Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103119
Muhammad Umar , Sobia Asghar , Sumaira Zafar
Dengue fever is endemic in Laos, and changing land use and land cover (LULC), along with climate, are increasing the risk of dengue fever. While climate–dengue associations are well understood, the impacts of LULC remain uncertain and understudied. This review reports that, along with climate, LULCs such as urban/built-up areas, rubber plantations, and wetlands (marsh, swamp, and paddy fields) could increase DF risk by providing suitable habitats for its vector. Agricultural transformation from crops to plantations or forests to plantations is causing an amplified proliferation of Ae. albopictus in rural and peri-urban areas. Socioeconomic determinants, including water availability, sanitation and hygiene, housing materials, and poverty, also significantly impact DF. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices studies indicating awareness of DF and vector control methods among selected population during training programs. Understanding how climate, LULC, and socioeconomic factors interact is essential for designing effective, context-specific strategies to control dengue in Laos.
{"title":"Environmental and socioeconomic determinants of dengue fever risk in Lao People's Democratic Republic: A systematic review","authors":"Muhammad Umar , Sobia Asghar , Sumaira Zafar","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dengue fever is endemic in Laos, and changing land use and land cover (LULC), along with climate, are increasing the risk of dengue fever. While climate–dengue associations are well understood, the impacts of LULC remain uncertain and understudied. This review reports that, along with climate, LULCs such as urban/built-up areas, rubber plantations, and wetlands (marsh, swamp, and paddy fields) could increase DF risk by providing suitable habitats for its vector. Agricultural transformation from crops to plantations or forests to plantations is causing an amplified proliferation of <em>Ae. albopictus</em> in rural and peri-urban areas. Socioeconomic determinants, including water availability, sanitation and hygiene, housing materials, and poverty, also significantly impact DF. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices studies indicating awareness of DF and vector control methods among selected population during training programs. Understanding how climate, LULC, and socioeconomic factors interact is essential for designing effective, context-specific strategies to control dengue in Laos.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103119"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common gut commensal, includes pathogenic strains responsible for gastrointestinal infections and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It spreads mainly through contaminated water and food, as well as direct human contact, with the risk being particularly high in densely populated regions. The growing emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains, particularly in Asia, poses serious public health challenges.
Methods
This study employed a multi-tiered computational framework comprising systematic review, quantitative evidence synthesis (meta-analysis), the Markov cluster algorithm with random walks on pan-genomics, and positive selection through evolutionary analysis, shedding light on the prevalence, geographical distribution, genomic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of E. coli across Asia.
Results
Quantitative evidence synthesis (meta-analysis) technique included 66 articles (total sample n = 1,20,207) and revealed an E. coli prevalence of 18 % (95 % CI:14 %-21 %, I2=100, τ 2=0.0, P = 0) in Asia. The E. coli incidences identified the Indian strain Ec40 collected in 2013 showed the highest genetic diversity, and the sequences collected between 2012 and 2019 displayed the most variation. The emrY gene, recurrently identified within the E. coli genomes, was subjected to evolutionary analysis. Codon-based selection models indicated adaptive evolution, with five codon sites under pervasive selection and twelve under episode selection (ω > 1), suggesting antimicrobial pressure as the main driver of regional adaptation.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated prevention and control strategies, including robust surveillance systems to monitor infection trends, targeted interventions to curb transmission, and strengthened biosecurity measures aimed at reducing environmental contamination. Furthermore, the emergence of AMR variants calls for alternative treatment, e.g., bacteriophage therapy, to reduce the clinical and socioeconomic burden of E. coli infections in humans and animal populations.
