1
|
Beer E, Chowdhury H, Carroll B, Luintel A, van Tulleken C, Longley N. Advising the immunocompromised traveller: a review of immunocompromise at The London Hospital for Tropical Diseases Travel Clinic between 1st April 2019 and 30th April 2020. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2024; 10:8. [PMID: 38616263 PMCID: PMC11017494 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-024-00217-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunocompromised travellers (ICTs) face greater infectious and non-infectious travel-associated risks than their immunocompetent counterparts. Increasing travel and emergence of novel immunosuppressants poses great challenges for travel medicine practitioners to confidently provide up-to-date evidence-based risk management advice and pre-travel care for ICTs. METHODS We reviewed the records of ICTs attending the London Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) Travel Clinic between 1st April 2019 and 30th April 2020 with the aim to describe demographic and travel characteristics, type, and severity of immunocompromise, the degree of risk associated with intended travel and evaluate travel advice. RESULTS Of the 193 ICTs identified, immunocompromise was due to physiological reasons (42%), chronic infection (17.1%) and immunosuppressive therapy (16.6%). Median age was 38 (range 9 months to 84 years) and male to female ratio 0.75 (83:110). Travel was intended to 80 countries for a median of 16 days (range 2 to 3167), predominantly for leisure (53%), non-medical work (17%) and visiting friends and relatives (12%). Live vaccine safety dominated discussion in the pre-travel consultation. Existing guidelines arguably fell short in dealing with travel risks associated with hyper-specific conditions, targeted immunosuppressants and non-vaccine preventable infections. CONCLUSIONS Our cohort represents a wide spectrum of immunocompromise, for whom we arguably need more measurable ways to approach travel-associated risks. We propose prospective qualitative participatory research to inform our unit of the priorities of ICTs in the pre-travel consultation. We further recommend the formation of a repository of specialists and formulary of complex cases to direct subsequent informative systematic review and prospective risk studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Beer
- University College London Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK.
| | | | | | - Akish Luintel
- University College London Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK
| | | | - Nicky Longley
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospital, London, NW1 2BU, UK
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Freitas IP, Igreja RP, Pacheco MR, Teodósio R. Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding the Vaccination of Brazilian Immigrants in Portugal: Risks When Returning to Their Country of Origin? Trop Med Infect Dis 2024; 9:67. [PMID: 38668528 PMCID: PMC11054978 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9040067] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is one of the main advancements in public health in the prophylaxis of infectious diseases. We intend to describe the general knowledge about vaccines/vaccination among Brazilian immigrants in Portugal, characterize their attitudes toward vaccination, and describe their knowledge of the yellow fever (YF) vaccine. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-completion questionnaire (face-to-face or remote). A total of 542 people participated in the study; the mean age was 36.81 years; 40.1% were male; 44.8% had their 12th year of schooling; and 27.0% had resided for ≥10 years in Portugal. Regarding general knowledge about vaccination, 53.8% answered at least 6/8 questions correctly. A total of 37.1% tended to have a favorable attitude toward vaccination. Concerning traveling, 76.7% attributed the risk of disease at the destination as the main reason for accepting vaccines. A total of 89.3% knew that there was a risk of YF in Brazil. A total of 40% answered correctly only one question about the YF vaccine; 21.6% did not answer any questions correctly. Thus, most of the Brazilian immigrants in this study have high general knowledge about vaccines/vaccination, few have a favorable attitude, and their knowledge about the YF vaccine is scarce. This could limit vaccination adherence when visiting Brazil, making health education actions necessary to increase knowledge and prevent YF risks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Itamar P. Freitas
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (I.P.F.); (R.T.)
