Research reports from G.M. Ruizpalacios and co-authors provide new insights into pediatrics
2007 NOV 18 -- "Immunization against rotavirus has been proposed as the most cost-effective intervention to reduce the disease burden associated with this infection worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the dose response, immunogenicity, and efficacy of 2 doses of an oral, attenuated monovalent G1[P8] human rotavirus vaccine in children from the same setting in Mexico, where the natural protection against rotavirus infection was studiedFrom June 2001 through May 2003, 405 healthy infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 vaccine groups (virus concentrations 104.7, 105.2, and 105.8 infectious units) and to a placebo group and were monitored to the age of 2 years," researchers in Mexico report. "The vaccine/placebo was administered concurrently with diphtheria-tetanus toxoidpertussis/hepatitis B/Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine at 2 and 4 months of age. After the administration of the first vaccine/placebo dose, weekly home visits to collect information regarding infant health were conducted. Stool samples were collected during each gastroenteritis episode and tested for rotavirus antigen and serotypeThe vaccine was well tolerated and induced a greater rate of seroconversion than observed in infants who received placebo. For the pooled vaccine groups, efficacy after 2 oral doses was 80% and 95% against any and severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, respectively. Efficacy was 100% against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis and 70% against severe gastroenteritis of any cause with the vaccine at the highest virus concentration (105.8 infectious units). The predominant infecting rotavirus serotype in this cohort was wild-type G1 (85%). Adverse events, including fever, irritability, loss of appetite, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting, were similar among vaccinees and placebo recipientsThis new oral, live, attenuated human rotavirus vaccine was safe, immunogenic, and highly efficacious in preventing any and, more importantly, severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in healthy infants," wrote G.M. Ruizpalacios and colleagues. The researchers concluded: "This vaccine produced comparable protection to natural infection." Ruizpalacios and colleagues published their study in Pediatrics (Dose response and efficacy of a live, attenuated human rotavirus vaccine in Mexican infants. Pediatrics, 2007;120(2):E253-E261). For additional information, contact G.M. Ruizpalacios, Institute Nacl Ciencias Med & Nutrition Salvador Zubiran, Dept. of Infectious Disease, Vasco Quiroga 15, Mexico City 14000, DF, Mexico. Publisher contact information for the journal Pediatrics is: American Acad Pediatrics, 141 North-West Point Blvd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098, USA. Keywords: Mexico, Life Sciences, Pediatric, Pediatrics. This article was prepared by Preventive Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Preventive Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
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