A case for immunization against nosocomial infections.
Immunization is a highly effective public health measure that reduces the incidence of infectious diseases, yet there has been relatively little effort toward the development of vaccines for nosocomial infections. Many nosocomial infections originate on mucosal surfaces (e.g., respiratory or gastrointestinal mucosa). As patients who are hospitalized once are more likely to be hospitalized again, we propose a prime-boost immunization strategy, whereby a priming dose of vaccine for a nosocomial infection is administered mucosally. Upon readmission, a parenteral boost would elicit a rapid immune response locally and systemically. Such a strategy could reduce or ameliorate nosocomial infections and perhaps limit dissemination of nosocomial pathogens. Thus, a more aggressive effort to develop vaccines for nosocomial infections is warranted.
Cross
Alan S
AS
Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 685 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. across@medicine.umaryland.edu
Chen
Wilbur H
WH
Levine
Myron M
MM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007114:Immunization / Q000379:methods*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D014612:Vaccines