PreHevbrio: the first approved 3-antigen hepatitis B vaccine.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B remains a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide. Universal childhood immunization programs have been very successful, but many adults remain unprotected or are not optimally protected. PreHevbrio [Hepatitis B Vaccine (recombinant)] is a highly immunogenic 3-antigen (S/pre-S1/pre-S2) hepatitis B vaccine (3A-HBV) that recently received marketing authorization in the United States (2021), the European Union, United Kingdom (2022 - brand name PreHevbri), and Canada (2022- brand name PreHevbrio) for the prevention of infection caused by all known subtypes of the hepatitis B virus and the delta virus in adults 18 years and older. AREAS COVERED: This review details the development of 3A-HBV and summarizes the results of the phase 3 clinical trials that support its immunogenicity and safety in adults. EXPERT OPINION: 3A-HBV is highly immunogenic in adults of all ages, including older adults and subgroups that respond sub-optimally to conventional single S-antigen hepatitis B vaccines (1A-HBV), such as those with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and smokers. 3A-HBV provides higher seroprotection rates after each vaccination compared to conventional 1A-HBV vaccines, allowing for more rapid protection. The higher overall immunogenicity is also reflected in more durable seroprotection years after vaccination, as supported by a follow-up study to one of the phase 3 studies.

Cost-effectiveness of a 3-antigen versus single-antigen vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis B in adults in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: The first 3-antigen hepatitis B vaccine was approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration in November 2021 and was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2022. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of this 3-antigen vaccine (PreHevbrio™) relative to the single-antigen vaccine, Engerix-BTM, to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among US adults. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness model was developed using a combined decision-tree and Markov structure to follow 100,000 adults over their remaining lifetimes after vaccination with either the 3-antigen or single-antigen vaccine. Outcomes from societal and healthcare sector perspectives were calculated for adults aged 18-44, 45-64, and ≥65 years; adults with diabetes; and adults with obesity. Seroprotection rates were obtained from the phase3, head-to-head PROTECT trial (NCT03393754). Incidence, vaccine costs, vaccine adherence rates, direct and indirect costs, utilities, transition probabilities, and mortality were obtained from published sources. Health outcomes and costs (2020USD) were discounted 3% annually and reported by vaccine and population. One-way sensitivity and scenario analyses were conducted. RESULTS: In the model, the 3-antigen vaccine led to fewer HBV infections, complications, and deaths compared with the single-antigen vaccine in all modeled populations due to higher rates and faster onset of seroprotection. Compared with the single-antigen vaccine, the 3-antigen vaccine had better health outcomes, more quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and lower costs in adults aged 18-64 years, adults with diabetes, and adults with obesity (dominant strategy). For adults aged ≥65 years, the 3-antigen vaccine was cost-effective compared with the single-antigen vaccine ($26,237/QALY gained) below common willingness-to-pay thresholds ($50,000-$100,000/QALY gained). In sensitivity analyses, results were sensitive to vaccine cost per dose, incidence, and age at vaccination. CONCLUSION: The recently approved 3-antigen vaccine is a cost-saving or cost-effective intervention for preventing HBV infection and addressing the long-standing burden of hepatitis B among US adults.

