Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

BMC Med 2019 Apr 9;17(1):75. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Department of Psychiatry, Center for Research in Psychiatric Epidemiology and Psychopathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Prilly, Switzerland.

Background: Comorbidity patterns of childhood infections, atopic diseases, and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are related to immune system programming conditions. The aim of this study was to make a step beyond the hygiene hypothesis and to comprehensively classify these patterns with latent class analysis (LCA). A second aim was to characterize the classes by associations with immunological, clinical, and sociodemographic variables. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Apr 4;12(4). Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Urology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar-Pradesh, India.

Varicella gangrenosum is a gangrenous ulceration of varicella lesions involving the skin and soft tissues of the body. The term was coined more than 100 years ago. This occurs due to superimposed bacterial infection. Read More

Paediatr Child Health 2018 Sep 16;23(6):420-427. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Canadian Paediatric Society, Infectious Diseases and Immunization Committee, Ottawa, Ontario.

Widespread varicella vaccination in Canada since 2007 has changed the epidemiology of chickenpox, with a significant decline in varicella-related hospitalizations. However, there will always be a varicella-susceptible population because of immune-compromising treatments or conditions and/or parental vaccine refusal. This document updates and replaces a 1999 statement by the Canadian Paediatric Society. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2018 13;31:30. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mohamed VI, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Université Mohammed Premier, Oujda, Maroc.

Varicella is a rash illness caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It mainly affects children with usually a benign outcome. However, several complications of variable severity can be observed including bacterial infectious complications and neurological complications. Read More

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2019 Mar;21(3):203-207

Division of Immunization Program, Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin 150056, China.

Objective: To investigate the level of IgG antibody to varicella in the healthy population aged 1-19 years in Harbin, China.

Methods: Random sampling was performed to select 1 203 healthy individuals aged 1-19 years in Harbin. According to age, they were divided into ≥1 years group (n=240), ≥4 years group (n=396), ≥7 years group (n=364) and 14-19 years group (n=203). Read More

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi 2019 Mar;21(3):195-198

Department of Pediatric Research Institute, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518038, China.

In countries and regions with high vaccination coverage, several vaccine-preventable diseases have been resurged in recent years, such as measles, varicella, pertussis and mumps. Some studies have found that the clinical manifestation and epidemiological characteristics of these diseases were different from those in pre-vaccine era. This article reviewed the clinical and epidemiological features of vaccine-preventable diseases before and after wide immunization implementation, focusing on the situation in China, in order to attract the attention of clinicians, raise awareness, strengthen prevention and control, and promote in-depth research for these diseases. Read More

J Dent Sci 2018 Dec 11;13(4):318-328. Epub 2018 Jun 11.

Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics, Istanbul, Turkey.

Background/purpose: Molar-Incisor-Hypomineralisation (MIH) is the term used to depict a condition in which one or more of the permanent molar teeth and usually no less than one incisor tooth is hypomineralised and the prevalence rates vary from 2.4 to 40.2%. Read More

J Korean Med Sci 2019 Mar 7;34(10):e83. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Institute of Infectious Disease, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: In Korea, the incidence of varicella has increased despite the introduction of a universal one-dose vaccination for children aged 12-15 months in 2005. A previous study demonstrated that the vaccine effectiveness was insufficient to prevent against varicella. We assessed the effect of the varicella vaccination on disease severity. Read More

Epidemiol Infect 2019 Jan;147:e70

Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology of Hunan Province,School of Medicine, Hunan Normal University,Changsha 410081,China.

Chickenpox is a common acute and highly contagious disease in childhood; moreover, there is currently no targeted treatment. Carrying out an early warning on chickenpox plays an important role in taking targeted measures in advance as well as preventing the outbreak of the disease. In recent years, the infectious disease dynamic model has been widely used in the research of various infectious diseases. Read More

Eye Contact Lens 2019 Mar 5. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Department of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the etiologic agent of both chickenpox and Herpes zoster (HZ). In the United States, there are around one million cases of HZ per year. Ten percent of HZ cases are subtyped as herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) specifically and involve the V1 distribution. Read More

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2019 Mar 7;114:e180517. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos, Bio-Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Background: Field testing required to license the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine must take into account the current recommendation of the vaccine in Brazil: first dose at 12 months and second dose at 15 months of age in combination with a varicella vaccine.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical consistency, immunogenicity, and reactogenicity of three batches of MMR vaccine prepared with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) from Bio-Manguinhos, Fiocruz (MMR-Bio), and compare it to a vaccine (MMR produced by GlaxoSmithKline) with different API.

