Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Quantifying social contact dynamics in South Korea in the post-COVID-19 endemic phase: A cross-sectional survey for infectious disease transmission","authors":"Gyeongseon Shin,&nbsp;SeungJin Bae","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Understanding the dynamics of social contact patterns is crucial for modeling the spread of infectious diseases. Although previous studies have examined them globally, how relevant they are to social patterns in the endemic phase is still unclear. South Korea’s distinct cultural norms, aging population, and declining fertility highlight the critical need for new, context-specific data. Here, we aim to conduct a contact survey in South Korea, providing age and location-specific contact estimates and quantifying patterns related to infectious disease transmission.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a cross-sectional survey in South Korea from July 6 to September 5, 2023. Participants of all ages were recruited using quota sampling based on the 2023 census, with only one individual per household included. Social contacts, both physical and non-physical, were recorded through a 24-hour diary. The data were analyzed with a negative binomial regression model. Age-specific contact matrices were constructed using census-based sampling weights, with uncertainty assessed through bootstrapping.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 1493 participants (740 males and 753 females) reported 14,187 contacts, with an average of 9.2 daily contacts (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 8.7–9.8). Contacts peaked at 17.8 (95 % CI: 14.6–21.5) among children aged 5–9 and were lowest at 3.5 (95 % CI: 2.6–4.5) for those aged 75 and above. Children and teenagers had a higher rate of peer-group contact, with most contacts occurring in workplaces or educational institutions. The level of family contact increased across all age groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We identified distinct social contact patterns in South Korea, such as high interactions within peer groups, which suggest the need for school-based vaccination programs, family-centered strategies, and workplace infection control measures. These findings provide critical baseline data to enhance disease modeling and inform professional public health policy development in South Korea and other cultural contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 6","pages":"Article 102725"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143654844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disagreement on estimating cause of death under tuberculosis treatment between the national tuberculosis registry and statistics data in South Korea, 2011–2020","authors":"Chiwook Chung ,&nbsp;Seung Won Lee ,&nbsp;Dawoon Jeong ,&nbsp;Hongjo Choi ,&nbsp;Hojoon Sohn ,&nbsp;Doosoo Jeon ,&nbsp;Young Ae Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Disagreement persists regarding the cause of death in patients with tuberculosis (TB) between the national TB registry and vital registration statistics. This study investigated the disagreement and contributing factors between TB-related and non-TB-related deaths using an integrated national TB database in South Korea.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We identified a sub-set cohort of 29,033 patients with drug-susceptible TB registered between 2011 and 2020 who died during TB treatment. The cause of death was identified by the Korean National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (KNTSS) and Statistics Korea database. We performed a multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with the cause of death.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The participants’ median age was 79 years (interquartile range, 70–85 years), with males comprising 63.2 %. Among the 29,033 deaths, 12,937 (44.6 %) and 6028 (20.8 %) were classified as TB-related deaths in Statistics Korea and KNTSS, respectively. The overall agreement rate for the cause of death between the two databases was 0.72 (95 % confidence interval, 0.71–0.72), increasing from 0.69 in 2011–0.77 in 2020. Among discrepant cases, 92.2 % (7545/8181) were classified as non-TB-related in KNTSS but as TB-related in Statistics Korea. Over the study period, the proportion of individuals classified as non-TB-related deaths in both databases and the agreement rate increased. In the multinomial analysis, age, sputum acid-fast bacilli smear, Charlson comorbidity index, and comorbidities, such as cancer and end-stage renal disease, showed distinguishing features across the cause of death groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Substantial disagreement on the cause of death persists between the national TB registry and vital registration statistics, though this decreased during the study period. Most disagreement likely indicates an underestimation of TB-related deaths in the TB registry. Age, sputum smear, and comorbidities were identifiable characteristics across groups that may influence the cause of death coding process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102723"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548457","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An outbreak of Zika virus in western India in