Erratum: Rotavirus Genotypes and Vaccine Effectiveness from a Sentinel, Hospital-Based, Surveillance Study for Three Consecutive Rotavirus Seasons in Lebanon.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Wide Variability in the Sensitivity and Specificity of Rotavirus Immunoassay Diagnostic Kits in Practice.

Introduction: Most hospitals rely on rapid antigen-detection kits for the diagnosis of rotavirus infection. Several small studies reviewed the sensitivity and specificity of some of these kits. These studies showed discrepancy in results obtained for sensitivity and specificity that varied according to the type of kit used, area of study, and type of test used as standard for diagnosis of rotavirus infection.

Genetic Diversity of Human Rotavirus A Among Hospitalized Children Under-5 Years in Lebanon.

Human rotavirus remains a major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide despite the availability of effective vaccines. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of rotaviruses circulating in Lebanon. We genetically characterized the VP4 and VP7 genes encoding the outer capsid proteins of 132 rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis specimens, previously identified in hospitalized children (<5 years) from 2011 to 2013 in Lebanon.

Characterization of astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis in hospitalized children under five years of age.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and genetic diversity of astrovirus (AstV) detected in children hospitalized for gastroenteritis (GE).

Methods: A multi-center, hospital-based surveillance study was conducted across Lebanon to investigate the incidence of AstV among diarrheal hospitalizations. Viral RNA was extracted from stool samples collected between 2011 and 2013 from children, below the age of 5years, hospitalized for GE at six medical centers across Lebanon.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis among hospitalized children in Lebanon.

Aim: To assess the burden of norovirus (NoV) and to determine the diversity of circulating strains among hospitalized children in Lebanon.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from children presenting with acute gastroenteritis to six major hospitals in Lebanon. A total of 739 eligible stool samples, testing negative for diarrhea caused by rotavirus as a possible viral pathogen, were collected between January 2011 and June 2013.

Rotavirus Genotypes and Vaccine Effectiveness from a Sentinel, Hospital-Based, Surveillance Study for Three Consecutive Rotavirus Seasons in Lebanon.

Introduction: Globally, rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis (GE) in children. Longitudinal data about changes in RV genotype distribution and vaccine effectiveness (VE) are scarce. This study was conducted in Lebanon over 3 consecutive RV seasons to estimate the rate of RVGE hospitalization, identify RV genotypes, determine the seasonal and geographical variations, and calculate RV VE.

Epidemiology and characteristics of urinary tract infections in children and adolescents.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in the pediatric population. Over the last two decades, antibiotic resistance is increasing significantly as extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms are emerging. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive view of the epidemiologic characteristics of UTIs in hospitalized children, examine the risk factors of UTIs caused by ESBL-producing organisms, and determine the resistance patterns in the isolated organisms over the last 10 years.

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135 and Y tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) administered to adults aged 56 Years and older: results of an open-label, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: The burden of invasive meningococcal disease is substantial in older adults in whom the case fatality rate is high. Travelers to regions with high rates of meningococcal disease, such as Hajj pilgrims, are at increased risk of meningococcal infection, and disease transmission from travelers to their close contacts has been documented. In younger individuals, meningococcal conjugate vaccines offer advantages over polysaccharide vaccines in terms of duration of protection and boostability, and induction of herd immune effects through reductions in nasopharyngeal carriage of meningococci.

Dipstick urine analysis screening among asymptomatic school children.

Background: Mass urinary screening is a useful tool to identify children with asymptomatic progressive renal diseases. A dipstick urinalysis screening was conducted to detect such prevalence and to set up a more effective screening program for children.

Patients And Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in seven nurseries and primary schools in different regions of Lebanon (Beirut, North Lebanon, and Valley of Bekaa) between February 2010 and March 2010.