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Taylor-Salmon E, Hill V, Paul LM, Koch RT, Breban MI, Chaguza C, Sodeinde A, Warren JL, Bunch S, Cano N, Cone M, Eysoldt S, Garcia A, Gilles N, Hagy A, Heberlein L, Jaber R, Kassens E, Colarusso P, Davis A, Baudin S, Rico E, Mejía-Echeverri Á, Scott B, Stanek D, Zimler R, Muñoz-Jordán JL, Santiago GA, Adams LE, Paz-Bailey G, Spillane M, Katebi V, Paulino-Ramírez R, Mueses S, Peguero A, Sánchez N, Norman FF, Galán JC, Huits R, Hamer DH, Vogels CBF, Morrison A, Michael SF, Grubaugh ND. Travel surveillance uncovers dengue virus dynamics and introductions in the Caribbean. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3508. [PMID: 38664380 PMCID: PMC11045810 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47774-8] [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] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans, and cases are continuing to rise globally. In particular, islands in the Caribbean have experienced more frequent outbreaks, and all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes have been reported in the region, leading to hyperendemicity and increased rates of severe disease. However, there is significant variability regarding virus surveillance and reporting between islands, making it difficult to obtain an accurate understanding of the epidemiological patterns in the Caribbean. To investigate this, we used travel surveillance and genomic epidemiology to reconstruct outbreak dynamics, DENV serotype turnover, and patterns of spread within the region from 2009-2022. We uncovered two recent DENV-3 introductions from Asia, one of which resulted in a large outbreak in Cuba, which was previously under-reported. We also show that while outbreaks can be synchronized between islands, they are often caused by different serotypes. Our study highlights the importance of surveillance of infected travelers to provide a snapshot of local introductions and transmission in areas with limited local surveillance and suggests that the recent DENV-3 introductions may pose a major public health threat in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Taylor-Salmon
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Verity Hill
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lauren M Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA
| | - Robert T Koch
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mallery I Breban
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chrispin Chaguza
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Afeez Sodeinde
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joshua L Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sylvia Bunch
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Natalia Cano
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Marshall Cone
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sarah Eysoldt
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Alezaundra Garcia
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nicadia Gilles
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Hagy
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Lea Heberlein
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Rayah Jaber
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Elizabeth Kassens
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Pamela Colarusso
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Amanda Davis
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Samantha Baudin
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Edhelene Rico
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Blake Scott
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Danielle Stanek
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca Zimler
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Jorge L Muñoz-Jordán
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Gilberto A Santiago
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Laura E Adams
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Gabriela Paz-Bailey
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Melanie Spillane
- Office of Data, Analytics, and Technology, Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Volha Katebi
- Office of Data, Analytics, and Technology, Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert Paulino-Ramírez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Sayira Mueses
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Armando Peguero
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Nelissa Sánchez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Galán
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Davidson H Hamer
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Policy and Research, Boston University, and National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chantal B F Vogels
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrea Morrison
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
| | - Scott F Michael
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA.
| | - Nathan D Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Otiti-Sengeri J, Sube KLL, Siewe Fodjo JN, Otabil KB, Colebunders R. Chorioretinitis among Immigrant and Travellers. Comment on Mansour et al. Presumed Onchocerciasis Chorioretinitis Spilling over into North America, Europe and Middle East. Diagnostics 2023, 13, 3626. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:478. [PMID: 38472950 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14050478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
We read, with interest, the paper by Mansour et al [...].
