Hassan Sibomana, Muhoza Jered, Celse Rugambawa, Jethro M Chakauya, Messeret E Shibeshi, Joseph Okeibunor, Richard Mihigo, Rajesh Bhaskar
{"title":"Delivery of Multiple Child and Maternal Health Interventions during Supplementary Immunization Campaign in Rwanda, 2013: Lessons Learnt.","authors":"Hassan Sibomana, Muhoza Jered, Celse Rugambawa, Jethro M Chakauya, Messeret E Shibeshi, Joseph Okeibunor, Richard Mihigo, Rajesh Bhaskar","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This paper assesses and describes the estimated coverage of the Measles Rubella (MR) campaign in each district; the national estimate of coverage for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination campaign and Vitamin A supplementation simultaneously implemented in 2013.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We applied descriptive statistics and epidemiological tools to the outcomes of the campaigns to assess the coverage achieved on the different child and maternal health interventions. We also assessed the Adverse Events following Immunization (AEFI) where the evaluation was used at the same time to assess the routine immunization performance coverage for children 12-24 months for all childhood antigens, Tetanus Toxoid coverage among mothers of infants, combined with routine immunization performance evaluation, skilled delivery and bed nets use in Rwanda.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results indicated that among the eligible targets, 97.5% received MR vaccine, 91% received HPV doses, and 83% got Vitamin A. The integrated vaccination of MR with HPV did not result in any serious AEFI. Coverage for antigens and doses given early in life was above 95% with card retention of 80%. BCG to measles dropout by card was 8.5%. Main reasons for non-vaccination indicated need for more specific immunization education. About 96.8% of mothers delivered in health institutions and 95% of the mothers slept under bed nets the night before the survey.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Rwanda successfully implemented an integrated coverage evaluation survey of the integrated vaccination campaign and routine immunization with statistically valid estimates. We drew lessons that information on routine immunization can be collected during post campaign survey evaluations. The district estimates should guide the programme performance improvement.</p>","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"Suppl 9","pages":"63-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6420130/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37227218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mesenchymal stem cells: applications in immuno-cell therapy","authors":"A. Abbasi","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/4.1149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/4.1149","url":null,"abstract":"Mesenchymal stromal cells(MSCs) have been exploited for their immunomodulatory properties in treating various immune-related disorders. MSCs can modulate the immune system through interactions with a variety of immune cells. Regardless of the researchers focused on understanding how MSCs connect to individual immune system cell subsets, the mechanisms for inducing restorative effect still stay mainly undiscovered. Through this mini-review we address what is known about the associations and effects of educated MSCs with cells of the innate immune system (macrophages and neutrophils) and our knowledge of these interactions will be essential in increasing and expanding new medical protocols for MSC based cell therapy in the foreseeable future Mesenchymal stem cells: applications in immuno-cell therapy Nasim Rahmani Kukia1, Payam Zandi2, Ardeshir Abbasi3* 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran 2Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University Tehran, Iran 3Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85358369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inflammatory Mechanisms Contributing to Aortic Expansion and Rupture after Acute Aortic Dissection","authors":"Atsushi Anzai","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/4.1156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/4.1156","url":null,"abstract":"In-hospital outcomes are generally acceptable with the conservative treatment of uncomplicated type B aortic dissection, but some patients present with undesirable complications, such as aortic expansion and rupture. Beyond mechanical and shear forces of blood flow affecting the weakened aortic wall, excessive inflammatory response has been shown to be associated with aortic expansion and adverse clinical outcomes. We have previously demonstrated the underlying mechanisms of catastrophic complications after acute aortic dissection (AAD) in mice. We propose that aortic dissection induces expression of the neutrophil chemoattractants CXCL1 and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the aortic tunica adventitia. These local environmental changes recruit neutrophils in combination with alteration of bone marrow milieu where reduced CXCL12 expression enhances neutrophil egress. Interleukin (IL)-6 production in the inflammatory adventitial neutrophils causes vascular inflammation, leading to vascular wall fragility. Targeting CXCR2 or IL-6 mitigates aortic expansion and prevents mice from aortic rupture. Collectively, adventitial neutrophil-mediated inflammation may be a potential therapeutic target to limit lethal complications after AAD.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"19 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90079489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Luce, B. Masresha, R. Katsande, A. Fall, Messeret Shibeshi
