Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infections During the First 2 Years of Life: A Prospective Study Across Diverse Global Settings.

BACKGROUND: The true burden of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains unclear. This study aimed to provide more robust, multinational data on RSV-LRTI incidence and burden in the first 2 years of life. METHODS: This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted in Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, Finland, Honduras, South Africa, Thailand, and United States. Children were followed for 24 months from birth. Suspected LRTIs were detected via active (through regular contacts) and passive surveillance. RSV and other viruses were detected from nasopharyngeal swabs using PCR-based methods. RESULTS: Of 2401 children, 206 (8.6%) had 227 episodes of RSV-LRTI. Incidence rates (IRs) of first episode of RSV-LRTI were 7.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.88-9.08), 5.50 (95% CI, 4.21-7.07), and 2.87 (95% CI, 2.18-3.70) cases/100 person-years in children aged 0-5, 6-11, and 12-23 months. IRs for RSV-LRTI, severe RSV-LRTI, and RSV hospitalization tended to be higher among 0-5 month olds and in lower-income settings. RSV was detected for 40% of LRTIs in 0-2 month olds and for approximately 20% of LRTIs in older children. Other viruses were codetected in 29.2% of RSV-positive nasopharyngeal swabs. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial burden of RSV-LRTI was observed across diverse settings, impacting the youngest infants the most. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01995175.

A phase 2b/3b MenACWY-TT study of long-term antibody persistence after primary vaccination and immunogenicity and safety of a booster dose in individuals aged 11 through 55 years.

BACKGROUND: A previous phase 2 study demonstrated the immunogenicity of a single dose of meningococcal A, C, W, Y-tetanus toxoid conjugate (MenACWY-TT) or polysaccharide (MenACWY-PS) vaccine for up to 5 years in individuals aged 11-55 years. This follow-up study evaluated long-term antibody persistence up to 10 years and the immunogenicity and safety of a single MenACWY-TT booster dose given 10 years after primary vaccination. METHODS: Blood draws were conducted annually in Years 7-10. At Year 10, all subjects received a MenACWY-TT booster dose. Blood was drawn at 1 month and safety data were collected ≤6 months postbooster. Study endpoints included immunogenicity during the persistence phase (primary), and immunogenicity and safety during the booster phase (secondary). Statistical analyses were descriptive. RESULTS: A total of 311 subjects were enrolled in the persistence phase (MenACWY-TT, 235; MenACWY-PS, 76); 220 were enrolled in the booster phase (MenACWY-TT, 164; MenACWY-PS, 56). Descriptive analyses indicated that at Years 7-10, the percentages of subjects achieving serum bactericidal antibody assay using baby rabbit complement (rSBA) titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:128 were higher for serogroups A, W, and Y in the MenACWY-TT versus MenACWY-PS group; percentages were similar across groups for serogroup C. rSBA geometric mean titers (GMTs) for serogroups A, W, and Y were higher in the MenACWY-TT group and slightly higher in the MenACWY-PS group for serogroup C. One month postbooster, all primary MenACWY-TT and ≥98.1% of primary MenACWY-PS recipients had rSBA titers ≥1:8. For all serogroups, rSBA GMTs postbooster were higher in the MenACWY-TT versus MenACWY-PS group. Most local and general reactogenicity events were similar between groups and mild to moderate in severity. Adverse events at 1 month postbooster were 9.1% for the MenACWY-TT and 3.6% for the MenACWY-PS groups; all were nonserious. CONCLUSIONS: Immune responses to a single MenACWY-TT primary dose administered at age 11-55 years persisted in >70% of individuals evaluated at Years 7-10. A MenACWY-TT booster dose administered at Year 10 was safe and immunogenic with no new safety signals observed. These results provide important insights regarding long-term protection from primary vaccination and the benefits of booster dosing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01934140. Registered September 2013.

