Pertussis vaccination coverage among adults in the Lyon area.

BACKGROUND: The compliance with recommendations for Pertussis vaccination was assessed in the Lyon population through vaccination coverage (VC). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in collaboration with 10 private biological analysis laboratories between October 2010 and March 2012, on 1930 adults (>19 years of age) from the Lyon area. Proof of vaccination (PV) was requested to prove the current vaccination status. RESULTS: A percentage of 30.3% (585/1930) of surveyed individuals provided a PV. A positive vaccination status was confirmed in 10.76% [CI 95% 8.45-13.48] (63/585) and didn't vary in relation to gender (P=0.57), age (P=0.06), or level of schooling (P=0.41). Coverage vaccination was not updated in parents with childbearing project (84.2% (64/76) [CI 95% 74.7-91.2]) or people in contact with children less than 6 years of age (83.6% (87/104) [CI 95% 75.6-89.8]). Pertussis vaccination wasn't confirmed in 80.0% (124/155) of those who thought being vaccine up to date. CONCLUSIONS: The Lyon population poorly complied with the cocooning strategy implemented in 2004. The pertussis vaccine coverage confirmed by a PV proved the inadequate rate of vaccination compared to objectives. It is mandatory to strengthen the vaccinal policy for this vaccine booster.

Seroprevalence of varicella antibodies among pregnant women in Lyon-France.

The purpose of the study was to calculate the seroprevalence of immunity to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection and to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) of the self-reported history of VZV infection in pregnant women. A cross sectional study was conducted in 18 private medical analysis laboratories. Information on socio-demographic characteristics and past history of varicella or zoster were collected using a questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained to determine the serological levels of past exposure to VZV. Overall, 486 pregnant women were recruited. The seroprevalence of VZV antibodies was 98.8%. Six women were seronegative, of whom four were primiparous. The PPV was high (99.5%) while the NPV was only 10.3%. The PPV is a reliable marker of prior VZV infection. In contrast, a negative history does not predict lack of immunity and should be completed by serological analysis which might be introduced to routine antenatal blood tests.

The risk of hospital-acquired GB virus C infection: a pilot case-control study.

The risk of hospital-acquired infection with GB virus C (GBV-C) was explored among 42 patients. The factors independently associated with detection of GBV-C RNA in serum were bronchoscopic examination [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=18.1 (95% confidence interval 1.3-255.3), P=0.03] and a history of illicit drug use [OR=14.5 (1.0-218.7), P=0.05]. In this cohort of patients, invasive procedures appear to be associated with GBV-C infection but not with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

The effect of beta blocking drugs on lipid peroxidation in rat heart in vitro.

Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs include a structurally related class of drugs that are employed clinically to treat a variety of cardiovascular disorders. Since these drugs exert additional nonspecific effects including membrane stabilization, representative samples including atenolol, dilevolol, labetalol, metoprolol and propranolol were studied to determine their influence on lipid peroxidation. Homogenates or liposomes of adult rat hearts were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of propranolol or equivalent concentrations of dilevolol, labetalol, metoprolol or atenolol. Lipid peroxidation was stimulated with 50 microM FeSO4, 5 microM t-butyl hydroperoxide (homogenates) or 0.2 mM citrate FeSO4 (liposomes) plus O2. Lipid peroxidation, as assessed by both the thiobarbituric acid reaction and chemiluminescence, was reduced in a dose-dependent manner as the propranolol concentration was increased from 1 to 10 mM. The five beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs reduced lipid peroxidation both in crude homogenates and in liposomes; their effectiveness was related to their lipophilicity. Dilevolol, propranolol, labetalol and metoprolol at a concentration of 20 mM reduced lipid peroxidation by 45%, 37%, 35% and 28%, respectively. The hydrophilic blocker atenolol was ineffective in reducing lipid peroxidation even at elevated concentrations. Lipophilic beta-blocking drugs apparently are capable of exerting an antioxidant effect in protecting membrane lipids against peroxidation.