DPT vaccine

The DTP vaccine, because of the " acellular " pertussis - component DTPa also called, is a vaccine, which is used by injection for primary and booster vaccination against three different diseases: diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis ). Recommended combination vaccines because they simplify the handling, reduce the number of injections and vaccinations and reduce costs. As with all vaccines are subject to long-term effects and efficacy of continuous research.

Epidemiology

The infectious diseases diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis are all serious diseases, which have claimed several lives before the widespread use of vaccines against these diseases.

Diphtheria is an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Especially feared are life-threatening complications due to bacterial poisons ( toxins) which can lead to products myocarditis and neuritis. The previously common disease has declined significantly in the Western industrialized countries. Due to the high immunization rates in children since 1984, individual cases are only detected by notification in Germany. In much of the developing world, however, diphtheria is still endemic, such as Asia, Africa and South America. That the diphtheria itself but can also spread quickly in lowering the vaccination rate was observed in the former Soviet Union, where after its collapse occurred 1994 48.000 cases.

Another disease which is caused by a bacterial toxin, the tetanus, also called lockjaw. The resistant spores of the bacterium Clostridium tetani are everywhere, even in road dust or garden soil before. Infection occurs by the penetration of these spores in wounds. The bacterium multiplies and secretes toxins (toxins ) from: The toxin tetanospasmin damages the muscle -controlling nerve cells and thereby causes the typical paralysis and muscle spasms, which can also lead to death. Tetanus is common with large regional differences around the world. Ill, especially in countries with poor medical care and die even today many people suffer from this disease. In Asia and Africa, the incidence rate is 10-50 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The WHO estimates that over a million people a year worldwide die from tetanus.

Pertussis or whooping cough is triggered by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis highly contagious infectious disease with atypical attacks of coughing, which can be life threatening esp. in infants. Threatening whooping cough is also due to serious complications such as pneumonia, otitis media, apnea and brain inflammation. Worldwide develop about 20 to 40 million people with whooping cough; Deaths - mostly in infants under 6 months - can be reported annually to 300,000 about 200,000. The morbidity also takes in Germany because of the general vaccination fatigue again.

Application and effect of the DTP vaccine

The DTP vaccine is injected intramuscularly by trained personnel and usually causes a non- perceived, non-transferable stimulation of the immune system against infectious diseases mentioned above. From the second month of life three doses should be administered with an interval of one month for primary immunization. The human immune system is at 90-100 % of subjects ( depending on the component ) antibodies against the respective diseases. However, since the antibody titer declines over the years, every 10 years should be refreshed vaccination.

Side effects

As a side effect, as with all vaccinations local vaccine reactions such as redness, swelling and pain at the injection site occur and should be considered as harmless. Especially at the application site develop, when the vaccine was administered into the upper layers of the subcutis - In rare cases, here a permanent hardening - or a hematoma or an abscess.

Since it is a live vaccine in DTP immunization, the corresponding infectious diseases by vaccination itself can not be triggered. However, in this case, the immune system is activated, so that may arise in the consequence of systemic reactions such as muscle weakness, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches. These effects are usually lighter and short-term nature; allergic reactions are rare. Today's DTP vaccines have been greatly improved in recent years and with their acellular pertussis generally much better tolerated both locally and systemically as former DTP preparations with whole cell pertussis antigen - ( complete whooping cough pathogen). Thus, although there are known potential side effects, according to the prevailing expert opinion, vaccination is a "natural" infection far preferable.

Since January 1, 2001 applies to doctors in Germany in the Infection Protection Act (IfSG ) anchored " obligation to report a suspicion of going beyond the usual extent of a vaccine reaction damage to their health ." Is reported any suspicion, regardless of whether a connection between vaccination and suspected reaction is. In the years 2001 to 2003 accounted for 31 of the 3329 vaccination reactions reported to the DTP vaccines, whereby the number of a higher number of unreported cases.

Trade names

The following triple vaccines are commercially

• Boostrix ® ( A, D) from Glaxo Smith Kline
• Covaxis ® ( D) by Sanofi Pasteur MSD
• Infanrix ® ( D) from Glaxo Smith Kline