Biomedical subjects

M Splino

Publications and source records attributed to M Splino.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

[Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in healthy adults--a fourfold decrease in influenza morbidity during one influenza season].

INTRODUCTION: Despite the existence and availability of effective and safe influenza vaccines, influenza still remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, incl. all economic consequences and the increased number of days of work incapacity. Vaccination against influenza is an effective method of prevention of the disease and its complications. Nevertheless many people still do not trust the effectiveness of anti-influenza vaccination, incl. many physicians, nurses and other health professionals. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in healthy adults aged 18-60 years, vaccinated with one of the five commonly available vaccines. The evaluation is based on notifications of influenza and influenza--like diseases. METHOD: The trial comprised 375 subjects vaccinated against influenza during a given season, as a control group served 340 non-vaccinated subjects. Both groups of volunteers were investigated for six months. During this period the incidence of influenza or influenza--like diseases was recorded, the presence of local and general influenza symptoms, the number of days of work incapacity and the number of visits to the doctor. These data were obtained by the postal correspondence method. RESULTS: In the group of 375 vaccinated subjects 17 (4.5%) became ill. In the group of non-vaccinated subjects 65 (19.1%) became ill. The difference in the incidence of influenza was statistically significant. In subjects vaccinated against influenza a 73-76% effectiveness of vaccination was achieved. Subjects in the non-vaccinated group reported more than a fourfold incidence of influenza as compared with vaccinated subjects. The symptoms of the disease did not differ significantly in the two groups. The most frequent symptom of the disease which was recorded in both groups was fever higher than 38 degrees C, pain in the joints, myalgia and finally cough. More than two thirds of the sick volunteers visited their doctor while ill. CONCLUSION: From the results of the study it is obvious that vaccination against influenza in healthy adults significantly reduces the incidence of influenza, reduces the number of days of work incapacity and leads to a diminution of the number of medical examinations. Vaccination against influenza is effective in the prevention of the disease and is beneficial also for healthy non-risk population groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Evaluation of reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two influenza vaccines (vaxigrip and fluarix) in the season 1996-1997.

Influenza is a very serious disease, which causes thousands of deaths all over the world every year. As there is so far no sufficiently effective causal therapy of influenza the main function of vaccination lies in prevention. Influenza is a major problem especially in collective facilities. Therefore, great emphasis is laid in the Czech Republic Army on the vaccination of military groups and on the evaluation of reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the vaccines used. The specific aim of the clinical trial was to evaluate the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two inactivated split influenza vaccines Fluarix and Vaxigrip in healthy adult volunteers aged 18-60 years with stress on military groups. The study was designed as an open clinical trial with 2 groups each of 100 volunteers in one centre. Randomisation was not conducted so that each group received only the vaccine specified beforehand. Both the inactivated split vaccines evaluated, Vaxigrip and Fluarix are highly immunogenic both against declared and other antigenic variants of influenza. The study has demonstrated a favourable trend in the preparation of influenza vaccines towards a marked reduction of general solicited symptoms as compared with previous years. Despite minute differences in immunogenicity and reactogenicity, the vaccines are generally speaking comparable, and in healthy individuals aged 18-60 years they induce a sufficient protection against the onset and development of influenza. The results of our open clinical trial (without randomisation) have again proved that both manufacturers produce vaccines of a high European standard.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Hepatitis A vaccination by Havrix in the Czech U.N. Troops according to data of seroprevalence in 1991-1995.

Viral hepatitis A is a common disease, particularly in developing countries. All staff and troops of the U.N. (United Nations) are vaccinated by the Havrix vaccine. Till 1995 we did not vaccinate Czech troops which have operated in the area of former Yugoslavia. The main goal of this study was to obtain data about the seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibody among the Czech U.N. troops before their departure to the conflict area and to optimize the vaccination approach. The serum samples were examined by the MEIA (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay) method in the fully automated system for immunoassays IMx in the Military Institute of Health in Ceské Budĕjovice. We used HAVAB kits of Abbott Company. 692 serum samples (military staff of the Czech U.N. troops in Yugoslavia) were examined in 1991-1995. In the laboratory 19 samples were eliminated due to small amounts (less than 50 microliters) or haemolysis. 673 (1991 - 65, 1992 - 296, 1993 - 265, 1994 - 35, 1995 - 12) were investigated. The staff was divided into four age cohorts by decades (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59); 26.0%, 47.4%, 24.9% and 1.7%, respectively. There were 253 (37.4%) positive samples and 420 (62.6%) negatives ones, ratio 1:1.7. The ratio of the positive and negative samples--immunity rate and seroprevalence--were 1:0.4 (26.2%), 1:0.6 (37.9%); 1:0.9 (46.4%) and 1:2.7 (72.7%), respectively in the age cohorts. The results show a relatively low seroprevalence of the anti-HAV antibody in all the age cohorts and necessity to vaccinate the Czech U.N. troops by the special basic schedule--Havrix 2 x 720 E.U. at the same time. This regimen will be used in the new units that will be stationed in Bosnia. So far 200 persons have been vaccinated in this way.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The seroprevalence of the "total" anti-HAV antibody in the Czech UNPRO Forces (1991-1995).

