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Ximenes D, de Jesus G, de Sousa ASCFC, Soares C, Amaral LC, Oakley T, Alves L, Amaral S, Sarmento N, Guterres H, Cabral JADD, Boavida F, Yan J, Francis JR, Martins N, Arkell P. A pilot study investigating severe community-acquired febrile illness through implementation of an innovative microbiological and nucleic acid amplification testing strategy in Timor-Leste (ISIN-MANAS-TL). IJID REGIONS 2024; 11:100345. [PMID: 38596819 PMCID: PMC11002651 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Acute febrile illness (AFI) causes significant health-seeking, morbidity, and mortality in Southeast Asia. This pilot study aimed to describe presentation, etiology, treatment, and outcomes of patients with AFI at one hospital in Timor-Leste and assessing the feasibility of conducting larger studies in this setting. Methods Patients attending Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares with tympanic or axillary temperature ≥37.5°C in whom a blood culture was taken as part of routine clinical care were eligible. Participants were followed up daily for 10 days and again after 30 days. Whole blood was analyzed using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay detecting dengue virus serotypes 1-4 and other arthropod-borne infections. Results A total of 82 participants were recruited. Polymerase chain reaction testing was positive for dengue in 14 of 82 (17.1%) participants and blood culture identified a bacterial pathogen in three of 82 (3.7%) participants. Follow-up was completed by 75 of 82 (91.5%) participants. High rates of hospital admission (58 of 82, 70.7%), broad-spectrum antimicrobial treatment (34 of 82, 41.5%), and mortality (9 of 82, 11.0%) were observed. Conclusions Patients with AFI experience poor clinical outcomes. Prospective observational and interventional studies assessing interventions, such as enhanced diagnostic testing, clinical decision support tools, or antimicrobial stewardship interventions, are required and would be feasible to conduct in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deolindo Ximenes
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Gustodio de Jesus
- Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Antonio SCFC de Sousa
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
- Molecular and Serology Department, Laboratorio Nacional da Saúde, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Caetano Soares
- Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Luciana C. Amaral
- Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Tessa Oakley
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Lucsendar Alves
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Salvador Amaral
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Nevio Sarmento
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Helio Guterres
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Flavio Boavida
- Emergency Department, Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Jennifer Yan
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Joshua R. Francis
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Nelson Martins
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | - Paul Arkell
- Global and Tropical Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Timor-Leste Office, Charles Darwin University, Dili, Timor-Leste
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Carranza-Rodríguez C, Bolaños-Rivero M, Pérez-Arellano JL. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Humans: A Comprehensive Approach Involving the General Population, HIV-Infected Patients and Intermediate-Duration Fever in the Canary Islands, Spain. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:809. [PMID: 38667455 PMCID: PMC11049236 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14080809] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A prior investigation in 1993 identified a high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis (63%) in the Canary Islands. This study aims to assess the current prevalence of the disease in diverse population groups. The study was based on a population-scale screening involving 273 residents utilizing T. gondii IgG ELISA and a 20 year retrospective study (1998-2018). This included AIDS/HIV outpatients (1357, of which 324 were residents), AIDS/HIV hospitalized patients (741) and patients with fever of intermediate duration (158). The seroprevalence in the resident population was 37%, with significant differences between islands. Among resident outpatients with AIDS/HIV, 14.2% had specific anti-T. gondii IgG, and three had anti-T. gondii IgM; however, IgG avidity testing indicated non-active infection. In patients hospitalized for AIDS/HIV, T. gondii causing encephalitis was detected in 2%. Among patients with fever of intermediate duration, 28.5% were positive for T. gondii IgG, and four also showed IgM positivity, although the infection was non-active. The study reveals a decrease in human toxoplasmosis over the past 30 years. However, the current seroprevalence, which stands at 37%, together with the substantial risk that T. gondii represents for immunocompromised individuals, highlights the need to implement preventive and control strategies to control the threat that this infection can pose to public health in the Canary Islands population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Carranza-Rodríguez
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain and Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Margarita Bolaños-Rivero
- Microbiology Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - José-Luis Pérez-Arellano
- University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain and Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
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Barathan M. From fever to action: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of acute undifferentiated febrile illnesses. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae006. [PMID: 38614961 PMCID: PMC11067964 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae006] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness (AUFI) presents a clinical challenge, often characterized by sudden fever, non-specific symptoms, and potential life-threatening implications. This review highlights the global prevalence, types, challenges, and implications of AUFI, especially in tropical and subtropical regions where infectious diseases thrive. It delves into the difficulties in diagnosis, prevalence rates, regional variations, and potential causes, ranging from bacterial and viral infections to zoonotic diseases. Furthermore, it explores treatment strategies, preventive measures, and the critical role of the One Health approach in addressing AUFI. The paper also addresses the emerging zoonotic risks and ongoing outbreaks, including COVID-19, Rickettsia spp., and other novel pathogens, emphasizing their impact on AUFI diagnosis and management. Challenges in resource-limited settings are analyzed, highlighting the need for bolstered healthcare infrastructure, enhanced diagnostics, and collaborative One Health strategies. Amidst the complexity of emerging zoonotic threats, this review underscores the urgency for a multifaceted approach to mitigate the growing burden of AUFI, ensuring early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and effective prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muttiah Barathan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Shakoor S, Dittrich S. Better diagnostic tools needed to distinguish typhoid from other causes of acute febrile illness. Bull World Health Organ 2023; 101:683-683A. [PMID: 37961063 PMCID: PMC10630729 DOI: 10.2471/blt.23.290678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Shakoor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, PO Box 3500, Karachi74800, Pakistan
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- European Campus Rottal Inn, Deggendorf Institut of Technology, Pfarrkirchen, Germany
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Swe MMM, Phyo AP, Cooper BS, White NJ, Smithuis F, Ashley EA. A systematic review of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011706. [PMID: 37910592 PMCID: PMC10619876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect most impoverished communities in developing countries, like Myanmar in Southeast Asia. NTDs have been understudied and underreported in Myanmar. METHODS A systematic review of published and grey literature (1900-2023) on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Myanmar was conducted. The literature search included five international databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid Global Health, and Web of Science Core Collection and one national database: the Myanmar Central Biomedical Library (locally published papers and grey literature). The selection criteria included articles with all types of study designs of current or previous infections conducted in humans, that reported NTDs, recognised by WHO, US CDC, and listed in PLoS NTDs. We included melioidosis and rickettsioses which we consider also meet the definition of an NTD. RESULTS A total of 5941 records were retrieved and screened, of which, 672 (11%) met the selection criteria and were included in this review. Of the included articles, 449 (65%) were published after 2000 and 369 (55%) were from two regions (Yangon and Mandalay) of Myanmar. Of the included articles, 238 (35%) reported bacterial NTDs, 212 (32%) viral NTDs, 153 (23%) helminth NTDs, 25 (4%) protozoal NTDs and 39 (6%) reported more than one aetiology. Based on reported frequency in descending order, the bacterial NTDs were leprosy, Escherichia coli enteritis, salmonellosis, cholera, shigellosis, melioidosis, leptospirosis and rickettsioses; the viral NTDs were dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection; the protozoal NTDs were amoebiasis, giardiasis and leishmaniasis, and the helminth NTDs were ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm disease, filariasis and strongyloidiasis. CONCLUSION This review summarises NTDs reported in Myanmar over the past 100 years. The findings suggest that most NTDs are likely to be under reported, especially from the majority of the country which is far from academic centres. Research capacity building together with strengthening of laboratory systems would lead to better understanding of the true burden of NTDs in Myanmar. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42018092627.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myo Maung Maung Swe
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), Yangon, Myanmar
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Aung Pyae Phyo
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), Yangon, Myanmar
- Shoklo Malaria Research Unit (SMRU), Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Mae Sot, Thailand
| | - Ben S. Cooper
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nicholas J. White
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Frank Smithuis
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), Yangon, Myanmar
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A. Ashley
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
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Satapathy P, Goel K, Sharma V, Sarkar S, Kang M, Dhingra S, Bora I, Kaur K, Arora N, Aggarwal A, Ratho RK. Outbreak investigation of acute febrile illness from the Himalayan foothills: Solving the puzzle of fever. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1159377. [PMID: 37954851 PMCID: PMC10637397 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1159377] [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: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In September 2022, Panchkula Civil Hospital reported an outbreak of acute febrile illness (AFI) in Pinjore, located in the Himalayan foothills, Haryana, North India. There was an upsurge of fever cases. Blood samples were taken from suspected patients (n = 58) with AFI and subjected to serology of dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, leptospira and scrub typhus. The samples were also screened for West Nile & Zika virus RNA using real-time PCR. Viral strains were characterized by sequencing. Of the 58 cases of AFI, Dengue could be identified in 45 (77.58%) followed by JE and Chikungunya in 2 cases each (3.44%), respectively. Among Dengue positive cases, 44 had monoinfection (97.77%) and 1 patient had dengue and JE. None were positive for Zika, West Nile, Scrub typhus, and Leptospira with the testing protocol. Four patients developed dengue with warning signs, such as abdominal pain in one patient and recurrent vomiting in the remaining three. The dengue serotype could be determined in 17 samples and revealed serotype 2. Molecular evolution analysis based on the complete envelope gene revealed that all DENV-2 strains (n = 13) circulated in the outbreak area belonged to the DENV-2 cosmopoliton genotype. In the early stages of infection, relying only on clinical manifestations is ineffective, so both molecular and serological assays along with clinical diagnosis are noteworthy for determining the aetiology of AFI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakasini Satapathy
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kapil Goel
- Department of Community Medicine & SPH, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vikrant Sharma
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Subhabrata Sarkar
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Mannat Kang
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shefali Dhingra
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Ishani Bora
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kanwalpreet Kaur
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Arun Aggarwal
- Department of Community Medicine & SPH, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
| | - Radha Kanta Ratho
- Department of Virology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
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Verma M, Panwar S, Sahoo SS, Grover GS, Aggarwal S, Tripathy JP, Shah J, Kakkar R. Mapping the stability of febrile illness hotspots in Punjab from 2012 to 2019- a spatial clustering and regression analysis. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2014. [PMID: 37845663 PMCID: PMC10580620 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16930-y] [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: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Febrile illnesses (FI) represent a typical spectrum of diseases in low-resource settings, either in isolation or with other common symptoms. They contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in India. The primary objective was to study the burden of FI based on Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) data in Punjab, analyze geospatial and temporal trends and patterns, and identify the potential hotspots for effective intervention. METHODS A retrospective ecological study used the district-level IDSP reports between 2012 and 2019. Diseases responsible for FI on a large scale, like Dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria (Plasmodium Falciparum, P. Vivax), Enteric fever, and Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO), were included in the analysis. The digital map of Punjab was obtained from GitHub. Spatial autocorrelation and cluster analysis were done using Moran's I and Getis-Ord G* to determine hotspots of FI using the incidence and crude disease numbers reported under IDSP. Further, negative binomial regression was used to determine the association between Spatio-temporal and population variables per the census 2011. Stable hotspots were depicted using heat maps generated from district-wise yearly data. RESULTS PUO was the highest reported FI. We observed a rising trend in the incidence of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Enteric fever, which depicted occasional spikes during the study period. FI expressed significant inter-district variations and clustering during the start of the study period, with more dispersion in the latter part of the study period. P.Vivax malaria depicted stable hotspots in southern districts of Punjab. In contrast, P. Falciparum malaria, Chikungunya, and PUO expressed no spatial patterns. Enteric Fever incidence was high in central and northeastern districts but depicted no stable spatial patterns. Certain districts were common incidence hotspots for multiple diseases. The number of cases in each district has shown over-dispersion for each disease and has little dependence on population, gender, or residence as per regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates that information obtained through IDSP can describe the spatial epidemiology of FI at crude spatial scales and drive concerted efforts against FI by identifying actionable points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhur Verma
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India.
