Comparing the rubella seronegativity in pregnant women who received one dose of rubella vaccine at different ages in Taiwan.

Introduction: Vaccination is the best strategy to prevent rubella and congenital rubella. The aim of our study was to assess the immunity to rubella and determine rubella virus antibody titers in pregnant women who were offered a single dose of rubella vaccine at different ages of their lives.

Methods: A total 15,067 rubella IgG antibody test results for Taiwanese pregnant women who received routine prenatal checkup at Fooyin University Hospital from 1999 to 2014 were analyzed in this study.

Relationship between antibacterial activity of chitosan and surface characteristics of cell wall.

Aim: Five representative waterborne pathogens were used to illustrate the relationship between chitosan's antibacterial activity and the surface characteristics of the bacterial cell wall.

Methods: Chitosan was prepared with averaged 75% or 95% deacetylated degree to examine its antibacterial activity against waterborne pathogens. Fresh microbial inoculants for the antibacterial assessment were prepared on nutrient agar at 37 degrees for 24 h.

Effect of abiotic factors on the antibacterial activity of chitosan against waterborne pathogens.

To assess the adaptability of chitosan (from agricultural waste) as a natural disinfectant, its antibacterial activity against bacteria associated with waterborne diseases was investigated by varying such abiotic conditions, as pH and ionic strength and by adding different amounts of acid solvent, metal ions, and EDTA. Two major waterborne pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were examined. Results showed that organic acids with low carbon number were better solvents for chitosan than were inorganic acids.