American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Prevention of rotavirus disease: guidelines for use of rotavirus vaccine

Prevalence and associated factors of acute gastroenteritis in children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years old: a cross-sectional study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database 1999-2018

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prevalence of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and associated factors in children and adolescents in the USA from 1999 to 2018 using nationally representative data.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTING

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.

PARTICIPANTS

25 361 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Whether the patient suffered from AGE.

RESULTS

Totally 1882 suffered from AGE. The overall monthly prevalence of AGE in children and adolescents was 7.69%. From 1999 to 2018, the prevalence of AGE in the USA had been decreasing over time. The decreasing trend was observed in all subgroups, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), education level, poverty index and eating food at the restaurant. There were two small upticks from 2003 to 2007 and 2013 to 2015. AGE was negatively associated with male compared with female (OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.99, p=0.035), Mexican American (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.97, p=0.018) and non-Hispanic Black (OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.69 to 0.93, p=0.003) compared with non-Hispanic White. AGE was positively associated with obesity compared with underweight and normal weight (OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.62, p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The monthly prevalence of AGE was 7.69% and showed a downward trend from 1999 to 2018 in the USA.

NICU Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding 2-Month Immunizations

BACKGROUND

Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team. Parents rely on nurses for information regarding the plan of care for their child. Medically stable infants under supervision in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) can and should be immunized.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes and knowledge in NICU nurses regarding 2-month immunizations.

METHODS

Participants were attendees of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NAAN) 33rd Annual Conference. Participants responded to a survey that focused on knowledge and attitudes regarding 2-month immunizations.

FINDINGS/RESULTS

A total of 188 nurses attending the NAAN conference completed the survey. Most nurses had positive attitudes regarding immunizations. A majority (n = 117, 62.5%) of NICU nurses knew that immunizations should be given to medically stable infants in a NICU. However, as few as 27% of participants were able to identify recommended 2-month immunizations. Almost two-thirds of participants (n = 115, 61.1%) did not know current guidelines regarding minimum age at the time of administration of immunizations, although NPs were more likely to know current guidelines. Nurse practitioners were more comfortable talking family about immunizations and were more likely to view that the illnesses prevented by vaccines as serious.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

NICU nurses would benefit from continued education focused on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for 2-month immunizations. Additionally, as a primary source of information for parents, NICU nurses should be encouraged to practice teaching parents and family about immunizations. This practice could reinforce nurse knowledge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further research regarding the effect of education, simulation, and yearly reinforcement of CDC guidelines could further enlighten our knowledge on this topic.

Immunization of preterm infants

Vaccinations of premature infants are often delayed despite being at an increased risk of contracting vaccine preventable diseases. This article reviews the current knowledge on the immune response to widely used vaccines, on the protection derived from routine immunization and on vaccine safety and tolerability in a population of preterm infants. Available data evaluating the immune response of preterm infants support early immunization without correction for gestational age. For a number of antigens, the antibody response to initial doses of vaccines may be lower than that of term infants, but protective concentrations are often achieved and memory successfully induced. Vaccines are immunogenic, safe and well tolerated in preterm infants. Preterm infants should be vaccinated using the same schedules as those usually recommended for full-term infants, with the exception of the hepatitis B vaccine, where additional doses should be administered in infants receiving the first dose during the first days of life if they weighed less than 2000 g because of a documented reduced immune response.

Safety of rotavirus vaccine in the NICU

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Rotavirus vaccination is discouraged during hospitalization given concerns regarding live attenuated virus transmission, although recommended upon discharge. Infants should have vaccination initiated by 104 days of age or they become age-ineligible. Our institution believed the known risk of severe disease in unvaccinated infants outweighed the theoretical risk of transmission. We routinely administer RotaTeq (RV5) to age-eligible hospitalized infants on enteral feeds. The objective of this study was to determine the safety of RV5 vaccination among vaccinated (VI) and unvaccinated infants (UVI) within the NICU.

METHODS

A retrospective review identified VI between 2008 and 2010, and UVI geographically located near VI within 15 days of vaccination. We screened for gastrointestinal symptoms among UVI by using an electronic medical record query (trigger tool) to identify infants with orders for bowel rest, abdominal imaging, and antibiotics. Trigger-positive infants had full chart review.

RESULTS

Most VI (76%) were either asymptomatic (25% [24 of 96]) or symptomatic but unchanged from baseline (51% [49 of 96]) postvaccination. Although 24% of VI had clinical status changes postvaccination, none were directly attributed to RV5. Among 801 neighboring UVI, 10 (1.2%) had clinical status changes, none directly attributed to RV5, but mostly bacterial sepsis or preexisting gastrointestinal pathology. Two UVI underwent stool analysis; both negative for rotavirus.

