The role of nutrition in providing optimal broiler growth and intestinal health is essential, especially during stress or disease challenge. Feed enzymes are useful for improving performance of poultry, particularly when nutrition, management, or health status is not favorable. The objective of the following experiments was to evaluate the effect of dietary phytic acid (PA) and phytase on the performance and intestinal health of birds that were vaccinated with a live coccidial oocyst vaccine. For each experiment, half of the chicks were spray-vaccinated at day-of-hatch with Coccivac®-B and grown out in floor pens with ad libitum access to diets formulated to meet Cobb nutrient recommendations. In the first experiment, birds were given one of three diets that included different levels of a PA solution to obtain dietary PA levels of 0.74, 0.87, and 1.12% for low, medium, and high PA diets, respectively. In the second experiment, two levels of PA were included to obtain dietary PA levels of 0.75 and 1.05% for low and high PA diets, respectively. In addition, phytase was added over the top to half of the diets at 1000 FTU/kg, resulting in four diets: low PA without phytase, low PA with phytase, high PA without phytase, and high PA with phytase. Live performance parameters including body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, and mortality were measured as well as tibia ash (experiment 2) and indicators of small intestinal health including morphology, apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (IAAD), and pH (experiment 2). The results presented here indicated that giving broilers vaccinated against coccidiosis a medium level of PA was detrimental to feed intake, body weight gain, and it induced necrotic enteritis (P ≤ 0.05). Adding phytase on top of nutritionally adequate diets did not improve performance (P ≥ 0.05), but did improve (P ≤ 0.05) apparent IAAD and morphology of the small intestine, especially in younger birds. In addition, it has been determined that important considerations in diet formulation also can include the phytate: protein as well as calcium: total phosphorus ratios, as these may critically affect how phytate impacts bird health and performance. / Ph. D.

A soluble acid-heat extracted Brucella vaccine: Immunological and physiological studies in guinea pigs, rabbits and calves. 143 p. Dissertation. 1959. -- A soluble-type vaccine was prepared by the acid-heat extraction of Brucella abortus Strain 2 308 and its metabolic by-products in Stuart• s medium. A comparison was made, in guinea pigs, of 2-day-old and 13-day-old cultures for the preparation of the immunogenic agent. Further comparisons were made in guinea pigs and calves of the 13-day-old culture and cell-free 13-day-old culture vaccine. The agent made from the 2-day-old culture produced no significant protection against various challenge levels of virulent Br. abortus Strain 2308. The agent prepared from 13-day-old cultures not only produced significant protection against homologous strain challenge but, produced insignificant serum-agglutination titers at effective dosage levels. The 13-day-old whole and cell-free culture vaccines gave similar results in guinea pigs. In calves the 13-day-old whole-culture vaccine produced higher transient serum-agglutination titers than the 13-day-old cell-free culture vaccine. Protective studies in calves were inconclusive due to inadequate infection in the control animals. The vaccine was shown to be essentially protein in nature and contained two distinct fractions on paper electrophoretic examination. The less mobile fraction apparently contained the agglutinogenic material and the more mobile fraction apparently contained the immunogenic material. Removal of the Brucella cells, prior to acid-heat extraction, decreased the less mobile fraction by more than one-half. The degree of serum agglutinin titer response was apparently contingent on this fraction, which indicated the agglutinogens were an index of metabolic byproducts, but this did not imply that they were an index of protection. Paper electrophoretic serum-protein patterns of 15 male and 15 female rabbits were studied. It was determined that: the serum fraction percentages of normal rabbits showed little variation, with no differences between sex or breed. The various pathologic conditions were indicated first by serum-protein patterns, and later diagnosed by histopathological examination of necropsy material. An additional 14 rabbits with a natural Eimeria stiedae infection were also investigated. The use of paper electrophoresis as an aid in the selection of normal animals for experimental investigation was demonstrated. The 13-day-old whole culture vaccine was employed in rabbits to study serum-agglutinin titer response. The results indicated that the maximum gamma globulin response followed the peak agglutinin response by seven to twenty-one days, this indicated a secondary response the nature of which was not determined. Female rabbits responded to the vaccine with higher initial titers than males and the titer decline was one and one-half times more rapid in the males than. in the females. Sex was shown to be the most significant factor in this finding. Castration and ovario-hysterectomy indicated that the above results could be reversed when an estrogenic hormone was given to the castrates and when testosterone was given to the ovario-hysterectomized animals. Insufficient data was available to elucidate the role of steroid hormones in the serum-agglutinin titer response. / Ph. D.

