Vaccination is the method of choice for the prevention of influenza infection. However, the quantity of the antigen available, especially in the case of pandemics, often fails to meet the global demand. However, improved adjuvants can overcome this problem. Preliminary results obtained in this study revealed that one year after a single subcutaneous immunisation with influenza A H3N2 virus in an oil-based carrier, VaxcineTM, outbreed mice produced a high immunoglobulin G response that lasted for up to one year and exhibited less variation in titre compared with the response of the control group treated with alum. The haemagglutination-inhibition titres induced by VaxcineTM were also higher than those generated by alum. These data indicate that VaxcineTM is a good adjuvant candidate for seasonal influenza vaccines.

Ao fim do século 19, em seguida aos avanços na assepsia cirúrgica e no esclarecimento do papel de microorganismos como causadores de moléstias infecciosas, foram criados em escala mundial "institutos de pesquisa com os objetivos de conduzir pesquisa sobre as causas, prevenção e tratamento de homens e animais e de desenvolver produtos preventivos e curativos como vacinas e antitoxinas". Para atingir esses objetivos os institutos recrutaram os melhores cientistas disponíveis em todos os lugares. Este foi um período fulgurante para a pesquisa sublinhado por inúmeras descobertas sobre as doenças infecciosas. Passada essa fase, os institutos entraram em depressão e até mesmo insolvência. Muitos se recuperaram, alguns não. Muitos ainda sofrem de uma "crise de identidade". Neste ensaio analisamos o destino dos institutos de pesquisa em saúde no Brasil, as causas de seu sucesso e eventuais fracassos e as medidas possíveis de ajudá-los a contornar suas presentes dificuldades.

By the end of the 19th century, after the advances in surgical asepsis and the understanding of the role of microorganisms in the etiology of many infectious diseases, research institutes in the public health area were created worldwide with the objectives of undertaking "scientific research into the causes, prevention and treatment of disease in man and animals and to prepare and supply protective and curative materials such as vaccines and antitoxins". To pursue these objectives the institutes hired the best scientists from everywhere. This was an exhilarating period for research in which discoveries proliferated. After that, institutes got into depression and even insolvency. Most recovered, many not. Many are still suffering from an "identity crisis". In this paper we analyze the fate of the health research institutes in Brazil, the causes of their success and eventual failures and the possible ways to get out of their current difficulties.

Ao fim do século 19, em seguida aos avanços na assepsia cirúrgica e no esclarecimento do papel de microorganismos como causadores de moléstias infecciosas, foram criados em escala mundial "institutos de pesquisa com os objetivos de conduzir pesquisa sobre as causas, prevenção e tratamento de homens e animais e de desenvolver produtos preventivos e curativos como vacinas e antitoxinas". Para atingir esses objetivos os institutos recrutaram os melhores cientistas disponíveis em todos os lugares. Este foi um período fulgurante para a pesquisa sublinhado por inúmeras descobertas sobre as doenças infecciosas. Passada essa fase, os institutos entraram em depressão e até mesmo insolvência. Muitos se recuperaram, alguns não. Muitos ainda sofrem de uma "crise de identidade". Neste ensaio analisamos o destino dos institutos de pesquisa em saúde no Brasil, as causas de seu sucesso e eventuais fracassos e as medidas possíveis de ajudá-los a contornar suas presentes dificuldades.

By the end of the 19th century, after the advances in surgical asepsis and the understanding of the role of microorganisms in the etiology of many infectious diseases, research institutes in the public health area were created worldwide with the objectives of undertaking "scientific research into the causes, prevention and treatment of disease in man and animals and to prepare and supply protective and curative materials such as vaccines and antitoxins". To pursue these objectives the institutes hired the best scientists from everywhere. This was an exhilarating period for research in which discoveries proliferated. After that, institutes got into depression and even insolvency. Most recovered, many not. Many are still suffering from an "identity crisis". In this paper we analyze the fate of the health research institutes in Brazil, the causes of their success and eventual failures and the possible ways to get out of their current difficulties.