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Advances in Cuban pneumonia project
Lisandra Fariñas Acosta
The clinical and epidemiological priorities and
laboratory observation of pneumonia, in addition to
advances in the Cuban preventative vaccine project
were discussed during the Eighth Microbiology and
Parasitological Congress which concludes October 16
in Havana.
Pneumococcus
is
the main cause of bacterial infections in infants
globally Photo:
www.farmaconsejos.com
During the symposium dedicated to the subject,
experts stated that
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
(pneumococcus)
is a disease responsible for highly lethal illnesses
such as
pneumonia and meningitis; and is the main cause of
bacterial infections in infants globally - a problem
which effects Cuba.
Dr. Vicente Verez Bencomo, director of the
Bimolecular Chemistry Center stated to Granma
that Cuba has been working for many years on
developing a preventative vaccine against the most
important serotypes in the world and the country.
“From these studies we have been able to identify
seven of the more than a dozen which cause
infections. The components contained in our vaccine,
have already been developed and have completed all
the laboratory phases.”
According to the specialist, clinical studies began
on breastfeeding infants and adults in 2012. “We
completed phase one of the pediatric population and
we are currently in the second and third stages,
working with more than 1,000 children. In regards to
breastfeeding infants, we are in phase one, working
with two, four and six month old babies, and should
have the vaccine registered - to then be made
available for use - by the end of 2015 or the
beginning of 2016.
“We hope to produce the necessary doses for the
country and carry out a massive immunization
campaign for children aged one to five years old,
which would enable us to prevent the illness.
Meanwhile, studies of breastfeeding infants and
adults will continue,” stated Dr. Verez Bencomo.
In this context, he highlighted the importance of
the epidemiological surveillance network on
pneumonia, which continues alongside the vaccine
project, and involves various Cuban scientific
institutions.
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