DTP vaccine (NIAID Italian Trial)

This refers to the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccines evaluated in a landmark Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Italy during the early 1990s. The trial compared two acellular pertussis vaccines (DTaP)—one manufactured by SmithKline Beecham (now GSK) and another by Chiron Biocine—against a whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP) manufactured by Connaught Laboratories and a DT placebo control. The acellular vaccines contained purified components of Bordetella pertussis, such as filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and pertussis toxin (either chemically or genetically detoxified), whereas the whole-cell vaccine contained inactivated whole bacteria. The study was pivotal in demonstrating the superior safety profile and high efficacy (84%) of acellular vaccines compared to the whole-cell version (36% efficacy in this specific trial), leading to the widespread adoption of DTaP vaccines like Infanrix and Triacelluvax.

Brand names

InfanrixTriacelluvax

Other names

DTPDTwPDTaPdiphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine