Phylogenetic analysis and seroprevalence of influenza C virus in Mie Prefecture, Japan in 2012.

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR were used to detect 14 (6.6%) influenza C virus (InfC) among 213 clinical samples collected from children with respiratory symptoms in Mie Prefecture, Japan, between January 2012 and December 2012. Virus isolation using Madin-Darby canine kidney cells and/or embryonated chicken eggs was also successful for 3 of the 14 PCR-positive samples. Eleven patients (78.6%) were aged <3 years. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin-esterase gene showed that the InfC detected in Mie Prefecture belonged to the C/Sao Paulo/82-related lineage. To determine the seroprevalence of InfC, a total of 575 serum samples from patients aged 1 month to 69 years in Mie Prefecture were screened by hemagglutination inhibition test using the C/Mie/199/2012 (C/Sao Paulo/82-related lineage) strain as the antigen. The samples with an antibody titer of ≥1:16 were designated as antibody-positive. The results showed that 53.7% of the 296 serum samples collected in 2011 and 85.3% of the 279 samples collected in 2012 were positive for antibodies against InfC, suggesting that an outbreak of InfC infection occurred in Mie Prefecture in 2012. Therefore, continuous and proactive monitoring is important to determine the number of InfC-infections and to better understand the epidemiology.

[A study on the HA amount of HA influenza vaccination on efficacy and safety in infants].

We examined the efficacy and safety of inactivated influenza vaccine when the amount of HA influenza vaccination in children was increased to the dose recommended by the WHO. The purpose of this study was to obtain basic evidence to review the vaccination dose in Japanese children. HA influenza vaccine produced by the Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (Biken) licenced in Japan was administered through vaccination at the international dose, and split HA influenza vaccine produced by Sanofi Pasteur corp. (Sanofi) was used as control. Children from 6 months to less than 13 years of age were registered, and vaccinated with doses of 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL. Clinical symptoms during the influenza season were monitored to investigate vaccine efficacy, and information on adverse reactions was collected to evaluate safety profile. Paired serum HI and NT antibody titers were measured at pre first dose and post second dose of vaccination. Both HI and NT antibody titers for H1N1 subtype were satisfactory elevated after administration of both vaccines. Elevation of the NT antibody titer for the H3N2 subtype was observed for both vaccines, but the H3N2 HI antibody titer for the Biken vaccine was not so high. For the subtype B virus, the NT titer had a better response than the HI titer for both vaccines. As only the H1N1 virus was prevalent in the area during the study period, we performed factor analysis concerning influenza contraction only for the H1N1 antibody titer. An HI titer of 1 : 40 or more at post-vaccination was a significant factor to lower the risk of influenza contraction. The relative risk for fever among children with an HI titer of 1 : 20 or less was significantly higher than those with an HI titer of 1 : 40 or more. Children with a higher HI titer had better prevention against fever, so that both vaccines were considered to be effective. As for the appearance of adverse reactions, both vaccines were considered to be safe. From the above-mentioned results, vaccination with the Japanese Biken vaccine at an international dose was thought to be an effective and safe procedure.

[Efficacy of influenza vaccine for young children in Mie Prefecture in the 1999/2000 prevalent season].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this survey was to investigate the efficacy and safety of influenza HA vaccine for children between 1 and 6 years of age in Mie Prefecture during the 1999/2000 prevalent season. METHODS: We surveyed clinical data for children aged between 1 to 6 who visited five clinics in Mie Prefecture. Dividing them into vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups, we surveyed their basic properties, disease histories and manifestation of symptoms. The survey was performed with the consent of parents who were informed of the purpose. We also surveyed the adverse effects within 48 hours after vaccination. The serum HI titers of the vaccinated children were sampled three times: before the first vaccination and after the first and second vaccinations. The data were analysed with the chi-squared test and a multiple logistic model. RESULTS: The frequency of febrile episodes above 38 degrees C was significantly lower in the vaccinated than the non-vaccinated group. While the relative risk for the entire survey period was 0.79, it declined to 0.62 during the peak period of the epidemic. Furthermore, the odds ratio was 0.42 by the multiple logistic model. Among the vaccinated group, the pattern in the increase of HI titer after vaccination varied depending on the species of vaccine antigen. In addition, the frequency of febrile episodes above 38 degrees C was significantly lower in the group which had an HI titer to A/Sydney antigen of 1:40 or more than in these with values below 1:40. CONCLUSION: The relative risk of febrile episodes above 38 degrees C during the influenza prevalent season was 0.62 or below, and vaccine efficacy was 38 percent or above. Considering the significant difference in the frequency of febrile episodes between the groups with HI titers above and below 1:40, it is necessary to study strategies for those with a low response.

