Miwako Kobayashi

Intervals Between PCV13 and PPSV23 Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Two pneumococcal vaccines are currently licensed for use in the United States: the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 [Prevnar 13, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.]) and the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 [Pneumovax 23, Merck and Co., Inc.]). The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends that a dose of PCV13 be followed by a dose of PPSV23 in all adults aged ≥65 years who have not previously received pneumococcal vaccine and in persons aged ≥2 years who are at high risk for pneumococcal disease because of underlying medical conditions (Table) (1-4). The recommended intervals between PCV13 and PPSV23 given in series differ by age and risk group and the order in which the two vaccines are given (1-4).

Group B Streptococcus vaccine development: present status and future considerations, with emphasis on perspectives for low and middle income countries

Globally, group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of sepsis and meningitis in young infants, with its greatest burden in the first 90 days of life. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) for women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns has been effective in reducing, but not eliminating, the young infant GBS disease burden in many high income countries. However, identification of women at risk and administration of IAP is very difficult in many low and middle income country (LMIC) settings, and is not possible for home deliveries. Immunization of pregnant women with a GBS vaccine represents an alternate pathway to protecting newborns from GBS disease, through the transplacental antibody transfer to the fetus in utero. This approach to prevent GBS disease in young infants is currently under development, and is approaching late stage clinical evaluation. This manuscript includes a review of the natural history of the disease, global disease burden estimates, diagnosis and existing control options in different settings, the biological rationale for a vaccine including previous supportive studies, analysis of current candidates in development, possible correlates of protection and current status of immunogenicity assays. Future potential vaccine development pathways to licensure and use in LMICs, trial design and implementation options are discussed, with the objective to provide a basis for reflection, rather than recommendations.

Multistate Outbreak of Respiratory Infections Among Unaccompanied Children, June 2014–July 2014

BACKGROUND From January 2014-July 2014, more than 46 000 unaccompanied children (UC) from Central America crossed the US-Mexico border. In June-July, UC aged 9-17 years in 4 shelters and 1 processing center in 4 states were hospitalized with acute respiratory illness. We conducted a multistate investigation to interrupt disease transmission. METHODS Medical charts were abstracted for hospitalized UC. Nonhospitalized UC with influenza-like illness were interviewed, and nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected to detect respiratory pathogens. Nasopharyngeal swabs were used to assess pneumococcal colonization in symptomatic and asymptomatic UC. Pneumococcal blood isolates from hospitalized UC and nasopharyngeal isolates were characterized by serotyping and whole-genome sequencing. RESULTS Among 15 hospitalized UC, 4 (44%) of 9 tested positive for influenza viruses, and 6 (43%) of 14 with blood cultures grew pneumococcus, all serotype 5. Among 48 nonhospitalized children with influenza-like illness, 1 or more respiratory pathogens were identified in 46 (96%). Among 774 nonhospitalized UC, 185 (24%) yielded pneumococcus, and 70 (38%) were serotype 5. UC transferring through the processing center were more likely to be colonized with serotype 5 (odds ratio, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.1-6.9). Analysis of core pneumococcal genomes detected 2 related, yet independent, clusters. No pneumococcus cases were reported after pneumococcal and influenza immunization campaigns. CONCLUSIONS This respiratory disease outbreak was due to multiple pathogens, including Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5 and influenza viruses. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations prevented further transmission. Future efforts to prevent similar outbreaks will benefit from use of both vaccines.

PNEUMOCOCCAL SEROTYPE 5 COLONIZATION PREVALENCE AMONG NEWLY ARRIVED UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN 1 YEAR AFTER AN OUTBREAK—TEXAS, 2015

In 2014, an acute respiratory illness outbreak affected unaccompanied children from Central America entering the United States; 9% of 774 surveyed children were colonized with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 5. In our 2015 follow-up survey of 475 children, serotype 5 was not detected, and an interim recommendation to administer 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to all unaccompanied children was discontinued.

Changes in invasive pneumococcal disease among adults living with HIV following introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, 2008–2014

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) in children in 2010 reduced adult IPD burden (indirect effects). In 2012, PCV13 was recommended in series with 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) for adults with immunocompromising conditions, including PLHIV. We evaluated changes in IPD incidence in adults ≥19 years old with and without HIV after PCV13 introduction for children in 2010 and for immunocompromised adults in 2012. PCV13 coverage for adults 19–64 years old with indications was 6% in 2014. Methods IPD cases, defined as pneumococcal isolation from sterile sites, were identified through CDC’s Active Bacterial Core surveillance, with counts projected nationally. HIV status was obtained from medical records. Isolates were serotyped by Quellung reaction or PCR and grouped into PCV13-types, PPV11-types (unique to PPSV23), or non-vaccine types. We estimated IPD incidence (cases per 100,000 people) using national case-based HIV surveillance (for PLHIV) or US Census data (for non-PLHIV) as denominators. We compared IPD incidence in 2011–12 and 2013–14 to the pre-PCV13 baseline (2008–09) by serotype groups. Results Overall IPD incidence at baseline was 354.0 for PLHIV and 15.5 for non-PLHIV. From baseline to 2013–14, IPD rates declined in both PLHIV (-36.3%; 95% CI: -38.8, -33.7%) and non-PLHIV (-27.3%; 95% CI: -28.2, -26.5%). The largest reductions were noted in PCV13-type IPD in both PLHIV (Figure 1) and non-PLHIV (Figure 2) for both periods (-46.8% for PLHIV and -45.9% for non-PLHIV in 2011–12; -60.3% for PLHIV and -65.8% for non-PLHIV in 2013–14). Overall IPD rates were 22.8 (95% CI: 22.2, 23.4) times as high in PLHIV compared with non-PLHIV at baseline, and 19.4 (95% CI: 18.8, 20.0) times as high in 2013–2014. Conclusion IPD rates declined significantly in both PLHIV and non-PLHIV during the study period due to reductions in PCV13-type IPD; however, IPD rates remained 20-fold in PLHIV compared with non-PLHIV. Similar magnitude reductions in PCV13-type IPD in both groups and low PCV13 coverage in immunocompromised adults suggest that most of the observed decline is due to PCV13 indirect effects from childhood immunization. Disclosures L. Harrison, GSK: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee; W. Schaffner, Pfizer: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee; Merck: Scientific Advisor, Consulting fee; Novavax: Consultant, Consulting fee; Dynavax: Consultant, Consulting fee; Sanofi-pasteur: Consultant, Consulting fee; GSK: Consultant, Consulting fee; Seqirus: Consultant, Consulting fee

A Cluster of Group A Streptococcal Infections in a Skilled Nursing Facility—the Potential Role of Healthcare Worker Presenteeism

To determine the extent of a group A streptococcus (GAS) cluster (2 residents with invasive GAS (invasive case‐patients), 2 carriers) caused by a single strain (T antigen type 2 and M protein gene subtype 2.0 (T2, emm 2.0)), evaluate factors contributing to transmission, and provide recommendations for disease control.