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Chorin O, Markovich MP, Avramovich E, Rahmani S, Sofer D, Weil M, Shohat T, Chorin E, Tasher D, Somekh E. Oral and fecal polio vaccine excretion following bOPV vaccination among Israeli infants. Vaccine 2023:S0264-410X(23)00585-6. [PMID: 37268556 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inactivated polio virus (IPV) vaccinations are a mainstay of immunization schedules in developed countries, while oral polio vaccine (OPV) is administered in developing countries and is the main vaccine in outbreaks. Due to circulating wild poliovirus (WPV1) detection in Israel (2013), oral bivalent polio vaccination (bOPV) was administered to IPV primed children and incorporated into the vaccination regimen. OBJECTIVES We aimed to determine the extent and timeframe of fecal and salivary polio vaccine virus (Sabin strains) shedding following bOPV vaccination among IPV primed children. METHODS Fecal samples were collected from a convenience sample of infants and toddlers attending 11 Israeli daycare centers. Salivary samples were collected from infants and toddlers following bOPV vaccination. RESULTS 398 fecal samples were collected from 251 children (ages: 6-32 months), 168 received bOPV vaccination 4-55 days prior to sample collection. Fecal excretion continued among 80 %, 50 %, and 20 %, 2, 3, and 7 weeks following vaccination. There were no significant differences in the rate and duration of positive samples among children immunized with 3 or 4 IPV doses. Boys were 2.3-fold more likely to excrete the virus (p = 0.006). Salivary shedding of Sabin strains occurred in 1/47 (2 %) and 1/49 (2 %) samples 4, and 6 days following vaccination respectively. CONCLUSIONS Fecal detection of Sabin strains among IPV-primed children continues for 7 weeks; additional doses of IPV do not augment intestinal immunity; limited salivary shedding occurs for up to a week. This data can enhance understanding of intestinal immunity achieved by different vaccination schedules and guide recommendations for contact precautions of children following bOPV vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odelia Chorin
- The Institute for Rare Diseases, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
| | | | | | - Sarit Rahmani
- Tel Aviv Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Danit Sofer
- Central Virology Laboratory, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Merav Weil
- Central Virology Laboratory, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tamy Shohat
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ehud Chorin
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Department of Cardiology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Diana Tasher
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Pediatric Department and Infectious Disease Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
| | - Eli Somekh
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Mayanei Hayeshuah Medical Center, Bnei Brak, Israel
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Sofer-Sali N, Roif-Kaminsky D, Motro Y, Khalfin B, Avramovich E, Galor I, Shlaifer A, Sommer A, Rutenberg R, Sachter Y, Itzhak A, Grupel D, Moran-Gilad J. Prevalence and characteristics of carriage of Neisseria meningitidis among young Israeli adults. Open Forum Infect Dis 2022; 9:ofac482. [PMID: 36225741 PMCID: PMC9547516 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background No updated data currently exist regarding Neisseria meningitidis carriage and genomic epidemiology among young Israeli adults. Methods Oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 1801 military recruits on the day of recruitment during 2019. Neisseria meningitidis was detected and identified by culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Confirmed isolates were serotyped by qPCR, and encapsulated strains underwent whole-genome sequencing. Risk factors for carriage were determined by analyzing focused questionnaires using uni- and multivariate models. Genomic typing was performed by means of core genome multilocus sequence typing. Results Carriage rates overall and of encapsulated strains were 20.1% and 6.7%, respectively. Genogroups B (49.2%) and Y (26.7%) were the most commonly encapsulated strains. Genogroups C, W, and X were scarce, and genogroup A was absent. The most notable clonal complexes (CCs) were CC23 (n = 30), CC32 (n = 16), and CC44/41 (n = 9). Carriage was significantly associated with smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.82; 95% CI, 1.43–2.33) and boarding school attendance before recruitment (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.14–1.96). Conclusions The prevalence of meningococcal carriage among young Israeli adults is high, compared with similar studies in other developed countries. This might be due to sociocultural characteristics including smoking and boarding school attendance during and after high school. The dominant genogroups and CCs found were compatible with those implicated in invasive disease in Israel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Sofer-Sali
- Braun school of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical Organization Jerusalem , Israel
| | - Diana Roif-Kaminsky
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Yair Motro
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Boris Khalfin
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | | | - Inbal Galor
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps , Israel
| | | | - Adir Sommer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Rambam Health Care Campus , Haifa , Israel
| | - Ran Rutenberg
- Emergency Department, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center , Petah Tikva , Israel
| | | | - Avi Itzhak
- Surgery Division, Soroka University Medical Center , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Daniel Grupel
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
- Department of Internal medicine B, Soroka University Medical Center , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Jacob Moran-Gilad
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
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Galor I, Hartal M, Perry Markovich M, Avramovich E. Population seroprotection against hepatitis a virus in Israel 18 years after introduction of inactivated vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule: Response letter, to letter to the editor. Vaccine 2021; 39:4777. [PMID: 34332696 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I Galor
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel; Bar Ilan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Management, Israel.
| | - M Hartal
- Myers-Jdc - Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - M Perry Markovich
- Israel Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel
| | - E Avramovich
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel; Bar Ilan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Management, Israel
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Tsur A, Furer A, Avramovich E, Karp E, Twig G, Bader T, Almakias M, Fink N. SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic in the Israeli Defense Force-Lessons Learned From Our rt-PCR Screening Policy. Mil Med 2021; 188:e65-e68. [PMID: 34027977 PMCID: PMC8194723 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usab215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, multiple preventative measures were used to prevent the virus from spreading in the population. The Israeli defense force deployed further means to contain the disease, including putting units in quarantine, physical distancing and using masks, gowns and disinfectants when in contact with suspected patients. METHODS We used reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) tests to screen for patients among asymptomatic soldiers within units participating in civilian aid or in close contact with known patients, using personal protective equipment. Positive results were repeated and followed with serological testing to verify the nature of results. RESULTS Between April and May 2020, we screened a total of 1,453 soldiers in 13 different units. We found 11 false positive results, leading to unnecessary measures until resolution, and three true positive results (0.2%). All true positive results had unreported symptoms concomitant with SARS-CoV-2 disease. These results led to the resolution of this screening policy. CONCLUSION Screening asymptomatic army personnel in this setting with rt-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 is not warranted and leads to unnecessary false positive results. Efforts should be directed at identifying symptomatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Tarif Bader
- Israeli Defense Force Medical Corp,Department of Military Medicine, Hebrew University, Campus Ein Kerem, 9112102, Jerusalem
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Merzon E, Green I, Vinker S, Golan-Cohen A, Gorohovski A, Avramovich E, Frenkel-Morgenstern M, Magen E. The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease is associated with a lower likelihood of COVID-19 infection. FEBS J 2021; 288:5179-5189. [PMID: 33621437 PMCID: PMC8013755 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is commonly used for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Aspirin use is associated with better outcomes among COVID‐19 positive patients. We hypothesized that the aspirin use for primary cardiovascular disease prevention might have a protective effect on COVID‐19 susceptibility and disease duration. We conducted a retrospective population‐based cross‐sectional study, utilizing data from the Leumit Health Services database. The proportion of patients treated with aspirin was significantly lower among the COVID‐19‐positive group, as compared to the COVID‐19‐negative group [73 (11.03%) vs. 1548 (15.77%); P = 0.001]. Aspirin use was associated with lower likelihood of COVID‐19 infection, as compared to nonusers (adjusted OR 0.71 (95% CI, 0.52 to 0.99; P = 0.041). Aspirin users were older (68.06 ± 12.79 vs. 56.63 ± 12.28 years of age; P < 0.001), presented a lower BMI (28.77 ± 5.4 vs. 30.37 ± 4.55; P < 0.0189), and showed higher prevalence of hypertension (56, 76.71%), diabetes (47, 64.38%), and COPD (11, 15.07%) than the aspirin nonusers (151, 25.64%, P < 0.001; 130, 22.07%, P < 0.001; and 43, 7.3%, P = 0.023, respectively). Moreover, COVID‐19 disease duration (considered as the time between the first positive and second negative COVID‐19 RT–PCR test results) among aspirin users was significantly shorter, as compared to aspirin nonusers (19.8 ± 7.8 vs. 21.9 ± 7.9 P = 0.045). Among hospitalized COVID‐positive patients, a higher proportion of surviving subjects were treated with aspirin (20, 19.05%), as opposed to 1 dead subject (14.29%), although this difference was not significant (P = 0.449). In conclusion, we observed an inverse association between the likelihood of COVID‐19 infection, disease duration and mortality, and aspirin use for primary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Merzon
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Ilan Green
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Shlomo Vinker
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Avivit Golan-Cohen
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Department of Family Medicine, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | | | - Eva Avramovich
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Department of Management, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | | | - Eli Magen
- Leumit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Medicine C Department, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Division, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Ashkelon, Israel
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Tiosano S, Afek A, Fink N, Avramovich E, Derazne E, Tzur D, Twig G. The association between late-adolescent smoking and long-term mortality: a dose-response relationship. Eur Heart J 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/ehaa946.3020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Tobacco smoking has detrimental medical effects. However, whether late-adolescence tobacco smoking increases early mortality risk is unclear. The aim of our study was to determine the association between tobacco smoking among Israeli adolescents and mortality in young adulthood.
