19th Seminar on Tropical Pathology and Public Health 12th Biotechnology Week 1st Physical Therapy Week, Virtual, 23-25 November 2022

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.

National fruit fly surveillance programme

This annual report summarizes the results of the 2021-2022 National Fruit Fly Surveillance Programme (NFFSP) in New Zealand. The report shows that despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme was successful in meeting its objectives. A total of 139 individual trap runs were used to service the 7878 Lynfield traps in use, with no new traps established but several relocated to improve coverage. From the 2587 trap-run submissions, a total of 8183 vials were submitted, and no exotic fruit flies were detected. Thirteen samples collected in fruit-fly traps were categorized as "specimens of interest," while 9 specimens were submitted by trappers as passive surveillance samples. All lure batches tested during the season met the required standard, and field checks were made to ensure that all lures sent to trappers had been calibrated within the last 12 months. The report concludes that the trapping network was effective in supporting New Zealand's claims of area freedom.

Changes and correlation of dengue fever epidemic and Aedes albopictus density in Haizhu district, Guangzhou before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

To analyze the population density, seasonal fluctuation of Aedes albopictus in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide a scientific basis for the monitoring and prevention and control of mosquito vector density of dengue fever. The data of dengue fever cases and Aedes surveillance data in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021 were collected, and the data of 2017-2019 and 2020-2021 were grouped to compare and analyze the characteristics of dengue epidemic and the density fluctuation of Aedes mosquitoes. A total of 517 dengue cases were reported in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021, of which only 7 cases were reported from 2020 to 2021, and the peak period of reported cases every year was August to November. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a positive correlation between the number of local cases and the number of imported cases(rs=0.63, P<0.05) and BI(rs=0.73, P<0.05). The peak density of Aedes was from May to October, and the differences of mean BI(X~2=1 143.40,P<0.001), MOI(X~2=188.30,P<0.001), and SSI(X~2=4 499.43,P<0.001)before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were statistically significant. In general, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the density of Aedes in high-risk areas was higher than that in low-risk areas. After COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported cases and the density of Aedes in Haizhu District decreased, but the density of Aedes in the high-risk area was still higher than that in low-risk areas, and a certain risk of outbreak still existed, so the government should continue to take more precise measures to strictly prevent dengue epidemic.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in January 2023

In January 2023, a total of 64 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 235 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were COVID-19 (235), monkeypox (110), dengue fever (31), measles (27) and cholera (15). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Nipah virus disease (62.5%), Ebola virus disease (47.0%), Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (37.5%), Lassa fever (15.1%) and West Nile fever (7.6%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, cholera, measles and dengue fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19, cholera and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, malaria and monkeypox, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, cholera, monkeypox, dengue fever and chikungunya fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19, monkeypox and invasive group A streptococcus infection.

Uncovering of Anti-dengue Molecules from Plants Prescribed for Dengue: A Computational Investigation

Dengue fever is a tropical disease spread worldwide, transmitted by the mosquito Aedes aegypti. It affects 100 million people worldwide every year and half a million cases of dengue hemorrhagic fever are registered. At present, it poses sever health burden as combined infections of COVID-19. Currently, as a combined infection with COVID-19, it is becoming a serious health burden. To identify the active molecule, Maestro V12.7 was used with different tools including LigPrep, Grid Generation, SiteMap, Glide XP Docking, Pharmachophores and MM-GBSA. The UNRESS tool was also used to assess the protein stability with this dengue protein. The docking result showed that all examined phytocomponents except berberine and -(+)-l-alliin had good docking scores of -8.577 (azadirachtin), -8.112 (curcumin), -7.348 (apigenin) and -6.028 (andrographolide). However, berberine and -(+)-l-alliin possessed good hydrogen-bonding interactions with RdRp. In addition, molecular dynamic simulations demonstrate that the complex of azadirachtin and dengue protein has a solid understanding of the precise interactions. As per the research results, the present research suggests that this is the first statement of azadirachtin against NS5 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain (RdRp), despite extensive research on this molecule in previous investigations. Furthermore, we anticipate that molecules such as curcumin, apigenin, and andrographolide would show beneficial effects while in vitro and in vivo studies are conducted on virally related objects. Since we performed ADMET and pharmacokinetic properties in this research, we feel that the phytochemicals of the screened anti-dengue molecules may not need to be evaluated for toxicological effects.