{"title":"The Impact of Recent Rubella Vaccine Introduction in 5 Countries in The African Region","authors":"R. Luce, B. Masresha, R. Katsande, A. Fall, Messeret Shibeshi","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1116","url":null,"abstract":"The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that countries introduce rubella containing vaccines (RCVs) to reduce rubella circulation and the occurrence of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). As of June 2017, a total of 18 countries have already introduced or are in the process of introducing RCV in routine child vaccination programs. RCV introduction during 2013 - 2014 in five countries in the Region resulted in a reduction of rubella incidence of 48% to 96% in the post-introduction period as compared to the average incidence in the years before introduction. These results suggest that initial mass vaccination campaigns and introduction of RCVs in routine immunization programs result in significant reduction in rubella incidence and a reduced potential for the occurrence of CRS.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"88 4 1","pages":"108 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87701929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Balcha Masresha, Richard Luce, Messeret Shibeshi, Reggis Katsande, Amadou Fall, Joseph Okeibunor, Goitom Weldegebriel, Richard Mihigo
{"title":"Status of Measles Elimination in Eleven Countries with High Routine Immunisation Coverage in The WHO African Region.","authors":"Balcha Masresha, Richard Luce, Messeret Shibeshi, Reggis Katsande, Amadou Fall, Joseph Okeibunor, Goitom Weldegebriel, Richard Mihigo","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Measles elimination is defined as the absence of endemic measles virus transmission in a defined geographic area for at least 12 months in the presence of a well-performing surveillance system. The WHO framework for verification of measles elimination indicates that the achievement of measles and/or rubella elimination should be verified for individual countries.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We identified 11 high performing countries based on their first dose measles vaccination coverage, and looked at their performance across the various programmatic parameters, to see if they are ready to undertake the verification of measles elimination.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We identified 11 countries with >90% measles first dose coverage for the most recent 5 years according to the WHO UNICEF estimates of national immunisation coverage. We analysed vaccination coverage and surveillance performance in these countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Algeria, Botswana, Gambia, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles have maintained measles first dose (MCV1) coverage of 95% or more since 2011. In 2015, only Algeria, Cape Verde and Seychelles had coverage of 95% or more for the second dose of measles vaccine (MCV2). Of the 22 supplemental immunisation activities (SIAs) among the 11 countries, only 6 had administrative coverage of less than 95%. Only Rwanda and Lesotho attained the case-based surveillance performance targets in all the five years.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite their high routine first dose measles immunisation coverage, all of the 11 countries have some program gaps indicating that they do not meet all the criteria to undergo verification of elimination at this point. It is recommended for these countries to set up national verification committees as per the WHO framework for verification of measles elimination, in order to initiate the documentation and monitoring of progress, and to address programmatic gaps in the coming years.</p>","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"Suppl ","pages":"140-144"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6372061/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36561483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Masresha, Reggis Katsande, R. Luce, A. Fall, Messeret Shibeshi, G. Weldegebriel, R. Mihigo
