BACKGROUND The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Malaysia has been estimated at 2.5% of the adult population. Our objective, satisfying one of the directives of the WHO Framework for Global Action on Viral Hepatitis, was to forecast the HCV disease burden in Malaysia using modelling methods. METHODS An age-structured multi-state Markov model was developed to simulate the natu...

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to explore the effects of viral co-detection in individuals recently vaccinated with the live-attenuated intranasal influenza virus vaccine (LAIV) on the detection of influenza RNA. METHODS Before the 2013-2014 influenza season, nasal swabs were obtained from 59 pediatric participants with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 17 of their healthy siblings immedia...

BACKGROUND UK estimates of age related macular degeneration (AMD) occurrence vary. AIMS To estimate prevalence, number and incidence of AMD by type in the UK population aged ≥50 years. METHODS Age-specific prevalence rates of AMD obtained from a Bayesian meta-analysis of AMD prevalence were applied to UK 2007-2009 population data. Incidence was estimated from modelled age-specific prevalenc...

OBJECTIVE To generate estimates of the burden of UK-acquired foodborne disease accounting for uncertainty. DESIGN A modelling study combining data from national public health surveillance systems for laboratory-confirmed infectious intestinal disease (IID) and outbreaks of foodborne disease and 2 prospective, population-based studies of IID in the community. The underlying data sets covered t...

Previously, we isolated a Vk gene (Humkv325) from a human placenta that encodes RF light chains bearing the PSL2 and PSL3 CRI markers. Here we report the isolation and characterization of a second human Vk gene (Humkv328) that can be used for RF synthesis. This Vk gene probably encodes at least two 6B6.6 CRI+ RF light chains (Les and Pom) from unrelated subjects, and thus may be related to the ...

The expression of an idiotype characteristic of anti-p-azophenylarsonate antibodies of all A/J mice was explored in F(1) progeny, in other inbred strains, and in congenic mice. Of the strains tested only those closely related to A/J produced antibodies with the cross-reactive idiotype (CRI). None of the mice synthesized intermediate levels of CRI. No relationship between H-2 type and idiotype w...

BACKGROUND Collecting adequate information on key epidemiological indicators is a prerequisite to informing a public health response to reduce the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Malaysia. Our goal was to overcome the acute data shortage typical of low/middle income countries using statistical modelling to estimate the national HCV prevalence and the distribution over transmissio...

BACKGROUND To test if the critical power (CP) concept can be utilized to determine the critical rest interval (CRI) using repeated sprint ability (RSA) testing with varying work-to-rest ratios. METHODS Twelve recreationally trained men (mean±SD; age 24.1±3.6 years) completed a graded exercise test and three RSA protocols with 6-second maximal sprints and varying rest intervals (12-36 s) on a ...

In 2015, an estimated 101,200 people (95% credible interval (CrI) 97,500–105,700) were living with HIV in the UK. This is equivalent to an HIV prevalence of 1.6 per 1000 individuals, or 0.16% (Figure 1). Of concern, 13,500 (95% CrI 10,200–17,800), or 13% (95% CrI 10–17%) people remain unaware of their infection and are at risk of passing on the virus to others. The new diagnosis rate remains hi...

To investigate susceptibility to and factors associated with rubella infection among pregnant mothers and to estimate the burden of congenital rubella infection (CRI) in Vietnam where rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) is not included in the routine immunization program, we conducted a prospective cohort study in Nha Trang, Vietnam between 2009 and 2010. Rubella-specific immunoglobulin-M and immu...