Long-term Protection Against the Hepatitis B Virus Detected Through an Early Response to a Booster Dose Injection

To determine the duration of protection conferred by the hepatitis B (HB)vaccination and the necessity of a booster dose. Methods: Immediately after the initial bloodsampling, 252 youths (aged 18.8-20.5 years, 52% females) with a history of neonatal HBvaccination with one dose of the HB vaccine received a booster. Serum concentrations ofantibodies against the HB surface antigen were assessed in samples collected before and10-14 days after the booster. Seroconversion from concentrations <10 to ?10 IU/L weredefined as a positive immune response. Results: Of the 252 participants, 131 were sero-susceptible and 114 responded. Conclusions: Nearly 90% of young people preserved theirlong-term protection; the results of this study do not support the use of an HB boostervaccination

Increasing antibiotic resistance among uropathogens isolated during years 2006-2009: impact on the empirical management

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the most common infections with an increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents. PURPOSE: Empirical initial antibiotic treatment of UTI must rely on susceptible data from local studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of isolated bacteria from children with UTIs was performed at the university hospital during years 2006-2009. The findings were compared with data collected in a similar study carried out in 2002- 2003. RESULTS: A total of 1439 uropathogens were isolated. Escherichia coli (E.coli) was the leading cause, followed by Enterobacter, and other gram negative bacilli. It was observed resistance of E.coli to ceftriaxone, cefexime, amikacin, gentamycin, and nalidixic acid; Enterobacter to cefexime; and the resistance of gram negative bacilli to gentamicin and cefexime increased significantly. The highest effective antibiotic was Imipenem, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin with 96.7%, 95% and 91% sensitivity rates , respectively, followed by ceftriaxone 77.2%, gentamicin 77%, nitrofurantoin 76.4%, nalidixic acid 74.3% and cefexime with 70%. CONCLUSION: The use of nitrofurantoin or nalidixic acid as initial empirical antibacterial therapy for cystitis seems appropriate. For cases of simple febrile UTI, the use of initial parenteral therapies with amikacin or ceftriaxone followed by an oral third generation cephalosporin also seemed appropriated, and in cases of severely ill patients or complicated UTI, imipenem as monotherapy or, a combination of Ceftriaxone with an aminoglycoside, are recommended.