Acellular pertussis vaccines for infants

Article Abstract:

Various acellular pertussis vaccines have been shown to be more safe and effective than whole cell vaccines and should be licensed in the US. Whole-cell vaccines contain killed Bordetella pertussis, while acellular vaccines contain proteins from the bacteria that trigger immune responses. Whole-cell vaccines have fallen out of favor because of their side effects. Two 1996 studies in Sweden and Italy found the efficacies of different acellular vaccines ranged from 59% to 85%, while the efficacies of a whole-cell vaccine licensed in the US were 36% and 48%. The acellular vaccines also caused fewer side effects. Other trials supported by manufacturers produced similar results although the designs of the experiments and varied.

Author: Edwards, Kathryn M., Decker, Michael D.
Editorial, Pertussis vaccines

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Great expectations for a new vaccine

Article Abstract:

A conjugate pneumococcal vaccine may be able to prevent pneumococcal infections in children, according to a study published in 2003. Pneumococcal infections are caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. This micro-organism can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Other pneumococcal vaccines have not be very effective in children.

Author: Griffin, Marie R., Edwards, Kathryn M.
Pneumococcal vaccine, Pneumococcal vaccines

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Asthma as a risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease

Article Abstract:

A case study reveals that people having asthma are more likely to be affected with invasive pneumococcal disease. The results of this study proposes that asthma appears to be an independent risk factor for the invasive pneumococcal disease and that it should be an additional indication for the pneumococcal vaccination.

Author: Craig, Allen S., Griffin, Marie R., Poehling, Katherine A., Talbot, Thomas R., Arbogast, Patrick G., Mitchel, Ed., Halasa, Natasha B.
United Kingdom, Case studies, Risk factors, Asthma, Pneumonia, Bacterial pneumonia

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Subjects list: Evaluation
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