Influenza Vaccination Programs for Healthcare Personnel: Organizational Issues and Beyond.

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are a high priority group for influenza vaccination aiming to protect them but also to protect vulnerable patients and healthcare services from healthcare-associated influenza and HCP absenteeism. Multi-component influenza vaccination programs targeting behavioral, organizational, and administrative barriers are critical, if influenza vaccination rates among HCP are to be raised on a sustained basis. Mandatory influenza vaccination policy is the only single intervention that can achieve high and sustainable vaccination rates in HCP in short term.

European survey of hepatitis B vaccination policies for healthcare workers: An updated overview.

Background: The risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) to healthcare workers (HCWs) is well known. In 2005 we performed a survey on HBV prevention in HCWs in the European Union (EU). An update of the 2005 survey deemed necessary as an EU Council Directive (2010/32/EU) on sharps injuries was to be implemented into national legislation by 11 May 2013 and more countries were starting universal HBV vaccination.

A profile of anti-vaccination lobbying on the South African internet, 2011-2013.

Background: The South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre receives many requests to explain the validity of internet-based anti-vaccination claims. Previous global studies on internet-based anti-vaccination lobbying had not identified anti-vaccination web pages originating in South Africa (SA).

Objective: To characterise SA internet-based anti-vaccination lobbying.

Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers at the Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana.

Background: Batswana (i.e., the people of Botswana) healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk for occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV), thus the Botswana Ministry of Health recommends that HCWs should receive three doses of hepatitis B (HB) vaccine.

Hepatitis B and influenza vaccines: important occupational vaccines differently perceived among medical students.

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at risk from occupational exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens, and the risk of infection among HCP is greater than among the general population. The aim of the study was to characterize attitudes toward occupational recommended vaccines as well as the perception of risks of occupationally acquired infections. We surveyed 650 medical students to assess their perception of influenza and hepatitis B and their opinions and beliefs about influenza and hepatitis B vaccines.

Adverse effects of low occupational cadmium exposure on renal and oxidative stress biomarkers in solderers.

Objectives: Recent studies suggest adverse health effects after low exposure to cadmium (Cd). Brazing with Cd-containing solder exposes workers to Cd. The purpose of this study was to assess: (1) indicators of Cd exposure in blood (Cd-B)/ urine (Cd-U); (2) the association between Cd-B, Cd-U and renal and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Work-related health symptoms among compost facility workers: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Industrial composting is a relatively new and expanding activity. Several studies indicate that compost workers are at risk to develop health symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of work-related health symptoms among compost workers compared with control subjects.

Addressing public questioning and concerns about vaccination in South Africa: a guide for healthcare workers.

Vaccination is one of the most cost-effective and successful public health interventions in the history of mankind. Anecdotal evidence, the media, and South African-based anti-vaccination websites and blogs point to the existence of anti-vaccination lobbies in South Africa, although the part played by these lobbies in sub-optimal vaccination coverage is unknown at present. This article discusses some of the claims made by South African anti-vaccination groups, including some drawn from anti-vaccination lobbyists based in highly resourced countries.

Health-care and home-care utilization among frail elderly persons in Belgium.

Background: The patterns of health- and home-care utilization among Belgian frail elderly persons living at home with varying socio-economic status are currently unknown.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study based on a representative sample of 4777 elderly participants (≥65 years) in the Belgian Health Interview Survey the prevalence of frailty, as determined by items referring to the Fried phenotype, was estimated according to age, gender, comorbidity, place of residence, survey year, living situation and socio-economic status. Differing health-care utilization [contacts with a general practitioner (GP), specialist and emergency department; and hospital admission) and home-care utilization (home nursing, home help and meals-on-wheels] patterns among the frail, prefrail and robust subpopulations were examined.

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage in healthcare workers in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Hepatitis B (HB) virus (HBV) is highly endemic and HBV infection is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Percutaneous/parenteral transmission is an important mode of spread of HBV in the healthcare setting, thus healthcare workers (HCWs) and their patients are at risk for acquiring HBV infections. This study was conducted on three HCW populations in Gauteng Province during 2009, in order to (1) determine HB vaccination coverage of HCWs, and (2) investigate demographic predictors of vaccination uptake.

Workers' perception of chemical risks: a focus group study.

Workers' perceptions with respect to health and safety at work are rarely taken into account when considering the development of prevention programs. The aim of this study was to explore workers' perceptions of chemical risks at the workplace, in order to investigate the prerequisites for a workplace health program. A qualitative study was conducted involving seven focus groups of 5-10 participants (blue-collar workers) each.

Healthcare utilisation among the Belgian elderly in relation to their socio-economic status.

Objectives: To analyse the association between healthcare utilisation of elderly persons (65 and over) in Belgium in terms of contacts with GP or specialist and the socio-economic indicators household income, highest educational level within the household, and housing tenure.

Methods: A cross-sectional study based on 4494 non-institutionalised elderly participants in the Belgian Health Interview Surveys of 2001 and 2004. Socio-economic gradients in contacts (yes or no) with a GP or specialist were explored, based on the socio-behavioural model of Andersen, a conceptual framework that includes the most important determinants of healthcare utilisation.

