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McGill K, Fitzsimons T, Duignan A, Corner L, Lesellier S, Gormley E. Seroconversion against antigen MPB83 in badgers (Meles meles) vaccinated with multiple doses of BCG strain Sofia. Res Vet Sci 2022; 149:119-124. [PMID: 35777280 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Serological diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers (Meles meles) has relied primarily on antibody recognition of MPB83, a sero-dominant antigen of M. bovis. Most vaccine studies in badgers to date have used the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) Danish strain, a low producer of MPB83. Due to a supply shortage of the BCG Danish strain, the BCG Sofia SL222 strain has been considered as an alternative vaccine. This strain is a high producer of MPB83 raising the possibility that vaccinated animals will test sero-positive in diagnostic assays that use this antigen. In this study we vaccinated a group of eleven badgers with BCG Sofia SL222 by injection via the intramuscular route and a booster vaccine dose was similarly delivered at 12 weeks and 64 weeks. Primary vaccination did not result in measured detection of antibodies against MPB83 in any badger during the first twelve weeks using serum or whole blood tested by the Dual Path Platform (DPP) VetTB, however, MPB83 antibodies were detected in a semi-quantitative ELISA assay. Following delivery of booster BCG at 12 weeks and 64 weeks, antibody responses against MPB83 were recorded in badgers using whole blood and serum on DPP VetTB and by ELISA. At all time points, vaccination was also associated with the in vitro production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) following stimulation of lymphocytes with bovine and avian tuberculin (PPD) but not with MPB83 or M. bovis specific antigen CFP-10. The results indicate that serological diagnosis of tuberculosis using tests that target MPB83 may be compromised if badgers are repeatedly vaccinated with BCG Sofia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevina McGill
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Tara Fitzsimons
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Anthony Duignan
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Leigh Corner
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Sandrine Lesellier
- Laboratoire de la Rage et de la Faune Sauvage de Nancy (LRFSN), Technopole Agricole et Vétérinaire, 54220, Malzéville, France.
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Gormley E, Ní Bhuachalla D, Fitzsimons T, O'Keeffe J, McGrath G, Madden JM, Fogarty N, Kenny K, Messam LLM, Murphy D, Corner LAL. Protective immunity against tuberculosis in a free-living badger population vaccinated orally with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin. Transbound Emerg Dis 2021; 69:e10-e19. [PMID: 34331741 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of badgers with Mycobacterium bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown to protect badgers against tuberculosis in experimental trials. During the 3-year County Kilkenny BCG vaccine field study, badgers were treated orally with placebo (100% in Zone A), BCG (100% in Zone C) or randomly assigned 50%: 50% treatment with BCG or placebo (Zone B). At the end of the study, 275 badgers were removed from the trial area and subjected to detailed post-mortem examination followed by histology and culture for M. bovis. Among these badgers, 83 (30.2%) were captured for the first time across the three zones, representing a non-treated proportion of the population. Analysis of the data based on the infection status of treated animals showed a prevalence of 52% (95% CI: 40%-63%) infection in Zone A (placebo), 39% (95% CI: 17%-64%) in Zone B (placebo) and 44% (95% CI: 20%-70%) in Zone B (BCG vaccinated) and 24% (95% CI: 14%-36%) in Zone C (BCG vaccinated). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of animals with infection involving the lung and thoracic lymph nodes, extra-thoracic infection or in the distribution and severity scores of histological lesions. Among the 83 non-treated badgers removed at the end of the study, the infection prevalence of animals in Zone A (prevalence = 46%, 95% CI: 32%-61%) and Zone B (prevalence = 44%, 95% CI: 23%-67%) was similar to the treated animals in these zones. However, in Zone C, no evidence of infection was found in any of the untreated badgers (prevalence = 0%, 95% CI: 0%-14%). This is consistent with an indirect protective effect in the non-vaccinated badgers leading to a high level of population immunity. The results suggest that BCG vaccination of badgers could be a highly effective means of reducing the incidence of tuberculosis in badger populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eamonn Gormley
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Tara Fitzsimons
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - James O'Keeffe
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Guy McGrath
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jamie M Madden
- UCD Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi Fogarty
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Kevin Kenny
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston Co., Kildare, Ireland
| | - Locksley L McV Messam
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denise Murphy
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.,Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Leigh A L Corner
- Tuberculosis Diagnostics and Immunology Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
