ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Objective.To determine the efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the heptavalent CRM197pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in low birth weight (LBW) and preterm (PT) infants against invasive pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine types.Methods.In a randomized double blind trial of 37 868 infants given either PCV or meningococcal type C conjugate vaccine (MCV), 1756 infants <750 g <2500 g (LBW) and 4340 infants from 32 to <38 weeks old (PT) were identified. Risk of invasive pneumococcal disease in LBW and PT infants was compared with risk in normal birth weight (NBW) and full term (FT) infants. Local and systemic events observed within 48 h of recent vaccine were assessed by telephone interviews and similar comparisons made. Premature infant Emergency Department visits and hospitalization were also identified and compared with FT and NBW infants.Results.Initiation of immunization and intervals between doses were similar for all groups. The risk ratio for invasive pneumococcal diseases for LBW infants compared with NBW infants was 2.6 (P= 0.03), and for PT compared with FT infants the risk ratio was 1.6 (P= 0.06). Vaccine efficacy for both groups was 100%. PCV was as immunogenic in LBW and PT as in NBW and FT infants. Fever and local events after PCV vaccination were similar when adjusted for clustering among multiple doses per child. When stratified for individual doses there was more redness and swelling for LBW infants and more swelling for PT infants after Dose 3. Isolated local and systemic reactions were more commonly seen with PCV than with MCV, a pattern similar to that in NBW and FT infants. Hospitalization rates were similar for PCV and MCV recipients.Conclusion.These data support the use of PCV in LBW infants and PT infants.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Background.To describe the antibody response to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides in children <2 years of age with pneumococcal acute otitis media (AOM) caused by serotypes 6A, 6B, 11A, 14, 19F or 23F. These serotypes were commonly found in both nasopharyngeal carriage and AOM in children of the study population in Finland.Methods.Serum antibody concentrations to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides of types 6B, 11A, 14, 19F and 23F were measured by enzyme immunoassay in acute and convalescent sera from children with AOM.Results.Responses (at least 2-fold increase of antibody concentration) were relatively infrequent and varied with both the age of the child and the serotype of theStreptococcus pneumoniaeisolated from the middle ear fluid. Children older than 12 months were more likely to have antibody responses than were younger children. Responses were seen only infrequently to types 6A, 6B or 19F (1 of 14, 1 of 9 and 2 of 25, respectively), more often to types 11A and 14 (2 of 8 and 3 of 8) and relatively frequently to type 23F (8 of 18). However, the convalescent antibody concentrations to type 23F were low and usually declined after the infection, whereas responders to 14 AOM had antibodies that persisted at a high concentration through the follow-up.Conclusions.The results emphasize the differences betweenStreptococcus pneumoniaeserotypes in their immunogenicity and quantitative and qualitative differences of antibodies produced after infection.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Introduction.Recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of influenza virus infections include: (1) rapid bedside diagnosis methods with simple commercially available tests; and (2) Food and Drug Administration approval of treatment for children 1 year of age and older with neuraminidase inhibitor drugs. For proven benefit antivirals should be used within 2 days of onset of symptoms.Objectives.We conducted a performance improvement exercise comparing the sensitivity and specificity of four rapid tests for influenza viruses: (1) Flu OIA (Biostar); (2) Quickvue Influenza Test (Quidel); (3) Z Stat Flu (ZymeTx); and (4) Directigen Flu A (Becton Dickinson).Methods.During the 1999 to 2000 epidemic, symptomatic patients seen at the private practice of one of the authors provided specimens collected and processed according to the manufacturer’s directions. Throat swabs only were used to collect the specimens for the Z Stat Flu Kit. Directigen was performed immediately, and the others were run in parallel within 12 to 24 h. Specimens were frozen first at −20°C for up to 3 days and shipped in transport medium to the Virology Research Laboratory of the Virginia State Health Department for culture where they were stored at −60°C until cultured. Some of the samples were processed by a commercial laboratory.Results.Specimens from 116 patients were available for influenza culture; for 88 of these culture was performed at the State Health Department Laboratory, and for 28 culture was performed at a local commercial medical laboratory. Influenza virus (A) was detected in 58 of 116 (50%) specimens, 10 (17%) of these only by direct fluorescent antigen samples. Viral culture-direct fluorescent antigen results were used as the standard. Of the 4 tests Biostar and Z Stat Flu required more technician time (by an average of 2-fold). The 4 tests had sensitivities ranging from 72 to 95%. Z Stat differed significantly in sensitivity from the other three (P= 0.001). The specificities of Directigen, Quickvue, Flu OIA and Z Stat Flu were similar (76 to 86%). The positive predictive value of Directigen, Quickvue and FluOIA and Z Stat ranged from 80 to 86%. The negative predictive value of all 4 tests ranged from 75 to 94%. Z Stat Flu had a lower negative predictive value than the other 3 tests (75%;P= 0.001.Conclusion.In this first head-to-head comparison of four rapid diagnostic tests for influenza, Directigen Flu A, Quickvue and Flu OIA appear equivalent in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Z Stat Flu was not as sensitive or as efficient as the other three tests.