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kenneth Bentum Otabil
- Department of Biological Science, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana
| | - Robert Colebunders
- Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
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Kuna A, Olszański R, Wroczyńska A, Biernat B, Sikorska K. Beach volleyball and Cutaneous Larva Migrans. J Travel Med 2024; 31:taad087. [PMID: 37369007 PMCID: PMC10823481 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous larva migrans can affect even athletes who travelled to play beach volleyball in Zanzibar. We describe a cluster of CLM infections in travellers who contracted the disease during their trip to Africa, rather than bringing a volleyball trophy. Despite presenting typical changes, all of them were misdiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kuna
- Department of Tropical and Parasitic Diseases, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
| | | | | | - Beata Biernat
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk
| | - Katarzyna Sikorska
- Division of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, Poland
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4
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Potin M, Carron PN, Genton B. Injuries and medical emergencies among international travellers. J Travel Med 2024; 31:taad088. [PMID: 37405992 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tropical infectious diseases and vaccine-preventable emergencies are the mainstay of pre-travel consultations. However, non-communicable diseases, injuries and accidents that occur during travel are not emphasized enough in these settings. METHODS We performed a narrative review based on a literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, DynaMed and LiSSa and on reference textbooks and medical journals dedicated to travel, emergency and wilderness medicine. Relevant secondary references were extracted. We also aimed to discuss newer or neglected issues, such as medical tourism, Coronavirus Disease 2019, exacerbations of co-morbidities associated with international travel, insurance coverage, health care seeking abroad, medical evacuation or repatriation and tips for different types of travellers' emergency medical kits (personal, group, physician handled). RESULTS All sources reviewed led to the selection of >170 references. Among epidemiological data on morbidity and deaths while abroad, only retrospective data are available. Deaths are estimated to occur in 1 in 100 000 travellers, with 40% caused by trauma and 60% by diseases, and <3% linked to infectious diseases. Trauma and other injuries acquired during travel, such as traffic accidents and drowning, can be reduced by up to 85% with simple preventive recommendations such as avoiding simultaneous alcohol intake. In-flight emergencies occur on 1 in 604 flights on average. Thrombosis risk is two to three times greater for travellers than for non-travellers. Fever during or after travel can occur in 2-4% of travellers, but in up to 25-30% in tertiary centres. Traveller's diarrhoea, although rarely severe, is the most common disease associated with travel. Autochthonous emergencies (acute appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, dental abscess) can also occur. CONCLUSIONS Pre-travel medicine encounters must include the topic of injuries and medical emergencies, such as the risk-taking behaviours and foster better planning in a comprehensive approach along with vaccines and infectious diseases advices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Potin
- ISTM CTH (Certificate of Travel Health), Chemin des Croix-Rouges 12, Lausanne CH-1007, Switzerland
| | - Pierre-Nicolas Carron
- Emergency Department, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne CH-1011, Switzerland
| | - Blaise Genton
- Policlinic of Tropical, Travel Medicine and Vaccination, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Unisanté, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 44, Lausanne CH-1011, Switzerland
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5
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Taylor-Salmon E, Hill V, Paul LM, Koch RT, Breban MI, Chaguza C, Sodeinde A, Warren JL, Bunch S, Cano N, Cone M, Eysoldt S, Garcia A, Gilles N, Hagy A, Heberlein L, Jaber R, Kassens E, Colarusso P, Davis A, Baudin S, Rico E, Mejía-Echeverri Á, Scott B, Stanek D, Zimler R, Muñoz-Jordán JL, Santiago GA, Adams LE, Paz-Bailey G, Spillane M, Katebi V, Paulino-Ramírez R, Mueses S, Peguero A, Sánchez N, Norman FF, Galán JC, Huits R, Hamer DH, Vogels CB, Morrison A, Michael SF, Grubaugh ND. Travel surveillance uncovers dengue virus dynamics and introductions in the Caribbean. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.11.11.23298412. [PMID: 37986857 PMCID: PMC10659465 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.11.23298412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne viral disease in humans, and cases are continuing to rise globally. In particular, islands in the Caribbean have experienced more frequent outbreaks, and all four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes have been reported in the region, leading to hyperendemicity and increased rates of severe disease. However, there is significant variability regarding virus surveillance and reporting between islands, making it difficult to obtain an accurate understanding of the epidemiological patterns in the Caribbean. To investigate this, we used travel surveillance and genomic epidemiology to reconstruct outbreak dynamics, DENV serotype turnover, and patterns of spread within the region from 2009-2022. We uncovered two recent DENV-3 introductions from Asia, one of which resulted in a large outbreak in Cuba, which was previously under-reported. We also show that while outbreaks can be synchronized between islands, they are often caused by different serotypes. Our study highlights the importance of surveillance of infected travelers to provide a snapshot of local introductions and transmission in areas with limited local surveillance and suggests that the recent DENV-3 introductions may pose a major public health threat in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Taylor-Salmon
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Verity Hill
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Lauren M. Paul
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America
| | - Robert T. Koch
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Mallery I. Breban
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Chrispin Chaguza
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Afeez Sodeinde
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Joshua L. Warren
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sylvia Bunch
