NEWS SCAN: Anthrax vaccine strategy shift, good news on TB

Anthrax
Tuberculosis

Dec 9, 2009

BARDA shifts approach for developing new anthrax vaccine
The Biomedical Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Dec 7 that it is changing its approach for supporting the development of a next-generation anthrax vaccine. The announcement came as BARDA canceled its request for proposal for companies to develop a recombinant protective-antigen anthrax vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile, after its technical panel determined none of the companies could meet the Project BioShield requirement to have a product licensed within 8 years. Instead, BARDA is asking vaccine developers to submit plans under a program that more broadly supports countermeasure development. BARDA said studies funded through this program can help advance vaccines far enough to improve their chances of meeting Project BioShield requirements in the future. Dr. Robin Robinson, BARDA director, said the earlier proposal would expose companies to an undue risk of failure. He said anthrax preparedness remains one of the nation's highest priorities. The government has sought a more modern anthrax vaccine because a number of military members, who are required to get the shot, have complained of serious side effects. In 2006 BARDA canceled a contract with VaxGen to produce a new anthrax vaccine after problems with vaccine stability caused the company to miss its clinical trial launch deadline.

WHO reports good news in global TB battle
Over the past 15 years a rigorous approach to tuberculosis (TB) treatment has cured 36 million people and saved about 8 million lives, the World Health Organization (WHO) said yesterday in its latest TB report. In 1994 the WHO incorporated the DOTS strategy into its TB program, which added five elements: political commitment with sustained financing, case detection through quality bacteriology, standardized treatment with supervision and patient support, an effective drug supply system, monitoring and evaluation protocols, and impact measurement. In the past year, 87% of treated patients were cured, marking the first time the global target of 85% has been met since it was set in 1991, the WHO said. Progress is being made on addressing TB and HIV coinfections, but not all patients are receiving the treatment they should. Multidrug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB are still a persistent challenge in many parts of the world, the agency reported.
Dec 8 WHO press release
WHO TB report

This week's top reads

  1. Common diabetes drug lowers SARS-CoV-2 levels, clinical trial finds

    The mean SARS-CoV-2 viral load was reduced 3.6-fold with metformin.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    metformin

  2. Trial data support non-antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis

    The trial found that the broad-spectrum antiseptic dequalinium chloride was noninferior to metronidazole, and more tolerable.

    Chris Dall
    Bacterial vaginosis

  3. Study: HHS's COVID vaccine campaign saved $732 billion in averted infections, costs

    Researchers say the campaign encouraged 22 million Americans to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccine series, preventing nearly 2.6 million infections.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Vaccine assembly line

  4. Studies yield more clues about H5N1 avian flu susceptibility, spread in dairy cows

    Researchers who examined cow mammary gland tissue found wide expression of avian and human influenza A receptors, which could explain high virus loads in milk of infected cows.

    Lisa Schnirring
    cow udders

  5. Colorado officials probe source of H5N1 in cows as USDA confirms more infected mammals

    Monitoring of about 70 farm workers found no symptoms, and the state's wastewater sampling pilot has found no flu rise.

    Lisa Schnirring
    vet and dairy herd

  6. With H5N1 avian flu silently spreading in US cattle, wastewater testing could be key

    Wastewater treatment systems that have no intake of animal-related sewage could serve as sentinels for human disease, experts say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Wastewater plant

  7. USDA reports more H5N1 detections in poultry, wild birds

    Also, another avian flu outbreak was reported in backyard poultry in Idaho.

    Lisa Schnirring
    farm pigeons

  8. Case report bolsters evidence for H5N1 avian flu spread from cow to Texas dairy worker

    The patient worked at a farm where the illness was suspected in cows and in a region where H5N1 was confirmed in other dairy herds.

    Lisa Schnirring
    milking parlor worker

  9. WHO describes MERS cluster in Saudi Arabia

    The index case-patient, who died from his infection, shared a hospital room with the second patient identified.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  10. FDA postpones advisory committee meeting on next COVID vaccines

    The FDA said the few extra weeks allow it to obtain the most up-to-date information for making its recommendation.

    Lisa Schnirring