Farmer response in using insects as alternative feed in their native chickens cultivation in Tomohon during COVID-19 situation

The native chickens farming activities in Tomohon could support a provision of quality food continuously to the community, especially during the current covid-19 pandemic, but on the other hand various obstacles are still faced by small-scale farmers related to purchase price of feed and its availability. The empowerment of insects in animal feed could be an alternative solution. Based on this condition, a survey has been conducted in Tomohon City area which aimed to find out to what extent the using of insects as alternative feed applied in their livestock. This survey was conducted on thirty respondents in this area. Descriptive statistics were used in processing and presentation of data obtained in this survey. The responses of the respondent farmers were recorded in several points of view: time of experience in rearing chickens;experience in finding feed ingredients;farmer recognition on role of insect as animal feed;willingness to acquire skill improvement training. Concerning the time of experience in rearing chickens the most of respondents (70%) have an experience more than one year, 23% were between 6 months to one year, while the experience in finding feed ingredients: 47% of respondents (A1) informed easy to get it and 40% of respondent (A2) told that the ingredients were quite easy to get but the price increased. The farmer's recognition on role of insect as animal feed: 24% mentioned the insects in order of orthoptera, 21.2% described isoptera, 16,3% coleoptera, and then 14.4% informed the insects in diptera order as chicken feed. The respondents showed a different willingness to acquire training to improve their skill to use insect as alternative feed: 70% desired and 30% didn't thought the same thing. We concluded that the native chicken cultivation became interesting activities by the respondents in Tomohon to contribute the food, which is needed to improve their skill to use insect as alternative ingredient for their livestock chicken production improvement especially in the covid-19 situation.

No Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Among Flies or Cockroaches in Households Where COVID-19 Positive Cases Resided.

Flies and other arthropods mechanically transmit multiple pathogens and a recent experimental study demonstrated house flies, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), can mechanically transmit SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of mechanical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by domestic insects and their potential as a xenosurveillance tool for detection of the virus. Flies were trapped in homes where at least one confirmed human COVID-19 case(s) resided using sticky and liquid-baited fly traps placed inside and outside the home in the Texas counties of Brazos, Bell, and Montgomery, from June to September 2020. Flies from sticky traps were identified, pooled by taxa, homogenized, and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Liquid traps were drained, and the collected fluid similarly tested after RNA concentration. We processed the contents of 133 insect traps from 40 homes, which contained over 1,345 individual insects of 11 different Diptera families and Blattodea. These individuals were grouped into 243 pools, and all tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Fourteen traps in seven homes were deployed on the day that cat or dog samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by nasal, oral, body, or rectal samples. This study presents evidence that biting and nonbiting flies and cockroaches (Blattodea) are not likely to contribute to mechanical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or be useful in xenosurveillance for SARS-CoV-2.

Furuncular myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in a healthy child

Rationale: Human myiasis is the invasion of tissue or organs by fly larvae. This could be obligatory, facultative, or accidental. Patient concerns: A 4-year-old Saudi boy complained of fever over the past three days with multiple inflamed painful dermal furuncles and worms-like discharge. Diagnosis: Furuncular obligatory myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Interventions: Maggots were removed for identification. The wounds were cleaned with antiseptic dressings. Topical and oral antibiotics were applied. Outcomes: Seven days later, the wounds completely healed. Lessons: Although several reports correlated human myiasis with old age, low health status, mental retardation, and low socioeconomic status, but the patient in our case was a healthy child from a family with good socioeconomic status, good hygiene, no history of diseases or mental disability, but traveled to a village where the climate is suitable for fly breeding.

Insect (Hexapoda) Diversity in the Oceanic Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Scenopinidae (Diptera)

This paper covers the first record of window flies, Scenopinidae (Diptera), in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil: Scenopinus schulzi Enderlein, which is briefly characterized. This species was recorded in low numbers: three males and 13 female specimens. The occurrence of scenopinids in Fernando de Noronha is regarded as an extension of the Brazilian mainland continental fauna. The colonization of the archipelago is discussed.Alternate :Este trabalho faz o primeiro registro de uma espécie de Scenopinidae no Arquipélago de Fernando de Noronha, Brasil: Scenopinus schulzi Enderlein, brevemente caracterizada. Esta espécie foi registrada em baixa densidade: três machos e 13 fêmeas. A ocorrência de scenopinideos em Fernando de Noronha é atribuída à extensão territorial da fauna continental e sua colonização no arquipélago é discutida.

Risk assessment and prevention and control recommendations for vectors transmitting coronavirus disease 2019

Vectors can transmit Viruses by mechanical transmission. and some species can transmit Viruses by biological means. As for whether vectors can transmit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-Z), this article assess the risk of several categories of vectors closely related to humans in transmitting SARS-CoV-Z. 50 as to provide a basis for developing more precise SARS-CoV-Z prevention and control measures. Based on the collected literature. the risk matrix method was used to evaluate the probability of vectors transmitting SARS-CoV-Z and determine the level of exposure to SARS-CoV-Z and the risk level of SARS-CnV-Z transmission for different vectors in different places. The preliminary results showed that the risk of mosquitoes in transmitting SARS-CUV-Z was Very low: rodents. cockroaches. and flies had a potential risk of mechanical transmission of SARS-COV-Z, and rodents also had a potential risk of biological transmission of SARS-CoV-Z;the three categories of vectors had different risks of the transmission of SARS-CoV-Z in different places, and the risk level of transmission was associated with the risk level of exposure to SARS-CoV-Z, as well as the distribution, density, and activity of vectors. In genera]. the risk of mosquitoes in transmitting SARS-CoV-Z could he excluded: the vectors including rodents, cockroaches, and flies have a potential but low risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-Z in specific planes and surroundings exposed to SARS-COV-Z.