Boostability after single-visit pre-exposure prophylaxis with rabies vaccine: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

Background: After rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccination, scarcely available rabies immunoglobulins are not required for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). However, PrEP is not sufficiently accessible as it is cost-intensive and time-intensive. This study investigates whether rabies PrEP schedules can be shortened to one visit, removing some of these barriers.

Immunogenicity and 1-year boostability of a three-dose intramuscular rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis schedule in adults receiving immunosuppressive monotherapy: a prospective single-centre clinical trial.

Background: For immunocompromised patients (ICPs), administration of rabies immunoglobulins (RIG) after exposure is still recommended regardless of prior vaccination, due to a lack of data. We aimed to assess the 1-year boostability of a three-dose rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) schedule in individuals using immunosuppressive monotherapy.

Methods: In this prospective study, individuals on immunosuppressive monotherapy with a conventional immunomodulator (cIM) or a TNF-alpha inhibitor (TNFi) for a chronic inflammatory disease received a three-dose intramuscular PrEP schedule (days 0,7,21-28) with 1 mL Rabipur®, followed by a two-dose simulated post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) schedule (days 0,3) after 12 months.

A review of severe thrombocytopenia in Zika patients - Pathophysiology, treatment and outcome.

Background: During the 2015 Zika virus infection (ZVI) epidemic swiping through the Americas, few cases of ZVI with severe, potentially life-threatening thrombocytopenia were reported. Platelet transfusion, corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) were in most cases applied as therapeutic options, predominantly with success. We present a comprehensive overview concerning the pathophysiology, treatment strategies and outcomes of patients with ZVI and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50 × 10/L).

Comparison of equivalent fractional vaccine doses delivered by intradermal and intramuscular or subcutaneous routes: A systematic review.

Background: For certain vaccines, dosing can be reduced by intradermal (ID) immunization without loss of immunogenicity, as an alternative to standard routes of administration. However, a certain level of dose-sparing might also be achieved by reducing doses of intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC) vaccines.

Method: We conducted a systematic review comparing identical reduced amounts of antigen delivered by either ID, or IM/SC routes (PROSPERO registration no.

Long-term Memory Response After a Single Intramuscular Rabies Booster Vaccination 10-24 Years After Primary Immunization.

Background: Published data regarding long-lasting immunological rabies memory after pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are scarce. We tested the hypothesis that rabies booster immunization elicits rapid anamnestic responses.

Methods: For this observational study, we included participants who had received PrEP 10-24 years before inclusion.

Fractional dose of intradermal compared to intramuscular and subcutaneous vaccination - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Vaccine supply shortages are of global concern. We hypothesise that intradermal (ID) immunisation as an alternative to standard routes might augment vaccine supply utilisation without loss of vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis searching Medline, Embase and Web of Science databases.

Can dengue virus be sexually transmitted?

It has been well documented that Zika virus (ZIKV) can be sexually transmitted. Dengue virus (DENV) shows many similarities with ZIKV; both belong to the genus Flavivirus and share the same main vector route of transmission. Moreover, they share overall architectural features on a molecular level, with a highly similar structure and distinctive insertions, deletions and mutations of their respective E proteins, and it has been suggested that they use a common pathophysiological pathway.

[Revision of the rabies policy in the Netherlands].

Revision of the rabies policy in the Netherlands The WHO aims to eliminate dog-transmitted rabies deaths in humans by 2030 ('zero by 30'). The Dutch rabies policy advisory board has revised its national rabies guidelines on the basis of the WHO guidelines revised in 2018. In the revised Dutch guidelines, there is increased focus on the importance of instant wound care after potential exposure to the rabies virus.

A Prospective Study on the Impact and Out-of-Pocket Costs of Dengue Illness in International Travelers.

Although the costs of dengue illness to patients and households have been extensively studied in endemic populations, international travelers have not been the focus of costing studies. As globalization and human travel activities intensify, travelers are increasingly at risk for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, such as dengue. This exploratory study aims to investigate the impact and out-of-pocket costs of dengue illness among travelers.

Rabies Antibody Response After Booster Immunization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Although fatal once symptomatic, rabies is preventable by administration of pre- and post-exposure vaccines. International guidelines suggest lifelong protection by a pre-exposure vaccination scheme followed by timely post-exposure vaccines. Rapidity and magnitude of the antibody recall response after booster inoculation are essential, as many people have been previously immunized a long time ago.

Rabies antibody response after two intradermal pre-exposure prophylaxis immunizations: An observational cohort study.

Background: Rabies is a lethal, but vaccine preventable disease. Vaccination uptake is however hampered by the time-consuming three-dose, 21/28-day schedule. The aim of this study was to examine whether adequate rabies antibody titers are reached after two intradermal (ID) doses of rabies vaccine, with a seven-day window.

Mapping the ecoepidemiology of Zika virus infection in urban and rural areas of Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia, 2015-2016: Implications for public health and travel medicine.

Objective: Geographical information systems (GIS) have been demonstrated earlier to be of great use to inform public health action against vector-borne infectious diseases.

Methods: Using surveillance data on the ongoing ZIKV outbreak from Pereira, Colombia (2015-2016), we estimated incidence rates (cases/100,000 population), and developed maps correlating with the ecoepidemiology of the area.

Results: Up to October 8, 2016, 439 cases of ZIKV were reported in Pereira (93 cases/100,000 pop.