Pathogens and Global Health最新文献

Rabies remains a major public health issue. Yet, trends in rabies burden associated with age, period, and cohort effects remain unknown, and the association between animal rabies vaccination and rabies burden is unclear. We aimed to understand the long-term spatio-temporal trends in global rabies burden, the impacts of age, periods, and birth cohorts, and the association between animal rabies vaccination and burden. Rabies burden data were extracted from Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. We used joinpoint regression to assess temporal trends in rabies burden and age-period-cohort model to evaluate age, period, and cohort effects on rabies incidence and mortality. Animal rabies vaccination data were obtained from World Animal Health Information System. The association between the ratio of vaccinated animals and age-standardized incidence rate was explored. From 1990 to 2019, the global rabies incident cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) decreased by 43.12%, 47.20%, and 54.59%, respectively. Age-standardized rates of incidence, mortality, and DALYs declined in all socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, yet consistently remained the highest in low SDI region. The highest rabies incidence rate and mortality rate were observed in children aged 0-9 years. Population living during 1990-1994 had the highest rabies incidence and mortality risks. Countries and territories with high rabies age-standardized incidence rate generally had low ratios of vaccinated animals. Globally, rabies burden decreased over past 30 years, yet disparities in rabies burden regarding gender, age, period, cohort and SDI region existed. Targeted strategies are needed, especially in low SDI region and among children aged 0-9 years.

Different genetic polymorphisms, particularly in the erythrocyte receptors and immune response-related genes, have been implicated in the development of malaria. With the first immune response to Plasmodium falciparum related to the activity of toll-like receptors (TLRs), we investigated the association of TLR polymorphisms with the clinical outcome of malaria among 662 children in Ibadan, Nigeria. The participants were genotyped for TLR1-rs5743611, TLR1-rs4833095, TLR4-rs4986791, TLR4-rs4986790, TLR6-rs5743810, TLR9-rs187084 and TLR9-rs5743809 using TaqMan real-time PCR probes and analyzed using the Sequenom iPLEX platform. Statistical analyses were performed using PLINK 2.0, Haploview 4.2 and SPSS® 20.0. Overall, the TLR genes were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The minor allelic frequency (MAF) of TRL1-rs4833095, TLR4-rs4986790, TLR4-rs4986791, TLR9-rs187084, TLR9-rs5743809 was 0.094, 0.089, 0.011, 0.288, and 0.044, respectively. The CT genotype of TLR1-rs4833095 was significantly associated with increased susceptibility to clinical malaria. Similarly, the GA and CT genotypes of TLR4-rs4986790 and TLR4-rs4986791, respectively, were linked to susceptibility to complicated malaria. TLR9-rs187084 CT was associated with the development of uncomplicated malaria, while TLR6-rs5743809 showed no significant association with malaria. Notably, TLR1-rs5743611 and TLR6-rs5743810 were monomorphic in the population. This study, pioneering in its exploration of TLR polymorphisms among Yorubas', underscores the need for expansive, large-scale investigations involving diverse TLR polymorphisms across multiple malaria-endemic populations.

The bibliometric analysis aimed to assess the bibliometric characteristics, current status and temporal trends in diagnostic evolutions related to infectious diseases caused by the genus Orientia and Rickettsia. Relevant studies were retrieved from Scopus using pre-determined standard keywords. The analysis was performed using the R package 'Bibliometrix' through the 'Biblioshiny' interface. A total of 239 studies were identified for Rickettsia diagnostics, while 168 studies focussed on scrub typhus diagnostics. The annual growth rate of publications in scrub typhus (1.82%) was found to be higher than that of diagnostic research in Rickettsia (1.44%). The Journal of Clinical Microbiology (IF: 5.8) was the most relevant source for Rickettsia research, whereas the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (IF: 3.7) led publications for scrub typhus. The most globally cited articles were authored by Biggs et al (2017) for Rickettsia and Blacksell et al. (2007) for scrub typhus. U.S.A. (n = 119) and India (n = 136) are the most productive nations, publishing in Rickettsia and scrub typhus diagnostics. Mahidol University (Thailand) and the University of Texas (U.S.A.) were the top-contributing institutions. Blacksell S.D. and Raoult D. were identified as the most prolific researchers in Rickettsia and scrub typhus diagnostics. This study provides insights into the impact, productivity, and collaborative patterns among authors, institutions, and other stakeholders in rickettsial disease diagnostics. It offers a historical overview of diagnostic developments and emphasizes the importance of continued innovation and international collaboration to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment of rickettsial diseases.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among microorganisms remains a significant global concern in this century, posing an ongoing challenge for humanity. To solve this issue effectively, it is crucial to understand the genes responsible for AMR and how they create resistance. Staphylococcus aureus, which has AMR genes imparting resistance against numerous antibiotics, was the main subject of our investigation. We conducted a phylogenetic investigation to explore the evolutionary history of the gene network comprising rpl, rpoC, parE, and gyrB, providing insights into their genetic relationships and evolutionary connections. A gene interaction network with 46 functional partners was built and examined from the STRING Database and Cytoscape to increase our understanding. According to Cluego's enrichment analysis, 20 genes are significantly involved in biological processes, as are 14 genes in cellular components and 16 genes in molecular functions. RpoB, RpoC, FusA, RplI, and RpsL had the most interactions by Cytohubba when the degree and closeness of the network were studied, according to the gene interaction network analysis. Understanding the molecular basis of AMR requires analysis of the enriched pathways and Gene Ontologies (GO). The proposed study may also help researchers find new ways to battle the multidrug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus.

