Immunogenicity and sustainability of the immune response in Brazilian HIV-1-infected individuals vaccinated with inactivated triple influenza vaccine.

HIV-infected individuals have a higher risk of serious illnesses following infection by infection with influenza. Although anti-influenza vaccination is recommended, immunosuppression may limit their response to active immunization. We followed-up a cohort of HIV-infected individuals vaccinated against influenza to assess the immunogenicity and sustainability of the immune response to vaccination. Individuals were vaccinated 2011 with inactivated triple influenza vaccine (TIV), and they had received in 2010 the monovalent anti-A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine. The sustainability of the immune response to A(H1N1)pdm09 at 12 months after monovalent vaccination fell, both in individuals given two single or two double doses. For these individuals, A(H1N1)pdm09 component from TIV acted as a booster, raising around 40% the number of seroprotected individuals. Almost 70% of the HIV-infected individuals were already seroprotected to A/H3N2 at baseline. Again, TIV boosted over 90% the seroprotection to A/H3N2. Anti-A/H3N2 titers dropped by 20% at 6 months after vaccination. Pre-vaccination seroprotection rate to influenza B (victoria lineage) was the lowest among those tested, seroconversion rates were higher after vaccination. Seroconversion/protection after TIV vaccination did not differ significantly across categories of clinical and demographic variables. Anti-influenza responses in Brazilian HIV-infected individuals reflected both the previous history of virus circulation in Brazil and vaccination.

Assessment of social support and its association to depression, self-perceived health and chronic diseases in elderly individuals residing in an area of poverty and social vulnerability in rio de janeiro city, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Social support (SS) influences the elderly ability to cope with the losses of ageing process. This study was aimed at assessing SS among elderly users of a primary healthcare unit in a poor and violent area of Rio de Janeiro City, and at verifying its association with depression, self-perceived health (SPH), marital status and chronic illnesses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed based on a convenience sample of 180 individuals aged 60 years or older. SS was measured with part of the Brazilian version of Medical Outcomes Study's SS scale, and SPH and depression were assessed, respectively, through one question and the Brazilian version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. SS medians were calculated for the categories of SPH, depression, marital status and chronic illnesses variables, and differences were evaluated with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Additionally, Pearson's chi-square test and logistic regression were employed to identify unadjusted and adjusted associations between SS and those variables. RESULTS: The participant's mean age was 73 years old, and level of education was 3 years of school education on average. They were predominantly females (73.3%), and non-married (55.0%). Among them, 74.4% perceived their SS as satisfactory, 55.0% perceived their health as good, 27.8% were diagnosed with major depression and 83.3% had hypertension. Especially for those depressed and with bad SPH, the medians of SS measure were much lower than for others, reaching an unsatisfactory level. Moreover, controlling for other factors, non-depressed individuals were more likely (OR = 2.32) to have satisfactory SS. CONCLUSION: in the violent and poor area explored in this research low SS is highly prevalent in the elderly. Depressed individuals are more likely to have low SS and this condition should be investigated in depressed elderly. The reduced scale is useful for low education individuals.

H1N1pdm09 adjuvanted vaccination in HIV-infected adults: a randomized trial of two single versus two double doses.

BACKGROUND: Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at increased risk of severe disease from pandemic influenza A (H1N1pdm09), vaccination was recommended as a prevention strategy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity and persistence of the immune response after vaccination against pandemic influenza A (H1N1pdm09) with an adjuvanted vaccine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults using two single and two double doses. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Open label, randomized trial to evaluate the immune response following H1N1pdm09 vaccination in HIV-infected participants compared to HIV-negative controls (NCT01155037). HIV-infected participants were randomized to receive 2 single (3.75 µg hemagglutinin) or 2 double (7.5 µg hemagglutinin) doses of the vaccine, 21 days apart. Controls received one dose of the vaccine. The primary endpoint was seroconversion as measured by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Two hundred fifty six HIV-infected participants (129 and 127 randomized to single and double doses, respectively) and 71 HIV-negative controls were enrolled. Among HIV-infected participants, seroconversion increased from 46.7% and 51.7% after the first dose to 77.2% and 83.8% after the second dose of the vaccine using single and double doses, respectively. Participants aged >40 years showed higher seroconversion compared to younger participants. Seroconversion among HIV-infected women and those with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm(3) was significantly higher with double doses. Persistence of protective antibodies six months after vaccination was achieved by 80% and 89.9% of the HIV-infected participants who received single and double doses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results support the recommendation of two double doses of adjuvanted H1N1pdm09 vaccine for HIV-infected individuals, particularly women, and those aged >40 years or with nadir CD4<200 cells/mm(3), to achieve antibody levels that are both higher and more sustained. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01155037.

