16 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Varicella vaccination in Europe – taking the practical approach
Varicella is a common viral disease affecting almost the entire birth cohort. Although usually self-limiting, some cases of varicella can be serious, with 2 to 6% of cases attending a general practice resulting in complications. The hospitalisation rate for varicella in Europe ranges from 1.3 to 4.5 per 100,000 population/year and up to 10.1% of hospitalised patients report permanent or possible permanent sequelae (for example, scarring or ataxia). However, in many countries the epidemiology of varicella remains largely unknown or incomplete.
In countries where routine childhood vaccination against varicella has been implemented, it has had a positive effect on disease prevention and control. Furthermore, mathematical models indicate that this intervention strategy may provide economic benefits for the individual and society. Despite this evidence and recommendations for varicella vaccination by official bodies such as the World Health Organization, and scientific experts in the field, the majority of European countries (with the exception of Germany and Greece) have delayed decisions on implementation of routine childhood varicella vaccination, choosing instead to vaccinate high-risk groups or not to vaccinate at all.
In this paper, members of the Working Against Varicella in Europe group consider the practicalities of introducing routine childhood varicella vaccination in Europe, discussing the benefits and challenges of different vaccination options (vaccination vs. no vaccination, routine vaccination of infants vs. vaccination of susceptible adolescents or adults, two doses vs. one dose of varicella vaccine, monovalent varicella vaccines vs. tetravalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines, as well as the optimal interval between two doses of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines).
Assessment of the epidemiology of varicella in Europe and evidence for the effectiveness of varicella vaccination provides support for routine childhood programmes in Europe. Although European countries are faced with challenges or uncertainties that may have delayed implementation of a childhood vaccination programme, many of these concerns remain hypothetical and with new opportunities offered by combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines, reassessment may be timely
Global Perspectives on Immunization During Pregnancy and Priorities for Future Research and Development: An International Consensus Statement.
Immunization during pregnancy has been recommended in an increasing number of countries. The aim of this strategy is to protect pregnant women and infants from severe infectious disease, morbidity and mortality and is currently limited to tetanus, inactivated influenza, and pertussis-containing vaccines. There have been recent advancements in the development of vaccines designed primarily for use in pregnant women (respiratory syncytial virus and group B Streptococcus vaccines). Although there is increasing evidence to support vaccination in pregnancy, important gaps in knowledge still exist and need to be addressed by future studies. This collaborative consensus paper provides a review of the current literature on immunization during pregnancy and highlights the gaps in knowledge and a consensus of priorities for future research initiatives, in order to optimize protection for both the mother and the infant
Proceedings of the 24th Paediatric Rheumatology European Society Congress: Part three
From Springer Nature via Jisc Publications Router.Publication status: PublishedHistory: collection 2017-09, epub 2017-09-0
Pneumococcal Serotype Identification by Capsular Sequence Typing (CST): A Modified Novel Approach for Serotyping Directly in Clinical Samples
As almost 60–70% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is identified by nonculture methods in Greece, serotyping is of high importance for the better monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes due to the availability of conjugate vaccines. The aim of the study was the modification and direct application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) assay in clinical samples in order to serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae culture-negative, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR_-positive samples, followed by CST group specific single-tube PCR assays. A two-step PCR modified assay was applied on a total of 306 samples (such as CSF, blood, pleural and middle ear fluids, isolates) obtained from 283 patients with IPD. The overall performance permits a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method for nonculture pneumococcal serotyping. As the management of IPD is closely related to the continuous monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes, the proposed approach proved to be a valuable tool for the typing and epidemiological monitoring of S. pneumoniae, for the evaluation of the overall impact of vaccination programs in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, in order to initiate the appropriate vaccination strategy
Pneumococcal Serotype Identification by Capsular Sequence Typing (CST): A Modified Novel Approach for Serotyping Directly in Clinical Samples