CONCLUSIONS

RV5 was well tolerated in hospitalized infants, with most postvaccination symptoms attributed to preexisting symptoms. UVI seemed to have a low risk of symptomatic transmission. Inpatient administration ensures that age-eligible infants are vaccinated regardless of hospital duration. Prospective evaluation of safety and transmissibility is needed.

Rotavirus vaccination coverage and adherence to recommended age among infants in Flanders (Belgium) in 2012

In Belgium, rotavirus vaccination has been recommended and partially reimbursed since October 2006. Through a retrospective survey in 2012, we estimated the coverage rate of the rotavirus vaccination in Flanders among infants born in 2010. Using a standardised questionnaire, 874 families were interviewed at home, collecting information on demographic characteristics, socio-economic background and documented vaccination history (updated from medical files and vaccination database, if needed). Adherence to the recommended age for vaccination (8, 12 and 16 weeks) was also assessed. The coverage rate for two doses of rotavirus vaccination was 92.2% (95% confidence interval: 90.2-93.8). Respectively 31.7% and 10.1% of the children received their first and second dose at the recommended age. Incomplete vaccination was often a deliberate choice of the parents. Only eight children (1%) were vaccinated after the maximum age of 26 weeks. Factors identified by multiple logistic regression as related to incomplete vaccination were: living in the province of Antwerp, unemployed mother, and three or more older siblings in the household. Four years after introduction, the coverage rates were surprisingly high for a vaccine that is not fully reimbursed and not readily available in the vaccinator's fridge, which is the case for the other recommended infant vaccines.

Immunogenicity and safety of the pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine (PRV) in Indian infants

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (PRV) in Indian infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Open-label, single-arm multicentric study.

SETTING

Hospital facilities (out patients):

SUBJECTS

One hundred and ten (110) healthy Indian infants were enrolled between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 weeks.

INTERVENTION

Three doses of oral pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (PRV) were administered with an interval of 4 to 10 weeks (28 to 70 days).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Immunogenicity of PRV was based on the proportion of infants exhibiting a > 3-fold rise in serum anti rotavirus IgA antibodies (from pre dose 1 to 14 days post dose 3). Safety was evaluated for 14 days after each dose.

RESULTS

Of the 110 infants enrolled, 83% exhibited at least a 3-fold rise (seroconversion) in serum anti rotavirus IgA antibodies. There were no clinically significant adverse events reported.

CONCLUSIONS

A 3-dose regimen of PRV was found to be immunogenic and well tolerated in healthy Indian infants.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT00496054:

Determining the effectiveness of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine against rotavirus hospitalizations and emergency department visits using two study designs

The objective of this study is to determine the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) for preventing rotavirus-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 rotavirus seasons using two study designs. Active, prospective population-based surveillance was conducted to identify cases of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus-related hospitalizations and ED visits to be used in case-cohort and case-control designs. VE was calculated using one comparison group for the case-cohort method and two comparison groups for the case-control method. The VE estimates produced by the three analyses were similar. Three doses of RV5 were effective for preventing rotavirus-related hospitalizations and ED visits in each analysis, with VE estimated as 92% in all three analyses. Two doses of RV5 were also effective, with VE ranging from 79% to 83%. A single dose was effective in the case-cohort analysis, but was not significant in either of the case-control analyses. The case-cohort and the case-control study designs produced the same VE point estimates for completion of the three dose series. Two and three doses of RV5 were effective in preventing rotavirus-related hospitalizations and ED visits.

Rotavirus infections: mechanisms, prevention and treatment

Rotavirus is an important gastrointestinal pathogen which can cause severe diarrhea in young animals and infants. Although rotavirus infections are usually latent, large-scale outbreak may occur if environmental factors change or the immune defense of hosts decreases. As rotavirus is a pathogen of zoonotic diseases, studies on rotavirus infections are of great importance in public health and clinical application. This article provides an overview of the progress in research on viral pathogen, clinical manifestations, as well as drug and vaccine research, with an aim to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of rotavirus infections.

Effectiveness of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine against severe disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of complete and partial vaccination with the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) in the prevention of rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations and emergency department visits during the first 3 rotavirus seasons after vaccine introduction.

METHODS

Active, prospective population-based surveillance for AGE and acute respiratory infection (ARIs) in inpatient and emergency department settings provided subjects for a case-control evaluation of VE in 3 US counties from January 2006 through June 2009. Children with laboratory-confirmed rotavirus AGE (cases) were matched according to date of birth and onset of illness to 2 sets of controls: children with rotavirus-negative AGE and children with ARI. The main outcome measure was VE with complete (3 doses) or partial (1 or 2 doses) RV5 vaccination.

RESULTS

Of age-eligible children enrolled, 18% of cases, 54% of AGE controls, and 54% of ARI controls received ≥1 dose of RV5. The VE of RV5 for 1, 2, and 3 doses against all rotavirus genotypes with the use of rotavirus-negative AGE controls was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%-90%), 88% (95% CI: 66%-96%), and 87% (95% CI: 71%-94%), respectively, and with the use of ARI controls was 73% (95% CI: 43%-88%), 88% (95% CI: 68%-95%), and 85% (95% CI: 72%-91%), respectively. The overall VE estimates were comparable during the first and second years of life and against AGE caused by different rotavirus strains.

