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Fontaine RE, He Y, Zhu BP. Untangling the effects of multiple exposures with a common reference group in an epidemiologic study: A practical revisit. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295915. [PMID: 38100505 PMCID: PMC10723729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
When assessing multiple exposures in epidemiologic studies, epidemiologists often use multivariable regression models with main effects only to control for confounding. This method can mask the true effects of individual exposures, potentially leading to wrong conclusions. We revisited a simple, practical, and often overlooked approach to untangle effects of the exposures of interest, in which the combinations of all levels of the exposures of interest are recoded into a single, multicategory variable. One category, usually the absence of all exposures of interest, is selected as the common reference group (CRG). All other categories representing individual and joint exposures are then compared to the CRG using indicator variables in a regression model or in a 2×2 contingency table analysis. Using real data examples, we showed that using the CRG analysis results in estimates of individual and joint effects that are mutually comparable and free of each other's confounding effects, yielding a clear, accurate, intuitive, and simple summarization of epidemiologic study findings involving multiple exposures of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Fontaine
- Division of Global Health Protection, Global Health Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Yulei He
- Division of Research Methodology, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bao-Ping Zhu
- Office of Science Quality and Library Services, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Wiens KE, Xu H, Zou K, Mwaba J, Lessler J, Malembaka EB, Demby MN, Bwire G, Qadri F, Lee EC, Azman AS. Estimating the proportion of clinically suspected cholera cases that are true Vibrio cholerae infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004286. [PMID: 37708235 PMCID: PMC10538743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholera surveillance relies on clinical diagnosis of acute watery diarrhea. Suspected cholera case definitions have high sensitivity but low specificity, challenging our ability to characterize cholera burden and epidemiology. Our objective was to estimate the proportion of clinically suspected cholera that are true Vibrio cholerae infections and identify factors that explain variation in positivity. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a systematic review of studies that tested ≥10 suspected cholera cases for V. cholerae O1/O139 using culture, PCR, and/or a rapid diagnostic test. We searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies that sampled at least one suspected case between January 1, 2000 and April 19, 2023, to reflect contemporary patterns in V. cholerae positivity. We estimated diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity using a latent class meta-analysis. We estimated V. cholerae positivity using a random-effects meta-analysis, adjusting for test performance. We included 119 studies from 30 countries. V. cholerae positivity was lower in studies with representative sampling and in studies that set minimum ages in suspected case definitions. After adjusting for test performance, on average, 52% (95% credible interval (CrI): 24%, 80%) of suspected cases represented true V. cholerae infections. After adjusting for test performance and study methodology, the odds of a suspected case having a true infection were 5.71 (odds ratio 95% CrI: 1.53, 15.43) times higher when surveillance was initiated in response to an outbreak than in non-outbreak settings. Variation across studies was high, and a limitation of our approach was that we were unable to explain all the heterogeneity with study-level attributes, including diagnostic test used, setting, and case definitions. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that burden estimates based on suspected cases alone may overestimate the incidence of medically attended cholera by 2-fold. However, accounting for cases missed by traditional clinical surveillance is key to unbiased cholera burden estimates. Given the substantial variability in positivity between settings, extrapolations from suspected to confirmed cases, which is necessary to estimate cholera incidence rates without exhaustive testing, should be based on local data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten E. Wiens
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Hanmeng Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kaiyue Zou
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John Mwaba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Justin Lessler
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Espoir Bwenge Malembaka
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health (CTDGH), Université Catholique de Bukavu, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Maya N. Demby
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Godfrey Bwire
