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A case for immunization against nosocomial infections
Author(s) -
Cross Alan S.,
Chen Wilbur H.,
Levine Myron M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1189/jlb.0607379
Subject(s) - immunization , intensive care medicine , immune system , immunology , priming (agriculture) , incidence (geometry) , active immunization , medicine , biology , botany , germination , physics , optics
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.