Dynamic models of pneumococcal carriage and the impact of the Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on invasive pneumococcal disease

Background  

The 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been introduced in national immunisation programmes of most industrialised countries and recently in two African GAVI eligible countries (Rwanda and The Gambia). However the long term effects of PCV are still unclear, as beneficial direct and herd immunity effects might be countered by serotype replacement.     

Is there sexual inequality in ankylosing spondylitis? A study of 498 women and 1202 men

The responses of 1700 members (1202 men) of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society to a self-administered questionnaire were analyzed. The male:female ratios for primary ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic spondylitis and spondylitis associated with inflammatory bowel disease were 2.4:1, 3.5:1 and 1:1, respectively. A positive family history was significantly less prevalent in men than women as were hand, elbow, shoulder and knee symptoms. In a parallel radiographic study, 100 men matched for age of onset and disease duration with 50 women demonstrated similar sacroiliac, cervical and hip disease but worse involvement of the lumbar spine.