Rapid and frequent induction of protective immunity exceeding UK recommendations for healthcare settings by MF59-adjuvated hepatitis B vaccine

The ability of three doses of a novel MF59-adjuvanted hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine containing surface and pre-S2 antigens given at 0, 1, and 6 months to induce levels of HBV surface antibody (sAb) > or = 100 mIU/ml was compared with a UK licensed alum-adjuvanted yeast-derived HBV vaccine in HBV-naive healthcare workers (HCWs). One month after second immunization with HBV/MF59, 100% of HCWs had sAb > or = 100 mIU/mL, compared with only 11% and 85% after two or three immunisations with Engerix-B. The sAb GMT of the Engerix B immunised group remained below 100 mIU/mL until month seven, (compared with month one for HBV/MF59), and was 123-fold lower at this time (208,561 vs. 1,686 mIU/mL). In our subjects HBV/MF59 vaccine rapidly induced sAb to levels far in excess of those recommended by the Department of Health for high-risk situations (e.g. HCWs and patients on dialysis). It has the potential for shorter schedules and reduced need for serology and boosters.     

重组乙型肝炎疫苗阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播方案的保护效果评价

目的 评价国产重组乙型肝炎(乙肝)疫苗及其与中效价乙肝免疫球蛋白(HBIG)联合应用母婴阻断方案的保护效果。方法 在广西等3个地区，对乙肝病毒双阳性母亲新生儿，应用重组乙肝疫苗和重组乙肝疫苗加50IU HBIG两种母婴阻断方案免疫新生儿，共随访单纯重组乙肝疫苗母婴阻断儿289例，重组乙肝疫苗加HBIG阻断儿186例。结果 单纯重组乙肝疫苗的母婴阻断效果为87．8％(95％CI：83．6—91．9)，重组乙肝疫苗加HBIG的阻断效果为91．2％(95％CI：86．7—95．6)，重组(酵母)乙肝疫苗和重组(CHO细胞)乙肝疫苗间(P=0．7072)、两种母婴阻断方案间(P=0．2955)及各地免疫人群间(P=0．9987)的母婴阻断效果差异均无显著统计学意义。两种母婴阻断方案免疫新生儿间抗—HBs的阳转率(P＝0．3188)和抗体滴度(GMT)间(P＝0．8925)差异均无显著统计学意义，首剂免疫后1年，抗—HBs阳性率在单纯重组乙肝疫苗组和重组乙肝疫苗加HBIG组分别为91．1％和93．5％，GMT分别为153mIU／ml和164mIU／ml，以后逐年显著下降(线性趋势检验χ^2＝60．47，P=0．0001)，至免疫后第4年，阳性率分别降为65．0％和66．6％，GMT仅为第一年的1／3。结论 重组乙肝疫苗加中效价HBIG的母婴阻断效果可达90％以上，明显优于常规剂量的血源疫苗。中国现行重组乙肝疫苗抗—HBs的免疫检测技术方法有待改进。     

Measles antibody responses after early two dose trials in Guinea-Bissau with Edmonston-Zagreb and Schwarz standard-titre measles vaccine: better antibody increase from booster dose of the Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine

In Guinea-Bissau, children were randomised at 6 months of age to receive either two doses of standard-titre measles vaccine at 6 and 9 months of age or an inactivated polio vaccine at 6 months and standard-titre measles vaccine at 9 months of age. During the first 5 months, children received Edmonston-Zagreb (EZ) vaccine and during the following 11 months, the Schwarz (SW) vaccine. Five percent of the mothers, 74% of children at 6 months of age, and 92% of unvaccinated children at 9 months of age had unprotective levels (<125 mIU/ml) of measles antibodies. Among children receiving EZ vaccine, 1% were unprotected at 18 months of age after either two (3/240) or one (3/211) doses of vaccine, the geometric mean measles antibody titre (GMT) being approximately 1550 mIU/ml in both groups. Among those receiving SW vaccine 9% (34/365) and 3% (9/310) were unprotected at 18 months of age in the two-dose and the one-dose groups (RR = 3.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.56-6.58)), respectively. The GMT was higher after one dose of SW vaccine at 9 months of age (2491 mIU/ml) than after two doses of SW vaccine (1125 mIU) (P < 0.001). In the EZ vaccine group, there was no significant difference in antibody level for children vaccinated in the presence of high or low levels of maternal antibodies, whereas there was a marked difference in the SW group. The second EZ vaccine induced a significant antibody increase between 9 months of age (1191 mIU) and 18 months of age (1602 mIU, P=0.011), whereas antibody levels tended to decline from 9 months (1243 mIU) to 18 months of age (998 mIU, P = 0.124) after the second dose of SW vaccine. Conclusively, after two doses of EZ measles vaccine more children were protected at 18 months of age than after two doses of SW. One dose of SW provided the highest antibody response, but a higher proportion of unprotected than one or two doses of EZ. The EZ vaccine was less sensitive to maternal antibodies, and able to increase the antibody response by revaccination, while the second SW vaccine resulted in an unchanged or lower antibody response.     