Immune response, antibody persistence, and safety of a single dose of the quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in adolescents and adults: results of an open, randomised, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The best strategy to protect individuals against meningococcal disease is to immunize against multiple serogroups. Immunogenicity, antibody persistence, and safety of the EU-licensed meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) were evaluated in healthy participants aged 11-55 years from the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In this phase IIb, open, controlled study, 500 participants were randomised (3:1) to receive one dose of MenACWY-TT or a licensed meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Men-PS). Functional antibody responses against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y were assessed by a serum bactericidal antibody assay using rabbit complement (rSBA) at Month 0, Month 1, Year 1, Year 2, and Year 3. Vaccine response was defined as an rSBA titre ≥32 at Month 1 in participants who were seronegative (rSBA titre <8) pre-vaccination and as at least a four-fold increase in titre in participants who were seropositive pre-vaccination. Solicited symptoms were recorded up to Day 4, safety outcomes up to Month 6, and serious adverse events related to vaccination up to Year 3. RESULTS: Pre-specified criteria for non-inferiority of MenACWY-TT versus Men-PS were met in terms of rSBA vaccine response and incidence of grade 3 general symptoms. At Month 1, 82.7%-96.3% of MenACWY-TT and 69.7%-91.7% in Men-PS recipients had a vaccine response for each serogroup. At Year 3, ≥99.1% and ≥92.9% of MenACWY-TT recipients retained rSBA titres ≥8 and ≥128, respectively, as compared to ≥86.7% and ≥80.0% in the Men-PS group. Both vaccines had a clinically acceptable safety profile, although injection site redness and swelling were more frequent in MenACWY-TT recipients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MenACWY-TT could protect adolescents and adults against meningococcal disease up to three years post-vaccination. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/NCT00356369.

Immunogenicity and safety of the quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) in 2-10-year-old children: results of an open, randomised, controlled study.

UNLABELLED: In Europe, the introduction of monovalent meningococcal serogroup C (MenC) conjugate vaccines has resulted in a significant decline in MenC invasive disease. However, given the potential for strain evolution and increasing travel to areas of high endemicity, protection against additional serogroups is needed. In this study, the immunogenicity, measured by a serum bactericidal activity assay using rabbit complement (rSBA), and the safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) were compared to that of a licensed monovalent MenC conjugate vaccine (MenC-CRM197) in children 2-10 years of age. Children were randomised (3:1) to receive a single dose of either MenACWY-TT or MenC-CRM197. Non-inferiority of the immunogenicity of MenACWY-TT versus MenC-CRM197 in terms of rSBA-MenC vaccine response was demonstrated. Exploratory analyses suggested that rSBA-MenC geometric mean titres adjusted for pre-vaccination titres were lower in children vaccinated with MenACWY-TT compared to MenC-CRM197. Nevertheless, at 1 month post-vaccination, ≥99.3 % of the children who received MenACWY-TT had rSBA titres ≥1:128 for each of the four vaccine serogroups, which is the more conservative correlate of protection. The reactogenicity and safety profile of MenACWY-TT was clinically acceptable and no serious adverse events considered related to vaccination were reported throughout the study. CONCLUSION: When administered to European school-age children, MenACWY-TT has a clinically acceptable safety profile and, when compared with MenC-CRM197, the potential to broaden protection against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, W-135 and Y while maintaining protection against MenC. This study has been registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00674583.

Evaluation of Clinical Case Definitions for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Young Children.

BACKGROUND: Various case definitions of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection (RSV-LRTI) are currently proposed. We assessed the performance of 3 clinical case definitions against the World Health Organization definition recommended in 2015 (WHO 2015). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study conducted in 8 countries, 2401 children were followed up for 2 years from birth. Suspected LRTIs were detected via active and passive surveillance, followed by in-person clinical evaluation including single timepoint respiratory rate and oxygen saturation (by pulse oximetry) assessment, and nasopharyngeal sampling for RSV testing by polymerase chain reaction. Agreement between case definitions was evaluated using Cohen's κ statistics. RESULTS: Of 1652 suspected LRTIs, 227 met the WHO 2015 criteria for RSV-LRTI; 73 were classified as severe. All alternative definitions were highly concordant with the WHO 2015 definition for RSV-LRTI (κ: 0.95-1.00), but less concordant for severe RSV-LRTI (κ: 0.47-0.82). Tachypnea was present for 196/226 (86.7%) WHO 2015 RSV-LRTIs and 168/243 (69.1%) LRTI/bronchiolitis/pneumonia cases, clinically diagnosed by nonstudy physicians. Low oxygen saturation levels were observed in only 55/226 (24.3%) WHO 2015 RSV-LRTIs. CONCLUSIONS: Three case definitions for RSV-LRTI showed high concordance with the WHO 2015 definition, while agreement was lower for severe RSV-LRTI. In contrast to increased respiratory rate, low oxygen saturation was not a consistent finding in RSV-LRTIs and severe RSV-LRTIs. This study demonstrates that current definitions are highly concordant for RSV-LRTIs, but a standard definition is still needed for severe RSV-LRTI. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01995175.

Safety and immunogenicity of a tetravalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y conjugate vaccine in adolescents and adults.

