Journal of Vector Borne Diseases最新文献

Background objectives: Dengue fever incidence has tripled from 1990 to 2017, with a 107.6% increase in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). An evaluation study in Kollam district, Kerala, India found limited community involvement in vector management. This study explores the perceptions and practices of community members and ward health, sanitation and nutrition committee (WHSNC) members regarding vector management in high-incidence areas of dengue in Kollam district, Kerala, India.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-method study from December 2022 to May 2023, featuring a community survey for residents and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders. We assessed community knowledge, attitudes, and practices with a structured questionnaire, and summarized the results as proportions. We also interviewed 18 members of the WHSNC about dengue control and vector management.

Results: Among 450 participants, 262 (58%) had moderate knowledge of dengue and its vector management, 122 (27.1%) had poor knowledge, and 66 (14.7%) had good knowledge. The majority, 440 participants (97.8%), showed a positive attitude toward dengue control, while only 10 (2.2%) had a negative attitude. Only 187 of 427 participants (25.5%) reported eliminating mosquito breeding sites at home. The qualitative study highlighted perceived barriers and strengths in the community mobilization efforts of the WHSNC for dengue control.

Interpretation conclusion: Awareness about dengue and its prevention methods is relatively high, but this has not led to commensurate preventive actions, despite positive attitudes among community members. The research highlights the need for improved community capacity through focused social and behavioural change communication.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Steven-Johnson syndrome (SJS) are rare, severe cutaneous reactions often triggered by drug hypersensitivity. These conditions, characterized by varying degrees of skin detachment, are associated with certain medications, particularly antiepileptics and antibiotics. Chloroquine, a widely used antimalarial drug, is generally considered safe, but rarely, it can lead to TEN. We present a case of a three-year-old boy who developed TEN after oral administration of chloroquine for suspected malaria. Despite intensive care, the child experienced complications and eventually succumbed to the consequences of TEN. This case underscores the importance of recognizing the potential life-threatening side effects of chloroquine, especially in regions where it is frequently prescribed, like India. Healthcare professionals should remain vigilant about rare yet severe adverse reactions associated with widely used drugs like chloroquine.

The Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), a zoonotic flavivirus, is responsible for infecting humans and inducing reproductive complications in swine, with transmission primarily facilitated by mosquitoes. Predominantly observed in Southeast Asia, Japanese encephalitis (JE) primarily circulates between amplifying hosts, notably swine, and culicine mosquitoes, particularly Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The wading birds are the reservoir host of this disease. Utilizing real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) presents a potential approach for detecting JEV in mosquito populations. Manifesting primarily within the central nervous system, JEV infection can instigate severe inflammation, contributing significantly to mortality rates, notable in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where JE poses a substantial public health concern. The initial instances of JE in Indian territories were recorded in 1955 in the southern provinces of Vellore and Puducherry, and in 1978 in the northern regions. Uttar Pradesh, among the 24 states endemic to JE, accounted for over 75% of reported cases in the past year. The geographical landscape of Gorakhpur, characterized by low topography, susceptibility to flooding, heavy precipitation, paddy cultivation and silt accumulation in riverbeds, creates favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and subsequent JEV transmission. Recent data from National Centre for Vector Borne Disease Control (NCVBDC) in Delhi indicates a decline in acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) and JE cases in Uttar Pradesh including Gorakhpur which has been the hot bed for JE/AES. Effective coordination across diverse sectors supported by evidenced based research by ICMR in Gorakhpur played an important role under comprehensive multi-sectoral "One Health Approach", which helped significantly in mitigating the disease burden with more than 90% reduction in morbidity and mortality. This article assesses the current scenario, key intervention measures, ongoing initiatives, and underscores the significance of adopting a One Health Approach in combating JE/AES as a "Gorakhpur experience" to be implemented in other parts of the country and elsewhere.

Background & objectives: Plasmodium falciparum is a protozoan parasite that causes malaria in humans. It is considered the most deadly species of Plasmodium that infects humans. Research continues to focus on understanding the biology and genetics of Plasmodium falciparum to develop new tools, vaccines, and treatments aimed at reducing the global burden of malaria caused by this deadly parasite.

Methods: In this study, three active compounds-chrysin, indole-3-carbinol, and curcumin-were optimized using Gaussian16, and a molecular docking study was conducted against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7, along with an evaluation of pharmacokinetic properties.

Results: Molecular docking studies indicated that the chrysin compound exhibits a stronger binding affinity to selected receptors of Plasmodium falciparum compared to the other compounds. Additionally, in-silico ADME screening was used to predict the pharmacological characteristics of acetyl-CoA reductase inhibitors and their metabolites.

Interpretation & conclusion: The findings predict that the chrysin compound exhibits better affinity with Plasmodium falciparum proteins, suggesting that this compound can effectively interact with specific targets within the parasite. It also highlights the favorable electrostatic interactions that contribute to its pharmacological effectiveness as an acetyl-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Background objectives: Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by the spirochaetes bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. It's a tick-borne disease that poses serious health concerns in major parts of the world including India. This review aims to comprehend the disease in depth encompassing its pathogen biology, clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment strategies, epidemiology in India, and preventive measures against it.

Methods: Peer-reviewed articles, reviews, meta-analyses and clinical studies relating to the topic were searched across reliable electronic databases like PubMed, and ScienceDirect, without imposing any time restriction for up-to-date information with a focus on sources indexed in the Science Citation Index (SCI).

