Evaluation of a Novel Immunochromatographic Assay Using Monoclonal Antibodies against the Matrix Protein of Human Metapneumovirus.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a novel immunochromatographic (IC) assay (APD1806) using monoclonal antibodies against the matrix (M) protein of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) for detection of hMPV from nasopharyngeal swab samples based on the results of real-time RT-PCR.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab samples taken from 189 patients aged 0 - 5 years who were suspected of having respiratory tract infections associated with hMPV were used in this study. The samples were tested both by the IC assay and by real-time RT-PCR for detection of hMPV.

gene of isolated from 2016 to 2019 and relationship between genotyping and macrolide resistance in Hokkaido, Japan.

We characterized 515 specimens in Hokkaido. In 2013 and 2014, the gene type 1 strain, mostly macrolide-resistant, was dominant and the prevalence of macrolide resistance was over 50 %. After 2017, the gene type 2 lineage, mostly macrolide-sensitive, increased and the prevalence of macrolide resistance became 31.

Evaluation of a Novel Immunochromatographic Assay for Detection of Human Adenoviruses from Throat Swab Samples Compared with Real-time PCR.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a novel immunochromatographic assay (ICA) kit, ALSONIC® Adeno (Alfresa Pharma Co., Osaka, Japan), for the detection of human adenovirus (HAdV) from throat swab samples based on the results of real-time PCR. The incubation time required for the novel assay kit (5 minutes) is shorter than that required for other ICA kits that are available in Japan.

A nationwide population-based surveillance of invasive Haemophilus influenzae diseases in children after the introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in Japan.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine was introduced as a voluntary vaccine in December 2008 and was included in the national routine immunization program in April 2013 in Japan. Currently, no nationwide data are available to evaluate the effectiveness of Hib vaccine in Japan.

Methods: To evaluate the effectiveness of Hib vaccine in Japan, nationwide active population-based surveillance of culture-proven invasive infections caused by H.

Safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of intramuscular administration of PRP-CRM Hib vaccine to healthy Japanese children: An open-label trial.

Background: Japan licensed the conjugate Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, Vaxem™ Hib, based on clinical studies using subcutaneous injection. The present study was performed to ensure this vaccine is suitable for intramuscular injection in Japanese children.

Methods: Thirty-one healthy 2-6-month-old infants received three doses of Vaxem™ Hib by intramuscular injection at 4-week intervals and a booster dose 1 year later, concomitant with routine infant (DTaP-IPV and pneumococcal) and toddler (measles-rubella) vaccines.

Clinical effectiveness of four neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, and peramivir) for children with influenza A and B in the 2014-2015 to 2016-2017 influenza seasons in Japan.

The clinical effectiveness of four neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) (oseltamivir, zanamivir, laninamivir, and peramivir) for children aged 0 months to 18 years with influenza A and B were investigated in the 2014-2015 to 2016-2017 influenza seasons in Japan. A total of 1207 patients (747 with influenza A and 460 with influenza B) were enrolled. The Cox proportional-hazards model using all of the patients showed that the duration of fever after administration of the first dose of the NAI was shorter in older patients (hazard ratio = 1.

Therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant and macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in pediatric patients.

Objective: To clarify therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin against macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) pneumonia and against macrolide-sensitive Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MSMP) pneumonia in pediatric patients.

Methods: A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted from July 2013 to August 2015. The therapeutic effects of azithromycin, clarithromycin, minocycline and tosufloxacin were evaluated in 59 patients with pneumonia caused by MRMP and in 50 patients with pneumonia caused by MSMP.

Immunogenicity and safety of a fully liquid aluminum phosphate adjuvanted Haemophilus influenzae type b PRP-CRM197-conjugate vaccine in healthy Japanese children: A phase III, randomized, observer-blind, multicenter, parallel-group study.

Background: Broad use of monovalent Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines based on the capsular polysaccharide polyribosyl-ribitol phosphate (PRP), has significantly reduced invasive Hib disease burden in children worldwide, particularly in children aged <1year. In Japan, PRP conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PRP-T) vaccine has been widely used since the initiation of public funding programs followed by a routine vaccination designation in 2013.

Methods: We compared the immunogenicity and safety of PRP conjugated to a non-toxic diphtheria toxin mutant (PRP-CRM197) vaccine with the PRP-T vaccine when administered subcutaneously to healthy Japanese children in a phase III study.

Nationwide population-based surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease in Japanese children: Effects of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Background: In Japan, the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in 2010. PCV13 has replaced PCV7 since November 2013.

Methods: The effectiveness of PCV7 in protecting against invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in children aged <5 years was evaluated in a nationwide active population-based surveillance of IPD in 2008-2013 in 10 prefectures in Japan.

Regional Differences in Prevalence of Macrolide Resistance among Pediatric Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections in Hokkaido, Japan.

Recently, macrolide-resistant (MR) Mycoplasma pneumonia appeared, and prevalence of macrolide resistance among M. pneumoniae infections varies by country. However, reports on regional differences in the prevalence of MR M.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Given With DTaP Vaccine in Healthy Infants in Japan.

Background: 13-Valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) provides broader protection against pneumococcal disease than 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7). This study performed in Japan compared the safety and immunogenicity of PCV13 with PCV7.

Methods: Healthy Japanese infants received PCV13 and diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP), PCV7 and DTaP or DTaP alone subcutaneously as a 3-dose infant series, with a fourth dose at 12 months of age.

Sensitivity and Specificity of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Detection of Mycoplasma Pneumonia from Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples Compared with those of Real-time PCR.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay kit for the detection of Mycoplasma pneumonia (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) from nasopharyngeal swab samples compared with those of real-time PCR.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab samples taken from 223 patients aged 3 - 18 years who were suspected of having respiratory tract infections associated with Mycoplasma pneumonia were used in this study.

Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 carriers among pregnant women in Hokkaido, Japan.

As there is a risk of MTCT of HTLV-1, the HSGP HTLV-1 MTCT was organized in 2011. To determine how many pregnant women are infected with HTLV-1 in Hokkaido, which is the northernmost and the second largest island in Japan with a population of 5,467,000 and 39,392 newborns in 2011, the HSGP HTLV-1 MTCT asked all facilities that may care for pregnant women in Hokkaido in July 2013 to provide information on the number of pregnant women who underwent screening for anti-HTLV-1 antibody using particle agglutination or chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay, and the numbers of those with positive, equivocal, and negative test results in the screening and confirmation tests using western blotting or PCR methods in 2012, respectively. A total of 111 facilities participated in this study and provided information on 33,617 pregnant women who underwent screening in 2012, corresponding to approximately 85% of all pregnant women who gave birth in Hokkaido in 2012.

Phase III clinical trials comparing the immunogenicity and safety of the vero cell-derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine Encevac with those of mouse brain-derived vaccine by using the Beijing-1 strain.

The immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated cell culture Japanese encephalitis vaccine (CC-JEV) were compared with those of an inactivated mouse brain-derived Japanese encephalitis vaccine (MB-JEV) in phase III clinical multicenter trials conducted in children. The vaccines contain the same Japanese encephalitis virus strain, the Beijing-1 strain. Two independent clinical trials (trials 1 and 2) were conducted.

Comparison of the clinical effectiveness of zanamivir and laninamivir octanoate for children with influenza A(H3N2) and B in the 2011-2012 season.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the two inhaled neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), zanamivir (ZN) and laninamivir octate (LO), for influenza A(H3N2) and B virus infections.

Design: A prospective, multicenter observational study was conducted from January to April in 2012.

Setting: Outpatients aged 5-18 years who had a temperature of 37.

Population-based incidence of invasive haemophilus influenzae and pneumococcal diseases before the introduction of vaccines in Japan.

Before the introduction of vaccines, the incidence of bacterial meningitis among children aged 28 days to 5 years was 8.48, Haemophilus influenzae type-b meningitis was 5.65 and Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis was 1.

Immunogenicity and safety of a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in healthy infants in Japan.

Background: A 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) containing 6 additional serotypes not included in the 7-valent PCV has been developed to broaden protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is responsible for over 500,000 deaths annually worldwide in children <5 years of age. This study in Japanese infants evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of PCV13 given subcutaneously, the standard route for infant vaccination in Japan.

Methods: This phase 3, single-arm, open-label study was conducted at 25 sites.

My continuing efforts toward the eradication of the vaccine-preventable diseases from Japan.

When compared to the Western countries, unfortunately, the progress toward the eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases in Japan has been relatively slow and hampered by some problems inherent to Japan. Concerning this, I have been working on the vaccine-preventable diseases, that is, measles, influenza, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptcoccus pneumoniae infections. My first work was to produce monoclonal antibodies against measles virus proteins, and by using these antibodies, I established the immunofluorescent measles virus detection system in tissue samples.

[Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunogenicity and safety in Japanese infants: primary and booster immunization results].

A phase II clinical trial designed as a multicenter open study with 30 participating institutions in Japan was conducted in 167 of 181 infants aged 2 to 6 months to evaluate heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPnCV) immunogenicity and safety. From September 22, 2004, to September 16, 2006, of 181 infants registered 167 meeting inclusion criteria were include in the immunogenicity analysis. Among the subjects include in the immunogenicity analysis after primary immunization (3 doses), the percentage with IgG antibody levels of at least 0.

[Epidemiological survey of pneumococcus serotypes in pediatric patients with acute suppurative otitis media].

To determine the distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes isolated from patients under 6 years of age with acute suppurative otitis media, to calculate the serotype coverage of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and to clarify trends in PCG-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, we conducted a one-year prospective study from April 2005 to March 2006 at 10 medical institutions in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Mie, Japan. Specimens collected by tympanotomy or myringotomy numbered 856, and 691 strains were isolated from 599 specimens. Of these, 219 isolates (31.

Cytokines involved in CNS manifestations caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae sometimes causes central nervous system manifestations, which may involve the host immune response, as the organism does not directly damage neural cells, or release toxins. Therefore we measured the levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-18, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and transforming growth factor-beta1 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients who manifested central nervous system manifestations during acute M. pneumoniae infection.

Efficacy of plasma exchange and methylprednisolone pulse therapy on influenza-associated encephalopathy.

Patients with a new type of influenza-associated encephalopathy with high mortality are increasing in Japan and the United States. We present three patients treated with methyprednisolone pulse treatment and plasma exchange to remove cytokines, and all three patients recovered without severe sequela. IL-6 decreased dramatically after the start of the plasma exchange and methyprednisolone.

Extraordinary changes in excitatory amino acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid of influenza-associated encephalopathy of children.

The correlation between the glutamate-glutamine cycle and nitric oxide (NO) production in the central nervous system (CNS) of a new type of influenza-associated encephalopathy in children is discussed. When measurements of several amino acids and NOx (nitrite/nitrate) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using HPLC-fluorescence and -UV methods, respectively, were made. the CSF glutamate levels of patients with the new type of encephalitis were significantly lower, and both glutamine and NOx levels were significantly higher than those of the control group and the patients of the meningitis group.

Influenza-associated acute encephalopathy in Japanese children in 1994-2002.

We addressed the incidence of influenza-associated acute encephalopathy, which is distinct from Reye syndrome, in children in Japan. Eighty-nine children with a mean age of 3.8 years were reported to have developed this disease during eight influenza seasons (December 1994-April 2002) in Hokkaido, Japan.

[Evaluation of a rapid IgM antibody detection kit for diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection during childhood].

We evaluated the utility of a rapid detection kit for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp)-specific IgM antibody, ImmunoCard (IC) Mycoplasma Test (Meridian Bioscience, USA), with regard to mycoplasmal infection during childhood. For this purpose, 30 serum samples were obtained from 23 pediatric patients with serologically proved mycoplasmal pneumonia at and younger than 16 years of age. The diagnosis of mycoplasmal infection was made by means of a particle agglutination (PA) method, which was on the basis of 1) a four fold or greater rise with paired sera or 2) at and more than 1:640 with a single, acute phase serum.