Scientists eye new developments on the vaccine front

The vast range of pathogens and their ability to mutate beyond the reach of many antibiotics continue to challenge researchers.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. May 26, 2003.

Washington -- Vaccines that target influenza, measles, polio and pneumonia are wiping out those infections that have long taken a toll on human life. But there are plenty of other pathogens to keep microbe hunters on the job developing new vaccines to eradicate infections that are fatal to many patients, especially the youngest, oldest and most frail.

Microbiologists, epidemiologists and public health physicians gathered early this month for updates on the ongoing search for new vaccines at the 6th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research in Arlington, Va. The conference was sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Presentations ranged from the search for a safer, next-generation smallpox vaccine to those that prevent infection by such nasty bugs as Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile.

The threat of bioterrorist attack has kept the smallpox virus center stage, prompting researchers to step up work on a new vaccine that can be used safely to inoculate individuals not currently deemed eligible for the existing one.

For instance, individuals who have a compromised immune system or a history of eczema are cautioned against receiving the smallpox vaccine unless there is an actual smallpox outbreak.

A new smallpox vaccine is being evaluated, said Richard N. Greenberg, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington, although, because of the small numbers of volunteers in the trial, there is no definitive outcome.