Search

Background. We compared the results of a serum-based measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) test with results of tests using paired reconstituted dried filter paper blood spot (DBS) samples to assess the feasibility of using DBS samples for measles diagnostic procedures. Methods. We collected 588 paired serum and DBS samples from 349 children aged 8 months through 12 years at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda; of these samples, 513 (87%) were collected from children with a clinical diagnosis of measles 0-33 days after rash, and 75(13%) were collected from children hospitalized for other reasons. Eluted DBS and serum samples were tested using a commercial measles IgM enzyme immunoassay. Detection of viral RNA was attempted on a subset of 20 DBS by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results. Among the 513 sample pairs collected from children with measles, the concordances for samples collected during days 0-6 and >1 week after rash were 95.7% and 100%, respectively (P < .01). The relative sensitivity and specificity of the DBS-based assay during the first week were 98.7%and 88.9%, respectively, and the sensitivity and specificity >1 week after rash were 100% and 100%, respectively. Viral RNA was detected in 5 (26%) of 19 DBS samples tested. Among 75 sample pairs collected fromchildren hospitalized for other reasons, concordance was 94.7%. Conclusions. DBS samples are a feasible alternative sample for measles diagnostic procedures in high-incidence settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Measles caused mortality in >164,000 children in 2008, with most deaths occurring during outbreaks. Nonetheless, the impact and desirability of conducting measles outbreak response immunization (ORI) in middle- and low-income countries has been controversial. World Health Organization guidelines published in 1999 recommended against ORI in such settings, although recently these guidelines have been reversed for countries with measles mortality reduction goals. Methods. We searched literature published during 1995-2009 for papers reporting on measles outbreaks. Papers identified were reviewed by 2 reviewers to select those that mentioned ORI. World Bank classification of country income was used to identify reports of outbreaks in middle- and low-income countries. Results. We identified a total of 485 articles, of which 461 (95%) were available. Thirty-eight of these papers reported on a total of 38 outbreaks in which ORI was used. ORI had a clear impact in 16 (42%) of these outbreaks. In the remaining outbreaks, we were unable to independently assess the impact of ORI. Conclusions. These findings generally support ORI in middle- and low-income countries. However, the decision to conduct ORI and the nature and extent of the vaccination response need to be made on a case-by-case basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a follow-up article to the paper "Clindamycin-Associated Colitis Due to a Toxin-Producing Species of Clostridium in Hamsters," by J.G. Bartlett and colleagues in "Journal of Infectious Disease" dated 1977. Background to the previous paper; Summary of studies included; Postscript on highlights of subsequent developments.

To evaluate methods for detection of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in men, samples were obtained from 3 consecutive groups of 10 men attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic by use of (1) a saline-wetted Dacron swab alone, (2) a saline wetted cytobrush, or (3) emery paper (600A-grit Wetordry Tri-M-ite; 3M) abrasion followed by a saline-wetted Dacron swab. By use of a polymerase chain reaction ­based assay, 45% of emery-paper samples were found to be positive for β-globin, compared with 23% of swab-alone and 0% of cytobrush samples. Subsequently, emery paper and saline-wetted Dacron swabs were used to obtain penile shaft, glans, foreskin, and scrotum samples from 318 male university students. Urine samples were also obtained. Of 1323 samples tested, 1288 (97%) were found to be positive for β-globin. HPV DNA was detected in samples from 104 men (33%): 24% from the penile shaft, 16% from the glans, 28% from the foreskin, 17% from the scrotum, and 6% in urine. The HPV prevalence was similar for circumcised and uncircumcised men. Testing multiple sites increased the number of men for whom HPV DNA was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an editorial commentary on the paper "Predominant role of bacterial pneumonia as a cause of death in pandemic influenza: implications for pandemic influenza preparedness," by D. M. Morens and colleges. The paper reviews 109 published autopsy series from the 1918 pandemic. According to the author, the findings are striking in the context of modern conceptions of the 1918 pandemics: the great majority of deaths could be attributed to secondary bacterial pneumonia.