Methods: This was a phase III, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority study of the MMR-Bio administered in infants immunised at health care units in Pará, Brazil, from February 2015 to January 2016. Read More

Saudi Med J 2019 Mar;40(3):277-286

Department of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. E-mail.

Objectives: To describe the trends in the incidence rates of 5 most common cancers, communicable diseases, and non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia over the last decade.  Methods: The incidence rates of cancers (2001-2014), communicable diseases (2003-2016), and non-communicable diseases (1990-2017) were retrieved, classified, and analyzed retrospectively during November 2017, based on data available with the Ministry of Health and were analyzed at the Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Results: Age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) (per 100,000 population) of breast cancer among women increased dramatically from 11. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2019 Feb;15(640):466-472

Département vulnérabilités et médecine sociale, Centre universitaire de médecine générale et santé publique, 1011 Lausanne.

Our work develops procedures and useful tools for the screening, assessment and management of prevalent infectious or parasitic diseases (tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, scabies, bed bugs) among asylum seekers and detainees in the canton of Vaud, populations living in similar closed settings. Its aim is to support health professionals in their work, to maintain the health of the target population and to protect the health of the community. Through a literature review and a focus group with experts, it is proposed to harmonize the existing procedures in asylum seekers centres end prisons of the canton of Vaud. Read More

Przegl Epidemiol 2018 ;72(4):459-467

Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of chickenpox complications in children, based on a 19-year long survey.

Methods: This publication constitutes a review of medical records of 761 patients under the age of 18 who were hospitalized at the T. Browicz Provincial Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Bydgoszcz, Poland from the 1st of January 1999 to the 31st of December 2017. Read More

Eur J Pediatr 2019 May 14;178(5):641-648. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Primary health care Miralbueno, Servicio Aragonés de Salud, Zaragoza, Spain.

Chickenpox is not common in the first year of life (infant varicella) and there is a lack of data on its presentation, especially in primary care. A year-long observational study (July 2015-2016) carried out by a research network of primary care pediatricians throughout Spain.Two hundred and sixty-four pediatricians gathered data from 358 cases of clinically diagnosed chickenpox in infants. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Feb 7;19(1):127. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

University Hospital for Infectious Diseases "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Mirogojska 8, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonists, most of which are monoclonal antibodies, became a widespread treatment for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, hidradenitis suppurativa and uveitis. Their use is based on the blockage of TNF-α, which plays an important role in granulomas formation, development of phagosomes, activation and differentiation of macrophages, immune response against viral pathogens. The multiple adverse effects of TNF-α inhibition have been identified, including a two-to four-fold increased risk of active tuberculosis and other granulomatous conditions and an increased occurrence of some other serious bacterial, fungal and certain viral infections. Read More

J Virol 2019 May 17;93(9). Epub 2019 Apr 17.

NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases (National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection results in varicella mostly in children. Reactivation of the virus causes herpes zoster (HZ), mostly in adults. A live attenuated vaccine (vOka-Biken) was originally derived from the parental strain pOka. Read More

BMC Pediatr 2019 Jan 31;19(1):40. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Pediatric Emergency Department, Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.

Objective: Smartphones and associated messaging applications have become the most common means of communication among health care workers and the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and accuracy of smartphones for the diagnosis of rash in children admitted to emergency departments during the night shift.

Methods: The images of the children who were admitted to the paediatric emergency department with rash were included in this study, and at least two images taken with smartphones by residents or paediatric infectious disease fellows were re-directed to the chief consultant of the Paediatric-Infectious Department via smartphone. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jan 31;19(1):101. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.

