Senin, 14 Mei 2012

[inti-net] Cuba to begin clinical trials of pneumonia vaccine

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/10may-Cuba%20to.html

Havana. May 10, 2012

Cuba to begin clinical trials of pneumonia vaccine

Iris de Armas Padrino

HAVANA.— Clinical trials will begin here this year for a vaccine against pneumococcus bacteria, developed by Cuban institutions, according to an announcement by Dr. Concepción Campa, director of the Finlay Institute.

In a lecture about Cuban vaccines, results and achievements in this area, presented on the first day of the 16th International Seminar of the Caribbean Medical Association (AMECA), the expert reported that the vaccine had been produced by Cuba's Biomedical Chemistry Center and the Finlay.

Dr. Campa, in a conversation with AIN, explained that pneumonia is a common cause of death among both infants and the elderly and that this 7-valent vaccine will be made available to adults and children, to control the disease, once the human trials have been completed.

According to medical literature, pneumococci are almost exclusively human pathogens and cause a variety of infections (pneumonia, sinusitis and peritonitis, among others) and serious invasive illnesses such as meningitis and septicemia, particularly in the elderly, children and adults with immunodeficiency.

Dr. Campa discussed the impact on public health which Cuba's 10 vaccines have had, over the last 20 years, with the 200 delegates from several countries who attended the seminar on Active Satisfying Longevity and the Nursing meeting, during the event.

She indicated that the vaccines have contributed to lowering infant mortality to less than 5 deaths per 1,000 live births in Cuba.

Cuba has exemplified the meaning of quality longevity, guaranteeing economic security, health care and social integration of the elderly, as well as by undertaking scientific research on old age, she said.

Dr. Miguel Valdés Mier, head of the country's Gerontology and Geriatrics group, reported that the small country, blockaded by the United States for more than 50 years, has 1,500 citizens 100 years of age, or older, whose ages have been verified and that life expectancy in Cuba is close to 80 years.

Eugenio Selman-Housein Abdo, President of AMECA and the conference organizing committee, indicated that the 16th International Seminar included discussions addressing genetic factors, culture, health, nutrition, environment, motivation, physical activity and other elements essential to a satisfying long life.

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