the metropolis of Pune in the monsoon of 2024","authors":"Gururaj Rao Deshpande ,&nbsp;Gajanan N. Sapkal ,&nbsp;Asha Salunke ,&nbsp;Rashmi Gunjikar ,&nbsp;Nitali Tadkalkar ,&nbsp;Pradnya Shinde ,&nbsp;Nidhi Daga ,&nbsp;Manjusha Gopale ,&nbsp;Ashwini Ramdasi ,&nbsp;Supriya Hundekar ,&nbsp;Kavita Lole ,&nbsp;Rohan Raj Roy ,&nbsp;Jose Antony Jenish ,&nbsp;Rashi Srivastava ,&nbsp;Shivani Parmar ,&nbsp;Pooja Pawara ,&nbsp;Kajal Jarande ,&nbsp;Shankar Vidhate ,&nbsp;Kirtee Khutwad","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102720","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102720","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Sporadic cases and rare outbreaks of Zika Virus (ZIKV) have been reported in India since 2016. Between June to early September 2024; the city of Pune in western India was affected with a large outbreak of ZIKV. Here we report the analysis of epidemiological; clinical and genomic characteristics of the outbreak.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Suspected ZIKV cases and pregnant women within 3 km radius of ZIKV positive cases and household contacts were included in the study. The study area included parts of the Pune metropolitan region. ZIKV RNA in serum and urine samples was detected by a single-plex Realtime RT-PCR assay. Representative samples were characterized by whole-genome sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among clinically suspected ZIKV cases 63/433 (14.55 %); and 45/1615 (2.78 %) pregnant women surveyed; were found positive for acute ZIKV infection. Majority of positive cases were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms. Two cases reported complications of pyelonephritis and encephalitis respectively. There was no evidence of microcephaly in the fetuses of the pregnant women surveyed. The ZIKV strains were found to belong to the Asian lineage and clustered close to the Rajasthan strain reported previously in India. Mutation linked with microcephaly was not found in these sequences. Follow-up of pregnant women till October 2024 indicated 22 % (10/45) of women delivered healthy babies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The ZIKV strain associated with the present outbreak did not have mutations linked with microcephaly; but had mutations linked with enhanced transmission. Symptoms such as thrombocytopenia; bleeding manifestations; retro-orbital-pain; in a small subset of patients were unique; which were not reported in previous outbreaks in India. The findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced surveillance to plan strategies for public health measures to control the disease spread. Study highlights the need for monitoring the mutations and follow up of ZIKV infected pregnant women and their children to confirm absence of congenital anomalies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102720"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143548456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Does enhanced educational intervention reduce breakthrough infection and mental health problems via improving acceptance of COVID-19 booster shots in Chinese non-healthcare workers: A randomized controlled trial?","authors":"Lap Ah Tse ,&nbsp;Feng Wang ,&nbsp;Phoenix Kit Han Mo ,&nbsp;Cherry Choi Miu Wan ,&nbsp;Natalie Hiu Yu Tang ,&nbsp;Shuyuan Yang ,&nbsp;Dong Dong ,&nbsp;Kin Fai Ho ,&nbsp;Samuel Yang-shan Wong","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102719","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102719","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite vaccination and booster shots proving more effective than workplace measures in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, hesitancy towards compulsory booster shots remains. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an enhanced educational intervention program in improving the acceptance of COVID-19 booster shots and reducing breakthrough infections among non-healthcare workers in Hong Kong.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this 9-month randomized controlled trial (RCT), workers were randomly allocated to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group received educational sessions at baseline and at 3-month, covering general health and evidence-based information on the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots. The control group received only general health information. All participants were followed up for an additional 6 months. The primary outcomes were intention and acceptance of booster shots, as well as breakthrough infections. The DASS-21 scale was used to evaluate participants’ mental health status, and two-way mixed ANOVA to analyze the group effect. A difference of ≥ 5 % in booster uptake between the intervention and control group indicated a practical significance in infection control.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 310 consenting workers, 282 (91.0 %) of them completed the trial. At recruitment, the booster uptake rate was similar between the intervention and control groups (62.0 % vs. 62.1 %). After the educational intervention sessions, the intervention group showed a higher booster uptake rate (76.1 % vs. 67.9 %). A lower rate of breakthrough infection was observed in the intervention group during the latest follow-up period (23.2 % vs. 29.5 %); however, no change in the intention to get booster shots were recorded for all subjects.