Background. We systematically reviewed the evidence for an association between male circumcision and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and genital warts in men. Methods. PubMed and Embase were searched to 15 September 2010. The measure of effect was the adjusted odds ratio (OR) or rate ratio (RR) when present and the crude estimate otherwise. Random effects meta-analyses were used to calculate summary measures of effect. Results. We identified 23 papers about the association between circumcision and HPV DNA. Circumcised men were less likely to have prevalent genital HPV infection than uncircumcised men (summary OR, 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45-0.71) with between-study heterogeneity (P-heterogeneity = 0.006; I22 = 50.5%; 19 studies). Similar summary associations were seen in clinical and methodological subgroups. The effect of circumcision was stronger at the glans/corona (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.37-0.60) and urethra (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.12- 1.05) compared with sites more distal to the foreskin. There was weak evidence that circumcision was associated with decreased HPV incidence (summary RR, 0.75, 95% CI, 0.57-0.99; 3 studies) and increased HPV clearance (summary RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 0.89-1.98; 3 studies) but no evidence of an association with prevalent genital warts (OR, 0.93, 95% CI, 0.65-1.33; 15 studies). Conclusions. Several countries are expanding access to voluntary medical male circumcision to reduce HIV prevalence. This could provide additional benefit in reducing HPV prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubella, usually a mild rash illness in children and adults, can cause serious consequences when a pregnant woman is infected, particularly in early pregnancy. These serious consequences include miscarriage, fetal death or an infant born with birth defects (i.e., congenital rubella syndrome (CRS)). The primary purpose for rubella vaccination is the prevention of congenital rubella infection including CRS. Since 1969, several rubella virus vaccines have been licensed for use; however, until the 1990s, use of rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) was limited primarily to developed countries. In 1996, it was estimated that 110,000 infants with CRS were born annually in developing countries. In 2000, the first World Health Organization rubella vaccine position paper was published to guide introduction of RCV in national childhood immunization schedules. From 1996 to 2009, the number of countries that introduced RCV into their national routine childhood immunization programs increased by 57% from 83 countries in 1996 to 130 countries in 2009. In addition, three of the six WHO regions established rubella control and CRS prevention goals: Region of the Americas and Europe rubella elimination by 2010 and 2015, respectively, and Western Pacific Region-accelerated rubella control and CRS prevention by 2015. Also, during this time period, the number of rubella cases reported decreased from 670,894 in 2000 to 121,344 in 2009. Rubella control and prevention of CRS can be accelerated by integrating with current global measles mortality reduction and regional elimination activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Information on measles vaccine effectiveness (VE) is critical to help inform policies for future global measles control goals. Methods. We reviewed results of VE studies published during 1960-2010. Results. Seventy papers with 135 VE point estimates were identified. For a single dose of vaccine administered at 9-11 months of age and ≥12 months, the median VE was 77.0% (interquartile range [IQR], 62%-91%) and 92.0% (IQR, 86%-96%), respectively. When analysis was restricted to include only point estimates for which vaccination history was verified and cases were laboratory confirmed, the median VE was 84.0% (IQR, 72.0%- 95.0%) and 92.5% (IQR, 84.8%-97.0%) when vaccine was received at 9-11 and ≥12 months, respectively. Published VE vary by World Health Organization region, with generally lower estimates in countries belonging to the African and SouthEast Asian Regions. For 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine, compared with no vaccination, the median VE was 94.1% (IQR, 88.3%-98.3%). Conclusions. The VE of the first dose of measles-containing vaccine administered at 9-11 months was lower than what would be expected from serologic evaluations but was higher than expected when administered at ≥12 months. The median VE increased in a subset of articles in which classification bias was reduced through verified vaccination history and laboratory confirmation. In general, 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine provided excellent protection against measles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. High rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission are found in samples of people who inject drugs (PWID) throughout the world. The objective of this paper was to meta-analyze the effects of risk-reduction interventions on HCV seroconversion and identify the most effective intervention types.Methods. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies. Eligible studies reported on the association between participation in interventions intended to reduce unsafe drug injection and HCV seroconversion in samples of PWID.Results. The meta-analysis included 26 eligible studies of behavioral interventions, substance-use treatment, syringe access, syringe disinfection, and multicomponent interventions. Interventions using multiple combined strategies reduced risk of seroconversion by 75% (pooled relative risk, .25; 95% confidence interval, .07–.83). Effects of single-method interventions ranged from .6 to 1.6.Conclusions. Interventions using strategies that combined substance-use treatment and support for safe injection were most effective at reducing HCV seroconversion. Determining the effective dose and combination of interventions for specific subgroups of PWID is a research priority. However, our meta-analysis shows that HCV infection can be prevented in PWID. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Investigates challenges and strategies for laboratory diagnosis of measles in an international setting. Characteristics of an ideal specimen collection method; Assessment of the utilities of oral fluid and filter paper collection methods in supporting measles diagnosis and strain surveillance.

Summarizes papers presented at the United States National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases' 'HIV-Infection, Mucosal Immunity, and Pathogenesis' symposium in Bethesda, Maryland on September 11 to 13, 1997. Magnitude of the AIDS epidemic; Importance of tissues in viral replication; Factors that may be related to increases in the levels of HIV-1 in genital secretions in women.

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses various papers of the issue on topics including public health importanceof measles and rubella, feasibility of measles eradication, and cost-effectiveness of measles eradication.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the paper "Antibody-dependent enhancement of dengue virus growth in human monocytes as a risk factor for dengue hemorrhagic fever," by S.C. Kliks, A. Nisalak, W.E. Brandt, L. Wall, and D.S. Burke in a 1989 issue.