{"title":"Integrated computational analysis for Escherichia coli prevalence, genetic evolution, and antimicrobial resistance evolution: Implications for public health and environmental sustainability in Asia","authors":"Ashwini Mallappa , Kuralayanapalya Puttahonnappa Suresh , Sharanagouda S. Patil , Shivasharanappa Nayakvadi , Baldev Raj Gulati , Raghavendra G. Amachawadi , Sudarshan Peramachanahalli Venkatesh , Yamini Sri Sekar , Archana Veeranagouda Patil","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Escherichia coli</em> (<em>E. coli</em>), a common gut commensal, includes pathogenic strains responsible for gastrointestinal infections and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It spreads mainly through contaminated water and food, as well as direct human contact, with the risk being particularly high in densely populated regions. The growing emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains, particularly in Asia, poses serious public health challenges.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study employed a multi-tiered computational framework comprising systematic review, quantitative evidence synthesis (meta-analysis), the Markov cluster algorithm with random walks on pan-genomics, and positive selection through evolutionary analysis, shedding light on the prevalence, geographical distribution, genomic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of <em>E. coli</em> across Asia.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Quantitative evidence synthesis (meta-analysis) technique included 66 articles (total sample n = 1,20,207) and revealed an <em>E. coli</em> prevalence of 18 % (95 % CI:14 %-21 %, I<sup>2</sup>=100, τ <sup>2</sup>=0.0, P = 0) in Asia. The <em>E</em>. <em>coli</em> incidences identified the Indian strain Ec40 collected in 2013 showed the highest genetic diversity, and the sequences collected between 2012 and 2019 displayed the most variation. The <em>emrY</em> gene, recurrently identified within the <em>E. coli</em> genomes, was subjected to evolutionary analysis. Codon-based selection models indicated adaptive evolution, with five codon sites under pervasive selection and twelve under episode selection (ω > 1), suggesting antimicrobial pressure as the main driver of regional adaptation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings underscore the urgent need for integrated prevention and control strategies, including robust surveillance systems to monitor infection trends, targeted interventions to curb transmission, and strengthened biosecurity measures aimed at reducing environmental contamination. Furthermore, the emergence of AMR variants calls for alternative treatment, e.g., bacteriophage therapy, to reduce the clinical and socioeconomic burden of <em>E. coli</em> infections in humans and animal populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103117"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145911630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103146
Najibah Nasrin , Asfia Hasan Mumu , Abir Hasan Pranto , Md. Rabiul Islam
The emergence of the JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has heightened global health concerns. Here, we aimed to evaluate viral characteristics, epidemiology, transmissibility, infectivity, immune evasion, effectiveness of current antiviral therapies, immunization options, genomic surveillance and public awareness against the stealthy JN.1. We searched across key databases to identify recent insights regarding JN.1 variant. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the virological characteristics and public health implications. Early genomic analyses reveal notable mutations in the spike protein, which may enhance viral transmissibility and immune escape. The findings indicate JN.1 to exhibit greater infectivity and enhanced ability to circumvent immune defenses attributable to one mutation identified as L455S. Public health agencies worldwide are enhancing monitoring, genomic surveillance, data sharing, revising containment strategies, promoting booster vaccination campaigns Furthermore, it is imperative to promote public adherence and global collaboration in encouraging the practice of preventive strategies to mitigate potential threat posed by JN.1.
{"title":"The emergence of JN.1 variant resurgent COVID-19 wave in India and South Asia is a global public health concern","authors":"Najibah Nasrin , Asfia Hasan Mumu , Abir Hasan Pranto , Md. Rabiul Islam","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103146","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103146","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emergence of the JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has heightened global health concerns. Here, we aimed to evaluate viral characteristics, epidemiology, transmissibility, infectivity, immune evasion, effectiveness of current antiviral therapies, immunization options, genomic surveillance and public awareness against the stealthy JN.1. We searched across key databases to identify recent insights regarding JN.1 variant. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the virological characteristics and public health implications. Early genomic analyses reveal notable mutations in the spike protein, which may enhance viral transmissibility and immune escape. The findings indicate JN.1 to exhibit greater infectivity and enhanced ability to circumvent immune defenses attributable to one mutation identified as L455S. Public health agencies worldwide are enhancing monitoring, genomic surveillance, data sharing, revising containment strategies, promoting booster vaccination campaigns Furthermore, it is imperative to promote public adherence and global collaboration in encouraging the practice of preventive strategies to mitigate potential threat posed by JN.1.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103146"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103148
Zipporah Gitau , Camilo Suarez-Ariza , Maria Arango-Uribe , Mariana Herrera-Diaz , Camila Oda , Angela Copete , Rotem Keynan , Ameeta E. Singh , Stuart Skinner , Cara Spence , Lauren J. MacKenzie , Ken Kasper , Laurie Ireland , Jared Bullard , Lucelly Lopez , Diana Marin , Margaret Haworth-Brockman , Zulma Vanessa Rueda , Yoav Keynan
Background
Canada aims to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030. While national rates have dropped, regional disparities persist. In 2021, Manitoba had the highest new HCV rates, and Saskatchewan's rates were double the national average. This study aimed to describe the incidence and risk factors associated with HCV infections in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, compared to Canada,1980–2023.
