Interindividual variation and consistency of migratory behavior in the Eurasian woodcock.

Diverse spatio-temporal aspects of avian migration rely on relatively rigid endogenous programs. However, flexibility in migratory behavior may allow effective coping with unpredictable variation in ecological conditions that can occur during migration. We aimed at characterizing inter- and intraindividual variation of migratory behavior in a forest-dwelling wader species, the Eurasian woodcock Scolopax rusticola, focusing on spatio-temporal consistency across repeated migration episodes. By satellite-tracking birds from their wintering sites along the Italian peninsula to their breeding areas, we disclosed a remarkable variability in migration distances, with some birds flying more than 6,000 km to Central Asian breeding grounds (up to 101°E). Prebreeding migration was faster and of shorter duration than postbreeding migration. Birds moving over longer distances migrated faster during prebreeding migration, and those breeding at northernmost latitudes left their wintering areas earlier. Moreover, birds making longer migrations departed earlier from their breeding sites. Breeding site fidelity was very high, whereas fidelity to wintering areas increased with age. Migration routes were significantly consistent, both among repeated migration episodes and between pre- and postbreeding migration. Prebreeding migration departure date was not significantly repeatable, whereas arrival date to the breeding areas was highly repeatable. Hence, interindividual variation in migratory behavior of woodcocks was mostly explained by the location of the breeding areas, and spatial consistency was relatively large through the entire annual cycle. Flexibility in prebreeding migration departure date may suggest that environmental effects have a larger influence on temporal than on spatial aspects of migratory behavior.

No Habitat Selection during Spring Migration at a Meso-Scale Range across Mosaic Landscapes: A Case Study with the Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola).

Success of migration in birds in part depends on habitat selection. Overall, it is still poorly known whether there is habitat selection amongst landbird migrants moving across landscapes. Europe is chiefly covered by agro-forestry mosaic landscapes, so migratory species associated to either agricultural landscapes or woodland habitats should theoretically find suitable stopover sites along migration. During migration from wintering to breeding quarters, woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) tagged with PTT satellite-tracking transmitters were used to test for the hypothesis that migrants associated to agro-forest habitats have no habitat selection during migration, at a meso-scale level. Using a GIS platform we extracted at a meso-scale range habitat cover at stopover localities. Results obtained from comparisons of soil covers between points randomly selected and true stopover localities sites revealed, as expected, the species may not select for particular habitats at a meso-scale range, because the habitat (or habitats) required by the species can be found virtually everywhere on their migration route. However, those birds stopping over in places richer in cropland or mosaic habitats including both cropland and forest and with proportionally less closed forest stayed for longer than in areas with lower surfaces of cropland and mosaic and more closed forest. This suggests that areas rich in cropland or mosaic habitat were optimal.

Immunogenicity and safety of a pediatric dose of a virosome-adjuvanted hepatitis A vaccine: a controlled trial in children aged 1-16 years.

BACKGROUND: The availability of pediatric formulations of hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines would facilitate the introduction of universal mass vaccination against HAV. The objective of this study was to compare a pediatric dose (0.25 mL) of Epaxal, a virosomal, aluminum-free HAV vaccine, to 0.5 mL standard dose, and to alum-adsorbed HAV vaccine. METHODS: Subjects aged 1-16 years, stratified for age, were randomized (2:2:1) into group A (0.25 mL Epaxal), group B (0.5 mL Epaxal), or group C (Havrix Junior). Vaccines were administered at months 0, 6. Seroprotection rates (>or=10 mIU/mL anti-HAV antibodies) were assessed for noninferiority, defined as lower limit of 1-sided 97.5% CI >-10%. Incidence of local solicited adverse events and unsolicited adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: Mean age of 308 enrolled subjects was 8.9 years (range, 1.0-17.0 years). All 3 vaccines were highly immunogenic. Noninferiority of group A versus group B and group C with regard to seroprotection was demonstrated after both vaccine doses for the entire study group and for all age subgroups (11-23 months, 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16 years). One month after first vaccination, geometric mean antibody concentrations were 69.0, 83.5, and 50.5 mIU/mL for the 3 groups, respectively (A versus B, P = 0.0208; A versus C, P = 0.0015). Local injection site pain occurred more frequently in group C than in groups A and B. No subjects withdrew from study or reported any vaccine-related serious adverse event. CONCLUSION: In children aged 1-16 years, 0.25 mL dose of Epaxal is as immunogenic as standard 0.5 mL dose and Havrix Junior. The aluminum-free vaccine compares favorably to comparator vaccine regarding local reactogenicity.

