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Browsing by Subject "Prevalence"

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  • Towards a global epidemiological database for helminth infections 
    Heino, Pia (2009)
    Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are major public health problems in tropical and subtropical countries. In 2006, the World Health Organization launched a new strategy against helminth infections, based on the concept of preventive chemotherapy. Ac-cording to this recommendation, anthelminthic drugs should be distributed to all at risk of infection, with the aim of reducing morbidity and the intensity of infection. This report describes the process of constructing an epidemiological database, which attempts to incorporate all information available on the global prevalence of STH, schistosomiasis and other helminthiases. This database can be used as a tool for the implementation of preventive chemotherapy. The aim is also to gather information on the availability of epidemiological data on helminth infections. I found out that data on STH and schistosomiasis are lacking especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Better data collection and communication between WHO and endemic countries should therefore be developed.
  • Unexpectedly high prevalence of common variable immunodeficiency in Finland 
    Selenius, Jannica (2017)
    Background: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common primary immunodeficiency. Prevalence varies greatly between countries and studies. Most diagnostic criteria include hypogammaglobulinemia and impaired vaccine response. Aim: To evaluate the minimum prevalence as well as the clinical and immunological phenotypes of CVID in Southern Finland. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study to assess all adult CVID patients followed-up in three hospital districts in Southern and South-Eastern Finland between April 2007 and August 2015. CVID diagnosis was based, with a minor modification, on the ESID/PAGID criteria for primary CVID. Antipolysaccharide responses to Pneumovax® were defined as impaired only if 50% or more of the serotypes did not reach a level of 0.35 μg/mL after vaccination. We further characterized the patients’ B cell phenotypes and complications associated with CVID. Results: In total, nine patients were excluded due to potential secondary causes before diagnosis. ESID/PAGID criteria were met by 132 patients (males 52%), of whom 106 had “probable” and 26 “possible CVID”. Based on the population statistics in the three hospital districts, the minimum adult prevalence per 100 000 inhabitants in Finland for all CVID (“probable CVID”, respectively) patients was 6.9 (5.5). In the highest prevalence district (Helsinki and Uusimaa), the prevalence was 7.7 (6.1). CVID patients suffer from frequent complications. Ten patients died during follow up. Of probable CVID patients, 73% had more than one clinical phenotype. Intriguingly, gradual B cell loss from peripheral blood during follow up was seen in as many as 16% of “probable CVID” patients. Patients with possible CVID displayed somewhat milder clinical and laboratory phenotypes than probable CVID patients. We also confirm that large granular lymphocyte lymphoproliferation is a CVID-associated complication. Conclusion: The prevalence of CVID in Finland appears the highest recorded, likely reflecting the genetic isolation and potential founder effects in the Finnish population. Studies to discover potential gene variants responsible for the high prevalence in Finland thus seem warranted. Increased awareness of CVID among physicians would likely lead to earlier diagnosis and improved quality of care.

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