Revealing trends in measles immunity during periods of varying measles circulation in Madagascar.

Estimating the durability of immunity from vaccination is complicated by unreported re-vaccination, and unobserved natural infection or reexposure, which could result in overestimation of protection longevity. We tested serial cross-sectional serum samples from 2005 to 2015 (N=2,530) for IgG to examine measles seroprevalence, spatiotemporal patterns of titers across regions and antibody dynamics among children aged 1-9 years who grew up during varying measles circulation in Madagascar under a one-dose vaccination schedule. We found that measles seroprevalence has generally decreased over this time period.

Strengthening serological studies: the need for greater geographical diversity, biobanking, and data-accessibility.

Serological studies uniquely strengthen infectious disease surveillance, expanding prevalence estimates to encompass asymptomatic infections, and revealing the otherwise inapparent landscape of immunity, including who is and is not susceptible to infection. They are thus a powerful complement to often incomplete epidemiological and public health measures (administrative measures of vaccination coverage, incidence estimates, etc.).

Environmental drivers of monomethylmercury photodegradation along the land-to-ocean aquatic continuum.

In surface waters, photodegradation is a major abiotic removal pathway of the neurotoxin monomethylmercury (MMHg), acting as a key control on the amounts of MMHg available for biological uptake. Different environmental factors can alter the rate of MMHg photodegradation. However, our understanding of how MMHg photodegradation pathways in complex matrixes along the land-to-ocean aquatic continuum respond to changes in salinity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition is incomplete.

Characterization of a novel conditional knockout mouse model to assess efficacy of mRNA therapy in the context of severe ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is the most common urea cycle disorder, characterized by hyperammonemia and accompanied by a high unmet patient need. mRNA therapies have been shown to be efficacious in hypomorphic Sparse-fur abnormal skin and hair (Spf-ash) mice, a model of late-onset disease. However, studying the efficacy of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) mRNA therapy in traditional knockout mice, a model for severe early-onset OTCD, is hampered by the rapid lethality of the model, and poor lipid nanoparticle (LNP) uptake into neonatal mouse liver.

Is there sufficient evidence to inform personal protective equipment choices for healthcare workers caring for patients with viral hemorrhagic fevers?

Background: Ugandan health authorities declared an outbreak of Ebola disease (EBOD), caused by the Sudan virus, in September 2022. A rapid review was conducted to update the Public Health Agency of Canada's guidelines for infection prevention and control measures for EBOD in healthcare settings to prepare for potential introduction of cases.

Objective: Summarize the available evidence on personal protective equipment (PPE) use by healthcare workers (HCWs) to prevent exposure to and transmission of viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), including Ebola virus.