Towards universal influenza vaccines?

Vaccination is the most cost-effective way to reduce the considerable disease burden of seasonal influenza. Although seasonal influenza vaccines are effective, their performance in the elderly and immunocompromised individuals would benefit from improvement. Major problems related to the development and production of pandemic influenza vaccines are response time and production capacity as well as vaccine efficacy and safety. Several improvements can be envisaged. Vaccine production technologies based on embryonated chicken eggs may be replaced by cell culture techniques. Reverse genetics techniques can speed up the generation of seed viruses and new mathematical modelling methods improve vaccine strain selection. Better understanding of the correlates of immune-mediated protection may lead to new vaccine targets besides the viral haemagglutinin, like the neuraminidase and M2 proteins. In addition, the role of cell-mediated immunity could be better exploited. New adjuvants have recently been shown to increase the breadth and the duration of influenza vaccine-induced protection. Other studies have shown that influenza vaccines based on different viral vector systems may also induce broad protection. It is to be expected that these developments may lead to more universal influenza vaccines that elicit broader and longer protection, and can be produced more efficiently.     

From pandemic to endemic: Spatial-temporal patterns of influenza-like illness incidence in a Swiss canton, 1918–1924

In pandemics, past and present, there is no textbook definition of when a pandemic is over, and how and when exactly a respiratory virus transitions from pandemic to endemic spread. In this paper we have compared the 1918/19 influenza pandemic and the subsequent spread of seasonal flu until 1924. We analysed 14,125 reports of newly stated 32,198 influenza-like illnesses from the Swiss canton of Bern. We analysed the temporal and spatial spread at the level of 497 municipalities, 9 regions, and the entire canton. We calculated incidence rates per 1000 inhabitants of newly registered cases per calendar week. Further, we illustrated the incidences of each municipality for each wave (first wave in summer 1918, second wave in fall/winter 1918/19, the strong later wave in early 1920, as well as the two seasonal waves in 1922 and 1924) on a choropleth map. We performed a spatial hotspot analysis to identify spatial clusters in each wave, using the Gi* statistic. Furthermore, we applied a robust negative binomial regression to estimate the association between selected explanatory variables and incidence on the ecological level. We show that the pandemic transitioned to endemic spread in several waves (including another strong wave in February 1920) with lower incidence and rather local spread until 1924 at least. At the municipality and regional levels, there were different patterns of spread both between pandemic and seasonal waves. In the first pandemic wave in summer 1918 the probability of higher incidence was increased in municipalities with a higher proportion of factories (OR 2.60, 95%CI 1.42–4.96), as well as in municipalities that had access to a railway station (OR 1.50, 95%CI 1.16–1.96). In contrast, the strong fall/winter wave 1918 was very widespread throughout the canton. In general, municipalities at higher altitude showed lower incidence. Our study adds to the sparse literature on incidence in the 1918/19 pandemic and subsequent years. Before Covid-19, the last pandemic that occurred in several waves and then became endemic was the 1918–19 pandemic. Such scenarios from the past can inform pandemic planning and preparedness in future outbreaks.     

禽流感疫苗研究进展

禽流感是由正黏病毒科流感病毒属的A型流感病毒引起的 ,发生于各种家禽和野鸟的一种急性传染病。由于其重要的经济和公共卫生学意义 ,使得禽流感的防治显得突出重要。疫苗的使用是控制禽流感的主要手段。目前实际应用中仍以禽流感全病毒灭活疫苗为主 ,但由于其潜在的缺点使得人们将目光转向其它类型疫苗的研制。从常规疫苗、新型疫苗和交叉保护性疫苗三个方面对禽流感疫苗研究进展加以阐述。常规疫苗包括基因工程亚单位疫苗和重组活载体疫苗 :新型疫苗主要有冷适应流感弱毒疫苗 ,基因工程活流感病毒疫苗 ,复制缺陷型病毒疫苗 ,DNA疫苗 ,RNA复制子疫苗 ,表位疫苗等 :交叉保护性疫苗主要依据流感病毒表面的保守蛋白M和NP的特性 ,构建疫苗来达到交叉保护的目的。     

Inhibition of viral group-1 and group-2 neuraminidases by oseltamivir: A comparative structural analysis by the ScrewFit algorithm

