Pathogens and Global Health最新文献

Schistosomiasis and anemia, are one of the leading global public health problem among children between age 5 and 14 years in marginalized settings. In this study, we provide prevalence and intensity data for both conditions in three southwestern states of Nigeria, where such are lacking. Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of urine and blood samples was conducted among 1783 consenting school-aged children in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti States of Nigeria. Participants' age and sex data were obtained using field forms, and statistical analysis was performed in R software with a significance level of 95%. An overall prevalence of 26.8% and 29.5% was recorded for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively. Prevalence varied by location with (40.3% and 29.8%) in Ondo (34.4% and 37.5%) in Osun and (13.4% and 20.9%) in Ekiti for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively (p=0.00). Schistosoma infections were found among males (28.7%, p=0.05) and children between the age 9-11 years (30.0%, p=0.01). About 36% of children with anemia was also infected with schistosomiasis. Children who were positive for schistosomiasis (OR:1.51; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.93; p=0.001) and between the age category 15-16 years, (OR:1.86; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.09; p<0.05) were twice likely to become anemic. Our findings have shown that children infected with schistosomiasis are twice likely to become anemic than those without infection. It is important to complement ongoing MDA programmes targeted at schistosomiasis with nutrition intervention programs for example micronutrient supplementation for better impact and cost-effectiveness.

Several outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue occurred on Mediterranean coasts during the hot season in the last two decades. Aedes albopictus was the vector involved in all the events. As a consequence of climate change, the 'Tiger' mosquito is now spreading through central Europe, and in the summer of 2023, for the first time, mosquito control measures were implemented in Paris to prevent autochthonous transmission of dengue. Rapid changes in the distribution of tropical disease vectors need to be taken into account in future risk assessment activities.

Introduction: Chloroquine (CQ) is the drug of choice for treating uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) malaria in India. The knowledge about the exact burden of CQ resistance in P. vivax in India is scarce. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to assess the prevalence of CQ resistance in reported P. vivax cases from India.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, were searched using the search string: 'Malaria AND vivax AND chloroquine AND (resistance OR resistant) AND India'. We systematically reviewed in-vivo and in-vitro drug efficacy studies that investigated the CQ efficacy of P. vivax malaria between January 1995 and December 2022. Those studies where patients were followed up for at least 28 days after initiation of treatment were included.

Results: We identified 12 eligible CQ therapeutic efficacy studies involving 2470 patients, Of these 2329 patients were assessed by in-vivo therapeutic efficacy methods and the remaining 141 were assessed by in-vitro methods. CQ resistance was found in 25/1787 (1.39%) patients from in-vivo and in 11/141 (7.8%) patients from in-vitro drug efficacy studies.

Conclusion: Based on the available studies, the prevalence of CQ resistance in P. vivax was found to be relatively lower in India. However, continued surveillance and monitoring are crucial to identify the emergence of CQ resistance.

Governing dual-use research of concern (DURC) in the life sciences has become difficult owing to the diversification of scientific domains, digitalization of potential threats, and the proliferation of actors. This paper proposes three approaches to realize bottom-up governance of DURC from laboratory operation to institutional decision-making levels. First, a technological approach can predict and monitor the dual-use nature of the research target pathogens and their information. Second, an interactive approach is proposed in which diverse stakeholders proactively discuss and examine dual-use issues through research practice. Third, a personnel approach can identify the right persons involved in DURC. These approaches suggest that, going beyond self-governance by researchers, collaborative and networked governance involving diverse actors should become essential. This mode of governance can also be seen in light of the management of research use. Therefore, program design by funding agencies and publication screening by journal publishers continuously contribute to governance at the meso-level. Bottom-up governance may be realized by using an appropriately integrated design of these three approaches at the micro-level, such as dual-use prediction and monitoring, stakeholder dialogue, and background checks. Given that the term 'open science' has been promoted to the research community as part of top-down governance, paying due attention on site to research subjects, research practices, and persons involved in research will provide an opportunity to develop a more socially conscious open science.

Background: Contagious exanthematous diseases are becoming a major public health problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential epidemiological trend of four infectious exanthematous diseases in Italy through the searches on the internet.

Methods: We used the following Italian search term: 'Sesta malattia' (Sixth Disease, in English), 'Eritema Infettivo' (also knows 'Quinta malattia' in Italian; Fifth Disease in English), 'Quarta malattia' (Fourth Disease in English) and 'Scarlattina' (Scarlet fever in English). We overlapped Google Trends and Wikipedia data to perform a linear regression and correlation analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rho). The study period is between July 2015 and December 2022.

Results: The diseases considered have a seasonal trend and the search peaks between GT and Wikipedia overlap. A temporal correlation was observed between GT and Wikipedia search trends. Google Trends Internet search data showed strong correlation with Wikipedia with a rho statistically significant for Fifth disease (rho = 0.78), Fourth disease (rho = 0.76) and Scarlet-fever (rho = 0.77), moderate correlation for Sixth disease (rho = 0.32).

Conclusions: Infectious disease searches using Google and Wikipedia can be useful for public health surveillance and help policy makers implement prevention and information programs for the population, in addition to the fact that increases in searches could represent an early warning in the detection of outbreaks.

