ABSTRACT
Rotavirus was examined in 818 diarrheal stool samples collected in Karachi, Pakistan, from 1990 to 1997. Rotavirus was detected in 112 samples (13.7%). The predominant serotypes were G1 and G4 and G3 was not detected. The predominant type changed between years. Rotavirus was found in all seasons and most infections were found in children aged less than 2 years.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/virology , Disease Outbreaks , Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pakistan/epidemiology , Rotavirus Infections/immunology , Rotavirus Infections/pathology , Seasons , SerotypingABSTRACT
Between October 1989 and September 1993, 245 cases of poliomyelitis visited the Department of Pediatrics, Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. The majority of them were between 6 months and 2 years of age and the epidemic occurred during the hot season. The dominant serotype was polio type 1. All of the polioviruses isolated from the patients were wild type. Virological studies also disclosed that enteroviruses other than polioviruses were prevalent among healthy children as well as diarrheal and polio patients. Serodiagnosis by poliovirus-specific immunoglobulin M antibody tests using the capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method were in good agreement with the results of virus isolation. The present study demonstrated that Pakistan is a region endemic for wild poliovirus and more aggressive preventive measures are needed to eradicate poliomyelitis from the region.
Subject(s)
Poliomyelitis/epidemiology , Child, Preschool , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/analysis , Infant , Pakistan/epidemiology , Poliomyelitis/virology , Poliovirus/immunology , Poliovirus/isolation & purification , Prospective Studies , Seasons , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Between October 1989 and September 1991, 124 cases of poliomyelitis visited the Department of Paediatrics, Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan. The majority of them were between 6 months and 2 years of age and the epidemics occurred during the hot seasons. The dominant serotype was poliovirus type 1 during the epidemic season in 1990 and type 2 in 1991. All the polioviruses isolated from the patients were wild-type. Virological studies also disclosed that enteroviruses other than polioviruses were prevalent among healthy children as well as among diarrheal and polio patients. A serological survey to elucidate the serological efficacy of oral polio vaccine (OPV) showed that: (i) in 112 unimmunized children, after disappearance of transplacental maternal antibody during early infancy, antibody prevalence increased gradually and > 80% of the children were seropositive against all three types of polioviruses at 5 years of age; (ii) in 201 children immunized with full doses of OPV in their infancy, the decrease in antibody titer during infancy was less and seroprevalence rose sharply afterwards: at 2 years of age, > 80% of them were seropositive against all three types of the virus. The rapid increase of seroprevalence might be the effect of OPV administration. However, the prevalence was lower than that in developed countries.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Poliomyelitis/epidemiology , Antibodies, Viral/analysis , Child, Preschool , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Pakistan/epidemiology , Poliomyelitis/diagnosis , Poliomyelitis/prevention & control , Poliovirus/immunology , Poliovirus/isolation & purification , Poliovirus Vaccine, Oral , Seasons , Serologic TestsABSTRACT
In order to gather information on the factors affecting the spread of measles vaccine in Pakistan, 287 mothers living in Karachi were interviewed concerning their knowledge, attitude and beliefs about measles and measles vaccine. Measles had been highly prevalent, mainly among infants between 9 and 18 months of age. The severity of the illness and the frequency of complications were well known and the importance of immunizations was well recognized. In traditional combined families grandparents had made the decision to take children for immunization, but many mothers had begun to feel that they were responsible for participation in the programme. The vaccine acceptance rate had increased sharply in recent years, primarily due to local health educators' activities and mass media such as TV programmes. The present findings confirm the importance of continuous effort toward promotion of primary health care by collaboration of motivated mothers and community health workers.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Health Education/standards , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Measles Vaccine/administration & dosage , Measles/epidemiology , Mother-Child Relations , Vaccination/psychology , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Measles/prevention & control , Measles/psychology , Pakistan/epidemiology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A prospective study of 112 cases of epidemic meningococcal infection in the paediatric population is presented. The natural course of the disease, its complications, prognostic factors and therapeutic agents were studied. The cases were graded according to fixed criteria of severity which correlated well with the outcome of the disease. The gram-stain of the CSF was a sensitive and a quick method of diagnosis and crystalline penicillin a cost-effective therapy giving a good response within 48 hours in 90% of the cases.
