The complex interplay between cytokines and chemokines regulates innate and adaptive immune responses against pathogens; specifically, cytokine and chemokine expression drives activation of immune effector cells and their recruitment to tissue infection sites. Herein, we inoculated dogs with Leishmania braziliensis antigens plus saponin (the LBSap vaccine), as well as with the vaccine component...

In a blinded, controlled study, thirty purpose-bred, Borrelia burgdorferi negative, mixed-breed dogs 10 to 12 weeks of age were randomly divided into three groups of ten animals each for the purpose of evaluating a recombinant nonadjuvanted B. burgdorferi OspA vaccine (Recombitek Lyme [Merial Limited]) for efficacy and safety. Two groups received two doses of two different lots ofa nonadjuvante...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of the meningococcal A (MenA) vaccine introduction in Mali through mass campaigns on the routine immunization program and the wider health system. METHODS We used a mixed-methods case-study design, combining semi-structured interviews with 31 key informants, a survey among 18 health facilities, and analysis of routine health facility data on number of routine ...

Conventional control and eradication strategies for bovine tuberculosis (BTB) face tremendous difficulties in developing countries; countries with wildlife reservoirs, a complex wildlife-livestock-human interface or a lack of veterinary and veterinary public health surveillance. Vaccination of cattle and other species might in some cases provide the only suitable control strategy for BTB, while...

BACKGROUND Infants aged <12 months are at high risk of hospitalization for influenza. Influenza vaccine is recommended for pregnant women and for most children; however, no vaccine is approved for infants aged <6 months. Effective approaches are needed to protect this vulnerable population. Vaccination of women during pregnancy may protect the infant through transfer of antibodies from the moth...

In order to investigate whether combined DNA vaccines are an ideal way to combine antigens in a single vaccine formulation, we immunized mice with three plasmids (pVSG, pVgD and pVE2), respectively, encoding the antigen of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), pseudorabies virus (PRV) and classic swine fever virus (CSFV), either alone or in a combined vaccine regimen. We also investigated the im...

Given the resurgence of pertussis despite high rates of vaccination with the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, a better understanding of vaccine-induced immune responses to Bordetella pertussis is needed. We investigated the antibody, cell-mediated, and cytokine responses to B. pertussis antigens in children who received the primary vaccination series (at 2, 4, and 6 months...

New innovative vaccines are highly needed to combat the global threat posed by tuberculosis. Efficient components-antigens and adjuvants-are crucial for development of modern recombinant TB vaccines. This study describes a new vaccine (GamTBvac) consisting of two mycobacterial antigen fusions (Ag85A and ESAT6-CFP10)-with dextran-binding domain immobilized on dextran and mixed with an adjuvant c...

A scientific review of bovine tuberculosis in Great Britain has concluded that the development of a cattle vaccine holds the best prospect for long-term disease control. Recent reports of successful DNA vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in small animal models have raised the possibility of using a similar strategy to produce vaccines against Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle....

Seasonal influenza is a major public health concern, and the first line of defense is the flu shot. Antigenic drifts and the high rate of influenza transmission require annual updates to the flu shot composition. The World Health Organization recommends which flu strains to include in the annual vaccine, based on surveillance and epidemiological analysis. There are two critical decisions regard...