Immunogenicity of two paediatric doses of monovalent hepatitis B or combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in 8-10-year-old children

Hepatitis A and B vaccines are highly immunogenic in three-dose schedules. To obtain an equivalent result in children with two paediatric doses would be of significant benefit. The purpose of this study was to measure the immunogenicity of a two-dose schedule in children with two licensed recombinant HBsAg containing vaccines given at paediatric doses, one of them combined with hepatitis A. Seven-hundred and four healthy school children aged 8-10 years were recruited in an open label study to receive either Twinrix Pediatric (360 El.U HAV antigen; 10 microg HBsAg) or Recombivax (2.5 microg HBsAg) vaccine intramuscularly 6 months apart. The seroconversion (>/=1 mIU/ml for anti-HBs antibodies and >/=33 mIU/ml for anti-HAV antibodies), seroprotection (anti-HBs >/=10 mIU/ml) rates and the geometric mean titers (GMTs) were determined 4-8 weeks after the second dose. The anti-HBs seroconversion rate was 97.1% with Twinrix and 97.2% with Recombivax. The seroprotection rates were 96.5 and 94.4%, respectively (P = 0.17). The GMT was higher with Twinrix than with Recombivax (3248 mIU/ml versus 742 mIU/ml, P < 0.0001). All the children vaccinated with Twinrix seroconverted to HAV and the GMT was 5168 mIU/ml. The obtained results suggest that two paediatric doses of hepatitis vaccines are highly immunogenic in 8-10-year-old children. This schedule could facilitate a greater vaccine acceptance and the addition of hepatitis A vaccine to existing adolescent universal hepatitis B virus immunization programs.     

两种重组乙型肝炎疫苗免疫效果对比研究

目的 客观地评价北京市现行不同乙型肝炎（乙肝）疫苗的免疫效果。方法 选择既往无乙肝疫苗接种史的大学生及出生时全程免疫过的儿童，检测血清HBsAg、抗-HBs及抗-HBc，全阴性者作为观察对象。入选大学生280人，按照0、1、6个月程序进行3针基础免疫，其中接种重组酿酒酵母乙肝疫苗（10μg、5μg、5μg）140人，重组汉逊酵母乙肝疫苗（10μg、10μg、10μg）140人。入选儿童98人进行1针加强免疫，其中酿酒酵母疫苗49人（5μg），汉逊酵母疫苗49人（10μg）。免疫后1个月采血检测抗-HBs。结果 大学生3针免疫后，抗-HBs有效阳转率（≥10mIU／ml）酿酒酵母疫苗低于汉逊酵母疫苗（93．5％，99．3％，P〈0．05），几何平均滴度（GMT）二：者差异无统计学意义（81．2mIU／ml，94．6mIu／ml，P〉0．05）。从男性看，接种酿酒酵母疫苗的抗体有效阳转率及GMT均低于汉逊酵母疫苗（85．7％，100．0％，P〈0．01）（56．6mIU／ml，98．6mIU／ml，P〈0．01），而对于女性，差异均无统计学意义（98．8％，98．5％，P〉0．05）（103．4mIU／ml，90．3mIU／ml，P〉0．05）。从同种疫苗不同性别看，接种酿酒酵母疫苗抗体有效阳转率及GMT男性均低于女性（85．7％，98．8％，P〈0．01）（56．6mIU／ml，103．4mIU／ml，P〈0．01），而汉逊酵母疫苗男女性差异均无统计学意义（100．0％，98．5％，P〉0．05）（98．6mIU／ml，90．3mIU／ml，P〉0．05）。出生时按程序免疫的儿童，其抗-HBs阳性率随年龄增长呈下降趋势（P〈0．01）。70例阴转者经1针加强免疫后，98．6％出现阳转，GMT显著提高到免疫前的15倍。阳转率及GMT2种疫苗差异无统计学意义（100．0％，97．4％，P〉0．05）（80．5mIU／ml，68．5mIU／ml，P〉0．05）。结论 乙肝疫苗的接种效果与疫苗种类及受种者性别均有关系。成人基础免疫，按目前常规使用剂量，男性接种汉逊酵母疫苗效果优于酿酒酵母疫苗，女性2种疫苗效果均好。儿童加强免疫，2种疫苗效果均较理想。重组疫苗初免后抗体阴转者的免疫记忆良好，新生儿完成重组乙肝疫苗全程免疫后至少6年之内无需加强。     