CONCLUSION

RV5 was highly effective in preventing severe rotavirus disease, even after a partial series, with protection persisting throughout the second year of life.

Evaluation of potential medical and economic benefits of universal rotavirus vaccination in Greece

AIM

To evaluate the potential benefits of introducing universal rotavirus (RV) vaccination in Greece.

METHODS

A decision analytic model was developed to compare the burden and cost of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) with and without a universal RV vaccination (88% vaccination coverage) for a cohort of children followed from birth until the age of five.

RESULTS

Universal RV vaccination would substantially decrease the RVGE burden on the National Health System by reducing RVGE-related hospitalizations/emergency visits and medical consultations by 83% and 75%, respectively. Total RVGE-related costs was estimated at about 7.6 M€ and would be reduced by 5.9 M€ (-78%) if RV vaccination was introduced. A rapid effect is expected with 76% of cases and 84% of costs avoided would be averted within 2 years postvaccine introduction. The societal benefit would also be significant: total annual number of RVGE cases and parent's lost work days would be reduced by 67% and 78%, respectively. Including indirect costs, the total disease cost reduction would be 9 M€.

CONCLUSION

Introduction of universal RV vaccination in Greece could offer considerable medical and economic benefits for the National Health System and society. Potential herd immunity would improve results in favour of vaccination.

United States rotavirus strain surveillance from 2005 to 2008: genotype prevalence before and after vaccine introduction

BACKGROUND

A live, attenuated rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq®, was approved in 2006 for immunization of infants in the United States. To monitor the distribution of rotavirus genotypes before and after vaccine introduction, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted strain surveillance with the National Rotavirus Strain Surveillance System.

METHODS

Over 3 rotavirus seasons, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, and 2007-2008, National Rotavirus Strain Surveillance System laboratories collected rotavirus-positive stool specimens and submitted them to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rotavirus strains were G- and P-genotyped by multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or nucleotide sequencing.

RESULTS

During 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons, G1 was the dominant G-type but in the 2007-2008 season, G3 replaced G1 as the most frequently detected strain. Four genotypes, G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], and G9P[8] were detected in every season. Uncommon strains observed during the study period were G2P[8], G1P[6], G2P[6], G4P[6], G1P[4], G3P[9], G12P [6], and G12P[8]. The mean age of rotavirus cases in the 2007-2008 season increased significantly in patients less than 3 years old compared with the 2 previous seasons.

CONCLUSIONS

: The increased overall prevalence of G3P [8] strains in 2007-2008, the first rotavirus season with reasonable rotavirus vaccine coverage, was consistent with Australian reports of G3 dominance following RotaTeq introduction. However, these strain changes in both countries have occurred in the context of large declines in severe rotavirus disease and we cannot rule out that they are simply the result of naturally occurring changes in rotavirus strain prevalence. These findings underscore the need for careful monitoring of strains to assess possible vaccine pressure-induced changes and vaccine effectiveness against various rotavirus genotypes.

Estimating the rotavirus hospitalization disease burden and trends, using capture-recapture methods

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus surveillance is needed to provide estimates of disease burden and to evaluate the effect of vaccination programs. Our objective was to use capture-recapture methods to estimate rotavirus hospitalization rates and to examine trends over time.

METHODS

Children <3 years of age residing in Hamilton County, Ohio hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, and laboratory-confirmed rotavirus between 1997 and 2008 were identified through 2 independent surveillance systems: an active system with prospective enrollment of children admitted with acute gastroenteritis and a passive system of children identified by rotavirus testing as part of their usual medical care. Capture-recapture methods compared cases from both systems to estimate the number of missed cases from either system. Using census data for Hamilton County, rates per 10,000 with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for rotavirus hospitalizations were estimated.

RESULTS

Overall, 486 cases were identified using active surveillance and 244 using passive surveillance, with 127 cases captured by both. Using capture-recapture methods, the overall rate in children <3 years old was 26.9/10,000; CI: 24.1, 30.6. Rates varied by year: highest in 1998 (48.1/10,000; CI: 32.4, 92.2) and lowest in 2008 (3.2/10,000; CI: 2.1, 6.1) after rotavirus vaccine introduction. Among children <5 years old, rates were highest in <3-month-old children (51.8/10,000; CI: 39.4, 75.1) and lowest in older age groups: 24 to 35 months (20.5/10,000; CI: 14.7, 30.3) and 36 to 59 months (4.1/10,000; CI: 2.9, 7.2). Rates from capture-recapture methods and adjusted active system were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

Capture-recapture methods were a useful tool to estimate rotavirus disease burden and to monitor trends, especially in the era of rotavirus immunization.

