Effect of gender on reporting of MMR adverse events in Saudi Arabia

We evaluated the safety of a measles-mumps-rubella [MMR] immunization campaign for Saudi children [age range: 6-13 years] and gender differences in reporting post-MMR adverse events. After vaccinations were administered, we monitored 160 schools for 14 days and 19 hospitals in the 8 cities under study for 10 weeks. Incidence rates were: all MMR adverse events, 26.5/10,000 MMR vaccines [significantly higher in females than males]; Urabe strain aseptic meningitis, 1.0/295,000; fever, 40.2/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]; and parotitis, 5.4/10,000 [females] and 0.9/10,000 [males]. Combined MMR vaccine containing the Urabe mumps strain was safe for children aged 6-13 years. Gender differences regarding reactogenicity were evident and should be considered when designing future studies

Evaluation of continuing medical education in Al-Qasim, Saudi Arabia

To evaluate CME activities in All Qassim region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia A study using a pre-structured questionnaire was conducted in AL- Qassim, targeting physicians working in he hospitals. The survey was conducted in two phases. The first phase has conducted at the inception of the department of professional education and the second one year later. Questionnaires were given to a sample of physicians working in the hospitals. Mean CME hours in the region increased from 5.5 [ +/- 5.9] to 14. 2 [ +/- 19.7], p = 0.0001. 50% said that the CME should be presented differently. There was need for regular courses [61%] departmental and bedside activities [52%] and visiting speakers [45%]. Only 47% of the physicians were using the Internet. There is a need to shift from credit counting to a process that can yield professional development through practical courses and departmental activities. The use of the Internet in CME activities should be encouraged

Measles immunization in Saudi Arabia: the need for change

This paper describes the measles immunization programme in Saudi Arabia and the change from the single-dose schedule with the Schwartz vaccine to the double-dose schedule with the Edmonston-Zagreb vaccine. The recent measles-mumps-rubella school campaign is also described

Vaccines: World Health Organization versus Federal Drug Administration recommended formula

Vaccines produced in accordance with WHO formulas, differ in concentration from those used in United States according to FDA formulas. We aimed to compare the immunogenicity of both formulas. Infants who were 6 weeks old were randomly put into 3 groups to receive 3 doses of vaccines at 6 weeks, 3 months and 5 months of age. The vaccines consisted of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and oral polio vaccine. Antibody levels for polyribosylribitol phosphate [PRP], tetanus, diphtheria and poliovirus were measured 1 month after the third dose of vaccines. Although diphtheria and tetanus antigens in the FDA formula are half the concentration of the WHO formula, anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria antibodies were significantly higher. No difference was found between groups regarding oral poliovirus vaccine

Interposition jejunal loop with valve for management of biliary atresia

Kasai's operation has changed significantly the prognosis of patients with biliary atersia. However, postoperative ascending cholangitis is still a relatively frequent complication with high morbidity and mortality rates. Several surgical procedures to overcome the high incidence of postoperative ascending cholangitis after Kasai operation have been introduced. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the jejunal interposition hepatic portoduodenostomy with an intussusception type intestinal valve on the incidence of the post-operative cholangitis in cases of biliary atresia at our institute. Ten cases of biliary atresia [from June 1995 to January 1997], were included in the study. Seven were females and 3 males, with mean age at the time of operation of 67.8 days and mean body weight of 4.37 Kgm. There was no intraoperative mortality, while hospital mortality was 30%; the cause of death was not related to the surgical procedure. The remaining 7 patients were followed up for a period ranged from 6 to 17 months with a mean of 10.7. Three [42.8%] of the 7 patients did not develop any attacks of cholangitis, the other 3 developed one attack of grade I; cholangitis and the remaining one had 4 attacks of grade II; cholangitis and reoperation for him was considered. Upper GIT study using Gastrografin demonstrated competence of the artificially constructed valve in all survivors. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that interposition jejunal loop with an anti-reflux intestinal valve has prevented the incidence of cholangitis and reduced the number as well as the severity of the attacks of cholangitis in 85.7% of the studied patients with biliary aterisa

advantage of using measles vaccines cultured on human diploid cells in children allergic to egg

Forty-one children with history of egg-allergy were classified according to the history of clinical reaction to egg into three grades to study the association between clinical signs and symptoms of egg allergy and measles vaccine skin tests. A skin prick test with whole egg with a positive and negative control was first done, followed by an intradermal test of 1:10 dilution of measles vaccine. A significant association was found between the clinical grading and the strength of reaction to egg skin prick test [p = 0.008]; also a significant relation was found between the intradermal measles skin test and the egg skin prick test [p = 0.03]. Eight children with a positive measles intradermal test were given measles vaccine cultured on human diploid cells [Moraten Berna]. Children with negative measles intradermal test were vaccinated with the usual vaccine. No reactions were reported