Browsing by Subject "Vaccine development"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Open Access
    Is obesity a risk factor for vaccine non-responsiveness?
    (Public Library of Science, 2013) Young, Katherine M; Gray, Clive M; Bekker, Linda-Gail
    Understanding the link between vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy is currently a major focus in HIV research. Consequently, recent developments in the HIV-1 vaccine field have led to a closer look at immune responses to known efficacious vaccines. We undertook a study to explore clinical predictors of vaccine efficacy following recombinant hepatitis B (rHBV) vaccination in a cohort of HIV-uninfected, hepatitis B virus naïve women living in a peri-urban setting in Cape Town. Our aim was to define host biological risk factors associated with lack of vaccine uptake. We found a significant association (p=0.009) between body mass index (BMI) and lack of vaccine-specific IgG titre (<10mIU/mL). Obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30kg/m 2 ) were significantly more likely to be non-responders following 2 rHBV vaccine doses (Adjusted Odds Ratio of 8.75; p=0.043). There was no observed association between vaccine responses and age, method of contraception or time from vaccination to antibody measurement. These data suggest that obesity-associated factors interfere with vaccine immunogenicity and possible efficacy.
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    Open Access
    Strengthening the expanded programme on immunization in Africa: looking beyond 2015
    (Public Library of Science, 2013) Machingaidze, Shingai; Wiysonge, Charles S; Hussey, Gregory D
    Shingai Machingaidze and colleagues reflect on the successes and shortfalls of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Africa, and the considerable challenges that must now be addressed to improve immunization systems.