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We evaluated the duration of neutralizing antibodies and the status of 17DD vaccine-specific T- and B-cell memory following primary and revaccination regimens for yellow fever (YF) in Brazil. We observed progressive decline of plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT) seropositivity and of the levels of effector memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, as well as interferon-γ+CD8+ T cells, 10 years after primary vaccination. Revaccination restored PRNT seropositivity as well as the levels of effector memory CD4+, CD8+, and interferon-γ+CD8+ T cells. Moreover, secondary or multiple vaccinations guarantee long-term persistence of PRNT positivity and cell-mediated memory 10 years after booster vaccination. These findings support the relevance of booster doses to heighten the 17DD-YF-specific immune response to guarantee the long-term persistence of memory components. Secondary or multiple vaccinations improved the correlates of protection triggered by 17DD-YF primary vaccination, indicating that booster regimens are needed to achieve efficient immunity in areas with high risk for virus transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian bats have been identified as potential reservoir hosts of coronaviruses associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). We detected antibody reactive with SARS-CoV antigen in 47 (6.7%) of 705 bat serum specimens comprising 26 species collected in Africa; thus, African bats may harbor agents related to putative group 4 CoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated an outbreak of unexpectedly severe histoplasmosis among 14 healthy adventure travelers from the United States who visited a bat-infested cave in Nicaragua. Although histoplasmosis has rarely been reported to cause serious illness among travelers, this outbreak demonstrates that cases may be severe among travelers, even young, healthy persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report updates CDC's recommendations for using yellow fever vaccine (CDC. Yellow Fever Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices: MMWR 1990;39[No. RR-6]1--6). The 2002 recommendations include new or updated information regarding 1) reports of yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease (previously reported as febrile multiple organ system failure); 2) use of yellow fever vaccine for pregnant women and persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and 3) concurrent use of yellow fever vaccine with other vaccines. A link to this report and other information related to yellow fever can be accessed at the website for Travelers' Health, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, National Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC, at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm, and through the website for the Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC, at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/yellowfever/index.htm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Updates the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for using yellow fever vaccine. Forms of yellow fever; Requirements for vaccination before international travel; Precautions and contraindications.

Examines the social impact of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kabul, Afghanistan. Number of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis each year in Kabul; Result of the house-to-house survey in October 2002 conducted in Kabul's 14 administrative districts; Reason women are at greater risk for leishmaniasis.

Reports on the incidence of tickborne encephalitis virus in northeastern Germany. Information on the case of a 61-year old man who was bitten by a tick at Lake Woblitz; Results of the tests of cerebrospinal fluid specimens; Indication of the absence of tickborne encephalitis cases for 20 years.