| | - Shweta Panwar
- Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Soumya Swaroop Sahoo
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India
| | - Gagandeep Singh Grover
- Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Punjab and State Programme Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program Punjab, Chandigarh, India
| | - Seema Aggarwal
- Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Punjab and State Programme Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program Punjab, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jaya Prasad Tripathy
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jitendra Shah
- Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Kakkar
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, India
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Kanan M, Ramadan M, Haif H, Abdullah B, Mubarak J, Ahmad W, Mari S, Hassan S, Eid R, Hasan M, Qahl M, Assiri A, Sultan M, Alrumaih F, Alenzi A. Empowering Low- and Middle-Income Countries to Combat AMR by Minimal Use of Antibiotics: A Way Forward. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1504. [PMID: 37887205 PMCID: PMC10604829 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12101504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic overuse poses a critical global health concern, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to quality healthcare and effective regulatory frameworks often fall short. This issue necessitates a thorough examination of the factors contributing to antibiotic overuse in LMICs, including weak healthcare infrastructure, limited access to quality services, and deficiencies in diagnostic capabilities. To address these challenges, regulatory frameworks should be implemented to restrict non-prescription sales, and accessible point-of-care diagnostic tools must be emphasized. Furthermore, the establishment of effective stewardship programs, the expanded use of vaccines, and the promotion of health systems, hygiene, and sanitation are all crucial components in combating antibiotic overuse. A comprehensive approach that involves collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and educators is essential for success. Improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing access to quality services, and strengthening diagnostic capabilities are paramount. Equally important are education and awareness initiatives to promote responsible antibiotic use, the implementation of regulatory measures, the wider utilization of vaccines, and international cooperation to tackle the challenges of antibiotic overuse in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Kanan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maali Ramadan
- Department of Pharmacy, Maternity and Children Hospital in Rafha, Rafha 76312, Saudi Arabia; (M.R.); (H.H.); (B.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Hanan Haif
- Department of Pharmacy, Maternity and Children Hospital in Rafha, Rafha 76312, Saudi Arabia; (M.R.); (H.H.); (B.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Bashayr Abdullah
- Department of Pharmacy, Maternity and Children Hospital in Rafha, Rafha 76312, Saudi Arabia; (M.R.); (H.H.); (B.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Jawaher Mubarak
- Department of Pharmacy, Maternity and Children Hospital in Rafha, Rafha 76312, Saudi Arabia; (M.R.); (H.H.); (B.A.); (J.M.)
| | - Waad Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia; (W.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Shahad Mari
- Department of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia; (W.A.); (S.M.)
| | - Samaher Hassan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jazan College of Pharmacy, Jazan 82726, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Rawan Eid
- Department of Pharmacy, Nahdi Company, Tabuk 47311, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohammed Hasan
- Department of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Mushait 62562, Saudi Arabia; (M.H.); (A.A.)
| | - Mohammed Qahl
- Department of Pharmacy, Najran Armed Forces Hospital, Najran 66256, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Atheer Assiri
- Department of Pharmacy, Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region, Mushait 62562, Saudi Arabia; (M.H.); (A.A.)
| | | | - Faisal Alrumaih
- Department of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 76313, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Areej Alenzi
- Department of Infection Control and Public Health, Regional Laboratory in Northern Border Region, Arar 73211, Saudi Arabia;
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Parra Barrera EL, Reales-González J, Salas D, Reyes Santamaría E, Bello S, Rico A, Pardo L, Parra E, Rodriguez K, Alarcon Z, Guerra Vega AP, Porras MA, Gomez-Rangel SY, Duarte C, Moreno J. Fatal acute undifferentiated febrile illness among clinically suspected leptospirosis cases in Colombia, 2016-2019. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011683. [PMID: 37844106 PMCID: PMC10602388 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute undifferentiated febrile illness is a common challenge for clinicians, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Incorrect or delayed diagnosis of febrile patients may result in medical complications or preventable deaths. Common causes of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in Colombia include leptospirosis, rickettsioses, dengue fever, malaria, chikungunya, and Zika virus infection. In this study, we described the acute undifferentiated febrile illness in postmortem patients reported as suspected cases of leptospirosis through the national leptospirosis surveillance in Colombia, 2016-2019. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We retrospectively analyze human fresh and formalin-fixed tissue samples from fatal suspected leptospirosis cases reported by the Public Health Laboratories in Colombia. Leptospirosis confirmation was made by immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the tissue samples. In some cases, the serum sample was used for confirmation by Microagglutination test (MAT). Simultaneously, tissue samples were tested by PCR for the most common viral (dengue, Zika, and chikungunya), bacterial (Brucella spp., and Rickettsia spp.), and parasitic (malaria). Fresh tissue samples from 92 fatal suspected leptospirosis cases were reported to the National Reference Laboratory from 22/32 departments in Colombia. We confirmed leptospirosis in 27% (25/92) of cases. Other pathogens identified by real-time PCR were Brucella spp. (10.9%), Rickettsia spp. (14.1%), and dengue (2.2%). Dengue (6.9%), hepatitis (3.5%), and Yellow Fever cases (2.2%) were detected by the pathology. All patients were negative for chikungunya and Plasmodium spp. Most cases were classified as undifferentiated febrile illnesses (45.7%; 42/92). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study underscores the importance of early and accurate recognition of leptospirosis to prevent mortalities. Moreover, it draws attention to the existence of other febrile syndromes in Colombia, including rickettsiosis and brucellosis, that currently lack sufficient human surveillance and regular reporting. Expanding laboratory surveillance to include viruses such as Hantavirus, Mayaro virus, Oropouche virus, and West Nile virus is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliana L Parra Barrera
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jhonatan Reales-González
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección de Investigación en Salud Pública. Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela Salas
- Grupo de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Vectores y Zoonosis, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Elizabeth Reyes Santamaría
- Departamento de Medicina interna y Departamento de Medicina crítica y cuidados intensivos. Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Solmara Bello
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angélica Rico
- Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
- Grupo de Enfermedades Transmisibles Prevenibles por Vacunación en Salud, Dirección de Vigilancia y Análisis del Riesgo en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lissethe Pardo
- Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Edgar Parra
- Grupo de Patología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Karina Rodriguez
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Zonía Alarcon
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección de Investigación en Salud Pública. Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Angela Patricia Guerra Vega
- Grupo de Parasitología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Mayra A Porras
- Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sergio Yebrail Gomez-Rangel
- Grupo de Virología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Duarte
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia. Dirección de Redes en Salud Pública, Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jaime Moreno
- Grupo de Microbiología, Subdirección de Investigación en Salud Pública. Instituto Nacional de Salud, Bogotá, Colombia
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Silva-Ramos CR, Faccini-Martínez ÁA, Serna-Rivera CC, Mattar S, Hidalgo M. Etiologies of Zoonotic Tropical Febrile Illnesses That Are Not Part of the Notifiable Diseases in Colombia. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2154. [PMID: 37763998 PMCID: PMC10535066 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In Colombia, tropical febrile illnesses represent one of the most important causes of clinical attention. Febrile illnesses in the tropics are mainly zoonotic and have a broad etiology. The Colombian surveillance system monitors some notifiable diseases. However, several etiologies are not monitored by this system. In the present review, we describe eleven different etiologies of zoonotic tropical febrile illnesses that are not monitored by the Colombian surveillance system but have scientific, historical, and contemporary data that confirm or suggest their presence in different regions of the country: Anaplasma, Arenavirus, Bartonella, relapsing fever group Borrelia, Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia, Hantavirus, Mayaro virus, Orientia, Oropouche virus, and Rickettsia. These could generate a risk for the local population, travelers, and immigrants, due to which they should be included in the mandatory notification system, considering their importance for Colombian public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Ramiro Silva-Ramos
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia;
| | - Álvaro A. Faccini-Martínez
- Servicio de Infectología, Hospital Militar Central, Bogotá 110110, Colombia;
- Servicios y Asesorías en Infectología—SAI, Bogotá 110110, Colombia
| | - Cristian C. Serna-Rivera
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias (CENTAURO), Línea de Investigación Zoonosis Emergentes y Re-Emergentes, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050034, Colombia;
- Grupo de Investigación en Genética, Biodiversidad y Manejo de Ecosistemas (GEBIOME), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | - Salim Mattar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas del Trópico, Universidad de Córdoba, Montería 230001, Colombia;
| | - Marylin Hidalgo
- Grupo de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá 110231, Colombia;
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11
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Năstase AM, Barrett MP, Cárdenas WB, Cordeiro FB, Zambrano M, Andrade J, Chang J, Regato M, Carrillo E, Botana L, Moreno J, Regnault C, Milne K, Spence PJ, Rowe JA, Rogers S. Alignment of multiple metabolomics LC-MS datasets from disparate diseases to reveal fever-associated metabolites. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011133. [PMID: 37486920 PMCID: PMC10399774 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute febrile illnesses are still a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally, particularly in low to middle income countries. The aim of this study was to determine any possible metabolic commonalities of patients infected with disparate pathogens that cause fever. Three liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) datasets investigating the metabolic effects of malaria, leishmaniasis and Zika virus infection were used. The retention time (RT) drift between the datasets was determined using landmarks obtained from the internal standards generally used in the quality control of the LC-MS experiments. Fitted Gaussian Process models (GPs) were used to perform a high level correction of the RT drift between the experiments, which was followed by standard peakset alignment between the samples with corrected RTs of the three LC-MS datasets. Statistical analysis, annotation and pathway analysis of the integrated peaksets were subsequently performed. Metabolic dysregulation patterns common across the datasets were identified, with kynurenine pathway being the most affected pathway between all three fever-associated datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Năstase
- School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Michael P Barrett