Exploiting the DNA Damaging Activity of Liposomal Low Dose Cytarabine for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Perhaps the greatest limitation for the continually advancing developments in cancer immunotherapy remains the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) axis is an emerging immunotherapy target, with the resulting type I interferons and transcription factors acting at several levels in both tumor and immune cells for the generation of adaptive T cell responses. The cGAS-STING axis activation by therapeutic agents that induce DNA damage, such as certain chemotherapies, continues to be reported, highlighting the importance of the interplay of this signaling pathway and the DNA damage response in cancer immunity/immunotherapy. We have developed a multi-targeted mannosylated cationic liposomal immunomodulatory system (DS) which contains low doses of the chemotherapeutic cytarabine (Ara-C). In this work, we show that entrapment of non-cytotoxic doses of Ara-C within the DS improves its ability to induce DNA double strand breaks in human ovarian and colorectal cancer cell lines, as well as in various immune cells. Importantly, for the first time we demonstrate that the DNA damage induced by Ara-C/DS translates into cGAS-STING axis activation. We further demonstrate that Ara-C/DS-mediated DNA damage leads to upregulation of surface expression of immune ligands on cancer cells, coinciding with priming of cytotoxic lymphocytes as assessed using an ex vivo model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients, as well as an in vitro NK cell model. Overall, the results highlight a broad immunotherapeutic potential for Ara-C/DS by enhancing tumor-directed inflammatory responses.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a 3-Antigen Hepatitis B Vaccine vs a Single-Antigen Hepatitis B Vaccine: A Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: There is a need for improved immunogenicity of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines among young adults with risk of infection. Objectives: To demonstrate manufacturing equivalence of a 3-antigen (3A) HBV vaccine, evaluate noninferiority of seroprotection rate (SPR) of 3A-HBV vs single-antigen (1A) HBV after 2 and 3 vaccine doses, and compare safety and reactogenicity between 3A-HBV and 1A-HBV vaccines. Design, Setting, and Participants: This phase 3, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial included healthy adults aged 18 to 45 years randomized to 1 of three 3A-HBV groups or 1 control group receiving 1A-HBV. The trial was conducted at 37 community clinics and academic hospitals in Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States between December 2017 and October 2019. Participants were followed up for 48 weeks after the first vaccination. Interventions: Intramuscular administration of 3A-HBV (10 µg) or 1A-HBV (20 µg) on days 0, 28, and 168. Main Outcomes and Measures: Geometric mean concentration (GMC) of serum hepatitis B surface antibodies (anti-HBs) and proportion of participants achieving seroprotection. Results: Of 2838 participants, 1638 (57.8%) were women, 2595 (91.5%) were White, and 161 (5.7%) were Black or African American. A total of 712 participants (25.1%) were randomized to the 1A-HBV group and 2126 (74.9%) to 3A-HBV. The mean (SD) age at informed consent was 33.5 (8.0) years. The study demonstrated 3A-HBV lot-to-lot consistency, as the 2-sided 95% CIs for each pairwise comparison for the anti-HBs GMC ratios were within 0.67 and 1.50 (eg, adjusted GMC ratio, lot A vs lot B: 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-1.00; lot A vs lot C: 0.95; 95% CI, 0.78-1.15; lot B vs lot C: 1.16; 95% CI, 0.95-1.41). The SPR of the pooled 3A-HBV was noninferior to 1A-HBV and higher than 1A-HBV after 2 vaccinations at day 168 (90.4% [95% CI, 89.0%-91.8%] vs 51.6% [95% CI, 47.5%-55.6%]) and 3 vaccinations at day 196 (99.3% [95% CI, 98.7%-99.6%] vs 94.8% [95% CI, 92.7%-96.4%]). The mean GMC of anti-HBs with 3A-HBV was 7.9 times higher after 2 vaccinations at day 168 and 3.5 times higher after 3 vaccinations at day 196 compared with 1A-HBV (after 2 vaccinations, 3A-HBV: GMC, 118.7 mIU/mL; 95% CI, 108.0-129.0 mIU/mL; SE, 1.0 mIU/mL; 1A-HBV: GMC, 15.0 mIU/mL; 95% CI, 12.9-17.5 mIU/mL; SE, 1.0 mIU/mL; after 3 vaccinations, 3A-HBV: GMC, 5442.4 mIU/mL; 95% CI, 4967.0-5963.0 mIU/mL; SE, 1.0 mIU/mL; 1A-HBV: 1567.2 mIU/mL; 95% CI, 1338.0-1834.0 mIU/mL; SE, 1.0 mIU/mL). Rates of local and systemic reactogenicities were higher with 3A-HBV compared with 1A-HBV (local: 1805 of 2124 [85.0%] vs 469 of 712 [65.9%]; systemic: 1445 [68.0%] vs 428 [60.1%]). Vaccine discontinuation due to adverse events (AE) was uncommon, and serious AEs were infrequent, reported in 42 participants (2.0%) and 3 participants (0.4%) in the 3A-HBV and 1A-HBV groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, consistently higher antibody concentrations and SPRs were found with 3A-HBV after 2 and 3 doses vs 1A-HBV in adults aged 18 to 45 years old. The safety and efficacy of 3A-HBV shows its usefulness for the prevention of hepatitis B in young healthy adults. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03408730; EU Clinical Trials Number: 2017-001820-22.

An enveloped virus-like particle vaccine expressing a stabilized prefusion form of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits highly potent immunity.

