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Biomedical subjects

Y Lerman

Publications and source records attributed to Y Lerman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The characteristics of bronchial asthma among a young adult population.

A total of 107, 636 subjects of both sexes who were drafted into the Israeli Defense Forces during 1986 to 1988 were analyzed for the presence of asthma based on questionnaire responses and the results of pulmonary function tests. Most patients (79%) had either mild or inactive disease. Lifetime prevalence increased by 21.7% from 5.3% in 1986 to 6.5% in 1988. The results of a follow-up carried out over 5 to 7 years showed no major change in severity in most patients. The incidence rate remained stable throughout 1987 to 1989 (275, 245, and 243 per 100,000, respectively), without there being any major change in the severity of the asthma during the subsequent 3 to 5 years. It was also revealed that the more physically demanding jobs were associated with a higher prevalence of job transfer. The results of this study suggest that the factors causally associated with asthma are relatively more active during early childhood.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Use of asbestos in expected and unexpected places in Israel.

The main human exposures to asbestos in Israel were in manufacturing and processing of asbestos-cement products, removing and fixing brakes and clutches for vehicles, removing old insulation containing asbestos in various plants, and in preparing and using textile products containing asbestos. Asbestos is still used in Israel, even though its health hazards are well described in the medical literature. In this paper current asbestos use in Israel is described. We emphasize the "less expected" places where asbestos was found in Israel. The detection of asbestos in unexpected places requires that we stay alert and constantly search for asbestos in every workplace and residence and in the environment.

Asbestos↗
PubMed1995

Meningococcal disease in the Israel Defense Force: epidemiologic trends and new challenges.

To determine recent trends in its epidemiology and the need to reconsider prophylactic interventions, meningococcal disease in the Israel Defense Force (IDF) from 1975 through 1993 was studied. All cases of meningitis or meningococcemia were included. A considerable increase in the number of cases has been observed since 1991, with serogroup C becoming predominant (76% of cases) since then. Serogroup Y was the second most frequent serogroup during this period, while serogroup B, predominant in the civilian population of Israel, was rare. Most cases occurred during the first 6 months of military service. Seasonality was important, with most of the cases occurring between December and March, although a small summer peak was also noted. Since 1992, three small clusters of meningococcal disease were encountered in the IDF, for the first time, with all cases caused by group C meningococci. In one cluster, the emergence of rifampicin resistance resulted in failure of chemoprophylaxis. The rise in group C and Y cases since 1991, and the occurrence of rifampicin resistance, necessitate considering meningococcal vaccines and new antimicrobial agents for prophylaxis.

Bacterial Vaccines↗
PubMed1994

Safety and immunogenicity of the oral E. coli K12-S. flexneri 2a vaccine (EcSf2a-2) among Israeli soldiers.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study was carried out on the safety and immunogenicity of the oral Shigella flexneri (EcSf2a-2) vaccine among Israeli soldiers. Sixty volunteers received the vaccine and 59 received placebo. Fifty-three were given the full vaccine regimen (four doses). Doses ranged between 4.1 x 10(8) and 1.1 x 10(9) c.f.u. Visits to the unit clinic for mild gastrointestinal symptoms were common after the first dose in vaccinees (13%) as compared with placebo recipients (5%), but the difference was not significant, p = 0.12. Similarly, there was no difference between the groups for either gastrointestinal or non-gastrointestinal complaints reported by questionnaire. The vaccine strain was excreted by 69% and 67% of the vaccinees one day after receiving the second and the fourth doses, respectively. As judged by antibiotic susceptibility, phage typing and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), the vaccine strain emerged as genetically stable after replication in human gut and shedding. There was neither bacteriological nor serological evidence of transmission of the vaccine from vaccinees to placebo recipients. Eighteen of 26 (69.2%) and 11 of 30 (36.7%) vaccinees had significant IgA secreting cell responses 7 and 21 days after the first dose, respectively. Significant IgA or IgG serum antibody response to S. flexneri 2a LPS was detected in 30% of the vaccinees. These results support further evaluation of EcSf2a-2 vaccine protective efficacy in field studies.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1994

Sex differences in the humoral antibody response to live measles vaccine in young adults.

