ABSTRACT
Intestinal immunity was studied in a polio-free community immunised with a combined enhanced inactivated/oral polio vaccine (EIPV/OPV) vaccination programme. Poliovirus excretion was evaluated in three groups of infants primed with a partial (2 EIPV+2 OPV) or complete (3 EIPV+3 OPV) dose schedule. Poliovirus replicated in the gut of 59.8-55.8% of infants in the three groups 7 days after administration of an additional OPV dose. Significant decreases in the percent of type-specific-virus excreters appeared after 14 and 21 days for serotypes 1 and 2, and after 21 and 28 days for serotype 3. The percent of excreters was inversely correlated with pre-challenge neutralising antibody (NA) titers (p<0.05). Intrafamilial virus transmission to mothers and siblings was minimal. The principal factor for interruption of disease and virus transmission in the community was a strong and persistent humoral immunity with immunological memory. A satisfactory level of family hygiene contributed towards breaking the chain of transmission of poliovirus to contacts.
Subject(s)
Immunity, Mucosal , Intestines/immunology , Poliomyelitis/immunology , Poliomyelitis/prevention & control , Poliovirus Vaccine, Inactivated/immunology , Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral/immunology , Poliovirus/immunology , Adult , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Child , Child, Preschool , Family Health , Humans , Hygiene , Infant , Israel , Middle Aged , Mothers , Neutralization Tests , Poliomyelitis/transmission , Siblings , Virus SheddingABSTRACT
A group of 213 pregnant Jewish women of Israeli and North-African/Asian origin in the Upper Gallilee in Israel were tested for Toxoplasma antibody, first at 4-12 weeks gestation and again 5-6 months later. Immunofluorescent antibody, Sabin-Feldman tests, and specific IgM estimation were used. The prevalence rates for seropositive women were lower in both groups (total 21%) than the rate found in a 1973 study in Israel. The incidence rate for infection acquired in pregnancy was 1.4%. There were no cases of congenital toxoplasmosis, as far as is known up to 3 years of age. More information on the prevalence and incidence of seropositivity, and on congenital toxoplasmosis, is required before a policy decision can be taken as to whether an antenatal screening program for toxoplasmosis should be instituted in Israel.