A new DTPa-HBV-IPV vaccine co-administered with Hib, compared to a commercially available DTPw-IPV/Hib vaccine co-administered with HBV, given at 6, 10 and 14 weeks following HBV at birth

Three hundred and twenty eligible infants were enrolled in an open randomized clinical trial and allocated to one of two groups to receive either separate concomitant injections of a candidate combined DTPa-HBV-IPV and commercial Hib vaccine (candidate administration: DTPa-HBV-IPV+Hib) or separate concomitant injections of licensed DTPw-IPV mixed in the same syringe with Hib and HBV vaccines (comparator administration: DTPw-IPV/Hib+HBV). Vaccines were administered at 6, 10 and 14 weeks of age preceded by a monovalent dose of HBV at birth. The candidate vaccine administration was shown to be at least as immunogenic (primary objective) as the candidate administration with respect to the diphtheria, tetanus, polio, HBs and PRP seroprotection rates (primary endpoints). Post vaccination, both vaccine administrations showed an equivalent level of seroprotection with nearly all subjects (>96%) acquiring seroprotective titers against diphtheria, tetanus, polioviruses, HBsAg and PRP antigens. A markedly higher anti-HBs response post dose 2 at week 14 in the group receiving the candidate vaccine, 98.6% of subjects had seroprotective titers (GMT of 505.7 mIU/ml) compared with only 88.7% (GMT of 107.5 mIU/ml) in the comparator group. There was a lower incidence of adverse events following the DTPa-based candidate administration compared with the DTPw-based comparator. Despite the early age and short interval between doses, both administrations were immunogenic, with the concomitant administration of DTPa-HBV-IPV and Hib vaccines showing an improved tolerability over the commercial vaccines DTPw-IPV/Hib and HBV.     

Immune response of HLA DQ2 positive subjects,vaccinated with HBsAg/AS04, a hepatitis B vaccine with a novel adjuvant

About 5-10% of the general adult population respond inadequately to hepatitis B vaccination. The histocompatibility leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQ2, DR3 and DR7 phenotypes have been linked with non-responsiveness to hepatitis B vaccination. A first part of our study determined the prevalence of the HLA DQ2 allele in a healthy population, aged 15-50 years. We found 35% of our study population (n=1008) positive for the HLA DQ2 allele. Positive subjects for HLA DQ2 were subsequently invited to participate in a trial and were to be given either the HBsAg/AS04 hepatitis B vaccine or a licensed hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B).(1) Both contained 20 microg of recombinant HBsAg. The HBsAg/AS04 vaccine was administered on a 0 and 6 months schedule whilst the comparator vaccine was given according to the standard 0, 1 and 6 months schedule. The experimental vaccine was formulated on a novel adjuvant containing 3' deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) and alum. A total of 230 subjects were enrolled into the vaccination study. At month 7, 99% of the subjects had a protective titre (>or=10mIU/ml) with a geometric mean titre (GMT) of 6613mIU/ml in the group receiving HBsAg/AS04 versus 97% seroprotected with a GMT of 2315mIU/ml in the other group. Both vaccines, with their respective schedule, give very high seroprotection rates (>96%). Our data suggest that HLA DQ2 positivity is not a good marker for non- or poor-responsiveness. The HBsAg/AS04 vaccine was more reactogenic mainly because of an increased local reactogenicity. Both vaccines, especially HBsAg/AS04, are highly immunogenic and well tolerated by the study subjects.     

