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Alshouimi O, Al Musaad MN, Almazyed A, Abduraouf A, Kofi M. Seroprevalence of Varicella-Zoster Virus and the Need for Herpes Zoster Vaccination Among Adults in Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2025; 17:e80949. [PMID: 40255817 PMCID: PMC12009553 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2025] [Indexed: 04/22/2025] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which can reactivate later in life, leading to herpes zoster (shingles). The varicella vaccine has been integrated into childhood immunization programs in certain regions, contributing to the control and prevention of the disease. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the seroprevalence of varicella among adults, as well as concerns about vaccination rates and public awareness of its importance. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to estimate the seroprevalence of varicella among Saudi adults who may require vaccination against varicella and herpes zoster. METHODS This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 209 Saudi adults aged 18 years and older in Riyadh. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and serological testing for VZV-IgG antibodies. Statistical analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between seroprevalence, vaccination history, and demographic factors. RESULTS The study, comprising primarily young adults aged 18-47 years (83.3%) with a nearly equal gender distribution (52.2% male, 47.8% female), found that 81.1% of participants were serologically immune to VZV. Immunity was higher among males (84.4% vs. 79% in females) and older participants (89.7% in those ≥38 years vs. 78% in those <38 years). A positive history of varicella infection or vaccination increased the likelihood of VZV-IgG positivity by nine times compared to deniers and four times compared to unsure participants. History-based immunity assessment had a sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 57.7%. CONCLUSION The study highlights a high prevalence of serological immunity to VZV among Saudi adults. While a positive history strongly predicted immunity, the limited validity of history-based assessments underscores the need for serological confirmation in some cases. Despite widespread immunity and consequently the risk of herpes zoster, the low uptake of herpes zoster vaccination among eligible individuals with a history of shingles points to a gap in preventive healthcare. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted public health efforts to improve vaccination coverage among adults, particularly for herpes zoster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Alshouimi
- Family and Community Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Musaad N Al Musaad
- Family and Community Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Anas Almazyed
- Family and Community Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Abuobaida Abduraouf
- Family and Community Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Mostafa Kofi
- Family and Community Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, SAU
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Thongmee T, Chansaenroj J, Klinfueng S, Aeemjinda R, Wanlapakorn N, Poovorawan Y. Seroprevalence of antibodies against varicella zoster virus across all age groups during the post-COVID-19 pandemic period in Chonburi Province, Thailand. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2367283. [PMID: 39051458 PMCID: PMC11275523 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2367283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
As of 2024, Thailand has not incorporated the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine into the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). This study aimed to evaluate VZV seroprevalence across all age groups in Chonburi Province, Thailand, during the post-COVID-19 era, and to support the development of a vaccination plan against VZV. A total of 950 participants were enrolled from October 2022 to January 2023. VZV antibody levels were measured using ELISA kits (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany), with seropositivity set at ≥110 IU/L. The overall VZV seropositivity rate was 64.8%, similar to rates in 1994 and 2014. However, seropositivity rates for the 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 age groups were significantly higher in the 1994 study, and for the 10-14 and 15-19 age groups in the 2014 study, indicating a declining trend among young Thai individuals. The seropositivity rate increased with age, with a seroprevalence exceeding 80% in individuals aged 30 years and older. Our study found a significant association between the history of varicella and seropositivity. Thus, a positive history may indicate immunity. In conclusion, a significant portion of Thai adolescents are still vulnerable to varicella, highlighting the crucial role of vaccination in averting serious illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanunrat Thongmee
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jira Chansaenroj
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sirapa Klinfueng
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ratchadawan Aeemjinda
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nasamon Wanlapakorn
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- FRS(T), The Royal Society of Thailand, Sanam Sueapa, Dusit, Bangkok, Thailand
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Supplisson O, Visseaux B, Haim-Boukobza S, Boutolleau D, Alizon S, Burrel S, Sofonea MT. Seroprevalence of human herpes viruses in France, 2018-2022: a multilevel regression and poststratification approach. Infect Dis (Lond) 2024; 56:931-945. [PMID: 38946531 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2024.2365906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information related to herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence in France is either lacking, incomplete, or outdated, despite their public health burden. METHOD We used routinely collected serological data between 2018 and 2022 to estimate HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, and CMV seroprevalence in France. To account for demographic differences between our analytic samples and the French population and get estimates for sparsely sampled districts and age classes, we used a multilevel regression and poststratification approach