Concomitant administration of a virosome-adjuvanted hepatitis a vaccine with routine childhood vaccines at age twelve to fifteen months: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this trial were to test for noninferiority of a virosomal hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine (Epaxal) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines compared with Epaxal given alone and to an alum-adjuvanted HAV vaccine (Havrix Junior) coadministered with routine childhood vaccines. METHODS: Healthy children 12- to 15-month-old were randomized to receive either a pediatric dose (0.25 mL) of Epaxal coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 109; group A), or Epaxal given alone (n = 105; group B), or Havrix Junior coadministered with DTPaHibIPV, oral polio vaccine, and measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (n = 108; group C). A booster dose was given 6 months later. Anti-HAV antibodies were tested before and 1 month after each vaccination. Safety was assessed for 1 month after each vaccination. Solicited adverse events were assessed for 4 days after each vaccination. RESULTS: : HAV seroprotection rates (> or =20 mIU/mL) at 1 and 6 months after first dose were: A: 94.2% and 87.5%, B: 92.6% and 80.0%, C: 78.2% and 71.3%, respectively (A versus C: P < 0.001 and P = 0.017 at month 1 and 6, respectively). The respective geometric mean concentrations were: A: 51 and 64 mIU/mL, B: 49 and 59 mIU/mL, C: 33 and 37 mIU/mL (A versus C: P < 0.001 at both time points). All groups achieved 100% seroprotection after the booster dose. The geometric mean concentrations after the booster dose were 1758, 1662, and 1414, for groups A, B and C, respectively (A versus C: P = 0.15). No clinically significant reduction in immune response to all concomitant vaccine antigens was seen. All vaccines were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: : Coadministration of pediatric Epaxal with routine childhood vaccines showed immunogenicity and safety equal to Epaxal alone as well as to Havrix Junior. After first dose, Epaxal was significantly more immunogenic than Havrix Junior.

Rate, intensity, and duration of local reactions to a virosome-adjuvanted vs. an aluminium-adsorbed hepatitis A vaccine in UK travellers.

BACKGROUND: Travellers increasingly require hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine for overseas travel to highly endemic areas. While the inactivated HAV vaccines currently in use are all highly immunogenic, studies have shown the aluminium-free, virosome-adjuvanted vaccine Epaxal to possess a superior local tolerability profile. The objective of this study was to analyse the pattern of local reactions caused by the aluminium-free Epaxal compared with an aluminium-adjuvanted HAV vaccine. METHODS: Subjects recruited from travel health centres were randomised in a 4:1 ratio to receive a single dose of either Epaxal or Havrix vaccine. Vaccinees noted adverse reactions on a 7-day diary card that was returned by mail to the centre. RESULTS: 529 adults (> or =16 years) were vaccinated, and 413 (78.1%) subjects returned diary cards, 338 (76.5%) in the Epaxal group and 75 (86.2%) in the Havrix group. Subjects reported fewer local adverse reactions for Epaxal (23.4% vs. 57.3%; p<0.0001). Injection site pain categorised as Grade 2 (painful on movement) or Grade 3 (spontaneously painful) (4.7% vs. 22.7%, p=0.0001) was less frequent in the Epaxal group and resolved more quickly (> or =3 days of pain, 8.6% vs. 22.7%, p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The lower reactogenicity of the virosome-adjuvanted vaccine is an important feature for travellers.