{"title":"Performance of National Measles Case-Based Surveillance Systems in The WHO African Region. 2012 – 2016","authors":"B. Masresha, Reggis Katsande, R. Luce, A. Fall, Messeret Shibeshi, G. Weldegebriel, R. Mihigo","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1119","url":null,"abstract":"Case based surveillance for measles is implemented in the African Region integrated with Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance. In 2011, the Region adopted a measles elimination goal to be achieved by 2020, which included coverage, incidence and surveillance performance targets. We reviewed measles case-based surveillance data and surveillance performance from countries in the African Region for the years 2012 - 2016. During this period, a total of 359,019 cases of suspected measles were reported from the 44 of 47 (94%) countries using the case based surveillance system. Of these, 202,126 (56%) had specimens collected for laboratory testing. A total of 39,806 measles cases and 25,679 rubella cases were confirmed by IgM serology. Twelve countries met the two principal surveillance performance indicators for each year during the period and four countries met neither indicator over the period. At the Regional level, both surveillance targets were met in 3 of the 5 years in the period of study; however performance varies widely by country. Surveillance performance did not improve across the Region during the 5 years period. High quality surveillance performance is critical to support the achievement of the regional measles elimination goal. Better integrating implementation with AFP surveillance, securing predictable long-term funding sources, and conducting detailed evaluations at country level to identify and address the root cause of performance gaps is recommended.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"46 1","pages":"130 - 134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89953940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Balcha G Masresha, Richard Luce, Joseph Okeibunor, Messeret Eshetu Shibeshi, Raoul Kamadjeu, Amadou Fall
{"title":"Introduction of the Second Dose of Measles Containing Vaccine in the Childhood Vaccination Programs Within the WHO Africa Region - Lessons Learnt.","authors":"Balcha G Masresha, Richard Luce, Joseph Okeibunor, Messeret Eshetu Shibeshi, Raoul Kamadjeu, Amadou Fall","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>WHO recommends all countries to include a second routine dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV2) in their national routine vaccination schedules regardless of the level of coverage with the first routine dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV1). As of Dec 2016, 26 countries in the African Region have introduced MCV2.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We reviewed the WHO UNICEF coverage estimates for MCV1 and MCV2 in these countries, and the reports of the post introduction evaluation of MCV2 from 11 countries.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty three countries have WHO/UNICEF estimates of MCV2 coverage available in 2015. Of these, 2 countries have coverage of ≥ 95% for both MCV1 and MCV2 while 5 countries have coverage of > 80% for both doses. Dropout rates of >20% MCV1 - MCV2 exist in 12 countries. Post-MCV2 introduction evaluations done in 11 countries from 2012 to 2015 showed that inadequate health worker training, insufficient sensitization and awareness generation among parents and suboptimal dose recording practices were common programmatic weaknesses that contributed to the low MCV2 coverage in these countries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MCV2 coverage remains low as reflected in large drop-out rates in most countries. Higher MCV2 coverage is necessary to sustainably achieve the regional measles elimination goal. National immunization programs must improve implementation of MCV2 using the standard introduction and evaluation guidelines available for EPI program planning.</p>","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"Suppl ","pages":"113-121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6372060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36561482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eshetu Shibeshi Messeret, B. Masresha, A. Yakubu, Fussum Daniel, R. Mihigo, D. Nshimirimana, J. Okeibunor, Batholomew Akanmori
{"title":"Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination (MNTE) in The WHO African Region","authors":"Eshetu Shibeshi Messeret, B. Masresha, A. Yakubu, Fussum Daniel, R. Mihigo, D. Nshimirimana, J. Okeibunor, Batholomew Akanmori","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1115","url":null,"abstract":"Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease of significant public health importance especially in developing countries. The WHO strategy for the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus recommends the promotion of clean delivery practices, systematic immunization of pregnant women and those in the reproductive age (15-49 years) and surveillance for neonatal tetanus. Implementation of the recommended strategy with the support of WHO, UNICEF and other partners has led to significant decline in number of cases and deaths due to NT over the last decades. The coverage with the second or more dose of tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines (TT2+) a proxy for Protection at Birth (PAB) for the WHO African region has risen from 62% in 2000 to 77% by 2015 Reported cases of NT declined from 5175 in 2000 to 1289 in 2015. The goal of eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus by 2015 was missed, but some progress has been made. By the end of 2016, 37 out of 47 (79%) of the WHO AFR member states achieved elimination. The 10 member states remaining need additional support by all partners to achieve and maintain the goal of MNTE. Innovative ways of implementing the recommendations need to be urgently considered.