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Biomedical subjects

Clare Booth

Publications and source records attributed to Clare Booth.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Risk and protective factors for meningococcal disease in adolescents: matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine biological and social risk factors for meningococcal disease in adolescents. DESIGN: Prospective, population based, matched cohort study with controls matched for age and sex in 1:1 matching. Controls were sought from the general practitioner. SETTING: Six contiguous regions of England, which represent some 65% of the country's population. PARTICIPANTS: 15-19 year olds with meningococcal disease recruited at hospital admission in six regions (representing 65% of the population of England) from January 1999 to June 2000, and their matched controls. METHODS: Blood samples and pernasal and throat swabs were taken from case patients at admission to hospital and from cases and matched controls at interview. Data on potential risk factors were gathered by confidential interview. Data were analysed by using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: 144 case control pairs were recruited (74 male (51%); median age 17.6). 114 cases (79%) were confirmed microbiologically. Significant independent risk factors for meningococcal disease were history of preceding illness (matched odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 5.9), intimate kissing with multiple partners (3.7, 1.7 to 8.1), being a university student (3.4, 1.2 to 10) and preterm birth (3.7, 1.0 to 13.5). Religious observance (0.09, 0.02 to 0.6) and meningococcal vaccination (0.12, 0.04 to 0.4) were associated with protection. CONCLUSIONS: Activities and events increasing risk for meningococcal disease in adolescence are different from in childhood. Students are at higher risk. Altering personal behaviours could moderate the risk. However, the development of further effective meningococcal vaccines remains a key public health priority.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Inflammatory response in children after laparoscopic vs open Nissen fundoplication: randomized controlled trial.

UNLABELLED: We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare the inflammatory and immune responses to Nissen fundoplication in infants and children undergoing either open or laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: Forty children undergoing Nissen fundoplication were randomized to laparoscopy or open surgery using minimization with respect to age, neurologic status, and operating surgeon. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesias were standardized. Inflammatory markers (plasma malondialdehyde, nitrate plus nitrite level, and cytokines) and monocyte class II major histocompatibility complex expression were measured preoperatively, at end of surgery, 4, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively. Postoperative changes were compared between open and laparoscopic groups. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in circulating malondialdehyde, nitrates plus/ nitrite, interleukin-10, or tumor necrosis factor alpha in the postoperative period in either group. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1rA) and IL-6 were significantly increased in both groups, with a tendency for greater elevation of IL-1rA in the open group. Monocyte major histocompatibility complex expression fell significantly in both groups; however, this fall appeared to be slightly more marked in the open group. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative cytokine response is similar in children undergoing open and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. This trial indicates that laparoscopy may partly reduce postoperative immune suppression.

Child↗