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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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Vaccines are one of the most effective means of preventing viral infections. Since Edward Jenner invented the world's first vaccine in 1796, against smallpox, various types of vaccine have been developed, including inactivated vaccines, attenuated live vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, viral vector vaccines and nucleic acid vaccines. Viral vector vaccines and nucleic acid vaccines （mRNA vaccines and DNA vaccines） have been developed most recently. In these vaccines, genes encoding viral proteins that serve as antigens are introduced into the body. The viral vector is an excellent vaccine delivery system that efficiently delivers antigen genes to target cells, and has been utilized for vaccine development against a variety of emerging infectious diseases, including AIDS, malaria, Ebola hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, and most recently COVID-19. Here, we provide an overview of viral vector vaccines and discuss recent efforts to develop vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.Alternate :抄録ウイルス性感染症を予防するうえで、ワクチンは最も有効な手段の一つである。1976年、エドワード・ジェンナーが世界初のワクチンである種痘を発明して以来、さまざまなウイルス性感染症に対して、不活化ワクチン、弱毒生ワクチン、組換えタンパクワクチン、ウイルスベクターワクチン、核酸ワクチンなど、多様なプラットフォームに基づくワクチン開発が進められてきた。本稿では、数あるワクチンプラットフォームの中から、ウイルスベクターワクチンに着目して、いくつかの例をあげて概説するとともに、近年、国際的な問題となっている新興感染症に対するワクチン開発などの取り組みについても述べる。
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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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The study estimates the usability and attitude assessment of users for India's first approved rapid antigen self-test kit;the CoviSelf™. India approved its first AI-powered self-test for Covid-19 in April 2021 a few weeks after the first approval in the US. We present here a study on usability and attitude assessment of users of India's first approved rapid antigen self-test kit;the CoviSelf™. The study evaluates participants' understanding of and performance of test procedure and interprets the results. Analysis revealed that more than 90% study participants followed steps correctly as illustrated in the user's manual. Age group and gender-based analysis showed comparable scores for usability of the test kit suggesting users of different age groups has same ease in using the test kit. What we learnt from this study could be start of self-test revolution, where rapid tests could expand the access of diagnostics for hundreds of diseases including HIV, HPV, and dengue to millions of people who could not get access to diagnostics because we lacked manpower or facility to conduct tests. Self-testing could break the barriers for diagnostics that Internet did for information.
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Early disease diagnosis is critical for better management and treatment outcome of patients. Therefore, diagnostic methods should ideally be accurate, consistent, easy to perform at low cost and preferably non-invasive. In recent years, various biomarkers have been studied for the detection of cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus and malignancies. Exosomal microRNA (miRNA) are small non-coding RNA molecules that influence gene expression after transcription. Previous studies have shown that these types of miRNAs can potentially be used as biomarkers for cancers of the breast and colon, as well as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. It may also be used to indicate viral and bacterial infections, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis and hepatitis. However, its use in the diagnosis of vector-borne diseases is rather limited. Therefore, this review aims to introduce several miRNAs derived from exosomal plasma that may potentially serve as a disease biomarker due to the body's immune response, with special focus on the early detection of vector-borne diseases.
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic pressured health care systems to remain alert and active in their vector-borne disease control and prevention programs, leading to changes in vector control strategies in urban areas affected by dengue, Zika and chikungunya. Objective: To describe the adaptations made to the vector control and surveillance program in Medell??n during the COVID-19 health emergency. Materials and methods: Once the health emergency started,biosecurity protocols were developed. Entomological surveillance was strengthened from the institutional environment instead of homes. Data was collected in Medell??n from 2018 to 2021 during the vector control and surveillance program activities, which included epidemiological and entomo-virological surveillance, entomological index survey, ovitrap monitoring, community mobilization, search and elimination of mosquito breading sites, and chemical control. These actions were adapted and/or increased to promote self-care among communities in total and partial confinement, and to develop prevention and control measures. Results: Mosquito monitoring was increased by 40% using ovitraps, entomological -virological surveillance showed an increase in 2020 of 34,4% compared to 2019 and virtual media was used to keep and improve contact with the community. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on arbovirus prevention and control programs. The city of Medell??n quickly adapted its entomo-virological surveillance activities, control measures, and the contact with the community during the pandemic, which allow the Integrated Vector Management program to remain active in the city.
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The role of animal movement in spreading infectious diseases is highly recognized by various legislations and institutions such as the World Organisation for Animal Health and the International Animal Health Code. The increased interactions at the nexus of human-animal-ecosystem interface have seen an unprecedented introduction and reintroduction of new zoonotic diseases with high socio-economic impacts such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease that affects both humans and animals and is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes or through contact with the body fluids of infected animals. This study seeks to characterize movement patterns of pastoralist and how this movement behaviour increases their susceptibility to RVF virus exposure. We levarage on a rapidly growing field of movement ecology to monitor five herds collared from 2013 – 2015 in an RVF endemic semi-arid region in Kenya. The herds were also sampled for RVF antibodies to assess their exposure to RVF virus during the rainy seasons. adehabitatLT package in R was used to analyze the trajectory data whereas the first passage time (FPT) analysis was used to measure the area utilized in grazing. Sedentary herds grazed within 15km radius while migrating herds presented restricted space use patterns during the dry seasons and transient movement during the start and end of the rainy season. Furthermore, RVF virus antibodies were generally low for sedentary herds whereas the migrating herds recorded high levels during their transition periods. This study can be used to identify RVF risk zones for timely and targeted management strategies.
