Associations in Sense of Coherence and Depression in Caregivers of Stroke Survivors Across 2 Years

The objective of this longitudinal study was to detect the relationship between the sense of coherence (SOC), which is an adaptive coping response, and depression in informal caregivers of stroke survivors across 2 years. One-hundred-fifteen veterans, who were hospitalized after experiencing an acute stroke, and their informal caregivers were enrolled prior to discharge. Data were collected via face-to-face in-home interviews at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after discharge. A linear mixed model was fitted to estimate the effects of the time-dependent covariates (SOC) while considering the dependence of outcome measures at repeated times. Based on the linear mixed model, caregivers with a stronger SOC were associated with lower levels of caregiver depression across 2 years following a stroke (p < 0.0001). SOC seems to be an important aspect of a caregiver’s capacity to cope after tending to the needs of a stroke patient.     

Rise and fall of asthma-related mortality in Italy and sales of β2-agonists, 1980–1994

We performed this study with the aims of describing the trend of asthma-related mortality in Italy between 1980 and 1994, and to evaluate the relationship between sale estimates of ₂-agonists drugs and mortality from asthma. For asthma mortality we used data provided by National Institute of Statistics, for sale estimates of ₂-agonists we used data provided by IMS HEALTH. We calculated the gender specific age-standardized incidence rates of asthma-related deaths for all ages and for age classes. We found that estimates for asthma-related mortality steadily increased between 1980 and 1987 in both sexes, and thereafter decreased. In people, aged between 34 and 64 and over 64, death rates in males were significantly higher than in females while the rates in those aged less than 34, were mostly similar in both gender. The overall exposure to ₂-agonists (alone and in combination) increased from 1980 to 1990, remained stable between 1990 and 1993, and increased steeply in 1994. We conclude that asthma-related death rates have declined since the mid-1980's. This decline has been more pronounced in males and in the older ages, while the rates in younger patients of both genders have remained nearly unchanged. Our data do not substantiate the hypothesis of an increased risk of asthma-related mortality associated to the use of inhaled ₂-agonists in general nor fenoterol or salbutamol in particular.     

Retinol-binding protein and β2-microglobulin in urine of cadmium-fed rhesus monkeys

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) in the Rhesus monkey had the same electrophoretic mobility, molecular weight, and common antigens as human RBP; ₂-microglobulin protein (MG) had similar electrophoretic mobility and partial common antigens to human MG. After a prolonged oral administration of cadmium chloride to 10 monkeys over a period of 55 weeks, one monkey of the 30 mg Cd/day group indicated RBPuria and MGuria with the use of anti-human RBP and MG sera when proteinuria appeared. The immunological assay of low-molecular-weight proteins in urine was not applicable for the early detection of cadmium health effects in monkeys.     

Quality of life of Turkish type 2 diabetics in Germany and Turkey – a comparison between Hamburg and Istanbul

Objectives. The analyses address the following research questions: (1) Do Turkish diabetics in Germany and Turkey differ in terms of quality of life? (2) If yes, can these differences (in part) be explained by social factors (age, gender, education, household size), functional limitations and availability of support? (3) Are social factors, functional limitations and availability of support differently associated with quality of life among Turkish diabetics in Germany and Turkey?

Design. For this comparative cross-sectional study, 111 patients with type 2 diabetes were personally interviewed in Istanbul (Turkey) and 294 Turkish patients in Hamburg (Germany). For quality of life measurement we have used the Turkish version of the WHOQOL-Bref-26. Sociodemographics included age, sex, education and household-size. Health related functional limitations were assessed on the basis of an index of (instrumental) activities of daily living including the availability of help. Statistical analyses were conducted on group comparisons with Chi-square- and T-tests as well as linear regressions.

Results. There are no significant differences between Turkish diabetics in Germany and Turkey in the physical and the psychological dimensions of the WHOQOL-Bref. However, in the WHOQOL-domains ‘social QoL’ and ‘environmental QoL’ Turkish diabetics living in Hamburg have a significantly better quality of life than their counterparts in Istanbul. These differences cannot be explained by individual sociodemographic factors, functional limitations and availability of support. Furthermore, we found much stronger positive associations between education and quality of life in Istanbul than in Hamburg.

