Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector #Ebola Vaccine - Preliminary Report.

Background 

The unprecedented 2014 epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has prompted an international response to accelerate the availability of a preventive vaccine. A replication-defective recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus type 3-vectored ebolavirus vaccine (cAd3-EBO), encoding the glycoprotein from Zaire and Sudan species that offers protection in the nonhuman primate model, was rapidly advanced into phase 1 clinical evaluation. 

Methods 

We conducted a phase 1, dose-escalation, open-label trial of cAd3-EBO. Twenty healthy adults, in sequentially enrolled groups of 10 each, received vaccination intramuscularly in doses of 2×1010 particle units or 2×1011 particle units. Primary and secondary end points related to safety and immunogenicity were assessed throughout the first 4 weeks after vaccination. 

Results 

In this small study, no safety concerns were identified; however, transient fever developed within 1 day after vaccination in two participants who had received the 2×1011 particle-unit dose. Glycoprotein-specific antibodies were induced in all 20 participants; the titers were of greater magnitude in the group that received the 2×1011 particle-unit dose than in the group that received the 2×1010 particle-unit dose (geometric mean titer against the Zaire antigen, 2037 vs. 331; P=0.001). Glycoprotein-specific T-cell responses were more frequent among those who received the 2x1011 particle-unit dose than among those who received the 2×1010 particle-unit dose, with a CD4 response in 10 of 10 participants versus 3 of 10 participants (P=0.004) and a CD8 response in 7 of 10 participants versus 2 of 10 participants (P=0.07). 

Conclusions 

Reactogenicity and immune responses to cAd3-EBO vaccine were dose-dependent. At the 2×1011 particle-unit dose, glycoprotein Zaire-specific antibody responses were in the range reported to be associated with vaccine-induced protective immunity in challenge studies involving nonhuman primates. Clinical trials assessing cAd3-EBO are ongoing. (Funded by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health; VRC 207 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02231866 .).

REFERENCE:

Ledgerwood JE, et al; the VRC 207 Study Team. Chimpanzee Adenovirus Vector Ebola Vaccine - Preliminary Report. N Engl J Med. 2014 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25426834.

COURSE: Guidance for use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) During Management of Patients with #Ebola Virus

GO TO THE COURSE

The following informational materials demonstrate the procedures described in CDC guidance for donning and doffing (i.e., putting on and removing) personal protective equipment (PPE) for all healthcare providers entering the room of a patient hospitalized with known or suspected Ebola virus disease (Ebola). These informational materials are intended to promote patient safety and increase the safety of the healthcare provider.
Prior to working with Ebola patients, all healthcare providers involved in the care of Ebola patients must receive training and demonstrate competency in performing all Ebola-related infection control practices and procedures, specifically in donning and doffing proper PPE.

REFERENCE:
Guidance for Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) During Management of Patients with Ebola Virus 
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Biologically hazardous agents at work and efforts to protect workers' health: a review of recent reports

Because information on biological agents in the workplace is lacking, biological hazard analyses at the workplace to securely recognize the harmful factors with biological basis are desperately needed. This review concentrates on literatures published after 2010 that attempted to detect biological hazards to humans, especially workers, and the efforts to protect them against these factors. It is important to improve the current understanding of the health hazards caused by biological factors at the workplace. In addition, this review briefly describes these factors and provides some examples of their adverse health effects. It also reviews risk assessments, protection with personal protective equipment, prevention with training of workers, regulations, as well as vaccinations.

REFERENCE:
Rim KT, Lim CH. Biologically hazardous agents at work and efforts to protect workers' health: a review of recent reports. Saf Health Work. Jun 2014; 5(2): 43–52.

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Día Mundial del Lavado de Manos, Octubre 15

Este 15 de Octubre, la Organización Mundial de la Salud, en conjunto con la UNICEF celebran el Día Mundial del Lavado de Manos. Esta es una oportunidad para recordar a todos la importancia del Lavado de Manos. Infórmate y distribuye la información acerca de la importancia del lavado de manos en: http://globalhandwashing.org
Descarga los posters y manuales de la campaña de la UNICEF AQUI.