The article comments on the paper "The Rebound Effect and the Emergence of Pyrimethamine Resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum After Single-Dose Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine," by F. Marks, V. von Kalckreuth, and R. Kobbe, published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers show that the first P. falciparum infections after sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine treatment of 9-month-old aparasitemic infants near Kumasi, Ghana, were highly resistant to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. The prevalence of drug-resistant falciparum infections was higher in the treated group than in the placebo group from week 9 until week 26 after treatment. The prevalence of all infections was higher in the treated group during the same interval, although this difference was not significant, possibly because of the small sample size.

Comments on G. Boivin, J. Handfield, E. Toma, R. Lalonde and M.G. Bergeron's paper on the detection of cytomegalovirus late antigen in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) of patients with HIV-associated lymphoma. Correlation of antigenemia and viremia with cytomegalovirus disease; Shell vial assay; Total number of positive cells/150,000 PBL.

The article discusses the recent advances and future challenges in dealing with filoviruses, previewing the papers published within the issue. According to the authors, the fact that Marburg and Ebola viruses are highly pathogenic for humans and nonhuman primates makes these viruses feared pathogens worldwide today. They note that the collection of papers in within the issue focuses on these viruses. Among others, the papers bring up to date information on the mechanisms of how filoviruses emerge and re-emerge, and the molecular mechanisms of how these viruses replicate and cause disease.

The article presents information on the December 2005 issue of the "Journal of Infectious Diseases." The issue presents papers from 2 large multicenter studies of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). The studies are complementary and have largely similar findings. The most interesting observation from the European study is that HCV infection was twice as frequent among female than male infants. It is perplexing that the European investigators provide little information to help interpret the sex differences they observe and emphasize in the title of their paper.

The article offers an overview of the paper published within the issue which reports on the use of Virochip, a DNA microarray sensor, to detect viruses in respiratory tract infection. Under the investigation, researchers validated the use of Virochip to detect respiratory viruses on adults with and without asthma. Results suggest that Virochip is capable of detecting virtually all know respiratory viruses, such as human rhinovirus (HRV), coronavirus and influenza virus. The detector also determines new respiratory viruses, allowing the researchers to determine unanticipated diversity among HRV isolates.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the paper "Rates of HIV-1 transmission per coital act, by stage of HIV-1 infection in Rakai, Uganda," by M.J. Wawer, R.H. Gray, and N.K. Sewankambo in a 2005 issue.

The article comments on the paper "Early Virologic Nonresponse to Tenofovir, Abacavir, and Lamivudine in HIV-Infected Antiretroviral-Naive Subjects," by J.E. Gallant, A.E. Rodriguez, and W.G. Weinberg, published in the December 2005 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers randomized 340 treatment-naive subjects to receive once-daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF)/abacavir/lamivudine or efavirenz/abacavir/lamivudine. The signature tenofovir DF resistance mutation was found in samples from more than one-half of subjects tested at the time of virologic failure.

Presents a letter to the editor of 'The Journal of Infectious Disease,' published as of November 2002, regarding a study by Peter F. Wright et al. on the association between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and illness severity in children. Conclusion which the data presented in the paper failed to support; Several limiting factors in the study design.

Responds to Jorge Casseb's comment on the authors' paper on the interaction of human T cell leukemia type I with liver disease in hepatitis C virus-infected patients. Effect of excess pro-inflammatory cytokine production; Preservation of cellular immunity in infected host; Liver cancer without induction of chronic hepatitis.

Comments on L. Cotte, M. Rabodonirina and F. Chapuis' paper on the waterborne outbreak of microsporidiosis. Strength of evidence implicating water for outbreaks; Failure of water quality; Detection of pathogen in water.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the paper "Dengue virus (DV) enhancing antibody activity in preillness plasma does not predict subsequent disease severity or viremia in secondary DV infection," by K. Laoprasopwattana, D.H. Libraty, and T.P. Endy in the February 2005 issue.

Comments on Cynthia Boschi-Pinto, Sherri Stuver, Akihiko Okayama and Nancy Mueller's paper on the interaction of human T cell leukemia type I with liver disease in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients. Increase in risk for liver disease; Capacity to induce T cell proliferation and produce interferon-gamma; Capacity of T lymphocytes to respond to HCV-infected hepatocytes.

Responds to Paul Hunter's comment on the authors' paper on the waterborne outbreak of microsporidiosis. Criteria for classification of waterborne outbreaks; Demonstration of presence of microsporidia in water; Medical and economic implications of disease.

Responds to the critique of the paper 'Dynamics of Hepatitis C Viremia (HCV) following Interferon-Alpha Administration,' by K. Yasui, T. Okanoue et al in the 1998 issue of the 'Journal of Infectious Diseases,' regarding the calculation of the ratio of HCV core protein to HCV RNA. Quantities of HCV core protein and viroid components of the native HCV particles; Disparity between these data from earlier reports.