The highest incidence of invasive meningococcal disease is in young children, with a second peak in adolescents/young adults. All five major disease-causing serogroups (A, B, C, W-135 and Y) have been described in Asia. Immunogenicity and safety of the investigational meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (ACWY-TT, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) was evaluated in healthy, meningococcal conjugate vaccine-naïve adolescents in the Philippines, India and Taiwan. 1025 adolescents were randomized (3:1) to receive one dose of ACWY-TT or tetravalent ACWY polysaccharide vaccine (Mencevax™, Men-PS). Serum bactericidal activity using rabbit complement (rSBA) was measured. Local and systemic adverse reactions were recorded for 4 days. Safety data were pooled with results from a second, similarly designed study in adults for evaluation of grade 3 systemic events. The pre-specified immunogenicity criterion for non-inferiority to Men-PS was met. One month post-vaccination, ≥85.4%-97.1% had a vaccine response (post-titre ≥1:8 in initially seronegative and ≥4-fold increase in seropositive), versus 78.0%-96.6% after Men-PS, against each vaccine serogroup. Exploratory comparisons showed statistically significantly higher post-vaccination rSBA geometric mean titres against all serogroups following ACWY-TT versus Men-PS. Exploratory analysis showed no statistically significant differences between groups in grade 3 general symptoms; however, the statistical criterion for non-inferiority between pooled treatment groups in terms of the ratio of incidences of grade 3 general symptoms was not demonstrated. No SAEs were related to vaccination. ACWY-TT was immunogenic in Asian adolescents with a reactogenicity profile that was clinically acceptable and similar to that of licensed Men-PS. The results of this study indicate that ACWY-TT could be used as a third conjugate vaccine in the protection of adolescents against meningococcal disease.

Herpes zoster related healthcare burden and costs in immunocompromised (IC) and IC-free populations in England: an observational retrospective database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Individuals with immunocompromised (IC) conditions are at a higher risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ) than IC-free individuals. This study assessed the healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) burden and costs, of HZ in IC and IC-free individuals ≥18 years of age (YOA). METHODS: We conducted an observational retrospective study in a cohort of IC (n=621 588) and IC-free (n=621 588) individuals, matched by age, gender and General Practitioner practice region, contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database from 2000 to 2012 and linked to the Hospital Episode Statistics inpatient data. HCRU (ie, primary and secondary care consultations, hospital inpatient stays and treatment prescriptions) was analysed from 7 days before to: (1) 30, (2) 365 days after the HZ diagnosis date for individuals with (1) HZ only (no postherpetic neuralgia (PHN)) and (2) individuals with HZ and PHN only. Healthcare costs were computed by multiplying the number of units of resources used by the unit costs, summed across all HCRU categories to obtain a total cost per subject. Values were expressed in 2014 UK pound sterling (£) and presented for HZ cases overall, stratified by age (ie, 18-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and ≥80 YOA) and IC status. RESULTS: The percentage of HZ cases requiring hospitalisation was higher in IC individuals (2.7% vs 0.4% in IC and IC-free individuals aged 18-49 YOA, respectively and 9.5% vs 7.5% in IC and IC-free individuals aged ≥80 YOA, respectively). Similarly, HZ-related mean treatment costs per subject were higher in IC individuals (£189 vs £104 in IC and IC-free individuals aged 18-49 YOA, respectively and £557 vs £401 in IC and IC-free individuals aged ≥80 YOA, respectively). Costs varied considerably by IC condition. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with IC conditions, have a high burden of HZ, associated with an increased risk of HZ and high HZ-related healthcare costs.

Burden of Herpes Zoster in the Japanese Population with Immunocompromised/Chronic Disease Conditions: Results from a Cohort Study Claims Database from 2005-2014.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to describe the disease burden and costs of herpes zoster (HZ) in the general adult Japanese population or patients with immunocompromised (IC) conditions or chronic disorders. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of individuals aged 18-74 years was conducted using January 2005 to December 2014 records from the Japan Medical Data Center claims database. Twenty-eight IC conditions and chronic disorders were defined by diagnosis codes and/or procedures/treatments. HZ and its related complications were identified. Incidence rates (IR), frequency of HZ-related complications, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and direct medical costs were estimated. HRU and costs were estimated on a subcohort of HZ cases occurring April 2012-January 2014. RESULTS: The overall IR of HZ in the total cohort of 2,778,476 adults was 4.92/1000 person-years (PY) [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.86-4.98] and increased with age. The IR in the IC cohort (51,818 subjects) was 8.87/1000 PY (95% CI: 8.29-9.48), ranging from 5.55/1000 PY (95% CI: 4.26-7.09) in psoriasis to 151.68/1000 PY (95% CI: 111.45-201.71) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients; most IRs were in the range 6-10/1000 PY. The IRs in individuals with chronic disorders were also relatively high, in the range 5.40-12.90/1000 PY. The frequency of postherpetic neuralgia was 4.01% (95% CI: 3.72-4.33) in the total cohort and 11.73% (95% CI: 9.01-14.93) in the IC cohort. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] number of outpatient visits was 3.4 (4.9) and 5.0 (5.7), respectively, and the proportion of HZ patients hospitalized was 2.20% and 6.70%, respectively. The mean (SD) direct medical cost per HZ episode was ¥34,664 (¥54,433) and ¥55,201 (¥92,642) in the total and IC cohort, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated burden of HZ in Japanese individuals harboring IC conditions and chronic disorders documented in our study underlines the need for prevention of HZ in people with these conditions. FUNDING: GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA.

Burden of herpes zoster in 16 selected immunocompromised populations in England: a cohort study in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink 2000-2012.

OBJECTIVES: Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus which remains latent in individuals after a varicella infection. It is expected that HZ will be more frequent in immunocompromised (IC) individuals than in immunocompetent (IC-free). This study assessed the incidence rate (IR) of HZ in individuals with a wide set of IC conditions and in IC-free individuals. SETTING: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in England using data (January 2000 to March 2012) from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink with linkage to the Hospital Episodes Statistics. PARTICIPANTS: A cohort of 621 588 individuals with 16 selected IC conditions and a gender/age-matched cohort of IC-free individuals were identified. The IC conditions included haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), solid organ transplant, malignancies, autoimmune diseases and users of immunosuppressive medications. OUTCOMES: IR of HZ per 1000 person-years (PY) was estimated. Proportions of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and other HZ complications within 90 days of HZ onset were also estimated among patients with HZ. Risk factors for PHN in IC individuals with HZ were assessed by a multivariate regression model. RESULTS: The overall IR of HZ in the IC cohort was 7.8/1000 PY (95% CI 7.7 to 7.9), increasing with age from 3.5/1000 PY (3.4-3.7) in individuals aged 18-49 years to 12.6/1000 PY (12.2-13.0) in individuals aged ≥80 years. This IR in the IC-free cohort was 6.2/1000 PY (6.1-6.3). The overall IR of HZ varied across IC conditions, ranging from 5.3 (5.1-5.5) in psoriasis to 41.7/1000 PY (35.7-48.4) in HSCT. The proportions of PHN and other HZ complications were 10.7% (10.2-11.1) and 2.9% (2.7-3.2) in the IC cohort, but 9.1% (8.7-9.5) and 2.3% (2.1-2.6) in the IC-free cohort, respectively. CONCLUSION: IC population contributes to the public health burden of HZ in England. Vaccination might be the most preferable HZ preventive measure for the IC population.

Antibody persistence up to 5 y after vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine in adolescents.

Long-term protection against meningococcal disease relies on antibody persistence after vaccination. We report antibody persistence up to 5 y after vaccination in adolescents who received a single dose of either meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT, Pfizer) or MenACWY polysaccharide vaccine (MenPS, GSK Vaccines) at the age of 11-17 y in the randomized controlled primary study NCT00464815. In this phase III, open, controlled, multi-center persistence follow-up study conducted in India and the Philippines (NCT00974363), antibody persistence was evaluated by a serum bactericidal antibody assay using rabbit complement (rSBA) yearly, up to year 5 after vaccination. Serious adverse events (SAEs) related to study participation were recorded. Five years after a single dose of MenACWY-TT, the percentage of participants (N = 236) with rSBA titers ≥1:8 was 97.5% for serogroup A, 88.6% for serogroup C, 86.0% for serogroup W and 96.6% for serogroup Y. The percentages in the MenPS group (N = 86) were 93.0%, 87.1%, 34.9% and 66.3%, respectively. Exploratory analysis indicated a higher percentage of subjects with rSBA titers ≥1:8 for serogroups W and Y, and higher rSBA geometric mean antibody titers for serogroups A, W and Y in the MenACWY-TT group than the MenPS group at each time point (years 3, 4 and 5). No differences between groups were observed for serogroup C. No SAEs related to study participation were reported. In conclusion, the results of this follow-up study indicate that antibodies persisted up to 5 y after a single dose of MenACWY-TT in adolescents.

Antibody persistence up to 5 years after vaccination of toddlers and children between 12 months and 10 years of age with a quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.