We evaluated enveloped virus-like particles (eVLPs) expressing various forms of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and several adjuvants in an effort to identify a highly potent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate. eVLPs expressing a modified prefusion form of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were selected as they induced high antibody binding titers and neutralizing activity after a single injection in mice. Formulation of SARS-CoV-2 S eVLPs with aluminum phosphate resulted in balanced induction of IgG2 and IgG1 isotypes and antibody binding and neutralization titers were undiminished for more than 3 months after a single immunization. A single dose of this candidate, named VBI-2902a, protected Syrian golden hamsters from challenge with SARS-CoV-2 and supports the on-going clinical evaluation of VBI-2902a as a highly potent vaccine against COVID-19.

Assessment of immunogenicity and safety across two manufacturing lots of a 3-antigen hepatitis B vaccine, Sci-B-Vac®, compared with Engerix-B® in healthy Asian adults: A phase 3 randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Sci-B-Vac®, a 3-antigen hepatitis B vaccine (3A-HBV), contains all three recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins (S, pre-S1, and pre-S2). In 2005, 3A-HBV manufacturing transferred facilities (A to B), where it continues to be manufactured. METHODS: This phase 3, single-blind, randomized study, conducted at one site in Vietnam, compared efficacy and safety among two 3A-HBV lots, lot A and lot B, and a single-antigen hepatitis B vaccine (1A-HBV), Engerix-B®. Primary objective was to demonstrate equivalence at day 210 of two 3A-HBV lots in seroprotection rate (SPR; defined as percentage of participants achieving hepatitis B surface antigen antibody [anti-HBs] titers ≥ 10 mIU/mL). Secondary objectives were assessing immunogenicity at days 180, 210, and 360, and safety of 3A-HBV. RESULTS: 3A-HBV SPR equivalence was demonstrated at day 210 (lot A: 97.3% [95% CI: 92.4%, 99.4%] vs. lot B: 100.0% [97.0%, 100.0%]). Compared to 1A-HBV, lot B SPR was higher at day 180 (98.3% vs. 81.2%; difference: 17.1% [9.7%, 24.6%]) and non-inferior at day 210 (100% vs. 98.3%; difference: 1.7% [-0.6%, 4.1%]). 3A-HBV lot B showed the same SPR after 2 doses (98.3%) as 1A-HBV after 3 doses (98.3%). Adverse events (AEs) were comparable with both 3A-HBV lots (lot A: 68.7% vs. lot B: 54.2%), but higher than 1A-HBV (35.3%). Vaccination-related AEs included transient injection site pain (38.9%), myalgia (9.3%), and fatigue (7.5%). Eight serious AEs were reported (lot A: 3/134 [2.2%]; lot B: 1/134 [0.8%]; 1A-HBV: 4/133 [2.3%]). One serious AE, syncope, was noted as probably related to study vaccine, lot B. CONCLUSIONS: The two 3A-HBV lots had equivalent immunogenicity, but lot B elicited faster onset of seroprotection and higher anti-HBs titers than both lot A and 1A-HBV in an Asian population. This supports 3A-HBV lot B as an effective choice for HBV vaccination, with a favorable safety profile. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04531098.