Randomized, cross-over, controlled comparison of two inactivated hepatitis A vaccines

The immunogenicity, tolerability and interchangeability of two hepatitis A vaccines, Vaqta (Merck and Co.) and Havrix (SmithKline) were studied in a randomized, crossover, controlled clinical trial. Vaccine was administered to 201 volunteers at 0 and 26 weeks in one of four vaccine regimens: Havrix-Havrix; Havrix-Vaqta; Vaqta-Havrix or Vaqta-Vaqta. Seroconversion rates (>/=10 mIU/ml) for those whose first dose was Vaqta or Havrix, respectively, were: 41/96 (43%) versus 30/95 (32%) (P=0.15) at 2 weeks and 91/98 (93%) versus 84/97 (87%) (P=0.43) at 4 weeks, and 100% at 26 weeks. Geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of total antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) for Vaqta and Havrix were 189 and 114 mIU/ml (P=0.011) at 4 weeks and 234 and 136 mIU/ml (P<0.001) at 26 weeks. At 30 weeks, the GMC after two doses of Havrix was 2612 mIU/ml compared with 5497 after two doses of Vaqta (P<0.001). The GMC in the Havrix-Vaqta group was 5672 mIU/ml compared with 3077 mIU/ml in the Vaqta-Havrix group (P<0.001). Less than half of vaccine recipients reported tenderness or pain. In this study, seroconversion rates of the two vaccines were similar. Vaqta produces significantly higher anti-HAV antibody than Havrix. Crossover immunization is well tolerated and results in high antibody concentrations, especially when Vaqta is the booster dose. The significance of higher anti-HAV antibody concentrations in terms of long-term protection is unknown.     

The first five years of universal hepatitis B vaccination in South Africa: evidence for elimination of HBsAg carriage in under 5-year-olds.

South Africa implemented a vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV) into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in April 1995. The HBV vaccine is given at 6, 10, and 14 weeks, in parallel with OPV, DTP and Hib vaccines. This study assessed the impact of universal childhood HBV vaccination programme in reducing HBsAg carriage, in the first five years (1995--1999) since its implementation. In parallel, we investigated the current burden of HBV infection in mothers of vaccinees and the adult general population. A total of 598 babies (mean age=23.3 months) who received 3 doses of 1.5 microg/0.5 ml Hepaccine-B (Cheil) were recruited from the Northern Province (one of the nine provinces in South Africa). HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, HBeAg and anti-HBe were tested using the IMx or Axsym kits (Abbott Laboratories). PCR assays were performed following established protocols. The overall seroprotection rate (i.e. anti-HBs titre> or =10 mIU/ml) was 86.8% (519/598) in vaccinated babies, while 13.2% had anti-HBs levels<10 mIU/ml. Seroprotection rates and geometric mean titres (GMT) decreased significantly with increasing age, possibly reflecting waning anti-HBs titre over time. Total HBV exposure (positive for either HBsAg, anti-HBs, or anti-HBc) was 31.0% (58/187) in mothers of vaccinees and 40% (72/180) in the adult general population. HBsAg carrier rate was virtually similar in both groups (3.2% in mothers of vaccinees vs. 3.3% in the general population). Against this background, no vaccine failures resulting in HBsAg and HBV DNA positivity were seen in vaccinated babies, including 6 babies born to HBsAg positive carrier mothers (one carrier mother was positive for HBeAg and HBV DNA). However, 0.9% (5/582) babies, aged between 8--11 months, tested positive for anti-HBc, all of whom had anti-HBs titres>10 mIU/ml and were negative for HBV DNA. Anti-HBc positivity was probably maternal in origin, or may represent sub-clinical averted HBV infections. It can be concluded that the HBV vaccine is highly effective within the framework of the South African EPI and already shows a positive impact in the elimination of HBsAg carrier rate in children<5 years.     

