Management of varicella contacts in pregnancy: VZIG or Vaccination?

Background Varicella infection during pregnancy poses a serious risk for both foetus and mother. It has been suggested that it would be more cost-effective to screen antenatally with post-partum vaccination, which occurs in the US, than the current policy of checking immune status post varicella exposure, with VZIG administration where necessary. Additionally, it is doubtful whether the current policy provides best patient care, when a vaccine is available. Objectives The study aims to retrospectively compare the cost of the current policy with a cost estimate for antenatal screening with post-partum vaccination in NI. Study design A cost estimate of antenatal screening of primigravidas, with post-partum vaccination, was calculated for two models: (1) verbal screening, with serological testing of those with no history of varicella infection and (2) serological screening of all primigravidas. Results The cost of VZIG issued to pregnant women in 2006 was £100,800; 43% of births were to primigravidas therefore the estimated cost of VZIG issued to multigravidas was £58,100. The cost of verbal screening with post-partum vaccination is estimated at £23,750 p.a., saving £34,350 over current policy. The estimated cost of screening all primigravidas with post-partum vaccination is £43,000, saving £15,100. Conclusions This retrospective study suggests that in NI either of the proposed antenatal screening strategies would be less costly than current practice. This finding supports the suggestion that varicella immunity testing should be included in the Antenatal Infectious Diseases Screening Programme, either as part of the universal vaccination programme or solely as an antenatal programme.

The RET mutation E768D confers a late-onset Familial medullary thyroid carcinoma - only phenotype with incomplete penetrance: Implications for screening and management of carrier status

Objective: We describe a 4-generation family with familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) - a variant of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) without extra-thyroid features. RET mutation analysis confirmed an E768D mutation in exon 13 in 8 family members, 3 affected with medullary thyroid cancer alone while the other 5 were detected to be mutation carriers. This mutation has been described in very few families worldwide and the spectrum of disease and natural history is unclear. Results: Three affected members had medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) confirmed histologically at ages 25, 50 and 56 years, respectively. The E768D mutation appears to have a less aggressive clinical course compared to other high risk RET mutations with no evidence of clinical recurrence up to I I years after initial therapy. Of five gene carriers identified, two are asymptomatic at the age of 70 and 61, and three had raised calcitonin levels at 46, 39, and 45 years. Following total thyroidectomy, one gene carrier had a histologically normal thyroid at age 46, following a mildly elevated calcitonin, one had C-cell hyperplasia at the age of 39, and one had a frank focus of carcinoma in the left thyroid lobe at the age of 45. No members had evidence of phaeochromocytoma or parathyroid disease on screening. Conclusion: The RET E768D mutation is associated with MTC with a later age at presentation, incomplete penetrance and less aggressive course compared with other high risk RET mutations. To date in this family the E768D mutation has not been associated with either phaeochromocytoma or hyperparathyroidism. The appropriate screening strategy for and management of E768D carriers is difficult reflecting the phenotypic heterogeneity.

Boost radiosurgery as a strategy after failure of initial management of pediatric primitive neuroectodermal tumors Clinical article

The aim in this study was to determine the outcomes of boost stereotactic radiosurgery, specifically Gamma Knife surgery (GKS), for recurrent primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) in children in whom initial multimodality management had failed.

Confined Site Construction: A qualitative investigation of critical issues affecting management of Health and Safety

The construction industry is inherently risky, with a significant number of accidents and disasters occurring, particularly on confined construction sites. This research investigates and identifies the various issues affecting successful management of health and safety in confined construction sites. The rationale is that identifying the issues would assist the management of health and safety particularly in inner city centres which are mostly confined sites. Using empiricism epistemology, the methodology was based on qualitative research approach by means of multiple case studies in three different geographical locations of Ireland, UK and USA. Data on each case study were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussion with project participants. The findings suggest that three core issues are the underlying factors affecting management of health and safety on confined construction sites. It include, (i) lack of space, (ii) problem of co-ordination and management of site personnel, and (iii) overcrowding of workplace. The implication of this is that project teams and their organisations should see project processes from a holistic point of view, as a unified single system, where quick intervention in solving a particular issue should be the norm, so as not to adversely affect interrelated sequence of events in project operations. Proactive strategies should be devised to mitigate these issues and may include detail project programming, space management, effective constructability review and efficient co-ordination of personnel, plant and materials among others. The value of this research is to aid management and operation of brownfield sites by identifying issues impacting on health and safety management in project process.