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Biomedical subjects

A Galazka

Publications and source records attributed to A Galazka.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Neonatal tetanus in the world today.

Neonatal tetanus is an important cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality. In the past this disease was overlooked by the health services of many developing countries, but recently the extent and magnitude of neonatal tetanus has become clearer and shown that it is a very serious health problem in the developing countries. The results of community-based surveys show that neonatal tetanus mortality rates range from less than 5 to more than 60 per 1000 live births; these deaths represent between 23% and 72% of all neonatal deaths. The results so far suggest that this disease claims the lives of over half a million new-born children every year. All forms of tetanus, and especially neonatal tetanus, remain substantially under-reported in many countries, and routine reporting systems identify only about 2-5% of the estimated number of tetanus cases (based on the results of community surveys). More reliable and accurate estimates of the incidence and mortality from tetanus are therefore required.The elimination of neonatal tetanus is an essential and attainable goal. It may be achieved by combining two approaches: (1) increasing the immunization coverage of women of child-bearing age, and especially pregnant women, with tetanus toxoid, and (2) improving maternity care, with particular emphasis on increasing the proportions of deliveries that are attended by trained persons.Neonatal tetanus mortality should serve as an index of the quality and the extent of utilization of the maternal health services, of the impact of immunization programmes, and of the progress being made in achieving the WHO goal of "Health for All by the Year 2000".The elimination of neonatal tetanus calls for a full commitment by governments and by other bodies, public and private, with a responsibility for the care of women and children. The occurrence of even a single case of neonatal tetanus is witness to failures in the health system, for prevention is possible through the actions of trained health staff in contact with the mother.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Meningococcal disease and its control with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines.

This article summarizes background information and specific evidence regarding the use of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines. On the basis of currently available data, it seems premature to recommend that immunization against meningococcal disease be included within routine immunization programmes in developing countries. Factors contributing to this judgement include the irregularity of epidemics, the changing serogroups of meningococci, the different age distribution of cases in different areas, low efficacy of a single dose of meningococcal vaccine in children below 2 years of age, short duration of post-immunization immunity in infants and young children, and finally, the still high cost of current meningococcal vaccines.The meningococcal vaccines can be effective, however, in controlling epidemics due to meningococci of serogroups A or C provided they are quickly administered to the age groups within the population who are most at risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Botulinum antitoxins and antibacterial IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of persons immunized with botulinum polytoxoid combined with cholera vaccine. I. Response to botulinum toxoid.

Two groups of subjects were immunized with combined vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide-adsorbed botulinum toxoids, types A, B, and E, and 4 mld of formaldehyde-inactivated V. cholerae Inaba and Ogawa organisms. The first group included laboratory workers who were previously immunized against cholera and had professional contact with botulinum toxins and viable V. cholerae organisms. The second group included young men who were never vaccinated against botulism or cholera. The three-dose immunization schedule with combined vaccine resulted in clear-cut antitoxin response; after the third dose, the A, B, and E antitoxin level ranged from 0-2 to 10 IU/ml. Immunity against botulinum toxins lasted at least one year. Distribution of the antitoxins among IgM and IgG globulin classes resembled that in the case of response to other toxoids; 21 days after the third immunization antitoxin activity was found in IgG globulins.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Botulinum antitoxins and antibacterial IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of persons immunized with botulinum polytoxoid combined with cholera vaccine. II. Response to cholera vaccine.

The response of humans to cholera vaccine was very heterogeneous. The proportion of IgG vibriocidal antibodies was high in persons having previous natural or artificial contact with V. cholerae antigens. Predominance of IgM antibody response was seen in persons vaccinated for the first time. This type of response was sometimes evoked by unspecific stimuli such as botulinum polytoxoid without cholera vaccine. Antibodies passively protecting mice were found both in IgM and IgG globulins but the activity of these antibodies was higher in IgG than in IgM globulins.

Adult↗