Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Surg Orthop Adv 2018 ;27(4):329-334

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, and Shoulder Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts; e-mail:

The goal of orthopaedic treatment in chronic poliomyelitis is to address the functional impairments resulting from muscular imbalances and bony deformities. The most common knee deformity is a flexion contracture seen in the sagittal plane. Inappropriate or overcorrections of these deformities can have devastating long-term consequences. Read More

Med Sci (Paris) 2019 Feb 18;35(2):181-186. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Unité Biothérapies anti-infectieuses et immunité, Département Microbiologie et maladies infectieuses, 1, place général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny-sur-Orge, France - Institut Pasteur, unité génomique virale et vaccination, CNRS UMR-3569, 25, rue du Docteur Roux, 75015 Paris, France - École du Val-de-Grâce, 74, boulevard de Port-Royal, 75005 Paris, France.

The eradication of infectious diseases is one of the oldest dreams of mankind. It has been materialized only once in History with smallpox in 1980. Considerable efforts are being developed against poliomyelitis viruses since 1988, but the ultimate goal of eradication is not yet achieved. Read More

Exp Appl Acarol 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products, Russian Academy of Sciences, bldg. 1, 8, Institute for Poliomyelitis, Moscow, 108819, Russia.

The article presents the results of long-term observations of variations in the abundance of Ixodes persulcatus, carried out since 1982, in the middle taiga subzone of Karelia. Adult questing ticks were collected from vegetation following standard flagging procedures. The time series was evaluated by singular spectrum analysis. Read More

Intervirology 2019 Feb 6:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

WHO Regional Reference Laboratory for Poliomyelitis and Measles, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis,

Background: Human cosaviruses (HCoSVs) are newly discovered enteric viruses in the Picornaviridae family. They have been described in non-polio acute flaccid paralysis, diarrheal patients, and healthy individuals. They remain rarely documented in immunodeficient patients. Read More

Acta Naturae 2018 Oct-Dec;10(4):63-69

Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, premises 8, bldg. 1, Village of Institute of Poliomyelitis, Settlement "Moskovskiy", Moscow, 108819, Russia.

Common marmosets are small New World primates that have been increasingly used in biomedical research. This report presents efficient protocols for assessment of the parameters of adaptive cell-mediated immunity in common marmosets, including the major subpopulations of lymphocytes and main markers of T- and B-cell maturation and activation using flow cytometry with a multicolor panel of fluorescently labelled antibodies. Blood samples from eight common marmosets were stained with fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies against their population markers (CD45, CD3, CD20, CD4, CD8) and lymphocyte maturation and activation markers (CD69, CD62L, CD45RO, CD107a and CD27) and analyzed by flow cytometry. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Jan 31;9(1):1039. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Hannover Medical School, Institute of Virology, Hannover, Germany.

Currently, 88 different Human Adenovirus (HAdV) types are grouped into seven HAdV species A to G. Most types (57) belong to species HAdV-D. Recombination between capsid genes (hexon, penton and fiber) is the main factor contributing to the diversity in species HAdV-D. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Apr 17;25(4). Epub 2019 Apr 17.

Venezuela's tumbling economy and authoritarian rule have precipitated an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Hyperinflation rates now exceed 45,000%, and Venezuela's health system is in free fall. The country is experiencing a massive exodus of biomedical scientists and qualified healthcare professionals. Read More

Eur J Gen Pract 2019 Jan 23:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

a Conseil Scientifique du Collège National des Généralistes Enseignants (CNGE) , Paris , France.

In this opinion paper, the authors argue that the extension of mandatory immunization of infants up to two years of age from three diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis) to 11 diseases, introduced in France in January 2018, is not a sustainable response to the challenge of controlling vaccine-preventable diseases. In France in 2017, infant immunization coverage (IC) rates were sufficiently high or increasing (hepatitis B), except for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and meningococcus C disease. Even if vaccination obligation makes it possible to achieve the MMR IC objectives among infants, communication programmes and supported advice from GPs are essential for the catch-up of susceptible adults to obtain herd immunity. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 22. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

e Department of Pediatrics , Korea University College of Medicine , Seoul , Republic of Korea.

Infanrix-IPV (GSK, Belgium) is a diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and inactivated poliovirus combination vaccine (DTaP-IPV) licensed in many countries including Korea. In accordance with Korean regulations, we conducted a post-marketing surveillance (PMS) to evaluate the safety of DTaP-IPV administered to Korean children in routine immunization schedules. Children aged <7 years receiving at least one dose of DTaP-IPV either as part of a primary (3-dose) vaccination series or as a subsequent booster were enrolled. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Shi Za Zhi 2018 Sep;48(5):304-312

National Library of China, China Memory Project Center, Beijing, 100081, China.