Although short-range large-droplet transmission is possible for most respiratory infectious agents, deciding on whether the same agent is also airborne has a potentially huge impact on the types (and costs) of infection control interventions that are required.The concept and definition of aerosols is also discussed, as is the concept of large droplet transmission, and airborne transmission which is meant by most authors to be synonymous with aerosol transmission, although some use the term to mean either large droplet or aerosol transmission.However, these terms are often used confusingly when discussing specific infection control interventions for individual pathogens that are accepted to be mostly transmitted by the airborne (aerosol) route (e. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jan 28;19(1):95. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Kanonji Institute, Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, 4-1-70, Seto-Cho, Kanonji, Kagawa, 768-0065, Japan.

Background: In Japan, freeze-dried live attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine is available for adults aged ≥50 years to prevent herpes zoster. However, limited evidence has been accumulated regarding vaccine safety for patients with underlying illnesses, who have been considered as the high-risk group for herpes zoster.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 1200 healthy adults and 300 patients with underlying illnesses such as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, and renal diseases was conducted. Read More

J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2019 7;94(1). Epub 2019 Jan 7.

3Obstetric and Gynecological Department, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Faiyum, Egypt.

Background: Chickenpox infection acquired during pregnancy is a serious condition. There may be congenital malformations and neonatal varicella syndrome with significant morbidity and mortality. Egypt has no routine varicella-zoster vaccination program. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2019 Apr 25;233:218-233. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

National Innovation Foundation-India (Autonomous Body of Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India), Grambharti, Amarapur, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382650, India. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman. (Family: Musaceae), commonly known as "Wild Banana" is well recorded as popular ethnomedicine for medicinal and nutritional uses by different people and communities native to India, Ethiopia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. Read More

J Gen Intern Med 2019 Mar 8;34(3):479-480. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, 4150 V Street, Suite 3100, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.

Front Microbiol 2018 21;9:3170. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus and the causative agent of varicella (chickenpox) in humans. Following primary infection, VZV establishes latency in the sensory ganglia and can reactivate to cause herpes zoster, more commonly known as shingles, which causes significant morbidity, and on rare occasions mortality, in the elderly. Because VZV infection is highly restricted to humans, the development of a reliable animal model has been challenging, and our understanding of VZV pathogenesis remains incomplete. Read More

Iran J Child Neurol 2019 ;13(1):121-126

Department of Pediatrics, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Varicella infection in children is a common self-limited illness with neurological complications in less than 0.1% of cases. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is uncommon in children following infection with varicella-zoster virus. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2018 Dec 24. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.

Background: The "exogenous boosting hypothesis" postulates that re-exposure to circulating varicella zoster virus (VZV) over the life span inhibits reactivation of VZV. Consequently, if circulation of VZV is suppressed by introduction of chickenpox vaccination, incidences of herpes zoster may rise. Our aim was to investigate quantitative effects of chickenpox vaccination on herpes zoster incidence at the population level. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Nov 28;11(1). Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Centre for Vitreo Retinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India.

A 36-year-old woman presented with diminution of vision and floaters in both the eyes. Both eyes had disc oedema, multiple pockets of neurosensory detachments along with vitritis. Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography showed characteristic features of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome (figure 1). Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Nov 28;11(1). Epub 2018 Nov 28.

PICU (SMUR) Réanimation Pédiatrique, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.

A 2-month-old girl with normal development and no previous physical illnesses was resuscitated having been found lifeless on her back at home. On admission to Paediatric Intensive Care, she had severe metabolic disturbance, associated with an extremely troubling neurological signs. She died 2 hours later. Read More

J Infect 2019 Mar 6;78(3):220-225. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS), Children's Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia.

Objectives: To examine the impact of Australia's single dose infant varicella vaccination program, we assessed single dose varicella vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing hospitalised disease using two methods.

Methods: Clinically confirmed varicella cases from the Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) sentinel network were age-matched to 20 controls obtained from the Australian Immunisation Register. Conditional logistic regression models were used to estimate VE and compared with estimates obtained using our second approach. Read More

Indian Dermatol Online J 2018 Nov-Dec;9(6):383-388

Department of Dermatology, Military Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Herpes zoster (HZ) is a viral infection believed to be caused by the re activation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) or human herpes virus type 3 (HHV 3) that persists in the posterior nerve root ganglion. HZ is rarely reported in the pediatric age group with an intact immunity. Past infection with VZV and immunization with chickenpox vaccine are key markers in the onset of varicella zoster in children. Read More

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2018 Feb;47(4):374-380

Department of Immunization Program, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China.