En 2018, la province de Québec a modifié son calendrier de vaccination contre les virus du papillome humain (VPH), remplaçant le calendrier comportant 2 doses de vaccin nonavalent par un calendrier de vaccination mixte, comportant une dose de vaccin nonavalent suivie d’une dose de vaccin bivalent. Toutefois, l’efficacité clinique et la durée de protection conférées par ce calendrier mixte ne sont pas connues avec précision, impliquant une incertitude quant à son impact populationnel sur l’incidence des maladies associées aux VPH. L’impact populationnel du calendrier mixte au Québec a été évalué à l’aide d’une étude de modélisation mathématique. Le modèle utilisé (HPV-ADVISE) est basé sur les individus et simule la dynamique de transmission des VPH à l’échelle populationnelle. Les mesures d’impact considérées incluent la réduction prédite par le modèle du taux d’incidence et du nombre total de cas des maladies attribuables aux VPH. L’effet de l’incertitude quant à l’efficacité vaccinale et la durée de protection sur l’impact du calendrier mixte a été exploré à l’aide d’analyses de sensibilité univariées. Pour les lésions cancéreuses et précancéreuses, les simulations ont globalement prédit une faible différence d’impact entre les scénarios les plus plausibles du calendrier mixte et le calendrier comportant 2 doses de vaccin nonavalent, conséquence de l’importance inférieure du fardeau attribuable aux génotypes 31/33/45/52/58 comparativement aux génotypes 16/18. L’impact sur l’incidence des condylomes s’est avéré beaucoup plus sensible à la durée de protection qu’à l’efficacité vaccinale. Pour les scénarios jugés plausibles, la réduction à long terme du taux d’incidence des condylomes a été prédite entre ~ 50 % (durée de protection de 20 ans) et 90 % (protection à vie, efficacité de 75 à 100 %). Cette grande variabilité dans les prédictions du modèle suggère qu’une surveillance populationnelle des infections à VPH et des condylomes suite à l’implantation du calendrier mixte pourrait être indiquée. / In 2018, the province of Québec (Canada) modified its vaccination schedule against human papilloma virus (HPV), replacing the 2-dose nonavalent schedule by a mixed schedule, comprising a single dose of nonavalent vaccine followed by a single dose of bivalent vaccine. However, clinical efficacy and duration of protection conferred by this mixed schedule are not known precisely, implying a level of uncertainty with respect to its population-level impact on HPV-associated diseases. The population-level impact of mixed HPV vaccination in Québec was examined with a mathematical modeling study. We used an individual-based model (HPV-ADVISE) that simulates HPV transmission dynamics at the population level. Impact measures that were considered in this study include model-predicted percentage reduction in incidence rate and in total number of cases of diseases attributable to HPV infections. The effect of uncertainty regarding vaccine efficacy and duration of protection on mixed schedule populational impact was explored with deterministic univariate sensitivity analyses. For precancerous and cancerous lesions attributable to HPV infections, the model globally predicted a small impact difference between the more plausible scenarios for the mixed schedule and the 2-dose nonavalent schedule. This is a consequence of the lesser populational importance of the disease burden attributable to genotypes 31/33/45/52/58 compared to genotypes 16/18. The impact on condyloma (anogenital warts) incidence proved much more sensitive to duration of protection compared to vaccine efficacy. For plausible mixed schedule scenarios, long-term percentage reduction of condyloma incidence rate was predicted between ~ 50 % (20 years protection scenario) and 90 % (lifelong protection and 75 % to 100 % efficacy scenarios). The high variability in model predictions within plausible scenarios suggests that populational surveillance of HPV infections and condyloma incidence following the introduction of the mixed schedule could be indicated.