Polio once was a problem that plagued the world in the 1950s, and it was also a serious problem in China. Chinese medical scientists such as Gu Fangzhou went abroad to study.After returned to China, they kept carrying research work and making production test in a tough environment, and developed a technical route and immunization strategy suitable for China. Read More

Int Orthop 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Orthopedic Trauma Service, Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background And Purpose: As patients who were afflicted with poliomyelitis during the outbreaks in the past are aging, lower extremity osteoporotic fractures are becoming more frequent. Fixation in deformed, porotic bone, coupled with muscle weakness and imbalance creates a unique challenge when treating these fractures as does their reduced rehabilitation potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of femoral fractures in surviving poliomyelitis patients. Read More

BMC Public Health 2019 Jan 14;19(1):58. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon.

Background: Following the Syrian crisis, a substantial influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon posed new challenges to optimal vaccination coverage for all children residing in the country. In 2016, the district-based immunization coverage evaluation survey (CES) assessed routine immunization coverage at the district level in Lebanon among children aged 12-59 months.

Methods: A cross-sectional multistage cluster survey was conducted in all of Lebanon (with the exception of the Nabatieh district) using the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) methodology adapted to the local context. Read More

Arch Virol 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Pathogen Discovery Laboratory and Biology of Infection Unit, Inserm U1117, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75015, Paris, France.

A variety of viruses can cause acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). However, the causative agent, sometimes, remains undetermined. Metagenomics helps in identifying viruses not diagnosed by conventional methods. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Jan 7;37(5):751-754. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, China. Electronic address:

A 16 week newborn vaccinated with bOPV 4 weeks after his first routine IPV vaccination. Nineteen days later, asymmetrical paralysis was developed on his legs, and it was diagnosed to be VAPP. Perianal abscess is suspected to be a risk factor based on some limited results of retrospective studies in China. Read More

Viruses 2019 Jan 8;11(1). Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

The Egyptian rousette bat () has previously been implicated as the natural host of a zoonotic rubulavirus; however, its association with rubulaviruses has been studied to a limited extent. Urine, spleen, and other organs collected from the population within South Africa were tested with a hemi-nested RT-PCR assay targeting a partial polymerase gene region of viruses from the - and genera. Urine was collected over a 14-month period to study the temporal dynamics of viral excretion. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2019 Jan 7:1-5. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine , Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine , Kyoto , Japan.

Purpose: To identify factors associated with falls in Japanese polio survivors and assess the extent of their impact.

Materials And Methods: Subjects were 128 polio survivors. Fall history and fear of falling, lower limb muscle strength, gait ability (determined by walking speed and number of steps per day), post-polio syndrome incidence, and orthosis or walking aid use were assessed, and factors associated with falls were identified using logistic regression analysis. Read More

An Pediatr (Barc) 2019 Jan;90(1):56.e1-56.e9

Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España; Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España.

The Advisory Committee on Vaccines of the Spanish Association of Paediatrics annually publishes the immunisation schedule considered optimal for children resident in Spain, according to available evidence on current vaccines. As regards funded immunisations, the 2+1 strategy (2, 4, 11 months) with hexavalent (DTPa-IPV-Hib-HB) and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines are recommended. Administration of the 6-year booster dose with DTPa is recommended, with a poliomyelitis dose for children who had received the 2+1 scheme, as well as Tdap vaccine for adolescents and pregnant women in every pregnancy between 27 and 32 weeks gestation. Read More

J Child Orthop 2018 Dec;12(6):647-651

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Sivas Numune Hospital, Sivas, Turkey.

Purpose: Some famous artistic representations created throughout the centuries can reveal a hidden or mysterious diagnosis of some diseases and these paintings have always drawn the attention of physicians interested in art. Artistic illustration of a child with a malformation or disability can reflect the characteristic appearance of a disease and its historic perspective. Some articles have revealed the definite diagnosis of a child with achondroplasia through portraits of dwarfs and some studies have discussed the secret diagnosis of a crippled child with Pes Equinovarus or poliomyelitis. Read More

Klin Padiatr 2019 Jan 2. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.

Background: Due to the potential loss of protective antibody titers after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), revaccination is important. The aim of the study was to evaluate the current strategies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for revaccination of children after autologous HSCT.

Methods: An internet-based survey was performed, and results were analyzed in a descriptive way. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Oct;32(10):1249-1254

Department of Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation Hospital of the National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing, 100176, P.R.China.