- Division of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Firdausi Qadri
- Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Elizabeth C. Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew S. Azman
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Geneva Centre for Emerging Viral Diseases, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Tropical and Humanitarian Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Espinoza K, Caffo X, Hernández J, Olaechea R, Pons MJ, Ruiz J. Isolation and Identification of Non-O1/Non-O139 Vibrio cholerae in Wild Birds Inhabiting Wetlands in Metropolitan Lima, Peru. J Wildl Dis 2023; 59:495-499. [PMID: 37179486 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-22-00121] [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: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
During a survey in wetlands from southern Lima, Peru, two non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae isolates were obtained from samples collected from an American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) and a Wren-like Rushbird (Phleocryptes melanops). Vibrio cholerae was identified by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA, differentially grown on CHROMagar Vibrio media, and confirmed by ompW amplification. Isolates were confirmed to be non-O1/non-O139 serotypes and to lack the ctxA gene as inferred using PCR. Susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents was assessed, with one isolate being resistant to azithromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, and furazolidone. Our results indicate the utility of surveillance for V. cholerae in wetlands in the metropolitan Lima area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathya Espinoza
- Grupo de Investigación en Dinámicas y Epidemiología de la Resistencia a Antimicrobianos, "One Health," Universidad Científica del Sur, Antigua Carretera Panamericana Sur Km 19, Villa El Salvador, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - Xiomara Caffo
- Departamento de Ornitología, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos, Avda. Arenales 1256, Jesus Maria, 15072 Lima, Peru
| | - Jacqueline Hernández
- Departamento de Ornitología, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor San Marcos, Avda. Arenales 1256, Jesus Maria, 15072 Lima, Peru
| | - Raul Olaechea
- Grupo de Investigación en Dinámicas y Epidemiología de la Resistencia a Antimicrobianos, "One Health," Universidad Científica del Sur, Antigua Carretera Panamericana Sur Km 19, Villa El Salvador, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - Maria J Pons
- Grupo de Investigación en Dinámicas y Epidemiología de la Resistencia a Antimicrobianos, "One Health," Universidad Científica del Sur, Antigua Carretera Panamericana Sur Km 19, Villa El Salvador, 15067 Lima, Peru
| | - Joaquim Ruiz
- Grupo de Investigación en Dinámicas y Epidemiología de la Resistencia a Antimicrobianos, "One Health," Universidad Científica del Sur, Antigua Carretera Panamericana Sur Km 19, Villa El Salvador, 15067 Lima, Peru
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Özköse F, Habbireeh R, Şenel MT. A novel fractional order model of SARS-CoV-2 and Cholera disease with real data. JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL AND APPLIED MATHEMATICS 2023; 423:114969. [PMID: 36471673 PMCID: PMC9714208 DOI: 10.1016/j.cam.2022.114969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a novel approach to investigating COVID-19 and Cholera disease. In this situation, a fractional-order model is created to investigate the COVID-19 and Cholera outbreaks in Congo. The existence, uniqueness, positivity, and boundedness of the solution are studied. The equilibrium points and their stability conditions are achieved. Subsequently, the basic reproduction number (the virus transmission coefficient) is calculated that simply refers to the number of people, to whom an infected person can make infected, as R 0 = 6 . 7442389 e - 10 by using the next generation matrix method. Next, the sensitivity analysis of the parameters is performed according to R 0 . To determine the values of the parameters in the model, the least squares curve fitting method is utilized. A total of 22 parameter values in the model are estimated by using real Cholera data from Congo. Finally, to find out the dynamic behavior of the system, numerical simulations are presented. The outcome of the study indicates that the severity of the Cholera epidemic cases will decrease with the decrease in cases of COVID-19, through the implementation and follow-up of safety measures that have been taken to reduce COVID-19 cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Özköse
- Erciyes University, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Rafla Habbireeh
- Institute of Science, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38039, Türkiye
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
| | - M Tamer Şenel
- Erciyes University, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Kayseri, Türkiye
