Fazeli Mr, Abbaspour M, Ghahremani Mh, Alimian M, Ilka H, Jamalifar H, Azadi S, Azizi E,
Volume 64, Issue 12 (6 2006)
Abstract
Background: Aluminum salts are common adjuvants in human and animal vaccine preparations. The two adjuvants aluminum phosphate and aluminum hydroxide show acceptable immunoadjuvant properties with many antigens. These two salts have different physicochemical characteristics that make each one suitable for certain antigens. The surface antigen of Hepatitis B (HBsAg) has several antigenic epitopes that bind to aluminum adjuvants by a ligand exchange mechanism. Although HBV vaccines using an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant are available, higher antigenicity is needed for the subgroup of people who do not respond sufficiently to the currently available vaccines.
Methods: A solution of recombinant HBsAg for making different formulations of vaccines with aluminum phosphate (Adju-Phos®) and aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel®) adjuvants was obtained from Darupakhsh Pharmaceutical Company. The total protein content, antigenicity, and purity of HBsAg solution were determined using BCA, ELISA, and SDS-PAGE methods, respectively. The different formulations were prepared in the lab and administered i.p. to two test groups of Balb/C mice and a third test group received the Engerix vaccine, which is currently available on the market and uses an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The control group of animals received the solution without antigen. After 28 days, heart blood samples were collected and serum was separated to determine the antibody titer against HBsAg using an ELISA kit.
Results: This study shows that the vaccine formulated with aluminum phosphate exerted more immunogenicity than both the aluminum hydroxide laboratory formulation and the Engerix vaccines.
Conclusion: Although the results of our study indicate higher immunogenic properties of the vaccine formulated with the aluminum phosphate adjuvant, complementary experiments are needed to further evaluate the biological properties with respect to effectiveness, adverse effects, product stability and finally possibility for manufacturing and distribution of this new formulation as a Hepatitis B vaccine.
Vahid Malekzadeh, Shadi Sheikhizadeh , Mohadeseh Taklo, Hossein Jamalifar, Younes Ghaseminezhad Koshali , Hassan Khorramian, Hossein Naseri ,
Volume 82, Issue 2 (May 2024)
Abstract
Background: Considering the emergence of new diseases, increased prevalence of nosocomial infections, and microbial resistance in recent years, it is necessary to disinfect the hands with a suitable hand sanitizer, as instructed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This is because hand hygiene is the most important way to control infections. Surgical hand antisepsis protocols emphasize the importance of both mechanical cleaning and antimicrobial action to effectively eliminate microbial contamination. Recommendations from organizations such as the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) underscore this principle. While routine handwashing removes visible debris and transient microbes, surgical hand antisepsis requires additional steps and the use of antimicrobial agents. This may involve a surgical scrub with an antimicrobial soap or the application of an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). The latter approach has demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing microbial contamination compared to soap and water alone. Since a few compressive studies in Iran have dealt with global standards for disinfectants, this study investigated the effects of surgical scrub based on the European standards with TGSept AL Plus, produced by the research team of Tajhiz Gostar Sharif , on normal flora of hands in a group of the operating room medical staff in Hazrat Fatemeh Plastic Surgery and Repair Hospital of Tehran, in 2023.
Methods: This study evaluated the short-term durability and effectiveness of this solution according to the EN12791 standard on microorganisms and microbial contamination reduction. To this end, 30 members of the surgical team were randomly selected. The bacterial sampling was performed three times: after washing the hands with common detergents, after hand scrubbing with the studied disinfectant (about 90 seconds), and three hours after surgery. The samples were immediately transferred to a laboratory for swap culture and pour plate test.
Results: Then bacterial colonies were counted, contamination reduction was measured, and the shelf life of the solution was determined according to the standards. Results showed that a 60-to-90-second scrub with an alcohol-based disinfectant is the best way to reduce hand contamination and, thereby, nosocomial infections.
Conclusion: Based on the study findings, alcohol-based solutions can be recommended for surgical scrubs, according to WHO guidelines.
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