Pertussis (whooping cough) remains an important public health problem in Australia. Although mortality and morbidity from pertussis declined dramatically following the introduction of mass vaccination programs in 1953, the level of morbidity remains unacceptably high for a vaccine-preventable disease. Aims and methods The primary aims of this thesis were (i) to ascertain the epidemiology of pertussis in Australia between 1993 and 2000 by analysing and interpreting sources of routinely collected data on pertussis; and (ii) to examine the effectiveness of vaccination against pertussis in a number of ways. Data from three primary national sources (notifications of disease, hospitalisations for pertussis and death certificates) were used to examine the burden from pertussis in Australia over these eight years. Analyses included the age distribution of cases, temporal and geographic trends, comparisons of notification and hospitalisation data, and the impact of differences in the method of diagnosis of notified cases between years and age groups. In addition to analyses at the national level using data from the national databases, further detailed analyses were undertaken at the State level for New South Wales (NSW), the most populous Australian State. Pertussis vaccine coverage was estimated using data from the recently established Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR); these data were also used to track the transition from whole-cell to acellular pertussis vaccines. The different types of studies used to evaluate vaccine effectiveness were reviewed, and a method suitable for ongoing estimation of vaccine effectiveness in Australia was developed. This was then applied to the NSW data, to determine the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in this State. Main findings The annual notification rate for pertussis in Australia ranged from 23�59 per 100 000 population over the eight years. Infants had the highest notification and hospitalisation rates in Australia � they accounted for 5percent of notifications, 61percent of hospitalisations and 100percent of deaths. Age-specific notification and hospitalisation rates in children aged less than two years strongly suggested a protective effect of vaccination, with the greatest reduction in rate coinciding with eligibility to receive a second dose of pertussis vaccine at four months of age. Notification rates among 5�9 year olds progressively decreased in successive age cohorts, consistent with an effect of the introduction in 1994 of a pertussis vaccine booster for preschool-aged children. Although adults (persons aged 15 years or more) accounted for half the notifications, they had the lowest notification rate. The highest numbers of pertussis notifications were in 1997, when most jurisdictions experienced an epidemic. Notification and hospitalisation rates varied across the States and Territories and also across smaller geographic regions in NSW. Areas and years with high notification rates tended to also have high hospitalisation rates, suggesting that trends in notifications reflected trends in incidence. The number of infant hospitalisations in NSW between July 1993 and June 1999 exceeded the number of notifications by 32percent, highlighting the extent of under-notification. Overall, and particularly amongst those aged more than 12 months, the majority of cases notified in NSW were based on the results of serological tests. The proportion diagnosed by culture of the organism was greatest in infants; the proportion diagnosed by serological tests increased with age. There was no evidence that the use of serology had increased since 1994 in NSW, hence changes in notification rates after this time are unlikely to be attributable to increased use of serological diagnosis. ACIR records indicated that in December 2000, 92percent of one-year-old children had received three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine and 90percent of two-year-olds had received four doses. Vaccine coverage varied by jurisdiction. Since 1997, there was an increased use of DTP vaccines containing acellular pertussis components with a corresponding decrease in the use of vaccines containing whole-cell components. In 2000, almost all DTP vaccines administered contained acellular pertussis components. The results of the vaccine effectiveness study showed that pertussis vaccination was highly effective at preventing pertussis in NSW children, as measured by notified cases. Vaccine effectiveness was highest (91percent) in the youngest age group (8�23 months) and lowest (78percent) in the oldest age group (9�13 years). The screening method has not previously been used to estimate pertussis vaccine effectiveness in Australia. Conclusions This thesis demonstrates the value of integrating varied data sources in estimating the disease burden from pertussis. The data presented here show that the disease burden is substantial in all age groups, despite high levels of vaccine coverage in infants and children. This problem of disease control does not appear to be due to lack of vaccine effectiveness, but there is evidence of waning immunity over time. The analyses presented here form a basis for the ongoing monitoring of trends in pertussis epidemiology following the replacement of whole-cell by acellular pertussis vaccines, and will assist consideration of the need for additional booster doses in adolescents and adults.