- School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Washington B Cárdenas
- Laboratorio para Investigaciones Biomedicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Fernanda Bertuccez Cordeiro
- Laboratorio para Investigaciones Biomedicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Mildred Zambrano
- Servicio de Infectología e Epidemiología, Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto Gilbert, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Joyce Andrade
- Servicio de Infectología e Epidemiología, Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto Gilbert, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Juan Chang
- Servicio de Infectología e Epidemiología, Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto Gilbert, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Mary Regato
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación en Salud Pública (INSPI), Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - Eugenia Carrillo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Botana
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Moreno
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Clément Regnault
- School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Milne
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Philip J Spence
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - J Alexandra Rowe
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Rogers
- School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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12
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Sulis G, Sayood S, Gandra S. How can we tackle the overuse of antibiotics in low- and middle-income countries? Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:1189-1201. [PMID: 37746828 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2263643] [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: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antibiotic overuse is a pressing global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is limited access to quality healthcare and insufficient regulation of antibiotic dispensation. This perspective piece highlights the challenges of antibiotic overuse in LMICs and provides insights into potential solutions to address this issue. AREAS COVERED This perspective explores key factors contributing to antibiotic overuse in LMICs, encompassing weak healthcare infrastructure, limited access to quality services, and deficiencies in diagnostic capabilities. It discusses regulatory frameworks to curb non-prescription sales, the role of accessible point-of-care diagnostic tools, challenges in implementing effective stewardship programs, the expanded use of vaccines, and the importance of health systems, hygiene, and sanitation. EXPERT OPINION In this article, we emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach involving collaboration among healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, and educators. We underscore the importance of improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing access to quality services, and strengthening diagnostic capabilities. The article also highlights the significance of education and awareness in promoting responsible antibiotic use, the role of regulatory measures, the expanded utilization of vaccines, and the need for international collaboration to address the challenges of antibiotic overuse in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Sulis
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sena Sayood
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sumanth Gandra
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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13
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Tran XD, Hoang VT, Dang TTD, Vu TP, To MM, Tran TK, Do MD, Nguyen DC, Nguyen QT, Colson P, Parola P, Marty P, Gautret P. Aetiology of Acute Undifferentiated Fever Among Children Under the Age of Five in Vietnam: A Prospective Study. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2023; 13:163-172. [PMID: 37258852 PMCID: PMC10231849 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00121-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To investigate the aetiology of acute undifferentiated fever (AUF) among children under the age of five in Vietnam. METHODS This prospective study was conducted in the Thai Binh paediatric hospital, between July 2020 and July 2021 among children with AUF at admission. Real-time PCR testing 18 microbial pathogens were done on blood samples. RESULTS 286 children were included, with median age of 16 months. 64.7% were male. 53.9% were positive for at least one pathogen by PCR. Enterovirus, human herpesvirus 6, adenovirus, and varicella zoster virus PCR were positive for 31.1, 12.6, 1.4, and 1.0% patients, respectively. Other pathogens tested negative by PCR. During the hospital stay, based on clinical criteria 47.2% children secondarily presented with signs of respiratory tract infections, 18.9% had hand, foot and mouth disease, 4.6% had chickenpox. 4.2% presented signs of central nervous system infections, 1.0% had dengue (antigenic test) and 1.0% had signs of gastrointestinal infection. Finally, 23.1% patients presented a fever with or without a rash and no other symptoms and ultimately received a diagnosis of AUF. CONCLUSION Real-time PCR of blood is useful for detecting pathogens and diagnosing infectious causes of AUF. Further prospective studies with blood and urine culture testing and PCR investigation of not only blood but also cerebrospinal fluid, throat, and skin samples according to symptoms would be of interest to confirm the predominance of viral infections in children with AUF and to guide therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Duong Tran
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Van Thuan Hoang
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | | | | | - Minh Manh To
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | | | - Manh Dung Do
- Thai Binh Paediatric Hospital, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Duy Cuong Nguyen
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Quoc Tien Nguyen
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam
| | - Philippe Colson
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Marty
- Université Côte D'Azur, Inserm, C3M, Nice Cedex 3, France
- Parasitologie-Mycologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire L'Archet, Nice Cedex 3, France
| | - Philippe Gautret
- Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh, Vietnam.
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.
- VITROME, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385, Marseille Cedex 05, France.
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14
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Greer RC, Kanthawang N, Roest J, Wangrangsimakul T, Parker M, Kelley M, Cheah PY. Vulnerability and agency in research participants' daily lives and the research encounter: A qualitative case study of participants taking part in scrub typhus research in northern Thailand. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280056. [PMID: 36696400 PMCID: PMC9876277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Researchers have a responsibility to protect all participants, especially vulnerable participants, from harm. Vulnerability is increasingly understood to be context specific, yet limited guidance is available regarding the vulnerability and agency of research participants in different cultural settings. This study aims to explore research participants' daily vulnerability and agency, and how these interact with participants' research experiences in their own words. Researchers' views and responses were also explored. METHODS A qualitative study was conducted around two scrub typhus research studies in northern Thailand. A thematic analysis was carried out on 42 semi-structured interviews with research participants, their families, researchers and key informants. RESULTS The majority of the research participants belonged to a hill tribe ethnic minority group. Common challenges were related to Thai language barriers, travel difficulties, uncertain legal status, unstable employment, lack of education and healthcare. We did not identify new vulnerabilities but we found that the extent of these vulnerabilities might be underestimated or even hidden from researchers in some cases. Despite these challenges people demonstrated agency in their daily lives and were often motivated and supported in this by family members. The majority of perceived research benefits were related to healthcare and gaining knowledge, while attending follow-up visits could be a burden for some. CONCLUSIONS Our approach to research in culturally and socioeconomically diverse settings should be more responsive to participants' specific vulnerabilities and abilities evidenced in their daily life, rather than attributing vulnerability on the basis of membership of pre-defined 'vulnerable groups'. Researchers need to be aware and responsive towards the challenges participants face locally in order to minimise the burdens of research participation whilst allowing participants to benefit from research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C. Greer
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Nipaphan Kanthawang
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jennifer Roest
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Parker
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maureen Kelley
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics & Humanities, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Phaik Yeong Cheah
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Ethox Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Gupta A, Siddiqui F, Purwar S, Joshi R, Mukhopadhyay C. Is it always COVID-19 in acute febrile illness in the tropics during the pandemic? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010891. [PMID: 36322563 PMCID: PMC9629600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Gupta
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
- * E-mail:
| | - Farha Siddiqui
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Shashank Purwar
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Rajnish Joshi
- Department of General Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
- Center for Emerging and Tropical Diseases, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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16
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Circular Whole-Transcriptome Amplification (cWTA) and mNGS Screening Enhanced by a Group Testing Algorithm (mEGA) Enable High-Throughput and Comprehensive Virus Identification. mSphere 2022; 7:e0033222. [PMID: 36005385 PMCID: PMC9599668 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00332-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offers a hypothesis-free approach for pathogen detection, but its applicability in clinical diagnosis, in addition to other factors, remains limited due to complicated library construction. The present study describes a PCR-free isothermal workflow for mNGS targeting RNA, based on a multiple displacement amplification, termed circular whole-transcriptome amplification (cWTA), as the template is circularized before amplification. The cWTA approach was validated with clinical samples and nanopore sequencing. Reads homologous to dengue virus 2 and chikungunya virus were detected in clinical samples from Bangladesh and Brazil, respectively. In addition, the practicality of a high-throughput detection system that combines mNGS and a group testing algorithm termed mNGS screening enhanced by a group testing algorithm (mEGA) was established. This approach enabled significant library size reduction while permitting trackability between samples and diagnostic results. Serum samples of patients with undifferentiated febrile illnesses from Vietnam (n = 43) were also amplified with cWTA, divided into 11 pools, processed for library construction, and sequenced. Dengue virus 2, hepatitis B virus, and parvovirus B19 were successfully detected without prior knowledge of their existence. Collectively, cWTA with the nanopore platform opens the possibility of hypothesis-free on-site comprehensive pathogen diagnosis, while mEGA contributes to the scaling up of sample throughput. IMPORTANCE Given the breadth of pathogens that cause infections, a single approach that can detect a wide range of pathogens is ideal but is impractical due to the available tests being highly specific to a certain pathogen. Recent developments in sequencing technology have introduced mNGS as an alternative that provides detection of a wide-range of pathogens by detecting the presence of their nucleic acids in the sample. However, sequencing library preparation is still a bottleneck, as it is complicated, costly, and time-consuming. In our studies, alternative approaches to optimize library construction for mNGS were developed. This included isothermal nucleic acid amplification and expansion of sample throughput with a group testing algorithm. These methods can improve the utilization of mNGS as a diagnostic tool and can serve as a high-throughput screening system aiding infectious disease surveillance.