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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.
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A nasal monoclonal antibody Investigations following a pilot trial of foralumab, the nasal monoclonal antibody a monoclonal antibody develop for inflammatory conditions and now repurposed for COVID-19, revealed decreased inflammatory markers and the same gene expression modulation seen in patients with multiple sclerosis. A subsequent gene expression analysis found changes in gene expression patterns (including NKG7, TGF beB1 and GIMAP7) involved with the anti-inflammatory effects of the drug, not only in COVID-19 patients, but also in a patient with multiple sclerosis, meaning the drug may be used for several diseases. For more on COVID-19 drug resistance see Sci Adv 2023;published online March 29. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ade8778 For more on the new target for COVID-19 drugs see eLife 2023;published online March 21. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.83710 For more on the nasal monoclonal antibody see Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2023;published online March 7. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220272120 For more on antibodies for yellow fever see Sci Transl Med 2023;published online March 29. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.ade5795 For more on a new drug for mpox see J Med Virol 2023;published online March 10. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmv.28652 For more on the transmission of bacterial vaginosis see Cell Rep Med 2023;published online March 21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100981 For more on endolysin see J Invest Dermatol 2023;published online March 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.039
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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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Yellow fever transmission in Africa included outbreaks and cases in countries with a history of YF mass vaccination campaigns (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana), escalating the concern raised by the re-emergence of outbreaks in West Africa in 2020. In 2021, those outbreaks affected populations that had not been reached by immunization services, including people living in areas with compromised security and people missed in large-scale campaigns. The resurgence of intense viral transmission highlights the importance of achieving and maintaining equitable, high vaccination coverage of all at-risk populations. COVID-19 continued to impact YF control in 2021. The type of effect changed as countries prioritized vaccination against COVID-19, which led to postponement or de-prioritization of YF vaccination in some countries and affected vaccine acceptance. Despite the challenges, priority countries made good progress in implementing the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy in 2021, with >48 million people reached through reactive, catch-up and preventive YF vaccination campaigns in Africa.
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AIMS: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of rotavirus and coronavirus in dipterans that commonly inhabit the environment of dairy farms. METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected 217 insect specimens from nine dairy farms, which were examined through hemi-nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing in search of VP1 and N genes for rotavirus and bovine coronavirus-BCoV, respectively. With a predominance of Muscidae (152/217 = 70%) 11 families of Diptera were identified. Rotavirus A (RVA) and betacoronavirus (BCoV) were detected in 14.7% (32/217) and 4.6% (10/217) of the dipterans, respectively. Sequencing of the amplicons was possible for 11.5% (25/217) of RVA and 0.5% (1/217) of BCoV, confirming the presence of these pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the role of dipterans as carriers of RVA and BCoV of great relevance for public and animal health.
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Cattle Diseases , Diptera , Rotavirus Infections , Rotavirus , Animals , Cattle , Rotavirus/genetics , Betacoronavirus , Farms , Insecta , Feces , Cattle Diseases/epidemiology , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Phylogeny , GenotypeABSTRACT
Background: Climate change based on temperature, humidity and wind can improve many characteristics of the arthropod carrier life cycle, including survival, arthropod population, pathogen communication, and the spread of infectious agents from vectors. This study aimed to find association between content of disease followed climate change we demonstrate in humans. Methods: All the articles from 2016 to 2021 associated with global climate change and the effect of vectorborne disease were selected form databases including PubMed and the Global Biodiversity information facility database. All the articles selected for this short review were English. Results: Due to the high burden of infectious diseases and the growing evidence of the possible effects of climate change on the incidence of these diseases, these climate changes can potentially be involved with the COVID-19 epidemic. We highlighted the evidence of vector-borne diseases and the possible effects of climate change on these communicable diseases. Conclusion: Climate change, specifically in rising temperature system is one of the world's greatest concerns already affected pathogen-vector and host relation. Lice parasitic, fleas, mites, ticks, and mosquitos are the prime public health importance in the transmission of virus to human hosts. © 2022 Mojahed et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
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Understanding the role of space in infectious diseases' dynamics in urban contexts is key to developing effective mitigation strategies. Urbanism, a discipline that both studies and acts upon the city, commonly uses drawings to analyze spatial patterns and their variables. This paper revisits drawings as analytical and integrative tools for interdisciplinary research. We introduce the use of drawings in two interdisciplinary projects conducted in the field of global public health: first, a study about the heterogeneous burden of tuberculosis and COVID-19 in Lima, Peru, and second, a study about urban malaria in Jimma, Ethiopia. In both cases, drawings such as maps, plans, and sections were used to analyze spatial factors present in the urban context at different scales: from the scale of the territory, the city, and the district, to the neighborhood and the household. We discuss the methodological approaches taken in both cases, considering the nature of the diseases being investigated as well as the natural and social context in which the studies took place. We contend that the use of drawings helps to reimagine space in public health research by adding a multidimensional perspective to spatial variables and contexts. The processes and products of drawing can help to (a) identify systemic relations within the spatial context, (b) facilitate integration of quantitative and qualitative data, and (c) guide the formulation of policy recommendations, informing public and urban health planning.