Immunogenicity and safety of a tri-antigenic versus a mono-antigenic hepatitis B vaccine in adults (PROTECT): a randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: The seroprotection rate (SPR) of hepatitis B vaccination in adults is suboptimal. The aim of this study was to compare the SPR of a tri-antigenic hepatitis B vaccine (TAV), with a mono-antigenic vaccine (MAV) in adults of all ages. METHODS: This was a multicentre, double-blind, phase 3, randomised controlled trial (PROTECT) comparing the immunogenicity and safety of TAV with MAV in 28 community and hospital sites in the USA, Finland, Canada, and Belgium. Adults (aged ≥18 years) seronegative for hepatitis B virus (HBV), including those with well-controlled common chronic conditions, were randomly assigned (1:1) and stratified by study centre and age according to a web-based permuted blocked randomisation. Participants received either TAV or MAV which were administered as an intramuscular dose (1 mL) of TAV (10 µg; Sci-B-Vac, VBI Vaccines [SciVac, Rehovot, Israel]) or MAV (20 µg; Engerix-B [GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium]) on days 0, 28, and 168 with six study visits and 24 weeks of follow-up after the third vaccination. Participants, investigators, and those assessing outcomes were masked to group assignment. The co-primary outcomes were to show non-inferiority of the SPRs 4 weeks after the third vaccination with TAV versus MAV in adults aged 18 years and older, as well as superiority in adults aged 45 years and older. SPR was defined as the percentage of participants attaining anti-HBs titres of 10 mIU/mL or higher. Non-inferiority of TAV to MAV was concluded if the lower limit of the 95% CI for the between-group difference was greater than -5%. Non-inferiority was assessed in the per-protocol set of participants (aged ≥18 years) and superiority was assessed in all participants (aged ≥45 years) who received at least one vaccination and had at least one evaluable immunogenicity sample after baseline (full analysis set). Safety analyses were a secondary outcome and included all participants who received at least one injection. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03393754) and EudraCT (2017-001819-36) and is closed to new participants. FINDINGS: Between Dec 13, 2017, and April 8, 2019, 1607 participants (796 allocated to TAV and 811 allocated to MAV) were randomly assigned and distributed across age cohorts of 18-44 years (299 of 1607; 18·6%), 45-64 years (716 of 1607; 44·6%), and 65 years and older (592 of 1607; 36·8%). In participants aged 18 years and older, SPR was 91·4% (656 of 718) in the TAV group versus 76·5% (553 of 723) in the MAV group (difference 14·9%, 95% CI 11·2-18·6), showing non-inferiority in the per-protocol set. In participants aged 45 years and older, SPR was 89·4% (559 of 625) in the TAV group versus 73·1% (458 of 627) in the MAV group (difference 16·4%, 95% CI 12·2-20·7), showing superiority in the full analysis set. TAV was associated with higher rates of mild or moderate injection site pain (63·2% [503 of 796] in TAV vs 36·3% [294 of 811] in MAV), tenderness (60·8% [484 of 796] in TAV vs 34·8% [282 of 811] in MAV), and myalgia (34·7% [276 of 796] vs 24·3% [197 of 811] in MAV). Otherwise, the safety profile of TAV was similar to that of MAV. INTERPRETATION: The safety and efficacy of TAV shows its usefulness for the prevention of HBV infection in adults, including those with stable and controlled chronic conditions. FUNDING: VBI Vaccines.

Assessing Neutralized Nicotine Distribution Using Mice Vaccinated with the Mucosal Conjugate Nicotine Vaccine.

Tobacco smoking continues to be a global epidemic and the leading preventable cause of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Nicotine vaccines have been investigated as an alternative to currently available smoking cessation strategies as a means to increase rates of success and long-term abstinence. Recently, we demonstrated that a mucosal nicotine vaccine was able to induce robust mucosal and systemic antibodies when delivered heterologously using intranasal and intramuscular routes. Herein, we investigated the neutralization ability of the anti-nicotine antibodies using both intranasal and intracardiac nicotine challenges. Combining the extraction of lyophilized organ samples with RP-HPLC methods, we were able to recover between 47% and 56% of the nicotine administered from the blood, brain, heart, and lungs up to 10 min after challenge, suggesting that the interaction of the antibodies with nicotine forms a stable complex independently of the route of vaccination or challenge. Although both challenge routes can be used for assessing systemic antibodies, only the intranasal administration of nicotine, which is more physiologically similar to the inhalation of nicotine, permitted the crucial interaction of nicotine with the mucosal antibodies generated using the heterologous vaccination route. Notably, these results were obtained 6 months after the final vaccination, demonstrating stable mucosal and systemic antibody responses.

Rapid and high seroprotection rates achieved with a tri-antigenic Hepatitis B vaccine in healthy young adults: Results from a Phase IV study.

BACKGROUND: Sci-B-Vac® is a tri-antigenic recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine (TAV) containing the small (s), medium (pre-S2) and large (pre-S1) hepatitis B surface (HBs) antigens. To comply with vaccine licensure, a new reference standard batch was qualified by characterizing the seroprotection rate (SPR) for anti-HBs titers ≥10 mIU/mL, following vaccination. METHODS: Ninety-one healthy adults aged 20-40 years were enrolled in an open label, single-arm phase IV study receiving three IM doses of 10 µg TAV at 0, 1 and 6 months. Immunogenicity was evaluated monthly and at 7, 9 and 12 months. The primary endpoint to qualify the reference standard was an SPR ≥95% by month 7. Secondary endpoints were proportion of high responders (anti-HBs titers ≥100 mIU/mL) and geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of HBs antibodies each month. Participants were followed for safety to month 12. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was met 2 months after the second dose at month 3 [SPR 98.8%; 95% CI: 93.7%, 99.7%]. Proportion of high responders at months 3 and 7 were 81.4% and 97.6%, respectively. GMC at months 3 and 7 were 413.6 mIU/mL and 6799.9 mIU/mL, respectively. TAV was safe and well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: The new reference standard batch of TAV was qualified successfully, demonstrating efficacy, a favorable safety profile and a rapid onset of seroprotection, including after two vaccine doses. Clinical trial registry: NCT04179786.

Efficacy and Safety of a 3-Antigen (Pre-S1/Pre-S2/S) Hepatitis B Vaccine: Results of a Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial in the Russian Federation.

BACKGROUND: This study compares the immunogenicity and safety of a 3-antigen (S/pre-S1/pre-S2) hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine (3AV), to a single antigen vaccine (1AV) in adults to support the registration of 3AV in Russia. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, comparative study of 3-dose regimens of 3AV (10 µg) and 1AV (20 µg) in adults aged 18-45 years. We evaluated immunogenicity based on hepatitis B surface (HBs) antibody titers at days 1, 28, 90, 180, and 210, adverse and serious adverse events (SAEs) to study day 210. The primary outcome was based on the difference in rates of seroconversion at day 210 (lower bound 95% confidence interval [CI]: > - 4%). Secondary outcomes were seroprotection rates (SPR), defined as anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL and anti-HBs geometric mean concentration (GMC). RESULTS: Rate of seroconversion in 3AV (100%) was noninferior to 1AV (97.9%) at study day 210 (difference: 2.1%, 95% CI: -2.0, 6.3%]) but significantly higher at study day 28. SPR at study day 210 was >97% in both arms. Anti-HBs titers were significantly higher at study days 90 (P = .001) and 180 (P = .0001) with 3AV. Sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) had no impact on anti-HBs titers. The rates of local reactions related to vaccination were similar between vaccine arms (3AV vs 1AV) after the first (30% vs 18.8%, P = .15), second (20.0% vs 14.6%, P = .33), and third vaccination (14.9% vs 23.4%, P = .22). No SAEs were reported. CONCLUSIONS: 3AV was noninferior to 1AV. 3AV induced high SPR, and there were no safety concerns. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04209400.

Enhancing the Immune Response of a Nicotine Vaccine with Synthetic Small "Non-Natural" Peptides.

The addictive nature of nicotine is likely the most significant reason for the continued prevalence of tobacco smoking despite the widespread reports of its negative health effects. Nicotine vaccines are an alternative to the currently available smoking cessation treatments, which have limited efficacy. However, the nicotine hapten is non-immunogenic, and successful vaccine formulations to treat nicotine addiction require both effective adjuvants and delivery systems. The immunomodulatory properties of short, non-natural peptide sequences not found in human systems and their ability to improve vaccine efficacy continue to be reported. The aim of this study was to determine if small "non-natural peptides," as part of a conjugate nicotine vaccine, could improve immune responses. Four peptides were synthesized via solid phase methodology, purified, and characterized. Ex vivo plasma stability studies using RP-HPLC confirmed that the peptides were not subject to proteolytic degradation. The peptides were formulated into conjugate nicotine vaccine candidates along with a bacterial derived adjuvant vaccine delivery system and chitosan as a stabilizing compound. Formulations were tested in vitro in a dendritic cell line to determine the combination that would elicit the greatest 1L-1ß response using ELISAs. Three of the peptides were able to enhance the cytokine response above that induced by the adjuvant delivery system alone. In vivo vaccination studies in BALB/c mice demonstrated that the best immune response, as measured by nicotine-specific antibody levels, was elicited from the conjugate vaccine structure, which included the peptide, as well as the other components. Isotype analyses highlighted that the peptide was able to shift immune response toward being more humorally dominant. Overall, the results have implications for the use of non-natural peptides as adjuvants not only for the development of a nicotine vaccine but also for use with other addictive substances and conventional vaccination targets as well.

Complete Genome Sequence of Enterococcus thailandicus Strain a523 Isolated from Urban Raw Sewage.

We report here the first complete circularly closed genome sequence of Enterococcus thailandicus strain a523 isolated from raw urban sewage. This genome contains 2,646,250 bp with a G+C content of 36.8%, 2,499 genes, 2,370 protein-coding sequences, 6 rRNA operons, 65 tRNAs, and 6 clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat arrays.

Evaluating the immunogenicity of an intranasal vaccine against nicotine in mice using the Adjuvant Finlay Proteoliposome (AFPL1).