Methods
This ecological study used publicly available government reports from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Canada (1980–2023) on HCV cases and rates by year and disaggregated by sex (female/male), age, ethnicity, province, sexual orientation (gay/bisexual men who have sex with men, heterosexual), and risk factors (injection drug use, blood products, and history of incarceration).
Results
Since becoming nationally notifiable in 1991, HCV incidence in Canada has declined, but Saskatchewan has reported consistently rates above the national average since 2005. Manitoba's incidence rose, peaking in 2018, with the highest national rate in 2021 (42.8/100,000), while Alberta had the lowest rate (14.5/100,00 people). Males represented 61 % of HCV cases in Canada in 2022, but the sex gap is narrowing, particularly in the Prairies. Most cases in Canada occur among individuals aged 40–59, but younger groups (20–39) are increasingly affected in the Prairies, particularly females of childbearing age and males aged 30–39. Injection drug use was the leading risk factor in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Conclusion
Canada is on a downward trend in rates of HCV; however, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have higher rates, possibly due to syndemics of substance use, which are leading to increased rates of HIV and STBBIs. A collaborative effort in surveillance, testing, treatment, and prevention of HCV across the three provinces is necessary.
{"title":"Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba compared to Canada, 1980–2023","authors":"Zipporah Gitau , Camilo Suarez-Ariza , Maria Arango-Uribe , Mariana Herrera-Diaz , Camila Oda , Angela Copete , Rotem Keynan , Ameeta E. Singh , Stuart Skinner , Cara Spence , Lauren J. MacKenzie , Ken Kasper , Laurie Ireland , Jared Bullard , Lucelly Lopez , Diana Marin , Margaret Haworth-Brockman , Zulma Vanessa Rueda , Yoav Keynan","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103148","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103148","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Canada aims to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) by 2030. While national rates have dropped, regional disparities persist. In 2021, Manitoba had the highest new HCV rates, and Saskatchewan's rates were double the national average. This study aimed to describe the incidence and risk factors associated with HCV infections in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, compared to Canada,1980–2023.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This ecological study used publicly available government reports from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Canada (1980–2023) on HCV cases and rates by year and disaggregated by sex (female/male), age, ethnicity, province, sexual orientation (gay/bisexual men who have sex with men, heterosexual), and risk factors (injection drug use, blood products, and history of incarceration).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Since becoming nationally notifiable in 1991, HCV incidence in Canada has declined, but Saskatchewan has reported consistently rates above the national average since 2005. Manitoba's incidence rose, peaking in 2018, with the highest national rate in 2021 (42.8/100,000), while Alberta had the lowest rate (14.5/100,00 people). Males represented 61 % of HCV cases in Canada in 2022, but the sex gap is narrowing, particularly in the Prairies. Most cases in Canada occur among individuals aged 40–59, but younger groups (20–39) are increasingly affected in the Prairies, particularly females of childbearing age and males aged 30–39. Injection drug use was the leading risk factor in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Canada is on a downward trend in rates of HCV; however, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have higher rates, possibly due to syndemics of substance use, which are leading to increased rates of HIV and STBBIs. A collaborative effort in surveillance, testing, treatment, and prevention of HCV across the three provinces is necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103148"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977897","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103072
Ana Caro-Leiro , Pedro María Martínez Pérez-Crespo , Manuela Aguilar-Guisado , Cristina Roca Oporto , Carmen Lozano Domínguez , Laura Merino Diaz , Reinaldo Espíndola Gómez , Elena Rubio Martín , Antonio Cristóbal Luque-Ambrosiani , Encarnación Ramírez de Arellano , Carmen Infante Domínguez , María Carmen Macías-Barrera , José Antonio Lepe , Nicolás Merchante Gutiérrez , José Miguel Cisneros
Introduction
West Nile Virus (WNV) is becoming a severe problem in Europe. In 2020 and 2024, two unexpected and large outbreaks occurred in southern Spain, with a high rate of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND).
