Minimal Sex-Differential Modulation of Reactivity to Pathogens and Toll-Like Receptor Ligands following Infant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Russia Vaccination.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis, has been shown to provide heterologous protection against unrelated pathogens and enhance antibody responses to several routine expanded program on immunization (EPI) vaccines. Understanding these heterologous effects is important for the development of optimal vaccination strategies. We set out to assess the effect of vaccination with BCG Russia of 6-week-old infants on reactivity to a panel of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists (TLR2, 4, and 7/8) and heat-killed pathogens [ (CA), and ], and antibody responses to other EPI vaccines compared to BCG naïve infants.

Sex-Differential Non-Vaccine-Specific Immunological Effects of Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis and Measles Vaccination.

Vaccines can have nontargeted heterologous effects that manifest as increased protection against nonvaccine infections, as described for measles vaccine (MV), or increased susceptibility to infections and death, as described following diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis (DTP) vaccination. The mechanisms are unknown, and high-quality immunological studies are lacking. This study was designed to investigate the heterologous effects of MV and DTP in 302 Gambian infants.

Observational study of vaccine efficacy 24 years after the start of hepatitis B vaccination in two Gambian villages: no need for a booster dose.

Objectives: To determine the duration of protection from hepatitis B vaccine given in infancy and early childhood and asses risk factors for HBV infection and chronic infection.

Methods: In 1984 infant HBV vaccination was started in two Gambian villages. Cross sectional serological surveys have been undertaken every 4 years to determine vaccine efficacy.

Immunological impact of an additional early measles vaccine in Gambian children: responses to a boost at 3 years.

Background: Measles vaccine in early infancy followed by a dose at 9 months of age protects against measles and enhances child survival through non-specific effects. Little is known of immune responses in the short or long term after booster doses.

Methods: Infants were randomized to receive measles vaccine at 9 months of age (group 1) or 4 and 9 months of age (group 2).

Comparison of electronic data capture (EDC) with the standard data capture method for clinical trial data.

Background: Traditionally, clinical research studies rely on collecting data with case report forms, which are subsequently entered into a database to create electronic records. Although well established, this method is time-consuming and error-prone. This study compares four electronic data capture (EDC) methods with the conventional approach with respect to duration of data capture and accuracy.