Interim 2017/18 influenza seasonal vaccine effectiveness: Combined results from five European studies

Between September 2017 and February 2018, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B viruses (mainly B/Yamagata, not included in 2017/18 trivalent vaccines) co-circulated in Europe. Interim results from five European studies indicate that, in all age groups, 2017/18 influenza vaccine effectiveness was 25 to 52% against any influenza, 55 to 68% against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, -42 to 7% against influenza A(H3N2) and 36 to 54% against influenza B. 2017/18 influenza vaccine should be promoted where influenza still circulates

Early estimates of the effectiveness of the 2011/12 influenza vaccine in the population targeted for vaccination in Spain, 25 December 2011 to 19 February 2012

We present early estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the population targeted for vaccination, during 25 December 2011 to 19 February 2012. The adjusted VE was 55% (95% CI: 3 to 79) against any type of influenza virus and 54% (95% CI: 1 to 79) against influenza A(H3N2) virus. This suggests a moderate protective effect of the vaccine in the targeted population in a late influenza epidemic with limited match between vaccine and circulating strains.We are grateful to sentinel GPs, paediatricians and virologists participating in the cycEVA study, as well as to all professionals participating in the Spanish Influenza Surveillance System. We thank Isabel Pachón y Aurora Limia (Coordinating Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies within the Spanish Ministry of Health and Social Policy) for the information provided on influenza vaccination. We also thank the EpiConcept team for their fruitful discussions and comments on the cycEVA study. This work was supported by the ECDC through the I-MOVE project and by the Carlos III Institute of Health (Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Programme (GR09/0017)).S

The effect of preservative-free HP-Guar on dry eye after phaco- emulsification: a flow cytometric study

Purpose To assess the effect of hydroxypropyl (HP)-Guar added to regular post-phacoemulsification treatment in dry eye signs and symptoms, and its influence on the expression of various inflammatory markers by flow cytometry (FCM) in impression cytology specimens. Methods This prospective, interventional, single-centre study included 48 eyes of 48 patients with age-related cataract. After phacoemulsification, patients were randomised to the usual treatment group (UT), with 21 patients who received tobramycin and dexamethasone eye drops (Tobradex, Alcon Cusı´, Spain), and the HP-Guargroup, with 27 patients who received the UT plus preservative-free artificial tears (Systane UD, Alcon Cusı´, Spain). Corneal and conjunctival staining with fluorescein and lissamine green, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer’s I test with anaesthesia (Jones test), tear clearance, and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were assessed preoperatively and 1 month after surgery. Besides, conjunctival impression cytology was performed in order to investigate inflammatory markers (CD3, CD11b, and HLA-DR) using FCM. Results HP-Guar group shows statistical better results compared with the UT group in TBUT (6.4±0.7 vs 9±2.5, P ¼ 0.0004), OSDI (11.5±8.2 vs 3.3±2.5, P ¼ 0.0002), ocular symptoms subscale (7.3±6.1 vs 1.7±1.8, P ¼ 0.0004), vision-related function subscale (2.2±1.8 vs 0.4±0.6, P ¼ 0.0002), CD3 (2.5±1.4 vs 1.1±1.1, P ¼ 0.011), and HLA-DR (6.8±4.5 vs 1.8±1.7, P ¼ 0.0002).Depto. de Optometría y VisiónFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEpu