Environmental Surveillance of Polioviruses in Armenia, Colombia before Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine Cessation.

Although acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is the "gold standard" for detecting cases of polio, environmental surveillance can provide supplementary information in the absence of paralytic poliomyelitis cases. This study aimed to detect the introduction and/or circulation of wild poliovirus or vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) in wastewater, covering a significant population of Armenia, Colombia, before trivalent oral polio vaccine (OPV) cessation. Between March and September 2015, 24 wastewater samples were collected from eight study sites in eight communes of Armenia, Colombia. Virus detection and characterization were performed using both cell culture (i.e., RD or L20B cells) and RT-PCR. Polioviruses were isolated in 11 (45.8%) of 24 wastewater samples. All isolates were identified as Sabin strains (type 1 = 9, type 3 = 2) by intratypic differentiation. Type 2 poliovirus was not detected in any of the samples. No wild poliovirus or VDPV was detected among the isolates. Non-polio enterovirus was identified in 8.3% (2/24) of the samples. This study revealed the excretion of Sabin poliovirus from OPV-immunized individuals, as well as the absence of VDPV and wild poliovirus in wastewaters of Armenia, Colombia. This confirms that environmental surveillance is an effective method, as an additional support to AFP surveillance, to monitor poliovirus during the OPV-to-IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) transition period.

Avaliação da sobrevivência de indicadores bacterianos e vírus durante higienização de lodo de esgoto por secagem térmica em estufa agrícola / Survival evaluation of bacterial indicators and viruses during thermal drying of sewage sludge in a greenhouse

RESUMO O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o processo de secagem térmica de lodos de esgoto em estufa agrícola com vistas à inativação bacteriana e de vírus, além do comportamento de colifagos somáticos como indicadores desses organismos. Cada volume de lodo de esgoto excedente descartado de reator upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) foi desaguado em leito de secagem por 14 dias e direcionado para secagem em estufa agrícola correspondeu a um lote (L) de lodo. Entre fevereiro e novembro de 2015, foram tratados 9 lotes (L1 a L9) por, em média, 13 semanas. O pH se manteve estável na maioria deles (entre 5,0-6,0). Após, aproximadamente, 60 dias de tratamento, todos os lotes apresentavam umidade abaixo de 10%, exceto L3 e L4 (10-25%). O tempo necessário para atingir 90% de sólidos totais (ST) variou entre 40-50 (L1 e L7), 60 (L5 e L6) e 85-100 (L2, L3 e L4) dias. Os lotes levaram, em média, 50-60 dias para alcançarem níveis de E. coli iguais ou menores a 1x103 número mais provável (NMP)/g de ST. A detecção de colifagos somáticos foi baixa e eventual. O ensaio de inoculação mostrou decaimento rápido de vírus (Poliovírus 1 Sabin), mas colifago somático Phi X174 mostrou-se mais persistente nas três temperaturas avaliadas (estufa agrícola, controladas em laboratório - 30 e 60°C). O tratamento térmico de lodo de esgoto em estufa agrícola se apresentou como simples e eficiente na obtenção de produto granulado, seco e com níveis de redução da contaminação bacteriana atendendo ao parâmetro estabelecido como seguro para uso agrícola conforme a legislação brasileira.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to evaluate the thermic drying of sewage sludge in agricultural greenhouse, in order to inactivate bacterial and virus, and to evaluate the behavior of somatic coliphages as indicator of these organisms. Each volume of excess sewage sludge discarded from UASB reactor, drained in a drying bed for 14 days and directed to thermic drying treatment in greenhouse corresponded to a batch (B) of sludge. Between February and November 2015, nine batches (L1 to L9) were treated for an average of 13 weeks. Most batches kept the pH between 5.0-6.0. After about 60 days of treatment, all batches showed humidity below 10%, except B3 and B4 (10-25%). The time required to reach 90% of total solids ranged between 40-50 (B1 to B7), 60 (B5, B6) and 85-100 (B2, B3 and B4) days. On average, levels of E. coli reduced to <1x103 NMP/g TS after 50-60 days of treatment. The detection of somatic coliphages was low and eventual. Tests of inoculation showed rapid decay of virus (Sabin 1 strain poliovirus), but somatic coliphage Phi X174 was more persistent in the three temperatures evaluated (greenhouse, laboratory controlled 30 and 60°C). The thermic drying treatment of sewage sludge in agricultural greenhouse was presented as simple and efficient in obtaining granulated and dried product, and in reducing bacterial contamination levels given the parameter set as safe for agricultural use under the Brazilian law.

