[Epidemiological study of A (H1N1) pdm09 in Iki Island, Nagasaki].

An epidemic situation of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was investigated from August 1 to March 31 in Iki City, an isolated island with a population of about 30,000. All members of the Iki Physicians' Association participated in the investigation. Daily reports of patients with influenza were made to the local health center. During the outbreak, 2,024 individuals were clinically diagnosed as having influenza, or with the rapid diagnostic test. The prevalence was highest among patients 10-19 years of age (26.8%), followed by patients 9 years and under (21.3%). The prevalence was lowest in patients over 60 years (0.4%). Of the 2,024 patients, 1,443 (71.3%) were 19 years of age or younger. Only seven of the 2,024 were admitted to the hospital, and there were no deaths. When the first outbreak occurred, many individual classes and some schools were closed, and subsequently the number of cases rapidly decreased. A second outbreak occurred three weeks later. The same procedures were taken and the outbreak came to an end. A vaccination program for A (H1N1) pdm09 virus was implemented according to the Japanese National Ministry of Health guidelines, one time for persons aged 13 years or over and twice for those 12 years or younger. To test for antibodies to pandemic A (H1N1) pdm09 after the outbreak, 358 serum samples were collected from Aug to Nov 2009, and the HI titer was measured. 205 (57.3%) were HI titer > or = 1:40. The factor most closely related to a 40 HI titer > or = 1:40 was A (H1N1) pdm09 vaccination, followed by symptomatic influenza. Asymptomatic influenza accounted for 11%. In conclusion, 71.3% of 2,024 A (H1N1) pdm09 patients were 19 years of age or younger. From an epidemiological perspective, school and class closures were considered to be very effective in controlling the spread of the disease.

GnRH agonist acts as ovarian protection in chemotherapy induced gonadotoxicity: an experiment using a rat model.

To reduce chemotherapy induced gonadotoxicity, co-treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone against analogue (GnRHa) was tested using rat model. Leuprorelin acetate (Leuplin) with or without cisplatin (CDDP) was given subcutaneously at a dose of 9.4 microg/ml to Wistar strain female rats. The total number of follicles was counted and the maturation of follicles was evaluated at the largest section of the ovary on the 5th and 10th day after administration. Leuplin led the ovary to a resting phase in which primordial follicle occupied 80% of all follicles in only 5 days after administration. The serum E2 level was also down by the 5th day and maintained a low level to the 10th day. In co-treatment with GnRHa and CDDP rats, the primordial follicle occupied 90% of all follicles and the total number of follicles was higher than in CDDP alone rats. This rat model verified that GnRHa co-treatment well minimized CDDP induced gonadotoxocity by desensitization of the ovary. These results were promising for the clinical application introducing GnRHa co-treatment as ovarian protection in cancer chemotherapy in young women.