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This enhanced educational intervention program significantly improves booster uptake rates and reduces COVID-19 breakthrough infection rates among non-healthcare workers. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT05197673)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102719"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of urinary tract infection requiring hospital admission on short-term, mid-term and long-term renal outcomes in adult CKD patients – A potentially modifiable factor for CKD progression","authors":"Deng-Chi Yang ,&nbsp;Jo-Yen Chao ,&nbsp;Chih-Yen Hsiao ,&nbsp;Chien-Tzu Tseng ,&nbsp;Wei-Hung Lin ,&nbsp;Te-Hui Kuo ,&nbsp;Ming-Cheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Urinary tract infection (UTI) or acute pyelonephritis can lead to renal scarring and impact the subsequent renal function progression. The aims of this study were to investigate the changes in renal function related to UTI requiring hospital admission (UTI/HA) and the association between UTI/HA and long-term renal outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a multicenter, retrospective observational study. Renal events and renal function before and after UTI/HA in CKD patients were analyzed for short-term and mid-term renal outcomes. A case-control study with multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between clinical characteristics and risk of long-term renal outcomes (kidney replacement therapy or death, KRT/death) in adult CKD patients.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study included 1062 adult CKD patients, with 340 KRT and 76 deaths identified during a median follow-up of 105 months. Among 174 patients with UTI/HA, 59 (33.9 %) had bacteremia, 90 (51.7 %) acute kidney injury (AKI), and one in-hospital mortality. There was a faster decline rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after UTI/HA compared to the pre-UTI/HA period [median (IQR) 0.37 (0.17–0.72) versus 0.19 (0.06–0.36) ml/min/1.73 m² per month, P &lt; 0.0001]. The incidence of UTI/HA was similar between the KRT/death and the CKD non-dialysis groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline eGFR, baseline eGFR decline rate and number of hospital admission were significantly associated with an increased risk of KRT/death.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study highlights the impact of UTI/HA on renal function and renal outcomes in adult CKD patients. It demonstrates a high incidence of in-hospital AKI but low mortality, and accelerated deterioration of renal function following UTI/HA. Long-term renal outcomes were influenced by the baseline renal function and progression rate, and the frequency of hospital admission. UTI/HA may be regarded as a potentially modifiable factor for CKD progression. However, there is a need for further analysis to isolate the impact of UTI/HA from pre-existing renal function decline on long-term renal outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102712"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Two-drug versus three-drug regimens for treating Mycobacterium avium complex infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Van-Dong Nguyen ,&nbsp;Hai Duong ,&nbsp;Ming-Chia Lee ,&nbsp;Jin-Hua Chen ,&nbsp;Wei-Chang Huang ,&nbsp;Hsiao-En Chen ,&nbsp;Jung-Chun Lin ,&nbsp;Jann-Yuan Wang ,&nbsp;Chih-Hsin Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Mycobacterium avium</em> complex (MAC) infection, requiring prolonged treatment with an antibiotic combination, is an emerging public health concern.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This meta-analysis compared the efficacy of 2-drug regimens with that of 3-drug regimens in bacteriological responses, acquired macrolide resistance (AMR), and mortality among adult patients with disseminated MAC infection (DMAC) and MAC pulmonary disease (MAC-PD).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 non-RCT studies, encompassing 1369 patients, were included. Treating DMAC with 2-drug regimens was associated with comparable bacteriological responses (odds ratio (OR) = 0.76, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.48–1.18, <em>P</em> = .22) and mortality (OR = 1.29, 95 % CI = 0.59–2.83, <em>P</em> = .52), but had a higher risk of AMR (OR = 2.99, 95 % CI = 1.10–8.13, <em>P</em> = .03). For MAC-PD, 2-drug regimens were noninferior to 3-drug regimens in bacteriological responses (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI = 0.53–1.25, <em>P</em> = .35) and AMR (risk differences (RD) = 0.01, −0.02 to 0.05, <em>P</em> = .39), with no observed mortalities. Although not statistically significant compared to the 3-drug regimen, the macrolide–rifamycin regimen resulted in attenuated bacteriological responses (OR = 0.51, 95 % CI = 0.14–1.90, <em>P</em> = .32). However, the proportion of patients with bacteriological response (OR = 1.54, 95 % CI = 0.78–2.93, <em>P</em> = .23) and AMR risk (RD = 0.01, −0.02 to 0.04, <em>P</em> = .50) was not different between those under the macrolide-ethambutol regimen and those under 3-drug regimens.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The macrolide–ethambutol 2-drug regimen may be a viable alternative option for treating MAC-PD, whereas DMAC can be preferably managed with a 3-drug regimen.