Pertussis (whooping cough) remains an important public health problem in Australia. Although mortality and morbidity from pertussis declined dramatically following the introduction of mass vaccination programs in 1953, the level of morbidity remains unacceptably high for a vaccine-preventable disease. Aims and methods The primary aims of this thesis were (i) to ascertain the epidemiology of pertussis in Australia between 1993 and 2000 by analysing and interpreting sources of routinely collected data on pertussis; and (ii) to examine the effectiveness of vaccination against pertussis in a number of ways. Data from three primary national sources (notifications of disease, hospitalisations for pertussis and death certificates) were used to examine the burden from pertussis in Australia over these eight years. Analyses included the age distribution of cases, temporal and geographic trends, comparisons of notification and hospitalisation data, and the impact of differences in the method of diagnosis of notified cases between years and age groups. In addition to analyses at the national level using data from the national databases, further detailed analyses were undertaken at the State level for New South Wales (NSW), the most populous Australian State. Pertussis vaccine coverage was estimated using data from the recently established Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR); these data were also used to track the transition from whole-cell to acellular pertussis vaccines. The different types of studies used to evaluate vaccine effectiveness were reviewed, and a method suitable for ongoing estimation of vaccine effectiveness in Australia was developed. This was then applied to the NSW data, to determine the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in this State. Main findings The annual notification rate for pertussis in Australia ranged from 23�59 per 100 000 population over the eight years. Infants had the highest notification and hospitalisation rates in Australia � they accounted for 5percent of notifications, 61percent of hospitalisations and 100percent of deaths. Age-specific notification and hospitalisation rates in children aged less than two years strongly suggested a protective effect of vaccination, with the greatest reduction in rate coinciding with eligibility to receive a second dose of pertussis vaccine at four months of age. Notification rates among 5�9 year olds progressively decreased in successive age cohorts, consistent with an effect of the introduction in 1994 of a pertussis vaccine booster for preschool-aged children. Although adults (persons aged 15 years or more) accounted for half the notifications, they had the lowest notification rate. The highest numbers of pertussis notifications were in 1997, when most jurisdictions experienced an epidemic. Notification and hospitalisation rates varied across the States and Territories and also across smaller geographic regions in NSW. Areas and years with high notification rates tended to also have high hospitalisation rates, suggesting that trends in notifications reflected trends in incidence. The number of infant hospitalisations in NSW between July 1993 and June 1999 exceeded the number of notifications by 32percent, highlighting the extent of under-notification. Overall, and particularly amongst those aged more than 12 months, the majority of cases notified in NSW were based on the results of serological tests. The proportion diagnosed by culture of the organism was greatest in infants; the proportion diagnosed by serological tests increased with age. There was no evidence that the use of serology had increased since 1994 in NSW, hence changes in notification rates after this time are unlikely to be attributable to increased use of serological diagnosis. ACIR records indicated that in December 2000, 92percent of one-year-old children had received three doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine and 90percent of two-year-olds had received four doses. Vaccine coverage varied by jurisdiction. Since 1997, there was an increased use of DTP vaccines containing acellular pertussis components with a corresponding decrease in the use of vaccines containing whole-cell components. In 2000, almost all DTP vaccines administered contained acellular pertussis components. The results of the vaccine effectiveness study showed that pertussis vaccination was highly effective at preventing pertussis in NSW children, as measured by notified cases. Vaccine effectiveness was highest (91percent) in the youngest age group (8�23 months) and lowest (78percent) in the oldest age group (9�13 years). The screening method has not previously been used to estimate pertussis vaccine effectiveness in Australia. Conclusions This thesis demonstrates the value of integrating varied data sources in estimating the disease burden from pertussis. The data presented here show that the disease burden is substantial in all age groups, despite high levels of vaccine coverage in infants and children. This problem of disease control does not appear to be due to lack of vaccine effectiveness, but there is evidence of waning immunity over time. The analyses presented here form a basis for the ongoing monitoring of trends in pertussis epidemiology following the replacement of whole-cell by acellular pertussis vaccines, and will assist consideration of the need for additional booster doses in adolescents and adults.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Virginia, 1997. / Spine title: Characterization of PT receptors. Includes bibliographical references (111-128). Also available online through Digital Dissertations.