Objective
The aim of this study is to describe clinical and prognostic features of WNV infection.
Materials and methods
Retrospective multicentric cohort study of patients diagnosed with WNV infection in Seville (Spain) between 2020 and 2024.
Results
196 patients, 58.2 % of males, were diagnosed with WNV disease with a median age of 70 (49−78) for WNND and 46 (33−65) for West Nile Fever (WNF). One hundred eight patients (55.1 %) had associated comorbidity, including 22 (11.2 %) immunocompromised patients. 138 (70.4 %) patients required hospital admission with WNND (136, 69.4 %) as the main clinical syndrome, and 33 (16.8 %) were admitted to the ICU. Twenty-five patients (12.7 %) died during their admission; all of these patients had WNND. Twenty-one of the deaths (84 %) were directly related to meningoencephalitis. One hundred (58.5 %) of the survivors had sequelae at discharge.
Conclusion
In Spain, the first two large and unexpected outbreaks of WNV infection occurred in 2020 and 2024, resulting in high morbidity and mortality.
{"title":"West Nile Virus infection in the province of Seville. An emergent infection in Spain","authors":"Ana Caro-Leiro , Pedro María Martínez Pérez-Crespo , Manuela Aguilar-Guisado , Cristina Roca Oporto , Carmen Lozano Domínguez , Laura Merino Diaz , Reinaldo Espíndola Gómez , Elena Rubio Martín , Antonio Cristóbal Luque-Ambrosiani , Encarnación Ramírez de Arellano , Carmen Infante Domínguez , María Carmen Macías-Barrera , José Antonio Lepe , Nicolás Merchante Gutiérrez , José Miguel Cisneros","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103072","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103072","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>West Nile Virus (WNV) is becoming a severe problem in Europe. In 2020 and 2024, two unexpected and large outbreaks occurred in southern Spain, with a high rate of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The aim of this study is to describe clinical and prognostic features of WNV infection.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>Retrospective multicentric cohort study of patients diagnosed with WNV infection in Seville (Spain) between 2020 and 2024.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>196 patients, 58.2 % of males, were diagnosed with WNV disease with a median age of 70 (49−78) for WNND and 46 (33−65) for West Nile Fever (WNF). One hundred eight patients (55.1 %) had associated comorbidity, including 22 (11.2 %) immunocompromised patients. 138 (70.4 %) patients required hospital admission with WNND (136, 69.4 %) as the main clinical syndrome, and 33 (16.8 %) were admitted to the ICU. Twenty-five patients (12.7 %) died during their admission; all of these patients had WNND. Twenty-one of the deaths (84 %) were directly related to meningoencephalitis. One hundred (58.5 %) of the survivors had sequelae at discharge.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In Spain, the first two large and unexpected outbreaks of WNV infection occurred in 2020 and 2024, resulting in high morbidity and mortality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103072"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145802168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103130
Chao-Chin Chang , Tzu-Chi Chang , Chia-Lin Chang
Background
Containment policies, also known as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), are crucial in managing emerging infectious diseases; however, their broader economic, social, and health impacts remain insufficiently understood. Previous studies have largely relied on aggregate indices, masking policy-specific effects and limiting their usefulness for preparedness and adaptive governance.
Methods
This study investigates how disaggregated containment measures affected international trade and the continuity of essential goods as a component of public health resilience. Using data from 182 countries during 2020–2021, we analyzed nine NPIs from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and international trade statistics across four product categories. Two indices, a conventional arithmetic mean and a novel entropy-weighted index, were constructed to capture policy intensity and cross-country heterogeneity. Panel regression models with fixed- and random-effects specifications were used to assess policy impacts.
Findings
Containment policies had heterogeneous effects on trade. Workplace closures were associated with trade resilience through digital adaptation, whereas stay-at-home orders and transport suspensions disrupted food and agricultural trade, revealing vulnerabilities in supply chains critical to health security. International travel restrictions correlated positively with goods trade, reflecting substitution from service- to goods-based activities. The entropy-weighted index outperformed the arithmetic mean by capturing policy variability, especially during 2020 early crisis phase.