Tobacco smoking is recognized as a global pandemic resulting in 6 million deaths per year. Despite a variety of anti-smoking products available to aid with tobacco cessation, the majority of people who attempt to quit smoking relapse within 6 months due to the addictive nature of nicotine. An immunotherapy approach could offer a promising treatment option by inducing a potent selective antibody response against nicotine in order to block its distribution to the brain and its addictive effects in the central nervous system. Our nicotine vaccine candidate was administered intranasally using the Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B Adjuvant Finlay Proteoliposome 1 (AFPL1) as a part of the delivery system. This system was designed to generate a robust immune response by stimulating IL-1ß production through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a potent mechanism for mucosal immunity. The vaccine induced high antibody titers in mice sera in addition to inducing mucosal antibodies. The efficacy of our vaccine was demonstrated using in vivo challenge experiments with radioactive [(3)H]-nicotine, followed by an analysis of nicotine distribution in the lung, liver, blood and brain. Our results were encouraging as the nicotine concentration in the brain tissue of mice vaccinated with our candidate vaccine was four times lower than in non-vaccinated controls; suggesting that the anti-nicotine antibodies were able to block nicotine from crossing the blood brain barrier. In summary, we have developed a novel nicotine vaccine for the treatment of tobacco addiction by intranasal administration and also demonstrated that the AFPL1 can be used as a potential adjuvant for this vaccine design.

False Negative Results in Clostridium difficile Testing.

BACKGROUND: Accurate diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is paramount for patient management. The wrong diagnosis places patients at risk, delays treatment, and/ or contributes to transmission of infection in the healthcare setting. Although amplification of the toxin B gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive method for detecting toxigenic C. difficile, false negative results still occur and could impact the diagnosis and treatment of this infection. METHODS: This study investigated 48 patients that tested negative for toxigenic C. difficile via GeneXpert C. difficile epi test, while simultaneously testing positive for toxigenic C. difficile via stool culture. Fifty discrepant samples were collected over a 15-month period and all C. difficile isolates were characterized by ribotype. Patient charts were reviewed to assess whether discrepant results impacted the treatment course or clinical outcome of affected patients. RESULTS: Fifty samples of a total of 2308 samples tested in an acute healthcare facility over a 15-month period had negative PCR and positive stool culture for toxigenic C. difficile. C. difficile isolated from the discrepant samples resulted in diverse ribotyping patterns suggesting they were derived from different strains. The samples belonged to patients who were distributed evenly between age groups and wards in the hospital. In the majority of cases, the false negative C. difficile test results did not seem to impact the clinical outcome in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PCR limit of detection may impact the results of molecular methods for C. difficile detection. Both clinical and analytical sensitivity of C. difficile tests should be considered when deciding which diagnostic assay to use, and clinical correlates should be examined carefully before excluding CDI as a cause of disease.

Internal ribosome entry site (IRES) from Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) as a tool for shuttle expression plasmids.

In eukaryotes, IRES sequences aid the recruitment of factors needed for translation to occur, enabling protein production independent of 5' capped mRNA. Many patents and commercially available plasmids exploit their properties for polycistronic expression of recombinant proteins. However, these applications have been restricted to eukaryotic organisms, since it was thought that elements of this origin were essential for their activity. Here, using two tricistronic vectors designed for expression in mammalian hosts, we present evidence of EMCV IRES activity in prokaryotes. This finding enables the development of new and more versatile plasmid vectors for the production of recombinant proteins in multiple hosts from a single construct. Additionally, it provides new hints for the elaboration of alternative models describing the molecular mechanism of EMCV IRES mediated translation, in the absence of eukaryotic elements that were considered indispensable for its function.

Next Steps in Primary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease: Rationale for and Design of the ECAD Trial.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, including coronary heart disease and stroke, are the most frequent cause of death and major disability in the world. Current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association primary prevention guidelines are mainly on the basis of randomized controlled trials of statin-based low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)-lowering therapy for primary prevention of ASCVD events. Despite the clear demonstration of statin-based LDL-C lowering, substantial 10-year and lifetime risks of incident ASCVD continue. Although the 10-year risk is low in young and middle-aged adults who would not be treated according to current guidelines, they ultimately account for most incident ASCVD. If statin-based LDL-C lowering were initiated in them at an age before complex coronary plaques are common in the population, a substantial reduction in lifetime risk of incident coronary heart disease might be achieved. We examine this hypothesis and introduce the design of a currently recruiting trial to address it. (Eliminate Coronary Artery Disease [ECAD]; NCT02245087).