Una batalla ganada: la eliminación de la poliomielitis en Cuba / A battle won: the elimination of poliomyelitis in Cuba

La poliomielitis fue introducida en Cuba a finales del siglo XIX por norteamericanos residentes en Isla de Pinos. Las primeras epidemias ocurrieron en 1906 y 1909, aumentaron en intensidad entre 1930-1958. El objetivo del artículo es reconstruir la historia de la enfermedad y sus epidemias en Cuba hasta 1961, de la primera Campaña Nacional de Vacunación Antipolio (1962) y de sus resultados, bien como analizar la continuidad de las campañas anuales de vacunación hasta la certificación de su eliminación (1994). Se siguió el método histórico lógico; se revisaron documentos de archivos, las estadísticas del Ministerio de Salud Pública sobre morbilidad y mortalidad hasta el 2000. Se calcularon tasas brutas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Se realizaron entrevistas a personajes claves.

Poliomyelitis was introduced in Cuba in the late nineteenth century by American residents in Isla de Pinos. The first epidemics occurred in 1906 and 1909 and increased in intensity between 1930 and 1958. The scope of the paper is to reconstruct the history of the disease and its epidemics in Cuba prior to 1961, the first National Polio Vaccination Campaign (1962) and its results, as well as analyze the ongoing annual vaccination campaigns through to certified elimination of the disease (1994). The logical historical method was used and archival documents and statistics from the Ministry of Health on morbidity and mortality through 2000 were reviewed. Gross morbidity and mortality rates were calculated and interviews with key figures were conducted.

Una batalla ganada: la eliminación de la poliomielitis en Cuba / A battle won: the elimination of poliomyelitis in Cuba

La poliomielitis fue introducida en Cuba a finales del siglo XIX por norteamericanos residentes en Isla de Pinos. Las primeras epidemias ocurrieron en 1906 y 1909, aumentaron en intensidad entre 1930-1958. El objetivo del artículo es reconstruir la historia de la enfermedad y sus epidemias en Cuba hasta 1961, de la primera Campaña Nacional de Vacunación Antipolio (1962) y de sus resultados, bien como analizar la continuidad de las campañas anuales de vacunación hasta la certificación de su eliminación (1994). Se siguió el método histórico lógico; se revisaron documentos de archivos, las estadísticas del Ministerio de Salud Pública sobre morbilidad y mortalidad hasta el 2000. Se calcularon tasas brutas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Se realizaron entrevistas a personajes claves.(AU)

Poliomyelitis was introduced in Cuba in the late nineteenth century by American residents in Isla de Pinos. The first epidemics occurred in 1906 and 1909 and increased in intensity between 1930 and 1958. The scope of the paper is to reconstruct the history of the disease and its epidemics in Cuba prior to 1961, the first National Polio Vaccination Campaign (1962) and its results, as well as analyze the ongoing annual vaccination campaigns through to certified elimination of the disease (1994). The logical historical method was used and archival documents and statistics from the Ministry of Health on morbidity and mortality through 2000 were reviewed. Gross morbidity and mortality rates were calculated and interviews with key figures were conducted.(AU)

Decay of Sabin inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)-boosted poliovirus antibodies.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a follow-on study to a phase I randomized, controlled trial conducted in Cuba, 2012, to assess the persistence of poliovirus antibodies at 21-22 months following booster dose of Sabin-IPV compared to Salk-IPV in adults who had received multiple doses of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) during childhood. METHODS: In 2012, 60 healthy adult males aged 19-23 were randomized to receive one booster dose, of either Sabin-inactivated poliovirus vaccine (Sabin-IPV), adjuvanted Sabin-IPV (aSabin-IPV), or conventional Salk-IPV. In the original study, blood was collected at days 0 (before) and 28 (after vaccination), respectively. In this study, an additional blood sample was collected 21-22 months after vaccination, and tested for neutralizing antibodies to Sabin poliovirus types 1, 2 and 3. RESULTS: We collected sera from 59/60 (98.3%) subjects; 59/59 (100%) remained seropositive to all poliovirus types, 21-22 months after vaccination. The decay curves were very similar among the study groups. Between day 28 and 21-22 months, there was a reduction of ⩾87.4% in median antibody levels for all poliovirus types in all study groups, with no significant differences between the study groups. CONCLUSION: The decay of poliovirus antibodies over a 21-22-month period was similar regardless of the type of booster vaccine used, suggesting the scientific data of Salk IPV long-term persistence and decay may be broadly applicable to Sabin IPV.