Conclusion. Beyond strong similarities between the two samples in sociodemographics, physical and mental health the social and environmental quality of life was significantly assessed better by the Turkish diabetics living in Hamburg. This is most likely an effect of public investment in social security, infrastructure and health care which is also influencing the decision as to where to spend life in retirement.     

Dynamic changes of myometrial activity,levels of PGF2α and E2 in rabbits after insertion of four types of IUDs

Myometrial activity, levels of PGF₂ and E₂ in uterine flushings were measured in rabbits before and after insertion of four types of IUDs. The results showed that IUDs could increase the uterine contraction during the early stages of insertion. Thereafter, the uterine activity tended to be stable. The sequences of uterine contractility generally were: Cu-IUD > SS-IUD > LNG-Cu-IUD > LNG-IUD. The measurement of prostaglandins, determined by RIA, indicated that the concentrations of PGF₂ and E₂ in Cu-IUD and SS-IUD groups were higher than those of controls for the early phase of insertion, which was not found after four months of use. Our results suggested that hyperactivity of the uterus in the early stage after insertion of IUDs might be relevant to side-effects like expulsion and pain. Copper released by Cu-IUD stimulates the uterine activity partially through increasing PGF₂ and E₂ contents. In rabbits wearing LNG-IUD or LNG-Cu-IUD, both PGF₂ and E₂ levels were low. The relatively low uterine mechanical and electrical activities were also observed in these two groups. Based on these data, it is concluded that development of LNG-Cu-IUD is feasible for reducing expulsion of IUDs.

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Resumen La actividad miométrica, los niveles de PGF₂ y E₂ en los accesos vasomotores uterinos fueron medidos en conejas antes y después de la colocación de cuatro tipos de dispositivos intrauterinos. Los resultados demostraron que los DIU pueden aumentar la contracción uterina al principio de la colocación, después de lo cual la actividad uterina tiende a estabilizarse. La escala de contractilidad del útero era generalmente la siguiente: DIU-Cu > DIU-SS > DIU-LNG-Cu > DIU-LNG. La medición de las prostaglandinas, determinadas por RIA, indicó que las concentraciones de PGF₂ y E₂ en el grupo de conejas con DIU SS y Cu eran, en el momento de la colocación, mayores que en el grupo testigo, no siendo más así después de cuatro meses de utilización. Nuestros resultados sugirieron que la hiperactividad del útero durante el período inmediatamente posterior a la colocación del DIU puede estar relacionada con efectos secundarios tales como expulsión y dolores. El cobre descargado por los DIU estimula la actividad uterina, en parte por el hecho de aumentar los niveles de PGF₂ y E₂. En las conejas con dispositivos de LNG o cobre, los niveles tanto de PGF₂ como de E₂ eran bajos. Se observaron asimismo en estos dos grupos actividades mecánicas y eléctricas relativamente bajas. Estos resultados llevaron a la conclusión de que el desarrollo de DIU de LNG-Cu es factible para reducir la expulsión.

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Resumé L'activité myométrique, les niveaux de PGF₂ et de E₂ dans les accès vasomoteurs utérins ont été mesurés sur des lapines avant et après l'insertion de quatre types de dispositifs intra-utérins. Les résultats ont montré que les DIU peuvent augmenter la contraction utérine au début de l'insertion, après quoi l'activité utérine tend à se stabiliser. L'échelle de contractilité de l'utérus était généralement la suivante: DIU-Cu > DIU-SS > DIU-LNG-Cu > DIU-LNG. La mesure des prostaglandines, déterminées par RIA, a indiqué que les concentrations de PGF₂ et E₂ dans le groupe de lapines munies de DIU SS et Cu étaient, au début de l'insertion, plus fortes que dans le groupe témoin, ce qui n'était plus le cas après quatre mois d'utilisation. Nos résultats laissent penser que l'hyperactivité de l'utérus pendant la période suivant immédiatement l'insertion du DIU peut avoir un rapport avec les effects secondaires tels que l'expulsion et les douleurs. Le cuivre libéré par les DIU au cuivre stimule l'activité utérine, en partie du fait de la teneur accrue en PGF₂ et E₂. Chez les lapines qui portaient des dispositifs au LNG ou au cuivre, les niveaux aussi bien de PGF₂ et de E₂ étaient faibles. On a également constaté dans ces deux groupes des activités mécaniques et électriques relativement faibles. Ces résultats ont ammené à conclure qu'une mise au point élaborée des DIU LNG-cu est réalisable en vue d'en réduire l'expulsion.

     

Cool aid? Health, wellbeing and place in the work of Bono and U2

Through a discussion of the sounds and statements of Bono and U2, this paper explores the ways in which music can work in particular spatial contexts, contributing towards both personal and population-wide health and wellbeing. We engage critically with the idea of celebrity diplomacy, and look beyond this notion to suggest ways in which the production, circulation and consumption of music warrants greater attention within the unfolding domain of health geography.     

The Role of Sodium-Dependent Glucose Transporter 1 and Glucose Transporter 2 in the Absorption of Cyanidin-3-O-β-Glucoside in Caco-2 Cells

Anthocyanins have multiple biological activities of benefit to human health. While a few studies have been conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of anthocyanins, the mechanisms of their absorption mechanism remain ill-defined. In the present study, we investigated the absorption mechanism of cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (Cy-3-G) in human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells. Cy-3-G transport was assessed by measuring the absorptive and efflux direction. Inhibition studies were conducted using the pharmacological agents, phloridzin, an inhibitor of sodium-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1), or phloretin, an inhibitor of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2). The results showed that phloridzin and phloretin significantly inhibited the absorption of Cy-3-G. In addition, Caco-2 cells transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for SGLT1 or GLUT2 showed significantly decreased Cy-3-G absorption. These siRNA transfected cells also showed a significantly decreased rate of transport of Cy-3-G compared with the control group. These findings suggest that Cy-3-G absorption is dependent on the activities of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in the small intestine and that SGLT1 and GLUT2 could be a limiting step for the bioavailability of Cy-3-G.     

Promoter Methylation of E-Cadherin,p16, and RAR-β2 Genes in Breast Tumors and Dietary Intake of Nutrients Important in One-Carbon Metabolism

Aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in carcinogenesis, and the availability of dietary factors involved in 1-carbon metabolism may contribute to aberrant DNA methylation. We investigated the association of intake of folate, vitamins B₂, B₆, B₁₂, and methionine with promoter methylation of E-cadherin, p16, and RAR-β₂ genes in archived tumor tissues from incident, primary breast cancer cases in a population-based case-control study. Real-time methylation-specific PCR was performed on 803 paraffin-embedded samples; usual dietary intake was queried from a food frequency questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was used to derive adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for likelihood of promoter methylation for high compared to low intake of those 1-carbon nutrients. Overall, in case-case comparisons, dietary intakes of folate, vitamins B₂, B₆, B₁₂, and methionine were not associated with likelihood of promoter methylation of E- cadherin, p16, and RAR-β₂ for all cases combined or within strata defined by menopausal status and estrogen receptor status in this study. This finding, however, does not exclude the possibility that intake of such nutrients might have the ability to modulate promoter methylation in normal or premalignant (dysplastic) breast tissue.     

Seventeen-Year Observation on Urinary Cadmium and β2-Microglobulin in Inhabitants After Cessation of Cadmium-Exposure in Japan

The purpose of this study was to clarify the change and relationship of urinary cadmium (Cd) and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) concentrations of inhabitants in Cd-polluted areas after soil restoration. The urinary Cd and β₂-MG concentrations of 25 males and 28 females did not show a significant change, 22 years after the Cd-polluted soil was restored. Once exposed to Cd, it was found to remain in the body, 22 years after the Cd -polluted soil was restored. However, this did not influence renal tubular dysfunction in most of the younger generation compared with elders heavily exposed to Cd.     

Modulation of COX-2 expression in peripheral blood cells by increased intake of fruit and vegetables?

BACKGROUND: Enhanced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression is associated with carcinogenesis, ischemia, angiogenesis, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. The preventing effect of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is partly due to inhibition of the COX-2 enzyme. Fruit and vegetables (FVs) contain numerous compounds that may decrease disease risk by several different mechanisms, for example through the inhibition of COX-2 activity. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that an increased intake of FVs would modulate the COX-2 expression in peripheral blood cells. DESIGN: A strictly controlled dietary crossover study (n = 39). After 1 week run-in period with no FVs in the diet, one group was given two portions of FVs (2 FV), while another group was given five portions (5 FV) daily for 14 days. Following a 2 weeks washout period and 1 week run-in, the regimens were switched between the groups. Gene expression analysis of COX-2 mRNA in blood samples was performed by quantitative real-time-PCR. RESULTS: No significant treatment effect of diet intervention was found in the crossover analyses (P = 0.74). However, the individual variation in response may seem large. CONCLUSIONS: These data does not contradict the recommendations for an increased intake of FVs. Further studies on expression directly and indirectly, through analysis of factors regulating and being regulated by COX-2, should be carried out. A first step would be to evaluate the correspondence between COX-2 mRNA expression and products of the COX pathway, like prostaglandins. Naturally occurring polymorphisms of COX-2 promoters and coding regions might contribute to functional variations and response to different diets. SPONSORSHIP: Norwegian Research Council, National Nutrition Council, Throne Holst Foundation for Nutrition Research, Freia Chokoladefabriks Medisinske Fond and the Norwegian Cancer Society.     

Immunogenicity and tolerability of a quadrivalent meningococcal glycoconjugate vaccine in children 2–10 years of age

Meningococcal disease incidence is highest in infants, but a significant burden of disease also occurs in children. In this Phase II, single-centre US study, 619 healthy children (2–10 years of age) received one dose of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal CRM₁₉₇-conjugated vaccine (MenACWY-CRM) or a licensed quadrivalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4). Immunogenicity was assessed using the serum bactericidal assay with human complement (hSBA) at 1 and 12 months post-vaccination. Local and systemic reactions were recorded for 7 days, all adverse events (AEs) for 1 month, and medically significant and serious AEs (SAEs) for 12 months post-vaccination. For all four serogroups, more MenACWY-CRM recipients achieved an hSBA titre ≥1:4 at 1 month post-vaccination (A: 82%; C: 83%; W-135: 95%; Y: 91%) compared with the group that received MPSV4 (A: 45%; C: 66%; W-135: 71%; Y: 61%); this difference persisted through to 12 months post-vaccination. Both vaccines were well tolerated. In children 2–10 years of age, MenACWY-CRM induced a higher immune response than that of MPSV4, and was well tolerated.     

Molecular typing and characterization of TEM,SHV, CTX-M,and CMY-2 β-lactamases in Enterobacter cloacae strains isolated in patients and their hospital environment in the west of Algeria

Objectives

Enterobacter cloacae is a major nosocomial bacterium causing severe infections. A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect baseline information on the molecular characteristics of β-lactamase producing Enterobacter cloacae in the west of Algeria.

Materials and methods

We report a series of 42 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing non-repetitive Enterobacter cloacae strains, collected in 3 university hospital (Tlemcen, Oran, and Sidi Bel Abbes). Antibiotic susceptibility testing (antibiogram and MIC) and screening for ESBL were performed according to the French Society for Microbiology guidelines. PFGE typing was used to characterize the clonality of all the strains. β-lactamase genes (bla_TEM, bla_SHV, bla_CTX-M, bla_ECB, and bla_CMY-2) were amplified by PCR with specific primers. Plasmid isolation, electroporation, and conjugation experiments were carried out using standard methods.

Results

Sequence analysis revealed that most strains produced CTX-M type ESBLs (CTX-M-15 and CTX-M-3), whereas only 5 produced SHV-type ESBLs (SHV-12). The bla_TEM gene was identified in all strains of Enterobacter cloacae. Several epidemic clones were determined. One strain was found to produce plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (CMY-2); this gene was transferred from E. cloacae by electroporation. Conjugation experiments showed that bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV were carried by conjugative plasmids of high molecular weight (≥ 70 kb).

Conclusion

The emergence of resistance genes is a public health problem.     

Safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity after 1 and 2 doses of zoster vaccine in healthy adults ≥60 years of age

Background

Incidence and severity of herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia increase with age, associated with age-related decrease in immunity to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). One dose of zoster vaccine (ZV) has demonstrated substantial protection against HZ; this study examined impact of a second dose of ZV.