| | - Ricardo P. Igreja
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro 21941-617, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Raquel Pacheco
- Associação para o Desenvolvimento da Medicina Tropical, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rosa Teodósio
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal; (I.P.F.); (R.T.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM), Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Steffen R, Chen LH, Leggat PA. Travel vaccines-priorities determined by incidence and impact. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad085. [PMID: 37341307 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infectious disease epidemiology is continuously shifting. While travel has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and travel-related epidemiological research experienced a pause, further shifts in vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) relevant for travellers have occurred. METHODS We conducted a literature search on the epidemiology of travel-related VPD and synthesized data for each disease with a focus on symptomatic cases and on the impact of the respective infection among travellers, considering the hospitalization rate, disease sequela and case fatality rate. We present new data and revised best estimates on the burden of VPD relevant for decisions on priorities in travel vaccines. RESULTS COVID-19 has emerged to be a top travel-related risk and influenza remains high in the ranking with an estimated incidence at 1% per month of travel. Dengue is another commonly encountered infection among international travellers with estimated monthly incidence of 0.5-0.8% among non-immune exposed travellers; the hospitalized proportion was 10 and 22%, respectively, according to two recent publications. With recent yellow fever outbreaks particularly in Brazil, its estimated monthly incidence has risen to >0.1%. Meanwhile, improvements in hygiene and sanitation have led to some decrease in foodborne illnesses; however, hepatitis A monthly incidence remains substantial in most developing regions (0.001-0.01%) and typhoid remains particularly high in South Asia (>0.01%). Mpox, a newly emerged disease that demonstrated worldwide spread through mass gathering and travel, cannot be quantified regarding its travel-related risk. CONCLUSION The data summarized may provide a tool for travel health professionals to prioritize preventive strategies for their clients against VPD. Updated assessments on incidence and impact are ever more important since new vaccines with travel indications (e.g. dengue) have been licensed or are undergoing regulatory review.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, Department of Public and Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Zurich 8001, Switzerland
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter A Leggat
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2193, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hills SL, Wong JM, Staples JE. Arboviral vaccines for use in pregnant travelers. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 55:102624. [PMID: 37517630 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102624] [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: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women traveling abroad can be exposed to a variety of arboviruses, primarily spread by mosquitoes or ticks. Some arboviral infections can be of particular concern for pregnant women or their fetuses. Vaccination is one preventive measure that can reduce the risk for infection. Several arboviral vaccines have been licensed for many years and can be used to prevent infection in travelers, namely Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, and tick-borne encephalitis vaccines. Recommendations on use of these vaccines in pregnancy vary. Other arboviral vaccines have been licensed but are not indicated for use in pregnant travelers (e.g., dengue vaccines) or are in development (e.g., chikungunya, Zika vaccines). This review describes arboviral vaccines for travelers, focusing on women who are pregnant and those planning travel during pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S L Hills
- Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
| | - J M Wong
- Dengue Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - J E Staples
- Arboviral Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hale GL. Flaviviruses and the Traveler: Around the World and to Your Stage. A Review of West Nile, Yellow Fever, Dengue, and Zika Viruses for the Practicing Pathologist. Mod Pathol 2023; 36:100188. [PMID: 37059228 DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2023.100188] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Flaviviruses are a genus of single-stranded RNA viruses that impose an important and growing burden to human health. There are over 3 billion individuals living in areas where flaviviruses are endemic. Flaviviruses and their arthropod vectors (which include mosquitoes and ticks) take advantage of global travel to expand their distribution and cause severe disease in humans, and they can be grouped according to their vector and pathogenicity. The mosquito-borne flaviviruses cause a spectrum of diseases from encephalitis to hepatitis and vascular shock syndrome, congenital abnormalities, and fetal death. Neurotropic infections such as Zika virus and West Nile virus cross the blood-brain barrier and infect neurons and other cells, leading to meningoencephalitis. In the hemorrhagic fever clade, there are yellow fever virus, the prototypical hemorrhagic fever virus that infects hepatocytes, and dengue virus, which infects cells of the reticuloendothelial system and can lead to a dramatic plasma cell leakage and shock syndrome. Zika virus also causes congenital infections and fetal death and is the first and only example of a teratogenic arbovirus in humans. Diagnostic testing for flaviviruses broadly includes the detection of viral RNA in serum (particularly within the first 10 days of symptoms), viral isolation by cell culture (rarely performed due to complexity and biosafety concerns), and histopathologic evaluation with immunohistochemistry and molecular testing on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks. This review focuses on 4 mosquito-borne flaviviruses-West Nile, yellow fever, dengue, and Zika virus-and discusses the mechanisms of transmission, the role of travel in geographic distribution and epidemic emergence, and the clinical and histopathologic features of each. Finally, prevention strategies such as vector control and vaccination are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gillian L Hale
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Oliosi E, Serero Corcos C, Barroso PF, Bleibtreu A, Grard G, De Filippis BAM, Caumes E. Yellow fever in two unvaccinated French tourists to Brazil, January and March, 2018. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 29845927 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.21.1800240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We report two yellow fever cases in unvaccinated French travellers in Brazil in January and March 2018, respectively; one exposed during an excursion in Minas Gerais and the other in Ilha Grande. Both presented with fever, hepatitis, thrombocytopenia and leucopenia. Yellow fever diagnosis was based on RT-PCR and serological tests. Both patients recovered within a few days. The increasing occurrence of cases in unvaccinated travellers highlights the need to reinforce vaccination recommendation for travellers at-risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Oliosi
