Quality Assessment of Some Brands of Tetanus Toxoids Marketed in Open Markets in South-Eastern Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 13
Abstract
Aims: This study was designed to verify the immunogenicity (potency) and the safety of tetanus toxoid vaccines marketed in three large open drug markets in South-Eastern Nigeria. Methodology: Tests for Sterility, formaldehyde concentrations, specific toxicity, endotoxin, and immunogenicity (potency) were conducted on three different brands of tetanus toxoids (Brand α - from Ariaria Drug Market, Aba-Abia State; Brand β - from Ogbete Drug Market, Enugu State; and Brand γ - from Bridge-Head Drug Market, Onitsha-Anambra State). Results: All vaccine brands studied passed the sterility testing, but did not comply with the 2011 BP specifications on free formaldehyde concentration, which stipulates that the free formaldehyde concentration should not exceed 0.02%. The three vaccine brands did not show specific, abnormal, or general toxicity, but contained different amounts of endotoxins. The result of the potency testing showed that the three brands were immunogenic and elicited specific antibodies against tetanus toxin; but brand γ was the most immunogenic since it elicited the highest titers of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a followed by brand α, and then brand β. Conclusion: Generally, the quality control tests carried out on these three commercial brands of tetanus toxoids marketed in Nigeria showed that they do not comply with all the pharmacopeial standards on quality and safety required for vaccines of this nature. Therefore, we conclude that some of the tetanus toxoids marketed in open drug markets in Nigeria are substandard and may be responsible for the failures of these vaccines used for immunization in the country.
Authors and Affiliations
V. U. Chigozie, P. M. Eze, C. R. Chukwunwejim, C. C. Abba, C. S. Nworu, C. O. Esimone
Densitometric and Spectrometric Determinations of Florfenicol and Buparvaquone
Three new accurate and sensitive methods were developed for the determination of two veterinary drugs. Florfenicol was analyzed by a stability-indicating TLC/densitometric method in presence of its amine degradation prod...
Economic Burden of Drug Therapy in Hypertension Management in a Private Teaching Hospital in Nigeria
Background: Information on economic burden of hypertension is needed for relevant decisions and policies due to escalating cost of disease management. Aims: The study assessed economic burden of pharmacotherapy in hype...
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Urinary Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Uyo, Nigeria
This study was aimed at determining the effect of hyperglycaemia and glysuria on the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens isolated in UTI. 236 patients visiting the out-patient department of University of Uyo Health...
Effects of High-concentratıon Oxygen Inhalation during Cesarean Section with Spinal Anesthesia on Lipid Peroxidation, Oxidant and Antioxidant Systems
Objective: The benefit of supplemental oxygen during elective Cesarean section under regional anesthesia is controversial. Methodology: In this study, parturients were randomized two groups, to breathe either room air (a...
Antioxidant Activity and Biochemical Screening of two Glycyrrhiza L. Species
Aims: Glycyrrhiza L. is one of the most widely used plants in traditional medicine since antiquity. For the determining of the biochemical composition and antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of two Glycyrrhiza sp...