Could the MMR vaccine replace the measles vaccine at one year of age in Egypt?

This cross-sectional study evaluated the immune status of non-vaccinated healthy infants to determine if it is possible to replace both measles vaccine [at 9 months] and measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine [at 18 months] with a single dose of MMR at 12 months. Serum samples from 566 children in Alexandria, Egypt showed a significant decrease in the seropositive rate to the 3 viral diseases with increasing age, but a significant increase in the seropositive rate among infants who were ranked 1st or 2nd in their family, full-term or born to mothers with no history of hypertension during pregnancy. We recommend administration of the first dose of MMR vaccine between 9 and 12 months of age, and a booster dose of MMR vaccine at 4 years of age

High risk of occult HBV infection among children with hematological disorders and malignancies

Children receiving multiple transfusions or cancer chemotherapy are at an increased risk of acquiring and spreading hepatitis B [HBV] and/or hepatitis C [HCV] virus infections. Concurrent infections with both viruses are increasingly recognized and the reciprocal influence of dual infection remains controversial. Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection in patients who lack detectable hepatitis B surface antigen [HB5Ag] is considered occult infection. To investigate the prevalence of occult HBV in children and adolescents with hematological disorders and malignancies with or without HCV infection. Cross-sectional retrospective study. Hematology/oncology clinic of Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University. 100 polytransfused children and adolescents. Forty nine children with hematological disorders [group 1; median age 11.4 yrs] and SI with hematological malignancies [group 2; median age 8 yrs] were enrolled in this study. Sera were tested for HCV antibodies. HCV-RNA [nested RT-PCR], HBV markers [HBsAg. Anti-HBcAb IgM and Total and UBeAg] and HBV-DNA [nested PCR for s, c and x regions] Anti-HCV was detected among 40/49 [81.6c/c] in group 1[24/49, 49<4 HCV-RNA+] and 9/51 [17 6%] in group 2 [12/51: 23.5% HCV-RNA+]. Overall, HBV-DNA was positive among 38

Long-term immunity to hepatitis B among a sample of fully vaccinated children in Cairo, Egypt

We assessed the long-term immunity to hepatitis B among 242 Egyptian children aged 6-12 years who had received a full vaccination course in infancy, and investigated the factors associated with immunity. Only 39.4% of the children had protective [>/= 10 IU/L] hepatitis B surface antibody levels [HBsAb]. This proportion decreased with age but the decrease was not statistically significant. The mean level of HBsAb decreased significantly with increasing age [P = 0.026]. A significant negative correlation was found between current age and HBsAb levels [r = -0.31, P = 0.041]. Age and weight-for-age were found to be significant predictors of non-protective HBsAb levels