A qualitative and quantitative comparison of two rubella virus-specific IgG antibody immunoassays.

Monitoring circulating rubella IgG antibody concentration in children and in women of child-bearing age is an important step in maintaining high levels of rubella immunity and preventing congenital rubella syndrome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Beckman Coulter Access Rubella IgG assay against the Dade Behring Enzygnost Anti-Rubella-Virus/IgG EIA assay in serum of children (n = 342) immunized with two doses of measles-mumps-rubella-II (MMR-II) vaccine. We found that the two assays had a high qualitative (96%), and quantitative correlation 0.93 (0.92, 0.95), based on a protective antibody concentration of > or =15 IU/mL. The mean rubella antibody concentration measured by both assays was >37 IU/mL; however, 10% of our study participants had low concentrations of circulating rubella-specific antibodies. These findings might indicate a need for additional monitoring of antibody levels as these children reach child-bearing age, or potentially a need for a third dose of vaccine to increase seroconversion.

Immunization issues in pediatric travelers.

An increasing number of children are traveling internationally. In preparation for their journeys, special attention must be given to immunizations. Providers should understand 'routine' vaccine schedules to ensure that pediatric travelers are up to date. Prematurely born and young children do not respond as well to some vaccines and require adjustment of timing and dosing. Vaccination of immunocompromised children requires consideration of their degree of immunodeficiency and the cause of their altered immunity. Accelerated vaccine schedules can be used when travel is imminent. Based on current scientific evidence, specific vaccine decisions can be customized related to the age, health and itinerary of individual travelers.

Phosphonic acid analogs of GABA through reductive dealkylation of phosphonic diesters with lithium trialkylborohydrides.

Lithium trialkylborohydrides were found to effect rapid monodealkylation of phosphonic diesters, and this reaction was applied to the synthesis of alkylphosphonic acid 2-aminoethyl esters [H(2)N(CH(2))(2)OP(OH)R, 4], a little-explored class of analogs of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Compound 4a (R=Me) proved to be a potent antagonist at human rho1 GABA(C) receptors (expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes), with an IC(50) of 11.1 microM, but is inactive at alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2) GABA(A) receptors.