Correction: Dodd et al. Children's Play and Independent Mobility in 2020: Results from the British Children's Play Survey. Int. J. Environ. Hum. Health 2021, 18, 4334

Table Legend [...].

A comparison of six commercial kits for Helicobacter pylori detection

The British Society of Gastroenterologists suggests that dyspeptic patients under 45 years of age should be screened serologically for Helicobacter pylori infection, to reduce endoscopy workload. We have compared the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of six commercial serological kits intended for pre-endoscopy screening for H. pylori with histopathology and culture in 82 dyspeptic patients, 35 of whom were H. pylori positive. The kits' sensitivities were as follows: Bio-Rad GAP 100%, Helico-G 100%, Premier 97%, and Pyloriset EIA-G 94%. Poor specificity of the ELISA kits--Bio-Rad GAP 67%, Helico-G 67%, Premier 85%, and Pyloriset EIA-G 76%--was due to previous treated or cleared H. pylori infection. Allowing for previously documented H. pylori infection or peptic ulcer improved specificity--Bio-Rad GAP 84%, Helico-G 84%, Premier 100%, and Pyloriset EIA-G 90%. The Pyloriset Dry latex kit had a higher specificity (86%) but a lower sensitivity (75%) than the Oxoid latex kit (specificity 70%, sensitivity 94%). The qualitative Premier Launch kit had the best overall results (and was the easiest ELISA to perform). Reliable serological diagnosis of H. pylori is now suitable for screening dyspeptic patients.

Hepatitis B markers in Gloucestershire firemen

Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids and the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were studied in Gloucestershire firemen to assess the occupational risk of HBV infection. A high compliance was achieved (472/503, 94 per cent). Cumulative occupational exposure to blood or body fluids rose progressively to 68 per cent after 24 years' service. No sera were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Six sera were positive for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and were tested for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc). The four subjects who were positive for anti-HBs alone had all received HBV vaccine. Two sera contained both anti-HBs and anti-HBc. Therefore, 2/472 firemen (0.42 per cent) showed evidence of previous HBV infection, a similar proportion to that found in a recent study in UK blood donors (0.49 per cent). Despite considerable exposure to blood and body fluids, an occupational risk of hepatitis B infection was not found in Gloucestershire firemen.

An outbreak of hepatitis A in Gloucester, UK

During an outbreak of hepatitis A that occurred in Gloucester, UK between September 1989 and January 1991, 162 clinical cases were identified through notifications and laboratory reports, a monthly attack rate of 1.05 per 10,000 residents. The highest attack rate was seen in 5-14-year-olds. There were significant correlations between hepatitis A attack rates in the electoral wards of Gloucester and with the Jarman UPA 8 scores for the wards and with overcrowding, unemployment, under 5-year-olds and ethnic minority. The use of human normal immune globulin prophylaxis (HNIG) for household contacts was unsuccessful in ending the outbreak, partly because only one third of cases reported a household contact with recent hepatitis A. Our experience does not support the use of HNIG in stopping community-wide outbreaks of hepatitis A. Two public health campaigns were mounted during the outbreak; both were followed by a fall in the number of cases. Greater priority should be given to the implementation and evaluation of public health campaigns in future community-wide outbreaks of hepatitis A.

Congenital rubella after previous maternal immunity

Two mothers who had asymptomatic rubella infection in pregnancy gave birth to severely affected infants. In both, the presence of preexisting antibody was well documented, although it could not be established whether it was the result of vaccine or natural infection.