Objective: To evaluate the cost/benefit of different vaccination strategies related to chickenpox vaccine.

Methods: The direct economic cost and indirect economic cost caused by chickenpox were obtained through questionnaire survey. The epidemic characteristics of chickenpox in Zhejiang province were studied by literature review. Read More

J Med Syst 2018 Nov 20;43(1). Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Amrita School of Engineering, Bengaluru, India.

This study describes the usage of neural community based on the texture evaluation of pores and skin a variety of similarities in their signs, inclusive of Measles (rubella), German measles (rubella), and Chickenpox etc. In fashionable, these illnesses have similarities in sample of infection and symptoms along with redness and rash. Various skin problems have similar symptoms. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2018 Nov;6(13):659-665

Department of Emergency, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing 100044, China.

Herein we report a case of acute liver failure (ALF) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) induced by varicella infection, successfully rescued by a combination therapy of acyclovir, supportive care, and immunosuppression with dexamethasone and etoposide. A previously healthy 16-year-old boy presented with generalized rash, fever, severe abdominal pain, and abnormal liver function within 4 d. Chickenpox was suspected, and acyclovir and intravenous immunoglobulin were started on admission. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Nov 14;18(1):563. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, Jiangsu Province, China.

Background: In recent years, outbreaks of varicella have continued to occur, and the coverage rate of varicella vaccine in Jiangsu Province, China, remains unclear. This study aims to analyse the levels of immune antibody against varicella and obtain a comprehensive understanding of the varicella attenuated live vaccine (VarV) coverage rate in children aged 1-9 years in Jiangsu Province.

Methods: From June to October 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect 3631 serum samples from healthy children aged 1-9 years in Jiangsu Province. Read More

Epidemiol Health 2018 8;40:e2018054. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

Objectives: Although the nationwide inoculation rate of varicella vaccine was approximately 95% in Korean children recently, the number of notified varicella cases is unexpectedly continuously increasing till now. To suggest some hypotheses regarding this discrepancy, an age-period-cohort (APC) analysis as a descriptive epidemiology study was conducted for children residing in Jeju-do, Korea.

Methods: The raw data were obtained from the nationwide database for insurance claim of healthcare fee provided by the National Health Insurance Service, Korea. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 10;15(3):645-657. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

a Centro Infant, Department of Pediatrics , School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) , Porto Alegre , Rio Grande do Sul state , Brazil.

Although varicella is usually a mild and self-limited disease, complications can occur. In 1998, the World Health Organization recommended varicella vaccination for countries where the disease has a significant public health burden. Nonetheless, concerns about a shift in the disease to older groups, an increase in herpes zoster in the elderly and cost-effectiveness led many countries to postpone universal varicella vaccine introduction. Read More

Viruses 2018 11 2;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogenic human herpes virus that causes varicella (chickenpox) as a primary infection, following which it becomes latent in peripheral ganglia. Decades later, the virus may reactivate either spontaneously or after a number of triggering factors to cause herpes zoster (shingles). Varicella and its complications are more severe in the immunosuppressed. Read More

Przegl Epidemiol 2018 ;72(3):287-292

National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw, Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Surveillance

Background: Chickenpox is a common disease in Poland. Annually, between 160,000 and 220,000 cases are registered. On average, there is an increase in incidence every 4 years. Read More

Ir Med J 2018 03 14;111(3):718. Epub 2018 Mar 14.

Paediatric Infectious Disease Department, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1.

An increase in invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) cases referred to the paediatric infectious disease (PID) department of the Children's University Hospital (CUH), Temple Street, prompted review of all invasive GAS cases in 2016. All of the 10 cases identified occurred over a 16-week period from February to June, of which 6 (60%) required admission to the paediatric intensive care unit. The median length of stay was 21. Read More

Expert Rev Vaccines 2018 11 5;17(11):1021-1035. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

b Center for Outcomes Research and Real World Evidence , Merck & Co., Inc , Kenilworth , NJ , USA.

