[Update on vaccines: 2018 recommendations]. / Actualización sobre vacunas: recomendaciones de 2018.

Beginning in 1974, the date on which the Expanded Program on Immunization was established in the Americas, the number of deaths and disabilities due to certain infectious diseases decreased considerably thanks to universally applied vaccines. A program that initially included four vaccines that protected against six diseases (tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio and measles) was consolidated, over the years, by incorporating new vaccines and significantly raising coverage rates. The Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría (Argentine Society of Pediatrics), as a leader of opinion, played a leading role in the incorporation of new vaccines, currently reaching one of the most complete vaccination calendars in the world, which improves the levels of inequality and inequity in public health. Taking into account the significant role of the pediatrician in decision-making, the National Committee of Infectious Diseases, together with the Subsidiary Committees, prepared a document on updates and recommendations for 2018 on Polio, Rotavirus, Pneumococcus, Meningococcus, Human Papillomavirus, Chickenpox, Flu, Dengue vaccines and Whooping Cough.

A partir del año 1974, cuando se estableció el Programa Ampliado de Inmunizaciones en las Américas, la cantidad de muertes y discapacidades por enfermedades infecciosas disminuyó de manera considerable gracias a las vacunas aplicadas. Inicialmente, se incluyeron cuatro vacunas que protegían contra seis enfermedades (tuberculosis, difteria, coqueluche, tétanos, polio y sarampión), y, a través de los años, al incorporar nuevas vacunas, aumentaron considerablemente las tasas de cobertura. La Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría tuvo un rol destacado en la incorporación de nuevas vacunas y, en la actualidad, hay uno de los calendarios de vacunación más completos del mundo, lo que permite mejorar los niveles de desigualdad e inequidad en salud pública. Teniendo en cuenta el rol que tiene el pediatra en la toma de decisiones, el Comité Nacional de Infectología, junto con comités de filiales, elaboró un documento sobre actualizaciones y recomendaciones de 2018 acerca de polio, rotavirus, neumococo, meningococo, virus del papiloma humano, varicela, gripe, dengue y coqueluche.

Group A Streptococcus Adsorbed Vaccine: Repeated Intramuscular Dose Toxicity Test in Minipigs.

Streptococcus pyogenes infection continues to be a worldwide public health problem causing various diseases in humans and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. We developed a vaccine candidate to prevent S. pyogenes infections, identified as StreptInCor, that presented promising results in mouse models. A certified and independent laboratory conducted two repeated intramuscular dose toxicity tests (28 days, four weekly injections). The first test, composed of four experimental groups treated with 0 (vehicle), 50, 100 or 200 µg/500 µL StreptInCor, did not show significant alterations in clinical, hematological, biochemical or anatomopathological parameters related to the administration of StreptInCor. In addition to the parameters mentioned above, we evaluated the cardiac function and valves of animals by echocardiography before and after administration of 200 µg/500 µL StreptInCor versus placebo. We did not observe any changes related to StreptInCor administration, including changes in cardiac function and valves in animals, after receiving the highest dose of this vaccine candidate. The results obtained in the two repeated intramuscular dose toxicity tests showed that this vaccine formulation did not induce harmful effects to the tissues and organs studied, indicating that the candidate vaccine is well tolerated in minipigs.

Morphometric, bromatological, and sensory analysis of Nile tilapia vaccinated against Streptococcus agalactiae / Análise morfométrica, bromatológica e sensorial de tilápia do Nilo vacinada contra Streptococcus agalactiae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaccination against Streptococcus agalactiae on the morphometry, bromatology, and sensory traits of tilapia bred in net-tanks. Tilapia juveniles were bred in net-tanks separated into two groups: vaccinated and unvaccinated fish. Ten fish from each group were collected from different weight classes: 400-500, 501-600, 601-700, and 701-800 g. Measurements and weighing of whole fish and fillets did not show significant differences between the two groups. Fillet thickness was significantly greater in unvaccinated fish in the weight range of 601-700 g. Significant differences were not found in protein, lipid, ash, or moisture content between the two groups in any of the weight classes studied. Significant preferences between unvaccinated and vaccinated fish were not observed in the paired preference test, regardless of weight class. The hedonic scale analysis showed that tasters moderately liked the tilapia fillets regardless of weight class or whether the fish had been vaccinated. In net-tank breeding experimental conditions, vaccinated and unvaccinated Nile tilapia weighing between 400 and 800 g showed similar morphometric, bromatological, and sensory characteristics.