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102711"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating antibiotic susceptibility trends in S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae isolates during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interrupted time series analysis of a nationwide antimicrobial resistance database","authors":"Daisuke Miyamori,&nbsp;Shuhei Yoshida,&nbsp;Kotaro Ikeda,&nbsp;Masanori Ito","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102707","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102707","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The heightened infection prevention measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the incidence of certain other infections; however, the impact of this decrease on antimicrobial susceptibility remains undetermined. Herein, we analyzed data from a large, multicenter, Japanese infectious disease database to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility trends among bacterial species whose incidence reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Using a nationwide Japanese AMR database covering hundreds of hospitals, this study applied interrupted time-series analysis to examine level and trend changes in monthly susceptibility rates between the pre-pandemic (January 2018–December 2019) and pandemic (January 2020–March 2023) periods among bacteria whose incidence rates continuously decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 2,686,932 isolates of 15 species included during the study period, decreased incidence rates were observed only for <em>H. influenzae</em> (n = 83.376) and <em>S. pneumoniae</em> (n = 72,574)<em>.</em> Among <em>H. influenzae</em> and <em>S. pneumoniae</em>, the trend of susceptibility rates for most antibiotics, including penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides, did not change during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only the susceptibility of sulbactam/ampicillin for <em>H. influenzae</em> showed an increasing trend of 0.19 % per month (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.001, 0.39).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results of this study were based on data from a large, multicenter database and focused on droplet-transmitted bacteria. We found no susceptibility trend changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the reduced infections observed in the 3-year study period may not be solely responsible for the unchanged susceptibility rates for AMR control. Future studies should explore combined strategies involving reduced infection rates and antimicrobial use to assess bacterial antibiotic susceptibility rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102707"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental surface sampling of respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens during the 2022–2023 Grand Magal of Touba","authors":"Ihssane Ouaddane ,&nbsp;Coumba Diouf ,&nbsp;Georges Diatta ,&nbsp;Cheikh Sokhna ,&nbsp;Philippe Gautret","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102710","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102710","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Grand Magal of Touba (GMT) pilgrimage is known to be associated with risks of infection, but no studies on the role microbial contamination of the environment has been conducted yet.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>We sampled pilgrims and surfaces in the houses where they were accommodated during the 2022–2023 GMT. Respiratory and gastrointestinal pathogens were tested by qPCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 152 surfaces sampled, 10.5 % tested positive for <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae</em>, 5.9 % for <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, 16.4 % for SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2), 3.9 % for <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, and 0.6 % for rhinovirus. Only <em>Escherichia coli</em> was positive out of all the gastrointestinal pathogens tested, with enteropathogenic <em>E. coli</em> (EPEC) (23.7 %), and enteroaggregative <em>E. coli</em> (EAEC) (22.4 %) being the most frequent. Of 71 pilgrims tested, 66.2 % acquired a respiratory pathogen, including 16.9 % <em>Haemophilus</em> spp., 7.0 % SARS-CoV-2, 11.3 % <em>Streptococcus pneumoniae</em>, 5.6 % <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, 1.4 % rhinovirus, and 2.8 % influenza virus. A further 23.9 % acquired a gastrointestinal pathogen, including EAEC (18.3 %), EPEC (2.8 %), <em>Giardia lamblia</em> (5.6 %) and EIEC/Shigella (2.8 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These preliminary results showed a good correlation between results of surface sampling and human infection for SARS-CoV-2 and EAEC. SARS-CoV-2 surface sampling could be used as a surveillance tool during the GMT. Further larger-scale studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102710"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular and serological evidence of chikungunya virus among dengue suspected patients in Sri Lanka","authors":"Mya Myat Ngwe Tun ,&nbsp;Maurine Mumo Mutua ,&nbsp;Shingo Inoue ,&nbsp;Yuki Takamatsu ,&nbsp;Satoshi Kaneko ,&nbsp;Takeshi Urano ,&nbsp;Rohitha Muthugala ,&nbsp;Lakkumar Fernando ,&nbsp;Menaka Hapugoda ,&nbsp;YINS Gunawardene ,&nbsp;Kouichi Morita","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by <em>Aedes</em> mosquitoes, causes significant morbidity characterized by acute febrile illness to chronic and permanent disability in some patients. Despite its potential for severe long-term effects, surveillance for CHIKV remains limited, especially in dengue-endemic region like Sri Lanka. To address the gap in surveillance, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of CHIKV among patients suspected of dengue fever during the 2017–2019 DENV outbreak in Sri Lanka.