The effectiveness and safety of vaccines against human anthrax: a systematic review.
We report on the results of a systematic review of existing controlled clinical trials undertaken to assess the effectiveness and safety of vaccines against human anthrax in relation to disease incidence and side-effects. Two articles retrieved by electronic and hand search fulfilling some of the inclusion criteria underwent a quality assessment by a group of reviewers. Data synthesized from the two trials showed that estimates of overall effectiveness and safety favour treatment (overall odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.34). The route of inoculation appears to make little difference to the effectiveness of the vaccines; however, one study shows that the incidence and severity of side-effects are significantly higher with the killed vaccine than with the alum-based placebo (overall odds ratio 0.16; 95% confidence interval 2.38-27.17).
Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale del Piemonte, Area di Epidemiologia Ambientale, Allesandria, Italy.
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V
Demicheli
D
D
Rivetti
J J
JJ
Deeks
T
T
Jefferson
M
M
Pratt
D000818:Animals; D000881:Anthrax / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012449:Safety; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated