Perception regarding mosquito-borne diseases in rural areas of Belagavi – A community-based cross-sectional study

Background: Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis are a major public health concern in developing nations including India. Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and public participation in preventing such diseases in rural places of Karnataka. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 360 participants from Primary Health Centers in Vantmuri, Kinaye, and Handiganur Villages, under the Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi, Karnataka, India. Questionnaire included questions regarding mosquito-borne diseases. Results: It was observed from the study that 67% of the participants were aware that mosquitoes transmit diseases. Most of them (35.27%) knew this information through hospitals and health personnel. 34.16% were aware of the fact that malaria and dengue are transmitted by mosquitoes whereas 27.32% were not aware. The major symptoms of mosquito-borne diseases such as fever, headache, and body ache were known to 20.27% people but 27.5% did not know any of them. 20.27% knew that stagnant water is a breeding place for mosquitoes, and only 3.6% people used municipal bins for waste disposal. 43.33% used household utensils to store water and 22.5% used open tanks. Only 65% people used coils for preventing mosquito bites. Cleaning of water bodies (28.33%) and stagnant water (20.55%) was done by a small population regularly. Conclusion: More awareness among public about the seriousness of various mosquito-borne diseases, symptoms, breeding places, and proper disposal of wastes is necessary. Public participation is required to control mosquito-borne diseases.

Zika virus, a pathway to new challenges

The current Zika outbreak is largest of its kind with 1.4 million cases in Brazil alone. World Health Organization declared the current outbreak as the public health emergency of international concerns. The major route of Zika virus transmission is mosquito bites. Sexual transmission and monkey bites are also observed in few cases. There is dire need to evaluate the other routes of transmission like blood transfusion, lactation and contact with body fluids. Zika virus is infecting infants, not only causing microcephaly but also creating number of complications resulting in bad outcomes of pregnancy. In Brazil alone, 4 000 cases of microcephaly have observed during the current outbreak. The incidence of Guillain-Barre (GB) syndrome is also observed during the current Zika virus outbreak. GB syndrome is acute medical condition leading the patients to death due to weakness of respiratory muscles or can cause the life time disability. There is no anti-viral drug or vaccine available for Zika virus. Zika infection can be prevented by using mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, cooling rooms by air conditions and wearing full sleeves or permethrin-treated clothes. The current outbreak of Zika has not only affected the health care but also caused great economic loss. Estimated loss in Latin America and Caribbean is US$3.5 billion. United Nation's sustainable development goal 3.d stresses the strengthening of early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The world will keep on facing new challenges in the form of Ebola or Zika; there is strong need to prepare ourselves for any disease outbreak.

Zika virus, a pathway to new challenges

The current Zika outbreak is largest of its kind with 1.4 million cases in Brazil alone. World Health Organization declared the current outbreak as the public health emergency of international concerns. The major route of Zika virus transmission is mosquito bites. Sexual transmission and monkey bites are also observed in few cases. There is dire need to evaluate the other routes of transmission like blood transfusion, lactation and contact with body fluids. Zika virus is infecting infants, not only causing microcephaly but also creating number of complications resulting in bad outcomes of pregnancy. In Brazil alone, 4000 cases of microcephaly have observed during the current outbreak. The incidence of Guillain-Barre (GB) syndrome is also observed during the current Zika virus outbreak. GB syndrome is acute medical condition leading the patients to death due to weakness of respiratory muscles or can cause the life time disability. There is no anti-viral drug or vaccine available for Zika virus. Zika infection can be prevented by using mosquito repellents, mosquito nets, cooling rooms by air conditions and wearing full sleeves or permethrin-treated clothes. The current outbreak of Zika has not only affected the health care but also caused great economic loss. Estimated loss in Latin America and Caribbean is US$3.5 billion. United Nation's sustainable development goal 3.d stresses the strengthening of early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The world will keep on facing new challenges in the form of Ebola or Zika; there is strong need to prepare ourselves for any disease outbreak.

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Arising in a Patient with Hypersensitivity to Mosquito Bites / 가정의학회지

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites is defined as the appearance of intense skin reactive lesions and systemic symptoms subsequent to mosquito bites. Most cases of hypersensitivity to mosquito bites reported thus far have been associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection or natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma. In this study, we describe the case of an 18-year-old Korean boy who had hypersensitivity to mosquito bites associated with primary systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. After a mosquito bite, the patient developed a progressive cutaneous nodule on his left lower leg and regional lymphadenopathy in the left inguinal area. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings suggested anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography revealed increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the left T4 vertebrae, left external iliac lymph nodes, left inguinal lymph nodes, and lateral subcutaneous region of the left lower leg. According to the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings, as well as the imaging data, the patient was diagnosed with primary systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Consequently, the patient received a total of 6 cycles of cyclophosphamide + doxorubicin + vincristine + prednisolone chemotherapy at 3-week intervals, after which the lesions regressed.

A Case of Hypersensitivity to Mosquito Bites without Peripheral Natural Killer Cell Lymphocytosis in a 6-Year-Old Korean Boy

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is a rare disease characterized by intense skin reactions such as bulla and necrotic ulcerations at bite sites, accompanied by general symptoms such as high-grade fever and malaise occurred after mosquito bites. It has been suggested that HMB is associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and natural killer (NK) cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe here a Korean child who presented with 3-yr history of HMB without natural killer cell lymphocytosis. He has been ill for 6 yr with HMB. Close observation and examination for the development of lymphoproliferative status or hematologic malignant disorders is needed.

Hypersensitivity to Mosquito Bites Associated with Natural Killer Cell-derived Large Granular Lymphocyte Lymphocytosis: A Case Report in Korea

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites (HMB) is characterized by intense skin reactions at bite sites. The pathogenesis of HMB might be related to clonal lymphoproliferation of Epstein-Barr virus DNA-positive natural killer (NK) cells. We report the first case of HMB possibly associated with NK cell-derived large granular lymphocyte (NK-LGL) lymphocytosis in Korea.

A case of hypersensitivity to mosquito bites with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection and atypical lymphocytosis / 천식및알레르기

Hypersensitivity to mosquito bites is a disorder characterized by necrotic skin reactions and systemic generalized symptoms subsequent to mosquito bites. This disease has been reported mostly in Japanese patients in their first two decades of life. Recent studies have revealed that hypersensitivity to mosquito bites is frequently associated with chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection and natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma. We describe here a Korean male adolescent who had hypersensitivity to mosquito bites accompanied by chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection and atypical lymphocytosis.