Mortality and decreased weight gain resulting from infection and disease in dairy calves is a problem within the dairy industry. Colostrum is the sole source of maternal immunity for the calf, having a substantial impact on health and survival. To date, colostrum quality is determined by concentration of antibodies. Colostrum also contains proteins and cells, which may enhance immune development in the neonate. Our goals were to determine the impact of colostral immune cells on (1) immune status during the first month of life and (2) immune development over time. To determine the impact of adoptively transferred colostral immune cells, calves were fed either whole colostrum (WC) or cell-free colostrum (CFC) at birth. During the first month of life, calves fed CFC had decreased numbers of CD4+ T cells when compared to WC-fed calves. However, CFC-fed calves had a greater percentage of monocytes during the first month of life. To determine the influence of colostral immune cells on immune development, cellular blood parameters were measured in response to two series of vaccinations (A and B). After vaccination series A, CFC-fed calves had decreased numbers of B cells when compared to WC-fed calves. After vaccination series B, CFC-fed calves had decreased levels of interleukin-2 gene expression and numbers of CD4+ and gamma delta T cells when compared to WC-fed calves. This study demonstrates that colostral immune cells impact immune status and development in dairy calves. / Master of Science

This dissertation examines the socio-behavioral determinants of vaccination and their impacts on public health, using a systems approach that emphasizes the interface between population health research, policy, and practice. First, we identify the facilitators and barriers of parental attitudes and beliefs toward school-located influenza vaccination in the United States. Next, we examine current vaccine sentiment on social media by constructing and analyzing semantic networks of vaccine information online. Finally, we estimate the health benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination strategies in Seattle using a dynamic agent-based model. The underlying motivation for this research is to better inform public health policy by leveraging the facilitators and addressing potential barriers against vaccination; by understanding vaccine sentiment to improve health science communication; and by assessing potential vaccination strategies that may provide the greatest gains in health for a given cost in health resources. / PHD / Public health decisions are ultimately left to those in policy, however these decisions are often subjective and rarely informed by data. This dissertation comprises three studies that, individually, examine various public health aspects of vaccination, and collectively, aim to help inform decision makers by bridging the gaps that persist between scientific evidence and the implementation of relevant health policy. First, we identify the facilitators and barriers of parental attitudes and beliefs toward school-located influenza vaccination in the United States. Next, we examine current vaccine sentiment on social media by constructing and analyzing semantic networks of vaccine information online. Finally, we estimate the health benefits, costs, and cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccination strategies in Seattle using a dynamic agent-based model. The work presented here demonstrates a systems approach to public health by way of computational modeling and interdisciplinary perspectives that describe vaccination behavior at the intersection of public health research, policy, and practice. The motivation for this research is to better inform public health policy: by leveraging the facilitators and addressing potential barriers against vaccination; by understanding vaccine sentiment to improve health science communication; and by assessing potential vaccination strategies that may provide the greatest gains in health for a given cost in health resources.

