The Journal of infectious diseases
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized, double-blind controlled phase 3 trial comparing the immunogenicity of high-dose and standard-dose influenza vaccine in adults 65 years of age and older.
Influenza-associated morbidity and mortality has not decreased in the last decade, despite increased receipt of vaccine. To improve the immunogenicity of influenza vaccine, a high-dose (HD) trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine was developed. ⋯ There was a statistically significant increase in the level of antibody response induced by HD influenza vaccine, compared with that induced by SD vaccine, without an attendant increase in the rate or severity of clinically relevant adverse reactions. These results suggest that the high-dose vaccine may provide improved protective benefits for older adults.
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Some strains of non-multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (nmMRSA) in Australia are likely to have emerged from strains of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) in remote Aboriginal communities. ⋯ The association of nmMRSA infection with female sex and remote residence supports the hypothesis that nmMRSA arose from MSSA strains in remote Aboriginal communities where staphylococcal disease is highly prevalent. The similar clinical spectrum and outcomes for nmMRSA infection and MSSA infection suggest that virulence is not correlated with resistance phenotype.
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Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a cause of oropharyngeal cancer. We investigated whether sexual behaviors that elevated the odds of oropharyngeal cancer developing in a case-control study similarly elevated the odds of oral HPV infection developing among control patients. ⋯ Among college-aged men, the odds of oral HPV infection developing increased with increases in the number of recent oral sex partners (P = .046, for trend) or open-mouthed kissing partners (P = .023, for trend) but not vaginal sex partners. Oral sex and open-mouthed kissing are associated with the development of oral HPV infection.
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The immune responses to Pneumocystis jirovecii major surface glycoprotein (Msg) in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are poorly understood. ⋯ Serum antibodies to Msgs are important markers of P. jirovecii infection in patients with HIV infection and are influenced by host and environmental factors in complex ways.
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P4, a 28-aa peptide derived from pneumococcal surface adhesin A, is a multilineage cell activator in vitro. We hypothesized that P4-mediated activation of phagocytic cells could rapidly and substantially increase opsonophagocytosis of bacteria, which could be translated in vivo to reduced mouse morbidity from fatal pneumococcal infection. ⋯ P4 peptide in combination with pathogen-specific antibodies and complement enhances specific opsonophagocytosis and rescues mice from life-threatening pneumococcal infection. P4 peptide provides a fresh direction for therapeutic intervention through augmented passive immunotherapy.