A eficácia da associação quádrupla (DPT + BCG) foi estudada através da proteção e comparação da soro conversão das vacinas, usando como adjuvante o hidróxido de alumínio e ou BCG. A potência da vacina pertussis foi avaliada pelo teste de proteção em camundongos e o BCG pelo teste de consumo de oxigênio e de vitalidade, sendo considerada satisfatória. Sendo os toxóides diftérico e tetânico considerados proteínas inertes e estáveis, suas potências não foram determinadas depois de associadas. Os níveis de anticorpos foram determinados para difteria e tétano pela reação imunoenzimática, para vacina pertussis pela reação de imunofluorescência e para o BCG pela conversão tuberculínica. Os níveis de conversão foram satisfatórios, revelando ser possível a associação sem prejuízo para nenhum dos antígenos. A associação DPT + BCG não causou reação local ou geral significante, possibilitando uma simplificação operacional. / The efficacy of the quadruple association (DPT + BCG) was studied though protection and comparison ot the conversion serum in vaccines using aluminium hydroxide or BCG as adjuvant. Both the protection power of the Pertussis vaccine evaluated by the protection test in mice and BCG by the oxygen uptake and counts of viable particles were considered satisfactory. Being difteria and tetanus toxoids considered inert and stable proteins, their protection wasn\'t determined after their combination. The antibody levels produced by the antigens were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to the difteria and tetanus toxoids, by the fluorescent antibody technique to the Pertussis vaccine and by the tuberculin conversion to the BCG. The conversion levels were satisfatory and there was no damage in their association. There was no meaningful local or general reaction in this association making an operational simplification possible.

Introdução: A coqueluche é caracterizada por tosse paroxística, pode levar menores de um ano de idade ao óbito, deixar seqüelas e exacerbar quadros respiratórios crônicos. A imunidade após a doença ou vacina não é para toda a vida. Nos países desenvolvidos, apesar de altas coberturas vacinais e do controle da doença entre as décadas de 50 e 80, desde o final dos anos 80 é observado o aumento dos casos em adolescentes, adultos e lactentes, sendo indicado o reforço vacinal para adolescentes e adultos. No Brasil a doença aparenta estar sob controle, mas há um estudo teórico que demonstra a possibilidade de aumento dos casos. Objetivo: Avaliar novas estratégias de reforço vacinal contra a coqueluche no município de São Paulo. Metodologia: Desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático determinístico, dinâmico e dependente da idade dos indivíduos. Simulações com o esquema vacinal atual e: (i) novo reforço aos 12 anos com coberturas vacinais de 10%, 35%, 45% e 70%; (ii) reforços aos 12 anos e aos 20 anos de idade, com 35% e 70% de cobertura, respectivamente. Introdução de contato heterogêneo da população com o uso de uma matriz de contato. Fontes dos dados: Banco de dados do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo e a literatura nacional e internacional. Uso dos programas Berkeley Madonna® para resolução das equações diferenciais e Microsoft Excel® para o cálculo da matriz de contato e das forças de infecção. Realização de teste de sensibilidade do modelo. Resultados: A vacinação com cobertura de 10% aos 12 anos de idade reduziu os casos entre os próprios adolescentes (10 a 19 anos); com cobertura de 35%, 45% e 70% reduziu os casos em 59%, 65% e 73%, respectivamente; a vacinação em conjunto aos 12 anos com cobertura de 35% e aos 20 anos com cobertura de 70% reduziu 62% dos casos. Conclusões: Há benefício ao vacinar os adolescentes, inclusive com baixa cobertura vacinal, portanto tal estratégia demonstra-se promissora para o controle da coqueluche. Não houve ganho ao acrescentar apenas um reforço para os adultos (20 anos). Os resultados são concordantes com o que há na literatura e permitiram um primeiro panorama para auxiliar na abordagem do problema. Estudos com diferentes estratégias de vacinação de adultos e estudos de custo-benefício são