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Siribhadra A, Ngamprasertchai T, Rattanaumpawan P, Lawpoolsri S, Luvira V, Pitisuttithum P. Antimicrobial Stewardship in Tropical Infectious Diseases: Focusing on Dengue and Malaria. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7080159. [PMID: 36006251 PMCID: PMC9412681 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080159] [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: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute undifferentiated febrile illness (AUFI) is the presenting symptom of various tropical and infectious diseases. Viral infection is generally the most common cause of AUFI, accounting for 8–11.8% of cases; thus, antibiotics might be unnecessary. Dengue and malaria are common tropical infectious diseases requiring effective supportive treatment and antimalarial agents, respectively. The uncertainty of early diagnosis results in widespread empirical antimicrobial treatment in high -income as well as in low-and middle-income countries. Although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been shown to limit antibiotic prescriptions in dengue and malaria, we observed a wide range of antibiotic prescriptions for 13–92.7% of cases in previous literature, particularly in RDT-negative malaria cases. Given several RDT limitations, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) appears to be an effective strategy for controlling unnecessary antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention. This program should be endorsed by a multidisciplinary team in tropical diseases to control collateral damage of inappropriate antimicrobial use. Empirical antibiotic treatment should be administered based on clinical judgement, microbiological evidence, and local epidemiological data. Rapid termination of antibiotic therapy, including disease control or elimination, is the mainstay of AMS in tropical diseases. Local and international sectors should implement an AMS programme to reduce AMR in the Tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Siribhadra
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (V.L.); (P.P.)
| | - Thundon Ngamprasertchai
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (V.L.); (P.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Pinyo Rattanaumpawan
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand;
| | - Saranath Lawpoolsri
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Viravarn Luvira
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (V.L.); (P.P.)
| | - Punnee Pitisuttithum
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (A.S.); (V.L.); (P.P.)
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18
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Etiology of acute febrile illnesses in Southern China: Findings from a two-year sentinel surveillance project, 2017–2019. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270586. [PMID: 35763515 PMCID: PMC9239456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Southern China is at risk for arborvirus disease transmission, including Zika virus and dengue. Patients often present to clinical care with non-specific acute febrile illnesses (AFI). To better describe the etiology of AFI, we implemented a two-year AFI surveillance project at five sentinel hospitals in Yunnan and Guangdong Provinces. Methods Between June 2017 and August 2019, we enrolled patients between 2 and 65 years of age presenting at one sentinel hospital in Mengla County, Yunnan, and four in Jiangmen City, Guangdong, with symptoms of AFI (acute onset of fever ≥ 37.5°C within the past 7 days) without respiratory symptoms or diarrhea. Demographic, epidemiologic, and clinical information was obtained and entered into a web-based AFI surveillance database. A custom TaqMan Array card (TAC) was used to test patients’ whole blood specimens for 27 different pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Results During the two-year project period, 836 patients were enrolled; 443 patients from Mengla County and 393 patients from Jiangmen City. The median age was 33 years [range: 2–65], and most were hospitalized [641, 77%]. Of 796 patients with valid TAC results, 341 (43%) were positive for at least one of the 10 unique pathogens detected. This included 205 (26%) patients positive for dengue virus, 60 (8%) for Orientia tsutsugamushi, and 42 (5%) for Coxiella burnetii. Ten patients (1%) in Jiangmen City tested positive for malaria, 8 of whom reported recent travel outside of China. TAC results were negative for 455 (57%) patients. None of the patients had a positive TAC detection for Zika virus. Conclusions The project detected variability in the etiology of AFI in Southern China and highlighted the importance of differential diagnosis. Dengue, O. tsutsugamushi, and C. burnetii were the most frequently identified pathogens among enrolled AFI patients. As a non-notifiable disease, the frequent detection of C. burnetii is noteworthy and warrants additional investigation. The project provided a framework for routine surveillance for persons presenting with AFI.
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Aetiologies and Risk Factors of Prolonged Fever Admission in Samtse Hospital, Bhutan, 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137859. [PMID: 35805518 PMCID: PMC9266161 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Febrile illness is a common cause of hospital admission in developing countries, including Bhutan. Prolonged fever admission can add considerable strain on healthcare service delivery. Therefore, identifying the underlying cause of prolonged hospital stays can improve the quality of patient care by providing appropriate empirical treatment. Thus, the study’s aims were to evaluate the aetiologies and factors of prolonged fever admission in Samtse Hospital, Bhutan. Fever admission data from 1 January to 31 December 2020 were retrieved from the Samtse Hospital database. Prolonged hospital stay was defined as those with >5 days of hospital admission. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for a prolonged hospital stay. Of 290 records, 135 (46.6%) were children (≤12 years), 167 (57.6%) were males, and 237 (81.7%) patients were from rural areas. The common aetiologies for fever admissions were respiratory tract infection (85, 29.3%) and acute undifferentiated febrile illness (48, 16.6%). The prolonged stay was reported in 87 (30.0%) patients. Patients from rural areas (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.02, 95% CI = 1.58−10.24) and those with respiratory tract infections (AOR = 5.30, 95% CI = 1.11−25.39) and urinary tract infections and kidney disease (AOR = 8.16, 95% CI = 1.33−49.96) had higher odds of prolonged hospital stay. This epidemiological knowledge on prolonged hospital stay can be used by the physician for the management of fever admission in Samtse Hospital.
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20
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Bottieau E, Van Duffel L, El Safi S, Koirala KD, Khanal B, Rijal S, Bhattarai NR, Phe T, Lim K, Mukendi D, Kalo JRL, Lutumba P, Barbé B, Jacobs J, Van Esbroeck M, Foqué N, Tsoumanis A, Parola P, Yansouni CP, Boelaert M, Verdonck K, Chappuis F. Etiological spectrum of persistent fever in the tropics and predictors of ubiquitous infections: a prospective four-country study with pooled analysis. BMC Med 2022; 20:144. [PMID: 35491421 PMCID: PMC9059373 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02347-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent fever, defined as fever lasting for 7 days or more at first medical evaluation, has been hardly investigated as a separate clinical entity in the tropics. This study aimed at exploring the frequencies and diagnostic predictors of the ubiquitous priority (i.e., severe and treatable) infections causing persistent fever in the tropics. METHODS In six different health settings across four countries in Africa and Asia (Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Nepal, and Cambodia), consecutive patients aged 5 years or older with persistent fever were prospectively recruited from January 2013 to October 2014. Participants underwent a reference diagnostic workup targeting a pre-established list of 12 epidemiologically relevant priority infections (i.e., malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, enteric fever, leptospirosis, rickettsiosis, brucellosis, melioidosis, relapsing fever, visceral leishmaniasis, human African trypanosomiasis, amebic liver abscess). The likelihood ratios (LRs) of clinical and basic laboratory features were determined by pooling all cases of each identified ubiquitous infection (i.e., found in all countries). In addition, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of five antibody-based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs): Typhidot Rapid IgM, Test-itTM Typhoid IgM Lateral Flow Assay, and SD Bioline Salmonella typhi IgG/IgM for Salmonella Typhi infection, and Test-itTM Leptospira IgM Lateral Flow Assay and SD Bioline Leptospira IgG/IgM for leptospirosis. RESULTS A total of 1922 patients (median age: 35 years; female: 51%) were enrolled (Sudan, n = 667; DRC, n = 300; Nepal, n = 577; Cambodia, n = 378). Ubiquitous priority infections were diagnosed in 452 (23.5%) participants and included malaria 8.0% (n = 154), tuberculosis 6.7% (n = 129), leptospirosis 4.0% (n = 77), rickettsiosis 2.3% (n = 44), enteric fever 1.8% (n = 34), and new HIV diagnosis 0.7% (n = 14). The other priority infections were limited to one or two countries. The only features with a positive LR ≥ 3 were diarrhea for enteric fever and elevated alanine aminotransferase level for enteric fever and rickettsiosis. Sensitivities ranged from 29 to 67% for the three RDTs targeting S. Typhi and were 9% and 16% for the two RDTs targeting leptospirosis. Specificities ranged from 86 to 99% for S. Typhi detecting RDTs and were 96% and 97% for leptospirosis RDTs. CONCLUSIONS Leptospirosis, rickettsiosis, and enteric fever accounted each for a substantial proportion of the persistent fever caseload across all tropical areas, in addition to malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. Very few discriminative features were however identified, and RDTs for leptospirosis and Salmonella Typhi infection performed poorly. Improved field diagnostics are urgently needed for these challenging infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT01766830 at ClinicalTrials.gov.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Lukas Van Duffel
- Infectious Diseases Operative Unit, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, AUSL Romagna, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Sayda El Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Basudha Khanal
- B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | - Suman Rijal
- B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
| | | | - Thong Phe
- Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Kruy Lim
- Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Deby Mukendi
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.,Service de neurologie, Université de Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Jean-Roger Lilo Kalo
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Pascal Lutumba
- Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Barbara Barbé
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Nikki Foqué
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Achilleas Tsoumanis
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection & Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Cedric P Yansouni
- JD MacLean Centre for Tropical Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kristien Verdonck
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - François Chappuis
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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21
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Dhanoa A, Ngim CF, Yunos NM, Husain SMT, Pong LY, Ismail WFW, Hontz RD, Hassan SS. Contribution of Viral Respiratory Infections to Dengue-Like Illness Presentation at a Community Clinic in Southern Malaysia. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 106:187-191. [PMID: 34583338 PMCID: PMC8733527 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-0648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study explored the contribution of viral respiratory infections (VRIs) in dengue-like illness (DLI) patients and their distinguishing clinicolaboratory parameters. Two hundred DLI patients were prospectively recruited (July 1- October 1, 2019) from a community clinic in Southern Malaysia. Patients ≥ 18 years with acute fever and fulfilling the WHO criteria of probable dengue were recruited. They underwent blood testing: blood counts, rapid dengue tests (nonstructural antigen-1/IgM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and Leptospira. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) were collected for FilmArray®RP2plus testing. From the 200 NPSs, 58 respiratory viruses (RVs) were detected in 54 patients. Of the 96 dengue-confirmed cases, 86 had dengue mono-infection, and 10 were coinfected with RVs. Of the 104 nondengue, 44 were RV positive and 4 Leptospira positive. Zika and chikungunya virus were not detected. Overall, the etiological diagnosis was confirmed for 72% of patients. Clinicolaboratory parameters were compared between dengue mono-infection and VRI mono-infection. Patients with coinfections were excluded. Multiple logistic regression showed that recent household/neighborhood history of dengue (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.9, 95% CI = 1.7-20.7), leukopenia (aOR: 12.5, 95% CI = 2.6-61.4) and thrombocytopenia (aOR: 5.5, 95% CI = 1.3-23.0) predicted dengue. Inversely, rhinorrhoea (aOR: 0.1, 95% CI = 0.01-0.3) and cough (aOR: 0.3, 95% CI = 0.1-0.9) favored VRI. Thus, VRIs comprise many infections diagnosed initially as DLIs. Early clinicolaboratory parameters can guide physicians screen patients for further testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amreeta Dhanoa
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia;,Address correspondence to Amreeta Dhanoa, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia. E-mail:
| | - Chin Fang Ngim
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Nor’azim Mohd Yunos
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia;,Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Lian Yih Pong
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Sharifah Syed Hassan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
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22