Methods
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) health survey enrolls annually random sample of 3–5% of IDF recruits who voluntarily report lifestyle and tobacco consumption habits (up to 10 cigarettes a day were defined as light smokers, 10–20 cigarettes a day and above 20 cigarettes a day as medium and heavy smokers respectively). Medical and sociodemographic variables (education, residential socioeconomic status, country of birth or origin) were included. Included in this study were 62,134 soldiers (56% men; average age 17.3 years) who enrolled in the study between 1981 and 2006. Data from the Israeli Ministry of Interior was obtained by linkage. Follow-up terminated at the earliest of December 31st 2018 or death. Cox proportional hazard models were applied.
Results
There were 42,013 (67.6%) never smokers, 2,108 (3.4%) past smokers, 6,886 (11.1%) light, 9,880 (15.9%) medium and 1,247 (2%) heavy smokers. During 1,348,517 person-years, 548 deaths were recorded (327 were never smokers, and 18,54,121 and 28 were past, light, medium and heavy smokers, respectively; mean age 31.3 years). The hazard ratios for all-cause mortality were 0.98 (0.61–1.58), 1.02 (0.76–1.36), 1.32 (1.06–1.64) and 1.53 (1.03–2.30) for past smokers, light, medium and heavy smokers, respectively, after adjustment for age, gender, BMI, enrollment year, education and intelligence score. There was no sex-specific association and mortality risk among heavy smokers persisted even when the outcome was set as death by the age of 30 years.
Conclusion
Late-adolescent smoking is associated with long-term all-cause mortality. A dose-response relationship was demonstrated between number of cigarettes consumed at the age of 17 and the future risk of death.
Kaplan-Meier Plot
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding source: None
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tiosano
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - A Afek
- Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - N Fink
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - E Avramovich
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - E Derazne
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - D Tzur
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - G Twig
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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7
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Galor I, Perry Markovich M, Wolf D, Haber M, Hartal M, Avramovich E. Population seroprotection against hepatitis a virus in Israel 18 years after introduction of inactivated vaccine into the routine childhood vaccination schedule. Vaccine 2020; 38:1593-1596. [PMID: 31932135 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Vaccine against Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is part of the routine vaccination schedule in Israel since 1999. As of 2016, new recruits to the Israel Defense Forces should have been vaccinated in their childhood. This sero-survey aimed to determine immunity against HAV 18 years after childhood vaccination, and to re-evaluate the need for HAV vaccination booster upon recruitment. Two populations were studied: soldiers who were recruited during 2011-2012, who belonged to birth cohorts before childhood vaccination (BCV) was introduced; and recruits from 2017, who belonged to birth cohorts after childhood vaccination (ACV) was introduced. Data on 339 BCV recruits and 295 ACV recruits were analyzed. Seropositivity was 35% in the BCV group and 68% in the ACV group (P < 0.0001). Seropositivity rates among ACV subjects enable evaluation of the vaccination program's impact on the population. Our findings do not support discontinuation of HAV vaccination of at risk groups until further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Galor
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel; Bar Ilan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Management, Israel.
| | - Michal Perry Markovich
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel; Israel Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Israel
| | - Dana Wolf
- Clinical Virology Unit, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, The Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Meital Haber
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel
| | - Michael Hartal
- Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute, Jerusalem, Israel; Institute for Research in Military Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eva Avramovich
- Public Health Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Israel; Bar Ilan University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Management, Israel
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Zur M, Glassberg E, Gorenbein P, Epstein E, Eisenkraft A, Misgav M, Avramovich E. Freeze‐dried plasma stability under prehospital field conditions. Transfusion 2019; 59:3485-3490. [DOI: 10.1111/trf.15533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Meital Zur
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Medical Corps Ramat Gan Israel
| | - Elon Glassberg
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Medical Corps Ramat Gan Israel
| | | | | | - Arik Eisenkraft
- Faculty of Medicine, The Institute for Research in Military Medicine The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Jerusalem Israel
| | - Mudi Misgav
- The National Hemophilia Center and Thrombosis Unit Sheba Medical Center Ramat Gan Israel
| | - Eva Avramovich
- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Medical Corps Ramat Gan Israel
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Bez D, Megreli J, Bez M, Avramovich E, Barak A, Levine H. Association Between Type of Educational System and Prevalence and Severity of Myopia Among Male Adolescents in Israel. JAMA Ophthalmol 2019; 137:887-893. [PMID: 31145422 DOI: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2019.1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Importance A substantial portion of the public is diagnosed with myopia, which increases the risk of potential sight-threatening complications. The association between study style and the development of myopia is unclear. Objective To analyze the association between studying in different educational systems and the prevalence and severity of myopia among Jewish male adolescents in Israel. Design, Setting, and Participants A nationwide, population-based study was conducted of 22 823 male candidates for military service in Israel aged 17 to 18 years attending the military draft board in 2013 who underwent a medical examination and a visual acuity assessment. Statistical analysis was performed from January 1 to March 31, 2018. Exposures The participants studied in 1 of 3 Israeli educational systems: secular, Orthodox, or ultra-Orthodox. The ultra-Orthodox system and, to a lesser extent, the Orthodox system involve intensive reading starting in early childhood compared with the secular system. Main Outcomes and Measures The odds ratio (OR) for the association between educational system and the prevalence and severity of myopia. Results Among the 22 823 participants (mean [SD] age, 17.7 [0.6] years), there was a higher proportion of adolescents in the ultra-Orthodox educational system with myopia (1871 of 2276 [82.2%]) compared with adolescents in the Orthodox educational system (1604 of 3189 [50.3%]) and those in the secular educational system (5155 of 17 358 [29.7%]). Compared with adolescents in the secular educational system, those in the Orthodox educational system were more likely to have myopia (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 2.1-2.5; P < .001), as were those in the ultra-Orthodox educational system (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 8.2-10.7; P < .001), after adjustment for age, country of origin, socioeconomic status, years of education, and body mass index. The multivariable adjusted OR for high myopia (refractive error of at least -6.0 diopters) was 4.6 (95% CI, 3.8-5.5; P < .001) for adolescents in the Orthodox educational system and 38.5 (95% CI, 30.7-48.2; P < .001) for adolescents in the ultra-Orthodox educational system compared with adolescents in the secular educational system. Conclusions and Relevance This study provides evidence of the independent association between educational systems and the prevalence and severity of myopia. Male adolescents in the ultra-Orthodox educational system have higher odds of having myopia and high myopia. These findings suggest that study styles that involve intensive reading and other near-work activities (those done at a short working distance) play a role in the development of myopia and warrant consideration of prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Bez
- Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Jacob Megreli
- Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Maxim Bez
- Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Adiel Barak
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Hagai Levine
- Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Avramovich E, Indenbaum V, Haber M, Amitai Z, Tsifanski E, Farjun S, Sarig A, Bracha A, Castillo K, Markovich MP, Galor I. Measles Outbreak in a Highly Vaccinated Population - Israel, July-August 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018; 67:1186-1188. [PMID: 30359348 PMCID: PMC6290812 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6742a4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Dadon Y, Haas EJ, Kaliner E, Anis E, Singer SR, Atiya-Nasagi Y, Cohen-Dar M, Avramovich E, King R, Sued O, Goshen T, Amit S, Miskin I, Gino E, Yishai R, Sheffer R, Grotto I, Moran-Gilad J. Outbreak of human leptospirosis linked to contaminated water bodies in Northern Israel, June to August 2018. Euro Surveill 2018; 23:1800486. [PMID: 30255835 PMCID: PMC6157089 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.38.1800486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We report preliminary findings of a large outbreak of human leptospirosis with 36 confirmed/probable and 583 suspected cases from June-August 2018, linked to contaminated water bodies in Northern Israel. There was a travel-associated case in Germany; additional cases are being investigated in other countries. The presumed chain of transmission, implicating wild boar and cattle, raises multiple challenges for risk assessment, risk management and risk communication currently being addressed by a public health response team.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Dadon
- Ministry of Health Directorate, Jerusalem, Israel,The Division of Epidemiology, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel,These authors contributed equally to the study
| | - Eric J. Haas
- The Division of Epidemiology, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel,These authors contributed equally to the study,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ehud Kaliner
- Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Emilia Anis
- The Division of Epidemiology, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel,Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University and Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shepherd Roee Singer
- The Division of Epidemiology, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel,Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University and Hadassah, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Roni King
- Nature and Parks Authority, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Oded Sued
- Mekorot Central Laboratory, Eshkol Site, National Water Company, Israel
| | - Tamir Goshen
- Israeli Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Beit Dagan, Israel
| | | | - Ian Miskin
- Jerusalem District, Clalit Health Services, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Efrat Gino
- Public Health Laboratory, Haifa District, Ministry of Health, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ruth Yishai
- Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rivka Sheffer
- Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Itamar Grotto
- Ministry of Health Directorate, Jerusalem, Israel,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Jacob Moran-Gilad
- Ministry of Health Directorate, Jerusalem, Israel,School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel,Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
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Hartal M, Yavnai N, Galor I, Avramovich E, Sela T, Kayouf R, Tzurel-Ferber A, Greenberg LJ, Halperin T, Levine H. Seroprevalence of anti-HBs antibodies at young adulthood, before and after a booster vaccine dose, among medical personnel vaccinated in infancy. Vaccine 2015; 33:4878-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Brosh-Nissimov T, Mor Z, Avramovich E, Katchman E, Avidor B, Mor O, Turner D. Syphilis outbreak among men who have sex with men, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2008-2009. Isr Med Assoc J 2012; 14:152-156. [PMID: 22675853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of syphilis have been described among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many western urban communities in the last few years. OBJECTIVES To describe the first reported outbreak of syphilis among MSM in Israel within a decade of a constant increase in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence. METHODS All patients diagnosed with syphilis were contacted and asked about their sexual behavior, substance use and previous infections. All were tested for HIV and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 23 (59%) of all 39 male patients diagnosed with primary or secondary syphilis between August 2008 and August 2009 were interviewed. All were MSM and performed anal intercourse, while 13 (55%) reported unprotected anal intercourse. Most participants (21, 91%) practiced unprotected oral intercourse. Nine participants (39%) reported unprotected oral intercourse while using condoms during anal intercourse. Ten participants (43%) reported sexual contacts while traveling abroad in the previous few months. Most participants (96%) were co-infected with HIV, and 15 (68%) were already aware of their HIV infection. Fifteen (66%) reported the use of recreational drugs, alcohol, or both before or during sex. No common source or core transmitters were identified. CONCLUSIONS This syphilis outbreak included MSM who were co-infected with HIV and were characterized by risky sexual behavior including multiple partners, unprotected anal intercourse and substance use. Future targeted interventions should focus on HIV-infected MSM for secondary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Brosh-Nissimov
- Infectious Disease Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Kopel E, Amitai Z, Grotto I, Avramovich E, Kaliner E, Volovik I. Recurrent outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in a pediatric long-term care facility and the adjacent school. Clin Infect Dis 2010; 51:481-2. [PMID: 20635875 DOI: 10.1086/655161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
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