Publications by authors named "Serge Debrus"

Robust scientific evidence related to two rotavirus (RV) vaccines available worldwide demonstrates their significant impact on RV disease burden. Improving RV vaccination coverage may result in better RV disease control. To make RV vaccination accessible to all eligible children worldwide and improve vaccine effectiveness in high-mortality settings, research into new RV vaccines continues.

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Variability in rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) epidemiology can influence the optimal vaccination schedule. We evaluated regional trends in the age of RVGE episodes in low- to middle- versus high-income countries in three continents. We undertook a post-hoc analysis based on efficacy trials of a human rotavirus vaccine (HRV; Rotarix™, GSK Vaccines), in which 1348, 1641, and 5250 healthy infants received a placebo in Europe (NCT00140686), Africa (NCT00241644), and Asia (NCT00197210, NCT00329745).

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Background: Rotaviruses are the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis in children aged <5 years worldwide. A live attenuated human rotavirus vaccine, RIX4414 has been developed to reduce the global disease burden associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis. Serum anti-rotavirus immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody measured in unvaccinated infants during clinical trials of RIX4414 reflects natural rotavirus exposure, and may inform the optimal timing for rotavirus vaccination.

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Article Synopsis
  • In January 2010, PCV1 DNA was found in the Rotarix vaccine during a study using a sensitive detection method, prompting GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to investigate its origin and implications.
  • The investigation confirmed PCV1 DNA was present throughout Rotarix's manufacturing but showed no signs of harmful effects or infection in infants who received the vaccine.
  • The findings and risk assessment approach from this investigation may help improve safety protocols for vaccine production when new testing technologies reveal unexpected agents.
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Background: Published economic assessments of rotavirus vaccination typically use modelling, mainly static Markov cohort models with birth cohorts followed up to the age of 5 years. Rotavirus vaccination has now been available for several years in some countries, and data have been collected to evaluate the real-world impact of vaccination on rotavirus hospitalisations. This study compared the economic impact of vaccination between model estimates and observed data on disease-specific hospitalisation reductions in a country for which both modelled and observed datasets exist (Belgium).

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Rotavirus gastroenteritis causes more than half a million deaths annually among children aged <5 years, the great majority of which occur in Africa and Asia. Vaccination is considered to be the most effective public health strategy to prevent rotavirus disease and to reduce the significant global burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis. Rotarix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) is an oral, live attenuated rotavirus vaccine derived from a human G1P[8] rotavirus strain.

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Background: : The 2-dose, oral live attenuated human G1P[8] rotavirus vaccine (RIX4414) is highly effective against rotavirus gastroenteritis caused by circulating G1 and non-G1 types. An integrated analysis on vaccine efficacy was undertaken to obtain more precise estimates of the overall protective effect of the RIX4414 vaccine against rotavirus gastroenteritis due to common rotavirus types (G1, G3, G4, G9, P[8]) and less commonly encountered strains such as G2P[4] across heterogenous settings.

Methods: : The studies used in the integrated analysis were all previously reported randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II and III trials with at least 1 report of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the efficacy follow-up period (up to 1 year of age or end of first RV epidemic season after vaccination).

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