OTROS MATERIALES Y RECURSOS (INGLÉS)

• Hand Hygiene Interactive Training Course

This course and promotional materials review key concepts of hand hygiene and other standard precautions to prevent healthcare-associated infections.

• Educational resources

Promotional materials (Posters).

• Hand hygiene in healthcare facilities

A variety of resources including guidelines for providers, patient empowerment materials, the latest technological advances in hand hygiene adherence measurement, frequently asked questions, and links to promotional and educational tools.

• WHO Tools for training and education

All health-care workers require clear and comprehensive training and education on the importance of hand hygiene, the "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" approach and the correct procedures for handrubbing and handwashing.

• Water related hygiene

Hygiene refers to behaviors that can improve cleanliness and lead to good health, such as frequent hand washing, face washing, and bathing with soap and water. In many areas of the world, practicing personal hygiene etiquette is difficult due to lack of clean water and soap. Many diseases can be spread if the hands, face, or body are not washed appropriately at key times.

• WHO video on hand hygiene (DOWNLOAD)

• NEJM VIDEO ON HAND HYGIENE (SEVERAL LANGUAGES)

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#VIDEOS: Lávate las manos, Octubre 15, #IWashMyHands #ebola

COMPARTA ESTOS VIDEOS

Contact tracing during an #ebola outbreak

Persons in close contact with Ebola cases (alive or dead) are at higher risk of infection. All potential contacts of Ebola cases should be identified and closely observed for 21 days from the last day of exposure. Contacts that develop illness should be immediately isolated to prevent further transmission of infection. An effective system for contact tracing should be established at the onset of the outbreak. Early involvement and full cooperation of affected communities is critical for successful contact tracing.
This document provides guidance for establishing and conducting contact tracing during filovirus disease outbreaks. The guidance notes are based on extensive field experience in filovirus disease outbreak response in the WHO African region. The notes are intended for frontline epidemiologists, surveillance officers, health workers and other volunteers involved in contact tracing. National and sub-national emergency management committees and rapid response teams require these guidelines to plan, implement and monitor contact tracing.National emergency management committees are advised to adapt these guidance notes to the local context in their application

REFERENCES:
Contact tracing during an #ebola outbreak
CDC poster: What is contact tracing?
Australasian Contract Tracing Manual
Development of a risk assessment tool for contact tracing people after contact with infectious patients while travelling by bus or other public ground transport: a Delphi consensus approach
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ABSL-4 Aerobiology Biosafety and Technology...

Abstract
The overall threat of a viral pathogen to human populations is largely determined by the modus operandi and velocity of the pathogen that is transmitted among humans. Microorganisms that can spread by aerosol are considered a more challenging enemy than those that require direct body-to-body contact for transmission, due to the potential for infection of numerous people rather than a single individual. Additionally, disease containment is much more difficult to achieve for aerosolized viral pathogens than for pathogens that spread solely via direct person-to-person contact. Thus, aerobiology has become an increasingly necessary component for studying viral pathogens that are naturally or intentionally transmitted by aerosol. The goal of studying aerosol viral pathogens is to improve public health preparedness and medical countermeasure development. Here, we provide a brief overview of the animal biosafety level 4 Aerobiology Core at the NIH/NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick, Maryland, USA.
REFERENCE:
Lackemeyer MG, Kok-Mercado Fd, Wada J, Bollinger L, Kindrachuk J, Wahl-Jensen V, Kuhn JH, Jahrling PB. ABSL-4 Aerobiology Biosafety and Technology at the NIH/NIAID Integrated Research Facility at Fort Detrick. Viruses. 2014 Jan 7;6(1):137-50. doi: 10.3390/v6010137. PubMed PMID: 24402304.

Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain: A Review

Overview of horizontal gene transfer in food products
(For complete image click HERE).

