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Oesophageal involvement due to tuberculosis (TB) and coinfection with HTLV-1 is rare and can be complicated by the presence of other infections that affect the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, such as COVID-19. We present the case of a 27-year-old male patient, with 3 months of illness, weight loss, dysphagia, and ulcers in the oral cavity. Tomography showed oesophageal perforation and after oesophageal ulcer biopsy, TB was diagnosed, in addition to infection by HTLV-1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). The patient responded satisfactorily to antituberculous treatment and corticosteroids. Considering the association between rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis and other immunosuppressive pathologies, it is crucial to identify these pathologies in such patients.
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Purpose: Today, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) treatment is an evolving process, and synbiotic administration has been suggested as a new therapeutic strategy. This study aims to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation in COVID-19 patients. Design/methodology/approach: In this placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients were randomized to receive oral synbiotic capsule (containing fructooligosaccharide and seven bacterial strains;Lactobacillus (L) casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, L. bulgaricus, each one 109 colony-forming units) or placebo for two months. Inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated at two timepoints (baseline, two months later). The measured variables were adjusted for confounders and analyzed by SPSS v21.0. Findings: All 80 enrolled patients completed the study. The study adherence was good (approximately 70%). The mean changes for IL-6 were not significant ( = -0.6 +or- 10.4 pg/mL vs = +11.2 +or- 50.3 pg/mL, p > 0.05). There were no significant improvements for CRP, ESR and WBC. Originality/value: Administration of synbiotics for two months did not improve inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.
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These proceedings comprise 85 articles spanning diverse fields such as bacteriology, molecular biology, biotechnology, dermatology, infectious and parasitic diseases, epidemiology, physiotherapy, immunology, mycology, parasitology, pathology, collective health, and virology. The articles delve into a wide range of research topics, from repurposing drugs for Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections to utilising artificial intelligence for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. In bacteriology, investigations explore the correlation between smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric adenocarcinoma patients, as well as the resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in tracheostomised children. Molecular biology studies focus on gene polymorphisms related to diseases like paracoccidioidomycosis. Biotechnology research emphasises bioactive molecules in species like Croton urucurana and the development of computational models for cytotoxicity prediction. Dermatology articles address stability characterisation in vegetable oil-based nanoemulsions. The section on infectious and parasitic diseases encompasses studies on COVID-19 vaccine response in pregnant women and the impact of infection prevention measures in rehabilitation hospitals. Epidemiology investigations analyse trends in premature mortality, tuberculosis in diabetic patients, and public adherence to non-pharmacological COVID-19 measures. Physiotherapy research covers topics such as telerehabilitation through a developed game and the prevalence of congenital anomalies. Immunology studies explore immune responses in HIV and Leishmaniasis, whilst mycology investigates the biotechnological potential of fungi from the cerrado biome. Parasitology research evaluates treatment efficacy against vectors parasites such as Aedes aegypti and Toxoplasma gondii. Pathology articles discuss intentional intoxication in cattle and the influence of curcumin on acute kidney injury therapy. Collective health studies focus on intervention plan development in healthcare settings and pesticide use in horticulture. Lastly, virology research investigates parvovirus occurrence in hospitalised children during the COVID-19 pandemic, hidden hepatitis B virus infection in inmates, and the prevalence of HPV and HTLV-1/2 infections in specific populations.
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This proceedings contains 112 s that cover a wide range of topics related to microbiology. The s cover a wide range of topics related to microbiology, including new paradigms in a microbe-threatened world, the human-animal spillover of SARS-CoV-2 and its implications for public health, preparing for the next pandemic, antimicrobial resistance and the fight against it. Furthermore, tuberculosis, monkeypox, and their potential threat on a global scale are also discussed. The presentations also cover a variety of other topics, such as vaccines and vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy, key issues related to the COVID-19 healthcare system, regional support for outbreak preparedness, enhancing regional health security in Asia through genomic surveillance, the role of molecular diagnostic capacity in COVID-19 control, antimicrobial resistance in COVID-19 times, paediatric nosocomial infections, prescription ethics from a primary care perspective, the BCG vaccine and its relevance in the prevention of tuberculosis and beyond, tuberculosis as a forgotten pandemic, vector-borne diseases during COVID-19, the role of media advocacy in vector-borne diseases control and management, engaging communities in tackling vector-borne diseases, the way forward in managing mental health in the COVID-19 endemic phase, the spread of zoonotic diseases, and whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2: clinical applications and experience.
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A 64-year-old never-smoker man, with professional exposure, presented to Marius Nasta Pneumophtisiology Institute for fatigability to effort, in the context of severe SARS-COV2 infection one month previously. His medical history includes pulmonary tuberculosis (55 years ago) and newly diagnosed type II diabetes (261 mg/dL glycemia). The thoracic tomography computer in the immediate post-COVID period (Fig. 1A) revealed the presence of glass ground lesions and a 3 cm nodule with cystic degeneration in the upper left lobe. A gross examination of the specimen identified a condensation area of 2.5 cm diameter, brown-grey colored, with necrosis and central ulceration. Microscopic examination showed the presence of bronchiectasis with squamous metaplasia of the epithelium, which appears ulcerated;numerous calcium oxalate crystals with adjacent foreign body granulomatous reaction;endobronchial are present fibrinous and inflammatory debris, brown-black pigment, and septate, dichotomous branching hyphae, suggestive of Aspergillus spp. A periodic acid-Schiff stain was performed, identifying the fungal hyphae. The histopathological diagnosis was bronchiectasis supra-infected and colonized with fungal filaments (Aspergillus niger).
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In 2021, 6.5 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported globally;however, the WHO estimates that 10.6 million people (134/ 100,000) developed the condition. As many as 1.6 million people (20/100,000) died of TB. The increase in TB mortality to the 2017 level may be explained by worse access to the diagnosis and treatment of TB due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Europe, TB primarily affects vulnerable populations such as migrants, homeless people, prisoners or HIV-positive persons. The WHO estimates the incidence of TB in Ukraine to be 71/ 100,000. Approximately a third of cases are multidrug-resistant and one in five patients is HIV-positive. The Czech Republic is among countries With the lowest TB rates globally. In 2021, 357 cases (34/100,000) were reported to the national TB registry. Data for 2022 are not available as yet but the total number of TB cases is expected to rise in the Czech Republic, resulting from more reported cases of TB in Ukrainians due to the war in Ukraine. Fortunately, TB rates in Ukrainian refugees are considerably lower than those estimated When the war started.
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Background and Aim: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by sandflies and is one of the endemic diseases of Iran. With the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic worldwide, the virus will interface with endemic infectious diseases in different regions. In this study, coronavirus disease was evaluated in patients with a history of leishmaniasis referred to the Center of Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy. Methods: A total of 91 patients with a history of leishmaniasis were studied for possible SARS-CoV-2 infection. The number of patients referred to the Center of Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy during the coronavirus epidemic was also compared with the same period before the epidemic Results: A total of 60% of patients with leishmaniasis did not report coronavirus disease. Twenty-one percent of cases had a mild corona disease, 13% had a moderate and 3% had severe corona disease. Only a single death was reported in corona patients with a history of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The number of referrals before the beginning of the corona epidemic was twice as high as during the epidemic. Conclusion: In these participants, mortality and side effects of COVID-19 were significantly less reported. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the immune system and cutaneous leishmaniasis protection against COVID-19. Various factors can be effective in reducing patients during the epidemic, including not going to medical centers, reducing the number of trips, and observance of health issues.
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Background: Tuberculosis or TB is a disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. There are several comorbidities that experience severity and death when infected with tuberculosis or TB, namely hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, cerebrovascular disease, and other diseases. This study aims to estimate the magnitude of the risk of death in Tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment with comorbid Diabetes Mellitus, with a meta-analysis of primary studies conducted by previous authors. Subjects and Method: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis with the following PICO, population: Tuberculosis patients. Intervention: comorbidities of chronic diabetes mellitus. Comparison: without comorbid diabetes mellitus. Outcome: death. The articles used in this study were obtained from three databases, namely Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Science Direct. Keywords to search for articles "Tuberclosis" OR TBC AND "Diabetes Mellitus" OR DM AND Mortality OR Death The included full-text articles are in English with a cohort study design from 2007 to 2021 and report the adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) in a multivariate analysis. Article selection is done by using PRISMA flow diagram. Articles were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: A total of 12 cohort studies involving tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment from America, Europe, Africa and Asia were selected for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The data collected showed tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment with comorbid Diabetes Mellitus had a 1.68 times risk of death compared to COVID-19 patients without comorbid chronic kidney disease (aOR = 1.68;95% CI = 1.42 to 1.99;p<0.001). Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus comorbidity increases the risk of death in tuberculosis patients undergoing treatment.
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In 2017, the French National Health Authority (HAS) reassessed its human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening strategy and in 2018, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) set the goal of screening 95% of people living with HIV by 2030. The HAS recommends an approach based on target population and gives the general practitioner (GP) a key role in its implementation. It is therefore important to facilitate HIV testing by GPs and to reduce missed opportunities. To this end, a pilot study was conducted on a panel of 2,000 GPs over a 10-month period in 2020 in order to evaluate the impact of a pop-up displayed within prescription assistance software reminding about the frequency of targeted screening recommended by the HAS. The pop-up was displayed for patients with a history of sexually transmitted infection and/or hepatitis C and/or tuberculosis in the previous 12 months and without a known HIV serology or diagnosis. The impact was measured by comparing the prospective follow-up of consultations made during the "pilot" in 2020 with the retrospective follow-up of consultations made during the "pre-pilot" period in 2019. The results showed a significant increase in HIV serology prescriptions during the pilot study, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficulties in objectively identifying target patient profiles and in organizing regular follow-ups to HIV testing were also revealed. This pop-up tool represents an additional means of facilitating the prescription of HIV testing by GPs.
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This article discusses the worldwide routine vaccination coverage in 2021, as part of the Immunisation Agenda 2030, a global immunisation strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases. The report presents global, regional, and national estimates and trends in vaccination coverage through 2021, based on reviews of country-specific data, including administrative and survey-based coverage. Global estimates show that coverage with 3 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTPcv3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) decreased to their lowest levels since 2008. In 2021, 25.0 million infants were not vaccinated with DTPcv3, 2.1 million more than in 2020, and 5.9 million more than in 2019. The number of zero-dose children was 37% higher than in 2019, with 18.2 million infants not receiving any DTPcv dose by the age of 12 months. The report highlights that the full recovery from disruptions to immunisation programmes due to the COVID-19 pandemic will require context-specific strategies to find missed children, prioritise essential health services, and strengthen immunisation programmes to prevent outbreaks.
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Objective: To evaluate the outcome of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in children and adolescents with tuberculosis. Methods: We analyzed hospital records for the period May, 2020 to September, 2021 for children who were severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive or SARS-CoV-2 antibody positive. They were divided into two groups viz., those with tuberculosis (tuberculosis group) and those without tuberculosis (non-TB group). Demographic information, symptoms, and outcomes of COVID-19 were compared between the two groups. Results: Median (IQR) age of participants was 11 (8,14) and 4.5 (2,9) year for the tuberculosis and non-TB groups, respectively. 93.5% and 36.1% of children were asymptomatic in the tuberculosis and non-TB group, respectively. No variable in the study was significantly associated with COVID-19 positivity in children with tuberculosis. No difference was found in the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children having tuberculosis. Conclusions: No differences were noted in the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in children having tuberculosis.
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Introduction: The detection rate of tuberculosis may have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the new reality and habits created to combat the pandemic. Background: To analyze the incidence of tuberculosis in Brazil during the years 2018 to 2020;comparing the detection rate during this period in general and vulnerable populations. Methods: Data on the incidence of tuberculosis in the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were collected from the Registry of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, taking into account the distribution by age, sex, and affiliation to vulnerable groups such as homeless people, inmates, health professionals and immigrants. Results: The overall number of new tuberculosis cases in 2020 was lower than in 2018 and 2019. There was no difference in the percentage of men and women or between age groups. The incidence of tuberculosis among people belonging to vulnerable groups remained the same in 2020 as in 2018 and 2019. Conclusion: New cases of tuberculosis decreased equally in all segments of the population studied during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The possession of exotic animals as pets is a social practice that has become more visible in Mexico in recent years, so it is interesting to understand its environmental and social implications and those related to human health. The present study aims to identify the main species of exotic animals kept as pets and the zoonotic diseases reported in these species. We analyzed official figures of seizures of exotic fauna in Mexico and reviewed specialized literature on zoonotic diseases documented in Mexico in these species. We identified zoonoses in species of fauna that can be acquired legally and illegally in the country, reported in environments in which animals coexist with other species and are in direct contact with people, which represents an important factor in the spread and propensity of this type of disease. We conclude that the sanitary regulation of wildlife markets, the monitoring and studying microorganisms associated with wildlife are valuable strategies to prevent the emergence of zoonoses.