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Sheridan MP, Browne JA, Doyle MB, Fitzsimons T, McGill K, Gormley E. IL-10 suppression of IFN-γ responses in tuberculin-stimulated whole blood from Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2017; 189:36-42. [PMID: 28669385 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The measurement of bovine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) forms the basis of a diagnostic test for bovine tuberculosis where Mycobacterium bovis sensitised effector T cells produce IFN-γ following in vitro stimulation with tuberculin antigens. In cattle infected with M. bovis it is also known that the anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine can inhibit in vitro production of IFN-γ leading to a reduced response in the IFN-γ diagnostic test. In order to investigate this in greater detail, whole blood samples from tuberculin skin test positive and negative cattle were stimulated with bovine and avian tuberculin antigens and in parallel with a neutralising anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody. The results showed that IFN-γ protein levels increased when IL-10 activity was suppressed by Anti - IL-10. By using a standard diagnostic interpretation, the elevated levels of IFN-γ were shown to change the level of agreement between the performance of the single intradermal comparative tuberculin test (SICTT) and IFN-γ assay, depending on the tuberculin treatment. A transcriptomic analysis using RT-qPCR investigated the influence of IL-10 activity on expression of a suite of cytokine genes (IFNG, IL12B, IL10 and CXCL10) associated with antigen-stimulated production of IFN-γ. The IFNG and IL12B genes both experienced significant increases in expression in the presence of Anti-IL-10, while the expression of IL10 and CXCL10 remained unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John A Browne
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mairead B Doyle
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tara Fitzsimons
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevina McGill
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Ireland.
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Murphy D, Costello E, Aldwell FE, Lesellier S, Chambers MA, Fitzsimons T, Corner LAL, Gormley E. Oral vaccination of badgers (Meles meles) against tuberculosis: comparison of the protection generated by BCG vaccine strains Pasteur and Danish. Vet J 2014; 200:362-7. [PMID: 24792450 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Revised: 02/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of badgers by the subcutaneous, mucosal and oral routes with the Pasteur strain of Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has resulted in significant protection against experimental infection with virulent M. bovis. However, as the BCG Danish strain is the only commercially licensed BCG vaccine for use in humans in the European Union it is the vaccine of choice for delivery to badger populations. As all oral vaccination studies in badgers were previously conducted using the BCG Pasteur strain, this study compared protection in badgers following oral vaccination with the Pasteur and the Danish strains. Groups of badgers were vaccinated orally with 10(8) colony forming units (CFU) BCG Danish 1331 (n = 7 badgers) or 10(8) CFU BCG Pasteur 1173P2 (n = 6). Another group (n = 8) served as non-vaccinated controls. At 12 weeks post-vaccination, the animals were challenged by the endobronchial route with 6 × 10(3) CFU M. bovis, and at 15 weeks post-infection, all of the badgers were euthanased. Vaccination with either BCG strain provided protection against challenge compared with controls. The vaccinated badgers had significantly fewer sites with gross pathology and significantly lower gross pathological severity scores, fewer sites with histological lesions and fewer sites of infection, significantly lower bacterial counts in the thoracic lymph node, and lower bacterial counts in the lungs than the control group. No differences were observed between either of the vaccine groups by any of the pathology and bacteriology measures. The ELISPOT analysis, measuring production of badger interferon - gamma (IFN-γ), was also similar across the vaccinated groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Murphy
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Eamon Costello
- Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Frank E Aldwell
- Immune Solutions Ltd, Centre for Innovation, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sandrine Lesellier
- Department of Bovine Tuberculosis, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Mark A Chambers
- Department of Bovine Tuberculosis, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, New Haw, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Tara Fitzsimons
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Leigh A L Corner
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Eamonn Gormley
