Background: Chronic pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis results in progressive lung damage. Once colonisation of the lungs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs, it is almost impossible to eradicate. Vaccines, aimed at reducing infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been developed.
Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of vaccination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register using the terms vaccines AND pseudomonas (last search May 2008) and PubMed using the terms vaccin* AND cystic fibrosis (last search May 2008).
Selection criteria: Randomised trials (published or unpublished) comparing Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccines (oral, parenteral or intranasal) with control vaccines or no intervention in cystic fibrosis.
Data collection and analysis: The authors independently selected trials, assessed them and extracted data.
Main results: Six trials were identified. Two trials were excluded since they were not randomised and one old, small trial because it was not possible to assess whether is was randomised. The three included trials comprised 483, 476 and 37 patients, respectively. No data are available from one of the large trials, which is unpublished. In the other large trial, relative risk for chronic infection was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.49), and in the small trial, the risk was also close to one. In the large trial, one patient was reported to have died in the observation period. In that trial, 227 adverse events (4 severe) were registered in the vaccine group and 91 (1 severe) in the control group. There was a marked rise in flagella antibody titres in the vaccine group and no change in the placebo group (P < 0.0001).
Authors' conclusions: Vaccines against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cannot be recommended.