combined with Bayesian model averaging via stacking weights. RESULTS The observed seroprevalence (number of positive tests/number of tests) were 64.6% (93,294/144,424), 16.9% (24,316/144,159), 93.0% (141,419/152,084), 83.4% (63,199/75, 781), and 49.0% (23,276/47,525), respectively, for HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, and CMV. Between 2018 and 2022, France had a model-based average (equal-tailed interval at 95%) expected seroprevalence equal to 61.1% (60.7,61.5), 14.5% (14.2,14.81), 89.5% (89.3,89.8), 85.6% (85.2,86.0), and 50.5% (49.3,51.7), respectively, for HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, and CMV infections. We found an almost certain lower expected seroprevalence in Metropolitan France than in overseas territories for all viruses but VZV, for which it was almost certainly greater. The expected seroprevalences were likely greater among females for all viruses. LIMITATIONS Our results relied on the assumption that individuals were sampled at random conditionally to variables used to build the poststratification table. IMPLICATIONS The analysis highlights spatial and demographic patterns in seroprevalence that should be considered for designing tailored public health policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Supplisson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | | | - David Boutolleau
- AP-HP, Sorbonne Université, Centre National de Référence Herpèsvirus (laboratoire Associé), Service de Virologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM UMR-S 1136, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique (iPLESP), Paris, France
| | - Samuel Alizon
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology (CIRB), Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSL, Paris, France
| | - Sonia Burrel
- CHU de Bordeaux, Service de virologie, Bordeaux, France
- CNRS UMR 5234, Fundamental Microbiology and Pathogenicity, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Mircea T Sofonea
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections (PCCEI), Université de Montpellier, Inserm, EFS, Montpellier, France and CHU de Nîmes, Nîmes, France
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Riccò M, Ferraro P, Zaffina S, Camisa V, Marchesi F, Franzoso FF, Ligori C, Fiacchini D, Magnavita N, Tafuri S. Immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus in Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2024). Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:1021. [PMID: 39340051 PMCID: PMC11436139 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12091021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are occupationally exposed to varicella zoster virus (VZV), and their inappropriate vaccination status could contribute to an outbreak involving both professionals and the patients they care for, with a potential impact on the general population. Therefore, since 2007, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all HCWs have evidence of immunity against varicella. The present meta-analysis was therefore designed to collect the available evidence on the seronegative status of VZV among HCWs. PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched without backward limit for articles reporting on the seroprevalence of VZV among HCWs, and all articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in a random-effect meta-analysis model. From 1744 initial entries, a total of 58 articles were included in the quantitative analysis (publication range: 1988 to 2024), for a pooled sample of 71,720 HCWs. Moreover, the included studies reported on seroprevalence data on measles (N = 36,043 HCWs) and rubella (N = 22,086 HCWs). Eventually, the pooled seronegative status for VZV was estimated to be 5.72% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 4.59 to 7.10) compared to 6.91% (95% CI 4.79 to 9.87) for measles and 7.21% (5.36 to 9.64) for rubella, with a greater risk among subjects younger than 30 years at the time of the survey (risk ratio [RR] 1.434, 95% CI 1.172 to 1.756). Interestingly, medical history of either VZV infection/vaccination had low diagnostic performances (sensitivity 76.00%; specificity 60.12%; PPV of 96.12% but PNV of 18.64%). In summary, the available data suggest that newly hired HCWs are increasingly affected by low immunization rates for VZV but also for measles and rubella, stressing the importance of systematically testing test newly hired workers for all components of the measles-pertussis-rubella-varicella vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola n.2, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Direzione Sanità, Italian Railways' Infrastructure Division, RFI SpA, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Camisa
- Occupational Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Cosimo Ligori
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci, 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Daniel Fiacchini
- AST Ancona, Prevention Department, UOC Sorveglianza e Prevenzione Malattie Infettive e Cronico Degenerative, 60127 Ancona, Italy
| | - Nicola Magnavita
- Post-Graduate School of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Woman, Child and Public Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Aldo Moro University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy
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McNaughton A, Karsenti N, Kwan J, Adawi A, Mansuri S, Boggild AK. Primary Varicella Infection in a Young Adult from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Case Report and Mini-Review. Infect Dis Rep 2024; 16:628-637. [PMID: 39051248 PMCID: PMC11270367 DOI: 10.3390/idr16040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We describe a case of an immunocompetent adult male patient originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who was referred to our unit for a several-day history of fever and a pruritic, vesicular rash. There was initial concern in the Emergency Department for Mpox (formerly known as "monkeypox") given the current epidemiology versus other viral etiologies. Primary varicella zoster virus (pVZV) infection was ultimately diagnosed by PCR from a swabbed, unroofed lesion, and he recovered completely with supportive management and without antiviral therapy. We herein describe how common viral exanthems may best be differentiated in an emergency or outpatient setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew McNaughton
