D Rowley

Gut immunity to typhoid: The immune response to a live oral typhoid vaccine Ty21a

Abstract The oral typhoid vaccine, Ty21a, generated an intestinal antibody response that was consistent and long‐lasting in contrast to the irregular response it generated in serum. Studies with different doses of the vaccine showed that 109 organisms appeared to be around the threshold dose required for a response and there was an increase in the consistency and magnitude of the response without side effects up to the maximum dose used of 1011 organisms. Revaccination after 6 months generated a further response though this response did not have the features of a memory response.

Tuberculosis among Tibetan refugees in India.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem among Tibetan refugees in India. To determine the incidence of and risk factors for TB among Tibetan refugees in India, data on TB were included in the demographic and health surveillance project carried out by the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamsala from 1994 to 1996. Risk factor and morbidity data were determined by baseline and monthly follow-up home visits, and reported TB was confirmed by clinic records. The surveillance covered approximately 90% of the refugees in civilian settlements and approximately 70% of the monks in monasteries. In the settlement population, TB incidence was extraordinarily high in the settlement population, 10.9/ 1,000 in 1994. but decreased to 7.7/1,000 in 1996. Incidence rates varied between regions, age groups, and occupational groups, being highest in the Doon Valley (14.8/1,000). in sweater sellers (16.7/1,000), and in the unemployed (23/1,000). Among monastery monks, incidence rates were even higher than in the settlements, averaging 17.2/1,000 over the 3-year period. The proportion of patients without sputum results and variation in the proportion of smear positive cases indicated inadequate use and poor quality of laboratory services. Indias Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program, based on WHO-recommendations, has been highly successful in pilot districts and is being extended to the whole country. This program should be adopted promptly by the health care system serving Tibetan refugees and vigorously implemented among the refugee population.

MODULATION OF ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO VIBRIO CHOLERAE IN MICE BY ADOPTIVE TRANSFER OF PEYER'S PATCH LYMPHOCYTES FROM ORALLY IMMUNISED DONORS

Peyers patch lymphocytes from mice orally primed with V. cholerae injected into recipient mice together with V. cholerae led to a considerable suppression of IgM antibody-forming cells in the spleen by comparison with control mice receiving the same schedule but with Peyers patch lymphocytes from unprimed mice. The effect on the splenic IgA responses of recipients was variable. Incomplete separation of the Peyers patch cells showed that both T and B cell enriched fractions were active in this suppressive effect.