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Background: Diphtheria can be effectively prevented by adequate immunization. A combined vaccine against diphtheria toxoid, pertussis, and tetanus toxoid (DPT) is currently used in routine pediatric immunizations. Outbreaks of diphtheria could emerge in Indonesia as a consequence of declining routine vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: To analyze the impact of the first (administered at 18-24 months of age) and second diphtheria boosters (administered at 5-7 years of age) in retaining protective levels of anti-diphtheria toxoid antibodies. We also investigated for relevant factors associated with anti-diphtheria toxoid antibody titers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Senen District of Jakarta, Indonesia. The inclusion criteria were healthy children aged 6 to 7 years with documented history of DPT vaccination. Primary vaccination defined as 3 doses of DPT at age less than 1 year, first booster was DPT vaccination at 18-24 years of age, and second booster was diphtheria-tetanus (DT) vaccination received at 5 to 7 years of age. Peripheral blood specimens were obtained from participating children, after informed consent was provided by their parents. Antibodies against diphtheria in sera specimens were assessed by commercial anti-diphtheria toxoid immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There were 154 children included in the study, with a female majority (61%). Overall, specific humoral immunity against diphtheria was observed in 113 children (73.4%). There was no statistical difference in immunity level between genders. Importantly, children who received the first and second diphtheria booster had significantly higher anti-diphtheria antibody level than those who did not receive both diphtheria booster (P<0.001). Conclusion: Booster vaccinations are crucial among school-age children in Indonesia to improve their anti- diphtheria immunity and to minimize a risk of diphtheria outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To know the correlation between CD4 count and intensity of Candida colonizations in the oropharynx of HIV-infected/AIDS patients, to get the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), and to know what kind of Candida species that causes oropharynx candidiasis of HIV-infected/AIDS patients., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV-infected/AIDS patients who came as outpatients and inpatients in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. The patients were interviewed, physically examined, their CD4 counts were checked, and their mouth rinse samples were taken to be cultured. Candida species was identified in CHROMagar media, and data were processed., Results: From September 2004 until January 2005, 60 HIV-infected/AIDS patients were included in this study. There were 86.7% males and 13.3% females. Majority of the patients were from 20-30 years age group (85%). The most frequent transmission was among drug users (75%) followed by sexual contact (18.3%). The median of CD4 counts was 100 cells/il, ranged from 2 to 842 cells/il. Proportion of the OPC was 63.3% (CI 95% = 51.1 - 75.5). From 59 Candida isolates in this study, 74.58% were C. albicans. Candida non C. albicans species that were found in this trial were C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. There was significant correlation between low CD4 counts and high intensity of Candida colonization on the oropharynx of the subjects (r = -0.756)., Conclusion: There was strong negative correlation (r = -0.756) between CD4 count and intensity of Candida colonization in the oropharynx of HIV-infected/AIDS patients. Proportion of OPC in this study was 63.3%. The most frequent species found in the oropharynx of the subjects was C. albicans.

Osteoporosis can be primary or secondary. Secondary osteoporosis is the result of an underlying disease such as an endocrine abnormality, and an example of such is primary hyperparathyroidism. The most common cause of primary hyperparathyroidism is parathyroid gland adenoma. The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism is based on the following biochemical examinations: parathyroid hormone, serum calcium, creatinine clearance, 24 hour urinary calcium, and another examination such as parathyroid gland scan. This is a rare case of an adult man who presented with a chief complaint of decreasing body height, back pain, difficulty in taking deep breaths and difficulty in his activities. The patient was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid gland adenoma. His complaint was reduced after parathyroidectomy. His new complaint was that his tooth can be pulled out easily. We found high levels of parathyroid hormone and low levels of serum calcium caused by secondary hyperparathyroidism.