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Arkell P, Angelina J, do Carmo Vieira A, Wapling J, Marr I, Monteiro M, Matthews A, Amaral S, da Conceicao V, Kim SH, Bailey D, Yan J, Fancourt's NSS, Vaz Nery S, Francis JR. Integrated serological surveillance of acute febrile illness in the context of a lymphatic filariasis survey in Timor-Leste: a pilot study using dried blood spots. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2021; 116:531-537. [PMID: 34850241 PMCID: PMC9157677 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trab164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Acute febrile illnesses (AFIs), including dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis, cause significant morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia. Serological surveillance can be used to investigate the force and distribution of infections. Dried blood spot (DBS) samples are an attractive alternative to serum because they are easier to collect and transport and require less cold storage. We conducted a pilot study to determine the feasibility of integrating serological surveillance for dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis into a population-representative lymphatic filariasis seroprevalence survey in Timor-Leste using DBSs. Methods A total of 272 DBSs were collected from healthy community participants. DBSs were analysed at the National Health Laboratory using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. To validate assays for DBSs, 20 anonymised serum samples of unknown serostatus were used to create dried serum spots (DSSs). These were analysed with optical densities compared with those of serum. Where low variance was observed (dengue assay) the published kit cut-offs for serum were applied to the analysis of DBSs. For the other assays (scrub typhus and leptospirosis), index values (IVs) were calculated and cut-offs were determined to be at 2 standard deviations (SDs) above the mean. Results Of the 272 samples analysed, 19 (7.0% [95% confidence interval {CI} 4.3 to 10.7]) were positive for dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG), 11 (4.0% [95% CI 2.1 to 7.1]) were positive for scrub typhus IgG and 16 (5.9% [95% CI 3.4 to 9.4%]) were positive for leptospira IgG. Conclusions While dengue seroprevalence was lower than in nearby countries, results represent the first evidence of scrub typhus and leptospirosis transmission in Timor-Leste. Integrated programmes of serological surveillance could greatly improve our understanding of infectious disease epidemiology in remote areas and would incur minimal additional fieldwork costs. However, when planning such studies, the choice of assays, their validation for DBSs and the laboratory infrastructure and technical expertise at the proposed location of analysis must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Arkell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Johanna Wapling
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Ian Marr
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Merita Monteiro
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Ministry of Health, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Salvador Amaral
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Virginia da Conceicao
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,National Health Laboratory, Dili, Timor-Leste
| | | | - Daniel Bailey
- Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, Porton Down, UK
| | - Jennifer Yan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | | | - Susana Vaz Nery
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua R Francis
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.,Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, NT, Australia
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Evaluation of a genus-specific rGroEL 1-524 IgM-ELISA and commercial ELISA kits during the course of leptospirosis in Thailand. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19785. [PMID: 34611273 PMCID: PMC8492722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99377-8] [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: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we developed a genus-specific rGroEL1-524 IgM-ELISA assay for use in screening diagnosis of suspected leptospirosis among acute undifferentiated febrile illness patients during acute fever. The diagnostic accuracies of the rGroEL1–524 IgM-ELISA, commercial Panbio IgM-ELISA, and Virion-Serion Classic IgG-ELISA were evaluated using 133 Thai leptospirosis sera and 210 controls. Sensitivities were 91.7%, 59.6%, and 17.7% for acute infection, and the specificities were 92.6%, 90.2%, and 88.3% for the non-leptospirosis control, respectively. The rGroEL1-524 IgM-ELISA had high sensitivity, at 92.3% and 91.7%, among culture-positive and MAT-negative cases at 1–3 days post-onset of symptoms (DPO1–3), respectively. Impaired specificity on scrub typhus was found, possibly from antibody cross-reaction to ortholog GroEL. Commercial Panbio IgM-ELISA had sensitivities at DPO1–3 of 30.8% and 41.7% for culture-positive and MAT-negative cases whereas Virion-Serion IgG-ELISA showed sensitivities of 5.9% and 13.3%, respectively. The rGroEL1-524 IgM-ELISA could be useful as a screening test for early diagnosis. The performance of the commercial ELISA suggests the applicability of IgM-ELISA for diagnosis, while IgG-ELISA is useful for seroprevalence surveys. However, confirmation by reference tests is recommended.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent attempts at mapping Typhoid epidemiology have revealed an enormous burden of disease in developing countries. Countries hitherto believed to have a low incidence, such as the African subcontinent, on accurate mapping were found to have a significant burden of disease. Drug resistance, because of rampant overuse of antibiotics, has driven selection pressure to extensively drug-resistant typhoid becoming a reality in the Indian subcontinent. With widespread travel, importation of this variety of typhoid to nonendemic countries is likely to lead to outbreaks in a nonimmune population. RECENT FINDINGS A strain of extensively drug-resistant Salmonella Typhi isolated in Pakistan in 2016 has been responsible for multiple outbreaks in Pakistan and multiple travel-related cases all over the world in United States, UK, and Australia. This novel strain belongs to H58 lineage harbouring a plasmid encoding additional resistance elements like blaCTX-M-15 and a qnrS fluoroquinolone resistance gene. This resistance pattern has rendered many therapeutic options like Ceftriaxone and Fluoroquinolones clinically inactive impacting care in endemic and traveller populations alike. SUMMARY Changing epidemiology and drug resistance in typhoid indicates that it may be prudent to vaccinate nonimmune travellers travelling to typhoid endemic areas, especially the Indian subcontinent.
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25
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Ngim CF, Husain SMT, Hassan SS, Dhanoa A, Ahmad SAA, Mariapun J, Wan Ismail WF, Botross Henien NP, Jahan NK, Pong LY, Elshahawi H, Hontz RD, Warkentein T, Yunos NM. Rapid testing requires clinical evaluation for accurate diagnosis of dengue disease: A passive surveillance study in Southern Malaysia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009445. [PMID: 34014983 PMCID: PMC8171949 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue fever is the most common mosquito-borne infection worldwide where an expanding surveillance and characterization of this infection are needed to better inform the healthcare system. In this surveillance-based study, we explored the prevalence and distinguishing features of dengue fever amongst febrile patients in a large community-based health facility in southern peninsular Malaysia. Methods Over six months in 2018, we recruited 368 adults who met the WHO 2009 criteria for probable dengue infection. They underwent the following blood tests: full blood count, dengue virus (DENV) rapid diagnostic test (RDT), ELISA (dengue IgM and IgG), nested RT-PCR for dengue, multiplex qRT-PCR for Zika, Chikungunya and dengue as well as PCR tests for Leptopspira spp., Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus. Results Laboratory-confirmed dengue infections (defined by positive tests in NS1, IgM, high-titre IgG or nested RT-PCR) were found in 167 (45.4%) patients. Of these 167 dengue patients, only 104 (62.3%) were positive on rapid diagnostic testing. Dengue infection was significantly associated with the following features: family or neighbours with dengue in the past week (AOR: 3.59, 95% CI:2.14–6.00, p<0.001), cutaneous rash (AOR: 3.58, 95% CI:1.77–7.23, p<0.001), increased temperature (AOR: 1.33, 95% CI:1.04–1.70, p = 0.021), leucopenia (white cell count < 4,000/μL) (AOR: 3.44, 95% CI:1.72–6.89, p<0.001) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150,000/μL)(AOR: 4.63, 95% CI:2.33–9.21, p<0.001). Dengue infection was negatively associated with runny nose (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI:0.29–0.78, p = 0.003) and arthralgia (AOR: 0.42, 95% CI:0.24–0.75, p = 0.004). Serotyping by nested RT-PCR revealed mostly mono-infections with DENV-2 (n = 64), DENV-1 (n = 32) and DENV-3 (n = 17); 14 co-infections occurred with DENV-1/DENV-2 (n = 13) and DENV-1/DENV-4 (n = 1). Besides dengue, none of the pathogens above were found in patients’ serum. Conclusions Acute undifferentiated febrile infections are a diagnostic challenge for community-based clinicians. Rapid diagnostic tests are increasingly used to diagnose dengue infection but negative tests should be interpreted with caution as they fail to detect a considerable proportion of dengue infection. Certain clinical features and haematological parameters are important in the clinical diagnosis of dengue infection. With the rise in dengue infection worldwide, dengue fever remains an important diagnosis among patients presenting with fever in the community. We conducted a passive surveillance study in a large community clinic in southern Malaysia. Adults with fever who met the WHO 2009 criteria for probable dengue infection underwent blood tests that were able to detect dengue fever accurately, including rapid diagnostics tests, serology, and molecular tests. Nearly half (45.4%) of the patients were confirmed to suffer from dengue infection in which the widely-used rapid tests were negative in a considerable proportion of dengue-infected patients. This underlines the importance of recognizing clinical and laboratory features suggestive of dengue fever. We found that a history of family or neighbours with dengue infection in the past week, skin rash, a higher temperature, leucopenia (white cell count < 4,000/μL) and thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150,000/μL) were significantly associated with dengue fever whereas runny nose and arthralgia were features that suggest non-dengue conditions. These features in addition to rapid diagnostic kits are useful to guide community based health care workers in the diagnosis of patients presenting with undifferentiated fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin Fang Ngim
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Sharifah Syed Hassan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Amreeta Dhanoa
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | | | - Jeevitha Mariapun
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Nowrozy Kamar Jahan
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Lian Yih Pong
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Hesham Elshahawi
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Nor’azim Mohd Yunos
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
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Piredda I, Ponti MN, Palmas B, Noworol M, Pedditzi A, Rebechesu L, Chisu V. Molecular Typing of Pathogenic Leptospira Species Isolated from Wild Mammal Reservoirs in Sardinia. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041109. [PMID: 33924303 PMCID: PMC8069414 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Leptospirosis is caused by pathogenic spirochaetes of the genus Leptospira. Humans can become infected with these bacteria through direct contact with urine from infected animals or indirectly through interaction with a urine contaminated environment. Among wildlife species, rodents are considered the primary reservoir hosts for leptospirosis in rural and urban environments. Epidemiological data, regarding leptospirosis in various wild species in Europe, suggest that these animals play a different role in leptospiral persistence. Unfortunately, studies on the presence and typing of Leptospira species in wild mammals are lacking in Sardinia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Leptospira species in wild mammals. Kidneys collected from carcasses were analyzed by culture and molecular testing. Greater positivity was found in hedgehogs, followed by weasels and rodents. The results obtained suggest that Sardinian fauna may play a possible sentinel role in the transmission cycle of leptospirosis to humans. Gathering this information in different wildlife species is crucial for better understanding of the epidemiology of leptospirosis and for the development of appropriate prevention measures. Abstract Leptospirosis is a global zoonosis caused by pathogenic species of Leptospira that infect a large spectrum of domestic and wild animals. This study is the first molecular identification, characterization, and phylogeny of Leptospira strains with veterinary and zoonotic impact in Sardinian wild hosts. All samples collected were cultured and analyzed by multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Sequencing, phylogenetic analyses (based on rrs and secY sequences), and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) based on the analysis of seven concatenated loci were also performed. Results revealed the detection of Leptospira DNA and cultured isolates in 21% and 4% of the samples examined, respectively. Sequence analysis of Leptospira positive samples highlighted the presence of the interrogans and borgpetersenii genospecies that grouped in strongly supported monophyletic clades. MLST analyses identified six different Sequence Types (ST) that clustered in two monophyletic groups specific for Leptospirainterrogans, and L. borgpetersenii. This study provided about the prevalence of leptospires in wild mammals in Sardinia, and increased our knowledge of this pathogen on the island. Monitoring Leptospira strains circulating in Sardinia will help clinicians and veterinarians develop strategic plans for the prevention and control of leptospiral infections.
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Sánchez-González L, Quandelacy TM, Johansson M, Torres-Velásquez B, Lorenzi O, Tavarez M, Torres S, Alvarado LI, Paz-Bailey G. Viral etiology and seasonal trends of pediatric acute febrile illness in southern Puerto Rico; a seven-year review. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247481. [PMID: 33606839 PMCID: PMC7895389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute febrile illness (AFI) is an important cause for seeking health care among children. Knowledge of the most common etiologic agents of AFI and its seasonality is limited in most tropical regions. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS To describe the viral etiology of AFI in pediatric patients (≤18 years) recruited through a sentinel enhanced dengue surveillance system (SEDSS) in Southern Puerto Rico, we analyzed data for patients enrolled from 2012 to May 2018. To identify seasonal patterns, we applied time-series analyses to monthly arboviral and respiratory infection case data. We calculated coherence and phase differences for paired time-series to quantify the association between each time series. A viral pathogen was found in 47% of the 14,738 patients. Influenza A virus was the most common pathogen detected (26%). The incidence of Zika and dengue virus etiologies increased with age. Arboviral infections peaked between June and September throughout the times-series. Respiratory infections have seasonal peaks occurring in the fall and winter months of each year, though patterns vary by individual respiratory pathogen. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Distinct seasonal patterns and differences in relative frequency by age groups seen in this study can guide clinical and laboratory assessment in pediatric patients with AFI in Puerto Rico.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Talia M. Quandelacy
- Dengue Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Michael Johansson
- Dengue Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Olga Lorenzi
- Dengue Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Mariana Tavarez
- Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Consortium, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Sanet Torres
- Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Consortium, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Luisa I. Alvarado
- Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital Consortium, Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce, Puerto Rico
| | - Gabriela Paz-Bailey
- Dengue Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Karim AJ, Abbas ZM. Histopathology of the kidney and seroprevalence of leptospirosis in wild rats in Baghdad Province, Iraq. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ONE HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.14202/ijoh.2021.19-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic leptospires, is a globally emerging infectious disease affecting both humans and animals, which act as reservoirs, with large outbreaks worldwide. The role of rats in dispersing leptospirosis was never investigated in Iraq. Because of the seriousness of the disease and the scarce data regarding this disease in Iraq, this study determines the incidence of leptospirosis in rats and its renal histopathological profile.
Materials and Methods: Of 211 captured rats, 82 apparently healthy rats were included in this study. After euthanatizing, 3-5-ml blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Approximately 0.5 cm3 of the kidney was collected for routine histopathology and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Warthin–Starry (WS) stains. Blood smears were prepared and stained with the WS stain.
Results: All rats (100%) with different age groups were immunoglobulin G (IgG)-positive, and 90.24% of them had the IgG against leptospiral antigens in kidney tissues. The juvenile age group had higher IgG levels than other age groups. Considering sex, no significant differences in the overall results were observed. Serum concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine showed significant increments in the sub-adult and adult IgG- positive groups compared with the IgG-negative groups. No significant alterations were observed in the juvenile group. Using WS stains, 13 and 1 blood smears and 0 and 8 kidney tissues were positive for leptospires in the sub-adult and adult groups, respectively. Microscopical findings of the renal cortex and medulla in the sub-adult IgG-positive group showed hemorrhage, glomerular deterioration, tubular cell degeneration and necrosis with cast formation, periarterial edema, and focal hemorrhage with congestion of peritubular arteries. The adult IgG-positive group revealed deterioration similar to that in the sub-adult group and tended to be chronic. No leptospires were observed using H&E staining.
Conclusion: IgG-positive carrier rats refer to previously exposed or infected rats. Understanding the risk of transmitting the disease to human and animals through a carrier rat's urine is highly predicted and possible mitigation of zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulkarim Jafar Karim
- Unit of Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Zainab Majid Abbas
- Department of Pathological Analysis, Babylon Technical Institute, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Babylon, Iraq
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Abd-Jamil J, Azizan NS, Che-Mat-Seri NAA, Yaacob CN, Samsudin NI, Mahfodz NH, Zulkifli MMS, Poh HS, Teoh BT, AbuBakar S. Detection and confirmation of dengue pre- and postintroduction of dengue NS1-antigen test at the University Malaya Medical Centre: An observational study. J Med Virol 2021; 93:4714-4719. [PMID: 33421159 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26790] [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: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Early diagnosis of dengue is important to ensure proper management of patients and effective implementation of control measures. The present study was undertaken to determine the outcome of the implementation of dengue NS1-antigen (Ag) rapid diagnostic test (RDT) in the confirmation of dengue at the first patient hospital visit at the University Malaya Medical Centre. A total of 1036 and 1097 sera from the year 2008 and 2015 were used, representing samples from before and after dengue NS1-Ag RDT was implemented as routine diagnostic at the hospital. Results showed that similar dengue confirmation percentage (56%) was made in 2008 and 2015, regardless of the main laboratory diagnostic method used. Confirmation of dengue, however, increased to 68% and 73% when dengue NS1-Ag test or dengue immunoglobulin M-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used as the second test for the 2008 and 2015 samples, respectively. Detection of dengue virus (DENV) using multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that DENV-1 was the highest in circulation in 2008 and that both DENV-1 and DENV-2 were dominant in 2015. In summary, the present study demonstrated that the introduction and use of the dengue NS1-Ag RDT did not change or compromise confirmation of dengue, highlighting the advantage of using the method. With the reducing cost of molecular detection tools, DENV detection using RT-PCR remains a viable option for further confirmation of dengue in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juraina Abd-Jamil
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Noor-Syahida Azizan
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | | | - Che-Norainon Yaacob
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur-Izyan Samsudin
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur-Hidayana Mahfodz
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mulya-Mustika-Sari Zulkifli
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hooi-Sim Poh
- Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, University Malaya Medical Centre, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Boon-Teong Teoh
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Research & Education Centre (TIDREC), University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Ogunkunle TO, Adedoyin TO, Ernest SK, Hassan-Hanga F, Imam A, Olaosebikan R, Obaro SK. A Prospective Cohort Study of the Clinical Predictors of Bacteremia in Under-Five Children With Acute Undifferentiated Fever Attending a Secondary Health Facility in Northwestern Nigeria. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:730082. [PMID: 35242726 PMCID: PMC8885983 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.730082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children with acute febrile illness with no localizing signs often receive antibiotics empirically in most resource-poor settings. However, little is known about the burden of bacteremia in this category of patients, and an appraisal is thus warranted. This will guide clinical practice and promote rational antibiotics use. METHODS We prospectively followed up 140 under-five children who presented with acute undifferentiated fever at the emergency/outpatient pediatric unit of a secondary healthcare facility. Baseline clinical and laboratory information was obtained and documented in a structured questionnaire. We compared baseline characteristics between participants with bacteremia and those without bacteremia. We further fitted a multivariable logistic regression model to identify factors predictive of bacteremia among the cohort. RESULT The prevalence of bacteremia was 17.1%, and Salmonella Typhi was the most frequently (40.9%) isolated pathogen. The majority (78.6%) of the study participants were managed as outpatients. The participants who required admission were four times more likely to have bacteremia when compared to those managed as outpatients (AOR 4.08, 95% CI 1.19 to 14.00). There is a four times likelihood of bacteremia (AOR 4.75, 95% CI 1.48 to 15.29) with a fever duration of beyond 7 days. Similarly, participants who were admitted with lethargy were six times more likely to have bacteremia (AOR 6.20, 95% CI 1.15 to 33.44). Other significant predictors were tachypnea and lymphopenia. CONCLUSION Among under-five children with acute undifferentiated fever, longer duration of fever, lethargy, inpatient care, tachypnea, and lymphopenia were the significant predictors of bacteremia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy Olanrewaju Adedoyin
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin/University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Kolade Ernest
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin/University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Fatimah Hassan-Hanga
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Aminu Kano University Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria
| | - Abdulazeez Imam
- Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rasaq Olaosebikan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Stephen K Obaro
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics/Department of Microbiology and Pathology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
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31
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Elders PND, Swe MMM, Phyo AP, McLean ARD, Lin HN, Soe K, Htay WYA, Tanganuchitcharnchai A, Hla TK, Tun NN, Nwe TT, Moe MM, Thein WM, Zaw NN, Kyaw WM, Linn H, Htwe YY, Smithuis FM, Blacksell SD, Ashley EA. Serological evidence indicates widespread distribution of rickettsioses in Myanmar. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 103:494-501. [PMID: 33310022 PMCID: PMC7862081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.12.013] [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: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of rickettsial infections is difficult in low-resource settings; this leads to delays in receiving appropriate treatment. Before this study, the distribution of rickettsioses in Myanmar was not known. This serosurvey shows that rickettsioses are widespread in Myanmar. Particularly high prevalence of scrub typhus was found in central and northern regions.
