ABSTRACT
While studying respiratory infections in Peru, we identified Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) in a nasopharyngeal swab, indicating that this alphavirus can be present in human respiratory secretions. Because VEEV may be infectious when aerosolized, our finding is relevant for the management of VEEV-infected patients and for VEEV transmission studies.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine/genetics , Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine/diagnosis , Genome, Viral , Adolescent , Animals , Chlorocebus aethiops , Dogs , Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine/classification , Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine/isolation & purification , Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine/transmission , Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine/virology , Horses , Humans , Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells , Male , Nasopharynx/virology , Peru , Vero Cells , Whole Genome SequencingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Early detection of cholera outbreaks is crucial for the implementation of the most appropriate control strategies. METHODS: The performance of an immunochromatographic dipstick test (Institute Pasteur, Paris, France) specific for Vibrio cholerae O1 was evaluated in a prospective study in Beira, Mozambique, during the 2004 cholera season (January-May). Fecal specimens were collected from 391 patients with acute watery nonbloody diarrhea and tested by dipstick and conventional culture. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity and specificity of the rapid test compared to culture were 95% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91%-99%) and 89% (95% CI: 86%-93%), respectively. After stratification by type of sample (rectal swab/bulk stool) and severity of diarrhea, the sensitivity ranged between 85% and 98% and specificity between 77% and 97%. CONCLUSION: This one-step dipstick test performed well in the diagnosis of V. cholerae O1 in a setting with seasonal outbreaks where rapid tests are most urgently needed.
Subject(s)
Cholera/diagnosis , Immunologic Tests/instrumentation , Immunologic Tests/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Feces/microbiology , Female , Humans , Male , Mozambique , Risk , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
We conducted a study to assess the feasibility and the potential vaccine coverage of a mass vaccination campaign using a two-dose oral cholera vaccine in an urban endemic neighbourhood of Beira, Mozambique. The campaign was conducted from December 2003 to January 2004. Overall 98,152 doses were administered, and vaccine coverage of the target population was 58.6% and 53.6% for the first and second rounds, respectively. The direct cost of the campaign, which excludes the price of the vaccine, amounted to slightly over 90,000 dollars, resulting in the cost per fully vaccinated person of 2.09 dollars, which is relatively high. However, in endemic settings where outbreaks are likely to occur, integrating cholera vaccination into the routine activities of the public health system could reduce such costs.