Results: The pathogen is a gram-negative bacterium namely Borrelia burgdorferri infesting ticks mainly belonging to the genus Ixodes. Clinical presentations vary from single Erethema Chronicum Migrans (ECM) to neurological complexities, cardiac disorders, and severe arthritic conditions. A two-tiered test recommended by CDC is currently employed to diagnose the disease. 15 out of 28 states in India have reports of Lyme disease; most of these states also have Ixodes ticks. However, the exact vector is not confirmed in India.

Interpretation conclusion: 13 of the 15 states where Lyme disease cases have been reported have also had ticks belonging to the genus Ixodes. Thus it can be assumed that vectors of Lyme disease in India are Ixodes sp., but more studies are required to confirm and validate this assumption, and find the exact species of the vector tick. As an ignored vector-borne disease in India, Lyme disease warrants more research and surveillance.

In the current scenario, treatment of Post Kala Azar Dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is intravenous liposomal amphotericin B or oral miltefosine. Over the years, there has been a gradual decline in efficacy of miltefosine and a rise in permanent loss of vision. Moreover, In non-endemic states, miltefosine is not freely available. In view of this, we attempted a two step regimen of liposomal amphotericin B and itraconazole to treat two patients of PKDL diagnosed on histopathology as well as PCR. We found this treatment to be highly effective with complete recovery.

Background objectives: Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) is a tick-borne viral illness prevalent in the Western Ghats region of India, posing a significant public health concern. The current formalin-inactivated KFDV vaccine exhibits modest efficacy, necessitating the development of more potent preventive measures.

Methods: This study employed immunoinformatic modelling techniques to design a multiepitope-based vaccine subunit targeting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against KFDV. The vaccine was constructed using helper T cell (CD4+), cytotoxic T cell (CD8+), and B cell epitopes, linked together with appropriate linkers and an adjuvant β-defensin at the N-terminus, resulting in a 704 amino acid long vaccine subunit. Evaluation parameters included immunogenic potency, allergenicity, solubility, toxicity, and population coverage. Predictions of secondary and three-dimensional (3D) structure were made, followed by docking studies with Toll-like receptor-3 (TLR3) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I and II) to assess binding affinity. Additionally, simulation of the vaccine and TLR3 construct was performed using the iMod server to further analyze their interaction dynamics.

Results: The developed vaccine subunit exhibited favorable structural and dynamic stability, with strong binding affinity to target receptors. Codon optimization and in silico cloning analysis indicated high vaccine expression and potency. Immune stimulation studies revealed enhanced production of IgG, IgM, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, INF-gamma, and IL-2, indicative of robust immune response against KFDV.

Interpretation conclusion: The developed vaccine construct was structurally and dynamically stable and produced a strong immune response against KFDV. However, further animal model studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of these vaccines for the prevention of KFDV. The vaccine subunit structure was submitted to the ModelArchive database (https://www.modelarchive.org/doi/10.5452/ma-ij19q).

Background objectives: Vector-borne diseases, particularly mosquito-borne illnesses, cause significant global health challenges, leading to approximately 700,000 deaths annually. In India, malaria remains a critical issue, especially in regions like Odisha, where climatic factors heavily influence transmission dynamics. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between climatic factors (rainfall, temperature, and humidity) and malaria transmission in the Kalahandi district of Odisha, India. This research focuses on understanding how local weather conditions affect mosquito breeding, population dynamics, and malaria incidence.

Methods: Epidemiological data from 2019 to 2021 on malaria cases were collected from the Chief District Medical Officer's office in Kalahandi. Entomological data were gathered bimonthly by capturing mosquitoes from various locations in Kalahandi using standard methods. Meteorological data, including monthly rainfall, temperature, and humidity, were obtained from the Odisha government database. The data were analyzed using correlation analysis, linear regression, and Pearson correlation to explore the relationships between weather parameters and malaria cases.

Results: The study found that rainfall positively correlates with malaria incidence, particularly during peak rainy seasons (July-September). P. falciparum cases showed a strong association with precipitation, while temperature and humidity showed mixed results. Excessive rainfall, however, may disrupt mosquito breeding sites.

Interpretation conclusion: It was noticed that Anopheles culicifacies was prevalent year- round but was particularly dense during the winter and summer (pre-monsoon) seasons, often in conjunction with Anopheles fluviatilis. The findings highlight the complex interplay of climatic factors influencing malaria transmission in the region, with rainfall being the most significant driver.

Background objectives: Dengue, a fast-growing vector-borne disease, has an estimated case- fatality rate of 5%. India is largely affected by dengue. Due to its unpredictable course and non-availability of specific treatment, timely identification of risk factors for severe dengue and its management is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical profile of children admitted to a tertiary care hospital with dengue, including their outcome, and identify the risk factors for severe dengue.

Methods: This prospective observational study included children admitted with serologically confirmed dengue. World Health Organization classification was used to classify the illness. The details of demographic characteristics, history, clinical examination, laboratory parameters, and outcome were noted. Various risk factors, associated with severe dengue including clinical and laboratory parameters, were determined using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% CI.

Results: Out of 157 enrolled children, 51 (32.5%) had severe dengue, and 5 (3.2%) died. Severe dengue showed no predilection for age, gender, and baseline IgG positivity. Multivariate- logistic regression analysis identified only fever ≥39°C [aOR 4.06 (1.60-10.27)] and petechiae [aOR 9.91(3.07-32.03)] as the clinical risk factors for severe dengue. Prolonged prothrombin time (>14s) [aOR 37.21(1.46-946.23)] and platelet count less than 50,000/cu mm [aOR 12.83(1.12-147.17] were observed as independent laboratory risk factors for severe dengue.

Interpretation conclusion: Simple clinical measures like a detailed history of fever >39°C and examination, especially for petechiae, should caution clinicians against progressing to severe dengue. Along with platelet count, prothrombin time should also be monitored during the laboratory investigations.