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Canadian isolates of Helicobacter pylori in Northeastern Ontario.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori plays a significant role in gastritis and ulcers. It is a carcinogen as defined by the WHO, and infection can result in adenocarcinomas and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. In Canada, rates of antimicrobial resistance are relatively unknown, with very few studies conducted in the past 15 years. OBJECTIVE: To examine rates of resistance in Sudbury, Ontario, compare antimicrobial susceptibility methods and attempt to determine the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance. METHODS: Patients attending scheduled visits at Health Sciences North (Sudbury, Ontario) provided gastric biopsy samples on a volunteer basis. In total, 20 H pylori isolates were collected, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (on amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and clarithromycin) was conducted using disk diffusion and E-test methods. Subsequently, genomic DNA from these isolates was sequenced to detect mutations associated with antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of the isolates were found to be resistant to at least one of the listed antibiotics according to E-test. Three isolates were found to be resistant to ≥3 of the above-mentioned antibiotics. Notably, 25% of the isolates were found to be resistant to both metronidazole and clarithromycin, two antibiotics that are normally prescribed as part of first-line regimens in the treatment of H pylori infections in Canada and most of the world. Among the resistant strains, the sequences of 23S ribosomal RNA and gyrA, which are linked to clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin resistance, respectively, revealed the presence of known point mutations associated with antimicrobial resistance. CONCLUSIONS: In general, resistance to metronidazole, ciprofloxacin/levofloxacin and clarithromycin has increased since the studies in the early 2000s. These results suggest that surveillance programs of H pylori antibiotic resistance may need to be revisited or improved to prevent antimicrobial therapy failure.

HISTORIQUE: L'Helicobacter pylori contribue énormément à la gastrite et aux ulcères. L'OMS le définit comme un cancérigène, et l'infection peut provoquer l'apparition d'adénocarcinomes et de lymphomes de tissus lymphoïdes associés aux muqueuses. Au Canada, on connaît relativement peu les taux de résistance antimicrobienne, car très peu d'études ont été réalisées sur le sujet depuis 15 ans. OBJECTIF: Examiner les taux de résistance à Sudbury, en Ontario, comparer les méthodes de susceptibilité antimicrobienne et tenter de déterminer le fondement biologique de la résistance antibiotique. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les patients qui allaient à un rendez-vous prévu au Health Sciences North de Sudbury ont remis les résultats de biopsies gastriques sur une base volontaire. Au total, 20 isolats de H pylori ont été recueillis, et les tests de susceptibilité antimicrobienne (à l'amoxicilline, à la tétracycline, au métronidazole, à la ciprofloxacine, à la lévofloxacine et à la clarithromycine) ont été effectués au moyen de la diffusion sur disque et de l'essai E. L'ADN génomique de ces isolats a ensuite été séquencé pour déceler les mutations associées à la résistance antimicrobienne. RÉSULTATS: Selon l'essai E, 65 % des isolats étaient résistants à au moins un des antibiotiques énumérés. Notamment, 25 % des isolats étaient résistants à la fois au métronidazole et à la clarithromycine, tous deux normalement prescrits en première ligne pour traiter les infections à H pylori au Canada et dans la plupart des régions du monde. Parmi les souches résistantes, les séquences d'ARN ribosomique 23S et de gyrA, qui sont liées à la résistance à la clarithromycine et à la ciprofloxacine-lévofloxacine, respectivement, révélaient la présence de mutations de points connus associés à une résistance antimicrobienne. CONCLUSIONS: En général, la résistance au métronidazole, à la ciprofloxacine-lévofloxacine et à la clarithromycine a augmenté depuis les études réalisées au début des années 2000. D'après ces résultats, il faudra peut-être revoir ou améliorer les programmes de surveillance de l'antibiorésistance au H pylori pour prévenir l'échec du traitement antimicrobien.