Antimicrobial resistant zoonotic pathogens present on food constitute a direct risk to public health. Antimicrobial resistance genes in commensal or pathogenic strains form an indirect risk to public health, as they increase the gene pool from which pathogenic bacteria can pick up resistance traits. Food can be contaminated with antimicrobial resistant bacteria and/or antimicrobial resistance genes in several ways. A first way is the presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria on food selected by the use of antibiotics during agricultural production. A second route is the possible presence of resistance genes in bacteria that are intentionally added during the processing of food (starter cultures, probiotics, bioconserving microorganisms and bacteriophages). A last way is through cross-contamination with antimicrobial resistant bacteria during food processing. Raw food products can be consumed without having undergone prior processing or preservation and therefore hold a substantial risk for transfer of antimicrobial resistance to humans, as the eventually present resistant bacteria are not killed. As a consequence, transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes between bacteria after ingestion by humans may occur. Under minimal processing or preservation treatment conditions, sublethally damaged or stressed cells can be maintained in the food, inducing antimicrobial resistance build-up and enhancing the risk of resistance transfer. Food processes that kill bacteria in food products, decrease the risk of transmission of antimicrobial resistance.
REFERENCIA:
Verraes C. Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain: A Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2013 July; 10(7): 2643–2669.

Bioaerosols in the Workplace: Evaluation, Control and Prevention Guide

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in any environment and are called bioaerosols when they are present in the air. While no inhalation exposure standard has yet been established, the international scientific community nevertheless acknowledges that some bioaerosols have an adverse effect on air quality and workers’ health. This well-illustrated practical guide describes the approach recommended by the IRSST for the evaluation, control and prevention of bioaerosol exposure. It contains a synthesis of the most recent information on bioaerosols in the workplace and their effects on health, a discussion of concentrations measured in different contexts, and proposed exposure values. The guide describes evaluation strategies as well as methods for the interpretation and application of results. Finally, it presents strategies and methods for the control and prevention of bioaerosol exposure, and discusses certain specific cases. This guide, which explains the possibilities and limitations of such an approach, is aimed at stakeholders in all sectors in which bioaerosols can be present in high concentrations.
REFERENCIA:
Bioaerosols in the Workplace: Evaluation, Control and Prevention Guide. Goyer, N; Lavoie, J; Lazure, L; Marchand, G. Studies and Research Projects / Technical Guide  T-24, Montréal, IRSST, 2001, 72 pages

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - Validation of System Cleaning Initiation Criteria under Real Conditions

The cleanliness of a ventilation system invariably affects the quality of the air that it distributes. However, it is difficult for building managers to assess the relevance of having their systems cleaned and to choose from among all the proposals from cleaning specialists because no objective method exists for evaluating the dustiness of systems. In the context of a previous project, the researchers developed a method for collecting surface dusts in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) ducts and identified criteria for initiating cleaning. The method was validated in the laboratory and compared to those methods mentioned in the scientific literature [Association pour la prévention et l’étude de la contamination (ASPEC), of France, and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), of the United States]. They all proved feasible by using their corresponding cleaning initiation criterion.
In a new study, which this report describes, the same team validated the criteria for these methods in the ventilation systems of occupied non-industrial buildings. Once again, the results were conclusive. Building managers can now rely on the objective criteria of the offered methods, rather than basing themselves solely on visual inspection, which is subjective.

REFERENCIA
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - Validation of System Cleaning Initiation Criteria under Real Conditions.

Development of a Procedure to Measure the Effectiveness of N95 Respirator Filters against Nanoparticles

There is an increasing concern about the potential health hazards posed to workers exposed to inhalation of nanoparticles (NPs). Common sources of nanoparticles in working environments include fumes and exhausts from different processes like laser ablation and milling. Nanoparticles have potential toxic properties: a high particle surface area, number concentration, and surface reactivity. Inhalation, the most common route of nanoparticle exposure, has been shown to cause adverse effects on pulmonary functions, and the deposited particles in the lung can be translocated to the blood system by passing through the pulmonary protection barriers. Filtration is the simplest and most common method of aerosol control. It is widely used in mechanical ventilation and respiratory protection. However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of filters for capturing nanoparticles.
In this study, the performance of one model of N95 NIOSH approved filtering face-piece respirator (FFR) was characterized against poly-dispersed and mono-dispersed NPs using two different experimental set-ups. With poly-dispersed NPs, a methodology was developed to measure the performance of the N95 respirators against NaCl aerosols in the size range of 15 to 200 nm in three scenarios. First, the initial particle penetration through N95 respirator was examined at four constant airflow rates: 85, 135, 270 and 360 liters/min. Second, the effect of time on the particle loading was investigated for duration of five hours. Third, the effect of the relative humidity (RH) (10, 30 and 70%) on the particle penetration was assessed at 85 liters/min.
REFERENCIA
Development of a Procedure to Measure the Effectiveness of N95 Respirator Filters against Nanoparticles

