Protective efficacy of plasma-derived hepatitis beta vaccine in preventing perinatal transmission of HBV infection in infants of HBsAg/HBeAg positive mothers.

Two hundred and four newborn infants of HBsAg/HBeAg carrier mothers were randomly assigned into three groups. Group A (69 infants) received full-dose HB vaccine, group B (70 infants) received half-dose HB vaccine at birth, 1 month, 3 months and group C (65 infants) were untreated control group. After twelve months follow-up the cumulative incidence of HBs antigenemia was 17.2%, 30% in group A, B respectively as compared with 78.4% in group C (p less than 0.001). The protective efficacy rates (PER) of group A and B were 78.1% and 61.7% respectively (p less than 0.05). The vaccine was also effective in preventing persistent HBsAg carriers (HBsAg positive for at least 6 months). The PER of group A and B were at least 74.9% and 49.2% respectively (p less than 0.001) at 1 year follow-up. From the practical point of view and economic reasons administration of full-dose HB vaccine give better protection to high risk infants.

A long term study of rotavirus infection in Thai infants and children with diarrhoea.

During 1977-1980, human rotavirus was detected by electron microscopic technique in the stool of 55 (30.7%) of 179 patients, hospitalized in Bangkok Metropolis. Characteristic particles 65-70 nm in diameter, round shape, resembling a little wheel with radius capsomeres from the dense core. Other some adenovirus and small virus particles were seen, 2.8% and 2.2% respectively. Seasonal distribution among Thai patients with rotavirus infection mostly occurred in January (58.8%). The youngest patient in this study was 30 days old, and the frequency of human rotavirus infection was highest at age six to eleven months.

Rubella antibody among Thai women of childbearing age.

Result of rubella haemagglutination inhibition antibody test on 300 Thai women of childbearing age in upper socioeconomic group showed that 25% were susceptible to rubella. The high frequency of susceptibility in this group of women would be of considerable public health problem, should rubella become epidemic again. The introduction of immunization against rubella in this group of women was also discussed.