recomendados. / Background: Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis and characterized by paroxysmal cough that usually causes complications for infants, including death, and for people with chronic respiratory diseases. Immunity against pertussis after infection or vaccination is not everlasting. Despite of high childhood immunization coverage and the disease control from the 50's to 80's, since late 80's developed countries notified high levels of pertussis in adolescents and adults. This reappearance has not being detected in Brazil yet, but at least one formal study has demonstrated the possibility of this change in the next years. Objective: Evaluating new pertussis vaccine's booster for adolescents and adults in São Paulo city. Methods: Development of a deterministic, compartmental and age-dependent model accounting for immunity waning. The data was retrieved from literature, Surveillance Center of the State of São Paulo (CVE), and the Brazilian national health data system (DATASUS). Data manipulation used Berkeley Madonna® and Microsoft Excel®. Vaccination strategies included the current vaccination scheme, plus (i) 10%, 35%, 45% or 70% vaccine coverage for those at the age of 12 and (ii) both 35% and 70% vaccine coverage at the ages 12 and 20, respectively. The Who Acquire Infection from Whom (WAIFW) matrices' method was used to assume age related transmission rates. Sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: Booster vaccination for 12 years youths, at 10% coverage, yields disease reduction only among adolescents (10 to 19 years); coverage up to 35% yields disease reduction for all ages; at 35%, 45% and 70% coverage, the reduction achieves 59%, 65% and 73%. Booster vaccination at 12 and 20 years, with coverage at 35% and 70% respectively, yields 62% cases reduction. Discussion: Results suggest that adolescent's vaccine booster could reduce pertussis occurrence for all ages, including infants, as also demonstrated by other authors. In contrast, only one vaccine booster for adults (20 years) achieves insignificant results. In conclusion, we have been able to demonstrate that, in São Paulo, the adolescent vaccine booster strategy is a promising police to further reduce whooping cough occurrence. However, cost effective analysis and other adults' vaccination strategies are recommended.

A coqueluche é uma doença respiratória contagiosa, causada pela bactéria Bordetella pertussis. Tendo um significativo impacto epidemiológico, esta doença sofreu uma expressiva redução após o uso disseminado de vacinas pertussis. Efeitos adversos na imunização com a Vacina de células inteiras Whole cell pertussis (wP), atribuídos a presença de lipopolissacarídeos (LPS), levou ao desenvolvimento da Vacina pertussis acelular (aP). Contudo, a imunização com aP não tem demonstrada a mesma eficiência que a imunização com wP. Diante desse cenário o objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver o processo de produção industrial de uma nova Vacina Pertussis de células inteiras com reduzida quantidade de LPS e baixa reatogenicidade, a Vacina Pertussis Low (wPlow). Para alcançar o objetivo, foram produzidos em escala industrial 25 lotes de cultivos inativados, concentrados e submetidos à extração de LPS com solvente orgânico. Para extração de LPS foram avaliadas 4 diferentes metodologias: filtração de fluxo tangencial (TFF); filtração de fluxo tangencial com lavagem com solução com solvente orgânico (TFFSW); centrifuga tubular (CT); centrifugação de fluxo contínuo de pratos (CFC). A wPlow produzida em centrifuga de bancada e a wP foram usadas para comparação. O processo de bancada resultou na redução de LPS (método Purpald) em média de 75% do conteúdo de LPS e a redução de 81% da atividade endotóxica (dosagem de LAL). Nos processos industriais, por TFF houve a redução de ≅21% do conteúdo de LPS, porém com aumento de ≅ 52% da atividade endotóxica; por TFFSW houve a redução de 46% do conteúdo de LPS e uma redução endotóxica média de ≅ 24%; por CT ocorreu à redução de ≅ 66% do conteúdo de LPS e de ≅ 73% da atividade endotóxica; com a CFC houve a redução de ≅ 92% do conteúdo de LPS e de ≅ 61% da atividade