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UMd. Testing Bird Flu Vaccine Cultured in Cells, Not Eggs
Dec 18th - 7:49pm
By ALEX DOMINGUEZ Associated Press Writer
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> BALTIMORE (AP) - A bird flu vaccine cultured in laboratory-grown cells and not chicken eggs like traditional vaccines is being tested at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
The new method allows for the production of larger quantities of vaccine because drug companies would not be limited by the supply of specialized chicken eggs used for the manufacture of traditional flu vaccines.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The vaccine being tested is made from virus grown in a line of kidney cells originally taken from African green monkeys, but which are now self-propagating. Because of that ability to culture as many of the kidney cells as needed as much vaccine as needed can be made, said Dr. James Campbell, the lead investigator on the study.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> "It is somewhat quicker than growing it in eggs and there is essentially no limit to the amount of cells, the number of cells you can infect, whereas with eggs there is a limit," Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The small percentage of people who are allergic to a protein found in chicken egg-based vaccines also would be able to receive the vaccine, Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is seeking 100 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 years to 40 years old to participate in the second stage of the trial funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The study is also the first U.S. test of a vaccine made from the whole avian flu virus, which may prompt a stronger immune response.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Some traditional flu vaccines use to be made with the whole, killed influenza virus. Manufacturers all now produce vaccines made from pieces of the killed virus because of lower side effects, which can include swelling and redness at the injection site and flu-like symptoms, Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Campbell said the body's immune system may respond better to the whole virus because the vaccine, made by Baxter International, more closely resembles the natural virus.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> While the vaccine may cause more minor side effects "it may be worth the additional discomfort if we are able to provoke better immune responses in more people."
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Since avian flu emerged in Hong Kong in 1996, at least 154 people have died, mostly those who had close contact with sick birds or their droppings. However, scientists fear it could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people.
Because of those fears, the federal government has been stockpiling vaccine made to battle the virus.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> In November, the federal government said it had ordered enough bird flu vaccine to protect an additional 2.7 million people. The additional doses will about double the existing stockpile, which now has enough vaccine for about 3 million people. The government plans to eventually buy enough vaccine for 20 million people, including emergency and health care workers.
However, the government has also announced that some of the bird flu vaccine it has stockpiled is growing weaker with age and it is not known how long vaccines in the stockpile will remain viable.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> ___
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> University of Maryland School of Medicine: http://medschool.umaryland.edu/
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Government bird flu information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ (Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
UMd. Testing Bird Flu Vaccine Cultured in Cells, Not Eggs
Dec 18th - 7:49pm
By ALEX DOMINGUEZ Associated Press Writer
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> BALTIMORE (AP) - A bird flu vaccine cultured in laboratory-grown cells and not chicken eggs like traditional vaccines is being tested at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
The new method allows for the production of larger quantities of vaccine because drug companies would not be limited by the supply of specialized chicken eggs used for the manufacture of traditional flu vaccines.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The vaccine being tested is made from virus grown in a line of kidney cells originally taken from African green monkeys, but which are now self-propagating. Because of that ability to culture as many of the kidney cells as needed as much vaccine as needed can be made, said Dr. James Campbell, the lead investigator on the study.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> "It is somewhat quicker than growing it in eggs and there is essentially no limit to the amount of cells, the number of cells you can infect, whereas with eggs there is a limit," Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The small percentage of people who are allergic to a protein found in chicken egg-based vaccines also would be able to receive the vaccine, Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The Center for Vaccine Development at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is seeking 100 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 years to 40 years old to participate in the second stage of the trial funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> The study is also the first U.S. test of a vaccine made from the whole avian flu virus, which may prompt a stronger immune response.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Some traditional flu vaccines use to be made with the whole, killed influenza virus. Manufacturers all now produce vaccines made from pieces of the killed virus because of lower side effects, which can include swelling and redness at the injection site and flu-like symptoms, Campbell said.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Campbell said the body's immune system may respond better to the whole virus because the vaccine, made by Baxter International, more closely resembles the natural virus.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> While the vaccine may cause more minor side effects "it may be worth the additional discomfort if we are able to provoke better immune responses in more people."
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Since avian flu emerged in Hong Kong in 1996, at least 154 people have died, mostly those who had close contact with sick birds or their droppings. However, scientists fear it could mutate into a form that spreads easily among people.
Because of those fears, the federal government has been stockpiling vaccine made to battle the virus.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> In November, the federal government said it had ordered enough bird flu vaccine to protect an additional 2.7 million people. The additional doses will about double the existing stockpile, which now has enough vaccine for about 3 million people. The government plans to eventually buy enough vaccine for 20 million people, including emergency and health care workers.
However, the government has also announced that some of the bird flu vaccine it has stockpiled is growing weaker with age and it is not known how long vaccines in the stockpile will remain viable.
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> ___
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> University of Maryland School of Medicine: http://medschool.umaryland.edu/
<!-- the str_replaces are for WC3 validation --> Government bird flu information: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ (Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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