Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Normal Urban Population in Nova Scotia

During 1967 and 1968 a seroepidemiological survey was conducted on the prevalence of CF antibodies to CMV in the normal population of the Halifax-Dartmouth metropolitan area of Nova Scotia. Samples of 550 sera, collected from all age groups, including newborns, were processed. At birth, 34% of infants possess antibodies, presumably of maternal origin, and there follows a decline until at 2 years of age only 4% of children exhibit evidence of infection. There is a gradual increase up to 16% by 20 years of age, and thereafter this is maintained until by 40+ years half the population possesses antibodies.A more detailed analysis of cord sera indicated that approximately 60% of women of childbearing age possess no antibodies and are susceptible to primary CMV infection. Among these, age and gravidity are not significant factors.These data indicate that CMV infection is fairly widespread in this community, although comparative studies suggest that it is less so than in some other areas, such as Easter Island, where a more homogeneous pattern of overcrowding and poor sacioeconomic conditions prevails.     

Rubella-neutralizing and haemagglutinin-inhibiting antibodies in children of different ages

Rubella neutralization and haemagglutinin-inhibition tests were used to determine the incidence of rubella antibodies in the sera of 235 children and adolescents aged 1 month to 20 years. The tests showed good agreement in the detection of rubella antibodies resulting from acute infection. Maternal antibodies became undetectable within six months after birth. The proportion of children possessing rubella antibodies was found to be about 23% by the age of 5 years, rising sharply to 80% in the 6–12 years age group and 83% in the 13–20 years age group. Results indicate that the incidence of rubella infection may be higher in females than in males. The correlation between statements concerning a past history of rubella and immune status was poor, particularly in the older age groups. Any policy for vaccination against rubella must take into account the difficulties of identifying nonimmune persons in a large population.     

Hepatitis E virus infection in selected Brazilian populations

A retrospective study on the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection was conducted in selected populations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 1,115 subjects were tested including 146 patients with acute Non-A Non-B Non-C (NANBNC) viral hepatitis, 65 hemodialysis patients, 93 blood donors, 102 intravenous drug users (IVDUs), 304 pregnant women, 145 individuals living in the rural area and 260 individuals living in the urban area. In order to characterize a favorable epidemiological set for enterically transmitted infection in the studied populations we also evaluated the prevalence of anti-HAV IgG (hepatitis A virus) antibodies. Specific antibodies to HEV (anti-HEV IgG) were detected by a commercial EIA and specific antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV IgG) were detected using a competitive "in house" EIA. We found a high prevalence of anti-HAV IgG in these populations, that could indicate some risk for infections transmitted via the fecal-oral route. The anti-HEV IgG prevalence among the different groups were: 2.1% in patients with acute NANBNC viral hepatitis, 6.2% in hemodialysis patients, 4.3% in blood donors, 11.8% in IVDUs, 1% in pregnant women, and 2.1% in individuals form the rural area. Among individuals living in the urban area we did not find a single positive serum sample. Our results demonstrated the presence of anti-HEV IgG in almost all studied populations; however, further studies are necessary to establish the real situation of HEV epidemiology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.     

Parvovirus B19 antibodies and correlates of infection in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in central Nigeria

Human parvovirus B19 infection is associated with spontaneous abortion, hydrops foetalis, intrauterine foetal death, erythema infectiosum (5th disease), aplastic crisis and acute symmetric polyarthropathy. However, data concerning Nigerian patients with B19 infection have not been published yet. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of B19 IgG and IgM antibodies, including correlates of infection, among pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Nigeria. Subsequent to clearance from an ethical committee, blood samples were collected between August-November 2008 from 273 pregnant women between the ages of 15-40 years who have given their informed consent and completed self-administered questionnaires. Recombinant IgG and IgM enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits (Demeditec Diagnostics, Germany) were used for the assays. Out of the 273 participants, 111 (40.7%) had either IgG or IgM antibodies. Out of these, 75 (27.5%) had IgG antibodies whereas 36 (13.2%) had IgM antibodies, and those aged 36-40 years had the highest prevalence of IgG antibodies. Significant determinants of infection (p < 0.05) included the receipt of a blood transfusion, occupation and the presence of a large number of children in the household. Our findings have important implications for transfusion and foeto-maternal health policy in Nigeria. Routine screening for B19 IgM antibodies and accompanying clinical management of positive cases should be made mandatory for all Nigerian blood donors and women of childbearing age.     

