Fractional-dose inactivated poliovirus vaccine, India.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global shortage of inactivated poliovirus vaccine that was expected to last until 2020 at least. In response, WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommended that countries consider a strategic shift to fractional-dose inactivated poliovirus vaccine, which involves a new dosing schedule (i.e.

Clinical study of safety and immunogenicity of pentavalent DTP-HB-Hib vaccine administered by disposable-syringe jet injector in India.

Introduction: We conducted a randomized, observer-blind, non-inferiority, parallel-group clinical study of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and type b conjugate (pentavalent) vaccination of infants in India. Goals were to determine whether the seropositivity rate after vaccination via disposable-syringe jet injector (DSJI) was non-inferior to that via needle and syringe (N-S), and to compare the safety of vaccination by the two methods.

Methods: Healthy children received a three-dose series of vaccine intramuscularly by DSJI or N-S beginning at 6-8 weeks of age.

Immunogenicity and safety of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine delivered by disposable-syringe jet injector in India: A randomized, parallel group, non-inferiority trial.

Background: We conducted a randomized, non-inferiority, clinical study of MMR vaccine by a disposable-syringe jet injector (DSJI) in toddlers in India in comparison with the conventional administration.

Methods: MMR vaccine was administered subcutaneously by DSJI or needle-syringe (N-S) to toddlers (15-18 months) who had received a measles vaccine at 9 months. Seropositivity to measles, mumps, and rubella serum IgG antibodies was assessed 35 days after vaccination.

A novel device for collecting and dispensing fingerstick blood for point of care testing.

The increased world-wide availability of point-of-care (POC) tests utilizing fingerstick blood has led to testing scenarios in which multiple separate fingersticks are performed during a single patient encounter, generating cumulative discomfort and reducing testing efficiency. We have developed a device capable of a) collection of up to 100 μL of fingerstick blood from a single fingerstick by capillary action, and b) dispensing this blood in variable increments set by the user. We tested the prototype device both in a controlled laboratory setting and in a fingerstick study involving naive device users, and found it to have accuracy and precision similar to a conventional pipettor.

Suitability of capillary blood for quantitative assessment of G6PD activity and performances of G6PD point-of-care tests.

The use of primaquine and other 8-aminoquinolines for malaria elimination is hampered by, among other factors, the limited availability of point-of-care tests for the diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Historically, the most used source of blood for G6PD analyses is venous blood, whereas diagnostic devices used in the field require the use of capillary blood; data have shown that the two sources of blood often differ with respect to hemoglobin concentration and number of red blood cells. Therefore, we have analyzed, in both capillary and venous blood drawn from the same healthy donors, the correlation of G6PD activity assessed by two qualitative tests (the Fluorescent Spot test and the CareStart test) with the gold standard quantitative spectrophotometric assay.

Comparison of quantitative and qualitative tests for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

A barrier to eliminating Plasmodium vivax malaria is inadequate treatment of infected patients. 8-Aminoquinoline-based drugs clear the parasite; however, people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are at risk for hemolysis from these drugs. Understanding the performance of G6PD deficiency tests is critical for patient safety.

The essential role of infection-detection technologies for malaria elimination and eradication.

Recent emphasis on malaria elimination and eradication (E&E) goals is changing the way that experts evaluate malaria diagnostic tools and tactics. As prevalence declines, the focus of malaria management is pivoting toward low-density, subclinical infections and geographically and demographically concentrated reservoirs. These and other changes present challenges and opportunities for innovations in malaria diagnostics aimed at meeting the needs of malaria elimination programs.

G6PD testing in support of treatment and elimination of malaria: recommendations for evaluation of G6PD tests.

Malaria elimination will be possible only with serious attempts to address asymptomatic infection and chronic infection by both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. Currently available drugs that can completely clear a human of P. vivax (known as "radical cure"), and that can reduce transmission of malaria parasites, are those in the 8-aminoquinoline drug family, such as primaquine.

Field evaluation of a prototype paper-based point-of-care fingerstick transaminase test.

Monitoring for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) via serial transaminase measurements in patients on potentially hepatotoxic medications (e.g., for HIV and tuberculosis) is routine in resource-rich nations, but often unavailable in resource-limited settings.

Cryopreservation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity inside red blood cells: developing a specimen repository in support of development and evaluation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency tests.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common human enzyme deficiency. It is characterized by abnormally low levels of G6PD activity. Individuals with G6PD deficiency are at risk of undergoing acute haemolysis when exposed to 8‒aminoquinoline-based drugs, such as primaquine.