[Poliovirus uptake into and excretion from oysters: a model experiment for elimination of Norwalk-like viruses from oysters].

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by Norwalk-like viruses are often induced by the consumption of raw shellfish such as oysters. Incidences reach a peak during the cold season in Japan, when seawater temperatures fall below 10 degrees C. We investigated oysters' uptake and excretion of viruses, over varying lengths of exposure, monitoring the effects of changes in temperature and flow rate of seawater, and the presence of plankton. The study was performed using a poliovirus and an experimental circulatory system, which was framed on the same principle as a model practically used for the depuration of oysters. Polioviruses present in the seawater were taken rapidly into the midgut gland of oysters. However, virus levels detected in oysters at both 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C were decreased to approximately 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 within 6 hrs after the circulatory seawater was replaced by UV irradiated seawater. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the circulatory depuration system for the elimination of poliovirus from oysters, and indicate that controlling the temperature and flow rate of the circulatory system could decrease the risk of NLV infection.

[Contamination of oyster sea farm with the Norwalk virus: mechanisms and control].

The Norwalk virus(NV) is widely known as a cause of nonbacterial food poisoning, infant diarrhea, and acute gastroenteritis in the winter months between November and March. While it is strongly suspected that NV that is excreted by humans flows into coastal seawaters via rivers and wastewater treatment facilities to contaminate oysters that are grown in farms in the area, light has yet to be shed on the behavior of this virus in the natural environment. We therefore conducted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey of NV levels in the aquatic environment of the oyster bed area of the Shima region in Mie Prefecture, whereupon the NV was detected in marine sediment, oysters, and mule clams even during the summer months, when food poisoning is infrequent. In order to assess their similarity to human-derived strains, the detected viruses and their human-derived counterparts were subjected to genetic analysis, whereupon some of the detected viruses were found to be remarkably similar to those that were previously detected in humans infected with NV. In the interests of examining methods for decontaminating NV-contaminated oysters, we also conducted an assessment on a system of virus decontamination that focuses on seawater temperature and oyster metabolism, using Poliovirus Sabin strain. The decontamination system mentioned above was a closed loop, water circulating system, built on the same principles as those actually in use at oyster farms. Our experiment indicated that at seawater temperatures of both 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C, virus placed into the water tank was rapidly incorporated into the midgut glands of the oysters. Thereafter, when seawater irradiated with UV was circulated, the virus count in the oysters fell from 1/1,000 to 1/10,000 within 6 hours. These results indicated the utility of this system for virus decontamination, suggesting the possibility of significantly alleviating the risk of NV infection in humans by using this system to maintain the seawater temperature within the decontamination tank above a certain temperature, and to perform decontamination with an adequate water flow.

[Construction and application of an information transfer system on prevalence of infectious disease for subscriber in a regional medical association].

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of an e-mail information exchange system, for subscription by members of a regional medical association, focusing on surveillance of infectious disease. METHODS: Questionnaires regarding addition to the mailing list were first addressed to all 474 members of Yokkaichi regional medical association. After management for about three months, questionnaires focused on utility and application of the system were mailed out. RESULT: One hundred and seventy-three members (36.5%) responded in the questionnaire survey, then 73 of them (subsequently 75) actually subscribed. Forty-six subscribers (61.3%) responded to the second questionnaire, and 23 of them (56.5%) were in favor of 'weekly and monthly infectious disease reports transmitted from our research division', and 22 (47.8%) were in favor of 'e-mail exchanges of information'. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that an electronic information transfer system is a useful medium for regional infectious disease efforts and contributions from primary care physicians.