À l’automne 2010, le Québec a réalisé une campagne de vaccination de masse contre la grippe pandémique A(H1N1) en utilisant presque exclusivement un nouveau vaccin adjuvanté à l’AS03 (Arepanrix, GlaxoSmithKline). Les données de surveillance recueillies durant la campagne de vaccination ont montré que le taux de déclaration d’anaphylaxie, une réaction systémique sévère souvent attribuable à l’allergie, s’est avéré être supérieur à celui historiquement observé avec les vaccins contre la grippe saisonnière (8 contre < 1 cas par million de doses, respectivement). De plus, l’évaluation systématique des déclarations de manifestations cliniques inhabituelles (MCI) d’allure allergique a démontré que l’anaphylaxie avait été sous-diagnostiquée parmi les cas déclarés. Plus du deux tiers des MCI d’allure allergique observées durant la campagne de vaccination contre la grippe pandémique sont survenues chez des femmes. En tenant compte du nombre de doses administrées, les femmes avaient un risque deux fois plus élevé que les hommes. De plus, ce risque était plus important durant les années de vie reproductive, soit entre l’âge de 20 et 49 ans. Notre étude cas-témoin appariée a identifié certains facteurs de risque dont l’histoire personnelle et familiale d’allergie, la présence d’une infection respiratoire et la prise de médicaments pour l’asthme dans les jours précédant la vaccination, le statut de travailleur de la santé, et une vaccination dans les 4 premières semaines de campagne. Toutefois, aucun de ces facteurs n’expliquait une grande partie des anaphylaxies ou des MCI d’allure allergique. La présence d’une allergie aux œufs ou au poisson, deux composantes potentiellement allergènes du vaccin, ne s’est pas avéré être un facteur de risque significatif de MCI d’allure allergique. Nous avons aussi réalisé une étude clinique en allergie auprès d’une centaine de cas déclarés durant la campagne de vaccination contre la grippe pandémique qui a montré que peu de ces événements pouvaient être attribuables à une allergie IgE-dépendante au vaccin ou à ses composantes. Cette recherche a mis en évidence le risque plus élevé d’anaphylaxie et de MCI d’allure allergique chez les femmes en âge reproducteur mais n’a pas réussi à identifier d’autres facteurs de risque majeurs. Elle a toutefois démontré que le mécanisme habituellement évoqué pour les expliquer soit la présence d’IgE ciblant une des composantes du vaccin semble jouer un rôle très mineur.

The effect of dietary copper (Cu) supplementation with Cu-Sulfate (CuSO₄) or Cu-Lysine (CuLy) on Cu status and bovine monocyte function was evaluated through a series of experiments. Initially, two in vitro techniques, immunomagnetic (IM) and culture flask adherence (CF), were compared for isolation of a viable, homogeneous monocyte population. The CF technique for monocyte isolation resulted in both a greater number of cells exhibiting phagocytic activity, as well as, an increased phagocytic capacity compared to monocytes recovered by the IM technique. Culture flask adherence appears to be an efficient technique for isolation of a viable, homogeneous population of bovine monocytes. Copper status and monocyte function were evaluated in beef calves supplemented with Cu over a 2 year study period. Fifty-four weaned calves were allotted to one of three Cu treatment groups in a 150 d feeding trial, Plasma Cu concentration was increased in CuLy-supplemented calves over controls and CuSO₄-supplemented calves on d 42, 84, and 126. Calves supplemented with Cu had increased ceruloplasmin activity on d 84, 126, and 150 as compared to controls. Hepatic Cu measured on d 150 was decreased in controls compared to Cu-supplemented calves. Monocyte cell number and function from CuLy-supplemented calves showed increased phagocytosis on d 84 and 126 and increased oxidative burst on d 42 and 126 compared to controls. Dietary Cu supplementation was repeated using 45 calves in a 120 d study. CuLy-supplemented heifers had increased major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on d 68, 82 and 110 compared to CuSO₄-supplemented and control group heifers. Heifers supplemented with Cu had increased plasma Cu concentrations on d 82 and 110 compared to controls. The effect of vaccination on monocyte function was evaluated in Cu-supplemented beef heifers. Vaccination with B. abortus Strain 19 increased monocyte oxidative burst, phagocytic activity, and MHC class II expression in heifers. Copper supplementation and source of Cu supplement influenced monocyte response to vaccination. Monocyte response appeared to be higher in CuLy-supplemented heifers after vaccination compared to CuSO₄-supplemented and control heifers. / Ph. D.

No description available.

Background: In child health care immunization is a common task for the child health nurse. Often children are unprepared, afraid and preoccupied with pain in the vaccination situation. Most children experience the presence of the parents as important during the procedure. Parents who prepare their child reduce the child's stress during the vaccination situation. An interaction occurs between the child health nurse and the child where participation is a prerequisite for the experience to be a positive outcome. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the child health nurses' experiences of vaccinating children aged 0-6 years.Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were performed with twelve child health nurses. Data was analyzed using a content analysis focusing in manifest content. Results: Child health nurses' experiences of vaccinating commuted between the sense of power and confident. The crucial experience was the support and cooperation that the child health nurses experienced with the parents. It emerged a theme: Participation, three main categories: Sense of power, sense of confidence and cooperation with parents and six subcategories: Abuse, powerlessness, experiences, strategies, common goals and approaches and different goals and approaches. Conclusion: The result indicates that the parents have a dominant role in the vaccination situations with the ability to affect the health nurse's experience. Child health nurse, child and parents must cooperate to vaccinations to be carried out and be perceived in a positive way

Thesis (MScMedSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Individuals latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) contain the infection without showing signs of illness. Steroid hormones such as glucocorticoids (GCs) however can lead to reactivation of TB. Currently two different injectable contraceptives are available in South Africa, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and norethisterone enanthate (NET). MPA is able to bind to and activate the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and possesses selective GC activity, a pharmacological characteristic absent in NET. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune modulatory effects of the two contraceptives MPA and NET on immune responses to mycobacteria in vitro and in vivo. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were infected with BCG (M. bovis Bacille Calmette-Guérin) and treated with MPA, NET, progesterone or cortisol and cytokine expression was measured in order to determine whether the synthetic progestins mimic endogenous progesterone or the GC cortisol. MPA, but not NET suppressed the expression of IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-12p40 and IL-13 similarly to cortisol. Furthermore expression of miRNAs, small double stranded RNA molecules that bind to complementary sequences in mRNAs of target genes and cause their degradation, was determined under the different experimental conditions. The expression of several miRNAs including miR-30c, miR-222, miR-454 and miR-331-3p were differentially influenced by MPA, cortisol and/or NET in PBMCs stimulated with BCG. For example, BCG induced the expression of miR-454 (p=0.003) which was then inhibited to basal levels by cortisol (p=0.008), MPA (p=0.002) and NET (p=0.002). These results demonstrate that steroid hormones including the contraceptives MPA and NET can modulate immune responses to mycobacteria at the miRNA level. To determine the effect of MPA and NET on BCG-induced expression of miRNAs in vivo a mouse model was used. C57BL/6 mice were injected weekly with either MPA or NET using a dose equivalent to humans and then infected with BCG. Mice treated with MPA had a higher spleen bacterial load 21 days after infection compared to both NET treated and control mice (p=0.023). In whole blood, MPA and NET treatment suppressed the BCG-induced production of miR-100 and miR-509-3p to basal levels. In contrast to NET, MPA induced expression of miR-99a expression independent of BCG infection. In the lung, the site of disease, a total number of 22 out of 377 miRNAs tested were differentially expressed 21 days after infection. The results of this study indicate that both synthetic progestins altered the immune response to BCG at the level of cytokine expression as well as the miRNA level. MPA was found to mimic cortisol by inhibiting secretion of inflammatory cytokines whereas NET appeared to have more progestogenic properties. Each of the steroid hormones was observed to induce a characteristic miRNA expression profile, both in vitro as well as in vivo, although not identical. These results highlight that the two contraceptives – although used interchangeably by women in developing countries - are pharmacologically unique and differentially modulate immune responses to mycobacteria. These data support the urgent need for further research into the link between hormonal contraceptives and susceptibility to infectious diseases. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Individue wat latent met Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( M.tb ) geïnfekteer is, onderdruk die infeksie en wys geen simptome van die siekte nie. Steroïed hormone soos glukokortikoïede (GKe) kan egter tot die heraktivering van TB lei. Daar is tans twee verskillende inspuitbare voorbehoedmiddels beskikbaar in Suid-Afrika, medroksiprogesteroon-asetaat (MPA) en noretisteroon enantaat (NET). MPA is staat om aan die glukokortikoïed reseptor (GR) te bind en dit te aktiveer. MPA beskik ook selektiewe GK aktiwiteit, 'n farmakologiese eienskap wat afwesig is in NET. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die immuun-regulerende effekte van die twee voorbehoedmiddels, MPA en NET, op immuunresponse teen mikobakterieë in vitro en in vivo te ondersoek. Menslike perifêre bloed mononukleêre selle (PBMSe) is met BCG geïnfekteer en met MPA, NET, progesteroon of kortisol behandel. Sitokien uitdrukking was gemeet om vas te stel of die sintetiese progestiene, endogene progesteroon of die GK kortisol naboots. MPA, maar nie NET, onderdruk die produksie van IFN-γ, IL- 1α, IL- 1β, IL- 2, IL- 12p40 en IL- 13 soortgelyk aan kortisol. Verder is uitdrukking van miRNAs, klein dubbelstring RNS molekules wat aan komplimentêre volgorde in mRNAs van teiken gene bind en wat hul degradering veroorsaak, bepaal in elk van die verskillende eksperimentele toestande. Die uitdrukking van verskeie miRNAs insluitende miR-30c, miR-222, miR-454 en miR-331-3p is differensieël beïnvloed deur MPA, kortisol en/of NET in PBMSe wat met BCG gestimuleer is. Byvoorbeeld, BCG veroorsaak die uitdrukking van miR-454 wat dan geïnhibeer word tot agtergrondvlakke deur kortisol, MPA en NET. Hierdie resultate toon dat steroïed hormone, insluitend die voorbehoedmiddels MPA en NET, die immuunrespons teen mikobakterieë op miRNA-vlak affekteer. Om die effek van MPA en NET op BCG-geïnduseerde uitdrukking van miRNAs in vivo te bepaal, is ʼn muismodel gebruik. C57BL/6 muise is weekliks met 'n dosis van MPA of NET, ekwivalent aan dosisse gebruik in die mens, ingespuit en met BCG geïnfekteer. Muise wat met MPA behandel is, het 'n hoër bakteriële lading in die milt 21 dae na infeksie in vergelyking met NET-behandelde muise en kontrole muise. In hul bloed, onderdruk MPA en NET behandeling die BCG-geïnduseerde produksie van miR-100 en miR-509-3p tot basale vlakke. In teenstelling met NET, induseer MPA die uitdrukking van miR-99a onafhanklik van BCG infeksie. In die long is 'n totaal van 23 miRNAs differensieël uitgedruk 21 dae na die infeksie. Die resultate van hierdie studie dui daarop dat beide sintetiese progestien die immuunrespons teen BCG verander op sitokien sowel as miRNA vlak. MPA boots hoofsaaklik kortisol na deur inhibering van sitokien-produksie terwyl NET meer progesterone eienskappe het. Op miRNA vlak veroorsaak elk van die steroïed hormone 'n kenmerkende miRNA uitdrukkingsprofiel, beide in vitro asook in vivo. Hierdie resultate beklemtoon dat die twee voorbehoedmiddels - alhoewel hulle afwisselend gebruik word deur vroue in ontwikkelende lande - farmakologies uniek is en differensieël die immuunrespons reguleer teen Mycobacterium. Hierdie data ondersteun die dringende behoefte aan verdere navorsing in verband met hormonale voorbehoedmiddels en vatbaarheid vir aansteeklike siektes.