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Nessika Karsenti
- Department of Medicine, Memorial University, Saint John’s, NF A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Jason Kwan
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V1Y 1T3, Canada
| | - Asal Adawi
- Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Saniya Mansuri
- TMC Innovation, Texas Medical Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Andrea K. Boggild
- Tropical Disease Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
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6
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Hanif S, Johnson S, Siddique M, Salman M, Rana MS, Sharif S, Faryal R. A hidden dilemma; post COVID-19 first detection of Varicella zoster M4 genotype from Pakistan. Acta Trop 2024; 253:107162. [PMID: 38428628 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk of childhood infectious diseases was increased. Post-COVID-19 escalation of chickenpox cases, becoming an emerging public health concern. Thus, the study was designed to compare chickenpox prevalence and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) genotypes circulating before, during, and post-COVID-19 in Pakistan. METHODS A total of 267 lesion specimens collected from tertiary care hospitals, and chickenpox outbreaks from Pakistan were analysed by a two-amplicon approach with phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Among suspected cases, overall 178/267 were VZV positive. Majority (84.2 %; 150/178) cases were of post-COVID-19 pandemic time. Small outbreaks occurred soon after COVID-19 in Rawalpindi and Islamabad (Pakistan), 40 positive cases out of 178 cases were outbreak cases. There was first time detection of the M4 genotype, which was significantly associated with disease severity (p = 0.0006) and post-COVID-19 chickenpox outbreaks in 2021 (77.9 %; 46/59; p < 0.00001). However, in pre-COVID-19 only M2 genotype was detected. The M2 prevalence varied from 2019 (100 %; 19/19) to 2022 (3.2 %; 3/91). However, the most prevalent strain of 2022 belonged to the M1 genotype (64.8 %; 59/91). CONCLUSION A significant rise in chickenpox cases detected soon after COVID-19 in Pakistan, and oscillation of different VZV genotypes with first time detection of M4 genotype is an alarming situation. This demands further detailed genotypic studies on transmission dynamics of a rare M4 with other genotypes to protect the local population and restrict spread in other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Hanif
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sarah Johnson
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Maryam Siddique
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Salman
- Department of Public Health, National Institute of Health, Chak Shahzad, Pakistan
| | | | - Shawana Sharif
- Department of Dermatology, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi/Rawalpindi Medical University, Pakistan
| | - Rani Faryal
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan.
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Jiang H, Nace R, Carrasco TF, Zhang L, Whye Peng K, Russell SJ. Oncolytic varicella-zoster virus engineered with ORF8 deletion and armed with drug-controllable interleukin-12. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008307. [PMID: 38527762 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The varicella-zoster virus (VZV), belonging to the group of human α-herpesviruses, has yet to be developed as a platform for oncolytic virotherapy, despite indications from clinical case reports suggesting a potential association between VZV infection and cancer remission. METHODS Here, we constructed oncolytic VZV candidates based on the vaccine strain vOka and the laboratory strain Ellen. These newly engineered viruses were subsequently assessed for their oncolytic properties in the human MeWo melanoma xenograft model and the mouse B16-F10-nectin1 melanoma syngeneic model. RESULTS In the MeWo xenograft model, both vOka and Ellen exhibited potent antitumor efficacy. However, it was observed that introducing a hyperfusogenic mutation into glycoprotein B led to a reduction in VZV's effectiveness. Notably, the deletion of ORF8 (encodes viral deoxyuridine triphosphatase) attenuated the replication of VZV both in vitro and in vivo, but it did not compromise VZV's oncolytic potency. We further armed the VZV Ellen-ΔORF8 vector with a tet-off controlled mouse single-chain IL12 (scIL12) gene cassette. This augmented virus was validated for its oncolytic activity and triggered systemic antitumor immune responses in the immunocompetent B16-F10-nectin1 model. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the potential of using Ellen-ΔORF8-tet-off-scIL12 as a novel VZV-based oncolytic virotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifei Jiang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rebecca Nace
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Lianwen Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Kah Whye Peng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Amin Rani N, Moin AT, Patil R, Barketullah Robin T, Zubair T, Nawal N, Sami MRS, Morshed MM, Zhai J, Xue M, Hossain M, Zheng C, Abul Manchur M, Islam NN. Designing a polyvalent vaccine targeting multiple strains of varicella zoster virus using integrated bioinformatics approaches. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1291868. [PMID: 38075876 PMCID: PMC10704101 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1291868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) presents a global health challenge due to its dual manifestations of chickenpox and shingles. Despite vaccination efforts, incomplete coverage, and waning immunity lead to recurrent infections, especially in aging and immunocompromised individuals. Existing vaccines prevent chickenpox but can trigger the reactivation of shingles. To address these limitations, we propose a polyvalent multiepitope subunit vaccine targeting key envelope glycoproteins of VZV. Through bioinformatics approaches, we selected six glycoproteins that are crucial for viral infection. Epitope mapping led to the identification of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and B cell linear (LBL) epitopes. Incorporating strong immunostimulants, we designed two vaccine constructs, demonstrating high antigenicity, solubility, stability, and compatibility with Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Molecular docking and dynamics simulations underscored the stability and affinity of the vaccine constructs with TLRs. These findings lay the foundation for a comprehensive solution to VZV infections, addressing the challenges of incomplete immunity and shingles reactivation. By employing advanced immunoinformatics and dynamics strategies, we have developed a promising polyvalent multiepitope subunit vaccine candidate, poised to enhance protection against VZV and its associated diseases. Further validation through in vivo studies is crucial to confirm the effectiveness and potential of the vaccine to curb the spread of VZV. This innovative approach not only contributes to VZV control but also offers insights into tailored vaccine design strategies against complex viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Amin Rani
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Abu Tayab Moin
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Rajesh Patil
- Sinhgad Technical Education Society’s, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Sinhgad College of Pharmacy, Pune, India
| | - Tanjin Barketullah Robin
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | | | - Nafisa Nawal
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Razwan Sardar Sami
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh
| | - Md Masud Morshed
- Department of Pharmacy, International Islamic University Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Jingbo Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Zoonose Prevention and Control at Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Medical College, Inner Mongolia Minzu University, Tongliao, China
| | - Mengzhou Xue
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mohabbat Hossain
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Mohammed Abul Manchur
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Nazneen Naher Islam
- Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Gosadi IM. Epidemiology of communicable diseases in Jazan region: Situational assessment, risk characterization, and evaluation of prevention and control programs outcomes. Saudi Med J 2023; 44:1073-1084. [PMID: 37926461 PMCID: PMC10712780 DOI: 10.15537/smj.2023.44.11.20230269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of communicable diseases has witnessed a reduction in Saudi Arabia during the last 4 decades. Nonetheless, the Jazan region has been indicated as one of the main regions affected by various communicable conditions. The geographical, socioeconomic, and climate characteristics of Jazan have made it vulnerable to communicable and vector-borne diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology of communicable diseases in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. This review also gives a historical description of infectious diseases in the region and the relevant prevention and control measures. Prevention and control efforts in the Jazan region successfully eliminated Rift Valley fever and reduced the number of locally acquired malaria and chickenpox cases. Hepatitis B, dengue fever, and pulmonary tuberculosis have exhibited an increased incidence in recent years, suggesting a need for further epidemiological investigations and the application of relevant prevention and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim M Gosadi
- From the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Leng A, Shah M, Ahmad SA, Premraj L, Wildi K, Li Bassi G, Pardo CA, Choi A, Cho SM. Pathogenesis Underlying Neurological Manifestations of Long COVID Syndrome and Potential Therapeutics. Cells 2023; 12:816. [PMID: 36899952 PMCID: PMC10001044 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of long-term symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) more than four weeks after primary infection, termed "long COVID" or post-acute sequela of COVID-19 (PASC), can implicate persistent neurological complications in up to one third of patients and present as fatigue, "brain fog", headaches, cognitive impairment, dysautonomia, neuropsychiatric symptoms, anosmia, hypogeusia, and peripheral neuropathy. Pathogenic mechanisms of these symptoms of long COVID remain largely unclear; however, several hypotheses implicate both nervous system and systemic pathogenic mechanisms such as SARS-CoV2 viral persistence and neuroinvasion, abnormal immunological response, autoimmunity, coagulopathies, and endotheliopathy. Outside of the CNS, SARS-CoV-2 can invade the support and stem cells of the olfactory epithelium leading to persistent alterations to olfactory function. SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce abnormalities in innate and adaptive immunity including monocyte expansion, T-cell exhaustion, and prolonged cytokine release, which may cause neuroinflammatory responses and microglia activation, white matter abnormalities, and microvascular changes. Additionally, microvascular clot formation can occlude capillaries and endotheliopathy, due to SARS-CoV-2 protease activity and complement activation, can contribute to hypoxic neuronal injury and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, respectively. Current therapeutics target pathological mechanisms by employing antivirals, decreasing inflammation, and promoting olfactory epithelium regeneration. Thus, from laboratory evidence and clinical trials in the literature, we sought to synthesize the pathophysiological pathways underlying neurological symptoms of long COVID and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Leng
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manuj Shah
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Syed Ameen Ahmad
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lavienraj Premraj
- Department of Neurology, Griffith University School of Medicine, Gold Coast, Brisbane, QLD 4215, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
| | - Karin Wildi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
| | - Gianluigi Li Bassi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4032, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Intensive Care Unit, St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital and the Wesley Hospital, Uniting Care Hospitals, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Wesley Medical Research, Auchenflower, QLD 4066, Australia
| | - Carlos A. Pardo
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Alex Choi
- Division of Neurosciences Critical Care, Department of Neurosurgery, UT Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Sung-Min Cho