Efficacy of fewer than three doses of an HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine: combined analysis of data from the Costa Rica Vaccine and PATRICIA Trials.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence to suggest that one or two doses of the HPV vaccine provides similar protection to the three-dose regimen. The main aim of the study was to ascertain HPV-16/18 vaccine efficacy in both full and naive cohorts and to explore protection conferred against non-vaccine HPV types, by number of doses received. METHODS: Summary data from the Costa Rica Vaccine Trial (CVT; NCT00128661) and ~the PATRICIA trial (NCT001226810), two phase 3, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trials of the HPV-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine in young women, were combined in a post-hoc analysis (GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] e-track number 202142) to investigate the efficacy of fewer than three doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine after 4 years of follow-up. Women were randomly assigned to receive three doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine or to a control vaccine; yet, some received fewer doses. After exclusion of women with less than 12 months of follow-up or those who were HPV-16/18 DNA-positive at enrolment (for the HPV-16/18 endpoint), we calculated vaccine efficacy against one-time detection of incident HPV infections after three, two, and one dose(s). The primary study endpoint was one-time detection of first incident HPV-16/18 infections accumulated during the follow-up phase. FINDINGS: We assessed vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infection in the modified total vaccinated cohort (22 327 received three doses, 1185 two doses, 543 one dose). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infections for three doses was 77·0% (95% CI 74·7-79·1), two doses was 76·0% (62·0-85·3), and one dose was 85·7% (70·7-93·7). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-31/33/45 infections for three doses was 59·7% (56·0-63·0), two doses was 37·7% (12·4-55·9), and one dose was 36·6% (-5·4 to 62·2). Vaccine efficacy against incident HPV-16/18 infection for two-dose women who received their second dose at 1 month was 75·3% (54·2-87·5) and 82·6% (42·3-96·1) for those who received the second dose at 6 months (CVT data only). Vaccine efficacy against HPV-31/33/45 for two-dose women who received their second dose at 6 months (68·1%, 27·0-87·0; CVT data only), but not those receiving it at one month (10·1%, -42·0 to 43·3), was similar to the three-dose group. INTERPRETATION: 4 years after vaccination of women aged 15-25 years, one and two doses of the HPV-16/18 vaccine seem to protect against cervical HPV-16/18 infections, similar to the protection provided by the three-dose schedule. Two doses separated by 6 months additionally provided some cross-protection. These data argue for a direct assessment of one-dose efficacy of the HPV-16/18 vaccine. FUNDING: US National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women's Health, and Ministry of Health of Costa Rica (CVT); GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (PATRICIA).

Impact of polymerase chain reaction testing on Clostridium difficile infection rates in an acute health care facility.

Two rapid methods of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) diagnosis were compared between June 2012 and March 2013: a GeneXpert (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, Calif) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). The influence of these methods on the detection of hospital-acquired CDI and identification of CDI outbreaks was evaluated. We tested 1,592 stool samples for C difficile. The GeneXpert PCR test identified 211 positive samples (68 determined to be hospital-acquired infection), whereas EIA identified 105 positive samples (36 determined to be hospital-acquired infection). The GeneXpert PCR method in contrast to the EIA method increased the detection rates of nosocomial CDI cases and contributed to the declaration of CDI outbreaks.

Further Evidence that Human Endogenous Retrovirus K102 is a Replication Competent Foamy Virus that may Antagonize HIV-1 Replication.

OBJECTIVE: The goals of the research were to determine if a foamy effect on macrophages was due to human endogenous retrovirus K102 (HERV-K102) replication, and to further address its potential significance in HIV-1 infection. METHODS: An RT-PCR HERV-K HML-2 pol method was used to screen the unknown HERV, and isolated bands were sent for sequencing. Confirmation of RNA expression was performed by a real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) pol ddCt method. Rabbit antibodies to Env peptides were used to assess expression by immunohistology and processing of Env by western blots. A qPCR pol ddCt method to ascertain genomic copy number was performed on genomic DNA isolated from plasma comparing HIV-1 exposed seronegative (HESN) commercial sex workers (CSW) to normal controls and contrasted with HIV-1 patients. RESULTS: HERV-K102 expression, particle production and replication were associated with foamy macrophage generation in the cultures of cord blood mononuclear cells under permissive conditions. A five-fold increased HERV-K102 pol genomic copy number was found in the HESN cohort over normal which was not found in HIV-1 positive patients (p=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: This work extends the evidence that HERV-K102 has foamy virus attributes, is replication competent, and is capable of high replication rate in vivo and in vitro. This may be the first characterization of a replication-competent, foamy-like virus of humans. High particle production inferred by increased integration in the HESN cohort over HIV-1 patients raises the issue of the clinical importance of HERV-K102 particle production as an early protective innate immune response against HIV-1 replication.