Long-term sequelae of sporadic cryptosporidiosis: a follow-up study

To determine the frequency of occurrence of sequelae following cryptosporidiosis. A follow-up study was performed during a case-control study for sporadic cryptosporidiosis in the Netherlands (2013-2016). Cryptosporidiosis cases were invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire 4 months after diagnosis. Using a case-crossover study design, we compared the frequencies of reported symptoms 4 months after the acute phase to those reported 4 months before the onset of illness and during illness. Frequencies of symptoms in the pre- to post-infection phases were also compared with those of a population control group. Cryptosporidium species-specific effects were also studied. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for symptoms occurrence. Of the 731 available cases, 443 (60%) responded and 308 (42%) could be included in the follow-up study. The median age was 26 years (range 1-80); 58% were female; 30% were infected with C. hominis and 70% with C. parvum. Compared to before illness, cases were significantly more likely to report dizziness (OR = 2.25), headache (OR = 2.15), fatigue (OR = 2.04), weight loss (OR = 1.82), diarrhoea (OR = 1.50), abdominal pain (OR = 1.38) or joint pain (OR = 1.84). However, symptoms of joint pain and headache occurred among cases after illness at a rate that was not significantly different from that observed in the general population. There were no significant differences in post-infection symptom occurrence between C. hominis and C. parvum. The disease burden of cryptosporidiosis extends beyond the acute phase of the infection, with cases reporting both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms up to 4 months following infection

Long-term sequelae of sporadic cryptosporidiosis: a follow-up study.

To determine the frequency of occurrence of sequelae following cryptosporidiosis. A follow-up study was performed during a case-control study for sporadic cryptosporidiosis in the Netherlands (2013-2016). Cryptosporidiosis cases were invited to complete a follow-up questionnaire 4 months after diagnosis. Using a case-crossover study design, we compared the frequencies of reported symptoms 4 months after the acute phase to those reported 4 months before the onset of illness and during illness. Frequencies of symptoms in the pre- to post-infection phases were also compared with those of a population control group. Cryptosporidium species-specific effects were also studied. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for symptoms occurrence. Of the 731 available cases, 443 (60%) responded and 308 (42%) could be included in the follow-up study. The median age was 26 years (range 1-80); 58% were female; 30% were infected with C. hominis and 70% with C. parvum. Compared to before illness, cases were significantly more likely to report dizziness (OR = 2.25), headache (OR = 2.15), fatigue (OR = 2.04), weight loss (OR = 1.82), diarrhoea (OR = 1.50), abdominal pain (OR = 1.38) or joint pain (OR = 1.84). However, symptoms of joint pain and headache occurred among cases after illness at a rate that was not significantly different from that observed in the general population. There were no significant differences in post-infection symptom occurrence between C. hominis and C. parvum. The disease burden of cryptosporidiosis extends beyond the acute phase of the infection, with cases reporting both intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms up to 4 months following infection

Economic costs of measles outbreak in the Netherlands, 2013–2014

In 2013 and 2014, the Netherlands experienced a measles outbreak in orthodox Protestant communities with low measles–mumps–rubella vaccination coverage. Assessing total outbreak costs is needed for public health outbreak preparedness and control. Total costs of this outbreak were an estimated $4.7 million

Vaccine implementation factors affecting maternal tetanus immunization in low- and middle-income countries:Results of the Maternal Immunization and Antenatal Care Situational Analysis (MIACSA) project

To examine the characteristics of existing maternal tetanus immunization programmes for pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify and understand the challenges, barriers and facilitators associated with maternal vaccine service delivery that may impact the introduction and implementation of new maternal vaccines in the future.; A mixed methods, cross sectional study with four data collection phases including a desk review, online survey, telephone and face-to-face interviews and in country visits.; LMICs.; The majority of countries (84/95; 88%) had a maternal tetanus immunization policy. Countries with high protection at birth (PAB) were more likely to report tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine (TTCV) coverage targets > 90%. Less than half the countries included in this study had a TTCV coverage target of > 90%. Procurement and distribution of TTCV was nearly always the responsibility of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), however planning and management of maternal immunization was often shared between EPI and Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programmes. Receipt of TTCV at the same time as the antenatal care visit correlated with high PAB. Most countries (81/95; 85%) had an immunization safety surveillance system in place although only 11% could differentiate an adverse event following immunization (AEFI) in pregnant and non-pregnant women.; Recommendations arising from the MIACSA project to strengthen existing services currently delivering maternal tetanus immunization in LMICs include establishing and maintaining vaccination targets, clearly defining responsibilities and fostering collaborations between EPI and MNCH, investing in strengthening the health workforce, improving the design and use of existing record keeping for immunization, adjusting current AEFI reporting to differentiate pregnant women and endeavoring to integrate the provision of TTCV within ANC services where appropriate

The National Immunisation Programme in the Netherlands : surveillance and developments in 2015-2016.

Surveillance en ontwikkelingen in 2015-2016 In 2015 kregen bijna 770.000 kinderen van 0 tot 19 jaar samen 1.547.000 vaccinaties binnen het Rijksvaccinatieprogramma (RVP). De deelname aan het RVP is met 92 tot 99 procent (afhankelijk van de vaccinatie) nog steeds hoog. Een uitzondering daarop is de vaccinatie tegen het humaan papillomavirus (HPV) met 61 procent. De deelname voor pasgeborenen is voor het tweede achtereenvolgende jaar met ongeveer 0,5 procent gedaald. Meldingen van RVP-ziekten Het aantal gemelde gevallen van de meeste ziekten waartegen via het RVP wordt ingeënt, was wederom laag. Dit gold ook voor het aantal meldingen van mazelen (7) na de grote epidemie in 2013/2014. Kinkhoest kwam in 2015 minder vaak voor (39 per 100.000) dan in het epidemische jaar 2014 (55 per 100.000). Eén zuigeling overleed aan kinkhoest. Het aantal gevallen van ernstige pneumokokkenziekte - veroorzaakt door de drie typen waarmee het pneumokokkenvaccin werd uitgebreid in 2011 - bleef bij kinderen jonger dan 5 jaar zeer laag (0,5 per 100.000). Door de indirecte bescherming kwam het bij andere leeftijdsgroepen ook minder vaak voor. In 2015 en de eerste helft van 2016 kwam de bof vaker voor dan in 2014 (bij respectievelijk 89, 45 en 40 mensen). Meldingen van mogelijke bijwerkingen van vaccins In 2015 is het aantal meldingen van mogelijke bijwerkingen van vaccins gestegen (1494 ten opzichte van 982 in 2014). Het betrof vooral meldingen van (heftige) lokale ontstekingsreacties en koorts bij 4-jarigen. Ook nam het aantal meldingen van vermoeidheid bij 12-jarige meisjes toe na media-aandacht over eventuele bijwerkingen van de HPV vaccinatie. De aard van de gemelde bijwerkingen was in vergelijking met voorgaande jaren niet ernstiger. Meldingen van ziekten voor potentiële RVP-vaccins In 2015 en 2016 steeg het aantal gevallen van meningokokkenziekte veroorzaakt door serogroep W (MenW); meestal waren dit personen van 65 jaar of ouder. Na het extreem lage aantal gevallen in 2014 had 2015 een gemiddeld rotavirus seizoen, met de piek in maart. Tot en met juni 2016 was het aantal gevallen van rotavirus weer laag, waarbij het ‘seizoen’ ook later begon dan normaal. (aut. ref.