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Background.Outbreaks of nosocomial influenza virus infections have been described rarely during childhood and even less so in the neonatal period.Methods.We report 30 neonates admitted to 2 neonatal intensive care units with nosocomial influenza A virus infection, which occurred in 2 outbreaks during 1999. Risk factors for infection were evaluated, and control measures were adopted. Virus was detected by indirect immunofluorescence antibody screen. Any infant with nasopharyngeal aspirate positive for influenza A virus was considered infected.Results.Of 95 infants screened 30 were positive for influenza A virus (31.5%). Mean birth weight was 1622 g, and mean gestational age was 31 weeks in the infected group. In the noninfected group mean birth weight was 2594 g and mean gestational age was 36.4 weeks. Low birth weight, short gestational age, twin pregnancy and mechanical ventilation were identified as risk factors for infection. Clinical symptoms were seen in 22, and 8 were asymptomatic. Clinical features were predominantly respiratory and digestive. The outcome was favorable in all cases.Conclusions.Infection by influenza virus has to be considered as a possible cause of nosocomial infection in the neonatal period. Control measures and prevention are important.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Background.The tuberculin (TB) skin test is widely used, but it is not easy to read. There are few data on how well pediatric care providers interpret the TB skin test or on the success of various methods used to read the skin test reaction.Objective.To determine the ability of pediatric care providers to correctly read a positive TB skin test reaction and to identify the most successful method of measuring a TB skin test reaction.Methods.Twenty nurses, 16 staff pediatricians, 13 residents and 8 medical students who were working in a large pediatrics clinic were asked to read a 15-mm TB skin test reaction of a known converter. The study participants read the skin test using any technique they wished. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of providers who read the TB skin test as ≥10 mm (considered a correct reading).Results.Seventy-seven percent (44 of 57) of the participants interpreted the TB skin test as ≥10 mm, but 18% (10 of 57) of them read the skin test as negative (≤5 mm). The participants used a variety of interpretation techniques with 18 using the ballpoint pen technique. Participants who used the pen technique were significantly more likely to read the skin test as ≥10 mm compared with those who used other methods (94%vs.69%;P= 0.04). Pen technique users were also significantly less likely to measure the reaction as ≤5 mm (0%vs.26%;P= 0.02).Conclusions.Many providers, regardless of professional training and experience, read a 15-mm TB skin test reaction as ≥10 mm, but a significant minority interpreted it as negative. Use of the pen technique may decrease the number of false negative readings. Specific instruction on use of the pen technique to read TB skin tests should be incorporated into medical training curriculums.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Background.Monotherapy with cefepime or ceftazidime is an effective alternative to combination therapy for the treatment of febrile neutropenic adult cancer patients. We compared the efficacy and safety of cefepime and ceftazidime as empiric monotherapy of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer.Materials and methods.A prospective, open label, randomized, comparative study in pediatric cancer patients was conducted at Chang Gung Children’s Hospital from January 1, 2000, to April 15, 2001. Patients with fever and neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count of ≤500/mm3) were randomized to receive either intravenous cefepime or ceftazidime (50 mg/kg/dose as two or three doses daily). Febrile episodes were classified as microbiologically documented infection, clinically documented infection or unexplained fever. Clinical response to therapy was classified as success and failure.Results.Ninety-five pediatric cancer patients with 120 febrile neutropenic episodes were randomized to receive empiric treatment with cefepime or ceftazidime. After 72 h of treatment, 82.8% (48 of 58) of the eligible patients in the cefepime group continued with unmodified therapy, compared with 87.9% (51 of 58) in the ceftazidime group. The neutrophil count was <100/mm3at randomization for 76% of the patients in the cefepime group and 83% of those in the ceftazidime group; the median durations of neutropenia (<500/mm3) were 8.5 and 6.5 days, respectively. Of the 96 evaluable episodes the overall success rate with unmodified empiric therapy until the end of the treatment course in the cefepime group was comparable with that in the ceftazidime group (69%vs.71%,P= 0.95). The response rate after glycopeptides were added to the regimens was 79.2% for the cefepime group and 77.1% for the ceftazidime group. The bacterial eradication rate was 33% for the cefepime group and 20% for the ceftazidime group (P= 0.85), and the rates of new infections were 10.4%vs.4.2% (P= 0.67), respectively. Both study drugs were well-tolerated. Three (6.4%) patients in the cefepime group and 2 (4.3%) patients in the ceftazidime group died.Conclusion.Cefepime appeared to be as effective and safe as ceftazidime for empiric treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Background.Serogroup C meningococcal conjugate polysaccharide vaccines have been reported to induce significant serum IgG antibodies and immunologic memory in infants. Because meningococcus is a mucosal pathogen colonizing the nasopharynx, local mucosal immune responses may play an important role in host defense against infection and carriage. We have investigated the mucosal IgA and IgG antibody responses to two meningococcal C conjugate vaccines in the saliva of healthy infants.Methods.Specific salivary IgA and IgG antibodies to two meningococcal C polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (Menjugate from Chiron Corp.,n= 46; and Meningitec from Wyeth Lederle,n= 54) were investigated by immunoassay in infants after parenteral vaccinations at the ages of 2, 3 and 4 months. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected immediately before the first immunization and 1 month after the third immunizations. Forty healthy infants receiving the same routine vaccines but no meningococcal C vaccine were recruited as controls.Results.There were significant increases in meningococcal C polysaccharide-specific IgG antibody concentrations postvaccination compared with prevaccination concentrations in both vaccinated groups (bothP< 0.001), but no change in the control group. There were no significant increases in specific IgA postvaccination geometric mean concentrations in either the vaccine or the control groups. The number of IgA positives postvaccination increased slightly in the Wyeth vaccine groupvs.controls (P< 0.05).Conclusions.Significant salivary IgG antibodies to meningococcal C polysaccharide were observed after parenteral immunization with two meningococcal C conjugate vaccines, whereas there was no significant increase in specific IgA antibody levels for these two vaccines.

ISSN:0891-3668    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID