Epidemic diphtheria reemerged in the republic of Georgia in 1993. From 1993 to 1997, 1405 cases were reported (28 in 1993, 312 in 1994, 429 in 1995, 348 in 1996, and 288 in 1997), with a cumulative incidence of 25.8/100,000 and a case fatality ratio of 9.5%. During 1993-1997, 53% of the diphtheria cases occurred among persons >/=15 years of age. Unvaccinated patients were more likely to have to...

Healthy adults, 18-55 years old, were immunized once with a tetravalent (serogroups A, C, Y, and W-135) meningococcal vaccine conjugated to diphtheria toxoid at 1 of 3 doses and were monitored for safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity. No immediate reactions were observed. Only 1 of 89 subjects reported fever; only 1 reported any severe reactogenicity (local pain/soreness, chills, arthralg...

INTRODUCTION The association of Guillain-Barré syndrome with vaccination has been described in the literature; it is infrequent and controversial. An association with swine influenza, influenza, hepatitis and tetanus vaccination has been documented in few case reports. CASE PRESENTATION A 40-year-old Caucasian man sustained a small right temporal epidural hematoma and nondisplaced right skull...

The mechanism of the peroxidative oxidation of diphtheria toxin has been investigated. It has been found that this reaction requires the presence of an oxidizable, dialyzable cofactor in addition to hydrogen peroxide and peroxidase. Cofactors are present in a variety of materials and have been partially purified from urine. The flocculation titer of toxin modified by peroxidation remains unchan...

RESEARCH PAPERS' Proteins Generation of forms of fragment E with differing thrombin-binding properties during digestion of fibrinogen by plasmin Association between diphtheria toxin Aand B-fragment and their fusion proteins The interplay of temperature and protons in the modulation of oxygen binding by squid blood Interaction between secretory leucocyte proteinase inhibitor and bronchial mucins...

In October 2011, in an effort to reduce the burden of pertussis in infants, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that unvaccinated pregnant women receive a dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). Vaccination of women with Tdap during pregnancy is expected to provide some protection to infants from pertussis until ...