Comparison of a semipermeable dressing bonded to an absorbent pad and a semipermeable dressing over a separate gauze pad for containment of vaccinia virus at the vaccination site.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the ability of 2 types of dressings to contain vaccinia virus after smallpox vaccination.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized trial.


METHODS
The smallpox vaccination clinic in a medium-sized military hospital.


METHODS
Ninety-seven active-duty military members who received smallpox vaccination in accordance with US Department of Defense and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.


METHODS
The first 40 participants enrolled were instructed to cover their vaccination sites with a semipermeable membrane placed over a separate gauze pad, and the subsequent 57 participants were given a semipermeable membrane bonded to an absorbent pad. Swab samples of the external surface of the dressing were collected 7 and 21 days after vaccination. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect vaccinia DNA in the samples.


RESULTS
The rate of vaccinia DNA detection was significantly higher for samples obtained from vaccinees who were using the separate gauze and semipermeable membrane, compared with the vacinees who were using the gauze-impregnated semipermeable membrane (22% vs 2.2%; ; odds ratio, 12.3 [95% confidence interval, 1.4-567.4]).


CONCLUSIONS
A gauze-impregnated semipermeable membrane more effectively reduced viral passage to the external surface of the dressing than did a semipermeable membrane placed over a separate gauze pad. Routine use of such dressings following smallpox vaccination might reduce the incidence of autoinoculation and secondary transmission.
Savona
Michael R
MR
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
Cruz
Wilfred P Dela
WP
Thornton
Jennifer A
JA
Danaher
Patrick J
PJ
D041342:Absorbent Pads / Q000821:virology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D017053:Infection Control / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009779:Occlusive Dressings / Q000821:virology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012900:Smallpox Vaccine / Q000009:adverse effects; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014945:Wound Healing
D012900:Smallpox Vaccine