endotóxica. Os rendimentos de processo foram ≅ 83%, 61%, 37% e 63% respectivamente para os processos de TFF, TFFSW, CT e CFC. Através de microscopia eletrônica, foi possível visualizar a integridade celular após o processamento por CFC, e o principal antígeno vacinal, a toxina pertussis foi detectada na preparação, por western-blot. Quanto à imunogenicidade, anticorpos IgG anti-pertussis foram detectados por ELISA e resultados preliminares não mostraram diferença significativa de redução de colonização pulmonar de B. pertussis em camundongos imunizados com a wPlow ou wP. Diante dos resultados obtidos, podemos concluir que os processos de TFF e TFFSW não foram eficientes na remoção da atividade endotóxica da wPlow, embora tenha ocorrido a redução do LPS. Com relação aos processos utilizando centrífugas industriais, eficientes tanto na remoção do LPS e na redução da atividade endotóxica, houve, contudo, um baixo rendimento no processo com CT. A wPlow produzida por CFC foi imunogênica, indicando a eficácia potencial desta vacina e que a produção em escala industrial é um processo viável. Como parte deste trabalho, a cepa vacinal de Bordetella pertussis foi também caracterizada pelo seu sequenciamento genômico completo (genbank número CP010323). / Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. In the past this infection had a high epidemiological impact, only reduced after the use of pertussis vaccine. The association of adverse events in immunization with whole cell Pertussis vaccine (wP), attributed to the presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), has led to the development of acellular Pertussis vaccine (aP). However, it is known that immunization with aP does not have the same efficiency as compared to immunization with wP vaccine. In this scenario, the objective of this work is to develop the industrial production process of a new whole cell pertussis vaccine with reduced amount of LPS and low reatogenicity, the whole cell Pertussis low vaccine (wPlow). To achieve this aim, we produced 25 lots of inactivated and concentrated cultures prepared on an industrial scale and subjected to LPS extraction with organic solvent. We evaluated four industrial processes to extract the LPS from the cells: tangential flow filtration (TFF), TFF with organic solvent washing (TFFSW), tubular centrifugation (CT) and continuous flow centrifugation (CFC). These methodologies were compared with wPlow produced at bench scale obtained by centrifugation and with traditional wP. The bench process resulted in the reduction of 75% of LPS content (Purpald method) and 81% reduction in endotoxic activity (LAL dosage) on average. In the industrial processes, TFF reduced ≅ 21% in LPS content, but with a ≅52% increase in endotoxic activity; by TFFSW there was a reduction of ≅ 46% of the LPS content and an average reduction of endotoxic activity of ≅24%; CT reduced ≅ 66% of LPS content and ≅ 73% of endotoxic activity; with CFC there was a reduction of ≅ 92% in LPS content and ≅1% in endotoxic activity. The process yields were ≅ 83%, 61%, 37% and 63% respectively for the TFF, TFFSW, CT and CFC processes. Through electron microscopy, it was possible to visualize cell integrity after CFC processing, and the major vaccine antigen, pertussis toxin, was detected in the preparation by western blot. As for immunogenicity, anti-pertussis IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA and preliminary results showed no differences in the B. pertussis colonization of lungs in mice immunized with wPlow or wP. We can conclude that the TFF and TFFSW processes were not efficient in removing the endotoxic activity of wPlow, although LPS reduction occurred. Although the processes using industrial centrifuges were efficacious in the removal of LPS and in the reduction of endotoxic activity, there was a low yield in the CT process. The wPlow produced by CFC was immunogenic indicating its potential as a vaccine and that this industrial scale production is a viable process. The characterization of the vaccine strain of Bordetella pertussis by complete genome sequencing was also presented here as part of this work (genbank - number CP010323).

