[The reactogenicity and efficacy of a dried cell-free staphylococcal vaccine in treating chronic bronchitis]

The data obtained in the controlled trial of the immunotherapy of chronic bronchitis (CB) patients with lyophilized acellular staphylococcal vaccine developed at the Mechnikov Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera (USSR Acad. Med. Sci.), Moscow, are presented. The patients were divided at random into two groups; of these, one group received the vaccine and the other, placebo (0.9% sodium chloride solution). The preparations were injected subcutaneously simultaneously with traditional treatment. The vaccine was well tolerated by the patients. In the blood of the patients receiving the vaccine, in contrast to those receiving placebo, a significant increase in the level of specific antibodies determined in the passive hemagglutination test and IgG was noted. When following the remote consequences of the disease for a year after the course of immunotherapy, a significant decrease in the occurrence of aggravations, an increase in the duration of remission and a decrease in the duration of sick leaves were registered. These data indicate that the immunotherapy of CB with lyophilized acellular staphylococcal vaccine is a promising method of preventing relapses.