Introduction: The exogenous boosting (EB) hypothesis posits that cell-mediated immunity is boosted for individuals reexposed to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Historically, mathematical models of the impact of universal childhood varicella vaccination (UVV) have used limited data to capture EB and often conclude that UVV will temporarily increase herpes zoster (HZ) incidence.

Areas Covered: We updated a 2013 systematic literature review of 40 studies to summarize new evidence from observational or modeling studies related to EB and its parameterization. Read More

BMJ Open 2018 Oct 18;8(10):e019295. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.

Objectives: We aim to study the preferred behaviour among individuals from different age groups in three countries when acute health problems occur outside office hours and thereby to explore variations in help-seeking behaviour.

Design: A questionnaire study exploring responses to six hypothetical cases describing situations with a potential need for seeking medical care and questions on background characteristics.

Setting: General population in Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Read More

Medwave 2018 Oct 4;18(6):e7269. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Medicina Familiar, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Email: Address: Centro Evidencia UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 476, Santiago, Chile.

Introduction: Varicella (chickenpox) is a frequent and highly contagious infectious disease, caused by the Varicella zoster virus. Traditionally, it has been recommended to focus on the management of symptoms, since there is controversy about the role of antivirals, particularly in children and adolescents.

Methods: To answer this question we used Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. Read More

Vaccine 2018 11 8;36(46):7072-7082. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Santa Casa de Sao Paulo School of Medical Sciences, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Varicella and herpes zoster (HZ), diseases both caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), are vaccine-preventable. However, the hypothesis that childhood varicella vaccination may increase the incidence of HZ hinders varicella universal routine vaccination (URV) implementation in many countries.

Methods: This non-systematic and narrative review of the literature considers the burden of varicella and HZ, and the effectiveness of the respective vaccines. Read More

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 Oct 12;67(40):1115-1122. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

State and local school vaccination requirements exist to ensure that students are protected from vaccine-preventable diseases (1). This report summarizes vaccination coverage and exemption estimates collected by state and local immunization programs* for children in kindergarten (kindergartners) in 49 states and the District of Columbia (DC) and kindergartners provisionally enrolled (attending school without complete vaccination or exemption while completing a catch-up vaccination schedule) or in a grace period (a set interval during which a student may be enrolled and attend school without proof of complete vaccination or exemption) for 28 states. Median vaccination coverage was 95. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2018 Nov 15;92(2):181-187. Epub 2018 Sep 15.

Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science, Okayama, Japan.

Background: Lympho-epithelial Kazal-type inhibitor (LEKTI) tightly controls the activities of serine proteases such as kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) 5 and KLK7 in the epidermis. LEKTI is known to be an essential molecule for the epidermal skin barrier, as demonstrated by SPINK5 nonsense mutation, which results in Netherton syndrome. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns or damage-associated molecular patterns and produce inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides. Read More

Vaccine 2018 10 27;36(45):6688-6694. Epub 2018 Sep 27.

Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Quebec, Canada; Université Laval, Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Quebec, Canada; CHU de Québec Research Center, Laval University, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Context: In 2015 in Quebec, Canada, the passive vaccine adverse event reporting system detected an increase in large local reactions associated with vaccines recommended at the 18-month visit. This followed changes to the pediatric vaccine schedule to include hexavalent diphtheria-tetanus-acellular-pertusis-inactivated polio-Haemophilus influenzae type b-hepatitis B vaccine (DTaP-IPV-Hib-HB, Infanrix-hexa®, GSK) and quadrivalent measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV, ProQuad®, Merck) as 18-month booster doses.

Objectives: To determine if the excess of large local reactions was caused by a specific vaccine or their co-administration in the same limb or during the same visit. Read More

World J Pediatr 2018 Dec 28;14(6):615-616. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Department of Internal Medicine, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University-Ternopil University Hospital, vul. Klinichna, 1, Ternopil, 46002, Ukraine.

Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2018 Jul-Sep;21(3):228-232

Department of Medicine, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Chickenpox (varicella) is primarily a disease of childhood which occurs due to infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Primary VZV infection is rare in adults due to exposure in early childhood in our country. In adults, it is associated with some serious systemic and neurological complications which can follow both primary infection and reactivation of VZV. Read More

Nature 2018 09;561(7724):S50-S51