A Three-Dose Intramuscular Injection Schedule of Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed Generates Sustained Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to Protective Antigen and Provides Long-Term Protection against Inhalation Anthrax in Rhesus Macaques

A 3-dose (0, 1, and 6 months) intramuscular (3-IM) priming series of a human dose (HuAVA) and dilutions of up to 1:10 of anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) provided statistically significant levels of protection (60 to 100%) against inhalation anthrax for up to 4 years in rhesus macaques. Serum anti-protective antigen (anti-PA) IgG and lethal toxin neutralization activity (TNA) were detectable following a single injection of HuAVA or 1:5 AVA or following two injections of diluted vaccine (1:10, 1:20, or 1:40 AVA). Anti-PA and TNA were highly correlated (overall r² = 0.89 for log₁₀-transformed data). Peak responses were seen at 6.5 months. In general, with the exception of animals receiving 1:40 AVA, serum anti-PA and TNA responses remained significantly above control levels at 28.5 months (the last time point measured for 1:20 AVA), and through 50.5 months for the HuAVA and 1:5 and 1:10 AVA groups (P < 0.05). PA-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) CD4⁺ cell frequencies and T cell stimulation indices were sustained through 50.5 months (the last time point measured). PA-specific memory B cell frequencies were highly variable but, in general, were detectable in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by 2 months, were significantly above control levels by 7 months, and remained detectable in the HuAVA and 1:5 and 1:20 AVA groups through 42 months (the last time point measured). HuAVA and diluted AVA elicited a combined Th1/Th2 response and robust immunological priming, with sustained production of high-avidity PA-specific functional antibody, long-term immune cell competence, and immunological memory (30 months for 1:20 AVA and 52 months for 1:10 AVA). Vaccinated animals surviving inhalation anthrax developed high-magnitude anamnestic anti-PA IgG and TNA responses.     

Children's health care: Book and media reviews

Let's Remember Corky, Fine, Polly Delson, Shaker Heights, Ohio, 1981. Paperback, unpaged, $4.75.

The Tenth Good Thing about Barney, Viorst, Judith, Hartford, Atheneum, 1971. Paperback, 20 pages, illustrated by Erik Blegvad.

Jasper Enters the Hospital, 16½ mins., The Day of Jasper's Operation, 13½ mins., Wellness: It's Not Magic, 15 mins., Video Cassettes‐ 16 mm. Available from: Kids Corner, 2027 North Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907, (303) 475–2499.

First Do No Harm, produced by Pierce Atkins Corporation, 45 mins., S400 (purchase), S45 (daily rental). Distributed by Children's Hospital National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20010.

Pediatric Diagnostic Procedures With Guidelines for Preparing Children for Clinical Tests, Droske, Susan C. and Francis, Sally A. Toronto, John Wiley and Sons Inc., 1981.

The Children's Medical Series ‐ a series of eight videotapes with Susan Linn and her puppets.     

Spinal Trauma and Symptoms in High School Football Players

In brief: Responses from 101 coaches (98%) and 3,063 players (81%) In a retrospective epidemiological study of 103 Minnesota secondary school varsity football teams showed an overall injury rate of 78 injuries per 100 players, which included a high incidence of spinal trauma and spinal trauma symptoms. Recognition of the incidence, severity, and chronicity of spinal trauma requires ongoing assessment of participants in contact activities. Continued use of the illegal techniques of butt-blocking and face-tackling by as many as 40% of the players was found to increase the risk of these symptoms significantly.