We studied the persistence of serum bactericidal antibody using rabbit and human complement (rSBA/hSBA, cut-offs 1:8) 5 y after a single dose of meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) compared with age-appropriate control vaccines in toddlers and children (NCT00427908). Children were previously randomized (3:1) to receive either MenACWY-TT or control vaccine (MenC-CRM197 in 1-<2 y olds; MenACWY-polysaccharide vaccine [Men-PS] in 2-<11 y olds). Subjects with rSBA-MenC titers <1:8 at any time point were revaccinated with MenC conjugate vaccine and discontinued from the study. A repeated measurement statistical model assessed potential selection effects due to drop-outs. At year 5 in MenACWY-TT-vaccinated-toddlers for serogroups A, C, W, and Y respectively, percentages with rSBA titers ≥1:8 were 73.5%, 77.6%, 34.7%, and 42.9%, hSBA ≥1:8 were 35.6%, 91.7%, 82.6% and 80.0%. For MenC-CRM197 recipients, 63.6% had persisting rSBA-MenC titers ≥1:8 and 90.9% had hSBA-MenC ≥1:8 (not significantly different versus MenACWY-TT for either assay: exploratory analyses). In 2-<11 y olds rSBA titers ≥1:8 in MenACWY-TT-vaccinees were 90.8%, 90.8%, 78.6%, and 78.6% and 15.4%, 100%, 0.0%, 7.7% in Men-PS-vaccinees (significantly different for serogroups A, W and Y, exploratory analyses). Serogroups A, W and Y rSBA GMTs were ≥ 26-fold higher in MenACWY-TT-vaccinees. As expected, GMTs modeled at year 5 to assess the impact of subject drop out (mainly for revaccination), appeared lower for serogroup C. No vaccine-related SAEs were reported. Antibody persistence was observed for all serogroups up to 5 y after MenACWY-TT vaccination.

Persistence of the immune response two years after vaccination with quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) in Asian adolescents.

Invasive meningococcal disease is a serious infection that is most often vaccine-preventable. Long-term protection relies on antibody persistence. Here we report the persistence of the immune response 2 y post-vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) compared with a MenACWY polysaccharide vaccine (Men-PS), in Asian adolescents aged 11-17 y. We also report a re-analysis of data from the primary vaccination study. This persistence study (NCT00974363) conducted in India and the Philippines included subjects who previously (study NCT00464815) received a single dose of MenACWY-TT or Men-PS. Persistence of functional antibodies was measured in 407 MenACWY-TT recipients and 132 Men-PS recipients (according-to-protocol cohort) using a rabbit complement serum bactericidal assay (rSBA, cut-off 1:8). Vaccine-related serious adverse events (SAEs) occurring since the end of the initial vaccination study were retrospectively recorded. Two y post-vaccination ≥99.3% of adolescents who received MenACWY-TT had persisting antibody titers ≥1:8 against each vaccine serogroup. Antibody persistence was higher (exploratory analysis) in the MenACWY-TT group than the Men-PS group in terms of rSBA titers ≥1:8 for serogroups W and Y; rSBA titers ≥1:128 for serogroups A, W and Y; and rSBA GMTs for serogroups A, W and Y; and was lower in the MenACWY-TT group for rSBA GMTs for serogroup C. No vaccine-related SAEs were reported. The results of this study indicated that antibodies persisted for at least 2 y in the majority of adolescents after vaccination with a single dose of MenACWY-TT.

Immunogenicity, Safety and Antibody Persistence of a Booster Dose of Quadrivalent Meningococcal ACWY-tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine Compared with Monovalent Meningococcal Serogroup C Vaccine Administered Four Years After Primary Vaccination Using the Same Vaccines.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) booster vaccination 4 years after priming of toddlers. METHODS: This phase III, open-label, controlled study in Finland (NCT00955682) enrolled children previously randomized (3:1) at 12-23 months (NCT00474266) to receive 1 dose of MenACWY-TT or MenC conjugate vaccine (MenC-CRM197). Serum bactericidal antibody titers using rabbit (rSBA, cut-off 1:8) and human complement (hSBA, cut-off 1:8) were assessed at year 3 and 4 after priming and 1 month and 1 year after administration of a booster dose of the same vaccine given for primary vaccination. Reactogenicity and safety were assessed, and vaccination-related serious adverse events were recorded from the time of primary vaccination. RESULTS: Before booster (year 4), 74.1%, 40.4%, 49.3% and 58.2% of MenACWY-TT-recipients retained rSBA titers ≥1:8 for serogroups A, C, W and Y, respectively; 28.8%, 73.2%, 80.6% and 65.4% retained hSBA ≥1:8. Percentages for the MenC-CRM group were 35.6% (rSBA-MenC) and 46.9% (hSBA-MenC). After MenACWY-TT booster, ≥99.5% had rSBA ≥1:8 and hSBA ≥1:8 for each serogroup. After MenC-CRM197 booster, all children had rSBA-MenC ≥1:8 and hSBA-MenC ≥1:8. At year 5, percentages above the cut-off were ≥97.4% (rSBA) and ≥95.5% (hSBA) in MenACWY-TT-vaccinees for each serogroup. The MenACWY-TT booster dose had a clinically acceptable safety profile. No vaccine-related serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: There was evidence of antibody persistence 4 years after toddlers were primed with MenACWY-TT. Booster vaccination induced robust immune responses for all serogroups with an acceptable safety profile.

