Assessing the Presence of IgG Antibodies against Influenza Viruses in Neonates after Maternal Vaccination and Factors That May Affect the Transplacental Transfer.

Special populations, particularly pregnant women, are uniquely susceptible to infectious diseases due to alterations in their immunological, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems during gestation. Influenza infections during the perinatal period have been associated with more severe maternal and perinatal outcomes, underscoring the critical importance of vaccination data for pregnant women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all pregnant women and those of childbearing age should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine, irrespective of their pregnancy stage. This study aimed to elucidate factors influencing neonatal antibody presence following maternal influenza vaccination. Conducted through convenience sampling in Athens, Greece, this study involved 78 pregnant women who received flu vaccinations. The participants completed questionnaires covering demographics, obstetric history, attitudes toward influenza vaccination, and knowledge about the influenza virus and pregnancy vaccination. Blood samples were collected from 83 neonates to assess IgG antibody presence. Five of the surveyed women had twin pregnancies. The statistical analysis employed IBM SPSS-Statistics version 26.0. This study revealed the presence of positive influenza A and B antibodies in neonates following maternal immunization. Furthermore, it identified factors such as the gestational week and timing of vaccination during pregnancy that influenced the transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus. These findings offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals to provide informed recommendations on influenza vaccination during pregnancy and empower expectant mothers to make informed decisions about the benefits of immunization.

Staphylococcus aureus mediastinitis following a skin infection in a non-immunocompromised patient: A case report.

Mediastinitis is a severe inflammation of the structures located in the mid-chest cavity. Three main causes of infective mediastinitis are traditionally recognized: Deep infection of a sternal wound following cardiothoracic surgery, perforation of the esophagus, and the descending necrotizing mediastinitis as a result of odontogenic, pharyngeal or cervical infections. Mediastinitis, as a complication of skin infection with hematogenous spread is infrequent. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a gram-positive bacteria, and is responsible for numerous severe infections. MRSA mediastinitis is a rare infection and is typically associated with complications of sternotomy and retropharyngeal abscesses. Here, the second known case of mediastinitis of a hematogenous origin in a non-immunocompromised 41-year-old patient following primary skin infection, accompanied by sternal osteomyelitis, lung consolidation and pleural effusion is described; MRSA was the responsible pathogen. The clinical course was favorable after 6 weeks of antibiotics administration without drainage or surgical intervention.

Sex-related aspects of the red blood cell storage lesion.

BACKGROUND: Several factors contribute to the manifestation of red blood cell (RBC) storage lesions, with one of the most interesting being the "donor variation effect". Since many haematological characteristics of blood donors are sex-dependent, sex hormones and their age-dependent variation may affect the storage profile of RBCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh blood from 200 healthy male and female donors underwent haematological, biochemical and physiological analysis. Three selected groups of donors (men, n=8; pre-menopausal women, n=8; and post-menopausal women, n=4) exhibiting as similar as possible baseline values were recruited for blood donation in leukoreduced CPD/SAGM units. RBC indices, haemolysis and propensity for haemolysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and plasma antioxidant capacity were measured bi-weekly. RESULTS: Female blood was characterised by lower plasma antioxidant capacity and free haemoglobin (Hb) levels in vivo, in spite of the higher RBC osmotic fragility, compared to male blood. Comparatively low Hb concentration was also measured in stored RBCs from female donors, as in vivo. Mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC), and plasma antioxidant capacity were also lower in female donors throughout storage, even though baseline levels were equal to those of the male group. There was no difference in propensity of stored RBCs for haemolysis between male and female units but intracellular ROS levels were significantly lower in female RBCs. Increased end-of-storage extracellular potassium and recruitment of protein stress markers (clusterin, Hb) to the RBC membrane were observed in the units of post- vs pre-menopausal female donors at mid-storage onwards. DISCUSSION: Donor's sex has an impact on Hb concentration and redox parameters of stored RBCs. In addition, menopause seems to promote RBC membrane remodelling, at least during prolonged storage. Our pilot study provides new insights on the different effects on RBC storage lesion according to sex.

Exotic Tourist Destinations and Transmission of Infections by Swimming Pools and Hot Springs-A Literature Review.

A growing number of people undertake international travel, and yet faster growth of such travel is expected in the tropics. Information on the hazards presented by pool and hot spring waters in tropical countries is very limited. This review aims to collate available information on pool water quality, alongside data on cases and outbreaks associated with swimming in pools in tropical regions affecting both local populations and travellers. Bacteria species commonly causing cases and outbreaks in the tropics as well as elsewhere in the world were excluded, and the review focuses on studies related to pathogens that, with the exception of Cryptosporidium, are unusual in more temperate climates. Studies concerning subtropical countries were included in the light of climate change. Diseases transmitted by vectors breeding in poorly maintained, neglected or abandoned pools were also included. 83 studies dealing with Microsporidia, Leptospira spp., Schistosomas spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Clostridium trachomatis, viruses, and vectors breeding in swimming pool and hot tub waters, and fulfilling predefined criteria, have been included in our survey of the literature. In conclusion, prevention strategies for pool safety in the tropics are imperative. Public health authorities need to provide guidance to westerners travelling to exotic destinations on how to protect their health in swimming pools.

An overview of pool and spa regulations in Mediterranean countries with a focus on the tourist industry.

The Mediterranean area is densely populated and a very popular tourist destination. This study aimed at gathering up-to-date information on current national pool and spa regulations. We formulated and duly distributed to 20 Mediterranean countries a questionnaire divided into two sections: for pool and spa facilities, respectively. The questionnaire was formulated in such a way that a positive answer would imply that the specific topic was addressed effectively. While all 20 countries responded to the swimming-pool-related questionnaire, only 11 of these countries reported the existence of spa-related regulations. When combining the response overall of all countries for pool and spa facilities together, of a grand total of 606 answers, 183 (30.2%) were positive. The positive answers in the pool section of the questionnaire were 29% of the total of 420 answers while positive answers in the spa section of the questionnaire were fewer (27.8% of the total of 176 answers). The countries were grouped by geographical area of the Mediterranean basin where they are situated. Also, the questions were grouped into broad thematic categories. The paper presents conclusions drawn on the basis of the data received according to these geographical and thematic groupings.