Estimated burden of rotavirus-associated diarrhea in ambulatory settings in the United States

BACKGROUND

Two vaccines to prevent disease from rotavirus among young children were recently approved in the United States. Although previous studies of the burden of rotaviral disease have focused on hospitalizations, the assessment of baseline disease burden in ambulatory settings is useful for evaluating the overall impact of the vaccine.

METHODS

Outpatient and emergency department (ED) data for 1994-2006 were analyzed from 2 nationally representative databases: the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Medical Care Survey. Visits by children (younger than 5 years) with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) were identified by using a defined set of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Two previously described methods (the winter-residual-excess [WRE] and Brandt methods) were used to estimate the proportion of AGE attributable to rotavirus and to determine the annual number of visits, annual average visits, and annual visit rates in each setting.

RESULTS

The estimated average annual number of rotavirus-associated visits over the 13-year period was 782 453 outpatient visits and 164 261 ED visits from the WRE method and 665 773 outpatient visits and 205 206 ED visits from the Brandt method. This resulted in an average of 39.1 and 33.3 outpatient visits per 1000 children and 8.2 and 10.3 ED visits per 1000 children for both the WRE and Brandt methods, respectively. The average annual proportion of visits for AGE attributed to rotavirus was 34.2% (29.1% from the Brandt method) in the outpatient setting and 21.8% (27.1% from the Brandt method) in the ED, with wide variations in individual years.

CONCLUSIONS

Before the rotavirus vaccine, rotavirus seemed to be associated with a large number of outpatient and ED visits among young children. Rotavirus vaccine has the potential to reduce many outpatient and ED visits.

Symptomatic and asymptomatic rotavirus and norovirus infections during infancy in a Chilean birth cohort

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus and more recently norovirus have been recognized as 2 of the most common causes of acute diarrhea in children. Comparative analysis of these infections in a birth cohort has not been performed and can provide relevant insight on clinical and viral behaviors.

METHODS

Mother-infant pairs from middle-low socioeconomic background living in the Metropolitan Region of Chile are being followed for 18 months in 2 outpatient clinics. Infants are evaluated monthly for asymptomatic excretion of rotavirus and norovirus and during acute diarrhea episodes (ADE) for rotavirus, norovirus, and bacterial enteropathogens. Severity of ADE is evaluated using the Vesikari score.

RESULTS

Between July 1, 2006 and September 1, 2008 a total of 198 children were followed for a mean of 15.7 months. Asymptomatic rotavirus and norovirus infections were detected in 1.3% and 8% of 2278 stool samples compromising 14% and 57% of infants, respectively. Incidence of ADE was approximately 0.8 for the first year of life and approximately 0.6 for the 13 to 18 month age group. Rotavirus and norovirus were detected in 15% and 18% of 145 ADE evaluated. Mean Vesikari score was 10.4 and 7.4 for rotavirus and norovirus respectively (P = 0.01) and severity was not associated with age of patients for either virus. Reinfections were more common for norovirus asymptomatic episodes: 44% versus 19% (P = 0.01) and borderline for symptomatic episodes: 40% versus 11% (P = 0.08). Rotavirus genotype G9P8 and norovirus genogroup II (GII) predominated although most asymptomatic episodes for both viruses were nontypable. None of 19 symptomatic GII norovirus infections had a previous documented GII infection compared with 10 of 31 asymptomatic GII infections (OR = 0. 95% CL = 0, 0.59; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Children had suffered a mean of approximately 1.4 ADE by 18 months of age of which 15% and 18% were caused by rotavirus and norovirus, respectively. In general rotavirus infections were more severe than norovirus infections and for both viruses severity was not related to age. Norovirus reinfections were significantly more common than rotavirus reinfections but for GII norovirus a primary infection seems to confer protection against clinically significant reinfections.

Budget impact and cost-effectiveness of including a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in the New Zealand childhood immunization schedule

OBJECTIVES

To estimate: 1) rotavirus disease burden in New Zealand children aged under 5 years, and 2) health benefits, budget impact, and cost-effectiveness of incorporating a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (PRV) into the national immunization schedule.

METHODS

A static equilibrium model was developed to evaluate health benefits and budget impact of vaccinating five successive birth cohorts with PRV at $50 per dose and 85% coverage (three doses). Cost-effectiveness was estimated from the societal perspective in year 5 of the program, with future health benefits discounted at 3.5% per annum.