Quadrivalent meningococcal (MenACWY-TT) conjugate vaccine or a fourth dose of H. influenzae-N. meningitidis C/Y conjugate vaccine (HibMenCY-TT) is immunogenic in toddlers who previously received three doses of HibMenCY-TT in infancy.

BACKGROUND: Immunogenicity and safety of a single dose of MenACWY-TT or a fourth dose of HibMenCY-TT were evaluated in the second year of life in HibMenCY-TT-primed toddlers. METHODS: Healthy infants were randomized (5:1) and primed at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with HibMenCY-TT and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-HBV-IPV) vaccine; or Hib-TT and DTaP-HBV-IPV (control). Recipients of HibMenCY-TT+DTaP-HBV-IPV were re-randomized (2:2:1) to receive MenACWY-TT at 12-15 months and DTaP at 15-18 months; MenACWY-TT co-administered with DTaP at 15-18 months; or HibMenCY-TT at 12-15 months and DTaP at 15-18 months. Controls received DTaP only at 15-18 months due to Hib conjugate vaccine shortage. Serum bactericidal activity using human complement (hSBA) and safety were assessed one month after meningococcal vaccination. RESULTS: After vaccination with MenACWY-TT at 12-15 months or MenACWY-TT+DTaP at 15-18 months, all subjects previously primed for serogroups C/Y had hSBA ≥1:8 for these serogroups. At least 96.1% also had hSBA ≥1:8 for serogroups A/W. All subjects in the HibMenCY-TT group had hSBA ≥1:8 for serogroups C/Y. All pre-defined statistical criteria for meningococcal immunogenicity were satisfied. All vaccination regimens had acceptable safety profiles. CONCLUSION: Children primed with three doses of HibMenCY-TT who then received a single dose of MenACWY-TT or a fourth dose of HibMenCY-TT had robust increases in hSBA titers for serogroups C/Y. These data provide support that MenACWY-TT, given with or without the fourth scheduled dose of DTaP could be administered as an alternative to a fourth dose of HibMenCY-TT in the second year of life. This study (110870/110871) is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT00614614.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of Infanrix™ when co-administered with meningococcal MenACWY-TT conjugate vaccine in toddlers primed with MenHibrix™ and Pediarix™.

BACKGROUND: Co-administration of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) with the fourth dose of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) at age 15-18 months was investigated in 3-dose Haemophilus influenzae type b-meningococcal serogroups C/Y conjugate vaccine (HibMenCY-TT)-primed toddlers. METHODS: Infants were randomized (5:1) and primed at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with HibMenCY-TT and DTaP-hepatitis B-inactivated poliovirus (DTaP-HBV-IPV) vaccine, or Hib-TT and DTaP-HBV-IPV (Control). HibMenCY-TT+ DTaP-HBV-IPV vaccinees were re-randomized (2:2:1) to receive MenACWY-TT at 12-15 months and DTaP at 15-18 months (MenACWY-TT group); MenACWY-TT co-administered with DTaP at 15-18 months (Coad group); or HibMenCY-TT at 12-15 months and DTaP at 15-18 months (HibMenCY-TT group). Controls received DTaP at 15-18 months. Only children in the HibMenCY-TT group received a fourth dose of Hib conjugate vaccine due to Hib conjugate vaccine shortage at the time of the study. DTaP immunogenicity and reactogenicity were assessed one month post-vaccination. RESULTS: Pre-defined statistical non-inferiority criteria between Coad and Control groups were met for diphtheria, tetanus and filamentous haemagglutinin but not pertussis toxoid and pertactin. Following vaccination ≥99% of children had anti-diphtheria/anti-tetanus concentrations ≥1.0 IU/ml. Pertussis GMCs were lower in all investigational groups versus Control. In post hoc analyses, pertussis antibody concentrations were above those in infants following 3-dose DTaP primary vaccination in whom efficacy against pertussis was demonstrated (Schmitt, von König, et al., 1996; Schmitt, Schuind, et al., 1996). The reactogenicity profile of the Coad group was similar to DTaP administered alone. CONCLUSION: Routine booster DTaP was immunogenic with an acceptable safety profile when co-administered with MenACWY-TT vaccine in HibMenCY-TT-primed toddlers. These data support the administration of a fourth DTaP dose following a 4-dose HibMenCY-TT vaccination series, or co-administered with MenACWY-TT in HibMenCY-TT-primed children.

