Anthrax vaccines

• Main Authors: Splino Miroslav, Patocka Jiri, Prymula Roman, Chlibek Roman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre 2005-01-01
• Series: Annals of Saudi Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.saudiannals.net/article.asp?issn=0256-4947;year=2005;volume=25;issue=2;spage=143;epage=149;aulast=Splino

<b>SUMMARY</b> : Anthrax, an uncommon disease in humans, is caused by a large bacterium, <i> Bacillus anthracis. </i> The risk of inhalation infection is the main indication for anthrax vaccination. Pre-exposure vaccination is provided by an acellular vaccine (anthrax vaccine adsorbed or AVA), which contains anthrax toxin elements and results in protective immunity after 3 to 6 doses. Anthrax vaccine precipitated (AVP) is administered at primovaccination in 3 doses with a booster dose after 6 months. To evoke and maintain protective immunity, it is necessary to administer a booster dose once at 12 months. In Russia, live spore vaccine (STI) has been used in a two-dose schedule. Current anthrax vaccines show considerable local and general reactogenicity (erythema, induration, soreness, fever). Serious adverse reactions occur in about 1&#x0025; of vaccinations. New second-generation vaccines in current research programs include recombinant live vaccines and recombinant sub-unit vaccines.