT recipients respond poorly to unconjugated pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and the development of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines against S. pneumoniae holds promise to impact potentially on clinical disease in this population. In addition, the strategy of donor immunization may also be effective in eliciting early protective immune responses to vaccine antigens. Future challenges will be the development of safe and effective vaccines against the viral pathogens responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality after SCT. [source] Screening of binding activity of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus suis to berries and juicesPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue S1 2010Marko Toivanen Abstract Antiadhesion therapy is a promising approach to the fight against pathogens. Antibiotic resistance and the lack of effective vaccines have increased the search for new methods to prevent infectious diseases. Previous studies have shown the antiadhesion activity of juice from cultivated cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) against bacteria, especially E. coli. In this study, the binding of two streptococcal strains, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus agalactiae, to molecular size fractions (FI, FII and FIII, <10,kDa, 10,100,kDa, and >100,kDa, respectively) of berries and berry and fruit juices from 12 plant species were studied using a microtiter well assay. For Streptococcus suis a hemagglutination inhibition assay was used. In general, binding activity was detected especially to wild cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) and to other Vaccinium species. S. pneumoniae cells bound most to cranberry juice fraction FI and S. agalactiae cells to cranberry fraction FIII. Hemagglutination induced by S. suis was most effectively inhibited by cranberry fraction FII. NMR spectra of some characteristic active and non-active fractions were also measured. They indicate that fractions FII and FIII contained proanthocyanidins and/or other phenolic compounds. The results suggest Vaccinium berries as possible sources of antiadhesives against bacterial infections. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Molecular characterization of swine leucocyte antigen class I genes in outbred pig populationsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009C.-S. Ho Summary The highly polymorphic swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) genes are one of the most important determinants in swine immune responses to infectious diseases, vaccines, and in transplantation success. Study of SLA influence requires accurate and effective typing methods. We developed a simple and rapid method to type alleles at the three classical SLA class I loci (SLA-1, SLA-3 and SLA-2) using the PCR-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) strategy. This typing system relies on 47 discriminatory PCR primer pairs designed to amplify the SLA class I alleles by groups that have similar sequence motifs. We applied this low-resolution group-specific typing method to characterize the SLA class I alleles present in three outbred pig populations (n = 202). Alleles from 24 class I allele groups corresponding to 56 class I genotypes were detected. We also identified 23 low-resolution SLA class I haplotypes in these pigs and found haplotypes Lr-1.0 (SLA-1*01XX- SLA-3*01XX- SLA-2*01XX) and Lr-4.0 (SLA-1*04XX- SLA-3*04XX- SLA-2*04XX) in all three pig populations with a high prevalence. Over 80% of the pigs examined (n = 162) were found to bear at least one of these haplotypes, resulting in a combined haplotype frequency of nearly 50%. This PCR-SSP-based typing system demonstrates a reliable and unambiguous detection of SLA class I alleles, and can be used to effectively investigate the SLA diversity in outbred pig populations. It will help to identify the role of SLA antigens in disease-resistant pigs and may facilitate the development of effective vaccines. [source] Innate immunity and biodefence vaccinesCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 11 2003Nicholas M. Valiante Summary Host defence in vertebrates is achieved by the integration of two distinct arms of the immune system: the innate and adaptive responses. The innate response acts early after infection (within minutes), detecting and responding to broad cues from invading pathogens. The adaptive response takes time (days to weeks) to become effective, but provides the fine antigenic specificity required for complete elimination of the pathogen and the generation of immunologic memory. Antigen-independent recognition of pathogens by the innate immune system leads to the rapid mobilization of immune effector and regulatory mechanisms that provide the host with three critical advantages: (i) initiating the immune response (both innate and adaptive) and providing the inflammatory and co-stimulatory context for antigen recognition; (ii) mounting a first line of defence, thereby holding the pathogen in check during the maturation of the adaptive response; and (iii) steering the adaptive immune system towards the cellular or humoral responses most effective against the particular infectious agent. The quest for safer and more effective vaccines and immune-based therapies has taken on a sudden urgency with the increased threat of bioterrorism. Only a handful of vaccines covering a small proportion of potential biowarfare agents are available for human use (e.g. anthrax and small pox) and these suffer from poor safety profiles. Therefore, next generation biodefence-related vaccines and therapies with improved safety and the capacity to induce more rapid, more potent and broader protection are needed. To this end, strategies to target both the innate and adaptive immune systems will be required. [source] | ||||||||||||||||