Comparison of the Safety and Immunogenicity of a Novel Quadrivalent Meningococcal ACWY-Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine and a Marketed Quadrivalent Meningococcal ACWY-Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine in Healthy Individuals 10-25 Years of Age.

BACKGROUND: Universal immunization of adolescents against meningococcal disease with a quadrivalent meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY) conjugate vaccine is recommended in a number of countries. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled, observer-blinded, multicenter trial, 1016 participants, 10-25 years of age, were randomly allocated 1:1:1 to receive a single dose of 1 of 2 lots of an investigational tetanus toxoid-conjugated MenACWY vaccine (MenACWY-TT) or a marketed diphtheria toxoid-conjugated MenACWY vaccine (MenACWY-DT). The primary outcome was the noninferiority of the vaccine response after MenACWY-TT (lot A) compared with MenACWY-DT for all 4 serogroups. Vaccine response was defined as a postvaccination human serum bactericidal antibody (hSBA) titer against each of the serogroups of at least 1:8 in persons initially seronegative (<1:4) or as a 4-fold increase in titer pre- to postvaccination in persons initially seropositive (≥1:4). Adverse events (AEs) after immunization were measured 4 and 31 days postvaccination. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 16.3 years; 977 (96.6%) completed the study. The noninferiority of MenACWY-TT (lot A) to the control vaccine in terms of the percentage of participants with hSBA vaccine response was demonstrated for each serogroup. Vaccine response rates ranged from 51.0% to 82.5% for the 4 serogroups after MenACWY-TT (both lots) compared with 39.0%-76.3% for the 4 serogroups after MenACWY-DT. Pain was the most common injection-site reaction reported by 50.8%-55.4% across the 3 groups. Fatigue and headache were the most common systemic solicited AEs, reported by 27.3%-29.2% and 25.5%-26.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tetanus toxoid-conjugated MenACWY vaccine was well tolerated and elicited an immune response that was noninferior to that of a marketed MenACWY-DT (www.clinicaltrials.gov NCT01165242).

Persistence clinical studies: can you believe what you see?

Long-term immunity, evaluated by the persistence of antibody titers, is important to assess duration of protection induced by vaccination. This paper aims at drawing awareness on the risk of misinterpreting persistence results in absence of adjustment for missing or left-censored data. Using simulations, the paper shows that repeated measurement models are an appropriate alternative to control the bias associated to unadjusted persistence results.

Persistence of antibodies for 42 months following vaccination of adolescents with a meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT).

OBJECTIVES: A primary dose of the European Union (EU)-licensed meningococcal A, C, W-135, and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) was immunogenic and well-tolerated in subjects aged 15-19 years. This study assessed antibody persistence at 3.5 years after vaccination with a MenACWY-TT or a tetravalent ACWY polysaccharide vaccine (MenPS, control). METHODS: In the original study, participants were randomized to receive a single dose of MenACWY-TT or MenPS. Serum bactericidal activity using rabbit serum as exogenous complement source was evaluated up to 42 months post-vaccination. RESULTS: At 42 months post-vaccination with MenACWY-TT (n = 19) or MenPS (n = 17), all subjects in each group had serum bactericidal activity titers ≥1:8 against all serogroups, except for two subjects in the MenPS group against serogroup C. Geometric mean antibody titers were higher than pre-vaccination levels at all post-vaccination time-points in both groups, and were significantly higher in the MenACWY-TT group versus the MenPS group for serogroup W-135 at month 42 (exploratory analysis). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that seroprotection following primary vaccination with MenACWY-TT extends more than 3 years. Ongoing persistence data are required to understand the duration of protection following vaccination and to guide decisions on the need for future booster doses.

Meningococcal polysaccharide A O-acetylation levels do not impact the immunogenicity of the quadrivalent meningococcal tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine: results from a randomized, controlled phase III study of healthy adults aged 18 to 25 years.