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Serum samples were collected from 295 patients at Kandy National Hospital and 300 patients at Negombo Hospitals, presenting with dengue-like symptoms such as fever, rash, and arthralgia. We performed quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) to detect the CHIKV genome and conducted serological tests for anti-CHIKV IgM and IgG antibodies on all samples. Serology-positive samples were further validated with neutralization assays to confirm CHIKV-specific antibodies.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The prevalence of recent CHIKV infection (IgM or RT-qPCR positive) was 2.4 % and 7.0 %, while past CHIKV infection (IgG-positive) was 16.3 % and 12.3 % with neutralizing antibody (NAb) in Kandy and Negombo Hospitals, respectively. All IgG-positive samples exhibited NAb with titers of 10 or higher. The NAb geometric mean titer in the Kandy and Negombo areas does not show a significant difference. In the Kandy area, the majority of CHIKV infections occurred in young adults aged 13–24 years, accounting for 57.1 % of recent infections and 52.1 % of past infections.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>CHIKV circulates alongside DENV outbreaks, with a higher prevalence of recent infections in Negombo compared to Kandy, while past infections are more common in Kandy than in Negombo. Neutralization assays confirmed the presence of CHIKV-specific antibodies, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance for proper patient care and management. These findings underscore the importance of public health interventions, including surveillance programs and vaccine development, to mitigate the burden of CHIKV in Sri Lanka.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102709"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143579356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pregnancy-related listeriosis in Spain","authors":"Elena Vázquez ,&nbsp;Óscar de Gregorio ,&nbsp;Vicente Soriano ,&nbsp;Carmen Álvarez ,&nbsp;Alfonso Ortega-de la Puente ,&nbsp;Marina de la Cruz- Echeandía ,&nbsp;Xiomara Patricia Blanco-Valencia ,&nbsp;Ana Royuela ,&nbsp;Jorge Esteban-Sampedro ,&nbsp;Mario Martín-Portugués ,&nbsp;Octavio Corral ,&nbsp;Víctor Moreno-Torres","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pregnant women are at high risk of acquiring listeriosis, resulting in severe fetal and neonatal outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>All hospitalizations with a listeriosis diagnosis in pregnant women (obstetric listeriosis) and/or newborns (neonatal listeriosis) in Spain from 2000 to 2021 were examined using the National Registry of Hospital Discharges, employing ICD-9 and −10 coding lists.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 540 and 450 hospital admissions for obstetric listeriosis and neonatal listeriosis were identified, respectively, with 146 adverse fetal-neonatal outcomes (miscarriage, fetal loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death). The incidence of obstetric listeriosis, neonatal listeriosis, and adverse fetal-neonatal outcomes (5.7, 4.7, and 1.5 per 100,000 deliveries, respectively) rose significantly from 2000 to 2021.</div><div>No maternal deaths were recorded among women hospitalized with obstetric listeriosis. However, 9.8 % experienced miscarriage, related to bacteremia (OR=2.46), 6.3 % fetal loss and 5.9 % stillbirths, associated with chorioamnionitis (OR=3.42), which was identified in 77.7 % of 254 deliveries. Overall, 51.1 % of newborns developed sepsis, 58.9 % prematurity, 26.9 % ARDS, and 9.8 % died. ARDS (OR=2.76) and prematurity (OR=5.07) were associated with perinatal death in newborns with listeriosis.</div><div>Pregnancy-related listeriosis was associated with increased risks of miscarriage (OR=1.75), intrauterine death (OR=17), preterm labor (OR=8.78), fetal distress (OR=2.10), cesarean section (OR=1.68), and stillbirth (OR=23.57).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Admissions for obstetric listeriosis and neonatal listeriosis in Spain have risen significantly from 2000 to 2021. Pregnancy-related listeriosis has a deleterious impact on fetal and neonatal outcomes, including miscarriages, fetal loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Surveillance, prevention, and prompt management of pregnant women with listeriosis and newborns with neonatal infection are warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 5","pages":"Article 102706"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143508115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}