A combined liquid Hib (PRP-OMP), hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and whole-cell pertussis vaccine: uncontrolled preliminary clinical trial of immunogenicity and reactogenicity

We have conducted a preliminary uncontrolled clinical trial of the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a new fully liquid pentavalent combination vaccination which incorporates a diphtheria, tetanus and whole-cell pertussis vaccine with Hib (PRP-OMP) and hepatitis B vaccines. Forty-five infants received three doses of the pentavalent vaccination at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, and then a fourth dose at 18 months of age. Subjects were bled prior to each vaccination, and a month after the third and fourth vaccinations. A 7-day diary card was used to record subject temperatures and other systemic and local clinical signs after each vacination. After the third dose, 98% of subjects had anti-PRP titres above 1 μg ml⁻¹ (95%ci 88%, 100%). Following boosting, the geometric mean titre (GMT) rose a mean 27-fold (95%ci 19-fold, 38-fold) to 33 μg ml⁻¹, and all subjects' titres (lower bound of 95%ci 92%) exceeded 1 μg ml⁻¹. For hepatitis B antibody, there was a GMT of 100 mIU ml⁻¹ after the third dose, and 86% of infants (95%ci 73%, 95%) had antibody levels ≥ 10 mIU ml⁻¹. After the fourth dose, there was a mean 77-fold boost (95%ci 48-fold, 130-fold) to a GMT of 860 mIU ml⁻¹ and 95% (95%ci 84%, 99%) of subjects had titres ≥ 10 mIU ml⁻¹. Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis antibody levels were all at acceptable levels after the first three doses and again after the fourth vaccination. The pentavalent vaccine was well tolerated at all administration times, and had a minor reactogenicity profile similar to DTPw alone as reported in previous studies. This study has provided preliminary evidence for both the safety and immunogenicity of the pentavalent vaccine given as a course at 2, 4, 6 and 18 months.     

MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine confers superior immunogenicity in adult subjects (18-60 years of age) with chronic diseases who are at risk of post-influenza complications

The immunogenicity and reactogenicity of two influenza vaccines were evaluated in a randomised, double-blind trial in north-east Italy during winter 2005-2006. Of 238 adult subjects (18-60 years of age) with underlying chronic diseases, 120 received MF59-adjuvanted subunit vaccine (Sub/MF59) and 118 received conventional subunit vaccine (Subunit). At 4 weeks post-vaccination, geometric mean titres (GMT) were significantly (P<0.001) increased for both groups. For the A/H3N2 and B strains, significantly (P<0.02) higher GMT were reported for the Sub/MF59 group. The mean-fold increase in titre, the percentage of subjects with at least a four-fold titre increase and the seroprotection rate (>or=1:40) were also higher in the Sub/MF59 group, with the seroprotection rate and four-fold titre increase achieving significance (P=0.002 and P=0.02, respectively) for the A/H3N2 strain. Our results suggest that adults affected by chronic diseases can mount a satisfactory immune response to influenza vaccines, and that these vaccines are well tolerated. Addition of the MF59-adjuvant, however, enhances the immunogenicity of subunit influenza vaccine, conferring superior protection than a conventional subunit vaccine in this population, who are at high-risk of influenza-related complications.     

甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗加强免疫效果的初步研究

目的　观察甲型肝炎 (甲肝 )减毒活疫菌 (10 7.0 TCID50 )加强免疫效果 ,并同活疫苗一针法结果进行比较。方法　在河北省正定县选择 42名经事先检测甲肝抗体阴性的易感儿童 ,分别于0、2和 6个月各接种一剂甲肝减毒活疫苗 ,并于接种后 1、2、6、7、9和 12个月采集血清标本 ,观察免后抗体动态变化。结果　第 1剂接种后 1个月抗体阳转率达 81.4% ,第 2剂免后抗体阳转率达 10 0 % ,抗体水平于第 3剂免后 1个月达高峰 ,为 2 739mIU/ml,以后呈下降趋势 ,免后 12个月抗体阳转率仍为 10 0 % ,抗体水平下降至 979mIU/ml。结论　甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗加强免疫能诱导良好的免疫回忆反应 ,其免疫学效果同史克灭活疫苗相当 ,而明显高于活疫苗一针法。活疫苗加强免疫中 ,初免是基础。活疫苗加强免疫会提高疫苗保护效果 ,并延长疫苗的免疫持久性     