Interpretation
Disaggregating NPIs reveals that policy design, timing, and institutional context shape both trade performance and health resilience. Integrating information-sensitive metrics such as entropy weighting can improve surveillance and preparedness frameworks. Policymakers should balance epidemiological effectiveness with the protection of essential trade flows to ensure equitable and adaptive pandemic governance.
{"title":"Trade and containment policies during COVID-19: Disaggregated evidence for adaptive public health governance","authors":"Chao-Chin Chang , Tzu-Chi Chang , Chia-Lin Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103130","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Containment policies, also known as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), are crucial in managing emerging infectious diseases; however, their broader economic, social, and health impacts remain insufficiently understood. Previous studies have largely relied on aggregate indices, masking policy-specific effects and limiting their usefulness for preparedness and adaptive governance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study investigates how disaggregated containment measures affected international trade and the continuity of essential goods as a component of public health resilience. Using data from 182 countries during 2020–2021, we analyzed nine NPIs from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and international trade statistics across four product categories. Two indices, a conventional arithmetic mean and a novel entropy-weighted index, were constructed to capture policy intensity and cross-country heterogeneity. Panel regression models with fixed- and random-effects specifications were used to assess policy impacts.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Containment policies had heterogeneous effects on trade. Workplace closures were associated with trade resilience through digital adaptation, whereas stay-at-home orders and transport suspensions disrupted food and agricultural trade, revealing vulnerabilities in supply chains critical to health security. International travel restrictions correlated positively with goods trade, reflecting substitution from service- to goods-based activities. The entropy-weighted index outperformed the arithmetic mean by capturing policy variability, especially during 2020 early crisis phase.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>Disaggregating NPIs reveals that policy design, timing, and institutional context shape both trade performance and health resilience. Integrating information-sensitive metrics such as entropy weighting can improve surveillance and preparedness frameworks. Policymakers should balance epidemiological effectiveness with the protection of essential trade flows to ensure equitable and adaptive pandemic governance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103130"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103116
Rui Sun , Binyu Gao , Hanxi Zhang , Xi Wang , Fang Liu , Hongxin Zhao , Lijun Sun , Jianhua Yu , Honglei Liu , Fujie Zhang
Background
Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), 10–40 % of people living with HIV (PLWH) fail to normalize CD4+ T cells, known as immune non-responders (INR), associated with poor clinical outcomes. Due to the complex pathogenesis and the absence of effective treatments, early prediction and intervention of INR are critical. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in machine learning (ML), developing an interpretable ML model to identify individuals at high risk of INR can facilitate personalized treatment strategies and improve clinical management.
Methods
This retrospective study was conducted from a long-term multicenter cohort involving 30938 PLWH attending three hospitals from January 2003 to December 2023. Seven ML algorithms were employed to construct prediction models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), precision–recall curves, calibration plots, clinical impact curves, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate and identify the optimal model. We evaluated the final model using internal cross-validation and validated it in an external cohort. The Python-based Streamlit framework was applied to develop a web platform.
Results
11287 PLWH, including 1325 (11.74 %) INR, were analyzed in the derivation cohort. Twenty baseline clinical indicators of PLWH were used to construct ML models. After feature reduction and comparative evaluation, the 9-feature RF model demonstrated strong discrimination (AUC = 0.864), superior calibration, and favorable clinical utility, outperforming the traditional model (AUC = 0.856) and other models. The model performance was also confirmed in internal validation (mean AUC = 0.884 ± 0.003) and the external validation (AUC = 0.855).
Conclusions
In this study, an interpretable ML model with nine baseline clinical indicators was constructed for early INR prediction in ART-naïve PLWH and was incorporated into a convenient web platform to facilitate individualized treatment and management.
