Severe form of encephalopathy associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Japan.

Background: Every year, an estimated 200-500 children in Japan develop influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE), and 10-30% of these children die.

Objective: To clarify the clinical features of a severe form of acute encephalopathy seen with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1).

Study Design: This retrospective survey examined 20 children with acute encephalopathy associated with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) who died or were in a prolonged deep coma with a flat electroencephalogram tracing and loss of spontaneous respiration.

Deaths associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 among children, Japan, 2009-2010.

To clarify the cause of deaths associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 among children in Japan, we retrospectively studied 41 patients <20 years of age who had died of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 through March 31, 2010. Data were collected through interviews with attending physicians and chart reviews. Median age of patients was 59 months; one third had a preexisting condition.

A monoclonal antibody to cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin): Characterization and use for immunoassay of beta-cyclodextrin and its derivatives.

Cyclomaltoheptaose (beta-cyclodextrin, beta-CD) is a promising compound for application in various industrial fields because of its ability to entrap various compounds into its hydrophobic cavity. A monoclonal antibody (A7) to beta-CD was generated by using a conjugate of glucosaminylmaltosyl-beta-CD and bovine serum albumin as an antigen. The A7 monoclonal antibody was IgM/kappa and reacted with beta-CD with high specificity.