Introdução: A coqueluche é caracterizada por tosse paroxística, pode levar menores de um ano de idade ao óbito, deixar seqüelas e exacerbar quadros respiratórios crônicos. A imunidade após a doença ou vacina não é para toda a vida. Nos países desenvolvidos, apesar de altas coberturas vacinais e do controle da doença entre as décadas de 50 e 80, desde o final dos anos 80 é observado o aumento dos casos em adolescentes, adultos e lactentes, sendo indicado o reforço vacinal para adolescentes e adultos. No Brasil a doença aparenta estar sob controle, mas há um estudo teórico que demonstra a possibilidade de aumento dos casos. Objetivo: Avaliar novas estratégias de reforço vacinal contra a coqueluche no município de São Paulo. Metodologia: Desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático determinístico, dinâmico e dependente da idade dos indivíduos. Simulações com o esquema vacinal atual e: (i) novo reforço aos 12 anos com coberturas vacinais de 10%, 35%, 45% e 70%; (ii) reforços aos 12 anos e aos 20 anos de idade, com 35% e 70% de cobertura, respectivamente. Introdução de contato heterogêneo da população com o uso de uma matriz de contato. Fontes dos dados: Banco de dados do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Secretaria de Estado da Saúde de São Paulo e a literatura nacional e internacional. Uso dos programas Berkeley Madonna® para resolução das equações diferenciais e Microsoft Excel® para o cálculo da matriz de contato e das forças de infecção. Realização de teste de sensibilidade do modelo. Resultados: A vacinação com cobertura de 10% aos 12 anos de idade reduziu os casos entre os próprios adolescentes (10 a 19 anos); com cobertura de 35%, 45% e 70% reduziu os casos em 59%, 65% e 73%, respectivamente; a vacinação em conjunto aos 12 anos com cobertura de 35% e aos 20 anos com cobertura de 70% reduziu 62% dos casos. Conclusões: Há benefício ao vacinar os adolescentes, inclusive com baixa cobertura vacinal, portanto tal estratégia demonstra-se promissora para o controle da coqueluche. Não houve ganho ao acrescentar apenas um reforço para os adultos (20 anos). Os resultados são concordantes com o que há na literatura e permitiram um primeiro panorama para auxiliar na abordagem do problema. Estudos com diferentes estratégias de vacinação de adultos e estudos de custo-benefício são recomendados. / Background: Whooping cough is a respiratory tract infection caused by Bordetella pertussis and characterized by paroxysmal cough that usually causes complications for infants, including death, and for people with chronic respiratory diseases. Immunity against pertussis after infection or vaccination is not everlasting. Despite of high childhood immunization coverage and the disease control from the 50's to 80's, since late 80's developed countries notified high levels of pertussis in adolescents and adults. This reappearance has not being detected in Brazil yet, but at least one formal study has demonstrated the possibility of this change in the next years. Objective: Evaluating new pertussis vaccine's booster for adolescents and adults in São Paulo city. Methods: Development of a deterministic, compartmental and age-dependent model accounting for immunity waning. The data was retrieved from literature, Surveillance Center of the State of São Paulo (CVE), and the Brazilian national health data system (DATASUS). Data manipulation used Berkeley Madonna® and Microsoft Excel®. Vaccination strategies included the current vaccination scheme, plus (i) 10%, 35%, 45% or 70% vaccine coverage for those at the age of 12 and (ii) both 35% and 70% vaccine coverage at the ages 12 and 20, respectively. The Who Acquire Infection from Whom (WAIFW) matrices' method was used to assume age related transmission rates. Sensitivity analysis was performed. Results: Booster vaccination for 12 years youths, at 10% coverage, yields disease reduction only among adolescents (10 to 19 years); coverage up to 35% yields disease reduction for all ages; at 35%, 45% and 70% coverage, the reduction achieves 59%, 65% and 73%. Booster vaccination at 12 and 20 years, with coverage at 35% and 70% respectively, yields 62% cases reduction. Discussion: Results suggest that adolescent's vaccine booster could reduce pertussis occurrence for all ages, including infants, as also demonstrated by other authors. In contrast, only one vaccine booster for adults (20 years) achieves insignificant results. In conclusion, we have been able to demonstrate that, in São Paulo, the adolescent vaccine booster strategy is a promising police to further reduce whooping cough occurrence. However, cost effective analysis and other adults' vaccination strategies are recommended.

