Predicting Outcome of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection by Differentiating and Revisiting Severe versus Mild Prenatal Imaging Features.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of fetuses with first- and second-trimester fetal cytomegalovirus infection (CMVi) according to prenatal imaging patterns, especially fetuses presenting with mild imaging features (MF), being currently of uncertain prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study of 415 suspected CMVi cases, 59 cases were confirmed. Among prenatal imaging features, microcephaly, cortical disorder, and cerebellar hypoplasia as well as severe IUGR and fetal hydrops were considered as severe imaging features (SF). Other imaging features were considered as MF. Postnatal outcome was classified as "normal outcome," "mild sequelae" characterized mainly by sensorineural disorder (SND) and "severe sequelae" characterized by cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Only first-trimester (T1) and second-trimester (T2) CMVi cases were included in our study (n = 49) since all third-trimester cases (n = 10) had normal imaging and outcome. Sixteen fetuses had normal prenatal imaging and normal outcome, except one showing SND. Abnormal ultrasound findings were present in 33 fetuses, including SF noted in 16 fetuses, related exclusively to first-trimester CMVi. Termination of pregnancy was performed in 18 cases. Twelve first-trimester infected fetuses presented SF, whereas 6 fetuses (T1: n = 5, T2: n = 1) presented isolated MF. Four fetal deaths were encountered. Live-born babies with abnormal imaging included 10 fetuses with MF and one with SF. Among the 10 live babies with isolated MF, SND was encountered in 5 cases, whereas 5 children demonstrated normal outcome. Overall, 50% of our babies showing MF suffered from SND. No case of cognitive disorders was reported in babies showing only MF. CONCLUSION: SF were encountered only in first-trimester CMVi and should be distinguished from MF. Among our 10 live babies with prenatal MF following first- or second-trimester infection, 50% showed SND, whereas none presented severe sequelae. In 16 fetuses displaying normal fetal imaging, SND was encountered in one first-trimester case (6%).

Placental lesions and SARS-Cov-2 infection: Diffuse placenta damage associated to poor fetal outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women with covid-19 are more likely to experience preterm birth. The virus seems to be associated with a wide range of placental lesions, none of them specific. METHOD: We collected cases of Covid-19 maternal infection during pregnancy associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, for which we received the placenta. We studied clinical data and described pathological findings of placenta and post-mortem examination of fetuses. We performed an immunohistochemical study and RT-PCR of SARS-Cov-2 on placenta samples. RESULTS: We report 5 cases of poor fetal outcome, 3 fetal deaths and 2 extreme premature neonates, one with growth restriction, without clinical and biological sign of SARS-Cov-2 infection. All placenta presented massive perivillous fibrin deposition and large intervillous thrombi associated with strong SARS-Cov-2 expression in trophoblast and SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity in amniotic fluid or on placenta samples. Chronic histiocytic intervillositis was present in 4/5 cases. Placental ultrasound was abnormal and the sFLT1-PIGF ratio was increased in one case. Timing between mothers' infection and the poor fetal outcome was ≤10 days in 4 cases. The massive placental damage are directly induced by the virus whose receptors are expressed on trophoblast, leading to trophoblast necrosis and massive inflammation in villous chamber, in a similar way it occurs in diffuse alveolar damage in adults infected by SARS-Cov-2. DISCUSSION: SARS-Cov-2 can be associated to a rare set of placental lesions which can lead to fetal demise, preterm birth, or growth restriction. Stronger surveillance of mothers infected by SARS-Cov-2 is required.

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: p16/p53 immunohistochemistry as a strong predictor of HPV tumour status.

AIMS: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCC) related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection have a better prognosis than those without HPV infection. Although p16INK4a overexpression is used as a surrogate marker for HPV infection, 5-20% of p16-positive OPSCC are described as being unrelated to HPV infection, with worse overall survival compared to OPSCC-related HPV. There is therefore a risk of undertreating a proportion of OPSCC patients falsely considered to be HPV-driven because of p16 positivity. TP53 mutations are highly prevalent in OPSCC driven by mutagens in tobacco and alcohol. We describe herein a combined p16/p53 algorithm to predict HPV tumour status in OPSCC. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 110 OPSCC were identified in the database of the pathology department and were studied using p16 and p53 immunohistochemistry. For p16-positive or p16-negative/wild-type patterns-p53 (WT-p53) cases (n = 63), DNA in-situ hybridisation for high-risk HPV was performed, and if negative the HPV status was controlled by HPV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 19). A significant association between TP53 mutation and pattern of p53 expression was found (WT-p53, seven of 16, P < 0.001). The p16-positive/WT-p53 was significantly associated with HPV+ tumour status (p16-positive/WT-p53, 50 of 110, P < 0.001). Interestingly, a subset of p16-positive OPSCC was unrelated to HPV (13.5%, eight of 59), and showed mutant-type staining of p53 expression. CONCLUSIONS: The p16 protein immunopositivity in conjunction with the mutant-type pattern of p53 staining helped to reclassify a subset of p16-positive OPSCC as OPSCC-unrelated HPV. This approach could be routinely applied by pathologists involved in the management of OPSCC, because of their potential therapeutic implications.

Two-step strategy for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern 202012/01 and other variants with spike deletion H69-V70, France, August to December 2020.

We report the strategy leading to the first detection of variant of concern 202012/01 (VOC) in France (21 December 2020). First, the spike (S) deletion H69-V70 (ΔH69/ΔV70), identified in certain SARS-CoV-2 variants including VOC, is screened for. This deletion is associated with a S-gene target failure (SGTF) in the three-target RT-PCR assay (TaqPath kit). Subsequently, SGTF samples are whole genome sequenced. This approach revealed mutations co-occurring with ΔH69/ΔV70 including S:N501Y in the VOC.

Decontamination of Intravaginal Probes Infected by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Using UV-C Decontamination System.

BACKGROUND: This three-step study evaluated ultraviolet-C (UV-C) efficacy against human papillomavirus (HPV) found on vaginal ultrasound probes. METHODS: The first two steps evaluated UV-C disinfection of vaginal ultrasound probes in routine condition. During the first phase, the probe (n = 100) was sampled after a complete cleaning and disinfection protocol, i.e., cleaning with chemically impregnated wipes, followed by UV-C. During the second phase, the probe (n = 47) was sampled after cleaning and UV-C. The final step consisted of applying mixes of HPV on a dedicated, covered probe (n = 15) then sampling the cover, the probe after removal of the cover, after cleaning, and after UV-C. HPV detection was performed using CLART® HPV2 PCR (Genomica, Madrid, Spain). RESULTS: In the first phase, no probes were found to be positive for both DNA after UV-C. In the second phase, eight probes were found to be positive after cleaning (seven with human DNA and one with HPV) and negative after UV-C. In the final phase, one probe was found to be positive for HPV for each sample except after UV-C. CONCLUSIONS: Covers followed by a chemically impregnated wipe are not sufficient to ensure patient safety during vaginal ultrasound examinations. UV-C is effective in routine conditions against contaminations found on vaginal ultrasound probes, especially HPV.

Optimized nested PCR enhances biological diagnosis and phylogenetic analysis of human parvovirus B19 infections.

Diagnosis and epidemiological analysis of human parvovirus B19 (hB19V) infections are essential for disease management in severely ill patients. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an optimized NS1-VP1u nested PCR for detection and sequencing of viruses in clinical samples using 224 clinical and five reference samples. PCR sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were perfect (100%). While phylogenetic analysis of a 615 bp-long fragment demonstrated that the viruses in all of the samples belonged to genotype 1, this study confirmed that this optimized PCR could detect all known hB19V with high performance.

Evaluation of p16/Ki-67 Dual Staining Compared with HPV Genotyping in Anal Cytology with Diagnosis of ASC-US for Detection of High-Grade Anal Intraepithelial Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main risk factor for anogenital cancer. The objective of this study was to compare p16/Ki-67 dual staining to HPV genotyping in anal cytology samples with an atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC-US) for the identification of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). METHODS: Anal cytology samples with an ASC-US result (n = 111) were collected from patients of a university hospital (Lyon, France) from 2014 to 2015. Cases with remaining squamous cells (n = 82) were stained using p16/Ki-67 dual staining (CINtec-Plus kit) and analyzed for HPV screening (CLART2-PCR kit) using a composite endpoint of biopsy and cytology results on follow-up specimens. RESULTS: Detection of HSIL on follow-up specimens (5/22 biopsies; 1/29 cytology samples) was obtained in two out of six cases with p16/Ki-17 versus. five out of six with HPV genotyping alone. Sensitivity and specificity to detect HSIL for p16/Ki-67 was 33% (95% confidence interval [CI] [4; 77]) and 49% (95%CI [34; 64]) versus. 83% (95%CI [36; 99.6]) and 13% (95%CI [5; 27]) for HPV genotyping. CONCLUSION: Herein, HPV genotyping was more sensitive but less specific than p16/Ki-67 staining for the detection of subsequent HSIL in ASC-US anal cytology. A larger study is required to evaluate the combination of these biomarkers for triage.

How to manage chickenpox during pregnancy: case reports.

Chickenpox is a human infection that occurs mainly during childhood. Infection during pregnancy is therefore rare but may cause a congenital infection with malformation in less than 1% of cases. A specific management should be proposed at diagnosis in order to reduce materno-fetal transmission and morbimortality. Three cases were herein presented focusing on the main at-risk situations for pregnant women, whom immunological status against varicella was unknown. The first case focused on a varicella eruption during early pregnancy that leads to a lethal outcome. The second one described the management of varicella contact during early pregnancy. This woman was treated by specific immunoglobulins, leading to a positive outcome. The third case focused on another varicella contact, at the end of pregnancy. The woman was treated by acyclovir, before and after delivery, to limit materno-fetal consequences. In conclusion, after a suspicious contact, a serology assay has to be performed to know the immune status of the pregnant woman against varicella. In case of seronegativity, prevention against varicella infection should be carried out using specific immunoglobulins or valacyclovir. Clinical varicella does not require virology confirmation but requires immediate treatment with valacyclovir especially when it occurs during the first trimester.

High proportion of abnormal pap smear tests and cervical dysplasia in women with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: Insufficient gynecological follow-up and cervical screening has been reported in women with cystic fibrosis (CF). Some of these patients will require a pulmonary transplantation, known to be associated with a higher risk of cervical dysplasia. The aim of this study was to explore the results of cervical screening in adult women with CF, and to report the prevalence of abnormal pap smear tests in this population. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of sexually active women with CF who attended a gynecological consultation in Lyon University CF referral center between June 2014 and December 2015. The primary outcome was the result of the pap smear test. RESULTS: Forty-seven women (32 non-transplanted and 15 transplanted) were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 28 (range 18-53). The clinical examination revealed that 20 (42.5%) women presented an abnormality (inflammatory cervix, cervical or vulvovaginal condyloma). An abnormal pap smear was found in 8/32 (25%) non transplanted women and in 5/15 (33.3%) transplanted women, with no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.75): seven atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), five low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), one atypical glandular cells (AGC). Six (12.8%) (four non transplanted, and two transplanted) women had an histologically proven dysplasia (four Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)1, one CIN2, and one endocervical adenocarcinoma in situ). Overall, ten (21.3%) women had a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) related disease (cervical and/or vulvovaginal). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of transplanted and non-transplanted women with CF had abnormal pap smear tests and cervical dysplasia. A regular gynaecological follow-up, periodic cervical screening, and routine HPV vaccination are strongly recommended in this population.

Vaginal Neoplasia Induced by an Unusual Papillomavirus Subtype in a Woman with Inherited Chromosomally Integrated Human Herpesvirus Type 6A.

We describe here a case of high-grade vaginal squamous lesion in a 54-year-old woman with a papillomaviruses (HPV) genital infection that developed from a cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) to a high-grade SIL (H-SIL) on cytological examination. A colposcopy exam led to the detection of suspect vaginal lesions with granulomatous infiltrations, which were classified as a Vaginal Intra-Epithelial Neoplasia grade 2 after pathologists' analyses. After a laser vaginal surgery and a loop excision of the transformation zone, the analyses of the anatomical pieces using a near-complete HPV screening panel revealed an HPV-4 infection that was not detected before in cervical smears. This HPV-infection is associated with a high human herpesvirus type 6A (HHV-6A) viral load in the same anatomical piece. The presence of an inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6A (iciHHV-6A) was proved in this patient by real-time polymerase chain reaction on hair follicles and nail. This case suggests reconsidering both the benign nature of low-grade lesions in the female genital tract and the well-known "good" prognosis of low-risk HPV infection, especially when iciHHV-6A is diagnosed. This clinical course insists on the benefits of the multiplex panel use or global sequencing in order to optimize biological testing sensitivity, and so enhance clinical management of infection-induced neoplasia.

Monitoring efficiency of humoral rejection episode therapy in liver transplantation: any role for complement binding Luminex Single Antigen assays?

Humoral rejection and its relationship with anti HLA antibodies have been extensively studied in organ transplantation with the exception of liver transplantation (LT). Recently, association between donor specific anti HLA antibodies (DSA) and increased risk of rejection and graft loss has been suggested in LT. When such antibodies appear, adequate treatment and monitoring are needed to avoid or delay allograft loss. We report here three cases of probable antibody-mediated rejection developed after pregnancy in liver transplanted women. Sera at the time of rejection and during follow-up have been retrospectively tested for the ability of DSA to bind complement components. These cases display different outcomes depending on the complement binding DSA capacity and titers after treatment of the rejection episodes. Thus, they highlight the potential interest of complement binding Luminex Single Antigen assays to monitor the efficiency of anti-rejection therapy.

p16(INK4a) overexpression is not linked to oncogenic human papillomaviruses in patients with high-grade urothelial cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: p16(INK4a) Is overexpressed in almost all precancerous and carcinomatous lesions of the uterine cervix, secondary to interference between high-risk human papillomaviruses (hr-HPVs) and the retinoblastoma gene product. Overexpression of p16(INK4a) has also been identified in patients with high-grade urothelial lesions, both cytologically and histologically. However, the etiological role of HPV has not been documented except in inverted papillomas, low-grade bladder tumors, and younger patients. We therefore attempted to verify if HPV DNA was detectable in p16(INK4a) -positive urothelial tumors. METHODS: A total of 90 urinary cytology samples (33 negative/low-grade cases and 57 high-grade proliferations) were analyzed for p16(INK4a) and HPV DNA. HPV genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction using a low-density DNA microarray enabling the detection of 35 HPVs. A reasoned approach combining tissue genotyping and in situ hybridization (ISH) for hr-HPVs was used in patients with urinary HPV. RESULTS: Low-risk HPV (HPV-84) and hr-HPVs (HPV-16, -31, and -70) were detected. The prevalence of hr-HPVs in the urine was low: 5 of 82 patients (6.1%) and only 4 of 50 patients (8.0%) with high-grade urothelial malignancy. p16(INK4a) overexpression was noted in 49 high-grade samples (85.9%). In patients with p16(INK4a) -positive tumor cells and hr-HPV in the urine, HPV genotyping and ISH for hr-HPVs were negative in matched tissue sections. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a low prevalence of hr-HPVs in the urine of patients with high-grade urothelial malignancy. In those, p16(INK4a) overexpression occurs in the absence of demonstrable HPV DNA in the tissue sections, contrary to what is noted in gynecopathology.

Measles in pregnancy in Lyon France, 2011.

OBJECTIVE: To identify women who had measles while being pregnant during the 2011 epidemic peak in Lyon, France, and to document maternal characteristics and fetal outcomes. METHODS: In a retrospective survey, women who had measles while being pregnant between January and December 2011 were identified from the records of the Laboratory of Virology, Hospices Civils de Lyon. Epidemiologic data, clinical characteristics, and measles outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: In total, 11 pregnant women and 2 women who had just delivered were hospitalized with measles infection in Lyon. The most severe maternal complication was pneumonia, which occurred in 4 women (30.8%). Other maternal complications included fever (11 women; 84.6%) and elevated liver enzymes (2/6 women; 33.3%). All women delivered healthy newborns. Post-exposure prophylaxis using human polyvalent immunoglobulin was initiated for three newborns whose mothers acquired measles in the immediate postpartum period. None of these newborns subsequently acquired measles, although breastfeeding was maintained. CONCLUSION: Although measles infections during pregnancy can have a deleterious effect on both mother and child, in many cases hospitalization is not required. Unnecessary admission should be avoided given the high risk of transmission of measles in an obstetrics ward.

Persistence of microbial contamination on transvaginal ultrasound probes despite low-level disinfection procedure.