Objective: To summarize the effectiveness of limited orthopedic surgery combined with external fixation for the treatment of lower extremity sequelae of middle and old aged post-poliomyelitis, and then to explore the strategy of surgical correction and functional reconstruction method.

Methods: From the database of 23 310 cases of poliomyelitis sequelae treated by QIN Sihe Orthopaedic Surgical team between September 1982 and December 2017, 629 patients over 41 years old were retrieved and the epidemiological characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Between March 2011 and June 2015, 57 patients with poliomyelitis sequelae treated with limited operation and external fixation were followed up 2-6 years, and the history of poliomyelitis sequelae was 41-67 years (mean, 47. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Oct;32(10):1241-1248

Department of Orthopaedics, Rehabilitation Hospital of the National Research Center for Rehabilitation Technical Aids, Beijing, 100176, P.R.China.

Objective: To analyze the data of external fixation instruments (including Ilizarov instruments) used by QIN Sihe orthopaedic surgical team in the treatment of limb deformities in the past 30 years, and to explore the indications for the application of modern external fixation techniques in the correction of limb deformities and individual device configuration selection strategy.

Methods: According to QIN Sihe orthopaedic surgical team, the use of external fixator between January 1988 and December 2017 was analyzed retrospectively. The total use of external fixation and the proportion of different external fixators were analyzed in gender, different operation time, different age, different parts, and different diseases. Read More

Biotechnol Bioeng 2018 Dec 31. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.

Vaccination is the most effective method of disease prevention and control. Many viruses and bacteria that once caused catastrophic pandemics (e.g. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Dec 29;18(1):709. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa and the National Health Laboratory Service, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.

Background: Human enteroviruses (HEVs) are common causal agents of aseptic meningitis in young children. Laboratory and syndromic surveillance during December 2015 and January 2016 noted an unusually high number of paediatric aseptic meningitis cases at a hospital in Mossel Bay, Western Cape Province, South Africa. HEV was detected in clinical samples, prompting an outbreak investigation. Read More

J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2018 Dec;7(suppl_2):S49-S53

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a pathogen that causes outbreaks of respiratory illness across the world, mostly in children, and can be especially severe in those with asthma. Clusters of acute flaccid myelitis, a poliomyelitis-like neuromuscular weakness syndrome, often occur concurrent with EV-D68 respiratory outbreaks. Seroepidemiologic studies have found that the serum of nearly everyone older than 2 to 5 years contains anti-EV-D68 neutralizing antibodies, which suggests that EV-D68 is a ubiquitous pathogen of childhood. Read More

Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2019 Jan-Feb;16(1):65-70

Severn Health Solutions, Severna Park, MD, U.S.A.

Background/aim: In a previous study we analyzed poliomyelitis incidence in US states, before the introduction of the polio vaccine. We noted an inverse correlation between polio incidence in US states, between 1937 and 1951, and colorectal cancer incidence (2005-2009). To further elucidate the role that poliovirus could play in colorectal cancer, the full human genome for poliovirus sequences was analyzed using the UCSC Genome Browser. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre de vaccinations internationales et conseils aux voyageurs, CHU de Saint-Étienne, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, CIC 1408, 42055 Saint-Étienne, France; Inserm, F-CRIN, Innovative clinical research network in vaccinology (I-REIVAC), 75679 Paris, France; Groupe immunité des muqueuses et agents Pathogènes - GIMAP EA 3064, université de Saint-Étienne, Université de Lyon, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France.

Background: Travelers may be responsible for the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases upon return. Travel physicians and family physicians may play a role in checking and updating vaccinations before traveling. Our aim was to evaluate the vaccine coverage for mandatory and recommended vaccination in travelers attending a travel medicine clinic (TMC). Read More

Plant Biotechnol J 2018 Dec 21. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Department of Biochemistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

To prevent vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis, WHO recommended withdrawal of Oral Polio Vaccine (Serotype-2) and a single dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV). IPV however is expensive, requires cold chain, injections and offers limited intestinal mucosal immunity, essential to prevent polio reinfection in countries with open sewer system. To date, there is no virus-free and cold chain-free polio vaccine capable of inducing robust mucosal immunity. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2018 Jan;25(1):33-41

Imported infectious diseases are becoming a serious public health threat in China. However, limited information concerning the epidemiologic characteristics of imported infectious diseases is available. In this study, we collected data related to imported infectious diseases in mainland China from the National Information Reporting System of Infectious Diseases and analyzed demographic, temporal, and spatial distributions. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1313. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

National Primary Health Care Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Routine childhood immunization remains an important strategy for achieving polio eradication and maintaining a polio-free world. To address gaps in reported administrative coverage data, community surveys were conducted to verify coverage, and guide strategic interventions for improved coverage.

