Mechanism of Thimerosal-Induced Structural Destabilization of a Recombinant Rotavirus P[4] Protein Antigen Formulated as a Multi-Dose Vaccine

Adjuvants have been used for decades to enhance the immune response to vaccines, in particular for the subunit-based adjuvants. Physicochemical properties of the adjuvant-protein antigen complexes, such as size, morphology, protein structure and binding, influence the overall efficacy and safety of the vaccine. Here we show how to perform an accurate physicochemical characterization of the nanoaluminum–ovalbumin complex. Using a combination of existing techniques, we developed a multi-staged characterization strategy based on measurements of increased complexity. This characterization cascade has the advantage of being very flexible and easily adaptable to any adjuvant-protein antigen combinations. It will contribute to control the quality of antigen–adjuvant complexes and immunological outcomes, ultimately leading to improved vaccines.

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A Study of Varicella Seroprevalence in a Pediatric and Adolescent Population in Florence (Italy). Natural Infection and Vaccination-Acquired Immunization

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9020152 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 152

Author(s):

Beatrice Zanella ◽

Angela Bechini ◽

Benedetta Bonito ◽

Marco Del Riccio ◽

Alessandra Ninci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural Infection ◽

Age Groups ◽

Varicella Vaccination ◽

Age Group ◽

Disease Notification ◽

Test Elisa ◽

Vaccine Schedule ◽

Almost All ◽

Vaccination Campaigns ◽

Dose Vaccine

Background: Varicella is a well-known infectious disease that can have severe complications, also in young children. The Universal Varicella Vaccination (UVV) program was introduced in Tuscany (Italy) in 2003, with a two-dose vaccine schedule given to children between their 13th and 15th month, and at 5–6 years old, as a monovalent for varicella (V) or tetravalent (measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV)) formulation. Although varicella notifications have dramatically fallen in the last two decades, varicella disease underreporting remains a challenge. Methods: A qualitative immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) was used to measure the presence of anti-varicella antibodies in 165 sera of subjects aged 1–18 years residing in the province of Florence (Italy). Information regarding the anamnestic and vaccination status (including disease notification) was also collected. Results: Our study showed an overall varicella seropositivity of 75.8% (reaching the maximum at 96.3% in the 15–18 years age group). We found that varicella disease notification had been recorded for only 7/165 subjects; however, since 42/165 recalled having had the disease, we can hypothesize that some of them must have been underreported. Furthermore, our study showed that the presence of antibodies after the varicella vaccination remained over time, lasting up to 12 years. Conclusions: Although varicella seroprevalence is <95% in almost all our age groups (except for the 15–18 years age group), our data are encouraging and reflect the success of the introduction of the UVV program and the vaccination campaigns promoted in the Tuscany region.

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Design and immunological properties of topographic immunogenic determinants of a protein antigen (LDH-C4) as vaccines.

Journal of Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1016/s0021-9258(18)42700-7 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 267 (9) ◽

pp. 6338-6346

Author(s):

P.T. Kaumaya ◽

A.M. VanBuskirk ◽

E Goldberg ◽

S.K. Pierce

Keyword(s):

Protein Antigen ◽

Immunological Properties

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Comparative cost-effectiveness of a 2-dose versus 3-dose vaccine for hepatitis B prevention in selected adult populations

Vaccine ◽

10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.05.020 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alex Hirst ◽

Randall N. Hyer ◽

Robert S. Janssen

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Comparative Cost ◽

Hepatitis B Prevention ◽

Dose Vaccine

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Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (Shingrix) real-world effectiveness in the first two years post-licensure

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciab125 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hector S Izurieta ◽

Xiyuan Wu ◽

Richard Forshee ◽

Yun Lu ◽

Heng-Ming Sung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Herpes Zoster ◽

Real World ◽

Postherpetic Neuralgia ◽

Vaccine Effectiveness ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Zoster Vaccine ◽

Post Market ◽

Recombinant Zoster Vaccine ◽

Dose Vaccine

Abstract Background Shingrix™ (recombinant zoster vaccine) was licensed to prevent herpes zoster, dispensed as two doses given 2–6 months apart, among adults ages ≥50 years. Clinical trials yielded efficacy of >90% for confirmed herpes zoster,but post-market vaccine performance has not been evaluated. Efficacy of a single dose, delayed second dose, or among persons with autoimmune or general immunosuppressive conditions have also not been studied. We aimed to assess post-market vaccine effectiveness of Shingrix. Methods We conducted a cohort study among vaccinated and unvaccinated Medicare Part D community dwelling beneficiaries ages >65 years. Herpes zoster was identified using a medical office visit diagnosis with treatment, and postherpetic neuralgia using a validated algorithm. We used inverse probability of treatment weighting to improve cohort balance, and marginal structural models to estimate hazard ratios. Results We found a vaccine effectiveness of 70.1% (95% CI, 68.6–71.5) and 56.9% (95% CI, 55.0–58.8) for two and one doses, respectively. The two-dose vaccine effectiveness was not significantly lower for beneficiaries 80+ years, for second doses received at ≥180 days, or for individuals with autoimmune conditions. The vaccine was also effective among individuals with immunosuppressive conditions. Two-dose vaccine effectiveness against postherpetic neuralgia was 76.0% (95% CI, 68.4-81.8). Conclusions This large real-world observational study of effectiveness of Shingrix demonstrates the benefit of completing the two-dose regimen. Second doses administered beyond the recommended 6 months did not impair vaccine effectiveness.Our effectiveness estimates were lower than the clinical trials estimates, likely due to differences in outcome specificity.

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