Vaccination with Dukoral against travelers' diarrhea (ETEC) and cholera

Expert Rev Vaccines. 2008 Jul;7(5):561-7. doi: 10.1586/14760584.7.5.561.

Abstract

There is currently only one vaccine available that provides protection against diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae and, to a lesser degree, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Adverse events of this oral whole-cell/recombinant B-subunit vaccine have been negligible. Protective efficacy against cholera is 85%, while protection against the heat-labile toxin of ETEC reaches 67%. There is still a need for data on protection of Western travelers against travelers' diarrhea in general by Dukoral vaccination. However, current studies show a protective effect of up to 43%. Although the vaccine is only licensed for vaccination against cholera in most Western countries, there is mounting evidence that the oral cholera vaccine is a valuable option to those traveling to high-risk endemic areas. Vaccination against cholera and ETEC should be recommended for at-risk travelers, in particular those with high exposure at their travel destination or high personal risks through fluid loss.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Cholera Vaccines / immunology
  • Cholera Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Diarrhea / immunology
  • Diarrhea / prevention & control*
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / pathogenicity*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / immunology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / prevention & control*
  • Escherichia coli Vaccines / immunology
  • Escherichia coli Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Travel*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Cholera Vaccines
  • Dukoral
  • Escherichia coli Vaccines