RESULTS

By the age of 5 years, one in five children will have sought medical advice for rotavirus gastroenteritis and one in 43 will have been hospitalized. In 2009, we estimate 1506 hospitalizations (476 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval 451, 502), 3086 Emergency Department (ED) presentations not requiring hospitalization, plus 10,120 cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis managed solely in primary care. The annual societal cost is $7.07 million, including 41% from hospitalization and 25% from caregiver income loss. Health benefits will increase and the cost of illness will decline by 78% in year 5 as successive birth cohorts are immunized. In the fifth year, 1191 hospitalizations, 2442 ED treated cases, 9762 primary care consultations, and 0.8 deaths will be averted. It requires six vaccinated children to avoid one primary care consultation, 49 to avert one hospitalization, and 73,357 to prevent one death. The incremental cost is $2.99 million and the break-even price per vaccine dose is $32.39 at 2006 prices. The cost is $2509 to avert one hospitalization and $305 to prevent one case seeking health-care assistance. The cost per life-year gained in year 5 is $143,097 and the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained is $46,092 (US$26,774). The cost per QALY is sensitive to incidence rates, vaccine price and efficacy, loss of quality of life by the child, case fatality, and caregiver income loss.

CONCLUSIONS

From a societal perspective, addition of PRV to the New Zealand childhood immunization schedule would confer important clinical gains at a modest cost per QALY gained.

Cost of routine immunization of young children against rotavirus infection with Rotarix versus RotaTeq

Using a probabilistic model of the clinical and economic burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE), we estimated the expected impact of vaccinating a US birth cohort with Rotarix in lieu of RotaTeq. Assuming full vaccination of all children, use of Rotarix - rather than RotaTeq - was estimated to reduce the total number of RVGE events by 5% and associated costs by 8%. On an overall basis, Rotarix would reduce costs by $77.2 million (95% CI $71.5-$86.5). Similar reductions with Rotarix were estimated to occur under an assumption of incomplete immunization of children.

Prevention of rotavirus disease: updated guidelines for use of rotavirus vaccine

This statement updates and replaces the 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics statement for prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis. In February 2006, a live oral human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV5 [RotaTeq]) was licensed as a 3-dose series for use in infants in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommended routine use of RV5 in infants in the United States. In April 2008, a live, oral, human attenuated rotavirus vaccine (RV1 [Rotarix]) was licensed as a 2-dose series for use in infants in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine immunization of infants in the United States with rotavirus vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not express a preference for either RV5 or RV1. RV5 is to be administered orally in a 3-dose series with doses administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age; RV1 is to be administered orally in a 2-dose series with doses administered at 2 and 4 months of age. The first dose of rotavirus vaccine should be administered from 6 weeks through 14 weeks, 6 days of age. The minimum interval between doses of rotavirus vaccine is 4 weeks. All doses should be administered by 8 months, 0 days of age. Recommendations in this statement also address the maximum ages for doses, contraindications, precautions, and special situations for administration of rotavirus vaccine.

Implementation of rotavirus immunization in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: high levels of vaccine ineligibility and off-label use

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to predict, using delayed diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccination as an indicator, whether the current narrowly defined age limits for pentavalent rotavirus vaccine exclude a substantial proportion of children from complete immunization against rotavirus and to assess adherence of providers to recommended age limits by examining the first 6 months of use of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from a computerized children's immunization registry in Philadelphia were analyzed. Demographics and age at immunization with first 3 diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis doses were examined from 2001 to 2005. Similar characteristics were evaluated for children who received pentavalent rotavirus vaccine doses during the first 6 months of its availability (August 2006 through January 2007).

RESULTS

During the 5-year period, 24 403 of 103 967 recipients of first diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine were >12 weeks of age; only 56 411 of 79 564 first diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis recipients <or=12 weeks of age received the first 3 doses at ages that they could have completed the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine series if vaccines were given at the same visit. Children using public providers were more likely to have delayed immunization. During the first 6 months of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine implementation, 5566 pentavalent rotavirus vaccine doses were recorded in the Kids Immunization Database/Tracking System: 3912 first doses, 1419 second doses, and 235 third doses. Of 3912 first-dose pentavalent rotavirus vaccine recipients, 770 were >12 weeks of age. Hospital-based providers were less likely to administer pentavalent rotavirus vaccine off-label.

CONCLUSIONS

With the current level of vaccine implementation and current pentavalent rotavirus vaccine recommendations for series initiation, a substantial proportion of children are expected to be excluded from receiving any pentavalent rotavirus vaccine or completing the series. In the first 6 months of availability, pentavalent rotavirus vaccine frequently was used off-label for age, underscoring the importance of education of immunization providers. Current outreach programs for finding 10-month-old toddlers delinquent for immunizations will not improve the possibility of protection against rotavirus.

New oligonucleotide primers for P-typing of rotavirus strains: Strategies for typing previously untypeable strains

BACKGROUND

The use of molecular methods for rotavirus characterisation provides increased sensitivity for typing, and allows the identification of putative reassortant strains. However, due to the constant accumulation of point mutations through genetic drift; and to the emergence of novel genotypes; and possibly zoonotic transmission and subsequent reassortment, the reagents and methods used for genotyping require close monitoring and updating.