The viral surface glycoprotein neuraminidase (NA) allows the influenza virus penetration and the egress of virions. NAs are classified as A, B, and C. Type-A NAs from influenza virus are subdivided into two phylogenetically distinct families, group-1 and group-2. NA inhibition by oseltamivir represents a therapeutic approach against the avian influenza virus H5N1. Here, structural bases for oseltamivir recognition by group-1 NA1, NA8 and group-2 NA9 are highlighted by the ScrewFit algorithm for quantitative structure comparison. Oseltamivir binding to NA1 and NA8 affects the geometry of Glu119 and of regions Arg130-Ser160, Val240-Gly260, and Asp330-Glu382, leading to multiple NA conformations. Additionally, although NA1 and NA9 share almost the same oseltamivir-bound final conformation, they show some relevant differences as suggested by the ScrewFit algorithm. These results indicate that the design of new NA inhibitors should take into account these family-specific effects induced on the whole structure of NAs.     

流感病毒灭活疫苗研究进展

流感病毒的不断变异是造成流感经常流行的主要原因．研究表明人流感病毒的来源与禽流感病毒的存在密切相关．最近出现的禽流感病毒跨种属感染人的事件,预示引起下一次爆发的流感病毒流行可能直接来源于禽流感病毒．因人类对新出现的病毒缺乏免疫力,开发有效疫苗仍然是预防流感流行的关键．对流感灭活疫苗包括灭活疫苗有效成分的改良,H5N1、H9N2型人．禽流感疫苗研究和应用反向遗传技术制备流感灭活疫苗等方面的研究进展进行了探讨．     

钩端螺旋体疫苗的接种反应和血清学效果观察

为统一中国钩体疫苗的菌数 (浓度 ) ,保障人群预防接种的安全与有效 ,用上海、武汉和成都生物制品研究所生产钩体疫苗 ,观察了 4种不同菌数、4种不同接种剂量 8个不同组别对 2 0 37人的免疫效果。所有接种者全身反应轻微 ,中强反应不超过 3%。局部反应各所间有差别 ,上海所最轻 (9.6 8% ) ,武汉所居中(17.93% ) ,成都所最重 (38.78% )。血清阳转率和GMT水平 1个月达高峰 ,3个月似有下降。随着钩体疫苗接种总量的增大 ,人群抗体的阳转率和GMT水平有所提高 ,尤其是赖型抗原。 3个所疫苗的抗体阳转率和GMT有明显差别 ,以成都所为最高。根据实验结果 ,建议 :① 5价 (含 5价 )以下钩体疫苗 ,每型菌数不低于1.5亿 /mL ;② 6价 (含 6价 )以上 ,每型含菌数不应低于 1亿 /mL ,但疫苗的总菌数不超过 12 .5亿 /mL ;③全程接种 2次 ,首次 0 .5mL ,再次 1mL ,间隔 5～ 7d。该建议已被 1990版《中国生物制品规程》(钩体疫苗制检规程 )所采纳 ,并一直沿用至今。     

The contribution of vaccination to global health: past,present and future

Vaccination has made an enormous contribution to global health. Two major infections, smallpox and rinderpest, have been eradicated. Global coverage of vaccination against many important infectious diseases of childhood has been enhanced dramatically since the creation of WHO''s Expanded Programme of Immunization in 1974 and of the Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization in 2000. Polio has almost been eradicated and success in controlling measles makes this infection another potential target for eradication. Despite these successes, approximately 6.6 million children still die each year and about a half of these deaths are caused by infections, including pneumonia and diarrhoea, which could be prevented by vaccination. Enhanced deployment of recently developed pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines should, therefore, result in a further decline in childhood mortality. Development of vaccines against more complex infections, such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV, has been challenging and achievements so far have been modest. Final success against these infections may require combination vaccinations, each component stimulating a different arm of the immune system. In the longer term, vaccines are likely to be used to prevent or modulate the course of some non-infectious diseases. Progress has already been made with therapeutic cancer vaccines and future potential targets include addiction, diabetes, hypertension and Alzheimer''s disease.     

