[Evaluation of the effectiveness of a new vaccine against human leptospirosis in groups at risk]. / Evaluación de la efectividad de una nueva vacuna contra la leptospirosis humana en grupos en riesgo.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a new vaccine against human leptospirosis, a prospective cohort study was done with persons in the Cuban province of Holguín who were at risk of becoming ill with leptospirosis. The study included 118,018 persons from 15 to 65 years old who were considered to face either permanent or temporary risk. The vaccinated cohort consisted of 101,137 persons. They received two vaccine doses, 6 weeks apart, of 0.50 mL via deep intramuscular injection into the deltoid muscle of the nondominant arm. The unvaccinated cohort consisted of 16,881 persons. Epidemiological surveillance began 21 days after the application of the second vaccine dose and continued for 1 year. The same criteria for suspected and confirmed cases were maintained throughout the study period. At the end of the surveillance period effectiveness was calculated as being higher than 97%. It is estimated that the vaccination program prevented eight out of ten cases that would have otherwise occurred. Vaccine reactogenicity was also measured in a subsample of 1,500 persons between 15 and 65 years old. The observed symptomatology was low. Slight pain at the injection site was the most frequent symptom (25%). The results of the study indicate the usefulness of the vaccine for disease prevention among people at risk, and its use is thus recommended.

[Human leptospirosis behavior in Cuba]. / Algunas consideraciones sobre el comportamiento de la leptospirosis humana en Cuba.

A description is made of the antecedents of human leptospirosis in Cuba and the behavior of the disease from 1981. An analysis with regards lethality and incidence during the five-year period 1986-1990 was carried out; the most affected provinces, the months of highest occurrence, and the most hazardous occupations, are listed. The present situation of human leptospirosis in Cuba is described and recommendations are provided.

[Several results of a Toxoplasma survey]. / Algunos resultados sobre una encuesta de Toxoplasma.

A pilot Toxoplasma survey was conduct in Ciego de Avila province during the month of September, 1985, to assess, in practice, the methodologic structure proposed for the National Toxoplasma Survey. Of the 292 listed individuals, 284 were surveyed during the field work phase (97.2%) and the remaining 2.8% of no response was due mainly to the fact that dwellers were not at home during the visit. The best day for this type of survey resulted to be Sunday, in the morning. No difficulty was noted with the used modelling, and results obtained in the application of used techniques and procedures are appropriate for use in the National Toxoplasma Survey. The prevalence rate of anti- Toxoplasma antibodies was 55.9%. There was a significant association between some risk factors such as: living with cats, ingestion of non potable water and ingestion of raw meat.