Biomedical subjects

R Slepon

Publications and source records attributed to R Slepon.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Sociodemographic correlates of neutralizing poliovirus and hepatitis A virus antibodies as markers of different modes of acquiring immunity.

The prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of antibodies against poliovirus and hepatitis A virus (HAV) were compared in a random sample of 457 military recruits in Israel inducted during 1987. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with a higher prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies (67.3 vs 32.5 percent), whereas the reverse was true for type 1 poliovirus (78.4 vs 89.5 percent). While the high prevalence of anti-HAV antibodies observed in the lower SES groups reflects considerable natural exposure to enteroviruses, immunity against poliovirus appears to be determined primarily by compliance with vaccination.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1990

Seasonality and long-term trends of pediculosis capitis and pubis in a young adult population.

Little is known about seasonality and long-term trends in the incidence of pediculoses. Such information would help both public health workers and clinicians in the prevention and management of the problem. In the Israel Defence Forces the pediculoses are individually notifiable, and this provides a unique database for the study of this subject. The incidence of head louse infestation increased from 5.2 per 1000 in 1977 to 18.1 per 1000 in 1979, and then declined to 3.6 per 1000 in 1987. The incidence was higher in the warmer months. Pubic louse infestation increased from 7 per 1000 in 1977 to 14.9 per 1000 in 1983, and then declined to 4.6 per 1000 in 1987. The incidence was higher in the cooler months. Possible causes of the seasonality and long-term trends are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunity to measles in young adults in Israel.

The likelihood of an epidemic of measles in 1990-92 in Israel prompted us to study the immune status against measles in a random sample of 454 recruits aged 18-19 years in order to obtain data that might be used in determining vaccination policy. This cohort had received one dose of measles vaccine at 12 months of age. The measles immunity status was studied by determination of antibody values that were measured by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) IgG antibody test. Of the recruits, 84.6% were found to have positive sera for anti-measles IgG antibodies, while 13.7% had negative sera. Eight (1.7%) subjects had borderline results. The results of this study indicate the need to administer a second dose of measles vaccine at an older age in addition to the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine that is now given in Israel at 12 months of age. This step will help achieve the World Health Organization's target of complete eradication of measles.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid method for mapping morbidity and mortality during epidemics.

A rapid method for mapping health information during epidemics is described. We divided maps of cities into coded squares and assigned a code to each street which corresponded to its location on the map. Thus, health data information could be easily transferred from the field by indicating the number of cases in each square and readily transferring this information onto a map. By applying density data of the civilian population in each neighborhood it was possible to calculate incidence and prevalence rates at any given time.

Communicable Disease Control↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sociodemographic factors associated with Pediculosis capitis and pubis among young adults in the Israel Defense Forces.

While socioeconomic factors have been found to be important in the incidence of head lice (Pediculosis capitis) infestation, most reports pertain to children. Furthermore, it is not clear whether similar factors are correlated with infestation with pubic lice (Phthirus pubis). We examined the association of two measures of socioeconomic status with each condition in a random sample of 500 notifications of each condition in the Israel Defense Forces. Since head lice were predominantly reported in females, and pubic lice predominantly in males, the analyses for head lice were restricted to females (474 cases) and those for pubic lice to males (481 cases). A significant negative association was found between both the number of years of formal education and a measure of socioeconomic status with infestation with both head and pubic lice. These findings suggest that among adults, both types of infestation are more common in the lower socioeconomic groups, and this should be taken into account when designing public health campaigns to control these problems.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A trial of the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine.

Purified, formaldehyde-inactivated and alum-adjuvanted hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccines have recently become available for clinical trials. The vaccine is administered intramuscularly in a schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months. The aim of the study was to evaluate the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of an inactivated hepatitis A (HA) vaccine. Three groups of volunteers comprised the study population: 28 volunteers without antibody to HAV were given HA vaccine and, for comparison, 43 subjects received hepatitis B vaccine for possible adverse reactions to the HA vaccine; 12 other subjects received immunoglobulin alone. Each 1 ml dose of HA vaccine contained 720 enzyme units or about 100 ng of antigen. Anti-HAV was determined by means of a commercial assay (Abbott Laboratories: HAV-EIA), and by a more sensitive ELISA. No significant adverse reactions were reported. In the group that received HA vaccine, 4 weeks following the first dose all had detectable antibodies (> or = 20 mIU/ml) by the sensitive ELISA. By commercial HAV-EIA, at 20 weeks following the second dose 75.0% had detectable antibodies, and after the third vaccine all had detectable antibodies. This new inactivated HA vaccine is highly immunogenic and had no significant side effects.

Adult↗