Seropositivity of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women by ELISA at Minia University Hospital,Egypt

Toxoplasmosis is considered as an important risk factor for bad obstetric history (BOH) and one of the major causes of congenitally acquired infections. The present study aimed to estimate the seropositivity of T. gondii infection and associated risk factors among the attendees of high risk pregnancy and low risk antenatal care clinic of Minia Maternity and Pediatric University Hospital, Minia, Egypt. The study was carried out from April 2013 to April 2014 through 2 phases, the first phase was case-control study, and the second phase was follow-up with intervention. A total of 120 high risk pregnant and 120 normal pregnant females were submitted to clinical examinations, serological screening for anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA, and an interview questionnaire. Seropositive cases were subjected to spiramycin course treatment. The results showed that the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in high-risk pregnancy group was 50.8%, which was significantly different from that of normal pregnancy group (P<0.05). Analysis of seropositive women in relation to BOH showed that abortion was the commonest form of the pregnancy wastage (56.5%). The high prevalence of T. gondii seropositive cases was observed in the age group of 21-30 years. Post-delivery adverse outcome was observed in 80.3% of high-risk pregnancy group compared to 20% of normal pregnancy group. There was a statistically significant relationship between seropositivity and living in rural area, low socioeconomic level, and undercooked meat consumption (P<0.05). Serological screening for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies should be routine tests especially among high-risk pregnant women.     

Cessation of childbearing in the absence of contraception in Sri Lanka

In data from the Sri Lanka Fertility Survey, 1975, the cessation of childbearing is examined among women who have never used contraception. The sample consisted of 6810 currently or previously married women, 57% of whom reported that they had never used contraception. Cessation of childbearing is studied according to age and marriage duration. The variables analyzed are age at last birth, proportions infertile during the last 5 or 7 years, and the infertile open interval. The duration of breastfeeding is taken into account where necessary, and the contraceptive users and nonusers are compared where appropriate. Non-users tend to cease childbearing early, and therefore are infertile for longer periods during their marriages. It is probably age of the 1st child that influences decisions on future fertility. Among women aged 45-49 who married before age 20 and continued in their 1st marriage, mean age at last live birth in non-users, was 34.5 years, about 2 years earlier than in those who had used contraception. Non-users who married at any age below 30 years cease childbearing well below age 40. The proportion not currently pregnant and infertile over the past 5 years increases with marriage duration among the fertile non-users in each age group. When age at last birth and the duration of breastfeeding in the open interval are taken into account and the reference period is increased to 7 years, the period of infertility increases with marriage duration among nonpregnant non-users below age 45. The proportion of women who were currently not pregnant and had remained infertile over the past 7 years is higher among the older non-users whose 1st child was born more than 10 years ago.     

Antibodies to the hepatitis A virus in the healthy population of Moscow

Serum specimens collected from 1002 persons in Moscow were tested for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV antibodies) by solid-phase enzyme immunoassay. The prevalence of these antibodies increased progressively with age from 10% in children aged 5-9 years to over 90% in the age groups of 40-49 years and over, the 50% immunity level being established at the age of 18 years. 79% of infants under 1 year were found to be immune, which was obviously due to the placental transfer of antibodies from mother to child. In a considerable part of seropositive persons over 30 years high or medium antibody titers were detected. These age groups showed a stable proportion of the low, medium and high level of anti-HAV antibodies. The prevalence of such antibodies was not related to sex. The presence of an ample amount of anti-HAV antibodies was determined in all of 18 tested lots of commercial serum immunoglobulin obtained from 3 different manufacturers.     

The rate of human herpes virus type 6 and cytomegalovirus among HIV-infected and healthy women from Chelyabinsk and Moscow

Human herpes virus type 6 (H HV-6) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence among HIV-infected and healthy women of childbearing age from Chelyabinsk and Moscow was measured with ELI - SA test-system for detection of antibodies to respective viruses. Seropositivity to HHV-6 was detected in 93.5% of HIV-infected women, that is 1.2 times more often than in healthy woman of child-bearing age. Seropositivity to CMV was detected in 87% of HIV-infected women, that is 1.05 times more often than in healthy woman of childbearing age. Low titers to HHV-6 and CMV were detected in seropositive healthywomen more frequently (in 44.1 and 48.4% respectively) whereas intermediate and high titers prevailed in HIV-infected women (in 73.9% for HHV-6 and 31.4% for CMV).     

Prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women in Newfoundland.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women in Newfoundland. DESIGN: Anonymous unlinked seroprevalence study. SETTING: Newfoundland. PATIENTS: A total of 14911 women receiving prenatal care or undergoing an abortion, representing nearly all pregnancies in Newfoundland from Nov. 1, 1991, to Oct. 31, 1993. OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV antibody status, as determined by enzyme immunoassay of leftover serum samples (initially obtained for routine screening) and confirmation of reactive samples by the Western blot technique, health region of residence, and age group. RESULTS: Of the 14911 serum samples 13 were positive for HIV, for an overall crude prevalence rate of 1 per 1147 or 8.7 per 10000 pregnant women (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7 to 14.9). Seven of the positive samples were from women residing in the Eastern Health Region of the province, for a crude prevalence rate of 1 per 376 or 26.6 per 10000 pregnant women (95% CI 10.7 to 54.8) for that region. All women found to be HIV positive were 15 to 29 years of age, the peak prevalence (20.8 per 10000 pregnant women [95% CI 9.5 to 39.4]) was observed among those 20 to 24 years. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence rate of 8.7 per 10 000 pregnant women in Newfoundland is the highest provincial rate recorded among those from similar studies in Canada. Although it may be concluded that there are an estimated 125 HIV-positive women of childbearing age in Newfoundland (95% CI 67 to 213), the age-adjusted estimate is 84 (95% CI 36 to 131). This study provides an independent confirmation of an outbreak of HIV infection among women in the Eastern Health Region of the province.     

育龄期女性解脲支原体感染后阴道微生态和Th17细胞及相关炎性因子的变化

目的 研究育龄期女性解脲支原体(UU)感染后阴道微生态变化及其宫颈Th17细胞免疫及其炎性因子的关系。 方法 研究对象来源自我院进行检测的育龄期女性,年龄为(24～45)岁。取女性宫颈分泌物进行微生物培养检测并阴道微生态分析,流式细胞术检测Th17细胞数量,ELISA检测炎性相关细胞因子的浓度。 结果 对照组中检测到76例UU阳性患者,阳性率38.0%;观察组155例UU阳性患者,阳性率77.5%(χ2=63.946,P结论 育龄期女性UU感染会使阴道微生态发生变化,其宫颈Th17细胞及其炎性因子明显上升。说明育龄期女性UU感染会出现炎性反应。导致宫颈疾病的发生,应该密切关注。     

新疆乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康现况调查研究

目的:了解新疆乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康现状,生殖保健知识水平和生殖保健意识,为提高育龄妇女的生殖健康水平提供理论依据。方法:采用单纯随机抽样的方法,选择乌苏市育龄妇女1000名,应用自填问卷并结合妇科各项相应检查进行调查分析。结果:(1)妇科健康情况:52.6%被调查者认为自身目前妇科健康状况一般;仅有14.0%的被调查者没有出现过白带异常、下身瘙痒等症状;而平时对生殖道进行日常护理的人仅占57.4%。(2)妇科常见病患病情况:妇科常见疾病按患病率高低排列分别为阴道炎(70.2%)、痛经(25.5%)、宫颈糜烂/乳腺增生(19.2%、19.1%)、子宫肌瘤(11.9%),各因素对痛经的影响均无统计学意义(P>0.05);各因素对阴道炎的影响均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但不同年龄段有宫颈疾病的患病情况差别有统计学意义(P<0.01),其中40～50岁年龄组患病率最大(65.3%),30岁以下年龄组患病率最低(37.6%);城市患病率(57.7%)高于农村(45.6%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);小学文化程度患病率(69.0%)高于其他各组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(3)求医行为:37.5%的人选择去药店买药,41.5%的人选择就医;对就医单位的选择中,75.3%的人采取就近原则选择医疗单位,9.1%的人则是通过报纸媒体广告选择相关医疗单位;选择就医单位影响因素中42.3%的人认为专家资质较重要,26.3%的人则认为有先进设备较重要。结论:乌苏市育龄妇女生殖健康水平一般,妇女患常见妇科病比率较大的为阴道炎及痛经,其次为宫颈糜烂/乳腺增生,子宫肌瘤,40～50岁、文化程度较低妇女对宫颈其他疾病的患病情况影响较大,妇女生殖保健知识较全面、自我护理较好的妇女患病率较低。乌苏市育龄妇女需要加强生殖健康宣传教育,提高自我保健意识,掌握基本的生殖保健常识,对40～50岁围绝经期妇女要加强体检力度,以降低妇女病发病率,提高妇女健康水平,改善乌苏市各年龄段的妇女生活质量为关键。     

Biological versus chronological ovarian age: implications for assisted reproductive technology

Background  

Women have been able to delay childbearing since effective contraception became available in the 1960s. However, fertility decreases with increasing maternal age. A slow but steady decrease in fertility is observed in women aged between 30 and 35 years, which is followed by an accelerated decline among women aged over 35 years. A combination of delayed childbearing and reduced fecundity with increasing age has resulted in an increased number and proportion of women of greater than or equal to 35 years of age seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.     

Distribution of antibodies to poliovirus in the children of a large industrial city

The results of prolonged dynamic observations on the state of herd immunity against poliomyelitis virus in an industrial city are given. The survey covered 1304 children. The data thus obtained, when synchronized according to years, seasons, the age of the surveyed children and the methods used in the survey, indicated that in every age group 20-30% of children had no antibodies to group I poliomyelitis virus and 30% of children had no antibodies to group III poliomyelitis virus. The geometrical mean of antibody titers to different types of the virus fluctuated from 1.8 to 4.6 log2, the lowest value being obtained for the titer of antibodies to type III poliomyelitis virus. During the whole period of immunological control (1974-1978) no mass circulation of poliomyelitis virus and no outbreaks of poliomyelitis were registered despite the fact that a considerable proportion of children having no antibodies to one or several types of the virus was constantly present among the most susceptible part of children.     

Visceral Leishmaniasis in Rural Areas of Alborz Province of Iran and Implication to Health Policy

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar mainly affects children in endemic areas. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of VL using direct agglutination test (DAT) in children living in rural districts of Alborz Province located 30 km from Tehran capital city of Iran. Multi-stage cluster random sampling was applied. Blood samples were randomly collected from 1,007 children under 10 years of age in the clusters. A total of 37 (3.7%) of the studied population showed anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies with titers of ≥1:800. There was a significant association between positive sera and various parts of the rural areas of Alborz Province (P<0.002). Two children with anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies titers of ≥1:3,200 indicated kala-azar clinical features and treated with anti-leishmaniasis drugs in pediatric hospital. The findings of this study indicated that Leishmania infection is prevalent in rural areas of Alborz Province. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the awareness and alertness among physicians and public health managers, particularly in high-risk rural areas of the province in Iran.     

The Iodine Status and Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders Among Women of Childbearing Age in China: National Cross-sectional Study

ObjectiveMandatory universal salt iodization in China was implemented 20 years ago. However, the current iodine status and prevalence of thyroid disorders among childbearing-age women are unknown.MethodsA nationally representative cross-sectional study with 26 166 enrolled participants aged 18 to 49 years from all 31 provincial regions of mainland China was performed. The participants were given a questionnaire and underwent B-mode ultrasonography of the thyroid. The serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and thyroid antibodies and the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) were measured.ResultsThe median UIC was 178.7 μg/L, indicative of adequate iodine status. pHowever, 19.04% and 19.87% of the participants were classified as having iodine deficiency and excessive iodine, respectively. The weighted prevalence of thyroid disorders was as follows: 1.08% had overt hyperthyroidism, 0.58% had subclinical hyperthyroidism, 0.76% had Graves disease, 1.28% had overt hypothyroidism, 14.28% had subclinical hypothyroidism, 13.53% were positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and 14.55% were positive for thyroglobulin antibodies. Excessive iodine and overweight were associated with higher odds of subclinical hypothyroidism. A family history of thyroid disorders and an age between 40 and 49 years were significantly associated with higher odds of positivity for thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies.ConclusionIodine deficiency, excessive iodine, subclinical hypothyroidism, and positivity for thyroid autoantibodies remain prevalent among women of childbearing age in China. Women of childbearing age who are relatively older, are overweight, or have a family history of thyroid disorders are encouraged to undergo active screening of their UIC and thyroid function when planning a pregnancy.     

2018−2020年杭州市泌尿生殖道炎症患者生殖支原体感染调查

检测泌尿生殖支原体（Mycoplasma genitalium,MG）核酸以了解杭州地区泌尿生殖道炎症患者生殖支原体（MG）感染情况。

采用实时荧光核酸恒温扩增技术（SAT）检测杭州市第三人民医院2018年1月至2020年12月共3 901例疑似生殖泌尿道感染患者MG-RNA,同时也检测淋球菌（NG）、沙眼衣原体（CT）和解脲支原体（UU）。

3 901例患者中,共检测出MG-RNA阳性患者262例,阳性率为6.7 %,其中男性MG阳性率为7.0 %（237/3 364）,女性为4.7 %（25/537）,两组差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。随着年龄的增大,阳性率越低。男性≤20岁组阳性率最高,为13.9 %（16/115）;女性≥60岁组无检出（0/52）。MG与UU合并感染率最高,女性感染率高于男性（P＜0.01）。各年龄组MG阳性率差异有统计学意义（P＜0. 01）。

杭州地区泌尿生殖道感染患者的MG感染率较高,男性MG感染率高于女性,不同年龄段男女MG感染情况并不相同,提示临床需重视该类疾病的MG检测。

     

Risk factors of leishmanin-skin test positivity in transmission of Leishmania infantum in the center of Tunisia

This work aims to estimate prevalence and evaluate risk factors of leishmanin-skin test positivity. A cross-sectional leishmanin skin test study was carried out on a sample of 3190 healthy volunteers living in the gouvernorates of Kairouan and Kasserine. Age standardized prevalence of leishmanin-skin test positivity was 45.9% (CI95% = [43.9-47.9]) confirming the hyper endemicity of this region. The rate of leishmanin-skin test positivity ranged from 75.9% (CI95% = [71.9-79.5]) in Zaghdoud (Kairouan) to 6.5% (CI95% = [3.7-11.01) in Abdeladhim (Kasserine). There is no significant difference between men and women suggesting a similar exposure to infection. In the districts of Zaghdoud, Sidi Amor, El Hajeb and chbika, age specific rates showed a rapid increasing positive prevalence with age reaching a proportion exceeding 80% after the age of 15 years. However, the age specific prevalence from other delegations showed a progressive increasing trend with age, with a low rate for younger children and a plateau of 75% after 45 years. Multivariate analysis of leishmanin-skin test positivity risk factors showed that only district and age are determinants of this infection.     

Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in Greece

Abstract Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration. As the prevalence of H. pylrori infection in southern European populations is not known, a serological survey of 1069 samples from three different age groups in the Greek population was carried out with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to these bacteria. The antigen was an ultracentrifuged supernate of whole cell sonicates of 5 isolates of H. pylori assessed by electrophoresis and by immunoblotting with negative and positive sera. The sensitivity of the test was 97.43% and the specificity 100% for IgG antibodies; IgA and IgM antibodies to the antigen preparation were not found. Antibodies to H. pylori were detected among 39.49% of children aged 1–10 years, 67.1% of recruits (20–27 years) and 70% of blood donors (20–50 years). The prevalence of antibodies did not differ iwth sex in each of the age groups. The proportion of individuals with antibodies to H. pylori was higher in the younger age groups than those reported for similar age groups in Western Europe.     

Seroepidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in Greece

Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulceration. As the prevalence of H. pylori infection in southern European populations is not known, a serological survey of 1069 samples from three different age groups in the Greek population was carried out with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for antibodies to these bacteria. The antigen was an ultracentrifuged supernate of whole cell sonicates of 5 isolates of H. pylori assessed by electrophoresis and by immunoblotting with negative and positive sera. The sensitivity of the test was 97.43% and the specificity 100% for IgG antibodies; IgA and IgM antibodies to the antigen preparation were not found. Antibodies to H. pylori were detected among 39.4% of children aged 1-10 years, 67.1% of recruits (20-27 years) and 70% of blood donors (20-50 years). The prevalence of antibodies did not differ with sex in each of the age groups. The proportion of individuals with antibodies to H. pylori was higher in the younger age groups than those reported for similar age groups in western Europe.     

Seroprevalence of Toxocara canis antibodies in humans in northern Jordan.

Sera of 699 individuals, aged between 5-24 years, from the Irbid area, Jordan, were tested for Toxocara canis antibodies using an ELISA-IgG test. Crude prevalence was 10.9% (76 of 699) but age-adjusted prevalence was 14.3%. The highest prevalence was observed in females aged 5-9 years, 23.3% (7 of 30), and males of 15-19 years of age, 19.5% (16 of 82). The lowest prevalence was observed in females aged 20-25 years, 5.2% (8 of 155). Significant differences (P < 0.05) between the prevalences of the toxocaral antibodies in males and females were observed in the age groups 5-9, 15-19 and 20-24 years. The trend of prevalence in relation to age was different according to sex.