A eficácia da associação quádrupla (DPT + BCG) foi estudada através da proteção e comparação da soro conversão das vacinas, usando como adjuvante o hidróxido de alumínio e ou BCG. A potência da vacina pertussis foi avaliada pelo teste de proteção em camundongos e o BCG pelo teste de consumo de oxigênio e de vitalidade, sendo considerada satisfatória. Sendo os toxóides diftérico e tetânico considerados proteínas inertes e estáveis, suas potências não foram determinadas depois de associadas. Os níveis de anticorpos foram determinados para difteria e tétano pela reação imunoenzimática, para vacina pertussis pela reação de imunofluorescência e para o BCG pela conversão tuberculínica. Os níveis de conversão foram satisfatórios, revelando ser possível a associação sem prejuízo para nenhum dos antígenos. A associação DPT + BCG não causou reação local ou geral significante, possibilitando uma simplificação operacional. / The efficacy of the quadruple association (DPT + BCG) was studied though protection and comparison ot the conversion serum in vaccines using aluminium hydroxide or BCG as adjuvant. Both the protection power of the Pertussis vaccine evaluated by the protection test in mice and BCG by the oxygen uptake and counts of viable particles were considered satisfactory. Being difteria and tetanus toxoids considered inert and stable proteins, their protection wasn\'t determined after their combination. The antibody levels produced by the antigens were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to the difteria and tetanus toxoids, by the fluorescent antibody technique to the Pertussis vaccine and by the tuberculin conversion to the BCG. The conversion levels were satisfatory and there was no damage in their association. There was no meaningful local or general reaction in this association making an operational simplification possible.

Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of whooping cough which is a worldwide acute respiratory disease that predominantly involves infants. Whooping cough is one of the ten most common causes of death from infectious diseases worldwide. The increased coverage of the primary pertussis vaccination (DaBT-IPA-Hib) decreased the incidence of disease in Turkey dramatically. However, in spite of the incidence decline, the circulation of B. pertussis has not yet been eliminated, and a change in the clinical spectrum and age-related incidence of the disease has been observed. On the other hand, in view of the moderate changes that have been observed in the genomic sequences of certain virulance factors over time, there are concerns about the gradual loss of the efficacy of the current pertussis vaccines as a result of antigenic drift and continuous selection of the least vaccine-sensitive clones. Proteomics deals with whole protein content (proteome) of cells as a function of space and time. Gel-based approach in proteomics involves two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) employing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry (MS). Immunoproteomics which is a combination of gel based proteomics and Western blot analysis determines tumor-specific antigens as well as immunoreactive proteins of pathogens by combining proteomics with Western blot technique. Although immunoproteomics is a rather new research tool, it has been quite effective to determine the virulence factors of various pathogenic microorganisms. The present study aims at comparing immunoproteome of the standard B. pertussis strain &ldquo / Tahoma I&rdquo / with those of two other strains, namely &ldquo / Saadet&rdquo / and &ldquo / Nursel&rdquo / , which are the local isolates that have been preferred as the vaccine strains for many years in our country for their ability to provide a better protection. Of a total of 38 immunogenic proteins identified, 14 were shown to be the novel antigens for B. pertussis. Among 14 proteins, one was detected as immunogenic in only Tohama I strain where two proteins were specific for Nursel strain. Among the strains compared, Saadet strain had the highest antigenic variety, than the others.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.