Transporte de sustancias infecciosas

Transportation fo Dangerous
Goods  Bulletin

El gobierno de Canadá acaba de publicar una guía (en inglés) para el empaque y envío de sustancias peligrosas que pueden descargar aqui. 

This Bulletin explains the requirements of the Transportation Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations when shipping infectious substances. It does not change, create, amend or allow deviations from the Transportation Dangerous Goods (TDG) Regulations. For specific details, consult the TDG Regulations.

 Las regulaciones para 2013-2014 de la Organización Mundial de la salud, fueron publicadas desde enero de este año, y pueden verlas aquí.

This publication provides information for identifying, classifying, marking, labelling, packaging, documenting and refrigerating infectious substances for transportation and ensuring their safe delivery. The document provides practical guidance to facilitate compliance with applicable international regulations for the transport of infectious substances by all modes of transport, both nationally and internationally.

Inactivation of an enterovirus by airborne disinfectants

BACKGROUND: The activity of airborne disinfectants on bacteria, fungi and spores has been reported. However, the issue of the virucidal effect of disinfectants spread by fogging has not been studied thoroughly.

METHODS: A procedure has been developed to determine the virucidal activity of peracetic acid-based airborne disinfectants on a resistant non-enveloped virus poliovirus type 1. This virus was laid on a stainless carrier. The products were spread into the room by hot fogging at 55°C for 30 minutes at a concentration of 7.5 mL.m-3. Poliovirus inoculum, supplemented with 5%, heat inactivated non fat dry organic milk, were applied into the middle of the stainless steel disc and were dried under the air flow of a class II biological safety cabinet at room temperature. The Viral preparations were recovered by using flocked swabs and were titered on Vero cells using the classical Spearman-Kärber CPE reading method, the results were expressed as TCID50.ml-1.
RESULTS: The infectious titer of dried poliovirus inocula was kept at 105 TCID50.mL-1 up to 150 minutes at room temperature. Dried inocula exposed to airborne peracetic acid containing disinfectants were recovered at 60 and 120 minutes post-exposition and suspended in culture medium again. The cytotoxicity of disinfectant containing medium was eliminated through gel filtration columns. A 4 log reduction of infectious titer of dried poliovirus inocula exposed to peracetic-based airborne disinfectant was obtained.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the virucidal activity of airborne disinfectants can be tested on dried poliovirus.
REFERENCE:
Thevenin T, Lobert PE, Hober D. Inactivation of an enterovirus by airborne disinfectants. BMC Infect Dis. 2013 Apr 15;13:177.

Poster sobre uso de Equipo de Protección Personal #EPP

Prepared by the Academy for Educational Development for the USAID Avian Infl uenza Program

Pueden descargarla:

>> HOW TO WEAR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) <<
Pueden recibir gratuitamente 3 copias impresas tamaño poster, que serán enviadas por correo regular. Para lo cual, solicitamos que nos envíen su solicitud firmada al correo electrónico del blogbioseguridad@gmail.com.

Cabinas de Seguridad Biológica #WHO #CDC

Tengo aquí, tres documentos relacionados al uso de cabinas de seguridad biológica. El primero "Cabinas de seguridad biológica: uso, desinfección y mantenimiento" de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, es un libro muy completo que habla acerca de las características y buen uso de las cabinas. Después tengo el "Apéndice A" del Manual de Laboratorios Microbiológicos del CDC (BMBL5), y que complementa dicho manual. Finalmente, un pequeño texto sobre las recomendaciones para la "Colocación de Cabinas de Seguridad Biológicas en Laboratorios" y que puede ser de utilidad.