- Divisions of Neurosciences Critical Care and Cardiac Surgery, Departments of Neurology, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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11
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Irham LM, Adikusuma W, Lolita L, Puspitaningrum AN, Afief AR, Sarasmita MA, Dania H, Khairi S, Djalilah GN, Purwanto BD, Chong R. Investigation of susceptibility genes for chickenpox disease across multiple continents. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 33:101419. [PMID: 36620086 PMCID: PMC9816662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Chickenpox (varicella) is caused by infection with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), a neurotropic alpha herpes virus with a double-stranded DNA genome. Chickenpox can cause life-threatening complications, including subsequent bacterial infections, central nervous system symptoms, and even death without any risk factors. Few studies have been reported to investigate genetic susceptibility implicated in chickenpox. Herein, our study identified global genetic variants that potentially contributed to chickenpox susceptibility by utilizing the established bioinformatic-based approach. We integrated several databases, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) catalog, GTEx portal, HaploReg version 4.1, and Ensembl databases analyses to investigate susceptibility genes associated with chickenpox. Notably, increased expression of HLA-S, HCG4P5, and ABHD16A genes underlie enhanced chickenpox susceptibility in the European, American, and African populations. As compared to the Asian population, Europeans, Americans, and Africans have higher allele frequencies of the extant variants rs9266089, rs10947050, and rs79501286 from the susceptibility genes. Our study suggested that these susceptibility genes and associated genetic variants might play a critical role in chickenpox progression based on host genetics with clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wirawan Adikusuma
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Muhammadiyah Mataram, Mataram, Indonesia
| | - Lolita Lolita
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Made Ary Sarasmita
- Pharmacy Study Program, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Haafizah Dania
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sabiah Khairi
- School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | | | - Barkah Djaka Purwanto
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, 55191, Indonesia
- PKU Muhammadiyah Bantul Hospital, Bantul, Yogyakarta, 55711, Indonesia
| | - Rockie Chong
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
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12
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Li Y, Li J, Zhu Z, Zeng W, Zhu Q, Rong Z, Hu J, Li X, He G, Zhao J, Yin L, Quan Y, Zhang Q, Li M, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Liu T, Ma W, Zeng S, Chen Q, Sun L, Xiao J. Exposure-response relationship between temperature, relative humidity, and varicella: a multicity study in South China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:7594-7604. [PMID: 36044136 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22711-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Varicella is a rising public health issue. Several studies have tried to quantify the relationships between meteorological factors and varicella incidence but with inconsistent results. We aim to investigate the impact of temperature and relative humidity on varicella, and to further explore the effect modification of these relationships. In this study, the data of varicella and meteorological factors from 2011 to 2019 in 21 cities of Guangdong Province, China were collected. Distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) were constructed to explore the relationship between meteorological factors (temperature and relative humidity) and varicella in each city, controlling in school terms, holidays, seasonality, long-term trends, and day of week. Multivariate meta-analysis was applied to pool the city-specific estimations. And the meta-regression was used to explore the effect modification for the spatial heterogeneity of city-specific meteorological factors and social factors (such as disposable income per capita, vaccination coverage, and so on) on varicella. The results indicated that the relationship between temperature and varicella in 21 cities appeared nonlinear with an inverted S-shaped. The relative risk peaked at 20.8 ℃ (RR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.22, 1.65). The relative humidity-varicella relationship was approximately L-shaped, with a peaking risk at 69.5% relative humidity (RR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.50). The spatial heterogeneity of temperature-varicella relationships may be caused by income or varicella vaccination coverage. And varicella vaccination coverage may contribute to the spatial heterogeneity of the relative humidity-varicella relationship. The findings can help us deepen the understanding of the meteorological factors-varicella association and provide evidence for developing prevention strategy for varicella epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Li
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Jialing Li
- Institute of Immunization Program, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhihua Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Weilin Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Institute of Immunization Program, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Zuhua Rong
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianxiong Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing Li
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanhao He
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianguo Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Lihua Yin
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Quan
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Manman Li
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, Guangdong, China
| | - Siqing Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing Chen
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China
| | - Limei Sun
- Institute of Immunization Program, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianpeng Xiao
- School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, 511430, Guangdong, China.
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13
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Takahata H, Onishi K, Nomoto H, Iwamoto N, Hayashi K, Hori N, Kutsuna S, Kodama EN, Ohmagari N. Surveillance and risk assessment of health screening for vaccine-preventable diseases among international students in Japan: A cross-sectional study in 2020. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2136914. [PMID: 36399767 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2136914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We conducted a cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire in three major Japanese cities from August 03 to 24, 2020 to clarify the current situation of health checkups, including vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), among international students at Japanese universities (JUs) and Japanese language schools (JLSs). The total response rate was 36%: 69 JUs (31%) and 137 JLSs (39%). Over 90% of these institutions conducted chest X-ray screening for tuberculosis among their students, whereas only 24.6% of JUs and 15.3% of JLSs performed general blood tests for health screening. Only 14.5% and 2.2% of the JUs and JLSs, respectively, required the submission of vaccination or antibody certificates for admission. The difficulties in requesting vaccination certificates from international students are due to poor legal requirements and concerns about rising costs for schools. From 2017 to 2019, 183 international students, principally from East Asia and Southeast Asia, were infected with VPDs, particularly tuberculosis (99 cases) and varicella (71 cases). Whereas the majority of Japanese educational institutions screen international students for tuberculosis (TB) at admission, only a few institutions request proof of antibody testing relating to other VPDs or of vaccination. These findings will help formulate guidelines for checkups related to vaccination for international students required to protect the educational institutions in Japan from the spread of VPDs. In addition, providing multifaceted social support, including financial compensation for institutions and enhanced international students' health issues, would be helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanako Takahata
- Department of Nursing, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,International Health Care Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Onishi
- Division of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Nomoto
- Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Noriko Iwamoto
- Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,AMR Clinical Reference Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kuniyoshi Hayashi
- Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Narumi Hori
- International Health Care Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kutsuna
- Department of Infection Control, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiichi N Kodama
- Division of Infectious Diseases, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Graduate School of Medicine, and Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Norio Ohmagari
- Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,AMR Clinical Reference Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Faujdar DS, Kaushik SK, Sharma P, Yadav AK. Need to Study the Health Impact and Economics of Adult Vaccination with India in Focus. Indian J Community Med 2022; 47:471-475. [PMID: 36742951 PMCID: PMC9891060 DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_1333_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is undoubtedly the most effective and economical way of dealing with the diseases which can affect masses. Pediatric immunization against vaccine preventable disease (VPD) is being supported by most of the international health agencies, making them accessible and affordable to even the poorest of the countries. However, adult vaccination is needed to protect the most productive age group and improve the quality of life of the aging population and is left to those who can afford it. In most of the low- and middle-income countries including India, adult vaccination did not even find a mention in national vaccination policies. Although recommendation exists from various health associations in India for adult vaccination, they have not been given enough publicity as data on burden of VPDs and cost-effectiveness of these vaccines in adults are not available. Most of the general population and a substantial proportion of health care professionals in India lack awareness on the availability and need for these adult vaccinations. Now with improved childhood immunization and increased life expectancies, many diseases are showing epidemiological shift to the later part of life, thereby bringing the focus on adult immunization through the life course approach to reduce morbidity and mortality because of VPDs in adults and improve the quality of life of those left vulnerable because of aging or their existing medical condition.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sushil K Kaushik
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Prafull Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Arun K Yadav
- Department of Community Medicine, AFMC, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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15
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Role of Epitranscriptomic and Epigenetic Modifications during the Lytic and Latent Phases of Herpesvirus Infections. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091754. [PMID: 36144356 PMCID: PMC9503318 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses occurring at a high prevalence in the human population and are responsible for a wide array of clinical manifestations and diseases, from mild to severe. These viruses are classified in three subfamilies (Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaherpesvirinae), with eight members currently known to infect humans. Importantly, all herpesviruses can establish lifelong latent infections with symptomatic or asymptomatic lytic reactivations. Accumulating evidence suggest that chemical modifications of viral RNA and DNA during the lytic and latent phases of the infections caused by these viruses, are likely to play relevant roles in key aspects of the life cycle of these viruses by modulating and regulating their replication, establishment of latency and evasion of the host antiviral response. Here, we review and discuss current evidence regarding epitranscriptomic and epigenetic modifications of herpesviruses and how these can influence their life cycles. While epitranscriptomic modifications such as m6A are the most studied to date and relate to positive effects over the replication of herpesviruses, epigenetic modifications of the viral genome are generally associated with defense mechanisms of the host cells to suppress viral gene transcription. However, herpesviruses can modulate these modifications to their own benefit to persist in the host, undergo latency and sporadically reactivate.