Follow-up study of unknowingly pregnant women vaccinated against rubella in Brazil, 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND: Brazil conducted mass immunization of women of childbearing age in 2001 and 2002. Surveillance was initiated for vaccination of women during pregnancy to monitor the effects of rubella vaccination on fetal outcomes. METHODS: Women vaccinated while pregnant or prior to conception were reported to the surveillance system. Susceptibility to rubella infection was determined by anti-rubella immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG immunoassays. Susceptible women were observed through delivery. Live-born infants were tested for anti-rubella IgM antibody; IgM-seropositive newborns were tested for viral shedding and observed for 12 months for signs of congenital rubella syndrome. Incidence of congenital rubella infection was calculated using data from 7 states. RESULTS: A total of 22 708 cases of rubella vaccination during pregnancy or prior to conception were reported nationwide, 20,536 (90%) of which were from 7 of 27 states in Brazil. Of these, 2332 women were susceptible to rubella infection at vaccination. Sixty-seven (4.1%) of 1647 newborns had rubella IgM antibody (incidence rate, 4.1 congenital infections per 100 susceptible women vaccinated during pregnancy [95% confidence interval, 3.2-5.1]). None of the infants infected with rubella vaccine virus was born with congenital rubella syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: As rubella elimination goals are adopted worldwide, evidence of rubella vaccine safety aids in planning and implementation of mass adult immunization.

Quantification of dengue virus type 3 RNA in fatal and non-fatal cases in Brazil, 2002.

We examined levels of dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3) RNA in association with the type of infection (primary or secondary) in 42 patients with fatal and non-fatal outcomes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2002. Subjects with fatal outcomes had mean virus titers significantly higher than those who survived (12.5 vs. 7.9 log(10) RNA copies/ml). Because primary infections were confirmed among the fatal cases (52.1%), antibody-dependent enhancement alone did not explain all the cases of severe disease in this study population. These findings suggest that high levels of DENV-3 may have contributed to the severe form of dengue in Rio de Janeiro, 2002.

Incidence of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes associated to the combined DTP/Hib vaccine used in Brazilian National Immunizations Program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of a combined diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine used on the Brazilian National Immunizations Program, chiefly the incidence of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes. METHOD: Follow-up of a cohort of 21,064 infants (20,925 or 99.7% adhered to the study protocol), within 48 hours of vaccination with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in health care units in the City of Rio de Janeiro, to ascertain and investigate spontaneous and solicited severe adverse events. Each child was followed-up for one dose only. RESULTS: The rate of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes was 1/1,744 doses (confirmed cases) and 1/1,495 doses (confirmed plus suspect cases). The rate of convulsions was 1/5,231 doses. No cases of apnea were detected. These results are comparable to those found in the literature with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis vaccine. CONCLUSION: The diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine under study can be safely used in the National Immunizations Program, according to the current precautions and contraindications.

Incidência de episódios hipotônicos-hiporresponsivos associados à vacina combinada DTP/Hib usada no Programa Nacional de Imunizações / Incidence of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes associated to the combined DTP/Hib vaccine used in Brazilian National Immunizations Program

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a segurança da vacina combinada de difteria-tétano-coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b usada no Programa Nacional de Imunizações, e em especial a incidência de episódios hipotônicos-hiporresponsivos. MÉTODO: Acompanhamento de uma coorte de 21.064 lactentes (20.925 ou 99,7 por cento aderiram ao protocolo de estudo), nas 48 horas após a aplicação da vacina de difteria, tétano, coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b em centros de saúde na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, para determinar e investigar eventos adversos graves, espontâneos e solicitados. Cada criança foi monitorada durante somente uma dose. RESULTADOS: A incidência de episódios hipotônicos-hiporresponsivos foi de 1:1.744 doses (casos confirmados) e de 1:1.495 doses (casos confirmados mais casos suspeitos). A taxa de incidência de convulsões foi de 1:5.231 doses. Não foram detectados casos de apnéia. Esses resultados são comparáveis àqueles relatados na literatura para a vacina contra difteria-tétano-coqueluche de células inteiras. CONCLUSÃO: A vacina contra difteria, tétano, coqueluche de células inteiras e Haemophilus influenzae tipo b em estudo pode ser usada com segurança no Programa Nacional de Imunizações, de acordo com as precauções e contra-indicações correntes.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the safety of a combined diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine used on the Brazilian National Immunizations Program, chiefly the incidence of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes. METHOD: Follow-up of a cohort of 21,064 infants (20,925 or 99.7 percent adhered to the study protocol), within 48 hours of vaccination with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in health care units in the City of Rio de Janeiro, to ascertain and investigate spontaneous and solicited severe adverse events. Each child was followed-up for one dose only. RESULTS: The rate of hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes was 1/1,744 doses (confirmed cases) and 1/1,495 doses (confirmed plus suspect cases). The rate of convulsions was 1/5,231 doses. No cases of apnea were detected. These results are comparable to those found in the literature with diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis vaccine. CONCLUSION: The diphtheria-tetanus-whole cell pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine under study can be safely used in the National Immunizations Program, according to the current precautions and contraindications.

