Evaluation of the efficacy of a low-passage bovine rotavirus (strain WC3) vaccine in children in Central Africa

• Published in: Research in virology (Paris) Vol. 142; no. 5; p. 405
• Main Authors: Georges-Courbot, M C, Monges, J, Siopathis, M R, Roungou, J B, Gresenguet, G, Bellec, L, Bouquety, J C, Lanckriet, C, Cadoz, M, Hessel, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France 1991
• Subjects: Africa, Central - epidemiology; Animals; Cattle; Cohort Studies; Diarrhea, Infantile - epidemiology; Diarrhea, Infantile - prevention & control; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Infant; Rotavirus - immunology; Rotavirus Infections - epidemiology; Rotavirus Infections - prevention & control; Rotavirus Vaccines; Viral Vaccines - adverse effects; Africa, Central
• ISSN: 0923-2516
• DOI: 10.1016/0923-2516(91)90008-Q

The safety and efficacy of a WC3 rotavirus vaccine was evaluated in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 472 children in Bangui (Central African Republic). Each child received two doses of either placebo (235 children) or vaccine (237 children) at a 1-month interval, the first dose being given at 3 months of age. During the follow-up survey 9 months after the first dose, 117 rotavirus diarrhoeas were observed, 59 in the placebo group, 58 in the vaccinated group. The only positive effect of the vaccine was a significantly higher proportion of mild rotavirus diarrhoeal episodes in the vaccinated group than in the placebo group. Of the children in the vaccinated group, 60% had a positive immune response to WC3 rotavirus when tested by plaque reduction seroneutralization.