The immunogenicity of the Oka/Merck varicella vaccine in relation to infectious varicella-zoster virus and relative viral antigen content

Article Abstract:

Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) causes varicella, or chickenpox, which is typically a minor, but uncomfortable, childhood illness. The diseases caused by this group of viruses, however, can produce significant illness in immunocompromised children and adults. Clinical trials of the Oka/Merck varicella vaccine, a live, attenuated vaccine against chickenpox, have demonstrated the ability to modify or prevent varicella in healthy and immunocompromised children and adults. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the Oka/Merck vaccine with three differing antigenic and virus compositions. The vaccinated group consisted of 50 healthy, 5- to 12-year-old children who had no previous history of chickenpox; 31 healthy seronegative children who had received a different vaccine preparation; and 21 naturally immune adults who had no recent exposure to VZV, and who had chickenpox at least 20 years earlier. Participants were randomly administered a single dose of one of the three Oka/Merck vaccine preparations. The participants were tested for IgG antibodies and cellular immunity to whole VZV antigen immediately before immunization, 2 or 4 weeks, 6 weeks and one year after immunization. Significant levels of IgG antibodies were observed in more than 95 percent of the recipients and persisted one year later. The presence of specific viral antigens or infectious virus substantially enhanced the antibody response. Both cellular and humoral immune responses were detected one year after immunization. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Immunodeficiency

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Cell-mediated immune responses after immunization of healthy seronegative children with varicella vaccine: kinetics and specificity

Article Abstract:

Chickenpox, a common childhood illness, is caused by varicella virus. Immunization of children with live attenuated varicella vaccine has been conducted in clinical trials in Japan and the United States. Vaccinated children have developed both antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) group and specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses. This study describes the vaccine-induced humoral (blood) and CMI responses, and the specificity of the CMI responses. The study group included 51 children, 5 to 12 years old, who tested negative for previous varicella infection (chickenpox) and had no other VZV exposure. Live attenuated Oka strain of varicella vaccine were used to immunize the children. ELISA assays were employed to measure IgG antibody responses to VZV antigens. At six weeks after immunization, 97 percent of the children developed antibody against varicella, and of those, 95 percent responded to VZV antigens in the lymphocyte proliferation assay. Many of the children also responded to purified VZV glycoproteins I, II, and III in the lymphocyte proliferation assay. These findings demonstrate that most immunized children have a satisfactory cell-mediated immune response to VZV antigens within a six weeks of receiving varicella vaccine. The cell-mediated mechanisms involved in resistance to reinfection and prevention of reactivation of latent VZV have not been defined. The Oka strain of varicella vaccine has been 95 to 100 percent effective previous trials. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Physiological aspects, Children, Immunization of children, Immunization

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Filariasis

Article Abstract:

Filariasis may be responsible for pain and swelling of legs in individuals living in tropical areas. A 16-year-old girl from Burkina Faso, Africa, was seen by doctors in the U.S. with a seven-year history of a swollen right foot. The foot became worse with a recent pregnancy. Lymphoscintigraphy imaging revealed inadequate drainage of the right foot, and blood tests revealed the presence of filarial parasites. Treatment of the disease consists of three doses a day for 21 days of diethylcarbamazine citrate. Long-term penicillin therapy may prevent the complication of streptococcal cellulitis.

Causes of, Edema, Filariasis

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