title: A study of physico-chemical interactions between Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcus group C conjugate vaccines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Meningococcal group C (MenC) conjugate vaccines, which protect against otitis media, bacteremia and invasive diseases, including pneumonia and meningitis, are attractive candidates for combination, since they are both administered to infants and children. A Hib-MenC combination booster at 12 mo has recently been introduced in the U.K.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To rule out the possibility for the individual vaccine components in a Hib-MenC combination to interact, rendering one or both of them less effective, this work assessed whether these two saccharide-protein conjugates, namely, Hib oligosaccharide-CRM(197) (Cross-Reacting Material 197) and MenC-CRM(197), interact in solution. Furthermore an evaluation of the size and integrity of the vaccines was also performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  HPLC Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with UV-adsorption and refractive index detection was performed with a phosphate and non-phosphate saline buffer to characterize the size of Hib and MenC conjugates as individual components or when combined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hib-CRM(197) eluted significantly earlier than MenC-CRM(197) in both phosphate-saline and MOPS-saline buffers on a TSK5000 PWXL column. When combined, there was no significant change in their elution. Refractive index monitoring showed no evidence of significant free saccharide or free protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By size-exclusion chromatography and refractive index detection methods, there was no indication of degradation, and no evidence of significant associative interactions between Hib-CRM(197) and MenC-CRM(197) in saline-based buffers, pH 7.2.
authors.affiliation: Division of Bacteriology, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. otto72zug@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Robert B D
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: Dennis T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bolgiano
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D002648:Child; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004347:Drug Interactions; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D019741:Haemophilus influenzae type b / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology; D012031:Refractometry; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D022401:Meningococcal Vaccines; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D018074:Vaccines, Conjugate; C410218:serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine