Publications (15) View all
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Article: Expression of recombinant HA1 protein for specific detection of influenza A/H1N1/ 2009 antibodies in human serum.
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ABSTRACT: The hemagglutinin genes (HA1 subunit) from human and animal 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus isolates were expressed with a baculovirus vector. The recombinant HA1 (rHA1) protein-based ELISA was evaluated for detection of specific influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies in vaccinated human serum samples. The results showed that the rHA1-ELISA consistently discerned between antibodies recognizing the seasonal influenza H1N1 and pdm09 viruses, showing a concordance of 94% as compared to the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. This study suggests the utility of rHA1-ELISA in serosurveillance.Microbiology and Immunology 11/2012; · 1.30 Impact Factor -
Article: Maternal Antibiotic Exposure and Risk of Antibiotic Resistance in Neonatal Early-onset Sepsis: A Case-Cohort Study.
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ABSTRACT: In a case-cohort study of early-onset sepsis, antibiotic resistance was more likely for infections in neonates born to mothers who were given antibiotics during pregnancy (odds ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-19;P = 0.05). Risk of resistance increased with duration of antibiotics and number of antibiotic courses during pregnancy. Preterm birth and hospitalization during pregnancy were also associated with resistance. These risk factors should be considered when selecting empiric antibiotics for therapy of early-onset sepsis in infants.The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal 08/2012; 31(11):1206-8. · 3.58 Impact Factor -
Article: A randomized control trial comparing immunogenicity, safety, and preference for self- versus nurse-administered intradermal influenza vaccine.
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ABSTRACT: Intradermally administered influenza vaccine is as immunogenic as intramuscular vaccine at a lower unit dose. New microinjection systems could allow self-administration of vaccine, potentially reducing the cost and inconvenience. To compare the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, success rate, and acceptability of self- versus nurse-administered intradermal trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine. Adults (18-59years old) were randomized to either self- or nurse-administered intradermal vaccine. Prior to vaccination, participants completed a questionnaire and had blood drawn for hemagglutination inhibition titres. Participants in the nurse-administered group were vaccinated by study personnel. The self-administered group were given an instruction sheet and administered their own vaccine. All participants completed a questionnaire and adverse event diaries for 21days post vaccination, at which time blood was again collected. Of the 228 participants, 115 were randomized to self-administration and 113 to nurse administration. Groups did not differ by sex, age, or levels of seroprotection at baseline. Of the 114 who completed self-administration, 106 (93%) were successful on the first attempt. There were no group differences in measures of immunogenicity for any of the strains. Self-administering participants reported a lower mean pain rating at vaccination but had larger areas of redness post-vaccination. Seventy percent of all participants said they would prefer intradermal over intramuscular vaccinations in the future, if given the choice. Compared to nurse-administered intradermal influenza vaccine, self-administered vaccine was immunologically non-inferior and reached all EMA immunogenicity criteria for the A strains, was highly successful and well-accepted by study participants. Together, these data provide preliminary evidence of feasibility for this method of influenza vaccine administration, which may improve vaccine uptake in adults and increase efficiency of vaccine delivery during outbreaks.Vaccine 08/2012; 30(44):6287-93. · 3.77 Impact Factor -
Article: Respiratory illnesses in Canadian health care workers: a pilot study of influenza vaccine and oseltamivir prophylaxis during the 2007/2008 influenza season.
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ABSTRACT: Data regarding both rates of acute respiratory illness in health care workers and experience with long-term antiviral prophylaxis are sparse. To determine the efficacy and tolerability of oseltamivir prophylaxis versus seasonal influenza vaccine for the prevention of influenza among health care workers. We conducted a pilot, randomized control study during the 2007/2008 influenza season in a tertiary care setting. Adult health care workers 18-69 years of age were recruited and randomly assigned in a 4:1 ratio to receive either oseltamivir (Tamiflu(®); Roche) 75 mg once daily prophylaxis or seasonal influenza (Fluviral(®)) vaccine. Of 56 adults enrolled, 12 received vaccine and 44 received prophylaxis. Incidence of symptomatic laboratory-confirmed influenza was similar for participants in the vaccine and prophylaxis arms (17% and 24%, respectively; P = 0·71). Participants who developed an acute respiratory illness during the study period reported working 85% of scheduled work days, and 29% stated that they worked despite feeling miserable because they were too busy to stay home. Of 42 participants who initiated oseltamivir prophylaxis, four discontinued it owing to side effects. Median duration of oseltamivir prophylaxis was 121 days, with 34 (81%) continuing ≥12 weeks. During an extended season of suboptimal vaccine match, 22% of health care workers receiving antiviral prophylaxis or seasonal influenza vaccine developed symptomatic laboratory-confirmed influenza. Long-term antiviral prophylaxis against influenza was generally well tolerated with good compliance.Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 04/2011; 5(6):404-8. · 4.16 Impact Factor -
Article: Incidence of influenza in healthy adults and healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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ABSTRACT: Working in healthcare is often considered a risk factor for influenza; however, this risk has not been quantified. We aimed to systematically review evidence describing the annual incidence of influenza among healthy adults and healthcare workers (HCWs). We searched OVID MEDLINE (1950 to 2010), EMBASE (1947 to 2010) and reference lists of identified articles. Observational studies or randomized trials reporting full season or annual influenza infection rates for healthy, working age adult subjects and HCWs were included. Influenza infection was defined as a four-fold rise in antibody titer, or positive viral culture or polymerase chain reaction. From 24,707 citations, 29 studies covering 97 influenza seasons with 58,245 study participants were included. Pooled influenza incidence rates (IR) (95% confidence intervals (CI)) per 100 HCWs per season and corresponding incidence rate ratios (IRR) (95% CI) as compared to healthy adults were as follows. All infections: IR 18.7 (95% CI, 15.8 to 22.1), IRR 3.4 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.7) in unvaccinated HCWs; IR 6.5 (95% CI, 4.6 to 9.1), IRR 5.4 (95% CI, 2.8 to 8.0) in vaccinated HCWs. Symptomatic infections: IR 7.5 (95% CI, 4.9 to 11.7), IRR 1.5 (95% CI, 0.4 to 2.5) in unvaccinated HCWs, IR 4.8 (95% CI, 3.2 to 7.2), IRR 1.6 (95% CI, 0.5 to 2.7) in vaccinated HCWs. Compared to adults working in non-healthcare settings, HCWs are at significantly higher risk of influenza.PLoS ONE 01/2011; 6(10):e26239. · 4.09 Impact Factor
