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Biomedical subjects

S Iwarson

Publications and source records attributed to S Iwarson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Diverging policies for vaccination against hepatitis B.

Policies toward vaccination against hepatitis B vary globally according to local prevalence and the population of infected individuals. In the present report, vaccination plans, policies, risks, and experiences of both apparent successes and failures are described. Possible plans, including local vaccine production, are discussed in regard to problems of third-world countries with high HB prevalence. Recommendations are made for vaccination policies in various circumstances.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed1992

The main five types of viral hepatitis: an alphabetical update.

The rapidly increasing knowledge in the field of viral hepatitis warrants regular updates. Clinical studies with new hepatitis A vaccines have shown that they are safe, well-tolerated, and effective. Several reports on hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants have appeared. Surface antigen mutants may have an important influence on vaccine prophylaxis because existing vaccines may not protect against infection with these variants. Hepatitis D virus is a circular RNA virus that requires the presence of HBV for successful infection. The requirements for the dual expression of these viruses are unknown and their relation is complex. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a RNA virus that has homology with the flaviviridae. This is a rather common agent in most populations studied and often causes chronic infection but little is known about its spread. Hepatitis E virus is a RNA virus which is usually spread by contaminated water in developing countries. The disease causes high mortality in pregnant women. The existence of further viral hepatitis agents have been suggested but hard data confirming this is so far lacking.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Strategies for immunization against invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b infection.

Available data on the immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of Hib conjugate vaccines are encouraging and the prospects for having a means to control invasive Hib disease are good. Most of the third generation Hib vaccines seem to prevent invasive Hib disease at a level of efficacy that motivates worldwide mass immunization of infants. The peak incidence of Hib meningitis occurs before the age of 1 year in most industrialized countries and the most desirable time to start vaccination against Hib is at 2-3 months of age. In many countries a Hib conjugate vaccine may ideally be coordinated with the DTP immunization programme. In non-industrialized countries the peak incidence of Hib meningitis occurs earlier than in industrialized countries, which means that in these areas immunization against Hib meningitis should start earlier, for instance at 6 weeks when the first DTP vaccine injection is given in many countries.

Haemophilus Infections↗
PubMed1990

Mother to infant transmission of hepatitis C virus infection.

Eight women with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during pregnancy gave birth to 11 children. Five of these children had elevated ALT, but only two had increased levels in more than one sample. All children tested before 6 months of age were positive for anti-HCV at most up to 7 months of age and then became negative. One child with a maximum ALT level of 8.4 mukat/l however, regained anti-HCV positivity at 12 months of age, and a liver biopsy at 21 months of age showed resolving hepatitis. Passively acquired HCV antibodies are obviously found in newborns of anti-HCV-positive mothers with chronic hepatitis. In 1 of 11 children, active anti-HCV production and concomitant liver disease suggested mother to infant transmission of hepatitis C virus infection.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1990

Estimation of symptomatic and asymptomatic Salmonella infections.

Since the surveillance of salmonellosis in Sweden is primarily passive, it can be assumed that most of the asymptomatic salmonella infections are never identified. We here report the proportion of asymptomatic and symptomatic salmonella infections in Swedish travellers to different geographic areas as well as in "contacts" to index cases with salmonellosis. In the 346 travellers studied Salmonellae were isolated equally often among those who remained healthy (10/216; 4.6%) as in those with intestinal symptoms (7/130; 5.4%). Similarly, most of the salmonella-infected "contacts" to index cases (11/15; 73%) had an asymptomatic infection. No difference in the mean duration of excreting Salmonella in the stool was found between carriers with symptomatic and asymptomatic infection. The literature concerning transmission of nontyphi Salmonellae from carriers was reviewed. Since person to person transmission is rarely noted, screening for carriers may be limited to food handlers and hospital personnel taking care of patients susceptible to low infective doses of Salmonella. Similarly, follow-up faecal cultures in individuals with notified salmonella infection may be restricted to these groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B: active or passive?

After exposure to hepatitis B (HB) virus, passive immunisation with HB immune globulin is widely used for protection while active immunity is induced by conventional vaccination regimens. Protective antibody titres can be achieved much more quickly with accelerated vaccination, and the role of passive immunisation may need to be reconsidered.

Adult↗