AIM OF THE STUDY: In many countries, Low Level Disinfection (LLD) of covered transvaginal ultrasound probes is recommended between patients' examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of LLD under routine conditions on a range of microorganisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were taken over a six month period in a private French Radiology Center. 300 specimens derived from endovaginal ultrasound probes were analyzed after disinfection of the probe with wipes impregnated with a quaternary ammonium compound and chlorhexidine. Human papillomavirus (HPV) was sought in the first set of s100 samples, Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasmas were searched in the second set of 100 samples, bacteria and fungi in the third 100 set samples. HPV, C. trachomatis and mycoplasmas were detected by PCR amplification. PCR positive samples were subjected to a nuclease treatment before an additional PCR assay to assess the likely viable microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi were investigated by conventional methods. RESULTS: A substantial persistence of microorganisms was observed on the disinfected probes: HPV DNA was found on 13% of the samples and 7% in nuclease-resistant form. C. trachomatis DNA was detected on 20% of the probes by primary PCR but only 2% after nuclease treatment, while mycoplasma DNA was amplified in 8% and 4%, respectively. Commensal and/or environmental bacterial flora was present on 86% of the probes, occasionally in mixed culture, and at various levels (10->3000 CFU/probe); Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from 4% of the probes (10-560 CFU/probe). No fungi were isolated. CONCLUSION: Our findings raise concerns about the efficacy of impregnated towels as a sole mean for disinfection of ultrasound probes. Although the ultrasound probes are used with disposable covers, our results highlight the potential risk of cross contamination between patients during ultrasound examination and emphasize the need for reviewing the disinfection procedure.

Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi cross-reactive antibodies detected at high rate in non-exposed individuals living in non-endemic regions: seroprevalence and association to other viral serologies.

Cross-reactive antibodies are characterized by their recognition of antigens that are different from the trigger immunogen. This happens when the similarity between two different antigenic determinants becomes adequate enough to enable a specific binding with such cross-reactive antibodies. In the present manuscript, we report the presence, at an "abnormal" high frequency, of antibodies in blood samples from French human subjects cross-reacting with a synthetic-peptide antigen derived from a Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) protein sequence. As the vector of T. cruzi is virtually confined to South America, the parasite is unlikely to be the trigger immunogen of the cross-reactive antibodies detected in France. At present, the cross-reactive antibodies are measured by using an in-house ELISA method that employs the T. cruzi -peptide antigen. However, to underline their cross-reactive characteristics, we called these antibodies "Trypanosoma cruzi Cross Reactive Antibodies" or TcCRA. To validate their cross-reactive nature, these antibodies were affinity-purified from plasma of healthy blood donor and were then shown to specifically react with the T. cruzi parasite by immunofluorescence. Seroprevalence of TcCRA was estimated at 45% in serum samples of French blood donors while the same peptide-antigen reacts with about 96% of T. cruzi -infected Brazilian individuals. In addition, we compared the serology of TcCRA to other serologies such as HSV 1/2, EBV, HHV-6, CMV, VZV, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, mumps virus, rubella virus, respiratory syncytial virus, measles and enterovirus. No association was identified to any of the tested viruses. Furthermore, we tested sera from different age groups for TcCRA and found a progressive acquisition starting from early childhood. Our findings show a large seroprevalence of cross-reactive antibodies to a well-defined T. cruzi antigen and suggest they are induced by a widely spread immunogen, acquired from childhood. The etiology of TcCRA and their clinical relevance still need to be investigated.

Successful immunotherapy in life-threatening parvovirus B19 infection in a child.

We report a case of an immunocompetent child who developed parvovirus B19 infection complicated by autoinflammatory disease with myocarditis, tamponade and macrophage activation syndrome. He recovered with immunotherapy including prednisone, immunoglobulins, cyclosporin and anakinra (anti-interleukin-1). The report shows that parvovirus can provoke severe systemic inflammation with acute heart injury and that anti-interleukin-1 might be considered in such parvovirus-related inflammation.

High risk HPV contamination of endocavity vaginal ultrasound probes: an underestimated route of nosocomial infection?

BACKGROUND: Endocavity ultrasound is seen as a harmless procedure and has become a common gynaecological procedure. However without correct disinfection, it may result in nosocomial transmission of genito-urinary pathogens, such as high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV). We aimed to evaluate the currently recommended disinfection procedure for covered endocavity ultrasound probes, which consists of "Low Level Disinfection" (LLD) with "quaternary ammonium compounds" containing wipes. METHODS: From May to October 2011 swabs were taken from endovaginal ultrasound probes at the Gynecology Department of the Lyon University Hospital. During the first phase (May-June 2011) samples were taken after the ultrasound examination and after the LLD procedure. In a second phase (July-October 2011) swab samples were collected just before the probe was used. All samples were tested for the presence of human DNA (as a marker for a possible transmission of infectious pathogens from the genital tract) and HPV DNA with the Genomica DNA microarray (35 different HPV genotypes). RESULTS: We collected 217 samples before and 200 samples after the ultrasound examination. The PCR was inhibited in two cases. Human DNA was detected in 36 (18%) post-examination samples and 61 (28%) pre-examination samples. After the ultrasound LLD procedure, 6 (3.0%) samples contained HR-HPV types (16, 31, 2×53 and 58). Similarly, HPV was detected in 6 pre-examination samples (2.7%). Amongst these 4 (1.9%) contained HR-HPV (types 53 and 70). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that a considerable number of ultrasound probes are contaminated with human and HR-HPV DNA, despite LLD disinfection and probe cover. In all hospitals, where LLD is performed, the endovaginal ultrasound procedure must therefore be considered a source for nosocomial HR-HPV infections. We recommend the stringent use of high-level disinfectants, such as glutaraldehyde or hydrogen peroxide solutions.

[Parvovirus B19 infection after kidney transplantation]. / Infection par le Parvovirus B19 après transplantation rénale.

Prevalence for human parvovirus B19 infection is estimated to be between 2% and 30% in renal transplant recipients. In post-transplant settings, parvovirus B19 infection may occur either as a primary infection or a reactivation. Parvovirus transmission most commonly occurs through respiratory tract but may also result from graft or blood packs contamination. Co-infections with HHV-6 and CMV viruses are frequent. The hallmark symptom is anemia, more rarely pancytopenia and hemophagocytic syndrome. In respect to renal involvement, parvovirus B19 infection has been associated with graft dysfunction in 10% of cases. Both thrombotic microangiopathies and collapsing glomerulopathies have been reported concomitantly with parvovirus B19 infection but the causal link remains unclear. Other complications are seldomly reported, including hepatitis, encephalitis, and myocarditis. Diagnosis is based on pre and post-transplant serological status. In addition, the management of parvovirus B19 infection in immunocompromised patients requires quantitative assessment of blood viral load by PCR. The treatment relies primarily on reduction of immunosuppression combined with intravenous immunoglobulin infusions. Relapses occur in 30% of cases.

Factors influencing uptake of influenza vaccine amongst healthcare workers in a regional center after the A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic: lessons for improving vaccination rates.

BACKGROUND: Vaccination of health-care workers (HCWs) against seasonal influenza has been consistently recommended worldwide in order to prevent nosocomial transmission and ensure delivery of health-care services during outbreaks. Overall, immunization rates were low across all nation, including among HCWs. Little is known about the acceptability and compliance with seasonal influenza vaccine among HCWs after the A(H1N1) 2009 pandemic. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Between 1st and 31 January 2011, we conducted a questionnaire-based survey at the Ibn Sina regional center (Rabat, Morocco). Seven hundred twenty one HCWs have answered about their influenza immunization during the 2010/2011 season, as well as the reasons for accepting or declining this vaccine. Finally, we compare our results with previous moroccan survey. RESULTS: A total of 122 HCWs (17%) reported having received the 2010/2011 seasonal vaccine; "self-protection" and "protection of the patient" were the most frequently adduced reasons for acceptance of the influenza vaccination, whereas media controversy during the pandemic was the main argument for refusal. DISCUSSION: The post pandemic seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among the HCWs in our institution was very low. The role of media, specific attitudinal barriers and misconceptions about immunization in a global pandemic scenario is clear. The nearly constant media coverage of the A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic, reported with varying degrees of accuracy, and sometimes portraying dramatic scenarios caused some to question whether unnecessary alarm and public panic resulted. We suggest that international or national health authorities have a clear speech over looked media and to own these institutions, which will air fair and real time information about the disease.