{"title":"Early prediction of immunological non-responders in people living with HIV using machine learning: Model development and validation in multicenter cohorts in China","authors":"Rui Sun , Binyu Gao , Hanxi Zhang , Xi Wang , Fang Liu , Hongxin Zhao , Lijun Sun , Jianhua Yu , Honglei Liu , Fujie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103116","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART), 10–40 % of people living with HIV (PLWH) fail to normalize CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells, known as immune non-responders (INR), associated with poor clinical outcomes. Due to the complex pathogenesis and the absence of effective treatments, early prediction and intervention of INR are critical. With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly in machine learning (ML), developing an interpretable ML model to identify individuals at high risk of INR can facilitate personalized treatment strategies and improve clinical management.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study was conducted from a long-term multicenter cohort involving 30938 PLWH attending three hospitals from January 2003 to December 2023. Seven ML algorithms were employed to construct prediction models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), precision–recall curves, calibration plots, clinical impact curves, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate and identify the optimal model. We evaluated the final model using internal cross-validation and validated it in an external cohort. The Python-based Streamlit framework was applied to develop a web platform.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>11287 PLWH, including 1325 (11.74 %) INR, were analyzed in the derivation cohort. Twenty baseline clinical indicators of PLWH were used to construct ML models. After feature reduction and comparative evaluation, the 9-feature RF model demonstrated strong discrimination (AUC = 0.864), superior calibration, and favorable clinical utility, outperforming the traditional model (AUC = 0.856) and other models. The model performance was also confirmed in internal validation (mean AUC = 0.884 ± 0.003) and the external validation (AUC = 0.855).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In this study, an interpretable ML model with nine baseline clinical indicators was constructed for early INR prediction in ART-naïve PLWH and was incorporated into a convenient web platform to facilitate individualized treatment and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103116"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103129
Bingyang She , Yiming Liu , Siqi Lin , Fang Lu , Yi Liu , Jiajun Sun , Gaixia Li , Yawu Hu , Shu Su , Lei Zhang
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Clustering analysis of sexual behavioral patterns and risk of sexually transmitted infections in Chinese men who have sex with men” [J Infect Public Health 18 (2025), 102786]","authors":"Bingyang She , Yiming Liu , Siqi Lin , Fang Lu , Yi Liu , Jiajun Sun , Gaixia Li , Yawu Hu , Shu Su , Lei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103129","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103129","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103129"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145952305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103120
Anyue Xia , Jie Luo , Xiaohui Yu , Sijuan Ding , Dongfang Feng , Bin Zhu , Maoshi Li , Shangshi Li , Li Shi , Huan Xu
Objective
This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates from the Tibetan Plateau, elucidate the molecular epidemiological profile of tuberculosis (TB) in this high-altitude region, and offer a molecular basis to guide improved diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies.
Methods
A total of 169 clinical MTB isolates were collected from the General Hospital of Xizang Military Command between January 2024 and April 2025. Drug resistance-associated mutations were identified via targeted gene sequencing.
Results
Among the 169 isolates, the overall rate of genotypic resistance was 20.71 %, comprising mono-resistance (14.79 %), poly-resistance (1.78 %), and multidrug-resistance (MDR, 4.14 %). Retreated patients exhibited a higher resistance rate than newly treated cases (26.09 % vs. 14.29 %), with MDR exclusively identified in the retreatment group. Resistance to streptomycin was most prevalent (8.28 %), followed by isoniazid (7.69 %) and rifampicin (7.10 %). The predominant mutations observed were rpsL K43R and katG S315T. No mutations conferring resistance to second-line drugs were detected.
Conclusion
The substantial burden of drug-resistant TB on the Tibetan Plateau—particularly streptomycin resistance—underscores the critical need for implementing precision diagnostics and optimizing therapeutic regimens.
