Challenges in infant and young child nutrition in the context of HIV.

There is consensus on the benefits for all infants of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and introduction of appropriate complementary foods at 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding. However, guidelines on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) for HIV-positive mothers have changed continually since 2000. This article explores issues and evidence related to IYCF for the prevention and care of paediatric HIV in resource-limited settings in light of new HIV treatment guidelines, implementation challenges and knowledge gaps.

Nosocomial outbreak of novel arenavirus infection, southern Africa.

A nosocomial outbreak of disease involving 5 patients, 4 of whom died, occurred in South Africa during September-October 2008. The first patient had been transferred from Zambia to South Africa for medical management. Three cases involved secondary spread of infection from the first patient, and 1 was a tertiary infection.

Changes in elastin, elastin binding protein and versican in alveoli in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: COPD is characterised by loss of alveolar elastic fibers and by lack of effective repair. Elastic fibers are assembled at cell surfaces by elastin binding protein (EBP), a molecular chaperone whose function can be reversibility inhibited by chondroitin sulphate of matrix proteoglycans such as versican. This study aimed to determine if alveoli of patients with mild to moderate COPD contained increased amounts of versican and a corresponding decrease in EBP, and if these changes were correlated with decreases in elastin and FEV1.

Evaluating accountability in the Vaccines for Children program: protecting a federal investment.

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program supplies health-care providers with federally purchased vaccines at no cost for administration to eligible children. Evaluation of vaccine accountability activities ensures appropriate and timely vaccinations are delivered. Program grantees in 50 states, Washington, five large U.

Childhood immunization coverage by provider type.

Objective: To determine how child characteristics and immunization coverage levels differ among children using public and private providers.

Methods: Immunization coverage rates between 1996 and 2004 were compared among children aged 19-35 months, using data from the National Immunization Survey. Coverage was based on the 4:3:1:3:3 vaccine series: four or more doses of diphtheria, tetanus toxoids, acellular pertussis vaccine; three or more doses of poliovirus vaccine; one or more doses of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine; three or more doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine; and three or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine.

Uptake of varicella vaccination among young children in the United States: a success story in eliminating racial and ethnic disparities.

Objective: To examine uptake of varicella vaccine, a live attenuated vaccine licensed in 1995 and recommended in 1996 for routine vaccination of US children 12 to 18 months of age.

Methods: Data were for 178,616 children (19-35 months of age) and were collected in the 1997 to 2004 National Immunization Survey. The main outcome measures were estimated varicella vaccine coverage from 1997 to 2004, coverage among susceptible children (ie, those without a history of varicella disease), racial/ethnic disparities, risk factors for nonvaccination, missed opportunities to vaccinate simultaneously with other recommended vaccines, and projected increases in coverage after elimination of missed opportunities for simultaneous vaccination.

Hospital decision-making regarding the smallpox pre-event vaccination program.

Objectives: To understand the factors underlying the decision by U.S. hospitals to participate or not in the U.

Willingness of private physicians to be involved in smallpox preparedness and response activities.

Background: The public health system continues its efforts to prepare for bioterrorist events, such as a smallpox outbreak, but may need to call on other health professionals to ensure sufficient capacity to implement preparedness plans.

Objective: The goal was to understand the willingness of primary care physicians to participate in possible smallpox pre- or post-event activities.

Methods: A 23-question mail survey was sent to a national random sample of 727 internists and 720 family physicians.

Hospital recruitment for the Smallpox Pre-Event Vaccination Program: experiences from Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Tennessee, December 2002-June 2003.

The Smallpox Pre-Event Vaccination Program (SPVP) for public health and hospital-based health care workers began on January 24, 2003. This report summarizes efforts made by health officials in Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Tennessee to facilitate the voluntary participation of acute care hospitals in the SPVP. Seven common characteristics contributed to the success of programs in these four states: (1) early planning, building on existing competencies, and state government support, (2) carrying the program forward on a planned timeline with experienced vaccination staff, (3) use of multifaceted training activities, (4) use of mock scenarios and field exercises to avoid early problems, (5) establishment and fostering of good relationships and lines of communication with stakeholders and the mass media, (6) addressing liability and workers' compensation concerns prior to initiation of the SPVP, and (7) attention to vaccination clinic logistics.