Adjuvanted vaccines against influenza in the elderly

Influenza is an important public health issue,especially with the aging of the population,since the most serious consequences of the illness affect the elderly.Between 1979 and 2001,approximately 41000...     

Effects of iron deficiency upon the antibody response to influenza virus in rats

The effects of severe and moderate iron deficiency upon the antibody response to influenza virus were investigated in rats. Three groups of weanling male Wistar rats were fed one of two iron-deficient diets (5 mg and 15 mg iron/kg diet) or a normal iron-containing diet (35 mg iron/kg diet). A group of individually pair-fed rats was introduced with the low iron-consuming rats. The effects of the diets upon various iron status parameters were followed during the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th week of diet. After 4 weeks of feeding different diets, an intraperitoneal injection of inactivated influenza virus A/New Jersey/76 was performed and a recall injection was done at 5 weeks. Primary and secondary antibody responses were assayed. Rats were sacrificed at 7 weeks of diet. After 4 weeks of feeding different diets, the rats fed the 5 mg iron/kg diet were severely anemic and rats fed 15 mg iron/kg diet were moderately iron-deficient, as shown by their iron status parameters. Growth was delayed in anemic and matched pair-fed rats. A primary antibody response was almost nonexistent in all groups. Secondary antibody titers were significantly weaker in anemic rats than in ad libitum controls, but were not different from those of pair-fed rats. This response was similar in moderately iron-deficient, ad libitum, and pair-fed rats. These results show that antibody synthesis in response to the influenza virus vaccine is preserved in moderate iron deficiency but is reduced in severe anemia. The reduction in energy consumption associated with severe iron deficiency in the rat could play a part in the altered humoral response.     

Beschreibung und Durchführung der Impfaktion bei Zoovögeln im Zoo am Meer Bremerhaven gegen Aviäre Influenza, hervorgerufen durch das Virus H5N1

The avian influenza A virus (H5N1), which causes the bird flu is latently present in populations of wild birds. The Bremerhaven Zoo is subject to an especially high infection risk owing to its close proximity to the North Sea coast and to resting places of birds. As an alternative to drastically killing all birds in an event of infection, a vaccination campaign was initiated in May 2006 as part of the “Program of the Federal Republic of Germany for the Vaccination of Birds in Zoos against Bird Flu”. The campaign is carried out in cooperation with the responsible authorities. This required formal approval of the authorities was subject to multiple conditions, the fulfilment of which required a large logistic effort. Some issues remained unresolved after the campaign had been completed. It is unclear, for instance, whether or not the applied inoculation is sufficient to immunize infected zoo birds and in which time intervals the vaccination has to be repeated in the future. The legal basis for the handing over of inoculated zoo birds to other institutions is published in the Federal Gazette.     

轮状病毒灭活疫苗和减毒活疫苗序贯免疫的体液免疫应答效果

目的:评价采用轮状病毒灭活疫苗进行初始免疫,减毒活疫苗进行加强免疫的序贯免疫方案的体液免疫应答效果。方法:将实验小鼠随机分为4组(口服疫苗组、序贯疫苗组、口服对照组及序贯对照组),按相应方案免疫后,ELISA检测血清轮状病毒特异性IgG和IgA、肠道轮状病毒特异性IgA;微量中和实验检测血清病毒特异性中和抗体;同时采用ELISA分析口服活疫苗后病毒排出情况。结果:与对照组相比,序贯疫苗组小鼠产生的轮状病毒特异性血清IgG、IgA、中和抗体及肠道IgA水平显著升高。与口服疫苗组相比,序贯疫苗组的免疫方案诱发的轮状病毒特异性血清IgG、IgA、中和抗体水平显著升高,肠道IgA水平两组间没有显著差异。同时,与口服疫苗组相比,序贯疫苗组中轮状病毒灭活疫苗进行的初始免疫未影响第一次口服活疫苗后病毒的排出量和排出时间,但序贯疫苗组第二次口服活疫苗后病毒的排出量迅速减少,排毒时间快速缩短,与口服疫苗组第三次服苗后病毒的排出量和排出时间相似。结论: 轮状病毒灭活疫苗和减毒活疫苗序贯免疫可有效诱发小鼠全身和黏膜局部的体液免疫应答,该方案将有可能成为轮状病毒疫苗临床应用的候选方案。