Methods: We reviewed the conduct of community surveys by World Health Organization (WHO) field volunteers deployed as part of the surge capacity to Kaduna state and the use of survey results between July 2015 and June 2016. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1319. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

National Primary Health care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The containment of poliovirus infectious/potentially infectious materials in all biomedical facilities in Nigeria remain crucial to maintaining gains recorded towards polio eradication. Activities involved in the Nigerian Poliovirus type 2-laboratory containment survey in line with the 3rd Global Action Plan III (GAP III) for poliovirus containment are documented in this study. Through these activities, the overall preparedness for poliovirus eradication in Nigeria is assessed. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1310. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Global Public Health Solutions, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Background: Nigeria has made remarkable progress in its current efforts to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission despite the re-emergence of wild poliovirus in 2016. The gains made in Nigeria have been achieved through concerted efforts by governments at all levels, traditional leaders, health workers, caregivers, and development partners. The efforts have involved an elaborate plan, coordination, and effective implementation of routine immunization services, supplemental immunization activities, and acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1305. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Eradication of polio requires that the acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance system is sensitive enough to detect all cases of AFP, and that such cases are promptly reported and investigated by disease surveillance personnel. When individuals, particularly community informants, are unaware of how to properly detect AFP cases or of the appropriate reporting process, they are unable to provide important feedback to the surveillance network within a country.

Methods: We tested a new SMS-based smartphone application (App) that enhances the detection and reporting of AFP cases to improve the quality of AFP surveillance. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1316. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Nomadic populations have a considerably higher risk of contracting a number of diseases but, despite the magnitude of the public health risks involved, they are mostly underserved with few health policies or plans to target them. Nomadic population movements are shown to be a niche for the transmission of diseases, including poliomyelitis. The nomadic routes traverse the northern states of Nigeria to other countries in the Lake Chad subregion. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1312. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) seeks to achieve the total realization of its vision through equitable access to immunization as well as utilizing the immunization systems for delivery of other primary healthcare programs. The inequities in accessing hard-to-reach areas have very serious implications for the prevention and control of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially the polio eradication initiative. The Government of Nigeria implemented vaccination in hard-to-reach communities with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the issues of health inequities in the hard-to-reach communities. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1309. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Despite concerted global efforts being made to eradicate poliomyelitis, the wild poliovirus still circulates in three countries, including Nigeria. In addition, Nigeria experiences occasional outbreaks of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Vaccine rejection by caregivers persists in some parts of northern Nigeria, which compromises the quality of supplemental immunization activities (SIAs). Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1311. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization Country Representative's Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria was polio free for almost 2 years but, with the recent liberation of areas under the captivity of insurgents, there has been a resurgence of polio cases. For several years, these inaccessible areas did not have access to vaccination due to activities of Bokoharam, resulting in a concentration of a cohort of unvaccinated children that served as a polio sanctuary. This article describes the processes of engagement of security personnel to access security-compromised areas and the impact on immunization outcomes. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1303. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The Kamacha river is one of the five polio environmental surveillance sites in Kaduna State where 13 circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPDs) were isolated between 2014 and 2015. Kamacha river accounted for 5 of all reported cVDPVs in Kaduna State between 2014 and 2015. Poor quality Supplemental Immunization Activities (SIAs) and low population immunity have been reported in the 10 LGAs with tributaries that flow into the river. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1302. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Africa Field Epidemiology Network, Hospital Road, Kano, Kano State, Nigeria.

Background: Kano is one of the high-risk states for polio transmission in Northern Nigeria. The state reported more cases of wild polioviruses (WPVs) than any other state in the country. The Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey of 2013 indicated that OPV3 coverage in the routine immunization (RI) programmewas 57. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1307. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Global Public Health Solutions, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Background: Nigeria is the only country in Africa that is yet to be certified as polio free. Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is the foundation of the polio eradication initiative since it provides information to alert both health managers and clinician that timely actions should be initiated to interrupt transmission of the polio virus. The strategy also provides evidence for the absence of wild poliovirus. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1308. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The tremendous progress made by Nigeria towards polio eradication has recently suffered a setback with the isolation of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV) type 2 from environmental samples and confirmation of four wild poliovirus (WPV) cases from acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases, with dates of onset of paralysis in July and August 2016. All these viruses were confirmed from the security-challenged northeastern state of Borno. Polio-compatible cases exist in Nigeria, and they indicate surveillance failure. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1314. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The declaration of poliomyelitis eradication as a programmatic emergency for global public health by the 65th World Health Assembly in 2012 necessitated innovations and strategies to achieve results. Review of the confirmed polio cases in 2013 showed that most of the cases were from non-compliant households, where parents connived with vaccinators to finger mark the children without actually vaccinating the children with oral polio vaccine or children were absent from home at the time of the visit of vaccinators.

