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Norman FF, Treviño-Maruri B, Ruiz Giardín JM, Gullón-Peña B, Salvador F, Serre N, Díaz-Menéndez M, Calabuig E, Rodriguez-Guardado A, Lombide I, Pérez-Ayala A, Torrús D, Goikoetxea J, García-Rodriguez M, Pérez-Molina JA. Trends in imported malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain (+Redivi Collaborative Network). J Travel Med 2022; 29:6649393. [PMID: 35876259 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in prevention and management strategies for malaria globally. Currently, data analysing trends in travel-related infections during the pandemic years are scarce. The objective of this analysis was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with imported malaria within the +Redivi network in Spain, focusing on yearly trends from pre-pandemic years to date. METHODS Cases recorded in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2021 were analysed and patients with a diagnosis of malaria (standard diagnostic methods using thick/thin peripheral blood smears, with/without a malaria rapid diagnostic test and/or Plasmodium spp. polymerase chain reaction) were identified. The total number of malaria cases, cases according to type of patient and severe cases, per year, were analysed. RESULTS In total, 1751 cases of malaria (1751/26 601, 6.6%) were identified. The majority occurred in males (1041, 59.5%), median age was 36.3 (interquartile range: 27-44.7) years and most occurred in visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants (872, 49.8%). Most infections were acquired in sub-Saharan Africa (1.660, 94.8%) and were due to Plasmodium falciparum (81.3%). There were 64 cases of severe malaria (3.7%) and 4 patients died (0.2% mortality, all in pre-pandemic years). A significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed during the study period (P < 0.001) (attributable to the increase in 2021). There were 16/93 severe cases in 2021 (17.2%), all due to Plasmodium falciparum, (compared with ≤ 5% in previous years), which mainly occurred in travellers and VFR-immigrants (10/16, 62.5% and 5/16, 31.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS After an initial decline associated with travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in imported malaria and a significant increase in cases of severe malaria was observed. Patients with imported malaria may present and/or be diagnosed late during this public health crisis and health care professionals should be alerted to the recent increase in severe cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department. Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain, Universidad de Alcalá, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Treviño-Maruri
- Unitat de Medicina Tropical y Salut Internacional Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Gullón-Peña
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department. Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain, Universidad de Alcalá, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuria Serre
- Unitat de Medicina Tropical y Salut Internacional Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Díaz-Menéndez
- National Referral Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Calabuig
- La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Diego Torrús
- Alicante General University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Jose A Pérez-Molina
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department. Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain, Universidad de Alcalá, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Cornish NE, Anderson NL, Arambula DG, Arduino MJ, Bryan A, Burton NC, Chen B, Dickson BA, Giri JG, Griffith NK, Pentella MA, Salerno RM, Sandhu P, Snyder JW, Tormey CA, Wagar EA, Weirich EG, Campbell S. Clinical Laboratory Biosafety Gaps: Lessons Learned from Past Outbreaks Reveal a Path to a Safer Future. Clin Microbiol Rev 2021; 34:e0012618. [PMID: 34105993 PMCID: PMC8262806 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00126-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Patient care and public health require timely, reliable laboratory testing. However, clinical laboratory professionals rarely know whether patient specimens contain infectious agents, making ensuring biosafety while performing testing procedures challenging. The importance of biosafety in clinical laboratories was highlighted during the 2014 Ebola outbreak, where concerns about biosafety resulted in delayed diagnoses and contributed to patient deaths. This review is a collaboration between subject matter experts from large and small laboratories and the federal government to evaluate the capability of clinical laboratories to manage biosafety risks and safely test patient specimens. We discuss the complexity of clinical laboratories, including anatomic pathology, and describe how applying current biosafety guidance may be difficult as these guidelines, largely based on practices in research laboratories, do not always correspond to the unique clinical laboratory environments and their specialized equipment and processes. We retrospectively describe the biosafety gaps and opportunities for improvement in the areas of risk assessment and management; automated and manual laboratory disciplines; specimen collection, processing, and storage; test utilization; equipment and instrumentation safety; disinfection practices; personal protective equipment; waste management; laboratory personnel training and competency assessment; accreditation processes; and ethical guidance. Also addressed are the unique biosafety challenges successfully handled by a Texas community hospital clinical laboratory that performed testing for patients with Ebola without a formal biocontainment unit. The gaps in knowledge and practices identified in previous and ongoing outbreaks demonstrate the need for collaborative, comprehensive solutions to improve clinical laboratory biosafety and to better combat future emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy E. Cornish