Reactogenicity and immunogenicity of inactivated poliovirus vaccine produced from Sabin strains: a phase I Trial in healthy adults in Cuba.

BACKGROUND: To ensure that developing countries have the option to produce inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has promoted the development of an IPV using Sabin poliovirus strains (Sabin IPV). This trial assessed the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Sabin IPV and adjuvanted Sabin IPV in healthy adults in Cuba. METHODS: This is a randomized, controlled phase I trial, enrolling 60 healthy (previously vaccinated) male human volunteers, aged 19-23 years to receive one dose of either Sabin IPV (20:32:64 DU/dose), adjuvanted Sabin IPV (10:16:32 DU/dose), or conventional Salk IPV (40:8:32 DU/dose). The primary endpoint for reactogenicity relied on monitoring of adverse events. The secondary endpoint measured boosting immune responses (i.e. seroconversion or 4-fold rise) of poliovirus antibody, assessed by neutralization assays. RESULTS: Sixty subjects fulfilled the study requirements. No serious adverse events reported were attributed to trial interventions during the 6-month follow-up period. Twenty-eight days after vaccination, boosting immune responses against poliovirus types 1-3 were between 90% and 100% in all vaccination groups. There was a more than 6-fold increase in median antibody titers between pre- and post-vaccination titers in all vaccination groups. DISCUSSION: Both Sabin IPV and adjuvanted Sabin IPV were well tolerated and immunogenic against all poliovirus serotypes. This result suggests that the aluminum adjuvant may allow a 50% (or higher) dose reduction.

Sabin-Feldman test and indirect fluorescent antibody test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in horse serum / Toxoplasmose: estudo comparativo entre as provas de Sabin-Feldman e imunofluorescência indireta para a avaliação de anticorpos-antitoxoplasma em soros de equinos PSI

The qualitatives and quantitatives comparison of the Indirect fluorescent antibody technique for horse toxoplasmosis was made comparing the obtained results with the M.B.D. test results. A hundred serum specimens were examined and the agreement between qualitative results was over 87% and there was a good agreement among antibody titers in quantitative values, that was over 70% including difference of one dilution. The M.B.D. test detected higher titers than IFI.

Avaliações qualitativas e quantitativas da prova de imunofluorescência indireta para a toxoplasmose equina foram realizadas comparativamente à prova padrão de Sabin-Feldman. Foram examinadas 100 amostras de soro por ambos os métodos, tendo sido de 87% a concordância entre os resultados qualitativos. Os resultados quantitativos apresentaram uma apreciável concordância da ordem de 78%, incluindo-se os resultados que distaram de apenas uma diluição. Na prova de SF foram detectados níveis de anticorpos ligeiramente superiores. As duas provas estudadas apresentavam sensibilidade e especificidade muito próximas e o fato da prova IFI dispensar o uso de antígeno vivo e fator acessório torna-a recomendável para o uso rotineiro para fins diagnósticos e epidemiológicos.

Toxoplasmosis in the equine. Serelogical evaluation / Toxoplasmose em eqüinos PSI. Estudo sorológico

Seventy seven throughbred horses of São Paulo state, among them 52 attacked by toxoplasmosis and 25 normals, were grouped according to the observed signs: 1) with incoordination (24 animals); 2) females that suffered, in the past, at least one abortion (23 animals); 3) excessive irritability (5 animals); 4) without signs (25 animals). Blood samples of all animals were examined by the Sabin-Feldman test and all 52 sick animals were positive and the antibody titer varied from 64 to 4000 and more frequent value of the antibody level was 1000. Among the animals of the control group, 24 serum specimens were negative and one was positive at the 1:16 dilution. The results suggest that the infection by the Toxoplasma gondii was recently introduced in horse population.

