New Pneumococcal Vaccines: Basic Science Developments

摘要: The first experimental vaccines, comprising killed whole cells, were tested in the early 1900s, albeit with inconclusive results. Polyvalent capsular polysaccharide (PS)-protein conjugates vaccines are aimed at preventing invasive diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia, well less serious but highly prevalent infections otitis media. They being targeted principally specific groups high risk of pneumococcal disease, particularly children under 2 years adults over 65 age. increasing prevalence penicillin-resistant multiply resistant pneumococci is complicating management patients suspected those meningitis. PS-protein conjugate very expensive to produce, addition further PS types or periodic reformulation take account altered serotype will add this cost. This may place vaccine even out reach many developing countries, whose need for effective greatest. Studies on potential surface protein A (PspA) have extended human trials, immune sera from volunteers immunized a family 1 PspA fragment reacted 37 different Streptococcus pneumoniae strains belonging diverse types. strategy consideration prevention disease use DNA vaccines. ongoing global morbidity mortality associated complications caused by rates resistance antimicrobials, underpinned extensive efforts recent develop more vaccination strategies against S. pneumoniae.