Combining cluster surveys to estimate vaccination coverage: Experiences from Nigeria's multiple indicator cluster survey / national immunization coverage survey (MICS/NICS), 2016-17.

In 2015 immunization stakeholders in Nigeria were proceeding with plans that would have fielded two nationally representative surveys to estimate vaccination coverage at the same time. Rather than duplicate efforts and generate either conflicting or redundant results, the stakeholders collaborated to conduct a combined Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) / National Immunization Coverage Survey (NICS) with MICS focusing on core sampling clusters and NICS adding supplementary clusters in 20 states, to improve precision of outcomes there. This paper describes the organizational and technical aspects of that collaboration, including details on design of the sample supplement and analysis of the pooled dataset.

[Diagnostic and predictive importance of the blast transformation test and basophil activation test in retinal vasculitis].

22 patients suffering from Birdshot retinochoroidopathy (10), idiopathic vasculitis (6) and Behcet disease (6) and treated by cyclosporine were tested at regular intervals during 11 to 38 months by the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST) and basophil degranulation test (HBDT) with S retinal antigen. These two tests were found frequently positive especially during acute inflammation for the LST. However HBDT was positive in all the patients before relapse of acute inflammation which is in favor of its predictive value and its involvement in the triggering of inflammation at the basophiles or at the local mast cell level.

[Intravenous immunoglobulins and anti-idiotypic suppression of auto-immunity].

This review summarizes the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) in autoimmune diseases and focuses on the mechanisms by which IVIg suppress autoimmune responses. Evidence is presented of a role of IVIg in modulating the regulatory function of the idiotypic network on the expression of the natural and pathological autoimmune repertoires.

[Syphilitic uveitis and human immunodeficiency virus infection].

Ocular syphilis is rare in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals. We think that syphilis should be considered in evaluating such patients presenting with uveitis. Most often, ocular syphilis includes retinitis associated with anterior or posterior uveitis, sometimes with optic neuritis.