Hepatitis A vaccine: immunogenicity following administration of a delayed immunization schedule in infants,children and adults

Current immunization schedules for hepatitis A vaccine specify administration of a booster within 6-12 or 6-18 months of the primary dose. However, there may be circumstances that disrupt this schedule and the efficacy of administering a booster beyond the recommended time is a practical concern for healthcare providers. In this study, a booster was administered to 268 participants (137: <18 years old), an average of 27 months (range 20-31) after the primary dose. In those tested after the booster, the median anti-HAV GMT was 1544 milli-international units per milliliter (mIU/ml). Response to a delayed booster was strong in children over 2 years old (GMT 1500-1960 mIU/ml) and adults (GMT 1622 mIU/ml), but was significantly lower in children under 2 years old (GMT 1109 mIU/ml). Findings suggest a booster administered 20-31 months after the primary dose is immunogenic and GMT in persons >2 years of age were comparable to those seen in adults and children who receive hepatitis A vaccine per schedule.     

乙肝牛痘基因重组疫苗与哺乳动物细胞基因疫苗免疫效果观察

将２００名血清ＨＢＶ感染指标均阴性者随机分为５组、前３组分别接种不同批号的哺乳动物细胞基因疫苗，后两组分别接种不同批号的牛痘基因疫苗，以观察国产基因疫苗的人群免疫效果。结果表明，两种基因重组疫苗反应轻微，安全性良好。首次免疫后８个月牛痘基因疫苗抗ＨＢｓ阳转率（９９．０５％）和几何平均滴度（ＧＭＴ：２１２．０５ｍＩｕ／ｍｌ）均显著高于哺乳动物细胞基因疫苗（９２．８１％）（ＧＭＴ：１４７．４ｍＩｕ／ｍｌ）。说明前者免疫原性好于后者。同种基因重组疫苗不同批号间的抗－ＨＢｓ阳转率、几何平均滴度间差异无显著性意义。可见国产基因疫苗的生产稳定性良好。     

孩尔来福甲型肝炎灭活疫苗0,12个月免疫程序研究

目的　对孩尔来福 (HealiveR○)甲型肝炎 (甲肝 )灭活疫苗的安全性、免疫原性及适宜儿童的剂量进行研究。方法　在某山区两个农村筛选 4～ 10岁甲肝病毒抗体 (抗 HAV)阴性的 85名易感儿童。以自然村随机分为两组 ,按 0 ,12个月免疫程序分别接种北京科兴生物制品有限公司生产的每剂 2 50U 0 .5ml和 50 0U 1ml甲肝灭活疫苗 ,观察免疫后局部反应和全身反应 ,检测初次免疫 (初免 )后 2 1天、12个月及全程免疫后 1个月抗 HAV阳转率和抗体几何平均滴度 (GMT )。结果　两组均未见严重局部反应和全身反应 ;2 50U 0 .5ml组和 50 0U 1ml组初免后 2 1天 ,抗 HAV阳转率分别为94.4%和 10 0 .0 % ,GMT分别为 195mIU ml和 3 70mIU ml ;初免后 12个月抗 HAV全部阳转 ,GMT分别达 3 61mIU ml和 456mIU ml(P >0 .0 5) ;全程免疫后 1个月 ,GMT分别达 14 893mIU ml和2 1696mIU ml。结论　孩尔来福甲肝灭活疫苗的安全性和免疫原性好 ;每剂 2 50U 0 .5ml适宜儿童 ;0 ,12个月免疫程序更适宜中国儿童     

Safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted and unadjuvanted subunit influenza vaccines administered intranasally to healthy adults

