A new seminested PCR typing assay has been extended to identify the important veterinary rotavirus serotypes G5, G6, G10, and Gll, as well as the rare human serotype G8. The specificity of the method was evaluated with 30 standard laboratory strains of the Gl to G6 and G8 to Gll types. Rotavirus strain types G6 and G8, not previously recognized in pigs, were identified in field specimens of porcine origin.

Objective.To assess the immunogenicity and safety of non-adjuvanted influenza A H1N1/2009 vaccine in patients with juvenile autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARD) and healthy controls, because data are limited to the adult rheumatologic population.Methods.A total of 237 patients with juvenile ARD [juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), juvenile scleroderma, and vasculitis] and 91 healthy controls were vaccinated. Serology for anti-H1N1 was performed by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Seroprotection rate, seroconversion rate, and factor-increase in geometric mean titer (GMT) were calculated. Adverse events were evaluated.Results.Age was comparable in patients and controls (14.8 ± 3.0 vs 14.6 ± 3.7 years, respectively; p = 0.47). Three weeks after immunization, seroprotection rate (81.4% vs 95.6%; p = 0.0007), seroconversion rate (74.3 vs 95.6%; p < 0.0001), and the factor-increase in GMT (12.9 vs 20.3; p = 0.012) were significantly lower in patients with juvenile ARD versus controls. Subgroup analysis revealed reduced seroconversion rates in JSLE (p < 0.0001), JIA (p = 0.008), JDM (p = 0.025), and vasculitis (p = 0.017). Seroprotection (p < 0.0001) and GMT (p < 0.0001) were decreased only in JSLE. Glucocorticoid use and lymphopenia were associated with lower seroconversion rates (60.4 vs 82.9%; p = 0.0001; and 55.6 vs 77.2%; p = 0.012). Multivariate logistic regression including diseases, lymphopenia, glucocorticoid, and immunosuppressants demonstrated that only glucocorticoid use (p = 0.012) remained significant.Conclusion.This is the largest study to demonstrate a reduced but adequate immune response to H1N1 vaccine in patients with juvenile ARD. It identified current glucocorticoid use as the major factor for decreased antibody production. The short-term safety results support its routine recommendation for patients with juvenile ARD. ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT01151644.

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The novel recognition of a diverse vaccine immunogenicity profile in distinct ARDs supports the notion that a booster dose may be recommended for diseases with suboptimal immune responses. This large study also settles the issue of vaccine safety. (ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01151644).