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Background and purpose: There are limited studies on co-infection of COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to describe the clinical, radiological, laboratory characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients admitted with tuberculosis and COVID 19 co-infection. Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated all patients with either active TB or old TB and COVID-19 admitted to Qaemshahr Razi Teaching Hospital between 2020 and 2022. Results: A total of 9251 patients with COVID-19 were admitted to our hospital between February 2020 and May 2022. There were eight patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and COVID-19 co-infection, including five (62.5%) male patients. The mean age of these patients was 61.13..22.63 years old. The mean time of symptom onset to hospital admission was 15.13..30.56 days and 50% were diagnosed with active TB and other half had old TB. Four patients were admitted to the ICU, three of whom required ventilation. Finally, four (50%) patients deceased. In this study, among factors that influence patients' outcomes, only underlying diseases were significantly associated with death. Conclusion: Tuberculosis is assumed to cause a higher mortality risk in COVID-19 patients, especially in those with chronic underlying diseases.
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Vaccination is effective in preventing the increase of disease, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and it is particularly important for people in close contact with infected sources and susceptible populations who are at increased risk of getting infectious diseases due to behavior, occupation or health. Despite targeted vaccination guidelines, inadequate vaccination of the key populations fails to receive widespread attention, resulting in a high-risk transition of disease from key populations to general populations. Strengthening the vaccination of the susceptible groups can effectively block the spread of pathogens to general populations, and reduce the consumption of medical resources in universal vaccination, which has significant economic value. In this review, we describe the prevalence of EIDs, analyze the experience and lessons of infectious disease vaccination in key populations through several cases, and further explore the causes for the decline in vaccination rates of key populations. According to the trends of EIDs, a plan to strengthen the vaccination of key populations is proposed to effectively prevent the transition of EIDs from key populations to general populations.
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This paper describes the clinical signs and use of differential laboratory diagnostic techniques (computed tomography, cytology, histopathology, antigen/antibody detection and polymerase chain reaction) for infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic) and non-infectious (inflammatory/immune mediated, neoplastic, cardiac, malformation, foreign body, smoke inhalation, aspiration of caustic material, non-cardiogenic, pulmonary oedema, traumativ, pneumothorax, pulmonary contusions and idiopathic) causes of respiratory diseases in cats and dogs in Ontario, Canada.
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These proceedings contains 30 articles that covered various topics related to immunology and related fields. The conference papers presented focused on investigating the role of genetics, microbiome, and immunological pathways in disease pathogenesis and treatment. Studies presented at the conference explored the genetic factors associated with obesity in Brazilian children, the role of flavonoids in reprogramming microglia towards a neuroprotective inflammatory profile, the gut microbiome in asthmatic individuals, and the involvement of the MTOR gene and its variants in the severity of COVID-19. Other studies evaluated the immunodiagnostic potential of a protein exclusive to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, genetic markers associated with alcohol dependence and asthma, and the effects of nicotine on glial cells in Parkinson's disease. The conference also presented research on the molecular mechanisms associated with the anti-glioma and immunomodulatory effects of flavonoids, the influence of Trypanosoma cruzi co-infection on the immune response and clinical outcome of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the association of metalloproteinase gene variants with periodontitis. Furthermore, the papers presented discussed the production of Zika virus singular peptide for the development of serological immunassays, and the role of genetic polymorphisms in the IL1B and IL6 genes in periodontitis. Lastly, the conference included research on the immunological response of broiler chickens fed with diet supplemented with zinc, and the modulatory effects of Agatis flavone on the glial response in an ex vivo model of brain trauma.
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Various kinds of field crops growing on two commercial farms in the Whitehorse area of the southern Yukon Territory were surveyed for diseases in summer 2020 by staff of the Agriculture Branch of the Government of Yukon. They included barley, wheat, canola, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and turnips. Fields were visited one or more times during July and August. The incidence and severity of diseases were visually assessed on a crop-by-crop basis and samples were collected for laboratory analysis of the pathogens present, if any. Both infectious and non-infectious diseases were present on most crops. The infectious diseases were caused by various species of plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi that were common on these crops growing in other areas of Canada. INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: The 2020 field crop disease survey is believed to be the first organized study of its kind on agricultural crops in the Territory. In his book, "An Annotated Index of Plant Diseases in Canada . . . ", I.L. Conners lists over 300 records of plant diseases on trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses in the Yukon that were published by individuals who were surveying forests and native vegetation mainly for federal government departments, universities and other agencies (Conners 1967). The objectives of the 2020 survey were: (1) to determine the kinds and levels of diseases on selected Yukon crops, (2) to identify the major pathogen species attacking Yukon crops, and (3) to use the results to plan future surveillance activities aimed at helping producers to improve their current disease management programs. All of the fields included in the 2020 survey were situated on two commercial farms, which were designated as Farm #1 and #2, in the Whitehorse area in the southern Yukon (Fig. 1). The crops surveyed included cereals (barley and wheat), oilseeds (canola) and vegetables (beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, potatoes and turnips). Fields were visited one or more times in the mid- to late growing season (July/August) at a time when damage from diseases was most noticeable. Symptoms were visually assessed on a crop-by-crop basis by determining their incidence and severity. Incidence was represented by the percentage of plants, leaves, heads, kernels, etc., damaged in the target crop, while severity was estimated to be the proportion of the leaf, fruit, head, root/canopy area, etc., affected by a specific disease as follows: Proportion of the canopy affected based on a 0-4 rating scale, where: 0 = no disease symptoms, 1 = 1-10% of the crop canopy showing symptoms;2 = 11-25% showing symptoms, 3 = 26- 50% showing symptoms, and 4 = > 50% showing symptoms. Photographs of affected plants were taken and sent to plant pathologists across Western Canada for their opinions on causation. Where possible, representative samples of plants with disease symptoms were packaged and sent to the Alberta Plant Health Lab (APHL) in Edmonton, AB for diagnostic analyses. Background information, such as the general cultural practices and cropping history, was obtained from the producers wherever possible. GPS coordinates were obtained for each field to enable future mapping Cereals: Individual fields of barley (11 ha) and wheat (30 ha) located at Farm #1 were surveyed. The barley was a two-row forage cultivar 'CDC Maverick', while the wheat was an unspecified cultivar of Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) Wheat. Plant samples were taken along a W-shaped transect for a total of five sampling points for the barley field (< 20 ha) and ten sampling points for the wheat field (> 20 ha). The first visit, which occurred on July 30, involved visual inspection and destructive sampling wherein plants were collected and removed from the field for a detailed disease assessment at a lab space in Whitehorse. There, the roots were rinsed off and the plants were examined for disease symptoms. The second visit to these fields, which occurred on August 27, only involved visual examination of the standing crop. Oilseeds: A single 40 ha field of Polish canola (cv. 'Synergy') was examined o
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This paper expounds on how COVID-19 has affected some of the other disease patterns in Africa. The paper highlights the effect of COVID-19 on HIV, AIDS and TB as well as the access to vaccines in controlling the pandemic.
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Tuberculosis is a zoonotic disease that is caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and can infect humans, livestock, and wildlife. It spreads primarily through the respiratory tract and was the leading cause of death due to a single infectious disease before the COVID-19 pandemic. TB is a global public health emergency that has reemerged over the past few decades. Substantial efforts are needed to achieve the goals of the End TB Strategy. The World Health Organization has estimated that approximately 9.9 million people worldwide contracted TB in 2020 and that approximately 140,000 of the 10 million new cases of active TB in 2019 were zoonotic TB. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of new TB diagnoses and reports decreased sharply, from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020, returning to 2012 levels far below the approximately 10 million TB cases in 2020. Simultaneously, the global decrease in the absolute number of TB deaths until 2019 was followed by an increase in 2020 in four of the six WHO regions and most of the 30 high-TB-burden countries. Therefore, extensive immediate actions worldwide are required to restore the health system, and innovations are needed to accelerate progress toward a tuberculosis-free world.