Methods: We used pre-post design to quantify the outcomes of directly observed vaccination in 90 local government areas from 12 northern Nigeria states at very high risk of polio transmission. Read More

BMC Public Health 2018 Dec 13;18(Suppl 4):1304. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

World Health Organization, Country Representative Office, Abuja, Nigeria.

Background: The Global Commission for the Certification of the Eradication of Poliomyelitis will declare the world free of wild poliovirus transmission when no wild virus has been found in at least 3 consecutive years, and all laboratories possessing wild poliovirus materials have adopted appropriate measures of containment. Nigeria has made progress towards poliomyelitis eradication with the latest reported WPV type 1 on 21 Aug 2016 after 2 years without any case. This milestone achievement was followed by an inventory of biomedical laboratories completed in November 2015 with the destruction of all identified infectious materials. Read More

BMC Biotechnol 2018 Dec 11;18(1):77. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, 6503200115084, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.

Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), the causative agent of Rift Valley fever, is an enveloped single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus in the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and affects ruminants and humans, causing abortion storms in pregnant ruminants, high neonatal mortality in animals, and morbidity and occasional fatalities in humans. The disease is endemic in parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, but is described as emerging due to the wide range of mosquitoes that could spread the disease into non-endemic regions. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2018 Aug;35(4):395-402

Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica, Mexico.

As last notified case of poliomyelitis due to wild poliovirus type 2 was 1999, in 2012, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the withdrawal of the type 2 component of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the introduction of bivalent OPV (bOPV) in all countries by 2016. WHO recommended also that the withdrawal should be preceded by the introduction of at least one dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in routine immunization schedules. The introduction of IPV prior to the change of the bOPV in 2016 to trivalent OPV (tOPV) was based on the concept of ensuring that a substantial proportion of the population would be protected against type 2 polio after the removal of the type 2 OPV. Read More

Med Mal Infect 2019 Feb 4;49(1):38-46. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Groupe d'études en préventologie (GEP), hôpital d'instruction des armées Robert-Picqué, 351, route de Toulouse, 33140 Villenave-d'Ornon, France.

Objectives: To measure vaccine coverage among adolescents aged 16-18 years who participated in the National Defense Preparation Day in the Aquitaine region using the free electronic immunization record.

Patients And Methods: We considered adolescents aged 16-18 years who participated in the National Defense Preparation Day in the Aquitaine region from April to October 2013. All participants received a letter explaining how to create an electronic immunization record. Read More

BMC Res Notes 2018 Dec 10;11(1):875. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: Poliomyelitis is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus which affects mostly young children below the age of 15 years. For surveillance children with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) are tracked. In Zimbabwe every district should report two cases per 100,000 population of children under the age of 15 years old. Read More

Rev Saude Publica 2018 Nov 29;52:96. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Saúde Pública. Departamento de Epidemiologia. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

The successful Programa Nacional de Imunizações do Brasil (Brazilian National Immunization Program) has been experiencing a major challenge with regard to vaccination coverage for children, which has been dropping. Several aspects are related, but certainly vaccine hesitancy has been strengthening itself as one of the main concerns of Brazilian public administrators and researchers. Vaccine hesitancy is the delay in acceptance or refusal despite having the recommended vaccines available in health services, being a phenomenon that varies over time, over location and over types of vaccines. Read More

JAMA Pediatr 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.

Importance: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an emerging poliolike illness of children whose clinical spectrum and associated pathogens are only partially described. The case definition is intentionally encompassing for epidemiologic surveillance to capture all potential AFM cases. Defining a restrictive, homogenous subpopulation may aid our understanding of this emerging disease. Read More

Lancet 2018 11;392(10160):2155-2156

Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Background: DTaP5-HB-IPV-Hib is a fully-liquid, hexavalent vaccine containing a 5-antigen pertussis component; approved since 2016 in Europe (Vaxelis™) for primary and booster vaccination in infants and toddlers against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, poliomyelitis and invasive diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). The comparator vaccine (control) was INFANRIX™ hexa (DTaP3-IPV-HepB/Hib) in European studies and PENTACEL™ (DTaP5-IPV/Hib) in US studies.

Methods: Data from six studies were integrated and analyzed to provide a comprehensive safety profile. Read More