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Meade KG, Gormley E, Doyle MB, Fitzsimons T, O'Farrelly C, Costello E, Keane J, Zhao Y, MacHugh DE. Innate gene repression associated with Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle: toward a gene signature of disease. BMC Genomics 2007; 8:400. [PMID: 17974019 PMCID: PMC2213678 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-8-400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2007] [Accepted: 10/31/2007] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Bovine tuberculosis is an enduring disease of cattle that has significant repercussions for human health. The advent of high-throughput functional genomics technologies has facilitated large-scale analyses of the immune response to this disease that may ultimately lead to novel diagnostics and therapeutic targets. Analysis of mRNA abundance in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from six Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle and six non-infected controls was performed. A targeted immunospecific bovine cDNA microarray with duplicated spot features representing 1,391 genes was used to test the hypothesis that a distinct gene expression profile may exist in M. bovis infected animals in vivo. Results In total, 378 gene features were differentially expressed at the P ≤ 0.05 level in bovine tuberculosis (BTB)-infected and control animals, of which 244 were expressed at lower levels (65%) in the infected group. Lower relative expression of key innate immune genes, including the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 genes, lack of differential expression of indicator adaptive immune gene transcripts (IFNG, IL2, IL4), and lower BOLA major histocompatibility complex – class I (BOLA) and class II (BOLA-DRA) gene expression was consistent with innate immune gene repression in the BTB-infected animals. Supervised hierarchical cluster analysis and class prediction validation identified a panel of 15 genes predictive of disease status and selected gene transcripts were validated (n = 8 per group) by real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Conclusion These results suggest that large-scale expression profiling can identify gene signatures of disease in peripheral blood that can be used to classify animals on the basis of in vivo infection, in the absence of exogenous antigenic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran G Meade
- Education and Research Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Meade KG, Gormley E, Park SDE, Fitzsimons T, Rosa GJM, Costello E, Keane J, Coussens PM, MacHugh DE. Gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle after in vitro antigenic stimulation with purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2006; 113:73-89. [PMID: 16784781 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2006.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2005] [Revised: 03/01/2006] [Accepted: 04/10/2006] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Microarray analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance was used to investigate the gene expression program of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from cattle infected with Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis. An immunospecific bovine microarray platform (BOTL-4) with spot features representing 1336 genes was used for transcriptional profiling of PBMC from six M. bovis-infected cattle stimulated in vitro with bovine purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD-bovine). Cells were harvested at four time points (3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h post-stimulation) and a split-plot design with pooled samples was used for the microarray experiment to compare gene expression between PPD-bovine stimulated PBMC and unstimulated controls for each time point. Statistical analyses of these data revealed 224 genes (approximately 17% of transcripts on the array) differentially expressed between stimulated and unstimulated PBMC across the 24 h time course (P<0.05). Of the 224 genes, 87 genes were significantly upregulated and 137 genes were significantly downregulated in M. bovis-infected PBMC stimulated with PPD-bovine across the 24 h time course. However, perturbation of the PBMC transcriptome was most apparent at time points 3 h and 12 h post-stimulation, with 81 and 84 genes differentially expressed, respectively. In addition, a more stringent statistical threshold (P<0.01) revealed 35 genes (approximately 3%) that were differentially expressed across the time course. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) of selected genes validated the microarray results and demonstrated a wide range of differentially expressed genes in PPD-bovine-, PPD-avian- and Concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated PBMC, including the interferon-gamma gene (IFNG), which was upregulated in PBMC stimulated with PPD-bovine (40-fold), PPD-avian (10-fold) and ConA (8-fold) after in vitro culture for 12 h. The pattern of expression of these genes in PPD-bovine stimulated PBMC provides the first description of an M. bovis-specific signature of infection that may provide insights into the molecular basis of the host response to infection. Although the present study was carried out with mixed PBMC cell populations, it will guide future studies to dissect immune cell-specific gene expression patterns in response to M. bovis infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran G Meade