Introduction: After an absence of more than four decades, dengue reemerged in Mauritius in 2009, with seven outbreaks being recorded to date.

Aim: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the Mauritian population on dengue.

Methods: A questionnaire was designed, and a survey was carried out among 405 participants. The KAP scores of respondents were calculated and categorized as excellent, adequate or poor.

Result: The correlation between knowledge and practice was very weak (τ = 0.088; p = 0.022) while that between attitude and practice was moderate (τ = 0.198; p = 0.001). It was noted that 47.2 % respondents had excellent scores on general knowledge on dengue, 96.5% obtained excellent scores on the knowledge of preventive practices and 17.5% had excellent scores on implementation of the preventive measures. Poor knowledge was noted on the cure for dengue (4.2%), re-infections could lead to health complications (22.5 %), and dengue vector biting in the early mornings and evenings (36.8 %). Furthermore, only 20.0% used mosquito repellent creams, 21.0% used mosquito nets on windows, 33.8% wore protective clothes and 36.8% checked their yards for water accumulation weekly. Elderly, those with lower education background, of lower socio-economic class and residing in rural areas obtained significantly lower KAP scores within their respective sub-group. Females were more likely to wear mosquito repellent cream (p = 0.028) and long-sleeved clothes (p = 0.015).

Conclusion: This study revealed high knowledge of dengue preventive practices but poor prevention practices among respondents. This calls for additional sensitization programs in specific identified groups.

The issue of bacterial resistance remains a significant public health problem, with carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp and E. coli having adverse effects on agriculture and healthcare. Nonetheless, the true prevalence of CRE in non-clinical settings in Nigeria is unknown. Thus, for the first time, this study undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to offer comprehensive data on the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E. coli and Klebsiella spp in non-clinical isolates from Nigeria. The guideline of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) was followed. Multiple databases were searched for relevant studies and data from eligible studies were analyzed using the random effect model. From 321 retrieved records, 17 were included. The pooled prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E. coli was 14.2% (95% CI: 4.6-36.0, I² = 94.51, p < 0.001), which was lower than carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella spp at 37.8% (95% CI: 13.6-70.2, I² = 86.48, p < 0.001). The prevalence of E. coli and Klebsiella spp was highest in Nasarawa and Ebonyi, with estimates of 85.0% (95% CI: 70.4% - 93.1%) and 80.1% (95% CI: 69.8-87.5%), respectively. The prevalence of Klebsiella spp. was greater in the South-East region (63.0%) compared with the South-West region (4.5%) of the country. There was a significant variation in the prevalence of these pathogens depending on the sample sources, with a progressive increase observed over time. This study underscores a notable prevalence of carbapenem-resistant pathogens in non-clinical settings, highlighting the imperative for a holistic management approach.

Integrated One Health studies are essential to assess the potential risks associated with leishmaniosis hotspots in Europe. Thus, the aim was to holistically evaluate Leishmania infantum epidemiology in a rural hotspot in Spain with a high incidence of human leishmaniosis. Samples from 145 humans (blood), 41 dogs (blood and hairs), and 41 wild lagomorphs (blood, skin, and spleen) were collected during 2022-2023. Sandflies were captured with CDC-traps, and blood-feeding was evaluated. L. infantum exposure was assessed using indirect immunofluorescence and/or quantitative PCR. Positivity was detected in 6.2% of humans, 73.2% of dogs, and 100% of lagomorphs. A total of 1,347 sandflies were captured, predominantly Phlebotomus perniciosus. Blood meal analysis identified several synanthropic animals, as well as humans, as blood-sources. L. infantum DNA was detected in 65.7% of pooled and 25.8% of individual sandfly specimens. A spatial cluster of L. infantum positivity was identified near a hunting area harboring lagomorphs. Phylogeny revealed high homology between L. infantum isolates from lagomorphs and sandflies. Our results reinforce the role of wild lagomorphs as pivotal L. infantum reservoirs, favoring the occurrence of human leishmaniosis at the wildlife-human-domestic interface. This study underscores the need to integrate One Health approaches in endemic areas of leishmaniosis to establish effective prevention and control measures.

In 1819, a puzzling outbreak of infectious blindness afflicted nearly all crew members and African slaves aboard the French vessel Le Rôdeur during the transatlantic slave trade. This paper investigates the etiology of this unique event, comparing different pathogens that cause blindness: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Onchocerca volvulus; endemic in the African Continent. Reviewing naval medicine since the seventeenth century and eye infection knowledge in 1800, alongside historical records, we explore the singular case of Le Rôdeur's outbreak. While some clinical features favor trachoma, rapid onset, and progression align with gonococcal conjunctivitis. We suggest both as possible causes, underscoring the intricate intersection of infectious diseases and transatlantic trade.