Setenta e sete equinos PSI do Estado de São Paulo, com diagnóstico clinico de toxoplasmose e sadios, foram divididos nos seguintes grupos de acordo com a sintomatologia observada: 1) incoordenação motora (24 animais); 2) com história passada de pelo menos 1 (um) aborto; (28 casos); 3) irritabilidade excessiva (5 casos); 4) clinicamente sadios (25). Examinados pelo teste de Sabin-Feldman, todos os 52 soros dos três primeiros grupos (doentes) apresentaram apreciáveis níveis de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma que variaram de 64 a 4000, sendo o valor 1000 o mais frequente; dentre os animais clinicamente sadios, somente 1 (5%) foi reagente ao título 16. Os resultados sugerem ter sido a toxoplasmose recentemente introduzida no rebanho equino.

Toxoplasmosis in the equine. Serelogical evaluation / Toxoplasmose em eqüinos PSI. Estudo sorológico

Seventy seven throughbred horses of São Paulo state, among them 52 attacked by toxoplasmosis and 25 normals, were grouped according to the observed signs: 1) with incoordination (24 animals); 2) females that suffered, in the past, at least one abortion (23 animals); 3) excessive irritability (5 animals); 4) without signs (25 animals). Blood samples of all animals were examined by the Sabin-Feldman test and all 52 sick animals were positive and the antibody titer varied from 64 to 4000 and more frequent value of the antibody level was 1000. Among the animals of the control group, 24 serum specimens were negative and one was positive at the 1:16 dilution. The results suggest that the infection by the Toxoplasma gondii was recently introduced in horse population.

Setenta e sete equinos PSI do Estado de São Paulo, com diagnóstico clinico de toxoplasmose e sadios, foram divididos nos seguintes grupos de acordo com a sintomatologia observada: 1) incoordenação motora (24 animais); 2) com história passada de pelo menos 1 (um) aborto; (28 casos); 3) irritabilidade excessiva (5 casos); 4) clinicamente sadios (25). Examinados pelo teste de Sabin-Feldman, todos os 52 soros dos três primeiros grupos (doentes) apresentaram apreciáveis níveis de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma que variaram de 64 a 4000, sendo o valor 1000 o mais frequente; dentre os animais clinicamente sadios, somente 1 (5%) foi reagente ao título 16. Os resultados sugerem ter sido a toxoplasmose recentemente introduzida no rebanho equino.

Sabin-Feldman test and indirect fluorescent antibody test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in horse serum / Toxoplasmose: estudo comparativo entre as provas de Sabin-Feldman e imunofluorescência indireta para a avaliação de anticorpos-antitoxoplasma em soros de equinos PSI

The qualitatives and quantitatives comparison of the Indirect fluorescent antibody technique for horse toxoplasmosis was made comparing the obtained results with the M.B.D. test results. A hundred serum specimens were examined and the agreement between qualitative results was over 87% and there was a good agreement among antibody titers in quantitative values, that was over 70% including difference of one dilution. The M.B.D. test detected higher titers than IFI.

Avaliações qualitativas e quantitativas da prova de imunofluorescência indireta para a toxoplasmose equina foram realizadas comparativamente à prova padrão de Sabin-Feldman. Foram examinadas 100 amostras de soro por ambos os métodos, tendo sido de 87% a concordância entre os resultados qualitativos. Os resultados quantitativos apresentaram uma apreciável concordância da ordem de 78%, incluindo-se os resultados que distaram de apenas uma diluição. Na prova de SF foram detectados níveis de anticorpos ligeiramente superiores. As duas provas estudadas apresentavam sensibilidade e especificidade muito próximas e o fato da prova IFI dispensar o uso de antígeno vivo e fator acessório torna-a recomendável para o uso rotineiro para fins diagnósticos e epidemiológicos.

Comparison of the Sabin-Feldman, indirect fluorescent antibody test and hemagglutination test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in dog serum / Estudo comparativo das provas de Sabin-Feldman (SF) e imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) com a de hemaglutinação (HA) para a avaliação de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma em soros de cães

The results of the HA test were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with SF and IFI tests. Eighty canine serum samples were tested by the three techniques. There was an agreement of over 86% in SF-HA and 92% in IFI-HA tests. At a difference of one dilution (four-fold) there was 94% agreement in antibody titers between the SF-HA tests and 97% agreement in antibody titers between the IFI-HA tests.