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Kayiwa J, Homsy J, Nelson LJ, Ocom F, Kasule JN, Wetaka MM, Kyazze S, Mwanje W, Kisakye A, Nabunya D, Nyirabakunzi M, Aliddeki DM, Ojwang J, Boore A, Kasozi S, Borchert J, Shoemaker T, Nabatanzi S, Dahlke M, Brown V, Downing R, Makumbi I. Establishing a Public Health Emergency Operations Center in an Outbreak-Prone Country: Lessons Learned in Uganda, January 2014 to December 2021. Health Secur 2022; 20:394-407. [PMID: 35984936 PMCID: PMC10985018 DOI: 10.1089/hs.2022.0048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uganda is highly vulnerable to public health emergencies (PHEs) due to its geographic location next to the Congo Basin epidemic hot spot, placement within multiple epidemic belts, high population growth rates, and refugee influx. In view of this, Uganda's Ministry of Health established the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC) in September 2013, as a central coordination unit for all PHEs in the country. Uganda followed the World Health Organization's framework to establish the PHEOC, including establishing a steering committee, acquiring legal authority, developing emergency response plans, and developing a concept of operations. The same framework governs the PHEOC's daily activities. Between January 2014 and December 2021, Uganda's PHEOC coordinated response to 271 PHEs, hosted 207 emergency coordination meetings, trained all core staff in public health emergency management principles, participated in 21 simulation exercises, coordinated Uganda's Global Health Security Agenda activities, established 6 subnational PHEOCs, and strengthened the capacity of 7 countries in public health emergency management. In this article, we discuss the following lessons learned: PHEOCs are key in PHE coordination and thus mitigate the associated adverse impacts; although the functions of a PHEOC may be legalized by the existence of a National Institute of Public Health, their establishment may precede formally securing the legal framework; staff may learn public health emergency management principles on the job; involvement of leaders and health partners is crucial to the success of a public health emergency management program; subnational PHEOCs are resourceful in mounting regional responses to PHEs; and service on the PHE Strategic Committee may be voluntary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Kayiwa
- Joshua Kayiwa, MSc, is a Plans Chief and Information Analyst, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaco Homsy
- Jaco Homsy, MD, MPH, is an Associate Clinical Professor, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA
| | - Lisa J Nelson
- Lisa J. Nelson, MD, MPH, MSc, is a Medical Officer and Uganda Country Director, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Felix Ocom
- Felix Ocom, MD, is Deputy Director, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet N Kasule
- Juliet N. Kasule, MSc, is an Early Warning Specialist, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Milton M Wetaka
- Milton M. Wetaka is a Logistics Chief and Laboratory Specialist, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon Kyazze
- Simon Kyazze, MSc, is an Operations Chief, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wilbrod Mwanje
- Wilbrod Mwanje, MPH, is an Epidemiologist, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Anita Kisakye
- Anita Kisakye, MSc, is a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dorothy Nabunya
- Dorothy Nabunya is an Administrative Specialist, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Margaret Nyirabakunzi
- Margaret Nyirabakunzi is an Administrative Assistant, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dativa Maria Aliddeki
- Dativa Maria Aliddeki, MSc, is an Epidemiologist, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ojwang
- Joseph Ojwang, MPH, is an Epidemiologist, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Amy Boore
- Amy Boore, PhD, is Director, Division of Global Health Protection, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sam Kasozi
- Sam Kasozi is a Systems Developer, Health Information Systems Program Uganda, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jeff Borchert
- Jeff Borchert, MSc, is a Public Health Advisor, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), US CDC, Fort Collins, CO
| | - Trevor Shoemaker
- Trevor Shoemaker, PhD, is an Epidemiologist, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, NCEZIDUS CDC, Atlanta, GA
| | - Sandra Nabatanzi
- Sandra Nabatanzi, MSc, is an Epidemiologist, Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support Program, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Melissa Dahlke
- Melissa Dahlke, MSc, is an Epidemiologist, Global Immunization Division, Center for Global Health, US CDC, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vance Brown
- Vance Brown, MA, is a Public Health Advisor, Division of Global Health Protection, NCEZID, US CDC, Atlanta, GA
| | - Robert Downing
- Robert Downing, PhD, is a Laboratory Specialist, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Ministry of Health, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Issa Makumbi
- Issa Makumbi, MSc, is Director, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
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