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16
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Gupta S, Biswas A, Chandra A, Ray BK, Dutta A, Pandit A. Post-Varicella Neurological Complications: A Preliminary Observation from a Tertiary Care Centre of Eastern India. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2022; 25:207-213. [PMID: 35693688 PMCID: PMC9175418 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_270_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse detailed clinical presentations, imaging findings, and outcome in a series of 17 cases (n = 17) with neurological complications following acute varicella infection. Methods: It is an observational study on the patients who presented to the neurology outpatient department of our institute with neurological abnormalities following acute varicella infection within the last 3 months. Results: Neuroimaging, either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, electroencephalography and nerve conduction studies were performed in all the patients along with other specialized investigations as per clinical context. The age of presentation varied from childhood to middle age (median age was 23 years) and range of clinical spectrum was also wide. Peripheral nervous system involvement was more common in the form of Guillain–Barré syndrome (29.4%) and isolated lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy (23.5%) compared to central nervous system (CNS) involvement. CNS involvement was documented in the form of ataxia (11.76%), myelopathy (17.6%), stroke (5.88%) and encephalitis (5.88%). Conclusion: Chickenpox is a common viral disease and most patients recover without any complication. Although rare, neurological complications following acute varicella infection may have myriad presentations ranging from lower motor neuron facial palsy to life-threatening encephalitis. Compared to other studies, varicella encephalitis and ataxia were not so common in our study group. Response to therapy was uniformly good except in the patients presenting with ataxia. Response was particularly good to central and peripheral demyelinating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhadeep Gupta
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Atanu Biswas
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Atanu Chandra
- Department of Internal Medicine, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Biman Kanti Ray
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Arpan Dutta
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Alak Pandit
- Department of Neuromedicine, Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Lenis-Ballesteros V, Ochoa J, Hincapié-Palacio D, León-Álvarez A, Vargas-Restrepo F, Ospina MC, Buitrago-Giraldo S, Díaz FJ, Gonzalez-Ortíz D. Seroprevalence of Varicella in Pregnant Women and Newborns in a Region of Colombia. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 10:52. [PMID: 35062713 PMCID: PMC8781242 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We estimate the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to varicella zoster virus (VZV) based on the first serological study in a cohort of pregnant women and newborns from the Aburrá Valley (Antioquia-Colombia) who attended delivery in eight randomly chosen hospitals. An indirect enzyme immunoassay was used to determine anti-VZV IgG antibodies. Generalized linear models were constructed to identify variables that modify seropositivity. In pregnant women, seropositivity was 85.8% (95% CI: 83.4-85.9), seronegativity was 12.6% (95% CI: 10.8-14.6), and concordance with umbilical cord titers was 90.0% (95% CI: 89-91). The seropositivity of pregnant women was lower in those who lived in rural areas (IRR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7), belonged to the high socioeconomic status (IRR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.7), and had studied 11 years or more (IRR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.8). Among newborns, seropositivity was lower in those who weighed less than 3000 g (IRR: 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.0). The high seropositivity and seronegativity pattern indicates the urgent need to design preconception consultation and vaccination reinforcement for women of childbearing age according to their sociodemographic conditions, to prevent infection and complications in the mother and newborn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Lenis-Ballesteros
- Hector Abad Gómez National Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (J.O.); (D.H.-P.); (A.L.-Á.); (F.V.-R.)
| | - Jesús Ochoa
- Hector Abad Gómez National Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (J.O.); (D.H.-P.); (A.L.-Á.); (F.V.-R.)
| | - Doracelly Hincapié-Palacio
- Hector Abad Gómez National Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (J.O.); (D.H.-P.); (A.L.-Á.); (F.V.-R.)
| | - Alba León-Álvarez
- Hector Abad Gómez National Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (J.O.); (D.H.-P.); (A.L.-Á.); (F.V.-R.)
| | - Felipe Vargas-Restrepo
- Hector Abad Gómez National Faculty of Public Health, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (J.O.); (D.H.-P.); (A.L.-Á.); (F.V.-R.)
| | - Marta C. Ospina
- Laboratory of Public Health of the Regional Secretariat of Health and Social Protection of Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (M.C.O.); (S.B.-G.)
