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Dengue vaccine looks promising Posted 11-23-98 Thai researchers have developed a vaccine against dengue, a mosquitoborne viral infection with potentially deadly complications. "This vaccine is seen as the most promising, so everybody is excited. As far as I know, this is the first one with a commercial connection," said Jose Rigau, MD, medical epidemiologist at the national Centers for Disease Control Dengue Branch in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Researchers say the live, attenuated vaccine is two to five years away from commercial use. It was developed at Mahidol University, west of Bangkok. The university has signed a contract with the French company Pasteur Maerieux Connaught, giving it a 20-year exclusive license worldwide. Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical regions, primarily in Africa, Central and South America, the West Pacific, and Southeast Asia. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a serious complication of the illness that, without proper treatment, has fatality rates of 15 percent or more. The symptoms of dengue vary according to the age of the patient. Infants and young children may have a fever and rash. Older children and adults have either a mild febrile syndrome or abrupt onset and high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and rash. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a potentially deadly complication characterized by high fever, hemorrhagic phenomena—often with enlargement of the liver—and, in severe cases, circulatory failure. There are no specific medications for dengue. Health professionals advise rest, fluids, and analgesics for fever and pain, but no aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents because they affect platelet function. Related Site |
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