Attenuation of recombinant yellow fever 17D viruses expressing foreign protein epitopes at the surface.

The yellow fever (YF) 17D vaccine is a live attenuated virus. Three-dimensional (3D) homology modeling of the E protein structure from YF 17D virus and its comparison with that from tick-borne encephalitis virus revealed that it is possible to accommodate inserts of different sizes and amino acid compositions in the flavivirus E protein fg loop. This is consistent with the 3D structures of both the dimeric and trimeric forms in which the fg loop lies exposed to solvents. We demonstrate here that YF 17D viruses bearing foreign humoral (17D/8) and T-cell (17D/13) epitopes, which vary in sequence and length, displayed growth restriction. It is hypothesized that interference with the dimer-trimer transition and with the formation of a ring of such trimers in order to allow fusion compromises the capability of the E protein to induce fusion of viral and endosomal membranes, and a slower rate of fusion may delay the extent of virus production. This would account for the lower levels of replication in cultured cells and of viremia in monkeys, as well as for the more attenuated phenotype of the recombinant viruses in monkeys. Testing of both recombinant viruses (17D/8 and 17D/13) for monkey neurovirulence also suggests that insertion at the 17D E protein fg loop does not compromise the attenuated phenotype of YF 17D virus, further confirming the potential use of this site for the development of new live attenuated 17D virus-based vaccines.

Estudo multicêntrico de imunogenicidade e reatogenicidade de vacinas contra hepatite B: informe preliminar / Multicenter study on immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines against hepatitis B: a preliminary report

O Instituto Butantan desenvolveu uma vacina recombinante contra a hepatitie B (Butang). Visando subsidiar o Programa Nacional de Imunizações (PNI)do Ministério da Saúde quanto à incorporação do produto na rotina de vacinação, foi realizado um ensaio clínico com o objetivo de determinar a imunogenicidade e segurança da vacina Butang em indivíduos menores de 41 anos de idade

Características da clientela de um centro de tratamento para dependência de drogas / Client characteristics at a center for treatment of drug dependence

Descreve as características sociodemográficas e psicopatológicas, bem como as abordagens de tratamento de indivíduos de uma clínica ambulatorial para dependentes. Estudo descritivo baseado em dados de prontuários de uma amostra aleatória dos pacientes atendidos no período 1986-1993. Os pacientes em sua maioria eram homens, jovens, solteiros ou que viviam sós, da raça branca e com baixa inserçäo profissional. A média de idade de início do consumo de droga foi de 17,4 anos, e a proporçäo de indivíduos com mais de 9 anos de escolaridade foi de 51,8 por cento. Trinta e seis por cento eram filhos de pais separados, 14 por cento foram abandonados pelos pais na infância e 14 por cento perderam os pais por morte. Abuso físico na infância foi referido por 16 por cento dos pacientes, e o pai era o perpretrador em 68 por cento dos casos. A cocaína foi a droga mais consumida, seja isoladamente (34 por cento) ou com outras drogas (52 por cento). Observou-se reduçäo do consumo de maconha e de usuários de drogas por via injetável e aumento na proporçäo de consumidores de cocaína. Os resultados forneceram subsídios para a avaliaçäo do serviço e para modificaçöes na organizaçäo do atendimento ao dependente de drogas

Tabagismo entre trabalhadores de empresa bancária / Cigarette smoking among workers of a Bank

Descreve a prevalência de tabagismo e sua associaçäo com outros fatores de risco para doenças crônicas entre funcionários dos centros de processamentos de serviços e comunicaçöes de uma empresa bancária. Estudo seccinal de amostra aleatória simples de 647 funcionários, através de questionário auto-respondido no ambiente de trabalho. A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 29,5 por cento (Intervalo de Confiança (IC) 95 por cento: 27,5 por cento a 31,5 por cento), sendo 31,1 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 26,2 por cento a 35,8 por cento) entre homens e 27,8 por cento (IC 95 por cento: 22,6 por cento a 32,9 por cento) entre mulheres. O início do hábito ocorreu, em média, aos 17,6 anos entre os homens e 19,4 anos entre as mulheres. Observou-se alta prevalência de grandes fumantes entre homens e mulheres (53 por cento e 42 por cento respectivamente fumavam mais de 20 cigarros por dia). A freqüência de tabagismo foi maior nos mais velhos, nos divorciados separados e viúvos, nos hipertensos, naqueles que consumiam mais bebidas alcoólicas, e nos que näo praticavam exercícios físicos. Comparados aos näo-fumantes, os ex-fumantes eram mais velhos, consumiam mais bebidas alcoólicas e apresentavam maior freqüência de sobrepeso. A freqüência de tabagismo e de outros fatores de risco para as doenças crônicas, nesta categoria de trabalhadores, aponta para a necessidade de repensar estratégias das açöes de saúde atualmente desenvolvidas. Oportunidades de intervençöes preventivas mais eficazes e de menor custo podem estar sendo perdidas