| | - Seti Buitrago-Giraldo
- Laboratory of Public Health of the Regional Secretariat of Health and Social Protection of Antioquia, Medellin 050010, Colombia; (M.C.O.); (S.B.-G.)
| | - Francisco J. Díaz
- School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Medellin 050010, Colombia;
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18
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Seroprevalence of ToRCH Pathogens in Southeast Asia. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030574. [PMID: 33799699 PMCID: PMC7999562 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
ToRCH is the acronym for several pathogens associated with pregnancy complications and sequelae in the unborn or newborn child. Particularly primary infections during pregnancy are associated with increased risk. Seroprevalence data of ToRCH infections are important, especially in countries with weak disease surveillance systems, to estimate immunity and vaccination levels, as well as exposure rates and thus the risk of infection during pregnancy. A systematic literature search spanning a 30-year time period was conducted to identify serosurveys on ToRCH pathogens in Southeast Asia. The 96 identified studies showed that some pathogens were well studied, while only limited data were available for others. Studies from the better-developed countries of the region were more abundant. Moreover, seroprevalence data were often limited to a certain geographical region within the country or to certain cohorts, there was an evident lack of recent serosurveys, and the study quality was often not adequate. Well-designed and area-wide serosurveys of ToRCH pathogens are clearly warranted. If combined with risk factor analysis, these studies may guide the development and implementation of effective measures for infection prevention, especially during pregnancy. In addition, educational programs for health care workers and for pregnant women during antenatal care are urgently needed.
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19
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Todorova TT. Seasonal dynamics of varicella incidence in Bulgaria. Future Virol 2020. [DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2020-0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aim: Spatial and temporal distribution of varicella is heterogenic and insufficiently studied in Europe. The present study tries to fill the gap that exists about the seasonality of the infection in Bulgaria. Materials & methods: A 4-year retrospective study of the monthly and seasonal varicella epidemiology was performed at both national and district level. Results: In Bulgaria, varicella incidence peaked during winter (37% of the 2015–2018 cases), followed by spring (33%) and autumn (23%). Highly populated districts were more likely to follow this pattern, while less inhabited districts with smaller urbanized areas showed different periodicity of the infection. Conclusion: Winter peak in varicella incidence is positively associated with high accumulation of people in the large cities (>75,000 inhabitants).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatina T Todorova
- Department of Microbiology & Virology, Medical University Varna, Faculty of Medicine, Varna, Bulgaria
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20
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Vos RA, Mollema L, van Boven M, van Lier A, Smits G, Janga-Jansen AVA, Baboe-Kalpoe S, Hulshof K, Stienstra Y, van der Klis FRM, de Melker HE. High varicella zoster virus susceptibility in Caribbean island populations: Implications for vaccination. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 94:16-24. [PMID: 32112964 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection is reported regularly among adolescents and adults in Caribbean island populations. The disease more often runs a severe course among these populations, causing a substantial burden. The aim of this sero-epidemiological study was to obtain an insight into VZV susceptibility and its determinants in island populations of the Caribbean Netherlands (CN). METHODS Participants from Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba (n = 1829, aged 0-90 years) donated a blood sample and completed a questionnaire. VZV-specific IgG antibodies were determined using a bead-based multiplex immunoassay. Risk factors were analysed using a logistic regression model. RESULTS Overall seroprevalence in CN was 78%, being lowest on St. Eustatius (73%) and highest on Bonaire and Saba (79%). Seropositivity increased gradually with age, with 60% and 80% at ages 10 years and 30 years, respectively, and ranging between 80% and 90% thereafter. Higher odds for VZV seronegativity were seen among persons who were born in CN or had resided there since early childhood, and among single-person households. CONCLUSIONS VZV susceptibility is relatively high among adolescents and adults in CN. In order to reduce the burden of VZV-related disease in these populations, routine varicella vaccination is recommended. As data are scarce, the study findings can serve as a blueprint for the epidemiology in tropical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regnerus A Vos
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre/University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Liesbeth Mollema
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Michiel van Boven
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Alies van Lier
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Gaby Smits
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Alcira V A Janga-Jansen
- Department of Public Health, Public Entity Bonaire, Kaya Neerlandia 41, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands, The Netherlands.
| | - Sharda Baboe-Kalpoe
- Department of Public Health, Public Entity St. Eustatius, Cottageroad z/n, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands, The Netherlands.
| | - Koen Hulshof
- Department of Public Health, Public Entity Saba, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, The Netherlands.
| | - Ymkje Stienstra
- Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre/University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Fiona R M van der Klis
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Hester E de Melker
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3720 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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