The work of the WHO Consultative Group on Poliomyelitis Vaccines

Synthetic peptides are one of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific small molecules that have antiviral activity and represent a target for HCV vaccine. This study aims to determine the lowest concentration of adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted (multiple antigenic peptide [MAP]) form of three conserved HCV envelope peptides that can induce murine immunogenic responses and evaluate the neutralization capacities of the generated antibodies (Abs) against HCV in cultured Huh7.5 cells. In this study, three HCV synthetic peptides, E1 peptide (a.a 315-323) and E2 peptides (a.a 412-419 and a.a 516-531) were synthesized. Female Balb/c mice were immunized with different concentration of either adjuvanted linear peptides or nonadjuvanted MAP peptides to determine the lowest dose that generates Ab responses enough to confer viral neutralization in vitro. The humoral responses targeting these peptides in immunized mice sera were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Viral neutralization capacities of the generated mice Abs were assessed using Huh7.5 cells infected with the HCVcc infectious system (J6/JFH-1). The results of this study showed that the MAPs induce higher Ab titers than adjuvanted linear peptides after 4 weeks of immunization (p = 0.003). The viral neutralization experiments showed that the immunized mice sera contain anti E1/E2 Abs that blocked HCVcc (J6/JFH-1) entry into Huh7.5 cells. In conclusion, the three HCV envelope MAP peptides are more immunogenic and produce higher neutralizing Abs than linear peptides; therefore, they can be essential components for HCV vaccine.

UNESCO and WHO: six pilot projects

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are jointly undertaking six pilot projects in Asia and the Pacific, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean to develop innovative approaches for AIDS education in schools, with the long-term objective of integrating successful educational strategies into school curricula. The projects are being carried out through workshops for the production of educative materials and teacher training workshops. The overall goal is to help young people of school age behave responsibly, giving rightful importance to self-esteem and mutual respect. In line with the program's objective of focusing on technical leadership and support to help countries plan and implement effective AIDS control, plans are underway to organize regional training courses for decision makers on AIDS education in school.

Drug firms pledge with WHO to combat AIDS

In a joint statement, WHO (the World Health Organization) and IFPMA (the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers) committed themselves to use their expertise "towards the resolution of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to explore all possible areas for cooperation". Work towards discovering and developing new drugs and vaccines would proceed as rapidly as possible. In the statement, each institution defined its roles in the research, development and marketing and distribution of HIV/AIDS drugs and vaccines, with special attention to the respect of ethical standards in clinical trials, and to the accessibility of any drugs and vaccines which become available. One of WHO's main objectives is to promote the development of safe and effective new HIV/AIDS products which will be made available at prices that take into account the limited financial means of the public sector to purchase medical supplies for use in developing countries. By the year 2000, according to WHO projections, up to 40 million people may have been infected with HIV since the start of the pandemic. At the end of 1993 the cumulative number of infections was 15 million. Most new infections will occur, as they have in the past, in countries least able to afford adequate prevention measures or suitable treatment. The joint statement reflects the deep concern of IFPMA and WHO for the devastating impact HIV/AIDS can have in such countries--not only on the health of their populations, but also socially or economically.