Valuing the cost of improving Chilean primary vaccination: a cost minimization analysis of a hexavalent vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The phased withdrawal of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and the introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is central to the polio 'end-game' strategy. METHODS: We analyzed the cost implications in Chile of a switch from the vaccination scheme consisting of a pentavalent vaccine with whole-cell pertussis component (wP) plus IPV/OPV vaccines to a scheme with a hexavalent vaccine with acellular pertussis component (aP) and IPV (Hexaxim®) from a societal perspective. Cost data were collected from a variety of sources including national estimates and previous vaccine studies. All costs were expressed in 2017 prices (US$ 1.00 = $Ch 666.26). RESULTS: The overall costs associated with the vaccination scheme (4 doses of pentavalent vaccine plus 1 dose IPV and 3 doses OPV) from a societal perspective was estimated to be US$ 12.70 million, of which US$ 8.84 million were associated with the management of adverse events related to wP. In comparison, the cost associated with the 4-dose scheme with a hexavalent vaccine (based upon the PAHO reference price) was US$ 19.76 million. The cost of switching to the hexavalent vaccine would be an additional US$ 6.45 million. Overall, depending on the scenario, the costs of switching to the hexavalent scheme would range from an additional US$ 2.62 million to US$ 6.45 million compared with the current vaccination scheme. CONCLUSIONS: The switch to the hexavalent vaccine schedule in Chile would lead to additional acquisition costs, which would be partially offset by improved logistics, and a reduction in adverse events associated with the current vaccines.

Progression of liver oncogenesis in the double transgenic mice c-myc/TGF α is not enhanced by cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been associated with cell growth regulation, tissue remodeling and carcinogenesis. Overexpression of COX-2 in hepatocytes constitutes an ideal condition to evaluate the role of prostaglandins (PGs) in liver pathogenesis. The effect of COX-2-dependent PGs in genetic hepatocarcinogenesis has been investigated in triple c-myc/transforming growth factor α (TGF-α) transgenic mice that express human COX-2 in hepatocytes on a B6CBAxCD1xB6DBA2 background. Analysis of the contribution of COX-2-dependent PGs to the development of hepatocarcinogenesis, evaluated in this model, suggested a minor role of COX-2-dependent prostaglandins to liver oncogenesis as indicated by liver histopathology, morphometric analysis and specific markers of tumor progression. This allows concluding that COX-2 is insufficient for modifying the hepatocarcinogenesis course mediated by c-myc/TGF-α.

Sex Differences in Mouse Exploratory Behaviour to Fel d 1, a Cat ABP-Like Protein.

Fel d 1 is a cat protein abundantly released and found in their habitat and is closely related to mouse androgen-binding proteins (ABPs). We hypothesized that mice have developed chemical communication mechanisms to detect and avoid this protein. We tested purified natural Fel d 1, a fox faeces molecule (TMT) as a positive control, and a negative control (purified water) in three different mouse groups (n = 14 each) to evaluate exploratory behaviour and stress responses. The mice did not show clear avoidance or stress responses to Fel d 1. Our results demonstrated a sex-treatment interaction for Fel d 1, with males spending more time in the areas treated with Fel d 1 than in the untreated areas (p = 0.018). This sex-treated area interaction was also not observed for either the blank or TMT. These results suggest that Fel d 1 from domestic cats could be recognized differently by male and female mice. These sex differences could be linked to the sexual role of ABP proteins and the ABP-like characteristics of Fel d 1.

Estimación del presupuesto de vacunas del PAI-Paraguay 2007-2022 y el impacto de posibles cambios / Estimation of the Vaccination Budget for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI)- Paraguay 2007-2022 and the Impact of Possible Changes / Estimativa do orçamento de vacinas do PAI-Paraguai 2007 - 2022 e o impacto de possíveis mudanças