Viral hepatitis A is a common disease particularly in developing countries. That disease is endemic and it is always associated with poor standards of sanitation. All staff and troops in the U.N. (United Nations) are vaccinated by the Havrix vaccine. Till 1995 we did not vaccinate the Czech troops which have operated in the area of the former Yugoslavia. The main goal of this study was to obtain data about the seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibody among the Czech U.N. troops before their departure to the conflict area. The serum samples were investigated by the MEIA (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay) method in the fully automated system for immunoassays IMx in the Military Institute of Health in Ceské Budĕjovice. We use the HAVAB investigation kits of the Abbott company. We obtained 884 serum samples (military staff of the Czech U.N. troops in Yugoslavia) in the years 1991-1995. In the laboratory we excluded 19 of the samples due to the small amount (less than 50 ul) or hemolysis. We investigated 865 of them (1991--65, 1992--296, 1993--265, 1994--35, 1995--204). The staff was divided into four age cohorts by ten years (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59), where the distribution of percentage was 32.6%, 43.6%, 22.5%, and 1.3% respectively. The positive samples were 287 (average seroprevalence was 33.2%, CI 30.1%-36.3%), the negative ones were 578 (66.8%). The seroprevalence 18.1% (CI 13.6%-22.6%), 36.1% (CI 31.3%-40.9%), 47.1% (CI 40.1%-54.1%), 72.7% (CI 46.4%-99.0%) in the age cohorts. The results show relatively low seroprevalence of the anti-HAV antibody in all the age cohorts and necessity to vaccinate the Czech UNPROFOR or IFOR units by Havrix before their departure to conflict area.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Epidemiology of noninfectious diseases--principles and methodology].

Contemporary epidemiology as a science extends considerably its object of research interest. Originally it was interested in the prevalence of communicable diseases in the population and investigated all the factors, which affected this distribution. In the last few decades, epidemiology passed from following-up of communicable diseases to the description and the analysis of all diseases, which occur on our planet. Because of interest in the diseases, which endanger civilization as a result of its development, is the epidemiology with this target is called sometimes the epidemiology of non-communicable diseases. Traditional and the historical experience of communicable diseases epidemiology, methods of the classic statistics and the epidemiological working method are its basic principles. Adequate design of epidemiological studies and modern indicators for evaluation of the health status are used. Epidemiology does not investigate the disease and the risk factor separately, but they are analyzed mutually at three levels as a relation, association and causality. Emphasis is laid on minimalization or complete elimination of confounding and bias.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

PubMed1995

[Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis A antibodies in Czech soldiers serving in U.N. forces--suggestions for a hepatitis A vaccination schedule].

Viral hepatitis A is a frequent disease particularly in developing countries. All workers and UN forces (UNO) are vaccinated against VHA with Havrix vaccine. The Czech units which were and are engaged on the territory of former Jugoslavia are not yet vaccinated against this contagious disease. The main purpose of the present study was to assess the immunity rate of VHA among Czech soldiers of the UN forces before their departure to the site of action. Another objective was to assess a suitable vaccination procedure. Sera were examined by the MEIA method (Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay) in a fully automated IMx system in the Military Health Institute, Ceské Budĕjovice. For investigation HAVAB kits of Abbott Co. were used. A total of 667 serum samples were assembled, 19 had to be discarded because of small amounts (less than 50 microliters or because of haemolysis. The positive titre of "total" antibodies was set at 35 mIU anti-HAV; thus a total of 648 specimens were examined in 1991 - 1994 (1991 - 65, 1992 - 296, 1993 - 265, 1994 - 22). Of these 249 (38.4%) were positive and 399 (61.6%) were negative. The examined subjects were divided into four age groups (20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59), the approximate distribution being 23%, 50%, 25%, 2%. The ratio of negative and positive specimens in different age groups was 1:0.3, 1:0.6, 1:1, 1:2.7. The seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibody increases from 25.3% in the first age group, in the second one it is 37.9%, in the third one 49.5% and 72.7% in the last age group, i.e. in the age bracket of 50 - 59 years. The results indicate a very low immunity rate in the lower age brackets and the necessity to vaccinate them before they depart. It is beyond doubt that it pays to examine the soldiers for the presence of total anti-HAV and immunize only subjects with a negative antibody titre. The vaccination approach Havrix 2 x 720 EU was recommended.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Analysis of prevention of an epidemic of viral hepatitis A in the Czech army 1970-1989].

Viral hepatitis is a serious medical and economic problem. By far the most frequent viral hepatitis occurring in Czechoslovak army is viral hepatitis A. Although the trends of the global incidence of hepatitis A in the Czech Army are identical with the trends in the civilian sector and thus descending, the great danger for the military sector arises specially from specific conditions of organized life. Screening and postexposure gammaglobulin prophylaxis with 70% protection are proved most effective. The protection is lower than the values published by authors abroad, but this is connected with the time of gammaglobulin administration. Norga prophylaxis is quite justified, in indicated cases, i.e. in contacts and in time.

Czech Republic↗

PubMed1989

Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in hematological patients (Czechoslovakia-German Democratic Republic cooperative study.

A group of 55 hematological patients treated for the last 2.5 years by the method of selective decontamination was evaluated. Though both institutes (Bad Saarow, Hradec Králové) worked on the problem in the same conditions (indications for the treatment, characteristics of patients, basic drugs), many differences in details were found. However, the important clinical results were the same: A statistically significant decrease in infections and duration of fever in treated patients. A survey of therapy complications, surveillance of infections and incidence of microbes are presented. The evaluation showed that future research including microbiological and immunological investigation based on a standard protocol will be useful.

Adult↗

PubMed1986