OBJECTIVES

To design and evaluate a new VP4 consensus oligonucleotide primer pair that provides increased sensitivity and allows typing of strains that were untypeable using available methods.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 489 rotavirus-positive faecal specimens from studies conducted between 1996 and 2006 were used for the evaluation of the new VP4 primers which was performed in the WHO Rotavirus Collaborating and Reference centres in the US, Australia, South Africa and the UK.

RESULTS

The new primer pair allowed P-typing of rotavirus strains and provided increased sensitivity, allowing typing of a significant number of strains that previously could not be P-typed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of a constant reconsideration of primer sequences employed for the molecular typing of rotaviruses.

Update on immunizations in solid organ transplant recipients: what clinicians need to know

Vaccine-preventable diseases remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in transplant recipients. Since the publication of the American Society of Transplantation's guidelines for vaccination of solid organ transplant recipients in 2004 (1), several new vaccines have been licensed. Transplant clinicians have been inundated by questions from patients and colleagues regarding the utility and safety of these vaccines in transplant candidates and recipients. In addition, new data has appeared regarding utility of some established vaccines, lack of rejection after vaccination and newer adjuvant strategies. Literature published between 2004 and 2007 was reviewed in a Medline search. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices are reviewed and summarized, with particular attention to vaccines for human papillomavirus, varicella and varicella-zoster, tetanus-reduced diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) and hepatitis B, as well as conjugated meningococcal and conjugated pneumococcal vaccines. Although randomized controlled trials in transplant recipients have not been performed for most new licensed vaccines, preliminary recommendations can be formulated based on current data and guidelines. Further studies will be important to determine the indications and optimal timing of newer immunizations and immunization strategies.

Safety and efficacy of the pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine in healthy premature infants

BACKGROUND

Premature infants seem to be at greater risk of hospitalization from rotavirus gastroenteritis than term infants. Safety and efficacy of the pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine were assessed in premature infants enrolled in the large-scale, blinded, placebo-controlled rotavirus efficacy and safety trial (REST).

METHODS

Healthy infants 6-12 weeks of chronologic age at study entry were randomized to receive 3 oral doses of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine or placebo at 4- to 10-week intervals. Infants born at < or =36 weeks of gestational age were eligible if thriving at the time of enrollment. Safety and efficacy were retrospectively assessed in these premature infants comparing vaccine with placebo recipients. Cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis were defined as forceful vomiting and/or > or =3 watery or looser-than-normal stools within a 24-hour period, accompanied by detection of rotavirus antigen in the stool.

RESULTS

A total of 2070 infants between 25 and 36 gestational weeks received at least 1 dose of vaccine or placebo; 1005 vaccine recipients and 1061 placebo recipients were evaluable for safety. Serious adverse events occurred in 55 vaccine recipients (5.5%) and 62 placebo recipients (5.8%). In a nested substudy of 308 premature infants evaluable for detailed safety (154 in each group), the frequencies of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and irritability were comparable between vaccine and placebo recipients. Overall, 3 doses of the pentavalent vaccine reduced the rate of hospitalizations and emergency department visits in premature infants due to rotavirus gastroenteritis by 100% (95% CI: 82.2-100) compared with placebo. The vaccine also prevented 73.0% (95% CI: -2.2-95.2) of rotavirus gastroenteritis cases of any severity.

CONCLUSIONS

In this post hoc analysis of healthy premature infants, the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine was generally well-tolerated and substantially reduced rotavirus-attributable hospitalizations and emergency department visits compared with placebo. Overall, vaccine safety and efficacy seemed to be generally comparable to the results in the REST study population as a whole. These results support vaccinating healthy premature infants on the same schedule as term infants.

Rotavirus vaccines: recent developments and future considerations

Two new vaccines have recently been shown to be safe and effective in protecting young children against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. Although both vaccines are now marketed worldwide, it is likely that improvements to these vaccines and/or the development of future generations of rotavirus vaccines will be desirable. This Review addresses recent advances in our knowledge of rotavirus, the host immune response to rotavirus infection and the efficacy and safety of the new vaccines that will be helpful for improving the existing rotavirus vaccines, or developing new rotavirus vaccines in the future.

Immunizations, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and animal-induced injuries

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To report recent research findings and new recommendations on immunizations, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and animal-induced injuries.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vaccines against rotavirus and human papilloma virus have entered clinical use. Varicella outbreaks among previously vaccinated children have prompted the recommendation for a two-dose varicella vaccine series. Broader coverage for influenza vaccination is now recommended in the US and Canada. Diagnosis and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia uses population and hour-based norms for total serum bilirubin and assessment of risk factors. Delayed cord clamping is not apparently a risk factor for jaundice but warrants more study. Universal predischarge screening shows promise but is not yet officially recommended. New treatments for hyperbilirubinemia are being evaluated. Dogs are the chief cause of animal bites in children and the largest reservoir for rabies worldwide. In North America and Europe, cats and wild animals cause most human rabies. Postexposure prophylaxis should follow region-appropriate guidelines.