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nancy L. Anderson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Diego G. Arambula
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Matthew J. Arduino
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging & Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Andrew Bryan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nancy C. Burton
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bin Chen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Beverly A. Dickson
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Judith G. Giri
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Global Health (CGH), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Reynolds M. Salerno
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paramjit Sandhu
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - James W. Snyder
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Christopher A. Tormey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Wagar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Weirich
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Sheldon Campbell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Gronowski AM, Budelier MM, Campbell SM. Ethics for Laboratory Medicine. Clin Chem 2019; 65:1497-1507. [PMID: 31434657 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2019.306670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Laboratory medicine, like other areas of medicine, is obliged to adhere to high ethical standards. There are particular ethical issues that are unique to laboratory medicine and other areas in which ethical issues uniquely impact laboratory practice. Despite this, there is variability in ethics education within the profession. This review provides a foundation for the study of ethics within laboratory medicine. CONTENT The Belmont Report identifies 3 core principles in biomedical ethics: respect for persons (including autonomy), beneficence (and its corollary nonmalfeasance), and justice. These core principles must be adhered to in laboratory medicine. Informed consent is vital to maintain patient autonomy. However, balancing patient autonomy with the desire for beneficence can sometimes be difficult when patients refuse testing or treatment. The use of leftover or banked samples is fundamental to the ability to do research, create reference intervals, and develop new tests, but it creates problems with consent. Advances in genetic testing have created unique ethical issues regarding privacy, incidental findings, and informed consent. As in other professions, the emergence of highly contagious and deadly infectious diseases poses a difficult ethical dilemma of helping patients while protecting healthcare workers. CONCLUSIONS Although many clinical laboratorians do not see or treat patients, they must be held accountable to the highest ethical and professional behavior. Recognition and understanding of ethical issues are essential to ethical practice of laboratory medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann M Gronowski
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO;
| | - Melissa M Budelier
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Sheldon M Campbell
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
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Frequency of Instrument, Environment, and Laboratory Technologist Contamination during Routine Diagnostic Testing of Infectious Specimens. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:JCM.00225-18. [PMID: 29563204 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00225-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory testing to support the care of patients with highly infectious diseases may pose a risk for laboratory workers. However, data on the risk of virus transmission during routine laboratory testing conducted using standard personal protective equipment (PPE) are sparse. Our objective was to measure laboratory contamination during routine analysis of patient specimens. Remnant specimens were spiked with the nonpathogenic bacteriophage MS2 at 1.0 × 107 PFU/ml, and contamination was assessed using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for MS2. Specimen containers were exteriorly coated with a fluorescent powder to enable the visualization of gross contamination using UV light. Testing was performed by two experienced laboratory technologists using standard laboratory PPE and sample-to-answer instrumentation. Fluorescence was noted on the gloves, bare hands, and laboratory coat cuffs of the laboratory technologist in 36/36 (100%), 13/36 (36%), and 4/36 (11%) tests performed, respectively. Fluorescence was observed in the biosafety cabinet (BSC) in 8/36 (22%) tests, on test cartridges/devices in 14/32 (44%) tests, and on testing accessory items in 29/32 (91%) tests. Fluorescence was not observed on or in laboratory instrumentation or adjacent surfaces. In contrast to fluorescence detection, MS2 detection was infrequent (3/286 instances [1%]) and occurred during test setup for the FilmArray instrument and on FilmArray accessory equipment. The information from this study may provide opportunities for the improvement of clinical laboratory safety practices so as to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission to laboratory workers.