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, UCD School of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Gormley E, Doyle MB, Fitzsimons T, McGill K, Collins JD. Diagnosis of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle by use of the gamma-interferon (Bovigam®) assay. Vet Microbiol 2006; 112:171-9. [PMID: 16321478 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2005.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The strategic use of the gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) assay (Bovigam) can provide a means for the early identification of Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle, thus ensuring their removal from an infected herd. When used in parallel with the tuberculin test, it is capable of identifying infected cattle, which might otherwise not be detected until later, if at all. The early detection and removal of these animals reduces the risk that they will become a source of infection for other cattle. When targeted in herds of high prevalence the benefits to the herd owner directly concerned can be considerable as the assay provides a means of shortening the period of restriction for such herds. This serves to generate confidence among herd owners and other stakeholders that effective schemes, based on sound scientific principles, can be developed to eradicate tuberculosis from infected cattle populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gormley
- Large Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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Fitzsimons T, Patterson R, Patterson DR. The allergic patient who is noncompliant and abusive: dealing with the adverse experience. Ann Allergy 1991; 66:340-2. [PMID: 2014935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The field of Allergy-Immunology is involved with the care of patients with chronic illness. The care of these patients is enhanced when the physician has established good rapport with the patient. The noncompliant, disruptive behavior of some patients can try the patience of even the most understanding physicians and, in turn, impede the delivery of care. Interactions with this type of patient may leave the physician with feelings of guilt, frustration, and helplessness. We review such an encounter with the purpose of describing how to deal with this type of patient and to guide the physician in responding to this adverse behavior. Such patients will usually require limits to be set on behavioral acting out for their own best interest. Further, it is often necessary to make continued care contingent on compliance with the ground rules set. The physician must be aware of his or her adverse feelings toward the patient and be able to interpret the behavior in the context of the psychiatric disorder so that appropriate psychologic help for the patient can be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fitzsimons
- Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois
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Fitzsimons T, Grammer LC. Immunotherapy--definition and mechanism. Allergy Proc 1990; 11:156. [PMID: 2210355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Fitzsimons T, Dykewicz M. Mild asthma. Allergy Proc 1990; 11:165-6. [PMID: 1976567 DOI: 10.2500/108854190778880105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Fitzsimons T, Lawrence I. Sinusitis. Allergy Proc 1990; 11:176. [PMID: 2210367 DOI: 10.2500/108854190778880132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Wilhelmsen L, Berglund G, Elmfeldt D, Fitzsimons T, Holzgreve H, Hosie J, Hörnkvist PE, Pennert K, Tuomilehto J, Wedel H. Beta-blockers versus diuretics in hypertensive men: main results from the HAPPHY trial. J Hypertens 1987; 5:561-72. [PMID: 2892881 DOI: 10.1097/00004872-198710000-00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 328] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Men aged 40-64 years with mild to moderate hypertension [diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 100-130 mmHg] were randomized to treatment with a diuretic (n = 3272) or a beta-blocker (n = 3297), with additional drugs if necessary, to determine whether a beta-blocker based treatment differs from thiazide diuretic based treatment with regard to the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) events and death. Patients with previous CHD, stroke or other serious diseases, or with contraindications to diuretics or beta-blockers were excluded. If normotension (DBP less than 95 mmHg) was not achieved by monotherapy, other antihypertensive drugs were added, but the two basic drugs were not crossed over. Patients were assessed at 6-monthly intervals. The mean follow-up for end-points was 45.1 months. Blood pressure (BP) side effects and end-points were recorded in a standardized manner. Entry characteristics and the BP reduction achieved were very similar in both treatment groups. All analyses were made on an intention-to-treat basis. The incidence of CHD did not differ between the two treatment groups. The incidence of fatal stroke tended to be lower in the beta-blocker treated group than in the diuretic treated group. Total mortality and the total number of end-points were similar in both groups. The percentage of patients withdrawn due to side effects was similar, whereas the number of reported symptoms, according to a questionnaire, was higher for patients on beta-blockers. The incidence of diabetes did not differ between the two groups. Subgroup analyses did not detect a difference in the effect of beta-blockers compared with diuretics in smokers as opposed to non-smokers, and beta-blockers also had the same effects as diuretics in the quartile with the highest predicted risk for CHD. Beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics were approximately equally well tolerated. The two drugs had a similar BP reducing effect although additional drugs had to be given more often in the diuretic group. Antihypertensive treatment based on a beta-blocker or on a thiazide diuretic could not be shown to affect the prevention of hypertensive complications, including CHD, to a different extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Wilhelmsen
- Department of Medicine, University of Göteborg, Ostra Hospital, Sweden
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