Madison, N.J., Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide public health issue. Physicians around the world face an increasing clinical challenge as many life-threatening bacterial infections, once responsive to therapy, are building resistance to the most commonly prescribed antibiotic treatments. However, preventing the occurrence of disease through vaccination may help alleviate the challenges of antibiotic resistance.

A study published in today's New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) "Effect of Introduction of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Drug-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae" has found that, since the introduction of PREVNAR, Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein), in the United States, the rate of antibiotic-resistant invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has substantially decreased in infants and young children. In addition, the rate of antibiotic-resistant IPD decreased in adults over 65 years of age, an unvaccinated group, suggesting an indirect effect in the non-vaccinated population.

The study analyzed population-based data from the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance, part of the Emerging Infections Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and found that since the introduction of PREVNAR, IPD caused by penicillin-resistant strains targeted by the vaccine has been reduced by:

• 87 percent among the full study population (persons of any age);
• 98 percent among children younger than two years of age;
• 79 percent among adults aged 65 years or older.

The study documented significant overall reductions in antibiotic-resistant IPD, irrespective of pneumococcal serotype, although the rate of penicillin non-susceptible disease due to non-vaccine serotypes increased from 0.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 0.5 per 100,000 in 2004. Wyeth Pharmaceuticals is developing a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which targets additional pneumococcal
'"/>

Contact: Natalie de Vane, Wyeth
484-865-5139
Porter Novelli
6-Apr-2006

Page: 1 2 3
Related medicine news :

1. Significant rise in proportion of chronically ill children dying in intensive care
2. Significant amount of binge eating occurs in restaurants
3. Significant number of parents of junior athletes adversely affect their childs development
4. Significant improvement noted in diabetes management using chronic care model
5. Significant number of emphysema patients would find lasting benefit from lung surgery
6. Annual Bibliography of Significant Advances in Dietary Supplement Research 2004
7. Significant non-coronary findings found during heart CT scans
8. Significant fall in serious violence in England and Wales
9. Decrease in breast cancer rates likely reflect HRT reduction and saturation of mammography
10. Insurance companies deny medically necessary breast reductions based on random, unproven criteria
11. Aggressive reduction in cholesterol levels can reduce risk for stroke by 16 percent