Although the overall incidence of hepatitis A in Korea has been decreasing, adolescents remain highly vulnerable to its outbreaks. This study was conducted to compare the immunogenicity and safety of three hepatitis A vaccines in Korean adolescents. Healthy anti-hepatitis A virus seronegative subjects aged 13 to 19 yr were randomized in three equal groups to receive two doses of Avaxim(TM), Epaxal(R), or Havrix(R), 6 to 12 months apart. Seroconversion rates one month after the first dose were 98%, 95%, and 93% for Avaxim(TM), Epaxal(R), and Havrix(R), respectively. Seroconversion rates reached 100% for all vaccine groups one month after the second dose. Anti-HAV geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were 7,207.7 mIU/mL (95% CI, 6023.1-8684.7), 1,750.5 mIU/mL (95% CI, 1362.9-2248.3), and 1,953.5 mIU/mL (95% CI, 1459.4-2614.7) after two doses of Avaxim(TM), Epaxal(R), and Havrix(R) respectively. Avaxim(TM) was significantly more immunogenic than Epaxal(R) and Havrix(R), whereas there were no significant differences in antibody responses between Epaxal(R) and Havrix(R). Local and systemic solicited adverse events (AEs) were mostly of mild-to-moderate intensity and resolved within 5 days. No serious AEs were reported. In conclusion, all three vaccines are highly immunogenic and well-tolerated in Korean adolescents. (Clinical Trial Registry NCT00483470)
Adolescent ; Antibody Formation ; Female ; Hepatitis A/immunology/*prevention & control ; Hepatitis A Antibodies/blood ; Hepatitis A Vaccines/adverse effects/*immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Vaccines, Inactivated/adverse effects/immunology ; Young Adult

Recombinant Fl-V (rFl-V) fusion protein is the main ingredient of the current candidate vaccine against Yersinia pestis infection, which has been under investigation in clinical trial in USA. We investigated the soluble expression conditions of rF1-V in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) that we constructed before. After scale-up and optimization of fermentation processes, we got the optimized fermentation process parameters: the culture was induced at the middle exponential phase with 50 µmol/L of IPTG at 25 °C for 5 h. Soluble rFl-V protein was isolated to 99% purity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography and gel filter chromatography. The protein recovery was above 20%. Protein identity and primary structure were verified by mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing. Results of purity, quality and western blotting analysis indicated that the target protein is a consistent and properly folded product. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of various antigens formulated with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant was evaluated in mice. Serum antibody titers of 4 groups including 20 µg rFl, rV and rFl-V and 10 µg rFl+10 µg rV, were assayed by ELISA after 2 doses. The antibody titers of anti-Fl with 20 µg rFl-V were obviously higher than titers with other groups; meanwhile there were no significant difference of anti-V antibody titers among them. These findings confirm that rFl-V would be the active pharmaceutical ingredient of the plague subunit vaccine.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antibody Formation ; Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Mice ; Plague ; prevention & control ; Plague Vaccine ; immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; immunology ; Vaccines, Subunit ; immunology ; Yersinia pestis

OBJECTIVETo examine the influence of three-booster-doses hepatitis B vaccines on children with normal and high antibody response to primary vaccination.

METHODSAntibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) were detected after primary vaccination and children with normal or high response to hepatitis B primary vaccination at infancy, were identified. Children who were given three booster doses were selected to form the booster group and who were given no booster dose were 1∶1 matched with the same gender and residence to form the control group. Blood samples were obtained from all the participants and tested for anti-HBs and anti-HBc, 5 years after the primary vaccination.

RESULTSThe positive rates of anti-HBs response to primary vaccination were 97.39% (224/230, 95% CI: 94.41%-99.04%) in the booster group and 53.91% (124/230, 95% CI: 47.24%-60.48%) in the control group (P<0.05), 5 years after the primary vaccination. Geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs were 1 140.02 (887.46-1 464.46) mIU/ml in the booster group and 11.53 (8.73-15.23) mIU/ml in the control group (P<0.05). The prevalence rates of breakthrough HBV infection were 0.87% (2/230) in the booster group and 2.17%(5/230) in the control group (P>0.05). RESULTS from the multivariable analysis showed that the booster doses (OR=38.75, 95%CI: 16.23-92.54) and the level of anti-HBs after the primary vaccination (OR =3.06, 95%CI:1.51-6.17) were independently associated with the positive rates of anti-HBs, 5 years after the primary vaccination (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPrograms with three booster doses to children that showing normal and high antibody response to primary vaccination could improve the persistence of anti-HBs but possibly would not be able to prevent the HBV infection.

