ABSTRACT
Antiphospholipid antibodies fluctuate during a healthy normal pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the levels of both immunoglobulin M [IgM] and Immunoglobulin G [IgG] antibodies for cardiolipin and [beta[2]-glycoprotein [beta[2]GP] among healthy pregnant women. This study was conducted between May 2010 and December 2012. A total of 75 healthy Omani pregnant women with no history of autoimmune disease were investigated during their pregnancy and 90 days after delivery at the Armed Forces Hospital in Muscat, Oman. A control group of 75 healthy Omani non-pregnant women were also investigated as a comparison. Levels of IgM and IgG antibodies for both anti-cardiolipin antibodies [ACAs] and [beta[2]GP were measured using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ACA IgM levels were significantly higher in the control group compared to the pregnant women [P <0.001]. No significant differences were observed in the ACA IgM levels between the control group and the pregnant women after delivery. In contrast, ACA IgG levels were significantly higher during pregnancy and after delivery compared with those of the healthy control group [P = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively]. The levels of beta[2]GP IgG were significantly higher during pregnancy than after delivery and in the control group [P = 0.001 and <0.001, respectively]. In this study, ACA IgG levels increased during healthy pregnancies and after normal deliveries whereas beta[2]GP IgG levels increased transiently during the pregnancies. Both phenomena were found to be significantly associated with a transient decline in the levels of IgM specific for these antigens. Therefore, the levels of these antibodies may be regulated during a healthy pregnancy
ABSTRACT
This study looks into the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine [HBV] among children who completed the 3 doses of vaccine 7-years after inclusion of HBV vaccination to the National Extended Program for Immunizations [EPI] in Yemen. Between March 2002 and October 2002, a total of 170 children, aged 13-73 months with a mean age of 43.64 +/- 17.42 SD months; and have completed the 3 HBV vaccine doses were investigated for immune response to HBV vaccine by quantifying anti-HBs. Past infection was investigated by testing children to total anti-HBc. Of all children, 49.4% were males and 50.6% were females. One hundred and forty-two [83.5%] responded to the vaccine [antibody level >/= 10mIU/ml]. Only 3 children of 153 [2%] were reactive to anti-HBc indicating that the response was due to vaccination rather than combined effect of vaccine and HBV past-infections. There was a trend of decreasing antibody level with an increasing age. However, the difference in antibody levels between age groups was not statistically significant [p=0.40]. Significantly lower antibody level [p=0.02] was found among children with a low economic status. This study has revealed a high response rate to HBV vaccine. However, a considerable proportion [32.4%] of vaccinated children remains to be reconsidered for either revaccination or booster doses due to lack, inadequate or low response. The trend of decreasing antibody level with increasing age suggests a need of careful monitoring of HBV vaccine efficacy in Yemen. Demographic factors such as gender number of inhabitants per room and educational level of father did not significantly affect the immune response to HBV vaccine
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Immunization Programs , Child , Antibody FormationABSTRACT
This study is aimed at establishing the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infections among school pupils in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen, and to explore the association of infection with environmental and social factors. A total of 787 school children, 529 boys and 258 girls, were randomly selected for enrollment in this study. Four hundred and twenty-nine were from 4 schools in Sana'a city, and 358 from 3 rural schools around Sana'a, Republic of Yemen. Questionnaire forms were filled in for each child to investigate environmental and social factors. Sera were tested for anti Chlamydia trachomatis IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay CTM-IgG'. An overall rate of infection of 45.9% was determined. The rate of infection among rural pupils [73.2%] was higher [P<0.0001] than that among urbanones [23.1%]. The rate of infection was found significantly [P<0.001] inversely correlated with age of the pupils. Environmental factors which were found to influence the infection rate were; rural residence, unplastered walls, mud floor, lack of stand pipe water, lack of latrine and presence of animals within dwelling with odds ratio of 9.1, 6.3, 6.1, 5.2, 3.7, 3.5 and 1.7. Also, the male sex and illiteracy of the parents has been found to be risk factors for infection. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection was found to be high. The prevalence correlates inversely with age. Rural residence, environmental conditions and social factors were risk factors for infections. Yemen could be identified as a trachoma endemic area, which should be targeted by the control programs