European survey of hepatitis B vaccination policies for healthcare workers.

Background: The risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) to healthcare workers (HCWs) is well known. Under current European Union (EU) legislation, all employers should perform a risk assessment to identify those exposed to HBV and offer vaccination. Immunization should happen early after the start of their career to avoid infection and development of carrier status.

Reduced detection and levels of protective antibodies to hepatitis B vaccine in under 2-year-old HIV positive South African children at a paediatric outpatient clinic.

The study evaluated and compared the prevalence of anti-HBs and exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vaccinated South African babies aged between 5 and 24 months from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation clinic [EPI group] and paediatric outpatient clinic [OPD group], and results were stratified by HIV status. A total of 303 (243 EPI group and 60 OPD group) babies were studied. All sera were tested for anti-HBs, HBsAg and anti-HBc, while IgM anti-HBc and HBV DNA were only tested in samples positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc.

Vaccine safety controversies and the future of vaccination programs.

In the years following the hepatitis B vaccination/multiple sclerosis controversy, a number of new issues regarding vaccine safety have been raised, in some cases leading to more debate and confusion. Against this background, an international group of experts was convened to review the current points of view concerning the use of thimerosal as a preservative and its potential risks; the suggested link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and acute lymphoblastic leukemia; the alleged association between aluminum-containing vaccines/macrophagic myofasciitis and general systemic complaints; a possible link between vaccination and autoimmune pathology; and a hypothetical link between measles-mumps-rubella vaccination and autism. At present, there are no data to conclude that childhood vaccines, and in particular hepatitis B vaccine, pose a serious health risk or justify a change in current immunization practice.

Prevention of viral hepatitis in the Nordic countries and Germany.

The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) convened a meeting of international experts from the public and private sectors in the Nordic countries and Germany, in order to review the epidemiological situation, the surveillance systems for infectious diseases, the immunization programmes and policy, and the monitoring of adverse events after hepatitis vaccination in those countries, to evaluate prevention and control measures, and to identify the issues that arose and the lessons learnt. Considerable progress has been made in the past decades in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in the respective countries. Vaccination programmes have been set up, blood products' safety has significantly been improved, and outbreak investigations remain the basis for the implementation of control measures.

Long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, booster policy, and impact of hepatitis B virus mutants.

The long-term efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine, long-term effectiveness of hepatitis B immunisation programmes, immune memory induced by hepatitis B vaccine, current booster policies, and impact of hepatitis B virus mutants on immunisation programmes were reviewed at the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Sevilla, Spain, March 2004. The main focus was on universal vaccination programmes with data being presented from Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, The Gambia, and USA (Alaska).

Hepatitis B virus genotypes.

Eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (A-H) are currently recognized, and subgenotypes have recently been described in four of these genotypes (A, B, C and F). The genotypes show a distinct geographical distribution between and even within regions, and are proving to be an invaluable tool in tracing the molecular evolution and patterns and modes of spread of hepatitis B virus. Structural and functional differences between genotypes can influence the severity, course and likelihood of complications, and response to treatment of hepatitis B virus infection and possibly vaccination against the virus.

Prevention of viral hepatitis in Italy.

The overall situation on viral hepatitis prevention and control in Italy was reviewed and evaluated at a Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Catania, Sicily, on 7-8 November 2002. Several specific conclusions, drawn from the presentations and discussions, were considered to constitute an example of how to handle these issues in other European and industrialized countries.

Pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpene lactones with high activities against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

Four sesquiterpene lactones of the pseudo-guaianolide type (helenalin, dihydrohelenalin and their acetates), have shown activities against asexual blood forms of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. Their IC(50) values were situated in the range of 0.23 to 7.

Combined hepatitis B vaccines.

The status and likely impact of existing and potential new combined hepatitis B vaccines were broadly considered at the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) meeting in Malta, October 2001. The currently available and/or licensed combined hepatitis B vaccines in Europe and the prospects for further such vaccines were reviewed. Data on the safety, immunogenicity, and European licensing status and availability of haxavalent vaccines combining hepatitis B (HepB), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (acellular) (DTPa), and inactivated poliovirus (IPV) antigens were presented.

Hepatitis B vaccination: how to reach risk groups.

Current hepatitis B vaccination programmes targeting risk groups have met with little success in controlling HBV infection in the general population. Despite the long-standing existence of unambiguous recommendations for risk-group vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination coverage remains low in most risk groups in most high-income countries. This low coverage may be attributed to a lack of perceived risk of hepatitis B and the absence of appropriate health care programmes targeting hepatitis B monitoring and vaccination for certain risk groups, particularly sex workers, injecting drug users, and prisoners.

5'-O-demethyldioncophylline A, a new antimalarial alkaloid from triphyophyllum peltatum.

From the root bark of Triphyophyllum peltatum, the new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid 5'-O-demethyldioncophylline A has been isolated. Its otherwise difficult separation from the largely dominating main alkaloid, dioncophylline A, was greatly facilitated by a bromination-benzylation procedure. From the resulting derivative, a crystal structure analysis with an anomalous X-ray diffraction was achieved, allowing confirmation of the full absolute stereostructure of the new alkaloid.