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COVID-19 , Communicable Diseases , United States , Humans , Global Health , Interdisciplinary Research , COVID-19/epidemiology , CitiesABSTRACT
While the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread havoc across the world, countries like Pakistan are faced with another challenge: the steady rise of vector borne diseases alongside a spike in COVID-19 cases. Moreover, signs and clinical manifestations of multiple arbovirus infections mimic those experienced in COVID-19, causing further complications in management and diagnosis. Without urgent adequate management and testing equipment, the recent surge of COVID-19 along with the steady rise in Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) could collapse the exhausted Pakistani healthcare system. This article explores the impact of COVID-19 on the management, diagnosis, and treatment of the common arbovirus infections of Pakistan, including dengue (DENV), malaria, chikungunya (CHIKV), and other foreign infections that are on a hazardous rise.
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Climate change affects ecosystems and human health in multiple dimensions. With the acceleration of climate change, climate-sensitive vector-borne diseases (VBDs) pose an increasing threat to public health. This paper summaries 10 publications on the impacts of climate change on ecosystems and human health; then it synthesizes the other existing literature to more broadly explain how climate change drives the transmission and spread of VBDs through an ecological perspective. We highlight the multi-dimensional nature of climate change, its interaction with other factors, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on transmission and spread of VBDs, specifically including: (1) the generally nonlinear relationship of local climate (temperature, precipitation and wind) and VBD transmission, with temperature especially exhibiting an n-shape relation; (2) the time-lagged effect of regional climate phenomena (the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation) on VBD transmission; (3) the u-shaped effect of extreme climate (heat waves, cold waves, floods, and droughts) on VBD spread; (4) how interactions between non-climatic (land use and human mobility) and climatic factors increase VBD transmission and spread; and (5) that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on climate change is debatable, and its impact on VBDs remains uncertain. By exploring the influence of climate change and non-climatic factors on VBD transmission and spread, this paper provides scientific understanding and guidance for their effective prevention and control.
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Protection includes access to pharmacies and health-care services, information, resources, people, and goods that can shape one's life or lead to one's death. The 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia was thought by some, including physician and signer of the US Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Rush, to originate from rotten coffee grounds left in the port. Long known as the “stranger's disease” due to misguided perceptions that only visitors and outsiders harboured yellow fever and brought it to New Orleans and other places, Olivarius takes a different approach in arguing that only the so-called acclimated were bestowed with vestiges of power in the form of local capital, networking opportunities, recognition from local credit houses and businesses, and status. While some public officials attempted to mitigate the potential impact of voting in the election by calling for increased access to mail-in ballots and more accessible and safer polling places, for instance, others hoped the impacts of COVID-19 might suppress “unwanted” voters from participating in the election.
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Introduction: Dengue is one of top ten global health threats and is a serious burden in the Philippines. Dengvaxia immunization program was launched on April 2016 for children 9-14-year-olds in three regions with high statistics of dengue, hospitalization, and deaths. This was coincidentally the campaign period for national elections. Use of vaccine, once available, was part of a strategy to control epidemic. Current measures were inadequate. On the 30 November 2017, Sanofi announced an advisory that vaccine should not be used in those who are dengue naive otherwise they will have risk for severe dengue and additional hospitalization. What started as vaccine-vigilance information sparked a public outcry. This led to a series of parliamentary investigations, traditional and social media misinformation and disinformation vilifying the health decision makers and the company, and criminal charges filed against over 20 individuals by the state over alleged unproven vaccine caused deaths. Despite attempts to correct these narratives by a few health professionals, the damage to institution, the program, the product, and individuals have been done. The consequences of such actions of emotional approach without understanding the science have resulted in creating general vaccine rejection, hesitancy, other outbreaks such as measles, lowered confidence even with recent COVID vaccines. Objective: This aim to describe the situation at that time in the Philippines and extract lessons that will inform better risk communications during crisis. Methods: Literature analysis and environmental scans were undertaken. Results: Some of the important lessons learned are in risk management and communications. Adverse health product information should be announced with circumspect considering the level of health literacy and risk appreciation in a country. Partisan politics interfered with poorly understood science, fueled by imprudent comments by officials and health professionals who spoke out of turn, amplified by the media and created chaos. The fear was so palpable that enlightened health professionals refused to provide countervailing facts. While the vaccine is listed as part of WHO EML and used in many countries, Philippines has imposed a ban on the product. Reinstating the vaccine would be perceived as the government had back-pedaled on a mistake. In the meantime, the drama contributed to vaccination hesitancy and outbreaks. Conclusion: Public health decisions are policy and regulatory decisions anchored in ethical and utilitarian principles. Pharmacovigilance plays an important role in public health decisions but only if approached in a scientific and objective manner and in the context of a country's culture.