In this study, we compared the immunogenicities of two lots of meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) that differed in serogroup A polysaccharide (PS) O-acetylation levels and evaluated their immunogenicities and safety in comparison to a licensed ACWY polysaccharide vaccine (Men-PS). In this phase III, partially blinded, controlled study, 1,170 healthy subjects aged 18 to 25 years were randomized (1:1:1) to receive one dose of MenACWY-TT lot A (ACWY-A) (68% O-acetylation), MenACWY-TT lot B (ACWY-B) (92% O-acetylation), or Men-PS (82% O-acetylation). Immunogenicity was evaluated in terms of serum bactericidal activity using rabbit complement (i.e., rabbit serum bactericidal activity [rSBA]). Solicited symptoms, unsolicited adverse events (AEs), and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded. The immunogenicities, in terms of rSBA geometric mean titers, were comparable for both lots of MenACWY-TT. The vaccine response rates across the serogroups were 79.1 to 97.0% in the two ACWY groups and 73.7 to 94.1% in the Men-PS group. All subjects achieved rSBA titers of ≥1:8 for all serogroups. All subjects in the two ACWY groups and 99.5 to 100% in the Men-PS group achieved rSBA titers of ≥1:128. Pain was the most common solicited local symptom and was reported more frequently in the ACWY group (53.9 to 54.7%) than in the Men-PS group (36.8%). The most common solicited general symptoms were fatigue and headache, which were reported by 28.6 to 30.3% and 26.9 to 31.0% of subjects, respectively. Two subjects reported SAEs; one SAE was considered to be related to vaccination (blighted ovum; ACWY-B group). The level of serogroup A PS O-acetylation did not affect vaccine immunogenicity. MenACWY-TT (lot A) was not inferior to Men-PS in terms of vaccine response and was well tolerated.

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) administered to adults aged 56 Years and older: results of an open-label, randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The burden of invasive meningococcal disease is substantial in older adults in whom the case fatality rate is high. Travelers to regions with high rates of meningococcal disease, such as Hajj pilgrims, are at increased risk of meningococcal infection, and disease transmission from travelers to their close contacts has been documented. In younger individuals, meningococcal conjugate vaccines offer advantages over polysaccharide vaccines in terms of duration of protection and boostability, and induction of herd immune effects through reductions in nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci. To date, few data are available evaluating meningococcal conjugate vaccine use in adults >55 years of age. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y vaccine with all serogroups conjugated to tetanus toxoid (MenACWY-TT, Nimenrix™, GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium) and a licensed quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine (MenPS, Mencevax™ GlaxoSmithKline, Belgium) in adults >55 years of age. METHODS: This was a phase IIIb, open-label, randomized (3:1), controlled study conducted at one study center in Lebanon. A total of 400 healthy adults between 56 and 103 years of age without previous MenPS or tetanus toxoid vaccination within the previous 5 years or meningococcal conjugate vaccination at any time previously were included. They received a single-dose vaccination with MenACWY-TT or MenPS with blood sampling before and 1 month after vaccination. The main outcome measures were serum bactericidal activity (rabbit complement source: rSBA) vaccine response (VR) rate [rSBA titer of ≥1:32 in initially seronegative subjects (rSBA titer <1:8); ≥4-fold increase in subjects with pre-vaccination rSBA titers between 1:8 and 1:128, and ≥2-fold increase in subjects with pre-vaccination rSBA titers ≥1:128]. The percentages of subjects with rSBA titers ≥1:8 and ≥1:128 and rSBA geometric mean titers (GMTs) were assessed. Solicited adverse events were recorded for 4 days following vaccination, and all other adverse events, including the incidence of new onset chronic diseases, were recorded for 31 days after vaccination. RESULTS: One month after a single dose of MenACWY-TT, the rSBA VR rate in the MenACWY-TT group was 76.6 % for serogroup A, 80.3 % for serogroup C, 77.5 % for serogroup W-135 and 81.9 % for serogroup Y. VR rates in the MenPS group were 91.7, 84.8, 87.1 and 89.1 %, respectively. One month after vaccination, ≥93.2 % of subjects in the MenACWY-TT group and ≥93.9 % in the MenPS group had rSBA titers ≥1:128. In each group, GMTs increased by ≥13-fold for each serogroup. rSBA VR and GMTs tended to be lower in subjects who were over 65 years compared to 56-65 years of age. Only 6.3 % of MenACWY-TT recipients had anti-TT ≥0.1 IU/ml prior to vaccination, increasing to 28.1 % post-vaccination. The rSBA GMTs were 1.9- to 4-fold higher in anti-TT responders. Each local and general solicited symptom was reported by no more than 3.0 % of subjects in either group. No serious adverse events were considered vaccine related. CONCLUSION: In adults 56 years of age and older, MenACWY-TT was immunogenic, with a vaccine response rate ≥76 % and with ≥93 % of subjects achieving rSBA titers ≥1:128 against all four serogroups after a single dose. MenACWY-TT induced low anti-TT concentrations in this population, which deserves further study.