Antibody Formation ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Hepatitis B ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Immunization, Secondary ; Infant ; Prevalence ; Treatment Outcome ; Vaccination

Effective and tolerable vaccination is an essential strategy to prevent Japanese encephalitis (JE) in endemic areas. Although the live attenuated SA 14-14-2 JE vaccine (LAJEV) has been widely used since its introduction, the systemic data of LAJEV was very rarely available in Korea. We conducted the open-label, prospective cohort study to assess the immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine. Ninety subjects were enrolled, and LAJEV in a 2-dose primary series was given with a 12-month interval. Neutralizing antibody titers were measured before and after each vaccination, and active monitoring for adverse events was performed. After the first dose, 91.1% of subjects had seroprotection with a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 40.9. Seroprotection rate after the second dose was 97%, and GMT showed an increase of 6.5-fold. Most adverse events following immunization were self-limited, and no serious adverse events were reported until 42 days after each dose. The 2-dose administration of LAJEV in the primary immunization schedule appeared to be highly immunogenic and safe.
Antibodies, Neutralizing/analysis/immunology ; Antibodies, Viral/analysis/immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Encephalitis, Japanese/*prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines/*immunology ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Vaccination ; Vaccines, Attenuated/*immunology

OBJECTIVETo prepare rabbit anti-mouse zona pellucida 2 (mZP2) polyclonal antibodies and test their immunoactivity.

METHODSRecombinant proteins of mZP2 expressed in Rosetta transformant was separated by SDS-PAGE, and the gel strips containing the recombinant mZP2 were cut out and emulsified to immunize New Zealand white rabbits. The antibody response of the antiserum was detected by ELISA, and the specificity of the antiserum was verified by immunohistochemical assay. The effect of the antiserum on the binding of oocytes with acrosomal reacted sperm was tested by sperm-egg binding assay.

RESULTSELISA results showed that the immunized rabbit produced anti-mZP2 antiserum. The antiserum reacted specifically with the zona pellucida of mouse ovarian sections. Sperm-egg binding assay showed that treatment of the oocytes with the anti-mZP2 antiserum caused decreased binding of zona pellucida with the acrosomal reacted sperm by 43.7%.

CONCLUSIONWe obtained rabbit anti-mouse ZP2 polyclonal antibodies that can inhibit the binding of oocytes with acrosomal reacted sperm.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Egg Proteins ; immunology ; Female ; Immune Sera ; Male ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; immunology ; Mice ; Oocytes ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Spermatozoa ; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins

We evaluated the potential ability of germanium biotite (GB) to stimulate the production of antibodies specific for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). To this aim, we measured the total FMDV-specific antibody responses and IgM production after vaccination against FMD both experimentally and in the field. GB supplementation with FMDV vaccination stimulated the production of anti-FMDV antibodies, and effectively increased IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha levels. These results suggest that GB may be a novel alternative feed supplement that can serve as a boosting agent and an immunostimulator for increasing the efficacy of FMDV vaccination in pigs.
Adjuvants, Immunologic/therapeutic use ; Aluminum Silicates/*therapeutic use ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral/*immunology ; Antibody Formation/drug effects ; *Dietary Supplements ; Ferrous Compounds/*therapeutic use ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/*immunology/prevention & control ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/immunology ; Germanium/*therapeutic use ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/immunology/prevention & control/*virology

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease of the gastrointestinal tract, whose etiologies are still unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the humoral immune response in terms of B cell functions in selected IBD patients. METHODS: Eighteen pediatric patients with IBD, including 12 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and six with Crohn disease (CD), were enrolled in this study. The pneumococcal vaccine was injected in all patients, and the IgG antibody level to the polysaccharide antigen was measured before and 4 weeks after injection. The B cell switch-recombination process was evaluated. RESULTS: Five patients with IBD (three CD and two UC) had defects in B cell switching, which was significantly higher than in controls (p=0.05). Ten patients had a specific antibody deficiency and exhibited a higher frequency of bacterial infection than the healthy group. The mean increased level of IgG after vaccination was lower in IBD patients (82.9+/-32.5 microg/mL vs 219.8+/-59.0 microg/mL; p=0.001). Among the patients who had an insufficient response, no significant difference in the number of switched memory B-cell was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A defect in B lymphocyte switching was observed in pediatric IBD patients, and especially in those patients with CD. Owing to an increased risk of bacterial infections in those patients with antibody production defects, pneumococcal vaccination could be recommended. However, not all patients can benefit from the vaccination, and several may require other prophylactic methods.
Adolescent ; Antibody Formation/*drug effects ; B-Lymphocytes/metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Colitis, Ulcerative/complications/*immunology ; Crohn Disease/complications/*immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/metabolism ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications/*immunology ; Male ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/*pharmacology ; Polysaccharides/*pharmacology ; Treatment Outcome

The safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of an oral cholera vaccine (OCV) was assessed in adult Korean male through an open-label, non-comparative clinical study. Two doses of vaccine with an interval of 2 weeks were given to 20 healthy subjects. A total of 7 adverse events occurred in 6 subjects. However, no clinically significant change was observed in electrocardiograms, vital signs, physical examinations, and clinical laboratory tests. The immunogenicity of OCV was evaluated by serum vibriocidal assay where anti-Vibrio cholerae O1 and O139 antibodies were measured at day 0, 14, and 28 of vaccine administration. The antibody titers ranged from < 2.5-5,120 for V. cholerae O1 Inaba, < 2.5-10,240 for V. cholerae O1 Ogawa and < 2.5-480 for V. cholerae O139. In addition, the fold increase in antibody titers ranged from 1-4,096 for O1 Inaba, 1-8,192 for O1 Ogawa, and 1-384 for O139. The seroconversion rate was 95% and 45% for O1 and O139 antibodies, respectively. Our study clearly shows that administration of two doses of OCV at a 2 week-interval increases an appropriate level of antibody titer in the serum of healthy Korean adult males (Clinical Trial Number, NCT01707537).
Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Antibodies, Bacterial/*blood/immunology ; Antibody Formation ; Cholera/*prevention & control ; Cholera Vaccines/adverse effects/*immunology ; Creatine Kinase/blood ; Humans ; Male ; Republic of Korea ; Toothache/etiology ; Vibrio cholerae O1/immunology

In order to determine immunogenicity and protective effect in chickens, we used the IBDV (Infectious bursal disease virus)-Vp2/Lactobacillus casei as antigen transfer system. First, the immunized and control chickens were challenged by IBDV/DQ at lethal dose to determine the protective ratio. Second, chickens were orallyand intranasally vaccinated twice with 10(9) CFU/mL pLA-VP2/L. casei, pLA/L. casei and PBS as negativecontrol and commercial vaccine as positive control. The bursa injury and the lesion score wererecorded post challenge. The level of specific IgG and sIgA in pLA-VP2/L. casei and positive control groups was significantly higher than that in negativecontrol groups. The protection efficacy in pLA-VP2/L. casei oral group was higher than that inintranasal group. The SI. of pLA-VP2/L. casei oral group was significant higher than other groups. The lesion score indicated the pLA-VP2/L. casei was safer than commercial vaccine for bursa. Collectively, the pLA-VP2/L. casei could be a vaccine candidate for IBDV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antibody Formation ; Birnaviridae Infections ; prevention & control ; veterinary ; Chickens ; Infectious bursal disease virus ; Lactobacillus casei ; Poultry Diseases ; prevention & control ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Structural Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Heart transplantation is the last treatment option in refractory end stage heart failure, which can prolong survival. The number of heart transplantations has increased and the survival rate has improved during the last few decades which was contributed by advanced understanding of immunologic mechanism of rejection, pharmaceutical development and clinical management of donors and recipients. However, only a fraction of patients can be offered to transplantation due to shortage of donor heart and many patients suffer high mortality while waiting. Meanwhile, technical advancement of mechanical assist device in recent years enabled long term implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) to bridge the patients with high mortality in the waiting list to transplantation and to assist as a long term destination therapy for patients who are not eligible for transplantation. Development of solid phase assay increased the sensitivity and the specificity of detection of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in the recipient. It enabled identifying unacceptable HLA antigens, acquire calculated Panel Reactive Antibodies and perform virtual cross match that can enhance the efficacy of donor allocation system to decrease the waiting time, obviate prospective cross match to decrease ischemic time and to assess the risk of rejection in presensitized patients. Antibody mediated rejection is a challenging entity in diagnosis and management. However, standardized classification of histology and immunology of endomyocardial biopsies was made recently and immunotherapy is moving toward targeted therapies directed at antibody production and function. This review focuses on those major changes in the heart transplantation field in the last decade.
Allergy and Immunology ; Antibodies ; Antibody Formation ; Biopsy ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Graft Rejection ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Heart Transplantation* ; Heart-Assist Devices* ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Leukocytes ; Mortality ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors ; Waiting Lists