The frequency with which YEL-AND and YEL-AVD occur in YF endemic countries is mostly unknown.\n\nMethods: From 2007 to 2010, eight African countries Benin, Cameroon, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo- implemented large-scale YF preventive

vaccination campaigns. Each country established vaccine pharmacovigilance systems that included standard case definitions, procedures to collect and transport biological specimens, and National Expert Committees to review data and classify cases. Staff in all countries received training and laboratory capacity expanded.\n\nResults: In total, Danusertib cell line just over 38 million people were vaccinated against YF and 3116 AEFIs were reported of which 164 (5%) were classified as serious. Of these, 22 (13%) were classified

as YF vaccine reactions, including 11(50%) hypersensitivity reactions, six (27%) suspected YEL-AND, and five (23%) suspected YEL-AVD. The incidence per 100,000 vaccine doses administered was 8.2 for all reported AEFIs, 0.43 for any serious AEFI, 0.058 for YF vaccine related AEFIs, 0.029 for hypersensitivity reactions, 0.016 for YEL-AND, and 0.013 for YEL-AVD. Our findings SR-2156 were limited by operational challenges, including difficulties in obtaining recommended biological specimens leading to incomplete laboratory evaluation, unknown case ascertainment, and variable levels of staff training and experience.\n\nConclusions: Despite limitations, active case-finding in the eight different countries did not find an incidence of YF vaccine associated AEFIs that was higher than previous reports. These data reinforce the safety profile of YF vaccine and support the continued use of attenuated YF vaccine during preventive mass vaccination campaigns in YF endemic areas. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objectives: To develop and evaluate a real-time quadriplex PCR for the diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) and non-LGV chlamydial infections using rectal swab specimens.\n\nMethods: The design of the real-time

quadriplex PCR assay incorporates an LGV-specific, a non-LGV-specific target sequence, a Chlamydia trachomatis Blebbistatin plasmid target, and the human RNase P gene as an internal control. The performance of the quadriplex PCR was compared with a previously reported real- time duplex PCR assay on which LGV diagnosis was based on exclusion.\n\nResults: Very good agreement (85 of 89 specimens, 95.5%) was found between the two multiplex PCR assays for the detection of C trachomatis DNA (kappa value 0.93, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.99). Both assays identified 34 LGV, 35 non-LGV C trachomatis and 16 negative specimens. Of two specimens that tested positive for non- LGV by the duplex PCR, one was found to be a mixed infection and the other was positive only for plasmid and RNase P targets by the quadriplex PCR.