The protective efficacy of polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

Article Abstract:

The effectiveness of polyvalent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine was evaluated in this case-control study, which was carried out because other studies of this issue have provided inconsistent results. This vaccine contains several strains (serotypes) of pneumococcal organisms. In particular, doubt had been cast on its effectiveness for older people living in the US. Case patients (1,054) were 18 years old or older and were hospitalized in any of 11 major hospitals in Connecticut. Streptococcus pneumoniae had been isolated from a normally sterile site (such as blood) in the subjects, who also had an indication for the administration of pneumococcal vaccine (such as certain medical conditions). One control patient of similar age and with a similar condition was selected for each patient. The vaccination histories of cases and controls was then determined. Results showed that 13 percent of the case patients had received pneumococcal vaccine, compared with 20 percent of the controls. The vaccine's overall effectiveness against the serotypes it contained was 56 percent; in patients who were immunocompetent, it was 61 percent, and in those who were immunocompromised, it was 21 percent. It was not effective against serotypes not represented in the vaccine. The overall effectiveness, regardless of the serotype causing infection, was 47 percent. The results show that the polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine is effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal infections in patients with competent immune systems and with above average risk for pneumococcal infection. Differences between studies of this issue may have resulted from the different clinical characteristics, such as immunocompetence, among some of the patients included. This vaccine should be administered more widely than it is at present. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Composition

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A prospective study of recurrent febrile seizures

Article Abstract:

Children who have developed febrile seizures after a fever of short duration at a lower temperature may have a greater risk of recurrent seizures than other children. Febrile seizures are convulsions that occur after the onset of a fever. Among 347 children between one month and 10 years old treated for a first episode of febrile seizures, 94 (27%) suffered a recurrent episode. The overall risk of recurrent seizures was 14% at six months, 25% at one year and 30% two years after the first seizure. Children who developed seizures after a fever lasting less than one hour had a 44% risk of recurrence, compared with a 13% risk for those who had seizures after a fever lasting more than 24 hours. Children whose fever occurred at a lower temperature had a higher risk of recurrence than those whose fevers were higher.

Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Fever in children, Childhood fever, Convulsions in children, Convulsions, Pediatric neurology, Febrile convulsions, Febrile seizures

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Effectiveness of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in older adults

Article Abstract:

The pneumococcal vaccine may reduce the risk of a pneumococcal infection in the bloodstream in the elderly but it may not prevent pneumonia. This was the conclusion of a study of 47,365 elderly members of Seattle's Group Health Cooperative. Pneumococcal infections are bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Health aspects, Aged, Elderly

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