BACKGROUND: Following vaccination of children using high-titre live measles vaccine, excess non-specific mortality was reported, particularly among females. Since vaccination with live measles virus results in a temporary depression of the immune response to other antigens, the female predominance in subsequent non-measles mortality may be due to sex differences in response to live measles vaccines. METHODS: In this study, the immunogenicity of standard titre live Schwarz strain measles vaccine was examined 2 and 4 weeks post-vaccination in 223 males and 66 female aged 18-20 years in Israel in 1991. RESULTS: Females had higher post-vaccination geometric mean titre (GMT) at all levels of pre-vaccination titres at both 2 and 4 weeks. Furthermore, after controlling for differences in pre-vaccination titres, overall the post-vaccination GMT for females was about 50% higher than for males (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that females exhibit a stronger humoral immune response to measles vaccine. Possible sex differences in immunosuppression following measles vaccination should be explored.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Epidemiology of acute diarrheal diseases in children in a high standard of living rural settlement in Israel.

Epidemiologic patterns of acute diarrheal diseases in a high standard of living communal settlement, situated in a region endemic for enteric diseases, were evaluated by a historical prospective study of 284 children (12,064 child months) from August, 1988, through July, 1992. Three hundred eighty-three episodes of acute diarrhea were identified, yielding a rate of 0.38 episode per 12 child months. One hundred and children (35.6%) were reported to have 1 to 4 diarrheal episodes and 29 (10.2%) children had 5 or more diarrheal episodes during the follow-up period. The mean number of episodes of acute diarrhea per 12 child months in children ages 0 to 2 years was 2.28, in 2- to 6-year-olds 0.44, in 6- to 13-year-olds 0.12 and in 13- to 18-year-olds 0.03 (P < 0.001). Children less than 12 months of age had a lower incidence of acute diarrheal diseases during the months they were being breast-fed than children that were fed with formula during the same period (1.22 vs. 3.06 episodes per 12 child months, respectively; P < 0.001). Enteropathogens were isolated in 40% of diarrheal episodes in which stool cultures were obtained. The identification rates of the various enteropathogens were: diarrheagenic Escherichia coli, 11%; Shigella spp., 10%; Giardia lamblia, 10%; Salmonella spp., 4%; Staphylococcus aureus, 3%; Campylobacter jejuni, 1%. Potential interventions against acute diarrhea in this set up of a high standard of living rural community are education of caretakers and parents on hygienic practices that can prevent transmission of pathogens among the young children and encouraging mothers to breast-feed their children.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Epidemic spread of Shigella sonnei shigellosis and evidence for development of immunity among children attending day-care centers in a communal settlement (Kibbutz).

An investigation of two Shigella sonnei shigellosis outbreaks that occurred in a communal settlement indicated that the transmission of the pathogen was restricted to day-care classes and secondary infection of family members was minimal. Development of serotype-specific immunity following S. sonnei infection was observed among infected children.

Bacteriophages↗
PubMed1994

Late asthmatic response to inhaled glacial acetic acid.

A patient with bronchial asthma who developed a late asthmatic response to inhalation challenge with glacial acetic acid is presented. This is believed to be the first description of a reaction to this allergen in an asthmatic patient.

Acetates↗
PubMed1994

Measles immunity in Israeli young adults: effects of second immunization at 18 years of age.

Measles morbidity and mortality in Israel have declined since the introduction of routine vaccination, even though measles continues to occur in epidemic cycles. In this study we examined the antibody response to measles revaccination, and the effect of prior administration of immune serum globulin (ISG) on the antibody response to measles vaccine. A study group of 312 young adults in army service received the Schwartz strain measles vaccine. Serum antibody levels were studied prior to vaccination and 2 and 4 weeks after vaccination. The finding of this study show that: a) booster response occurs in those vaccinees shown to have low or undetectable prerevaccination titers of measles antibodies; b) there is no effect of administration of ISG, prior to vaccination, on the antibody response to measles vaccine; and c) at the present level of immunity to measles in the Israeli adolescent population, we still may witness periodic epidemics in populations at risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The immune response to booster vaccination against diphtheria toxin at age 18-21 years.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunity of Israeli adults against the diphtheria toxin and to assess the immune response to a 2 Lf booster vaccination of diphtheria. The antibody levels against the toxin were measured in 200 volunteers aged 18-21. Later, a booster vaccination at a dosage of 2 Lf (flocculation units) was given and the immune response measured. We found that prior to the booster vaccination 174 (87%) of the study group had an antibody level > or = 0.1 IU/ml, 16 (8%) had an antibody level of > or = 0.06 IU/ml and < or = 0.09 IU/ml, and 10 (5%) had an antibody level of < or = 0.05 IU/ml. At the 10th day after the booster vaccination 185 (99%) acquired antibody level > or = 0.1 IU/ml, and at the 28th day all the vaccinees had antibody level above 0.1 IU/ml. When comparing the anamnestic and the delayed reaction to the booster vaccination, no significant difference was found between the group that prior to the vaccination had antibody level < or = 0.05 IU/ml and the group with antibody level > or = 0.06 IU/ml and < or = 0.09 IU/ml. Side effects were mainly local: 76 (38%) of the vaccinees had moderate local pain at the site of the injection and 40 (20%) had severe local pain. Abduction limitation of the injected arm was reported by 17 (8%) of the subjects. Weakness was reported by 67 (33%), headache by 18 (9%) and fever by 2 (1%) subjects. We conclude that antibody levels > or = 0.1 IU/ml are protective and booster vaccination at a dosage of 2 Lf raises the antibody levels to protective levels in all the vaccines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Clinical, serological and molecular characteristics of 471 hepatitis B virus carriers.

A total of 471 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blood donors identified as hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers were examined a few months after blood donation. When compared to the general population of IDF blood donors the HBV carriers were older, belonged to certain ethnic groups and were predominantly males. Physical examination revealed minimal findings: 1 (0.3%) had splenomegaly and 5 (1.6%) had hepatomegaly. Fifty-two individuals (11.1%) had elevated liver enzymes. E antigen was present in 3.2% of HBV carriers, 94% had anti-e antibodies and 1.9% had anti-delta antibodies. Of 258 carriers tested for HBV DNA, 29 (11.2%) were positive. Abnormal liver enzymes were significantly associated with the presence of e antigen as well as with the presence of HBV DNA.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Drug use among Israeli army personnel: an epidemiological study.

A survey of drug use among Israeli army personnel was conducted as part of a national survey of drug use initiated by the Anti Drug Authority of Israel during 1990. One thousand one hundred and twenty-five male and female soldiers from various units and ranks were selected by the use of randomized cluster sampling. Seventy to eighty-five per cent of the soldiers presented negative attitudes towards the use of illicit drugs and its users. Only 67 (6.1%) soldiers reported the use of some illicit drugs in the last 30 days; half of them started to use drugs before the age of 18. The main reported use was of hashish, marijuana and tranquillizers. The use of opium, heroin, cocaine was rarely reported. The use of cigarettes and alcohol within the last 30 days was much higher and was reported by 44.6% and 69.0% of the soldiers, respectively. Using multiple logistic regression analysis it was shown that illicit drug use in the last 30 days was significantly associated with higher number of individuals per household, less satisfaction with military service, and positive attitudes towards the use of drugs. The results of the present study, along with a comparison with different populations that were surveyed parallel to our research indicate that military service in the Israel Defence Force (IDF) is not associated with significant use of illicit drugs. Our results indicate the need for more attention to alcohol and cigarette use among army personnel.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Efficacy of different doses of immune serum globulin in the prevention of hepatitis A: a three-year prospective study.

Previous studies have shown that the administration of immune serum globulin (ISG) before exposure to hepatitis A virus prevents infection. The precise dose needed and the duration of the protection conferred are unclear, however. In this study, ISG doses of 2 mL and 5 mL were used for preexposure prophylaxis, and their efficacies in reducing the attack rate of hepatitis A among Israel Defence Forces troops serving in field units were compared. The attack rate during the first 4 months of follow-up was low and was similar regardless of the dose administered (0.11/10,000 and 0.15/10,000 for 2 mL and 5 mL, respectively; P = 1.0). In the second and third 4-month intervals after immunization, attack rates were higher (but not significantly so) among soldiers given 2 mL than among those given 5 mL. Twelve months after immunization, the cumulative attack rate for hepatitis A was significantly different for the two groups (2.78/10,000 vs. 1.30/10,000; P < .05). Our data suggest that preexposure immunization with 2 mL of ISG is as effective as that with 5 mL in preventing hepatitis A for 4 months. The advantage of the 5-mL dose is evident 5-12 months after administration.

Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic↗
PubMed1993

Depression of the immune response to an inactivated hepatitis A vaccine administered concomitantly with immune globulin.

Inactivated hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine is given in a three-dose schedule. When rapid protection is needed, injection of immune globulin (IG) concomitantly with the first dose could provide passive protection until adequate active antibody response has developed. A possible effect of IG on the immune response to the vaccine was studied in healthy volunteers; 28 received vaccine alone, and 34 received the first dose simultaneously with 5 mL of IG. A control group received hepatitis B vaccine, and a fourth group received IG alone. Four weeks after the first vaccine dose, all subjects had detectable ELISA anti-HAV antibodies. Several weeks after each vaccine dose, the geometric mean titer of antibodies was significantly lower in those who received vaccine with IG but higher than in those who received IG alone. Results for neutralizing antibodies yielded a similar trend. If IG is given with HAV vaccine, a further booster vaccine dose may be required to ensure long-lasting immunity.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Synthesis, characterization, and clinical evaluation of conjugate vaccines composed of the O-specific polysaccharides of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, Shigella flexneri type 2a, and Shigella sonnei (Plesiomonas shigelloides) bound to bacterial toxoids.

The theoretic basis for developing conjugate vaccines, to induce immunoglobulin G (IgG) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibodies for the prevention of shigellosis, has been described (J. B. Robbins, C.-Y. Chu, and R. Schneerson, Clin. Infect. Dis. 15:346-361, 1992). The O-specific polysaccharides (O-SPs) of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, S. flexneri type 2a, and S. sonnei were covalently bound to carrier proteins. Alone, the O-SPs were not immunogenic in mice. Conjugates of these O-SPs, injected into young outbred mice subcutaneously as saline solutions containing 2.5 micrograms of saccharide, elicited serum IgG and IgM antibodies with booster responses; adsorption onto alum enhanced their immunogenicity. Injection of 25 micrograms of these conjugates into adult volunteers elicited mild local reactions only. Each conjugate induced a significant rise of the geometric mean serum IgG, IgM, and IgA LPS antibody levels. A second injection 6 weeks later did not elicit booster responses, and adsorption of the conjugates onto alum did not enhance their immunogenicity. Conjugate-induced levels of IgA, but not IgG or IgM, declined to preimmunization levels at day 56. The levels of postimmunization antibodies of the three immunoglobulin classes were similar to or higher than those of recruits in the Israel Defense Force following shigellosis caused by S. flexneri type 2a or S. sonnei. These data provide the basis for evaluating these conjugates to prevent shigellosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Promotion of a lifestyle conducive to cardiovascular health in the Israel Defence Force.

This article reviews the characteristics and components of intervention programs that are conducted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in an attempt to reduce future cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality among Israeli military personnel. Various populations have been targeted for intervention, ranging from selected high-risk individuals to the entire military population. The four basic elements of the activity are educational programs, environmental changes, legislation, and enforcement of the rules. Important characteristics of the program, which probably will contribute to its success, are (1) the establishment of a standing joint committee for developing and implementing health promotion programs in the IDF; and (2) the adoption and the follow-up of the suggested intervention programs by the head of the Manpower Branch, together with commanders of the other relevant branches. The effectiveness of the intervention programs will be measured in the future mainly by a follow-up on the prevalence of CV risk factors among Israeli military personnel.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1993

Correlates of military tank simulator sickness.

A military tank driving simulator is currently widely used as a training aid for tank drivers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between possible correlates of simulator sickness and the occurrence of sickness and performance test results among simulator drivers. The average number of motion sickness-like symptoms reported after driving the simulator among subjects with a history of susceptibility to motion sickness was 3.4, significantly higher than the average of 1.6 reported among subjects who did not report previous susceptibility to motion sickness (p < 0.05). Subjects driving the simulator while screen image quality was disturbed had a longer reaction time (42.0 s) than when driving the simulator without screen interferences (18.4 s, p = 0.001). Subjects driving the simulator for a short period had the same number of symptoms as did those driving for a longer period, but had better digit symbol test results. There was no statistically significant association between the development of sickness and tank driving experience. Suggested countermeasures are expected to prevent simulator sickness among some of the simulator trainees and to make simulator training more effective.

Adolescent↗