15 research outputs found
Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis antibodies in adults in Hungary: results of an epidemiological cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND: Pertussis (whooping cough) is well known to be underreported, particularly among adults, who can act as an infectious reservoir, potentially putting susceptible newborns at risk of serious illness. The purpose of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of pertussis in adults in Hungary. METHODS: This epidemiological, cross-sectional study was conducted in adults in five general practitioners' practices in Hungary. Serum anti-pertussis toxin immunoglobulin G (anti-PT IgG) antibody levels were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera were classified following manufacturer's instructions as: strongly indicative of current/recent infection (>/=1.5 optical density [OD] units); indicative of current/recent infection (>/=1.0 OD units); seropositive (>0.3 OD units); or seronegative (/=60 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-2.80; p = .0002) or 18-29 years (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.13-2.46; p = .0094) vs. 45-59 years; former smoker (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.08-1.97; p = .014) or current smoker (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.89; p = .045) vs. never smoker; and male (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.01-1.68; p = .041) vs. female. Also, between increased rates of probable current/recent infection and current smoker (OR, 7.50; 95% CI, 2.32-24.31; p = .0008) or former smoker (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.21-13.64; p = .023) vs. never smoker. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 85% of the adults studied were seronegative and therefore susceptible to pertussis infection. Approximately 1% had anti-PT IgG levels indicative of current/recent pertussis infection, which could potentially be transmitted to susceptible young infants. Vaccination of adults is a key way to indirectly protect infants. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov NCT02014519 . Prospectively registered 12 December 2013
A comparative randomised study of valacyclovir vs. oral ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients
An open, prospective, randomised study was conducted to compare the
safety and efficacy of valacyclovir vs. oral ganciclovir for
cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in renal transplant recipients.
Eighty-three renal transplant recipients were assigned randomly to
receive valacyclovir (n = 43) or oral ganciclovir (n = 40) for the first
3 months after transplantation. Both groups were similar in terms of
demographics, primary renal disease, graft source, HLA matching,
immunosuppressive therapy and donor-recipient CMV antibody status. CMV
infection was diagnosed by detection of virus DNA in plasma with the
Amplicor CMV Test. CMV disease was observed in only one patient
belonging to the ganciclovir group, who developed enterocolitis 6 months
post-transplantation. No difference was observed between the two
treatment groups with respect to detection of CMV DNA, virus infections
other than CMV, acute rejection episodes, and serum creatinine levels at
3 and 6 months following transplantation. An increased number of
bacterial infections was noted in the ganciclovir group (p 0.003). No
adverse reactions with either treatment were reported. The estimated
cost of valacyclovir treatment was 20% higher than that of ganciclovir
treatment. Overall, both valacyclovir and oral ganciclovir were found to
be effective and safe for CMV prophylaxis in renal transplant
recipients. Decisions regarding prophylactic regimens should include
additional criteria, such as cost or possible development of resistance
Carriage of Neisseria meningitidis by Greek children: risk factors and strain characteristics
Oropharyngeal swabs were cultured from 554 children aged 2-19 years
attending nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools in the
central Athens area. A questionnaire was completed to identify risk
factors for carriage. Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was
determined by Etest. The genetic relatedness of the strains was examined
by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and isolate serogrouping was
performed by slide agglutination. Twenty-two (4%) children were
carriers of Neisseria meningitidis; seven isolates belonged to serogroup
C, and five to serogroup B. One isolate was resistant to co-trimoxazole,
and five showed intermediate resistance to penicillin. DNA analysis of
16 isolates revealed six distinct PFGE patterns. Clusters with
indistinguishable PFGE patterns were noted in the same school. More than
one serogroup was included in the same clonal group. On multivariate
logistic regression analysis, only age > 12 years remained independently
associated with the carrier state (odds ratio, 7.96; 95% CI,
2.24-28.33; p < 0.001). Overall, the N. meningitidis carriage rate among
Greek schoolchildren increased with age, and the predominant serogroups
in the Athens region were groups C and B. These findings may have
important implications for future immunisation strategies with conjugate
vaccines