Introducción: el programa de vacunación es una intervención de salud pública cuyo propósito es controlar o eliminar enfermedades inmunoprevenibles. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estimar la evolución del presupuesto en vacunas entre 2007 y 2022, y el impacto de potenciales mejoras en el calendario de vacunaciones de Paraguay. Método: se estimó la evolución del presupuesto en vacunas según los cambios entre 2007 y 2022, y el impacto de esquemas alternativos versus el actual, que incluyen la vacuna contra la influenza cuádruple, séxtuple en lactantes, el agregado de la vacuna contra papiloma en varones y meningococo ACYW en adolescentes. La perspectiva del análisis fue la del Ministerio de Salud Pública y el horizonte temporal de un año. Los resultados de las alternativas se expresan como impacto presupuestal versus el año 2022. Resultados: entre 2007 y 2022 la cantidad de biológicos del Programa Ampliado de Inmunizaciones pasó de 11 a 18 e incorporó indicaciones de algunas vacunas. Se estima que el presupuesto se incrementó de 3,8 a 29,9 millones de dólares entre los extremos de la serie. Las alternativas implicarían un incremento de 13%, 35%, 5% y 10%, individualmente. El incremento en conjunto alcanza el 62%. Conclusiones: el aumento del gasto en vacunas fue de ocho veces entre 2007 y 2022. Se estima el impacto presupuestal en diferentes escenarios que se interpretan como mejoras comparadas con el actual de 2022, siendo el incremento más exigente de un 35%. La evidencia generada puede colaborar en el proceso de toma de decisiones acerca de esta política pública en Paraguay.

Introduction: the vaccination program is a public health intervention aimed at controlling or eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases. The objective of the study was to estimate the evolution of the vaccine budget between 2007 and 2022 and the impact of potential improvements in Paraguay's vaccination schedule. Method: the evolution of the vaccine budget was estimated considering the changes introduced between 2007 and 2022 and the impact of alternative schedules versus the current one. These alternatives include the addition of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, the hexavalent vaccine for infants, the inclusion of the HPV vaccine for boys, and the ACYW meningococcal ACYW vaccine for adolescents. The analysis was conducted from the perspective of the Ministry of Health, with a time horizon of one year. The results of the alternatives are expressed as budget impact compared to the year 2022. Results: between 2007 and 2022, the number of biological products in the EPI increased from 11 to 18, and additional indications for some vaccines were incorporated. The budget is estimated to have increased from 3.8 to 29.9 million USD over the series. The alternatives would result in individual increases of 13%, 35%, 5%, and 10%. The combined increase reaches 62%. Conclusions: the increase in vaccine expenditure was eightfold between 2007 and 2022. The budget impact was estimated in different scenarios, interpreted as improvements compared to the current 2022 scenario, with the most demanding increase being 35%. The generated evidence can assist in the decision-making process regarding this public policy in Paraguay.

Introdução: o programa de vacinação é uma intervenção de saúde pública cuja finalidade é controlar ou eliminar doenças imunopreveníveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a evolução do orçamento de vacinas entre 2007 e 2022 e o impacto de possíveis melhorias no cronograma de vacinação do Paraguai. Métodos: estimamos a evolução do orçamento de vacinas de acordo com as mudanças ocorridas entre 2007 e 2022 e o impacto de esquemas alternativos em relação ao atual, que incluem a vacina quádrupla contra a gripe, a sextupla em bebês, a adição da vacina contra o papilomavírus em homens e a vacina meningocócica ACYW em adolescentes. A perspectiva da análise foi a do Ministerio de Salud e o intervalo de tempo foi de um ano. Os resultados das alternativas são expressos como impacto orçamentário em relação a 2022. Resultados: Entre 2007 e 2022, o número de produtos biológicos do PAI aumentou de 11 para 18 e incorporou indicações para algumas vacinas. Estima-se que o orçamento tenha aumentado de US$ 3,8 milhões para US$ 29,9 milhões entre os extremos da série. As alternativas implicariam em um aumento de 13%, 35%, 5% e 10% individualmente. O aumento geral chega a 62%. Conclusões: o aumento nos gastos com vacinas foi de oito vezes entre 2007-2022. O impacto orçamentário é estimado em diferentes cenários que são interpretados como melhorias em comparação com o cenário de 2022, sendo que o aumento mais exigente é de 35%. As evidências geradas podem contribuir para o processo de tomada de decisão relacionado a essa política pública no Paraguai.

Pielonefritis enfisematosa / Emphysematous pyelonephritis

Se presenta dos casos de pacientes diabéticas no controladas que ingresaron al hospital por sepsis a partir de infección urinaria. La tomografías revelaron la presencia de gas en el parénquima renal y en la zona perirrenal, izquierda en un caso y bilateral en el otro. Se aisló Escherichia coli en los urocultivos. Ambas fueron sometidas a nefrectomía izquierda, además de terapia antibiótica y manejo de la hiperglicemia, con evolución ulterior favorable.

We report two cases of non-controlled diabetes mellitus that entered to the hospital with urosepsis. CT scan studies revealed the presence of gas in the renal parenchyma and the prerrenal area, in the left side in one and bilateral in the other. Both patients underwent to left nephrectomy plus antibiotic therapy and management of the hyperglycemia with a successful outcome.