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Alexandre Bleibtreu
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Gilda Grard
- Centre national de référence des arbovirus, HIA Laveran, Marseille, France
| | | | - Eric Caumes
- Département des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gallego V, Berberian G, Siu H, Verbanaz S, Rodríguez-Morales AJ, Gautret P, Schlagenhauf P, Lloveras S. The 2019 Pan American games: Communicable disease risks and travel medicine advice for visitors to Peru - Recommendations from the Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI). Travel Med Infect Dis 2019; 30:19-24. [PMID: 31238107 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The next Pan American Games will be held in Peru in the period July-August 2019. Around 6680 participants from 41 countries are expected to take part in the event. There will be a total of 62 sport disciplines. This event poses specific challenges, given its size and the diversity of attendees. Such gatherings also have potential for the transmission of imported or endemic communicable diseases, including measles in view of the global outbreak situation, but also tropical endemic diseases. In anticipation of increased travel, a panel of experts from the Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI) developed the current recommendations taking into consideration the epidemiology and risks of the main communicable diseases at potential destinations in Peru, recommended immunizations and other preventives measures. These recommendations can be used as a basis for advice for travelers and travel medicine practitioners. Mosquito-borne infections also pose a challenge. Although Lima is malaria free, travelers visiting Peruvian high-risk areas for malaria should be assessed regarding the need for chemoprophylaxis. Advice on the correct timing and use of repellents and other personal protection measures is key to preventing vector-borne infections. Other important recommendations for travelers should focus on preventing water- and food-borne diseases including travelers' diarrhea. This paper addresses pre-travel, preventive strategies to reduce the risk of acquiring communicable diseases during the Pan American Games and also reviews the spectrum of endemic infections in Lima and Peru to facilitate the recognition and management of infectious diseases in travelers returning to their countries of origin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Gallego
- Panel of Sports and Travel, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Griselda Berberian
- Panel of Sports and Travel, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hugo Siu
- Panel of Sports and Travel, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Lima, Peru
| | - Sergio Verbanaz
- Panel of Sports and Travel, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alfonso J Rodríguez-Morales
- Panel of Scientific Publications and Teaching, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Pereira, Colombia; Public Health and Infection Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.
| | - Philippe Gautret
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Patricia Schlagenhauf
- University of Zürich Centre for Travel Medicine, Institute for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Susana Lloveras
- Panel of Sports and Travel, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Panel of Scientific Publications and Teaching, Latin American Society for Travel Medicine (SLAMVI), Pereira, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vieira V, Pacheco L, Demetrio L, Balbi E, Bellinha T, Toledo R, Auler L, Halpern M, Pinto L, Guaraldi B, Victor L, Bigi J, Carius L, Roma J. Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure due to Yellow Fever: A Case Report. Transplant Proc 2019; 51:1625-1628. [DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2019.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
9
|
Hamer DH, Angelo K, Caumes E, van Genderen PJ, Florescu SA, Popescu CP, Perret C, McBride A, Checkley A, Ryan J, Cetron M, Schlagenhauf P. Fatal Yellow Fever in Travelers to Brazil, 2018. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2018; 67:340-341. [PMID: 29565840 PMCID: PMC5868208 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6711e1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
10
|
Lindsey NP, Horiuchi KA, Fulton C, Panella AJ, Kosoy OI, Velez JO, Krow-Lucal ER, Fischer M, Staples JE. Persistence of yellow fever virus-specific neutralizing antibodies after vaccination among US travellers. J Travel Med 2018; 25:5139702. [PMID: 30346562 PMCID: PMC7135922 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have assessed the duration of humoral immunity following yellow fever (YF) vaccination in a non-endemic population. We evaluated seropositivity among US resident travellers based on time post-vaccination. METHODS We identified serum samples from US travellers with YF virus-specific plaque reduction neutralization testing (PRNT) performed at CDC from 1988 to 2016. Analyses were conducted to assess the effect of time since vaccination on neutralizing antibody titer counts. RESULTS Among 234 travellers who had neutralizing antibody testing performed on a specimen obtained ≥1 month after vaccination, 13 received multiple YF vaccinations and 221 had one dose of YF vaccine reported. All 13 who received more than one dose of YF vaccine had a positive PRNT regardless of the amount time since most recent vaccination. Among the 221 travellers with one reported dose of YF vaccine, 155 (70%) were vaccinated within 10 years (range 1 month-9 years) and 66 (30%) were vaccinated ≥10 years (range 10-53 years) prior to serum collection. Among the 155 individuals vaccinated, <10 years prior to serum collection, 146 (94%) had a positive PRNT compared with 82% (54/66) of individuals vaccinated ≥10 years prior to serum collection (P = 0.01). Post-vaccination PRNT titers showed a time-dependent decrease. Individuals with immunocompromising conditions were less likely to have a positive PRNT (77%) compared with those who were not immunocompromised (92%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Although the percentage of vaccinees with a positive PRNT and antibody titers decreased over time, a single dose of YF vaccine provided long-lasting protection in the majority of US travellers. A booster dose could be considered for certain travellers who are planning travel to a high risk area based on immune competence and time since vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole P Lindsey
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Kalanthe A Horiuchi
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Corey Fulton
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Amanda J Panella
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Olga I Kosoy
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jason O Velez
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Krow-Lucal
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Marc Fischer
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - J Erin Staples
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|