Review of the Strategy against Influenza Virus Infection During the 2002-2003 Season / 日本農村医学会雑誌

Following the previous two seasons, we analyzed cases of influenza virus infection during the 2002/2003 season in the Department of Pediatrics, Mito Kyodo General Hospital. Thanks to price reductions, we could increase the number of children who got vaccination ahead of the season. A close watch was kept throughout the season by dint of one precision type of rapid test kit was newly put to use. Although it was reported that there were serious shortages of antiviral agents in some regions, we could afford to treat patients in our department without a hitch. Severe complications such as encephalopathy were not experienced this season. As we vaccinated children early, morbidity decreased remarkably. We could care each case with enough time. Our department and hospital fully realized that the prevention by vaccination is definitely the main strategy against influenza virus infection.

Review of the Strategy for Coping with Influenza During the 2001-2002 Season / 日本農村医学会雑誌

Following the 2000-2001 season, we summed up what we have done, prophylactically and clinically, to cope with influenza during the 2001-2002 season in the Department of Pediatrics, Mito Kyodo General Hospital. Vaccination was effective against the infections. A new rapid test kit, which can distinguish types of influenza virus, was helpful. Administration of ZANAMIVIR by means of the nebulizer was effective.<BR>We treated some severe cases including three cases of suspected influenza encephalopathy. Most of the patients with influenza were not vaccinated before the season. It is expected that technological advances, especially in diagnosis and treatment, will be made from now on. It is more importnt, however, that the vaccination rate should be improved from the viewpoint of disease prevention.

The majority of keratinocytes incorporate intradermally injected plasmid DNA regardless of size but only a small proportion of cells can express the gene product.

The expression of intradermally injected DNA by keratinocytes is found mainly in the upper and middle layers of the epidermis. To investigate the mechanism of this selective expression, we observed the sequential changes in the distribution of interleukin-6-expressing keratinocytes after the introduction of the interleukin-6 gene. Transgene expression first occurred in basal keratinocytes and subsequently expanded to all epidermal layers and then remained in the upper layers. Semiquantitative analysis indicated that keratinocytes in the lower layers incorporated and lost DNA earlier than those in the upper layers. In order to examine the effect of the DNA size on the transgene expression, we constructed a plasmid containing a full-length 9 kb cDNA of type VII collagen and introduced it into keratinocytes. The expression pattern of type VII collagen in the epidermis was the same as those for smaller genes. This suggests that plasmid size has little or no effect on the expression pattern of the transfected gene. To trace the introduced plasmid, we intradermally injected a green fluorescence protein expression plasmid coupled with a rhodamine flag. Almost all keratinocytes in the injected areas showed rhodamine fluorescence. Furthermore, some cells also expressed green fluorescence protein. A lack of rhodamine fluorescence in the nucleus suggested an impairment of plasmid DNA transport from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Collectively, our results show that the majority of keratinocytes take up the intradermally injected DNA regardless of its size, but that the transfer of DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus is limiting the transgene expression.

Strategy for Combating Influenza: A Review / 日本農村医学会雑誌

We analyzed cases of influenza during the 2000-2001 season in the Department of pediatrics, Mito Kyodo General Hospital. Vaccination was found to be the most effective defense against the infection. Rapid test kits to detect influenza virus type A were helpful to physicians in making the right decision to proceed with specific treatment quickly. Amantadine was most useful for the treatment of type A in terms of both compliance and efficacy. Further technological innovation, especially in diagnosis and treatment, is awaited. It is very important, however, that the vaccination rate should be improved from a prophylactic viewpoint, and not only enlightenment of the public but also a push of the government is necessary for it.