Publisher's Synopsis
Proceedings of a meeting held by WHO in October l986 at which a number of features of carbohydrates were discussed in relation to the immune system. These features are all related to the development of new potential vaccines and the somewhat timely discussions are reported here to stimulate future progress in this important field.;Research in carbohydrate vaccines has great potential for development offered by (1) the application of new techniques in molecular biology, for example, the use of recombinant or chimeric infectious agents as vectors for DNA, coupled with (2) recent advances in our general understanding of the requirements for T-cell responses to oligopeptide antigens and other areas.;There is much to learn about the immunoresponse to carbohydrates and especially the reasons why these substances are poorly immunogenic. Discussion on the reasons for these findings and suggestions for overcoming them are covered and likely disease agents, their distribution and disease patterns described. The efficacy and short comings of current vaccines are surveyed and ways of preparing vaccines that may provide lasting immunity in children are reviewed.;It is hoped that immunologists, carbohydrate chemists and all those involved in the development of vaccines will react to the discussion on this attractive research target which is perceived to underlie all progress in the development of vaccines against a number of diseases of public health importance.
