Accelerating the development of an AIDS vaccine: the AIDS vaccine for Asia Network (Avan).

HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine is central to stopping the epidemic and would be a great public health tool. The AIDS Vaccine for Asia Network (AVAN) is a group of concerned investigators committed to assisting regional and global HIV vaccine efforts. AVAN's focus on improving the coordination and harmonization of research, ethical reviews, clinical trial capacity, regulatory frameworks, vaccine manufacturing, community participation, and government advocacy could help accelerate HIV vaccine efforts in the region. At a meeting in November 2010, researchers from various countries in Asia presented their progress in HIV vaccine research and development. Six working groups discussed the current status, gaps and methods to strengthen capacity and infrastructure in various areas related to AIDS vaccine research and development. These discussions led to the development of prioritized action plans for the next 5 years. This report describes the gaps and challenges HIV vaccine research faces in the region and recommends improvement and standardization of facilities, and coordination and harmonization of all activities related to AIDS vaccine research and development, including possible technology transfer when a vaccine becomes available.

Surveillance of post-caesarean surgical site infections in a hospital with limited resources, Cambodia.

INTRODUCTION: In Cambodia, we implemented a pilot surveillance of superficial surgical site infections (SSSI) following caesarean deliveries (CD) in a provincial hospital, to estimate their incidence, describe their clinical management, and determine their causative pathogens. METHODOLOGY: Between October 2010 and February 2011, all women admitted for CD were included in the surveillance. Their clinical condition was monitored for a post-operative period of 30 days, including two assessments performed by surgeons. Cases were clinically diagnosed by surgeons, with bacterial cultures performed. RESULTS: Of the 222 patients admitted for CD, 176 (79.3%) were monitored for 30 days. Of these, 11 were diagnosed with a SSSI, giving an incidence rate of 6.25% (95% CI 3.2-10.9). Four of the cases (36.4%) were detected after hospital discharge. Length of hospitalization was significantly longer for the SSSI cases. All 222 patients were prescribed antibiotics. Ampicillin was administered intravenously to 98.6% of them, with subsequent oral amoxicillin given to 82.9%. Three of six pus samples collected were positive on culture: two with Staphylococcus aureus and one with Staphylococcus lugdunensis. One S.aureus was methicillin resistant (MRSA). The other was clindamycin and erythromycin resistant. CONCLUSION: Surveillance of health-care associated infections in a setting with limited resources is challenging but feasible. Effective post-discharge surveillance was essential for the estimation of the incidence rate of SSSI following caesarean deliveries. This surveillance led to a peer-review of medical practices.

Pandemic influenza planning by videoconference.

Collaboration between nations and sectors is crucial to improve regional preparedness against pandemic influenza. In 2008, a Virtual Symposium was organized in the Asia-Pacific region by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Emerging Infections Network (APEC EINet) to discuss pandemic preparedness. The multipoint videoconference lasted approximately 4.5 hours and was attended by 16 APEC members who shared best practices in public-private partnerships for pandemic influenza preparedness planning. Twelve of the 16 APEC members who participated responded to a post-event survey. The overall experience of the event was rated highly. Partnering public health, technology and business communities to discuss best practices in preparedness using videoconferencing may be an effective way to improve regional preparedness. Utilization of videoconferencing on a routine basis should be considered to improve preparedness among APEC members and enhance its usability during a pandemic.

Combination antiretroviral strategies for the treatment of pregnant HIV-1-infected women and prevention of perinatal HIV-1 transmission.

CONTEXT: The Women and Infants Transmission Study is a prospective natural history study that has been enrolling HIV-1-infected pregnant women and their infants since 1989. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of different antiretroviral regimens on perinatal HIV-1 transmission at the population level. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were serially measured in 1542 HIV-1-infected women with singleton live births between January 1990 and June 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: HIV-1 status of the infant. RESULTS: HIV-1 transmission was 20.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.1%-23.9%) for 396 women who not receiving prenatal antiretroviral therapy; 10.4% (95% CI, 8.2%-12.6%) for 710 receiving zidovudine monotherapy; 3.8% (95% CI, 1.1%-6.5%) for 186 receiving dual antiretroviral therapy with no or one highly active drug (Multi-ART); and 1.2% (95% CI, 0-2.5%) for 250 receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Transmission also varied by maternal delivery HIV RNA level: 1.0% for <400; 5.3% for 400 to 3499; 9.3% for 3500 to 9999; 14.7% for 10,000 to 29,999; and 23.4% for >30,000 copies/mL (p =.0001 for trend). The odds of transmission increased 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.7-3.5) for every log10 increase in delivery viral load. In multivariate analyses adjusting for maternal viral load, duration of therapy, and other factors, the odds ratio for transmission for women receiving Multi-ART and HAART compared with those receiving ZDV monotherapy was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.09-1.02) and 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.94), respectively. CONCLUSION: Levels of HIV-1 RNA at delivery and prenatal antiretroviral therapy were independently associated with transmission. The protective effect of therapy increased with the complexity and duration of the regimen. HAART was associated with the lowest rates of transmission.

Epidemiologic and laboratory studies of Chagas' disease in Northeastern Brazil

Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Medical Research, 15. Pan American Health Organization; Jun. 13-17, 1976

Cutaneous allergic reactions to Triatoma Infestans after xenodiagnosis

A frequência de reações cutâneas alérgicas às picadas de triatoma infestans após xenodiagnóstico foi determinada numa comunidade rural na qual Panstrongylus megistus é o único vetor doméstico. Urticária focal ou reações cutâneas alérgicas mais intensas foram observadas em 86.7% e em 82.1% dos participantes estudados, respectivamente às 48 e às 72 horas. A urticária foi mais severa em crianças e adultos idosos e mais severa em mulheres do que em homens.