(1) Background: Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) are vulnerable groups at risk of parasitic infections. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in OTRs and shed light on this potentially serious complication of organ transplantation. (2) Methods: We systematically searched studies on Cryptosporidium sp. infections in OTRs in four databases (Academia, PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct). Random effects models were used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sub-group and meta-regression analyses were conducted. A quality assessment of the included studies was also performed. (3) Results: Among 876 articles retrieved, 21 were included, accounting for 2,642 OTRs. Twenty studies were cross-sectional in design, of which seven reported data on a comparison group, and one was a retrospective cohort. The pooled prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in OTRs was 15% (95% CI: 7.4-24.6). Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection was higher in adults, symptomatics and developing countries and in studies using only non-molecular methods. However, substantial heterogeneity was reported. Low to moderate heterogeneity was observed in subgroups reporting lower prevalence Cryptosporidium sp. including children (5.8; 95% CI: 2.8-9.6), studies conducted in developed countries (5.8; 95% CI: 3.0-9.4) and studies using both molecular and non-molecular diagnostics (11.4; 95% CI: 6.4-17.4). The majority of the listed research reported low-medium quality scores. (4) Conclusion: Cryptosporidium sp. infection is a significant complication in OTRs with underreported prevalence. Preventive strategies to reduce the burden should include Cryptosporidium sp. routine screening for OTRs, particularly post-transplantation in patients with diarrhea. Additional well-designed research studies are required to determine the extent of the Cryptosporidium sp. burden in OTRs.

The bioethical debate about using gene drives to alter or eradicate wild populations has focused mostly on issues concerning short-term risk assessment and management, governance and oversight, and public and community engagement, but has not examined big-picture- 'where is this going?'-questions in great depth. In other areas of bioethical controversy, big-picture questions often enter the public forum via slippery slope arguments. Given the incredible potential of gene drive organisms to alter the Earth's biota, it is somewhat surprising that slippery slope arguments have not played a more prominent role in ethical and policy debates about these emerging technologies. In this article, we examine a type of slippery slope argument against using gene drives to alter or suppress wild pest populations and consider whether it has a role to play in ethical and policy debates. Although we conclude that this argument does not provide compelling reasons for banning the use of gene drives in wild pest populations, we believe that it still has value as a morally instructive cautionary narrative that can motivate scientists, ethicists, and members of the public to think more clearly about appropriate vs. inappropriate uses of gene drive technologies, the long-term and cumulative and emergent risks of using gene drives in wild populations, and steps that can be taken to manage these risks, such as protecting wilderness areas where people can enjoy life forms that have not been genetically engineered.

Arboviral diseases remain a significant health concern worldwide, with over half the world's population at risk for dengue alone. Without a vaccine or targeted treatment, the most effective strategy of prevention is vector management with community involvement. mHealth interventions, like WhatsApp, offer promising results for engaging communities and promoting healthier behaviors. This study explores the feasibility of integrating WhatsApp in vector control activities to improve arbovirus prevention in Colombia. A mixed-methods approach was employed to assess the WhatsApp-based intervention. WhatsApp messages were sent to 45 community women for 5 weeks to increase their knowledge and practices about dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Pre-and-post surveys and focus group discussions were conducted in community settings to measure the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention. Chat reviews were done to assess the usability of users. A total of 1566 messages were exchanged in 45 WhatsApp chats. High acceptance and good usability (82% of users used the app for replying) were reported in this study. WhatsApp messages were perceived as short, clear, and enjoyable. Users liked the frequency, and design of messages. Pre- and post-surveys demonstrated improvements in the knowledge and practices of arboviral diseases. The intention to apply this knowledge in practice was reflected in a significant improvement, particularly in cleaning the laundry tank once a week (pre 62.1% to post 89.6%, p < 0.008). This study suggests that using WhatsApp as an additional tool could be a feasible, acceptable, and affordable strategy for improving the adoption of better practices in the prevention of arboviral diseases.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome has been observed in immunosuppressed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Detecting and treating asymptomatic Strongyloides infection in individuals from endemic areas can effectively prevent hyperinfection. Unfortunately, many clinicians are unaware of this neglected infection. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether including Strongyloides screening in COVID-19 management protocols would encourage this practice. To accomplish this, we conducted a retrospective single-center study at 'Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre' in Madrid, Spain, comparing two consecutive cohorts. The first cohort comprised all Latinx patients over 18 years old who were admitted for COVID-19 between March 1^st and April 30^th, 2020. The second cohort consisted of Latinx patients admitted between July 1^st and December 31^st, 2020, following an amendment to the COVID-19 management protocol that recommended screening for strongyloidiasis in at-risk patients. We identified 559 and 795 patients in the first and second periods, respectively. The percentage of individuals screened increased significantly from 8.8% to 51.6% after the screening recommendation was included in the protocol (odds ratio [OR] 11.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.01-15.33). In both periods, the screening rate was significantly higher among those receiving immunosuppression than those who did not receive steroids and/or tocilizumab. No other factors influenced the screening rate. In conclusion, including strongyloidiasis screening recommendations in COVID-19 management protocols led to its increased implementation. However, the overall screening rate remained low, emphasizing the need for further efforts to enhance screening practices.