Evaluating the Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine PRP-D

Article Abstract:

Two articles in the November 15, 1990 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine are concerned with the ability of various vaccines against the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae type b to protect children from infection. Haemophilus influenzae type b is responsible for infections including meningitis (inflammation of the membranes which surround the brain), epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis), and arthritis (joint inflammation). The bacteria is transmitted from person to person by close contact including an aerosol from the breath of an infected individual. Recently, new vaccines against this bacteria have been produced by chemically conjugating polysaccharide extracts of the viral capsid (capsule). Field trials are now becoming available from geographic regions and populations as diverse as Alaskan Native Americans and Finnish people. These studies have shown pronounced differences in the rates of disease occurrence (attack rate) and severity (morbidity/mortality) between the various groups studied. Native Americans have been found to have a higher attack rate, and the age of greatest vulnerability is earlier (less then one year old). These differences may be explained by the living conditions of Native Americans, and by greater exposure to the bacteria of these children than white American or Finnish children. Apache children were found in the article by Siber and colleagues to be less able to produce anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b antibodies following immunization than white children, and as a result they were less protected from Haemophilus infections. The situation for Alaskan natives is probably similar. This reduced immunologic protection may be caused by the inadequate housing and nutrition of the native American populations. At this time there have been no data which establish that the decreased ability to produce protective antibodies is the result of a genetic difference in these groups. While the results of field trials with first generation vaccines are being conducted, an even newer vaccine (H. influenzae type b-tetanus toxoid conjugate) has been produced, and preliminary results show that more than a 90 percent rate of infant protection can be expected. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Social aspects, Native Americans, Native North Americans, Hemophilus infections, Immunization of children, Immunization, Hemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus influenzae, editorial

---

Polysaccharide conjugate typhoid vaccine

Article Abstract:

A polysaccharide conjugate vaccine against typhoid fever was 90% effective in a study of 5,525 Vietnamese children. This is important because the organism that causes typhoid fever, Salmonella typhi, has become resistant to many antibiotics. Polysaccharide conjugate vaccines are better at stimulating a child's immune system.

Editorial

---

The efficacy of a Salmonella typhi Vi conjugate vaccine in two-to-five-year-old children

Article Abstract:

The Salmonella typhi Vi vaccine appears to be more than 90% effective in preventing typhoid fever in children between the ages of two and five. This was the conclusion of a study of 11,091 children in Vietnam.

Vietnam

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Recruiting for the future. The age of discontent. From Asda to roster
• Abstracts: Training notebook. Mr. O's guide to quad and glute training. An open letter from the champ
• Abstracts: Back pain in the workplace. Back Belts in the Workplace. A Prospective Study of Back Belts for Prevention of Back Pain and Injury
• Abstracts: Subfulminant liver failure and severe hepatotoxicity caused by loratadine use. Hydrazine, cancer, the Internet, isoniazid, and the liver
• Abstracts: The rest-pause principle. The benefits of brain power. The perfect rep

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.