As almost 60–70% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is identified by nonculture methods in Greece, serotyping is of high importance for the better monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes due to the availability of conjugate vaccines. The aim of the study was the modification and direct application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) assay in clinical samples in order to serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae culture-negative, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR_-positive samples, followed by CST group specific single-tube PCR assays. A two-step PCR modified assay was applied on a total of 306 samples (such as CSF, blood, pleural and middle ear fluids, isolates) obtained from 283 patients with IPD. The overall performance permits a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method for nonculture pneumococcal serotyping. As the management of IPD is closely related to the continuous monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes, the proposed approach proved to be a valuable tool for the typing and epidemiological monitoring of S. pneumoniae, for the evaluation of the overall impact of vaccination programs in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, in order to initiate the appropriate vaccination strategy
Pneumococcal Serotype Identification by Capsular Sequence Typing (CST): A Modified Novel Approach for Serotyping Directly in Clinical Samples
As almost 60-70% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is identified
by nonculture methods in Greece, serotyping is of high importance for
the better monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes due to the availability
of conjugate vaccines. The aim of the study was the modification and
direct application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) assay in
clinical samples in order to serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae
culture-negative, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR_-positive samples,
followed by CST group specific single-tube PCR assays. A two-step PCR
modified assay was applied on a total of 306 samples (such as CSF,
blood, pleural and middle ear fluids, isolates) obtained from 283
patients with IPD. The overall performance permits a rapid, accurate and
cost-effective method for nonculture pneumococcal serotyping. As the
management of IPD is closely related to the continuous monitoring of
pneumococcal serotypes, the proposed approach proved to be a valuable
tool for the typing and epidemiological monitoring of S. pneumoniae, for
the evaluation of the overall impact of vaccination programs in the era
of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, in order to initiate the appropriate
vaccination strategy
23-valent pneumococcal vaccination and HIV [2] (multiple letters)
SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Investigation of serum bactericidal activity in childhood and adolescence 3-6 years after vaccination with a single dose of serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccine
Serogroup C meningococcal conjugate vaccines were introduced in Greece in 2001, and although no cases of serogroup C meningococcal disease were recorded in 2004, a steady increase was observed since 2005. In this study, serum bactericidal activity was assessed in sera of 269 vaccinated children at a mean time of about 5 years after vaccination. Non-protective antibody titers were observed in most children vaccinated at age <6 years (85.9%), followed by those between 6 and 10 years (62.2%). This percentage was considerably lower in adolescents vaccinated at an age >10 years (37.8%) (p < 0.01). Geometric mean concentrations of serum IgG antibodies against serogroup C showed a similar variation. The results indicate that serum bactericidal antibody titers significantly correlate with age of vaccination; most children do not have protective antibody titers few years after immunization in infancy and childhood whereas most adolescents maintain sustained protection
Primary versus secondary failure following varicella vaccination: implications for interval between two doses-Literature review
Varicella vaccination in Europe - taking the practical approach
Varicella is a common viral disease affecting almost the entire birth
cohort. Although usually self-limiting, some cases of varicella can be
serious, with 2 to 6% of cases attending a general practice resulting
in complications. The hospitalisation rate for varicella in Europe
ranges from 1.3 to 4.5 per 100,000 population/year and up to 10.1% of
hospitalised patients report permanent or possible permanent sequelae
(for example, scarring or ataxia). However, in many countries the
epidemiology of varicella remains largely unknown or incomplete.
In countries where routine childhood vaccination against varicella has
been implemented, it has had a positive effect on disease prevention and
control. Furthermore, mathematical models indicate that this
intervention strategy may provide economic benefits for the individual
and society. Despite this evidence and recommendations for varicella
vaccination by official bodies such as the World Health Organization,
and scientific experts in the field, the majority of European countries
(with the exception of Germany and Greece) have delayed decisions on
implementation of routine childhood varicella vaccination, choosing
instead to vaccinate high-risk groups or not to vaccinate at all.
In this paper, members of the Working Against Varicella in Europe group
consider the practicalities of introducing routine childhood varicella
vaccination in Europe, discussing the benefits and challenges of
different vaccination options (vaccination vs. no vaccination, routine
vaccination of infants vs. vaccination of susceptible adolescents or
adults, two doses vs. one dose of varicella vaccine, monovalent
varicella vaccines vs. tetravalent measles, mumps, rubella and varicella
vaccines, as well as the optimal interval between two doses of measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines).
Assessment of the epidemiology of varicella in Europe and evidence for
the effectiveness of varicella vaccination provides support for routine
childhood programmes in Europe. Although European countries are faced
with challenges or uncertainties that may have delayed implementation of
a childhood vaccination programme, many of these concerns remain
hypothetical and with new opportunities offered by combined measles,
mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines, reassessment may be timely