Methods

Randomized, double-blind, multicenter study with 210 subjects ≥60 years old compared immunity and safety profiles after one and two doses of ZV, separated by 6 weeks, vs. placebo. Immunogenicity was evaluated using VZV interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and VZV glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent antibody (gpELISA) assay. Adverse experiences (AEs) were recorded on a standardized Vaccination Report Card.

Results

No serious vaccine-related AEs occurred. VZV IFN-γ ELISPOT geometric mean count (GMC) of spot-forming cells per 10⁶ peripheral blood mononuclear cells increased in the ZV group from 16.9 prevaccination to 49.5 and 32.8 at 2 and 6 weeks postdose 1, respectively. Two weeks, 6 weeks and 6 months postdose 2, GMC was 44.3, 42.9, and 36.5, respectively. GMC in the placebo group did not change during the study. The peak ELISPOT response occurred ∼2 weeks after each ZV dose. The gpELISA geometric mean titers (GMTs) in the ZV group were higher than in the placebo group at 6 weeks after each dose. Correlation between the IFN-γ ELISPOT and gpELISA assays was poor.

Conclusions

ZV was generally well-tolerated and immunogenic in adults ≥60 years old. A second dose of ZV was generally safe, but did not boost VZV-specific immunity beyond levels achieved postdose 1.     

The expression and meaning of TGF-β and TGIF in endometrosis

Objective To explore the role of TGF-βand TGIF in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Methods The expression of TGF-β and TGIF was detected by immunohistochemistry method in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of 30 cases with endometriosis (ec-topic endometrium group and eutopic endometrium group) and in the normal endometrium of 40 cases without endometriosis (control group). Result The expression of TGF -β in ectopic endometrium group was significantly higher than that in eutopic endometrium group and control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TGF- βbetween eutopic endometrium group and control group(P > 0.05). The expression of TGIF in ectopic endometrium group was significantly lower than that in eutopic endometrium group and control group( P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of TGIF between eutopic endometrium group and control group(P > 0.05). There were negative correlation between the expressions of TGF - β and TGIF in ectopic endometrium group and eutopic endome-trium group(rs= - 0.769, - 0.549, P < 0.05). Conclusion The abnormal expression of TGF-β and TGIF in ectopic endometrium of pa-tients with endometriosis may be associated with the genesis and progression of endometriosis.     

Analysis and Forecast of the Mortality of Diabetes Mellitus in China

[目的]分析1990～1999年我国城市和农村居民糖尿病死亡率的现况特点并预测未来5年的变化趋势.[方法]根据<全国卫生统计年报>资料,对我国1990至1999年糖尿病死亡率的现况进行流行病学分析,并利用灰色动态模型GM(1.1)预测我国2000至2005年城市和农村糖尿病死亡率趋势.[结果]城市1999年糖尿病死亡率为15.37/10万而农村为5.13/10万,分别是1990年死亡率的1.89倍和1.71倍;女性的死亡率高于男性,城市和农村男女死亡率之比分别为0.63∶1和0.76∶1;根据1990～1999死亡率所建立的城市的灰色模型预测方程为t=-106.481 7×(1-e0.074 58t)-Yt-1(t=1,2,...,N),而农村的方程为t=-33.605 3×(1-e0.075 37t)-Yt-1(t=1,2,...,N);预测到2005年我国城市和农村糖尿病死亡率将分别达到25.24/10万人和8.15/10万人;精度检验证明了城市和农村的预测模型拟合良好而外推测值可信.[结论]我国人群糖尿病死亡率上升趋势明显,提示有关部门应加强防治力度;灰色模型GM(1.1)能够较好地预测糖尿病死亡率的近期变化趋势.     