Guideline for Microbial Risk Assessment

DESCARGAR

Scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and joined by scientists from other federal agencies developed the Guideline for Microbial Risk Assessment: Pathogenic Microorganisms with Focus on Food and Water (231 pp, 1.24Mb). This document provides a common framework to perform microbial risk assessment (MRA). It lays out a flexible set of approaches, methods, and tools for use to conduct their microbial risk assessment and provide more transparency to the process and results. This guideline addresses issues specific to microbial risk, e.g., secondary transmission, immune status, and growth and die-off of organisms, as well as addressing concepts generic to classical chemical risk assessment.

Curso sobre control de infecciones hospitalarias UVG

El Centro de Estudios en Salud de la Universidad del Valle de Guatemala y la oficina Regional para Centro América y Panamá del CDC desarrollaron un curso en línea sobre el control de infecciones en hospitales que pueden ver en las siguientes ligas.
El menú con los cursos.
Curso de control de infecciones.

COMIC: Mónica y sus amigos... ¡abajo la #rabia!

Los animales son excelentes compañeros de niños y adultos. Pero a veces, los perros, los gatos y los animales silvestres (murciélagos, mapaches, monos y zorros), así como otros animales, pueden transmitir a la gente una enfermedad muy grave que se llama "rabia".
Si una persona es agredida por un animal, debe lavarse la herida con agua y jabón y acudir al puesto de salud cuanto antes. La rapidez en la búsqueda de ayuda y tratamiento en el puesto de salud es de suma importancia para evitar que la enfermedad se vuelva grave. Una vez que aparecen los síntomas, la rabia no tiene cura.
En las últimas décadas, a pesar de que el número de casos de rabia en las personas disminuyó en muchos de nuestros países, todavía se producen casos, principalmente en niños. Pero hay formas de controlar y hasta eliminar la rabia en las comunidades: vacunando a perros y gatos todos los años y acudiendo al puesto de salud si una persona es agredida por un animal.
La rabia es una enfermedad muy seria, pero con determinación podremos combatirla y así  ayudaremos a crear un ambiente saludable para todos, en nuestra comunidad, en nuestro país y en los otros países de las Américas.
¡Contamos con ustedes!
Dra. Mirta Roses Periago
Directora de la Organización
Panamericana de la Salud
>> DESCARGAR <<
http://www.paho.org/spanish/ad/dpc/vp/monica.pdf

Captura de datos en #laboratorios de #bioseguridad #ABSL4

La naturaleza restrictiva de un laboratorio de bioseguridad animal nivel 4 (ABSL4) complica  actividades tan simples como la captura de datos. De forma típica, los datos clínicos son registrados en papel durante los procedimientos, enviados por fax fuera del laboratorio, y posteriormente ingresados manualmente en computadoras. Este sistema presenta diversas desventajas, incluyendo errores de transcripción. Aquí, se describe el desarrollo de un sistema altamente adaptable de captura de datos basado en tabletas-PC, que permite la captura fidedigna de datos clínicos y observacionales de experimentos animales en instalaciones de bioconteción. Un equipo multidisciplinarios con habilidades científicas en laboratorios de contención animal, diseño de bases de datos, ingeniería de software, colaboraron en el desarrollo de este sistema. Las metas fueron el diseño de un sistema flexible en una tableta-PC de pantalla táctil (touch-screen) con un sistema de recuperación de procesos, capacidades de auditoría y costo-efectiva. El sistema simplifica la captura de datos, reduce el tiempo necesario de un ambiente ABSL4, ofrece reportes periódicos, revisión de datos, facilita el análisis estadístico, reduce el potencial entrada de datos erróneos, mejora la calidad del cuidado animal y avances del uso y refinamientos de puntos finales humanos.

Bente DA, Friesen J, White K, Koll J, Kobinger GP. A computerized data-capture system for animal biosafety level 4 laboratories. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2011;50(5):660-4.

Video: Que son los virus?

Hay muchos tipos de virus, y aquellos que causan enfermedad son solo un pequeña parte de ellos... El Dr. Ricanello explica de forma comprensible que son los virus, donde puedes encontrarlos, tamaño, replicacion, y muchas otras cosas mas. En ingles, :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqByphUzeEI