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Although pertussis is increasingly recognized as a cause of prolonged cough illness in adolescents and adults, its prevalence is not well established. We evaluated pertussis infection in 442 adolescents and adults ⩾12 years old (mean age, 41.3 years) who had a cough-related illness of 7–56 days' duration. For 4 patients (0.9%), results of nasopharyngeal culture or PCR were positive for Bordetella pertussis; for 10 patients (2.3%), either results of culture or PCR were positive or pertussis antibody titers increased 4-fold. Eighty-eight patients (19.9%) had either laboratory-confirmed pertussis or laboratory evidence of pertussis. These patients had significantly longer duration of cough than did patients without laboratory evidence of pertussis (56 days vs. 46 days), and more of them had vomiting with cough (45.5% vs. 28.5%, respectively). Pertussis is a common cause of prolonged cough illness in adolescents and adults and is frequently associated with other symptoms of whooping cough.

Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) continue to be important health problems in many countries. In June 2004, the World Health Organization Steering Committee on Research Related to Measles and Rubella Vaccines and Vaccination met to evaluate data from research and operational activities and to identify critical scientific issues and gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed to improve the global control of rubella and CRS. Information about surveillance for rubella, natural and vaccine-induced immunity to rubella, laboratory diagnosis, the molecular epidemiological profile of rubella virus, and mathematical modeling to assess the burden of CRS and the impact of rubella vaccination was reviewed. This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations for future research

In 1996, a population-based surveillance program for invasive adult group B streptococcal (GBS) diseases in Canada was undertaken, to define the epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics of the disease. Nine public health units across Canada, representing 9.6% of the population, participated in the program. In total, 106 culture-positive cases of invasive adult GBS disease were reported, which represented an incidence rate 4.6 per 100,000 adults (41/100,000 for pregnant and 4.1/100,000 for nonpregnant adults). Sixty-two (58.5%) of the 106 cases occurred in females, and, of these, 15 (14.2%) were associated with pregnancy. Serotype V was the most common, accounting for 31% of the 90 GBS isolates typed (26.7% of nonpregnant and 4.4% of pregnant cases). This was followed by serotypes III (19%), Ia (17%), Ib (10%), II (9%), and VII (1%). Thirteen percent were nontypeable. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, and vancomycin. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was 6.7% and 4.4%, respectively.

Since 1984, the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region has had targets for reducing the burden of a number of communicable diseases. While some countries have already met the targets for interrupting indigenous measles transmission and for reducing the incidence of congenital rubella syndrome to <1 case per 100,000 births, most have not. The cultural and economic diversity of the region present a number of challenges that must be overcome before the regional targets are met. These include social factors, political will, economic costs associated with supplementary campaigns, and more effective communication with health professionals and the public on the benefits and risks associated with immunization. Most WHO European Region member states are expected to use combined measles‐mumps‐rubella vaccine within the next 5 years. Consultation within the region is occurring on a strategic plan to meet the targets by 2010.

The WHO European Region has a measles elimination target for 2010. Between September 2005 and mid-June 2006, more than 50,000 measles cases were reported in Ukraine; many reportedly had received two doses of measles vaccine and over 60% were among persons 15–29 years old. To investigate vaccine effectiveness (VE), a case–control study was undertaken in Dnepropetrovsk region. VE for two doses of measles vaccine was 93.1%, providing insufficient population immunity for measles elimination. An additional dose of measles vaccine for these age-cohorts is required if Ukraine is to achieve measles elimination. Other republics of the former Soviet Union also need to consider a supplemental dose of measles vaccine for older age groups identified epidemiologically to be at increased risk for measles even though individuals may have already received two doses.

The emergence of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in spring 2009 has provided a real test to the pandemic preparations that Canada, other countries and the World Health Organization have undertaken. Although formidable challenges remain, Canada is as well prepared as any country to address the second wave of the pandemic expected in the fall. L'émergence de la grippe pandémique (H1N1) au printemps 2009 a permis de tester dans des conditions réelles les préparatifs de lutte contre la pandémie amorcés par le Canada, les autres pays et l'Organisation mondiale de la santé. Il reste des obstacles formidables à surmonter, mais le Canada est aussi bien préparé que les autres pays à affronter la deuxième vague de la pandémie, attendue à l'automne.

The targets of measles and rubella elimination by 2010 in the WHO European Region provide an opportunity to strengthen national immunization programs, including surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases and the required laboratory networks. This article puts forth the perspective that achieving these targets is not only possible, but has the added incentive that they will provide the foundation for further enhanced control initiatives for vaccine-preventable diseases, including strengthening the national and regional laboratory capacity to detect and confirm cases and outbreaks of these diseases, and others of public health importance.

To report current information about invasive pneumococcal infections, capsular types and antimicrobial resistance in Canada. Retrospective analysis. Canada. A total of 976 patients from whom Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 1995. Capsular type and antimicrobial susceptibility. Twenty types accounted for 90.8% of the isolates from patients over 5 years of age; all but type 15A are covered by the currently available 23-valent vaccine. Nine types accounted for 92% of the isolates recovered from children 5 years and less. Reduced susceptibility to penicillin was found in 7.8% of the collection and was associated with types 6B, 9V and 19A. Full resistance to penicillin was observed most frequently during 1995 and was associated with type 9V. Rates of reduced susceptibility over one 12-month period were 19.5% for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 4.5% or less for each of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ofloxacin and tetracycline. Over 90% of invasive pneumococcal infections are covered by the currently available vaccines (for people over 2 years of age) and the pneumococcal protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines under development for young children. The high frequency of antimicrobial resistance observed requires more complete investigation and confirmation; however, taken from a global perspective, it supports the need to develop better control strategies, including greater use of new and existing vaccines.

Recent studies have resulted in major changes in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. The present statement focuses on the diagnosis and management of infants and children >2 months of age with an acute UTI and no known underlying urinary tract pathology or risk factors for a neurogenic bladder. UTI should be ruled out in preverbal children with unexplained fever and in older children with symptoms suggestive of UTI (dysuria, urinary frequency, hematuria, abdominal pain, back pain or new daytime incontinence). A midstream urine sample should be collected for urinalysis and culture in toilet-trained children; others should have urine collected by catheter or by suprapubic aspirate. UTI is unlikely if the urinalysis is completely normal. A bagged urine sample may be used for urinalysis but should not be used for urine culture. Antibiotic treatment for seven to 10 days is recommended for febrile UTI. Oral antibiotics may be offered as initial treatment when the child is not seriously ill and is likely to receive and tolerate every dose. Children <2 years of age should be investigated after their first febrile UTI with a renal/bladder ultrasound to identify any significant renal abnormalities. A voiding cystourethrogram is not required for children with a first UTI unless the renal/bladder ultrasound reveals findings suggestive of vesicoureteral reflux, selected renal anomalies or obstructive uropathy.

GROUP A β-hemolytic streptococcus is an uncommon but serious cause of postoperative wound infection. Group A streptococcus is isolated from less than 1 percent of all surgical-wound infections and causes less than 1 incisional-wound infection per 10,000 operations (National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System, Centers for Disease Control: unpublished data). Clusters of group A streptococcal postoperative wound infections can usually he associated with a carrier who has direct patient-care responsibilities in the operating room. A carrier was identified in 10 of the 12 outbreaks reported since 1965. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Eight carriers were operating-room personnel with group A streptococcus in their rectums or vaginas. . . .