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Mace KE, Arguin PM, Tan KR. Malaria Surveillance - United States, 2015. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. SURVEILLANCE SUMMARIES (WASHINGTON, D.C. : 2002) 2018; 67:1-28. [PMID: 29723168 PMCID: PMC5933858 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.ss6707a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM/CONDITION Malaria in humans is caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. These parasites are transmitted by the bite of an infective female Anopheles species mosquito. The majority of malaria infections in the United States occur among persons who have traveled to regions with ongoing malaria transmission. However, malaria is occasionally acquired by persons who have not traveled out of the country through exposure to infected blood products, congenital transmission, laboratory exposure, or local mosquitoborne transmission. Malaria surveillance in the United States is conducted to provide information on its occurrence (e.g., temporal, geographic, and demographic), guide prevention and treatment recommendations for travelers and patients, and facilitate transmission control measures if locally acquired cases are identified. PERIOD COVERED This report summarizes confirmed malaria cases in persons with onset of illness in 2015 and summarizes trends in previous years. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM Malaria cases diagnosed by blood film microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, or rapid diagnostic tests are reported to local and state health departments by health care providers or laboratory staff members. Case investigations are conducted by local and state health departments, and reports are transmitted to CDC through the National Malaria Surveillance System (NMSS), the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), or direct CDC consultations. CDC reference laboratories provide diagnostic assistance and conduct antimalarial drug resistance marker testing on blood samples submitted by health care providers or local or state health departments. This report summarizes data from the integration of all NMSS and NNDSS cases, CDC reference laboratory reports, and CDC clinical consultations. RESULTS CDC received reports of 1,517 confirmed malaria cases, including one congenital case, with an onset of symptoms in 2015 among persons who received their diagnoses in the United States. Although the number of malaria cases diagnosed in the United States has been increasing since the mid-1970s, the number of cases decreased by 208 from 2014 to 2015. Among the regions of acquisition (Africa, West Africa, Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Oceania, and the Middle East), the only region with significantly fewer imported cases in 2015 compared with 2014 was West Africa (781 versus 969). Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae were identified in 67.4%, 11.7%, 4.1%, and 3.1% of cases, respectively. Less than 1% of patients were infected by two species. The infecting species was unreported or undetermined in 12.9% of cases. CDC provided diagnostic assistance for 13.1% of patients with confirmed cases and tested 15.0% of P. falciparum specimens for antimalarial resistance markers. Of the U.S. resident patients who reported purpose of travel, 68.4% were visiting friends or relatives. A lower proportion of U.S. residents with malaria reported taking any chemoprophylaxis in 2015 (26.5%) compared with 2014 (32.5%), and adherence was poor in this group. Among the U.S residents for whom information on chemoprophylaxis use and travel region were known, 95.3% of patients with malaria did not adhere to or did not take a CDC-recommended chemoprophylaxis regimen. Among women with malaria, 32 were pregnant, and none had adhered to chemoprophylaxis. A total of 23 malaria cases occurred among U.S. military personnel in 2015. Three cases of malaria were imported from the approximately 3,000 military personnel deployed to an Ebola-affected country; two of these were not P. falciparum species, and one species was unspecified. Among all reported cases in 2015, 17.1% were classified as severe illnesses and 11 persons died, compared with an average of 6.1 deaths per year during 2000-2014. In 2015, CDC received 153 P. falciparum-positive samples for surveillance of antimalarial resistance markers (although certain loci were untestable for some samples); genetic polymorphisms associated with resistance to pyrimethamine were identified in 132 (86.3%), to sulfadoxine in 112 (73.7%), to chloroquine in 48 (31.4%), to mefloquine in six (4.3%), and to artemisinin in one (<1%), and no sample had resistance to atovaquone. Completion of data elements on the malaria case report form decreased from 2014 to 2015 and remains low, with 24.2% of case report forms missing at least one key element (species, travel history, and resident status). INTERPRETATION The decrease in malaria cases from 2014 to 2015 is associated with a decrease in imported cases from West Africa. This finding might be related to altered or curtailed travel to Ebola-affected countries in in this region. Despite progress in reducing malaria worldwide, the disease remains endemic in many regions, and the use of appropriate prevention measures by travelers is still inadequate. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS The best way to prevent malaria is to take chemoprophylaxis medication during travel to a country where malaria is endemic. As demonstrated by the U.S. military during the Ebola response, use of chemoprophylaxis and other protection measures is possible in stressful environments, and this can prevent malaria, especially P. falciparum, even in high transmission areas. Detailed recommendations for preventing malaria are available to the general public at the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html). Malaria infections can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly with antimalarial medications appropriate for the patient's age and medical history, the likely country of malaria acquisition, and previous use of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. Health care providers should consult the CDC Guidelines for Treatment of Malaria in the United States and contact the CDC's Malaria Hotline for case management advice when needed. Malaria treatment recommendations are available online (https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment) and from the Malaria Hotline (770-488-7788 or toll-free at 855-856-4713). Persons submitting malaria case reports (care providers, laboratories, and state and local public health officials) should provide complete information because incomplete reporting compromises case investigations and efforts to prevent infections and examine trends in malaria cases. Compliance with recommended malaria prevention strategies is low among U.S. travelers visiting friends and relatives. Evidence-based prevention strategies that effectively target travelers who are visiting friends and relatives need to be developed and implemented to reduce the numbers of imported malaria cases in the United States. Molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance markers (https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/features/ars.html) has enabled CDC to track, guide treatment, and manage drug resistance in malaria parasites both domestically and internationally. More samples are needed to improve the completeness of antimalarial drug resistance marker analysis; therefore, CDC requests that blood specimens be submitted for all cases diagnosed in the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E. Mace
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
| | - Paul M. Arguin
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
| | - Kathrine R. Tan
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
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No evidence for major adverse events related to suspicion of Ebola in France, 2014–2015. Clin Microbiol Infect 2018; 24:310-311. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Revised: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Adams DA, Thomas KR, Jajosky RA, Foster L, Baroi G, Sharp P, Onweh DH, Schley AW, Anderson WJ. Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions - United States, 2015. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2017; 64:1-143. [PMID: 28796757 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6453a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions - United States, 2015 (hereafter referred to as the summary) contains the official statistics, in tabular and graphical form, for the reported occurrence of nationally notifiable infectious diseases and conditions in the United States for 2015. Unless otherwise noted, data are final totals for 2015 reported as of June 30, 2016. These statistics are collected and compiled from reports sent by U.S. state and territories, New York City, and District of Columbia health departments to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS), which is operated by CDC in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE). This summary is available at https://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/MMWR_nd/index.html. This site also includes summary publications from previous years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Adams
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Kimberly R Thomas
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Ruth Ann Jajosky
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Loretta Foster
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Gitangali Baroi
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Pearl Sharp
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Diana H Onweh
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Alan W Schley
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
| | - Willie J Anderson
- Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, CDC
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Mulberry G, White KA, Vaidya M, Sugaya K, Kim BN. 3D printing and milling a real-time PCR device for infectious disease diagnostics. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179133. [PMID: 28586401 PMCID: PMC5460903 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosing infectious diseases using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) offers a conclusive result in determining the infection, the strain or type of pathogen, and the level of infection. However, due to the high-cost instrumentation involved and the complexity in maintenance, it is rarely used in the field to make a quick turnaround diagnosis. In order to provide a higher level of accessibility than current qPCR devices, a set of 3D manufacturing methods is explored as a possible option to fabricate a low-cost and portable qPCR device. The key advantage of this approach is the ability to upload the digital format of the design files on the internet for wide distribution so that people at any location can simply download and feed into their 3D printers for quick manufacturing. The material and design are carefully selected to minimize the number of custom parts that depend on advanced manufacturing processes which lower accessibility. The presented 3D manufactured qPCR device is tested with 20-μL samples that contain various concentrations of lentivirus, the same type as HIV. A reverse-transcription step is a part of the device's operation, which takes place prior to the qPCR step to reverse transcribe the target RNA from the lentivirus into complementary DNA (cDNA). This is immediately followed by qPCR which quantifies the target sequence molecules in the sample during the PCR amplification process. The entire process of thermal control and time-coordinated fluorescence reading is automated by closed-loop feedback and a microcontroller. The resulting device is portable and battery-operated, with a size of 12 × 7 × 6 cm3 and mass of only 214 g. By uploading and sharing the design files online, the presented low-cost qPCR device may provide easier access to a robust diagnosis protocol for various infectious diseases, such as HIV and malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Mulberry
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kevin A. White
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Manjusha Vaidya
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kiminobu Sugaya
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
| | - Brian N. Kim
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States of America
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Mace KE, Arguin PM. Malaria Surveillance - United States, 2014. MMWR. SURVEILLANCE SUMMARIES : MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. SURVEILLANCE SUMMARIES 2017; 66:1-24. [PMID: 28542123 PMCID: PMC5829864 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.ss6612a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Problem/Condition Malaria in humans is caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. These parasites are transmitted by the bite of an infective female Anopheles mosquito. The majority of malaria infections in the United States occur among persons who have traveled to regions with ongoing malaria transmission. However, malaria is occasionally acquired by persons who have not traveled out of the country through exposure to infected blood products, congenital transmission, laboratory exposure, or local mosquitoborne transmission. Malaria surveillance in the United States is conducted to identify episodes of local transmission and to guide prevention recommendations for travelers. Period Covered This report summarizes cases in persons with onset of illness in 2014 and trends during previous years. Description of System Malaria cases diagnosed by blood film, polymerase chain reaction, or rapid diagnostic tests are reported to local and state health departments by health care providers or laboratory staff. Case investigations are conducted by local and state health departments, and reports are transmitted to CDC through the National Malaria Surveillance System, National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, or direct CDC consultations. CDC conducts antimalarial drug resistance marker testing on blood samples submitted by health care providers or local or state health departments. Data from these reporting systems serve as the basis for this report. Results CDC received reports of 1,724 confirmed malaria cases, including one congenital case and two cryptic cases, with onset of symptoms in 2014 among persons in the United States. The number of confirmed cases in 2014 is consistent with the number of confirmed cases reported in 2013 (n = 1,741; this number has been updated from a previous publication to account for delayed reporting for persons with symptom onset occurring in late 2013). Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae were identified in 66.1%, 13.3%, 5.2%, and 2.7% of cases, respectively. Less than 1.0% of patients were infected with two species. The infecting species was unreported or undetermined in 11.7% of cases. CDC provided diagnostic assistance for 14.2% of confirmed cases and tested 12.0% of P. falciparum specimens for antimalarial resistance markers. Of patients who reported purpose of travel, 57.5% were visiting friends and relatives (VFR). Among U.S. residents for whom information on chemoprophylaxis use and travel region was known, 7.8% reported that they initiated and adhered to a chemoprophylaxis drug regimen recommended by CDC for the regions to which they had traveled. Thirty-two cases were among pregnant women, none of whom had adhered to chemoprophylaxis. Among all reported cases, 17.0% were classified as severe illness, and five persons with malaria died. CDC received 137 P. falciparum-positive samples for the detection of antimalarial resistance markers (although some loci for chloroquine and mefloquine were untestable for up to nine samples). Of the 137 samples tested, 131 (95.6%) had genetic polymorphisms associated with pyrimethamine drug resistance, 96 (70.0%) with sulfadoxine resistance, 77 (57.5%) with chloroquine resistance, three (2.3%) with mefloquine drug resistance, one (<1.0%) with atovaquone resistance, and two (1.4%) with artemisinin resistance. Interpretation The overall trend of malaria cases has been increasing since 1973; the number of cases reported in 2014 is the fourth highest annual total since then. Despite progress in reducing global prevalence of malaria, the disease remains endemic in many regions and use of appropriate prevention measures by travelers is still inadequate. Public Health Action Completion of data elements on the malaria case report form increased slightly in 2014 compared with 2013, but still remains unacceptably low. In 2014, at least one essential element (i.e., species, travel history, or resident status) was missing in 21.3% of case report forms. Incomplete reporting compromises efforts to examine trends in malaria cases and prevent infections. VFR travelers continue to be a difficult population to reach with effective malaria prevention strategies. Evidence-based prevention strategies that effectively target VFR travelers need to be developed and implemented to have a substantial impact on the number of imported malaria cases in the United States. Fewer U.S. resident patients reported taking chemoprophylaxis in 2014 (27.2%) compared with 2013 (28.6%), and adherence was poor among those who did take chemoprophylaxis. Proper use of malaria chemoprophylaxis will prevent the majority of malaria illnesses and reduce risk for severe disease (https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/travelers/drugs.html). Malaria infections can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly with antimalarial medications appropriate for the patient’s age and medical history, likely country of malaria acquisition, and previous use of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. Recent molecular laboratory advances have enabled CDC to identify and conduct molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance markers (https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/features/ars.html) and improve the ability of CDC to track, guide treatment, and manage drug resistance in malaria parasites both domestically and globally. For this effort to be successful, specimens should be submitted for all cases diagnosed in the United States. Clinicians should consult CDC Guidelines for Treatment of Malaria in the United States and contact the CDC Malaria Hotline for case management advice, when needed. Malaria treatment recommendations can be obtained online at https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/diagnosis_treatment/ or by calling the Malaria Hotline at 770-488-7788 or toll-free at 855-856-4713.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E Mace
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
| | - Paul M Arguin
- Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, CDC
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10
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Leligdowicz A, Fischer WA, Uyeki TM, Fletcher TE, Adhikari NKJ, Portella G, Lamontagne F, Clement C, Jacob ST, Rubinson L, Vanderschuren A, Hajek J, Murthy S, Ferri M, Crozier I, Ibrahima E, Lamah MC, Schieffelin JS, Brett-Major D, Bausch DG, Shindo N, Chan AK, O'Dempsey T, Mishra S, Jacobs M, Dickson S, Lyon GM, Fowler RA. Ebola virus disease and critical illness. Crit Care 2016; 20:217. [PMID: 27468829 PMCID: PMC4965892 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1325-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As of 20 May 2016 there have been 28,646 cases and 11,323 deaths resulting from the West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak reported to the World Health Organization. There continue to be sporadic flare-ups of EVD cases in West Africa.EVD presentation is nonspecific and characterized initially by onset of fatigue, myalgias, arthralgias, headache, and fever; this is followed several days later by anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Anorexia and gastrointestinal losses lead to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and metabolic acidosis, and, in some patients, acute kidney injury. Hypoxia and ventilation failure occurs most often with severe illness and may be exacerbated by substantial fluid requirements for intravascular volume repletion and some degree of systemic capillary leak. Although minor bleeding manifestations are common, hypovolemic and septic shock complicated by multisystem organ dysfunction appear the most frequent causes of death.Males and females have been equally affected, with children (0-14 years of age) accounting for 19 %, young adults (15-44 years) 58 %, and older adults (≥45 years) 23 % of reported cases. While the current case fatality proportion in West Africa is approximately 40 %, it has varied substantially over time (highest near the outbreak onset) according to available resources (40-90 % mortality in West Africa compared to under 20 % in Western Europe and the USA), by age (near universal among neonates and high among older adults), and by Ebola viral load at admission.While there is no Ebola virus-specific therapy proven to be effective in clinical trials, mortality has been dramatically lower among EVD patients managed with supportive intensive care in highly resourced settings, allowing for the avoidance of hypovolemia, correction of electrolyte and metabolic abnormalities, and the provision of oxygen, ventilation, vasopressors, and dialysis when indicated. This experience emphasizes that, in addition to evaluating specific medical treatments, improving the global capacity to provide supportive critical care to patients with EVD may be the greatest opportunity to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - William A Fischer
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Timothy M Uyeki
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Thomas E Fletcher
- Defence Medical Services, Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, UK
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Neill K J Adhikari
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Francois Lamontagne
- Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Shevin T Jacob
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Lewis Rubinson
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Abel Vanderschuren
- Centre de recherche de l'institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jan Hajek
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Srinivas Murthy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Ian Crozier
- Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elhadj Ibrahima
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Donka Hospital, Conakry, Guinea
| | - Marie-Claire Lamah
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Donka Hospital, Conakry, Guinea
| | - John S Schieffelin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - David Brett-Major
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Daniel G Bausch
- Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nikki Shindo
- Department of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tim O'Dempsey
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Michael Jacobs
- Department of Infection, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Stuart Dickson
- Acute Medicine and Intensive Care, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
| | - G Marshall Lyon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert A Fowler
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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11
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Gonzalez MD, Burnham CAD. Can't Touch This! Contamination of Laboratory Equipment with Bloodborne Pathogens. Clin Chem 2016; 62:910-2. [PMID: 27197678 DOI: 10.1373/clinchem.2016.258715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Gonzalez
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
| | - Carey-Ann D Burnham
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO.
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