SUMMARY

New vaccines are available against rotavirus and human papilloma virus. Changes have been made to official immunization recommendations. Appropriate vaccine use can reduce the pediatric disease burden further. Hyperbilirubinemia is the subject of ongoing study, which may lead to improved diagnosis and treatment protocols and reduce the incidence of acute bilirubin encephalopathy. The best tool for rabies prevention after an animal bite is prompt postexposure prophylaxis.

Active immunization of premature and low birth-weight infants: a review of immunogenicity, efficacy, and tolerability

Preterm infants are at increased risk of disease and hospitalization from a number of vaccine-preventable diseases. However, these same infants have immunologic immaturities that may impact vaccine responses. Larger premature infants mount immune responses to vaccines similar to those of full-term infants, but very premature infants (<28-32 weeks' gestation at birth) may have specific defects in vaccine responsiveness. Although there are minor differences in immunogenicity, the immune responses to diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio antigens are similar enough between full-term and premature infants that clinical consequences are unlikely to result. However, the immunogenicity of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccines varies widely among studies of premature infants, and may be affected by the choice of conjugate protein, inclusion in a combination vaccine, and by an infant's overall health. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is efficacious in larger premature infants, but little information is available about immunogenicity in smaller premature infants. Meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine appears immunogenic in even very premature infants, but the duration of immunity may be limited. Hepatitis B vaccine given at birth appears poorly immunogenic in infants with birth weights <1500-2000 g, with delay in the administration of the first dose yielding improved immunogenicity. Few data on influenza vaccine in premature infants are available, but infants with pulmonary disease may respond less robustly than others. Bacille Calmette Guérin vaccine appears to be most immunogenic if delayed until at least 34-35 weeks' postmenstrual age in very premature infants, although there may be non-specific advantages to its earlier administration. Premature infants may have persistently lower antibody titers than full-term infants, even years after initial immunization. Sick premature infants experience increased episodes of apnea or cardiorespiratory compromise following vaccine administration, necessitating careful monitoring. Specific factors that impair immune response, quality of the immune response, and safety and immunogenicity evaluation of new vaccines in premature infants are topics needing further research. Premature infants are at significant risk for decisions from healthcare providers that delay beginning and completing their vaccine regimens. A major challenge facing those who care for these infants is the provision of timely immunization.

Selected Primary Care Issues and Comorbidities in Children Who Are on Maintenance Dialysis: A Review for the Pediatric Nephrologist

Ten-year survival of all children who initiate dialysis at any age now approaches 70%, and in the older child this number is closer to 80%. These children will live with chronic kidney disease and its myriad of associated comorbidities during and throughout their childhood. Their care is complex and requires both teamwork and careful attention paid to maintaining lines of communication among patient, family, and both the facility-based nephrology team and caregivers who are outside the hospital setting. Irrespective of their need for dialysis, children with ESRD deserve and require developmentally appropriate care and anticipatory guidance with respect to primary care issues of childhood. The child who is on dialysis often is cared for solely or in large part by a nephrology service, therefore this review discusses issues that are particularly important to pediatric nephrologists in relation to selected primary care issues and comorbidities for the child who is on dialysis, with an emphasis on medical and psychosocial issues, and with particular weight placed on issues that are pertinent to the adolescent dialysis patient.

Immunization update

Although the development and licensure of new vaccines over the last 2 years has generated a lot of excitement as well as debate, there is a lot more to come. Not discussed in this article. licensure of another long-awaited vaccine albeit for use in adults was that for herpes zoster. The second HPV and rotavirus vaccines are awaiting approval in the US. Next in line are the vaccines both prophylactic as well as therapeutic against HIV. Topics of debate over the new vaccines include discussions amongst practices as to the affordability and cost of the new vaccines as well as the ethical debate amongst lawmakers and the general public regarding the rights and wrongs of compulsory vaccination against HPV. Another ongoing discussion is regarding the availability of approved vaccines. Shortages have been seen with several of the childhood vaccines including heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, hepatitis A vaccine, as well as the ongoing saga with influenza vaccines. Across the globe while the struggle against polio continues, there is encouraging news regarding the reduction in measles-related deaths, particularly in Africa. The last few years have indeed been landmark years in infectious disease research as the search continues for better and safer vaccines globally.

Oral immunoglobulin for the prevention of rotavirus infection in low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus infection is the most common neonatal nosocomial viral infection. Epidemics with the newer P(6)G9 strains have been reported in neonatal units worldwide. These strains can cause severe symptoms in infected infants. Infection control measures become necessary and the utilisation of hospital resources increase. Local mucosal immunity in the intestine to rotavirus is important in the resolution of infection and protection against subsequent infections. Boosting local immunity by oral administration of anti-rotaviral immunoglobulin preparations might be a useful strategy in preventing rotaviral infections, especially in low birth weight babies.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of oral immunoglobulin preparations for the prevention of rotavirus infection in hospitalised low birthweight infants (birth weight less than 2500 gms)

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2002), MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched. Science Citation Index was searched for all articles which referenced Barnes 1982. The proceedings of the Pediatric Academic Societies which were published in the journal, Pediatric Research from 1991 onwards were searched as well as abstracts of doctoral dissertations and theses from 1960 onwards. The above mentioned search strategy was completed in June 2002. Authors prominent in the field were contacted for any unpublished articles and more information on published articles was sought. Reference lists of identified clinical trials and personal files were reviewed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria used to select studies for inclusion were: 1) DESIGN: randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials. 2) PARTICIPANTS: Hospitalised low birthweight infants. 3) INTERVENTION: Oral immunoglobulin preparations for prevention of rotavirus infection compared to placebo OR no intervention. 4) At least one of the following outcomes were reported: All cause mortality during hospital stay, mortality due to rotavirus infection during hospital stay, rotavirus infection, duration of diarrhoea, need for rehydration, duration of viral excretion, duration of infection control measures, length of hospital stay in days, recurrent diarrhoea or chronic diarrhoea.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two reviewers independently abstracted data from the included trials

MAIN RESULTS

One published study (Barnes 1982) was eligible for inclusion in this review. Two additional studies are awaiting assessment re eligibility for inclusion. Barnes 1982 found no significant difference in the rates of rotavirus infection after oral gammaglobulin versus placebo in hospitalised low birthweight babies [RR 1.27 (95% CI 0.65-2.37)]. In the subset of infants who became infected with rotavirus after receiving gammaglobulin or placebo for prevention of rotavirus infection, there was no significant difference in the duration of rotavirus excretion between the group who had gammaglobulin (mean 2 days, range 1-4 days) and the group who had placebo (mean 3 days, range 1-6 days). No adverse effects were reported by Barnes 1982 after administration of oral immunoglobulin preparations.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence from one randomised controlled trial does not support the routine use of oral immunoglobulin preparations for the prevention of rotavirus infection in low birth-weight infants. However, newer immunoglobulin preparations which have been found to be effective in older children have not been tested in neonatal trials. Therefore, researchers should be encouraged to conduct well designed trials in neonates at risk for rotavirus infections using the newer preparations of anti-rotaviral immunoglobulins (colostrum, egg yolk immunoglobulins). Such trials should also include cost effectiveness evaluations.

Oral immunoglobulin for the treatment of rotavirus infection in low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

Rotavirus infection is the most common neonatal nosocomial viral infection. Epidemics with the newer P(6)G9 strains have been reported in neonatal units worldwide. These strains can cause severe symptoms in most infected infants. Infection control measures become necessary and the utilisation of hospital resources increase. Local mucosal immunity in the intestine to rotavirus is important in the resolution of infection and protection against subsequent infections. Boosting local immunity by oral administration of anti-rotaviral immunoglobulin preparations might be a useful strategy in treating rotaviral infections, especially in low birth weight babies.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of oral immunoglobulin preparations for the treatment of rotavirus infection in hospitalised low birthweight infants (birth weight less than 2500 gms)

SEARCH STRATEGY

Electronic databases including The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (The Cochrane Llibrary, Issue 2, 2002), MEDLINE (1966 - June 2002), EMBASE (1980 - June 2002) and CINAHL (1982 - June 2002) were searched by the strategy outlined in the protocol. Science Citation Index search for all articles which referenced Barnes 1982 were searched. The proceedings of the Pediatric Academic Societies which were published in the journal, Pediatric Research, from 1991 were searched as well as abstracts of the doctoral dissertations and theses from 1960. All of the above search strategies were completed in June 2002. Authors prominent in the field were contacted for any unpublished articles and more information on published articles was sought. Reference lists of identified clinical trials and personal files were also reviewed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria used to select studies for inclusion were: 1) DESIGN: randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials 2) Hospitalised low birthweight infants with rotavirus infection 3) INTERVENTION: Oral immunoglobulin preparations compared to placebo OR no intervention 4) At least one of the following outcomes were reported: All cause mortality during hospital stay, mortality due to rotavirus infection during hospital stay, duration of diarrhoea, need for rehydration, duration of viral excretion, duration of infection control measures, length of hospital stay in days, recurrent diarrhoea or chronic diarrhoea

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two reviewers were to independently abstract data from eligible trials. No data analysis was possible at this point.

MAIN RESULTS

No eligible randomised controlled trials were found.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

We found no randomised controlled trials which assessed the effectiveness or safety of oral immunoglobulin preparations for the treatment of rotavirus infections in hospitalised low birthweight infants.