As avaliações qualitativas e quantitativas da prova de HA foram realizadas comparativamente às de SF e IFI. Foram examinados 80 soros de cães pelas 3 técnicas tendo sido detectados 86% de concordância entre SF-HA e 92% de concordância entre IFI-HA. Os títulos de anticorpos apresentaram resultados concordantes ou afastados no máximo a uma diluição em 94% quando relacionado SF-HA e 97% quando da IFI-HA. A prova de HA dada a facilidade de execução e fácil padronização do antígeno, torna-a recomendável para a rotina juntamente com a prova de IFI.

Comparisons of the Sabin-Feldman test and indirect fluorescent antibody test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma Gondii in dog serum / Estudo comparativo entre as provas de Sabin-Feldman e imunofluorescência indireta para a avaliação de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma em soros de cães

The qualitatives and quantitatives comparison of the Indirect Fluorescent antibody technique for canine toxoplasmosis was made comparing the obtained results with the M.B.D. test results. Eighty serum specimens were examined and the agreement between qualitative results was over 94%, and there was good agreement among antibody titers in quantitative values. The IFI test detected higher titers than M.B.D. test. The sensitivity and specifity of the both techniques appears to be equal.

As avaliações quantitativas e qualitativas da prova de imunofluorescência indireta para a toxoplasmose canina foram realizadas comparativamente à prova de Sabin-Feldman. Foram examinados 80 soros por ambos os métodos, tendo sido encontrado 94% de concordância entre os resultados qualitativos e, também, uma boa concordância entre os valores de anticorpos, tendo a prova de IFI detectado níveis de anticorpos ligeiramente superiores. Ambas as provas aproximam-se muito quanto à sensibilidade e especificidade e a prova de IFI dispensa o uso de fator acessório e toxoplasma vivo.

Comparisons of the Sabin-Feldman test and indirect fluorescent antibody test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma Gondii in dog serum / Estudo comparativo entre as provas de Sabin-Feldman e imunofluorescência indireta para a avaliação de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma em soros de cães

The qualitatives and quantitatives comparison of the Indirect Fluorescent antibody technique for canine toxoplasmosis was made comparing the obtained results with the M.B.D. test results. Eighty serum specimens were examined and the agreement between qualitative results was over 94%, and there was good agreement among antibody titers in quantitative values. The IFI test detected higher titers than M.B.D. test. The sensitivity and specifity of the both techniques appears to be equal.

As avaliações quantitativas e qualitativas da prova de imunofluorescência indireta para a toxoplasmose canina foram realizadas comparativamente à prova de Sabin-Feldman. Foram examinados 80 soros por ambos os métodos, tendo sido encontrado 94% de concordância entre os resultados qualitativos e, também, uma boa concordância entre os valores de anticorpos, tendo a prova de IFI detectado níveis de anticorpos ligeiramente superiores. Ambas as provas aproximam-se muito quanto à sensibilidade e especificidade e a prova de IFI dispensa o uso de fator acessório e toxoplasma vivo.

Comparison of the Sabin-Feldman, indirect fluorescent antibody test and hemagglutination test for detection of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in dog serum / Estudo comparativo das provas de Sabin-Feldman (SF) e imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) com a de hemaglutinação (HA) para a avaliação de anticorpos anti-toxoplasma em soros de cães

The results of the HA test were compared qualitatively and quantitatively with SF and IFI tests. Eighty canine serum samples were tested by the three techniques. There was an agreement of over 86% in SF-HA and 92% in IFI-HA tests. At a difference of one dilution (four-fold) there was 94% agreement in antibody titers between the SF-HA tests and 97% agreement in antibody titers between the IFI-HA tests.

As avaliações qualitativas e quantitativas da prova de HA foram realizadas comparativamente às de SF e IFI. Foram examinados 80 soros de cães pelas 3 técnicas tendo sido detectados 86% de concordância entre SF-HA e 92% de concordância entre IFI-HA. Os títulos de anticorpos apresentaram resultados concordantes ou afastados no máximo a uma diluição em 94% quando relacionado SF-HA e 97% quando da IFI-HA. A prova de HA dada a facilidade de execução e fácil padronização do antígeno, torna-a recomendável para a rotina juntamente com a prova de IFI.