{"title":"The genetic diversity of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from the Tibetan Plateau","authors":"Anyue Xia , Jie Luo , Xiaohui Yu , Sijuan Ding , Dongfang Feng , Bin Zhu , Maoshi Li , Shangshi Li , Li Shi , Huan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity of drug resistance in <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> (MTB) isolates from the Tibetan Plateau, elucidate the molecular epidemiological profile of tuberculosis (TB) in this high-altitude region, and offer a molecular basis to guide improved diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 169 clinical MTB isolates were collected from the General Hospital of Xizang Military Command between January 2024 and April 2025. Drug resistance-associated mutations were identified via targeted gene sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 169 isolates, the overall rate of genotypic resistance was 20.71 %, comprising mono-resistance (14.79 %), poly-resistance (1.78 %), and multidrug-resistance (MDR, 4.14 %). Retreated patients exhibited a higher resistance rate than newly treated cases (26.09 % vs. 14.29 %), with MDR exclusively identified in the retreatment group. Resistance to streptomycin was most prevalent (8.28 %), followed by isoniazid (7.69 %) and rifampicin (7.10 %). The predominant mutations observed were <em>rpsL</em> K43R and <em>katG</em> S315T. No mutations conferring resistance to second-line drugs were detected.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The substantial burden of drug-resistant TB on the Tibetan Plateau—particularly streptomycin resistance—underscores the critical need for implementing precision diagnostics and optimizing therapeutic regimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103120"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145881710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-19DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103061
Fei Hu , Jiayi Zhan , Meijuan Peng , Haifeng Hu , Xuyang Zheng , Danfeng Ren , Rui Li , Hong Du , Wen Tian , Zhanhu Bi , Denghui Yu , Hongkai Xu , Xiaofei Yang , Yan Liang , Fangfang Li , Jingtao Hou , Yingli He , Jianqi Lian
Objective
This study aims to identify risk factors for the development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) within three years among patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) and to construct a risk stratification score.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 165 patients with CAEBV admitted to two infectious disease centers in Northwest China between January 2012 and December 2022, through which we identified independent risk factors for HLH. Cox regression was utilized to establish the nomogram model and generate the risk stratification score. The discrimination and clinical utility of both the nomogram and score models were subsequently assessed using calibration plots, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and cross-validation.
Results
Among the 165 patients, 98 (59.4 %) developed HLH within three years. The median progression time was 405 days (IQR: 217, 740), with cumulative incidence rates of HLH at 1, 2, and 3 years of 41.3 %, 56.1 %, and 65.9 %, respectively. Five independent predictors were identified: cytopenia (HR: 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.07–2.70), EBV-DNA load in plasma (HR: 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.46–2.80), alanine aminotransferase (HR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.12–1.60), ferritin (HR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.01), and triglycerides (HR: 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.38). Both the nomogram and simplified score model demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC > 0.7) and reliable calibration within a 3-year timeframe. The score model exhibited predictive power comparable to the nomogram, as indicated by net reclassification index and integrated discrimination index analyses.
Conclusion
The validated nomogram and score model facilitate rapid HLH risk stratification in CAEBV patients, supporting clinical risk assessment and early intervention.
{"title":"Development and validation of a risk stratification score for hemophagocytic syndrome in chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection: A 10-year retrospective cohort study","authors":"Fei Hu , Jiayi Zhan , Meijuan Peng , Haifeng Hu , Xuyang Zheng , Danfeng Ren , Rui Li , Hong Du , Wen Tian , Zhanhu Bi , Denghui Yu , Hongkai Xu , Xiaofei Yang , Yan Liang , Fangfang Li , Jingtao Hou , Yingli He , Jianqi Lian","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103061","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.103061","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aims to identify risk factors for the development of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) within three years among patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) and to construct a risk stratification score.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 165 patients with CAEBV admitted to two infectious disease centers in Northwest China between January 2012 and December 2022, through which we identified independent risk factors for HLH. Cox regression was utilized to establish the nomogram model and generate the risk stratification score. The discrimination and clinical utility of both the nomogram and score models were subsequently assessed using calibration plots, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA), and cross-validation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 165 patients, 98 (59.4 %) developed HLH within three years. The median progression time was 405 days (IQR: 217, 740), with cumulative incidence rates of HLH at 1, 2, and 3 years of 41.3 %, 56.1 %, and 65.9 %, respectively. Five independent predictors were identified: cytopenia (HR: 1.70, 95 % CI: 1.07–2.70), EBV-DNA load in plasma (HR: 2.02, 95 % CI: 1.46–2.80), alanine aminotransferase (HR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.12–1.60), ferritin (HR: 1.01, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.01), and triglycerides (HR: 1.21, 95 % CI: 1.05–1.38). Both the nomogram and simplified score model demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC > 0.7) and reliable calibration within a 3-year timeframe. The score model exhibited predictive power comparable to the nomogram, as indicated by net reclassification index and integrated discrimination index analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The validated nomogram and score model facilitate rapid HLH risk stratification in CAEBV patients, supporting clinical risk assessment and early intervention.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 3","pages":"Article 103061"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145802284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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