Models of Health and Models of Interaction in the Practitioner–Client Relationship in Acupuncture

The doctor–patient relationship has been widely studied in biomedicine. However, little research has focused on similar provider–client relationships in holistic healthcare forms. Based on ethnographic research with acupuncture clients and practitioners, the authors found that participants used specific models of health to understand and develop subsequent models of interaction, and in doing so, provided a clear critique of biomedicine. This article offers a brief overview of major models of healthcare, including biomedical, biopsychosocial, and holistic. The authors present current models of interaction that have been used to understand the biomedical doctor–patient relationship, and discuss the utility of both sets of models as they relate to the ethnographic observations. Although a particular model of health (biomedical or holistic) does not necessitate a particular model of health interaction (paternalism, consumerism, or collaboration), participants' attempts to tie these 2 realms together are important to understanding practitioner–patient relationships in all healthcare situations.     

Comparison of in vivo and in vitro tests of resistance in patients treated with chloroquine in Yaoundé, Cameroon

The usefulness of an isotopic in vitro assay in the field was evaluated by comparing its results with the therapeutic response determined by the simplified WHO in vivo test in symptomatic Cameroonian patients treated with chloroquine. Of the 117 enrolled patients, 102 (87%) completed the 14-day follow-up, and 95 isolates obtained from these patients (46 children, 49 adults) yielded an interpretable in vitro test. A total of 57 of 95 patients (60%; 28 children and 29 adults) had an adequate clinical response with negative smears (n = 46) or with an asymptomatic parasitaemia (n = 11) on day 7 and/or day 14. The geometric mean 50% inhibitory concentration of the isolates obtained from these patients was 63.3 nmol/l. Late and early treatment failure was observed in 29 (30.5%) and 9 (9.5%) patients, respectively. The geometric mean 50% inhibitory concentrations of the corresponding isolates were 173 nmol/l and 302 nmol/l. Among the patients responding with late and early treatment failure, five isolates and one isolate, respectively, yielded a discordant result (in vivo resistance and in vitro sensitivity). The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of the in vitro test to detect chloroquine-sensitive cases was 67%, 84% and 86%, respectively. There was moderate concordance between the in vitro and in vivo tests (kappa value = 0.48). The in vitro assay agrees relatively well with the therapeutic response and excludes several host factors that influence the results of the in vivo test. However, in view of some discordant results, the in vitro test cannot substitute for in vivo data on therapeutic efficacy. The only reliable definition of "resistance" in malaria parasites is based on clinical and parasitological response in symptomatic patients, and the in vivo test provides the standard method to determine drug sensitivity or resistance as well as to guide national drug policies.     

Immunogenicity and safety of a single dose of a CRM-conjugated meningococcal ACWY vaccine in children and adolescents aged 2–18 years in Taiwan: Results of an open label study

Background

MenACWY-CRM (Menveo^®, Novartis Vaccines, Siena, Italy) is a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine developed to help prevent invasive meningococcal disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W, and Y. It is approved within the European Union in persons >2 years of age and in persons from 2 months to 55 years of age in the United States, among other countries. Little is known about the immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine in Taiwanese children >2 years and adolescents. This study assessed the immunogenicity and safety of a single injection of MenACWY-CRM vaccine in Taiwanese subjects aged 2–18 years old.

Methods

In this phase III, multicentre, open-label study 341 subjects received one dose of MenACWY-CRM. Immunogenicity measures were rates of seroresponse (defined as the proportion of subjects with a postvaccination hSBA ≥1:8 if the prevaccination (baseline) titre was <1:4, or at least a fourfold higher hSBA titre than baseline if the prevaccination titre was ≥1:4), percentages of subjects with serum bactericidal activity (hSBA) ≥1:8 for serogroups A, C, W and Y and hSBA geometric mean titres (GMTs). Local and systemic reactions and all adverse events (AEs) were recorded for 7 days, and medically attended AEs for 1 month post-vaccination.

Results

Seroresponse rates after MenACWY-CRM vaccination at Day 29 for the serogroups A, C, W, and Y were 83%, 93%, 50%, and 65%, respectively. At Day 29 the percentages of subjects with hSBA ≥1:8 against all four serogroups A, C, W and Y were: 83%, 96%, 96% and 82%, respectively. GMTs against all serogroups rose by ≥7-fold from baseline to Day 29. The vaccine was well tolerated.

Conclusions

A single dose of MenACWY-CRM demonstrated a robust immune response, and an acceptable safety profile in Taiwanese children and adolescents.