Background Little research has been published on the prevalence of rickettsial infections in Myanmar. This study determined the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to rickettsial species in different regions of Myanmar. Methods Seven hundred leftover blood samples from patients of all ages in primary care clinics and hospitals in seven regions of Myanmar were collected. Samples were screened for scrub typhus group (STG), typhus group (TG) and spotted fever group (SFG) IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Immunofluorescence assays were performed for the same rickettsial groups to confirm seropositivity if ELISA optical density ≥0.5. Results Overall IgG seroprevalence was 19% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16–22%] for STG, 5% (95% CI 3–7%) for TG and 3% (95% CI: 2–5%) for SFG. The seroprevalence of STG was particularly high in northern and central Myanmar (59% and 19–33%, respectively). Increasing age was associated with higher odds of STG and TG seropositivity [per 10-year increase, adjusted odds ratio estimate 1.68 (p < 0.01) and 1.24 (p = 0.03), respectively]. Conclusion Rickettsial infections are widespread in Myanmar, with particularly high seroprevalence of STG IgG antibodies in central and northern regions. Healthcare workers should consider rickettsial infections as common causes of fever in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alistair R D McLean
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kyaw Soe
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Ampai Tanganuchitcharnchai
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thel K Hla
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar; Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Ni Ni Tun
- Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Thin Thin Nwe
- Magway General Hospital and University of Medicine, Magway, Myanmar; University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Myat Myat Moe
- Magway General Hospital and University of Medicine, Magway, Myanmar
| | - Win May Thein
- Mandalay General Hospital and University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar
| | - Ni Ni Zaw
- Mandalay General Hospital and University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar
| | | | - Htun Linn
- Monywa General Hospital, Monywa, Myanmar
| | | | - Frank M Smithuis
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Action Myanmar, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Stuart D Blacksell
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Elizabeth A Ashley
- Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit, Yangon, Myanmar; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao Democratic People's Republic.
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32
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Tantibhedhyangkul W, Wongsawat E, Chongtrakool P, Tiengrim S, Thaipadungpanit J, Suputtamongkol Y. Case Report: Recovery of Pathogenic Leptospira spp. from Routine Aerobic Blood Culture Bottles. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1834-1837. [PMID: 32748775 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptospira spp. are fastidious and slow-growing bacteria, making recovery difficult and diagnostic sensitivity in the clinical setting low. However, collection of Leptospira isolates is valuable for epidemiological and laboratory research. Severe leptospirosis cases may present as septic shock, and the differential diagnosis often includes bacterial septicemia, leading clinicians to collect blood cultures. Here, we report the successful isolation of pathogenic Leptospira spp. from blood culture bottles (targeting aerobic bacteria incubated at 37°C) from a 64-year-old man admitted with septic shock. The patient presented with 4 days of fever, severe hypotension, transient atrial fibrillation, jaundice, and oliguric renal failure. After admission, intravenous ceftriaxone plus azithromycin was given with fluid resuscitation, norepinephrine infusion, invasive mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy. He was discharged from the hospital 16 days after admission. Using the blood sample obtained on admission, the diagnosis of leptospirosis was confirmed by multiplex real-time PCR (targeting bacterial 16S rRNA and LipL32 gene). We collected 200 μL from the blood culture bottle to inoculate a 5-mL Ellinghausen, McCullough, Johnson, and Harris media supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum. After 2 weeks of incubation at 30°C, Leptospira strains were identified and confirmed by real-time PCR. Genotyping was undertaken using the multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme#1. The isolate matched with ST50 isolates in the PUbMLST database. This case provides evidence that in tropical countries, severe leptospirosis should be considered in patients who present with symptoms of sepsis. Pathogenic Leptospira may be successfully isolated from aerobic blood cultures in routine clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Piriyaporn Chongtrakool
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Surapee Tiengrim
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Applied Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Development of a Multiplex Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Method for Simultaneous Detection of Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiae and Malaria Parasites by Dipstick DNA Chromatography. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10110897. [PMID: 33147773 PMCID: PMC7694008 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10110897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae causes febrile illness in humans worldwide. Since SFG rickettsiosis’s clinical presentation is nonspecific, it is frequently misdiagnosed as other febrile diseases, especially malaria, and complicates proper treatment. Aiming at rapid, simple, and simultaneous detection of SFG Rickettsia spp. and Plasmodium spp., we developed a novel multiple pathogen detection system by combining a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method and dipstick DNA chromatography technology. Two primer sets detecting SFG Rickettsia spp. and Plasmodium spp. were mixed, and amplified products were visualized by hybridizing to dipstick DNA chromatography. The multiplex LAMP with dipstick DNA chromatography distinguished amplified Rickettsia and Plasmodium targeted genes simultaneously. The determined sensitivity using synthetic nucleotides was 1000 copies per reaction for mixed Rickettsia and Plasmodium genes. When genomic DNA from in vitro cultured organisms was used, the sensitivity was 100 and 10 genome equivalents per reaction for Rickettsia monacensis and Plasmodium falciparum, respectively. Although further improvement will be required for more sensitive detection, our developed simultaneous diagnosis technique will contribute to the differential diagnosis of undifferentiated febrile illness caused by either SFG Rickettsia spp. or Plasmodium spp. in resource-limited endemic areas. Importantly, this scheme is potentially versatile for the simultaneous detection of diverse infectious diseases.
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34
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Varghese GM. The Search for Effective Empiric Therapy for Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e1487-e1488. [PMID: 32991696 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- George M Varghese
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
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35
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Giri A, Karkey A, Dangol S, Arjyal A, Pokharel S, Rijal S, Gajurel D, Sharma R, Lamsal K, Shrestha P, Prajapati G, Pathak S, Shrestha SR, K C RK, Pandey S, Thapa A, Shrestha N, Thapa RK, Poudyal B, Phuong DNT, Baker S, Kestelyn E, Geskus R, Thwaites G, Basnyat B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole Versus Azithromycin for the Treatment of Undifferentiated Febrile Illness in Nepal: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 73:e1478-e1486. [PMID: 32991678 PMCID: PMC8492158 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1489] [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: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Azithromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) are widely used to treat undifferentiated febrile illness (UFI). We hypothesized that azithromycin is superior to SXT for UFI treatment, but the drugs are noninferior to each other for culture-confirmed enteric fever treatment. Methods We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin (20 mg/kg/day) or SXT (trimethoprim 10 mg/kg/day plus sulfamethoxazole 50 mg/kg/day) orally for 7 days for UFI treatment in Nepal. We enrolled patients >2 years and <65 years of age presenting to 2 Kathmandu hospitals with temperature ≥38.0°C for ≥4 days without localizing signs. The primary endpoint was fever clearance time (FCT); secondary endpoints were treatment failure and adverse events. Results From June 2016 to May 2019, we randomized 326 participants (163 in each arm); 87 (26.7%) had blood culture–confirmed enteric fever. In all participants, the median FCT was 2.7 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6–3.3 days) in the SXT arm and 2.1 days (95% CI, 1.6–3.2 days) in the azithromycin arm (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25 [95% CI, .99–1.58]; P = .059). The HR of treatment failures by 28 days between azithromycin and SXT was 0.62 (95% CI, .37–1.05; P = .073). Planned subgroup analysis showed that azithromycin resulted in faster FCT in those with sterile blood cultures and fewer relapses in culture-confirmed enteric fever. Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and headache were more common in the SXT arm. Conclusions Despite similar FCT and treatment failure in the 2 arms, significantly fewer complications and relapses make azithromycin a better choice for empirical treatment of UFI in Nepal. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02773407.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Giri
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Abhilasha Karkey
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal.,Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Sabina Dangol
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal.,Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Amit Arjyal
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Sunil Pokharel
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Samita Rijal
- Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | | | - Rabi Sharma
- Civil Service Hospital, Minbhawan Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Kamal Lamsal
- Civil Service Hospital, Minbhawan Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | | | - Saruna Pathak
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | | | - Raj Kumar K C
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Sujata Pandey
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Abishkar Thapa
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | - Nistha Shrestha
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
| | | | | | | | - Stephen Baker
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Evelyne Kestelyn
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ronald Geskus
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Guy Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Buddha Basnyat
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal.,Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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36
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Association of serum C-reactive protein level and polymorphisms with susceptibility to dengue infection and severe clinical outcome among eastern Indian patients. Med Microbiol Immunol 2020; 209:631-640. [PMID: 32720219 DOI: 10.1007/s00430-020-00690-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) infection is a major public health concern in India ranging from simple febrile illness to severe outcome. This study aimed to investigate association of serum CRP level and CRP gene polymorphisms towards development of dengue disease susceptibility and severity among eastern Indian patients. Blood was collected from 348 symptomatic patients. Sera was subjected to serological diagnosis for the presence of anti-dengue IgM, anti-dengue IgG antibodies and dengue NS1 antigen by ELISA. Viral RNA was extracted and the presence of DENV genome, viral load, serotypes was determined by qRT-PCR. CRP level and polymorphisms were determined by immunoturbidimetry and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed by GraphPad-Prism. Among 206 dengue patients, CRP level increased significantly among patients within acute phase, and patients with qRT-PCR/NS1 antigen positivity, high viral load (HVL), secondary infection, and DENV4 and DENV2 infections. rs3091244, TT genotype positively associated with dengue susceptibility (p = 0.03). CT genotype of rs3093059 and TT genotype of rs3091244 were found to correlate with elevated CRP level and development of WHO-defined warning signs. TT genotype of rs3091244 was more prevalent among HVL patients. Thus, these CRP polymorphic variants and CRP concentration might act as potential prognostic biomarkers for predicting disease severity among acute-stage dengue patients.
