Early-life gut microbiome associates with positive vaccine take and shedding in neonatal schedule of the human neonatal rotavirus vaccine RV3-BB.

Rotavirus vaccines are less effective in high mortality regions. A rotavirus vaccine administered at birth may overcome challenges to vaccine uptake posed by a complex gut microbiome. We investigated the association between the microbiome and vaccine responses following RV3-BB vaccine (G3P[6]) administered in a neonatal schedule (dose 1: 0-5 days), or infant schedule (dose 1: 6-8 weeks) in Indonesia (Phase 2b efficacy study) (n = 478 samples/193 infants) (ACTRN12612001282875) and in Malawi (Immunigenicity study) (n = 355 samples/186 infants) (NCT03483116).

Optimizing school-based delivery of HPV and other routine vaccines for adolescents with disability in specialist schools in Victoria, Australia: a co-design study.

Aim: To co-design strategies to improve school-based immunization service delivery for adolescents with disability in Victoria, Australia.

Subject And Methods: Co-design workshops with 15 stakeholders from six Victorian specialist schools. In two workshops, participants discussed findings from previous interviews (n = 32) and defined immunization challenges.

Rotavirus-Specific Maternal Serum Antibodies and Vaccine Responses to RV3-BB Rotavirus Vaccine Administered in a Neonatal or Infant Schedule in Malawi.

High titres of rotavirus-specific maternal antibodies may contribute to lower rotavirus vaccine efficacy in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). RV3-BB vaccine (G3P[6]) is based on a neonatal rotavirus strain that replicates well in the newborn gut in the presence of breast milk. This study investigated the association between maternal serum antibodies and vaccine response in infants administered the RV3-BB vaccine.

Acceptability of an asymptomatic COVID-19 screening program for schools in Victoria, Australia: a qualitative study with caregivers from priority populations.

Background: An asymptomatic COVID-19 rapid antigen testing (RAT) screening program was implemented in Victorian schools in January 2022, to support keeping schools open throughout the pandemic. This study explored compliance with the program among caregivers from priority populations in Victorian mainstream and specialist schools.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews between 7-31 March 2022 with caregivers of school-aged children participating in the RAT program in Victoria.

Immunogenicity, safety, and reactogenicity of a half- versus full-dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) booster following a two-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BBIBP-CorV, or Gam-COVID-Vac priming schedule in Mongolia: a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Background: COVID-19 vaccine booster doses restore vaccine effectiveness lost from waning immunity and emerging variants. Fractional dosing may improve COVID-19 booster acceptability and uptake and will reduce the per-dose cost of COVID-19 booster programmes. We sought to quantify the immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of a half-dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) booster relative to the standard formulation.

Neonatal rotavirus vaccine (RV3-BB) immunogenicity and safety in a neonatal and infant administration schedule in Malawi: a randomised, double-blind, four-arm parallel group dose-ranging study.

Background: Rotavirus vaccines reduce rotavirus-related deaths and hospitalisations but are less effective in high child mortality countries. The human RV3-BB neonatal G3P[6] rotavirus vaccine administered in a neonatal schedule was efficacious in reducing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis in Indonesia but had not yet been evaluated in African infants.

Methods: We did a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, parallel group dose-ranging study of three doses of oral RV3-BB rotavirus vaccine in infants in three primary health centres in Blantyre, Malawi.

Safety and immunogenicity of RV3-BB human neonatal rotavirus vaccine administered at birth or in infancy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Despite the success of rotavirus vaccines, suboptimal vaccine efficacy in regions with a high burden of disease continues to present a challenge to worldwide implementation. A birth dose strategy with a vaccine developed from an asymptomatic neonatal rotavirus strain has the potential to address this challenge and provide protection from severe rotavirus disease from birth.

Methods: This phase 2a randomised, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled safety and immunogenicity trial was undertaken at a single centre in New Zealand between Jan 13, 2012, and April 17, 2014.

Recurrent intussusception in infants.

Aim: Clinical features to identify infants at increased risk of recurrence after a primary episode of intussusception (IS) are poorly defined.

Methods: Prospective study of the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome in infants <2 years presenting with acute IS to the National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi, over a 14-month period (1 November 2002 to 31 December 2003). A retrospective review of medical records was performed to verify complete patient ascertainment.

Accuracy of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of intussusception in infants in Vietnam.

Background: Intussusception (IS) is the most common cause of acute bowel obstruction in infants and young children. Ultrasonography is being increasingly used as the primary investigation for the diagnosis of IS and to guide air or hydrostatic enema reduction. However the accuracy of ultrasonography outside tertiary care settings in developed countries has not been assessed, particularly in Asia where the incidence of IS based on sonographic diagnosis has been reported as the highest in the world.

Risk factors for intussusception in infants in Vietnam and Australia: adenovirus implicated, but not rotavirus.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate risk factors for the development of intussusception in infants in a developing country with a suspected high incidence and in a developed country with a low incidence.

Study Design: A prospective case-control study of infants <2 years of age with idiopathic intussusception confirmed by air enema or surgery was conducted at the National Hospital of Paediatrics (NHP), Vietnam (n = 533) and the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH), Australia (n = 51). Diagnosis was validated in a subset (84% NHP; 67% RCH) by an independent blinded radiologist.

Validation of clinical case definition of acute intussusception in infants in Viet Nam and Australia.

Objective: To test the sensitivity and specificity of a clinical case definition of acute intussusception in infants to assist health-care workers in settings where diagnostic facilities are not available.

Methods: Prospective studies were conducted at a major paediatric hospital in Viet Nam (the National Hospital of Pediatrics, Hanoi) from November 2002 to December 2003 and in Australia (the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne) from March 2002 to March 2004 using a clinical case definition of intussusception. Diagnosis of intussusception was confirmed by air enema or surgery and validated in a subset of participants by an independent clinician who was blinded to the participant's status.

Intussusception: trends in clinical presentation and management.

Background: The association of a rotavirus vaccine and intussusception has renewed interest in understanding the incidence, clinical presentation and outcome of intussusception.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with intussusception at Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne over a 6.5-year period (1 January 1995-30 June 2001) was conducted using patients identified by a medical record database (ICD-9-CM code 560.

Changing epidemiology of intussusception in Australia.

Objectives: Oral rotavirus vaccines are expected to become available in Australia within the next 2 years. In light of evidence for an association between a rotavirus vaccine and intussusception, it is important to define the baseline epidemiology of intussusception in Australia and establish a system for intussusception surveillance in the immediate post-licensure period. This study reports on incidence and epidemiology of intussusception in Australia.

Clinical case definition for the diagnosis of acute intussusception.

Objective: Because of the reported association between intussusception and a rotavirus vaccine, future clinical trials of rotavirus vaccines will need to include intussusception surveillance in the evaluation of vaccine safety. The aim of this study is to develop and validate a clinical case definition for the diagnosis of acute intussusception.

Methods: A clinical case definition for the diagnosis of acute intussusception was developed by analysis of an extensive literature review that defined the clinical presentation of intussusception in 70 developed and developing countries.

Influence of diet complexity on intestinal adaptation following massive small bowel resection in a preclinical model.

Aims: To investigate the effect of dietary complexity on intestinal adaptation using a preclinical model.

Methods: Four-week-old piglets underwent a 75% proximal small bowel resection or transection operation (control). Post-operatively, animals received either pig chow (n = 15), polymeric formula (n = 9), polymeric formula plus fiber (n = 6), or elemental formula (n = 7).