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"29 1","pages":"103 - 107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83105757","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Masresha, R. Luce, J. Okeibunor, Messeret Shibeshi, R. Kamadjeu, A. Fall
{"title":"Introduction of the Second Dose of Measles Containing Vaccine in the Childhood Vaccination Programs Within the WHO Africa Region – Lessons Learnt","authors":"B. Masresha, R. Luce, J. Okeibunor, Messeret Shibeshi, R. Kamadjeu, A. Fall","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/SI.1117","url":null,"abstract":"Background WHO recommends all countries to include a second routine dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV2) in their national routine vaccination schedules regardless of the level of coverage with the first routine dose of measles containing vaccine (MCV1). As of Dec 2016, 26 countries in the African Region have introduced MCV2. Methods We reviewed the WHO UNICEF coverage estimates for MCV1 and MCV2 in these countries, and the reports of the post introduction evaluation of MCV2 from 11 countries. Results Twenty three countries have WHO/UNICEF estimates of MCV2 coverage available in 2015. Of these, 2 countries have coverage of ≥ 95% for both MCV1 and MCV2 while 5 countries have coverage of > 80% for both doses. Dropout rates of >20% MCV1 – MCV2 exist in 12 countries. Post-MCV2 introduction evaluations done in 11 countries from 2012 to 2015 showed that inadequate health worker training, insufficient sensitization and awareness generation among parents and suboptimal dose recording practices were common programmatic weaknesses that contributed to the low MCV2 coverage in these countries. Conclusion MCV2 coverage remains low as reflected in large drop-out rates in most countries. Higher MCV2 coverage is necessary to sustainably achieve the regional measles elimination goal. National immunization programs must improve implementation of MCV2 using the standard introduction and evaluation guidelines available for EPI program planning.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":"113 - 121"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87012345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Masresha, Messeret Shibeshi, Reinhard Kaiser, R. Luce, R. Katsande, R. Mihigo
{"title":"Congenital Rubella Syndrome in The African Region - Data from Sentinel Surveillance","authors":"B. Masresha, Messeret Shibeshi, Reinhard Kaiser, R. Luce, R. Katsande, R. Mihigo","doi":"10.29245/2578-3009/2018/si.1122","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.29245/2578-3009/2018/si.1122","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Rubella is a mild febrile rash illness caused by the rubella virus. The most serious consequence of rubella is congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which occurs if the primary rubella infection occurs during early pregnancy, with subsequent infection of the placenta and the developing fetus. Methods WHO supported countries to set up sentinel surveillance for CRS using standard case definitions, protocols, and case classification scheme. This descriptive analysis summarises the data from 5 countries which have been regularly reporting. Results A total of 383 suspected cases of CRS were notified from the 5 countries as of December 2016, of which 52 cases were laboratory confirmed and 67 were confirmed on clinical grounds. The majority (43%) of confirmed CRS cases were in the age group 6 – 11 months. The most common major clinical manifestation (Group A) among the confirmed cases is congenital heart disease (72%) followed by cataracts (32%) and glaucoma (10%). Discussion and conclusions The number of years of reporting from these sentinel sites is too short to describe trends in CRS occurrence across the years. However, the limited surveillance data has yielded comparable information with other developing countries prior to introduction of rubella vaccine. As more countries introduce rubella vaccine into their immunisation programs, there is a need to ensure that all rubella outbreaks are thoroughly investigated and documented, to expand sentinel surveillance for CRS in more countries in the Region, and to complement this with retrospective record reviews for CRS cases in selected countries.","PeriodicalId":73785,"journal":{"name":"Journal of immunological sciences","volume":"104 1","pages":"146 - 150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89320972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}