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37
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Althaus T, Thaipadungpanit J, Greer RC, Swe MMM, Dittrich S, Peerawaranun P, Smit PW, Wangrangsimakul T, Blacksell S, Winchell JM, Diaz MH, Day NPJ, Smithuis F, Turner P, Lubell Y. Causes of fever in primary care in Southeast Asia and the performance of C-reactive protein in discriminating bacterial from viral pathogens. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 96:334-342. [PMID: 32437937 PMCID: PMC7211754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study investigated causes of fever in the primary levels of care in Southeast Asia, and evaluated whether C-reactive protein (CRP) could distinguish bacterial from viral pathogens. METHODS Blood and nasopharyngeal swab specimens were taken from children and adults with fever (>37.5 °C) or history of fever (<14 days) in Thailand and Myanmar. RESULTS Of 773 patients with at least one blood or nasopharyngeal swab specimen collected, 227 (29.4%) had a target organism detected. Influenza virus type A was detected in 85/227 cases (37.5%), followed by dengue virus (30 cases, 13.2%), respiratory syncytial virus (24 cases, 10.6%) and Leptospira spp. (nine cases, 4.0%). Clinical outcomes were similar between patients with a bacterial or a viral organism, regardless of antibiotic prescription. CRP was higher among patients with a bacterial organism compared with those with a viral organism (median 18 mg/L, interquartile range [10-49] versus 10 mg/L [≤8-22], p = 0.003), with an area under the curve of 0.65 (95% CI 0.55-0.75). CONCLUSIONS Serious bacterial infections requiring antibiotics are an exception rather than the rule in the first line of care. CRP testing could assist in ruling out such cases in settings where diagnostic uncertainty is high and routine antibiotic prescription is common. The original CRP randomised controlled trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02758821.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Althaus
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Janjira Thaipadungpanit
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Rachel C Greer
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Myo Maung Maung Swe
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Myanmar-Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), Medical Action Myanmar (MAM), Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Sabine Dittrich
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pimnara Peerawaranun
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pieter W Smit
- Maasstad Ziekenhuis Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Public Health Laboratory (GGD), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tri Wangrangsimakul
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Blacksell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jonas M Winchell
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maureen H Diaz
- Division of Bacterial Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicholas P J Day
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frank Smithuis
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Myanmar-Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU), Medical Action Myanmar (MAM), Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Paul Turner
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Cambodia-Oxford Medical Research Unit (COMRU), Angkor Hospital for Children, Siem Reap, Cambodia
| | - Yoel Lubell
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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38
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Sulistyawati S, Nilsson M, Ekasari MP, Mulasari SA, Sukesi TW, Padmawati RS, Holmner Å. Untapped Potential: A Qualitative Study of a Hospital-Based Dengue Surveillance System. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:120-131. [PMID: 32394883 PMCID: PMC7356460 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence and geographical distribution of dengue fever has increased in recent decades. The actual disease burden is unknown owing to frequent underreporting and misclassification of cases. A well-functioning system for diagnosing, treating, and reporting cases is of prime importance as disease statistics is the foundation for decisions aiming to control the disease. This study aimed to explore the hospital-based disease surveillance system in Yogyakarta, a dengue-endemic region on Java, Indonesia. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 16 informants from four hospitals, including five general practitioners, three internists, four pediatricians, and four administrative staff working with administration relating to dengue diagnostics and reporting. Data were analyzed using content analysis. A theme arose from the analysis “Dengue surveillance stands and falls by the rigor of the health system.” The theme, and underlying categories and subcategories, describes a surveillance system that in the best-case scenario works well and is likely to produce reliable dengue case data. However, there is a lack of synchronization between regulations and guidelines in different hospitals and some friction between regulatory bodies and the care provider. Knowledge among the staff appears to vary, and many clinical and financial decisions are made rather arbitrarily, which ultimately might lead to unequal health service delivery. In conclusion, the dengue surveillance system under study could improve further, particularly by ensuring that all regulations and recommended procedures are standardized and that all staff are given the best opportunity to stay updated on dengue-related matters, clinical as well as regulatory, on a regular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulistyawati Sulistyawati
- Department of Public Health, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.,Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Nilsson
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Marlita Putri Ekasari
- Laboratory of Pharmacy Management and Community Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | | | - Tri Wahyuni Sukesi
- Department of Public Health, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Retna Siwi Padmawati
- Department of Health Behaviour, Environmental, and Social Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.,Center of Health Behavior and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Åsa Holmner
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Radiation Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Rickettsial Diseases: Not Uncommon Causes of Acute Febrile Illness in India. Trop Med Infect Dis 2020; 5:tropicalmed5020059. [PMID: 32326477 PMCID: PMC7344935 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed5020059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial diseases (RDs) are major under-diagnosed causes of arthropod borne acute febrile illness (AFI) presenting with a range of symptoms from mild self-limiting fever to fatal sepsis. The spotted fever group (SFG) and typhus group (TG) are major RDs, which are commonly caused by Rickettsia conorii and Rickettsia typhi, respectively. The limited availability and role of serological tests in the acute phase of illness warrants rapid reliable molecular methods for diagnosis and epidemiological studies. Two hundred patients with AFI in whom the routine fever diagnostics were negative, were enrolled over a period of two months (April 2019 to May 2019). DNA was extracted and in-house nested PCR using primers specific for both SPG and TG pathogens was used. The positive amplified products were sequenced for species identification and phylogenetic analysis was performed using MEGA 7.0.14 software (iGEM, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA). The demographic details of the RD cases were documented. The prevalence of RD among AFI cases was 7% (14/200); SFG and TG were identified as the cause in 4% and 3% of AFI cases, respectively. The median age of the RD cases was 22 years (range 2–65). The median duration of fever was 3 days (range 1–12). The RD cases presented with respiratory symptoms or signs (44.44%), jaundice (22.22%), abdominal pain (22.22%), diarrhea (22.22), vesicular rash (11.11%), vomiting (11.11%), loss of appetite (11.11%), headache (11.11%), leukocytosis (88.88% with mean count 22,750/mm3), and thrombocytopenia (33.33%). The cases were treated empirically with piperacillin-tazobactam (66.66%), clindamycin (44.44%), cefotaxime (33.33%), meropenem (33.33%), metronidazole (33.33%), doxycycline (22.22%), azithromycin (22.22%), ceftriaxone (11.11%), and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (11.11%). The mortality among the RD cases was 11.11%. The present pilot study shows that RD is not an uncommon cause of AFI in north India. The febrile episodes are usually transient, not severe and associated with heterogenous clinical presentation without documented history of tick exposure in the hospitalized patients. The transient, non-severe, febrile illness could be due to transient rickettsemia resulting from empirical antimicrobial therapy as the rickettsial organisms are expected to be more susceptible to higher doses of β-lactam antibiotics. The study emphasizes the molecular method as a useful tool to identify rickettsial etiology in AFI.
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Abhilash KPP, Sharma P, Ramesh V, Samuel JJ, Vinod P, Arun P, Cornelius AG. Emergencies on the train and railway stations managed at a railway station emergency care center. J Family Med Prim Care 2020; 9:807-811. [PMID: 32318425 PMCID: PMC7114022 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_757_19] [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: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: With the increasing focus on setting up emergency care centers in railway stations across India by the government, there are no baseline data in India, or the world, about the profile of patients presenting with emergencies on the trains and at the railway stations. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included all people who presented with any medical emergency to the Emergency Care Center (ECC), Katpadi Railway Station in South India, between January 2017 and December 2017. Details were obtained from the register maintained by the emergency nurses stationed at the ECC. Results: Among 1076 patients who presented to the ECC during the study period, the mean age was 37 years (standard deviation: 19.01) with two-thirds (66.1%) being males. A quarter (23.4%) were trauma-related and 76.6% were medical emergencies. Sharp force injuries [58.8% (151/252)] was the predominant mode of trauma, while laceration [57.1%] (144/252) was the predominant type of injury sustained. Common nontrauma presenting complaints included fever (27.5%), headache (17.9%), nausea/vomiting (17.9%), and abdominal pain (15%). The maximum number of cases was in the summer months of May–June with heat-related symptoms, while the maximum number of fever cases was recorded during the monsoon season. The majority (905/1076; 84.1%) were able to continue their journey further, and 13.9% required referral to a nearby hospital. During the 1-year study period, 2 patients with trauma and 18 with various medical conditions died at the railway station or at a hospital after resuscitation at the ECC. Conclusions: Trauma, fever, headache, and vomiting are the most common emergencies among patients traveling by rail and at the railway stations. Establishing well-equipped ECCs across the country to handle trauma and other medical emergencies during travel is part of primary care provided and is the need of the hour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Parth Sharma
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vaikunth Ramesh
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - J John Samuel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Vinod
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Prasanth Arun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - A G Cornelius
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
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Low VL, Tan TK, Khoo JJ, Lim FS, AbuBakar S. An overview of rickettsiae in Southeast Asia: Vector-animal-human interface. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105282. [PMID: 31778642 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rickettsioses are emerging, and re-emerging diseases caused by obligate intracellular arthropod-borne bacteria that infect humans and animals worldwide. Various rickettsiae such as Orientia, Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia have been circulated in companion, domesticated and wild animals through bites of infected ticks, fleas, lice or mites. This review summarizes the infections of rickettsiae, including the newly discovered regional species Rickettsia thailandii, Candidatus Rickettsia sepangensis, Candidatus Rickettsia johorensis, Candidatus Rickettsia laoensis, Candidatus Rickettsia mahosotii, Candidatus Rickettsia khammouanensis, Candidatus Anaplasma pangolinii, and other novel genotypes in vectors, humans and animals in Southeast Asia. Issues on some unidentified rickettsiae that elicit immune responses and production of antibodies that are cross-reactive with the antigens used are discussed. Knowledge gaps which required attention are also identified in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Van Lun Low
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Tiong Kai Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jing Jing Khoo
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fang Shiang Lim
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sazaly AbuBakar
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre (TIDREC), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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