Antigen-specific mucosal immunity is thought to be important for protection against influenza virus infection. Currently licensed parenteral influenza vaccines stimulate the production of serum antibodies, but are poor inducers of mucosal immunity. The adjuvant MF59 has been shown to enhance the humoral immune response to parenteral influenza vaccine in humans and the mucosal immune response to intranasally-administered influenza vaccine in mice. We conducted an open-label safety study followed by an observer-blind, randomized trial comparing the immune response to intranasally-administered subunit influenza vaccine adjuvanted with MF59, unadjuvanted subunit influenza vaccine, and placebo. Adverse reactions did not occur significantly more frequently in vaccinees than placebo recipients. Of 31 subjects receiving 2 doses of MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine, 19 (61%), 8 (26%), and 11 (35%) developed a mucosal IgA response to influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B, respectively. The percentage of subjects with a serum antibody response was slightly lower. The immune responses to adjuvanted vaccine were not significantly different from those to unadjuvanted vaccine. Both vaccines gave more frequent responses than seen in placebo recipients, indicating the potential of intranasal inactivated vaccines to stimulate local IgA responses.     

Intradermal hepatitis B vaccination in an abbreviated schedule

Two low-dose intradermal regimens for hepatitis B vaccination were compared with the standard 1 ml dose administered intramuscularly to healthy, 22–42 year old individuals. All regimens were administered in an abbreviated time schedule. Nineteen individuals (ID-1 group) received three 0.1 ml (2 μg) doses intradermally at times 0, 1 month and 4 months. Twenty-four individuals (ID-2 group) received two injections of 0.2 ml (4 μg) each intradermally at time 0 and one 0.1 ml (2 μg) injection 4 months later. Twenty individuals (IM group) received the recommended three 1.0 ml (20 μg) doses intramuscularly at times 0, 1 month, and 4 months. No significant adverse reactions were attributable to the intradermal administration of vaccine although the majority of vaccinees developed small areas of induration and hyperpigmentation at the injection site that persisted for several months. One month following the last injection, all vaccinees had developed anti-HBsAg antibodies. One hundred percent of ID-1 and IM vaccinees and 95% of ID-2 vaccinees had protective levels of antibody (10 mIU ml⁻¹). The geometric mean titre (GMT) for the IM group (2692 mIU ml⁻¹) was somewhat higher than for the ID-1 (1230 mIU ml^−I) and the ID-2 (851 mIU ml⁻¹) groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. Since anti-HBs antibodies are thought to confer protection against hepatitis B, these results suggest that a shortened regimen of intradermal vaccine may be effective in healthy adults. However, no efficacy study has yet been done with intradermal hepatitis B vaccine.     

重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗对成人的免疫效果及安全性的研究

目的：探讨重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗（YDV）对成人的免疫效果及安全性。方法：在辽宁省北票市部分学校选择一般健康状况良好,乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）、乙型肝炎表面抗体（抗－HBs）、乙型肝炎核心抗体（抗－HBc）三项指标均为阴性,体温正常的22－58岁的教师,随机抽取124名,按0、1、6个月程序,每剂5μg／0.5ml接种卫生部北京生物制品研究所生产的重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗。结果：免疫3、7、12个月时,抗－HBs阳转率分别为35.0％、83.3％、67.2％（P＜0.01）。抗－HBs平均滴度分别为12.63mIU/ml;402.04mIU/ml、70.28mIU/ml(P＜0.01）;抗－HBs阳转率及其滴度均在7个月时达到高峰,以后又急剧下降。免疫后3、7、12个月时,女性抗－HBs阳转率和滴度均高于男性。但仅抗－HBs滴度在免疫后3个月时两者之间差异有显著性;小于35岁的抗体阳转率高于35岁以上组,但仅在免疫后12个月时两者之间差异有显著性;而该两个年龄组间的抗－HBs滴度差异无显著性;免疫3d后局部和全身未见不良反应。结论：重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗对成人具有良好的免疫原性和安全性,其抗－HBs持续时间有待进一步观察。     

成人接种重组酵母乙型肝炎疫苗免疫效果观察

目的：探讨重组酵母乙型肝炎（乙肝）疫苗（YDV）对厉人的免疫效果及其安全性,方法：在辽宁省北票市部分学校随机选择一般健康状况良好、乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg）、乙肝表面抗体（抗－HBs）及乙肝核心抗体（抗－HBc）三项指标均为阴性且体温正常的22－58岁的教师124名,按0、1、6个月程序,每次5μg/0.5ml接种国产重组酵母乙肝疫苗。结果：免疫后3、7、12和24个月时,抗－HBs阳转率分别为35．0％,83．3％,65．5％和32．7％,抗抗－HBs平均滴度分别为12．6、402．0、70．3和20．3mIU/ml;抗－HBs阳转率及其滴度均在7个月时达到高峰,以后又急剧下降,免疫后各月女性抗－HBs阳转率和滴度均高于男性;＜35岁组的抗体阳性率高于≥35岁组,但12个月时,二比较差异有显意义;免疫3d后未出现局部和全身不良反应。结论：重组酵母乙肝疫苗对成人具有良好的免疫原性和安全性,其抗－HBs持续时间有待进一步观察。     

Safety and immunogenicity of combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whole cell and acellular)-Haemophilus influenzae-b conjugate vaccines administered to Indonesian children

A randomized double-blind trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of vaccines comprised of diphtheria (D) and tetanus (T) toxoids combined with either a whole cell (P) or an acellular (aP) pertussis component and Haemophilus influenzae type b polyribosylphosphate (PRP) tetanus toxoid conjugate (PRP-T) in Indonesian infants. Three doses of either DTaP, DTaP-PRP-T, or DTP-PRP-T were administered to 930 infants approximately 2-3 months of age and at 2 month intervals thereafter. A booster dose of either DTP-PRP-T or DTaP-PRP-T was administered at 15-18 months of age. Both local and systemic reactions occurred at a significantly (p < 0.001-0.026) higher rate in the group that received whole cell pertussis vaccine versus groups which were immunized with aP containing vaccines. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the rate of adverse events between groups immunized with DTaP or DTaP PRP T. One month after the third dose of vaccine, 99% of subjects had achieved > or =0.1 IU of anti-D and anti-T antibody per ml of serum. The geometric mean titer (GMT) to D was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the group immunized with DTaP versus the other two groups whereas the anti-T GMT was significantly (p < 0.006) higher for the group immunized with DTP-PRP-T. Both the anti-pertussis toxin (PT) and anti-filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) antibody levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in recipients of acellular versus whole cell pertussis vaccine. In contrast, the anti-B. pertussis agglutinating antibody response was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the group immunized with whole cell pertussis vaccine. The anti-PRP GMTs (microg antibody/ml) at 7 months were 0.096, 3.35 and 6.11 for groups immunized with DTaP, DTaP-PRP-T and DTP-PRP-T, respectively. The GMT for those immunized with DTP-PRP-T was significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared to recipients of DTaP-PRP-T. The percent of children who attained > or =0.15 or > or =1 microg/ml after immunization was 18 and 2% for the DTaP group, 93 and 76% for the DTaP-PRP-T group and 97 and 88% for the DTP-PRP-T group. At the > or =1 microg/ml level the difference between the DTaP-PRP0-T and DTP-PRP-T groups was significant (p < 0.01). Children immunized with either DTaP, DTaP-PRP-T, or DTP-PRP-T were reimmunized with DTaP-PRP-T whereas a portion of children immunized with DTP PRP T where also boosted with this vaccine at 15-18 months of age. There was a vigorous anamnestic response to the D and T components with all children possessing > or =0.1 IU/ml. There was also a substantial increase in anti-PT, anti-FHA and B. pertussis agglutinating antibodies. The poorest anti-PT response was seen among children receiving DTP-PRP-T for both primary and reimmunization while the highest agglutinating antibody response followed receipt of 4 doses of DTP-PRP-T. Greater than 80% of children immunized with either DTP PRP T or DTaP-PRP-T possessed > or =0.15 microg/ml before boosting versus 38% for those vaccinated with DTaP (p < 0.001). Primary immunization with DTP-PRP-T resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) higher percentage (72%) maintaining > or =1 microg/ml compared to those immunized with DTaP-PRP-T (46%). Prior to reimmunization, the anti-PRP GMT was significantly (p < 0.005) higher for children immunized with 3 doses of DTP-PRP-T versus DTaP-PRP-T. Subsequent to reimmunization, > or =95% of subjects attained > or =1 microg/ml.