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da vacinação contra Streptococcus agalactiae na morfometria, bromatologia e análise sensorial de tilápia criada em tanque-rede. Juvenis de tilápia foram criadas em tanque-rede separados em dois grupos: peixes vacinados e não vacinados. Foram coletados 10 peixes de cada grupo em diferentes classes de peso: 400-500, 501-600, 601-700 e 701-800 g. As medidas e pesagens do peixe inteiro e do filé não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os dois grupos. A espessura do filé foi significativamente maior nos peixes não vacinados na faixa de 601-700 g. Não teve diferença significativa nos valores de proteína, lipídio, cinza e umidade entre os peixes dos dois grupos em nenhuma das classes de peso estudada. Para o teste pareado preferência, não houve uma preferência significativa entre peixes não vacinados e vacinados independente da classe de peso analisada. A análise de escala hedônica apontou que os provadores gostaram moderadamente do filé de tilápia independente da classe de peso e de ter sido vacinado ou não. Nas condições experimentais de criação em tanques-rede, tilápias do Nilo vacinados e não vacinados, com peso entre 400 e 800 g, apresentaram características morfométricas, bromatológicas e sensoriais semelhantes.

Morphometric, bromatological, and sensory analysis of Nile tilapia vaccinated against Streptococcus agalactiae / Análise morfométrica, bromatológica e sensorial de tilápia do Nilo vacinada contra Streptococcus agalactiae

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaccination against Streptococcus agalactiae on the morphometry, bromatology, and sensory traits of tilapia bred in net-tanks. Tilapia juveniles were bred in net-tanks separated into two groups: vaccinated and unvaccinated fish. Ten fish from each group were collected from different weight classes: 400-500, 501-600, 601-700, and 701-800 g. Measurements and weighing of whole fish and fillets did not show significant differences between the two groups. Fillet thickness was significantly greater in unvaccinated fish in the weight range of 601-700 g. Significant differences were not found in protein, lipid, ash, or moisture content between the two groups in any of the weight classes studied. Significant preferences between unvaccinated and vaccinated fish were not observed in the paired preference test, regardless of weight class. The hedonic scale analysis showed that tasters moderately liked the tilapia fillets regardless of weight class or whether the fish had been vaccinated. In net-tank breeding experimental conditions, vaccinated and unvaccinated Nile tilapia weighing between 400 and 800 g showed similar morphometric, bromatological, and sensory characteristics.(AU)

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da vacinação contra Streptococcus agalactiae na morfometria, bromatologia e análise sensorial de tilápia criada em tanque-rede. Juvenis de tilápia foram criadas em tanque-rede separados em dois grupos: peixes vacinados e não vacinados. Foram coletados 10 peixes de cada grupo em diferentes classes de peso: 400-500, 501-600, 601-700 e 701-800 g. As medidas e pesagens do peixe inteiro e do filé não apresentaram diferença significativa entre os dois grupos. A espessura do filé foi significativamente maior nos peixes não vacinados na faixa de 601-700 g. Não teve diferença significativa nos valores de proteína, lipídio, cinza e umidade entre os peixes dos dois grupos em nenhuma das classes de peso estudada. Para o teste pareado preferência, não houve uma preferência significativa entre peixes não vacinados e vacinados independente da classe de peso analisada. A análise de escala hedônica apontou que os provadores gostaram moderadamente do filé de tilápia independente da classe de peso e de ter sido vacinado ou não. Nas condições experimentais de criação em tanques-rede, tilápias do Nilo vacinados e não vacinados, com peso entre 400 e 800 g, apresentaram características morfométricas, bromatológicas e sensoriais semelhantes.(AU)

HLA class II transgenic mice develop a safe and long lasting immune response against StreptInCor, an anti-group A streptococcus vaccine candidate.

Streptococcus pyogenes infections remain a health problem in several countries because of post-streptococcal sequelae, such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. We developed a vaccine epitope (StreptInCor) composed of 55 amino acid residues of the C-terminal portion of the M protein that encompasses both T and B cell protective epitopes. Recently, by using human blood samples, we showed that the StreptInCor epitope is able to bind to different HLA class II molecules and that it could be considered a universal vaccine epitope. In the present work, we evaluated the immune response of HLA class II transgenic mice against aluminum hydroxide-absorbed StreptInCor. After a period of one year, several organs were analyzed histologically to verify the safety of the candidate vaccine epitope. Our results showed that StreptInCor is able to induce robust and safe and long lasting immune response without deleterious reactions in several organs. In conclusion, the results presented here indicate that StreptInCor could be considered a safe vaccine against severe streptococcus-induced diseases.