Maternal Vaccination in Argentina: Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Effectiveness During Pregnancy in Preventing Pertussis in Infants <2 Months of Age.

Background: In 2011, Argentina experienced its highest pertussis incidence and mortality rates of the last decade; 60% of deaths were among infants aged <2 months. In response, a dose of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine was recommended for all pregnant women at ≥20 weeks of gestation. Although recent studies suggest that maternal Tdap vaccination is effective at preventing infant disease, no data have come from low- or middle-income countries, nor from ones using whole-cell pertussis vaccines for primary immunization.

Influenza virus: 16 years' experience of clinical epidemiologic patterns and associated infection factors in hospitalized children in Argentina.

Background: Influenza is an important cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (aLRTI), hospitalization, and mortality in children. This study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiologic patterns and infection factors associated with influenza, and compare case features of influenza A and B.

Methods: In a prospective, cross-sectional study, patients admitted for aLRTI, between 2000 and 2015, were tested for respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, influenza, or parainfluenza, and confirmed by fluorescent antibody (FA) or real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay of nasopharyngeal aspirates.

Bordetella pertussis (Bp) disease: Before (2003-2011) and after (2013-2016) maternal immunization strategy in a pediatric hospital.

Introduction: Whooping cough continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants younger than 1 year. In 2012, Argentina introduced Tdap in pregnancy to prevent infant mortality. The aim of this study is to describe the impact of maternal immunization on the hospitalization and mortality rates of confirmed Bordetella pertussis (Bp) cases by comparing pre- and post-Tdap vaccine recommendation periods.

Haemophilus influenzae type B meningitis: Is there a re-emergence? 24 years of experience in a children's hospital.

Introduction: Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) used to be the main cause of bacterial meningitis in children younger than 5 years old. Following the introduction of the Hib vaccine in the immunization schedule (1998), its incidence reduced significantly but it has increased over the last years. The objectives of this study included describing the characteristics and analyzing the epidemic curve of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) meningitis by comparing the pre- and postimmunization periods.

Impact of a maternal immunization program against pertussis in a developing country.

Background: Pertussis disease is a growing concern for developing countries. In Argentina, rates of illness and death peaked in 2011. More than 50% of fatalities due to pertussis occurred in infants younger than two months of age, too young for vaccination.

Influence of respiratory viruses on the evaluation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine effectiveness in children under 5 years old: A time-series study for the 2001-2013 period.

Introduction: S treptococcus pneumoniae is the main agent in bacterial consolidated pneumonias. In 2012, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced in the Argentine national immunization schedule for immunocompetent children as of two months old with a two-dose schedule plus a booster.

Objective: To analyze the influence of respiratory viruses on the evaluation of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine effectiveness in relation to the number of hospitalizations for radiologically-confirmed consolidated pneumonias (RCCP).

Epidemiological situation of pertussis and strategies to control it: Argentina, 2002-2011.

Introduction: Pertussis is a challenge for public health.

Objectives: To describe pertussis-related morbidity and mortality and immunization coverage for the 2002-2011 period, profile of cases for 2011, and control strategies implemented by the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Argentina.

Methods: Descriptive, epidemiological surveillance study.

Respiratory syncytial virus: clinical and epidemiological pattern in pediatric patients admitted to a children's hospital between 2000 and 2013.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major causative organism associated with acute lower respiratory tract infections in children.The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and epidemiological pattern of RSV and identify risk factors for RSV infection.

Population And Methods: Prospective, cohort study on patients hospitalized due to acute lower respiratory tract infection at Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez between March and November throughout the 2000-2013 period.

Epidemiology of Bordetella pertussis in a children's hospital.

Introduction: Pertussis or whooping cough continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants younger than 1 year old.

Objectives: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of Bordetella pertussis and to analyze the factors associated with confirmation by PCR and case fatality rate.

Material And Methods: Prospective, cohort study conducted between December 2003 and December 2011.

Cost of Bordetella pertussis illness in tertiary hospitals in Argentina.

Unlabelled: The National Immunization Commission and the National Program for the Control of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Programa Nacional de Control de Enfermedades Inmunoprevenibles, ProNaCEI) updated the immunization policy in relation to Bordetella pertussis (BP) in 2009 in order to improve the control of this disease in accordance with international recommendations. To evaluate the financial impact of this new immunization policy, we must first know the cost on the health system of having a hospitalized or outpatient child infected with BP. The objective of this study was to describe the profile of costs of hospitalized or outpatient children with laboratory-confirmed BP infection in three hospitals of Argentina.

Impact of vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b with and without a booster dose on meningitis in four South American countries.

To inform World Health Organization recommendations regarding use of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines in national immunization programs, a multi-country evaluation of trends in Hib meningitis incidence and prevalence of nasopharyngeal Hib carriage was conducted in four South American countries using either a primary, three-dose immunization schedule without a booster dose or with a booster dose in the second year of life. Surveillance data suggest that high coverage of Hib conjugate vaccine sustained low incidence of Hib meningitis and low prevalence of Hib carriage whether or not a booster dose was used.