Seroprevalences of varicella-zoster virus, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus in a cross-sectional study in Mexico.

We estimated the seroprevalences of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in this cross-sectional database study. Serum samples collected during the National Health and Nutrition survey (ENSANUT 2006) were obtained from subjects aged 1-70 years between January and October 2010. Serological assays for the determination of antibodies against VZV, HSV and CMV were performed.

A multi-country study of intussusception in children under 2 years of age in Latin America: analysis of prospective surveillance data.

Background: Intussusception (IS) is a form of acute intestinal obstruction that occurs mainly in infants and is usually of unknown cause. An association between IS and the first licensed rotavirus vaccine, a reassortant-tetravalent, rhesus-based rotavirus vaccine (RRV-TV), led to the withdrawal of the vaccine. New rotavirus vaccines have now been developed and extensively studied for their potential association with IS.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus in a cross-sectional study in Mexico: Implications for hepatitis A vaccination.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) remains a public health concern worldwide contributing to significant morbidity in developed and developing countries. This cross-sectional database study estimated the overall HAV seroprevalence and the seroprevalence by gender, age, region and socioeconomic status in Mexico. Between January and October 2010, serum samples collected during the National Health and Nutrition survey (ENSANUT 2006) were obtained from subjects aged 1-95 y.

Bacterial etiology and serotypes of acute otitis media in Mexican children.

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae have been consistently reported to be the two major bacterial pathogens responsible for acute otitis media (AOM), mainly from studies in the US and Europe. However, data on bacterial pathogens causing AOM in Latin America are limited. Understanding the relative importance of these pathogens in a specific setting, the serotype distribution, and their antibiotic susceptibility levels is important to provide local vaccine and treatment recommendations.

Economic impact of a rotavirus vaccination program in Mexico.

Objectives: To evaluate the cost and benefits of a national rotavirus childhood vaccination program in Mexico.

Methods: A decision-analysis model was designed to take the Mexican health care system's perspective on a comparison of two alternatives: to vaccinate against rotavirus or not. Using published, national data, estimations were calculated for the rotavirus illnesses, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) that would be averted and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (US$/DALY) of a hypothetical annual birth cohort of 2 285 000 children, with certain assumptions made for cost, coverage, and efficacy rates.

Hepatitis A as an etiologic agent of acute liver failure in Latin America.

Background: This prospective, multicenter study examined the importance of hepatitis viruses as etiological agents of acute liver failure (ALF) and the outcome of ALF cases in Latin American children and adolescents.

Methods: The study was conducted for minimum 12 months in 9 centers in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico during 2001-2002. Hospitalized patients aged 1-20 years with a suspected diagnosis of ALF were included in the study and tested for serologic markers for hepatitis A, B, and C viruses.

Dose response and efficacy of a live, attenuated human rotavirus vaccine in Mexican infants.

Objective: Immunization against rotavirus has been proposed as the most cost-effective intervention to reduce the disease burden associated with this infection worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the dose response, immunogenicity, and efficacy of 2 doses of an oral, attenuated monovalent G1[P8] human rotavirus vaccine in children from the same setting in Mexico, where the natural protection against rotavirus infection was studied.

Methods: From June 2001 through May 2003, 405 healthy infants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 vaccine groups (virus concentrations 10(4.

Influenza vaccination in patients with breast cancer: a case-series analysis.

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the serological response and safety of influenza vaccine in patients with breast cancer in Mexico.

Material/methods: Between October and December 2001, patients with breast cancer were vaccinated with a split virus vaccine. Hemagglutination inhibition assay titers were measured before vaccination and 4-6 weeks later.

Safety and efficacy of an attenuated vaccine against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Background: The safety and efficacy of an attenuated G1P[8] human rotavirus (HRV) vaccine were tested in a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial.

Methods: We studied 63,225 healthy infants from 11 Latin American countries and Finland who received two oral doses of either the HRV vaccine (31,673 infants) or placebo (31,552 infants) at approximately two months and four months of age. Severe gastroenteritis episodes were identified by active surveillance.

Evaluation of safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of an attenuated rotavirus vaccine, RIX4414: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in Latin American infants.

Background: A live attenuated monovalent rotavirus vaccine RIX4414 was developed with a human strain of G1P1A P[8] specificity to reduce the rotavirus burden in children.

Methods: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy, immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity of 2 oral doses of RIX4414 (10(4.7), 10(5.

Diarrhea morbidity and mortality in Mexican children: impact of rotavirus disease.

Aim: To analyze changes in prevalence and seasonality of diarrhea morbidity and mortality and to evaluate the impact of rotavirus disease among Mexican children younger than 5 years old.

Methods: Diarrhea surveillance was performed from 1990 to 2002. Rotavirus testing was performed on stool specimens from 1996 to 2002.

Primary and booster vaccination with DTPw-HB/Hib pentavalent vaccine in Costa Rican children who had received a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine.

Objective: The DTPw-HB/Hib pentavalent combination vaccine has been developed following recommendations of the World Health Organization for the introduction of hepatitis B (HB) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines into routine childhood vaccination programs. The objectives of this study were to: 1) analyze the immunogenicity and the reactogenicity of the DTPw-HB/Hib pentavalent combination vaccine in comparison to separate injections of DTPw-HB and Hib vaccines as primary vaccination in a group of children who had received a dose of HB vaccine at birth and 2) in the second year of life to assess the antibody persistence as well as the response to a DTPw-HB/Hib or DTPw/Hib booster.

Methods: In the first part of the study (primary-vaccination stage), conducted in 1998-1999, we analyzed the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the DTPw-HB/Hib combination vaccine in comparison to separate injections of DTPw-HB and Hib vaccines as primary vaccination at 2, 4, and 6 months of age in 207 Costa Rican children who had received a dose of HB vaccine at birth.

DTPw-HB and Hib primary and booster vaccination: combined versus separate administration to Latin American children.

This multicentre study was designed to establish the reactogenicity and immunogenicity profiles of primary and booster vaccination with diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis whole-cell-hepatitis B/Haemophilus influenzae type-b (DTPw-HB/Hib) administered as either a syringe mix or as separate injections in 400 Latin American children. Both vaccine regimens were equally well tolerated and elicited post-primary excellent seropositivity rates at or close to 100% for all five component antigens. With regard to HB, 100% of subjects in the combined vaccination group, and 98.

A two-dose combined vaccine against hepatitis A and hepatitis B in healthy children and adolescents compared to the corresponding monovalent vaccines.

Background: Immunization against hepatitis A and B has been available for some time, protecting against both infections. With a view to achieving further reduction in the number of interventions and increasing convenience of the vaccinee, we investigated the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in healthy 4- to 20-year-old subjects at a 0, 6-month schedule.

Methods: Two hundred forty-eight study subjects were allocated to two study groups and received either two doses of the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (68% of subjects) or the corresponding monovalent hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines (32% of subjects) concomitantly in opposite arms.