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Natalia Cano
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Marshall Cone
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Sarah Eysoldt
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Alezaundra Garcia
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nicadia Gilles
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Andrew Hagy
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Lea Heberlein
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Rayah Jaber
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Kassens
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Pamela Colarusso
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Amanda Davis
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, Florida, United States of America
| | - Samantha Baudin
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Edhelene Rico
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Álvaro Mejía-Echeverri
- Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Blake Scott
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Danielle Stanek
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Zimler
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Jorge L. Muñoz-Jordán
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Gilberto A. Santiago
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Laura E. Adams
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Gabriela Paz-Bailey
- Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Melanie Spillane
- Office of Data, Analytics, and Technology, Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Volha Katebi
- Office of Data, Analytics, and Technology, Division of Global Migration Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Robert Paulino-Ramírez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Sayira Mueses
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Armando Peguero
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Nelissa Sánchez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical & Salud Global, Universidad Iberoamericana, UNIBE Research Hub, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Francesca F. Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, IRYCIS, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan-Carlos Galán
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), CIBER de Epidemiologia y Salud Publica (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Infectious Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Davidson H. Hamer
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Section of Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine, Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Policy and Research, Boston University, and National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratory, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chantal B.F. Vogels
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Andrea Morrison
- Bureau of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Scott F. Michael
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nathan D. Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Public Health Modeling Unit, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Rolfe RJ, Ryan ET, LaRocque RC. Travel Medicine. Ann Intern Med 2023; 176:ITC129-ITC144. [PMID: 37696033 DOI: 10.7326/aitc202309190] [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] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
International travel can cause new illness or exacerbate existing conditions. Because primary care providers are frequent sources of health advice to travelers, they should be familiar with destination-specific disease risks, be knowledgeable about travel and routine vaccines, be prepared to prescribe chemoprophylaxis and self-treatment regimens, and be aware of travel medicine resources. Primary care providers should recognize travelers who would benefit from referral to a specialized travel clinic for evaluation. Those requiring yellow fever vaccination, immunocompromised hosts, pregnant persons, persons with multiple comorbid conditions, or travelers with complex itineraries may warrant specialty referral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Rolfe
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina (R.J.R.)
| | - Edward T Ryan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (E.T.R., R.C.L.)
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7
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García-Marín NM, Marrero GA, Guerra-Neira A, Rivera-Deán A. Profiles of travelers to intermediate-high health risk areas following the reopening of borders in the COVID-19 crisis: A clustering approach. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 54:102607. [PMID: 37353065 PMCID: PMC10284617 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102607] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reactivation of international travel in 2021 has created a new scenario in which the profile of the traveler to medium-high health risk areas may well have changed. However, few studies have analyzed this new profile since the reopening of borders in that year. METHODS We designed an ad hoc questionnaire that was administered face-to-face by our medical team during appointments with 330 travelers in the second half of 2021. Information was collected on the following topics: sociodemographic and socioeconomic status; type of travel and previous travel experience; health status and risk perception (of COVID-19 and tropical infectious diseases). Using all features simultaneously, an unsupervised machine learning approach (k-means) is implemented to characterize groups of travelers. Pairwise chi-squared tests were performed to identify key features that showed statistically significant differences between clusters. RESULTS The travelers were clustered into seven groups. We associated the clusters with different intensities of perceived risk of acquiring COVID-19 and tropical infectious diseases on the trip. The perceived risk of both diseases was low in the group "middle or lower middle class young inexperienced male tourist" but high in the group "middle or lower middle-class young with children inexperienced business traveler". CONCLUSIONS Broadening our knowledge of the profiles of travelers to intermediate-high health risk areas would help to tailor the health advice provided by practitioners to their characteristics and type of travel. In a changing health context, the k-means approach supposes a flexible statistical method that calculates travelers' profiles and can be easily adapted to process new information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidia M García-Marín
- International Vaccination Center at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spanish Ministry of Health, Spain; University of La Laguna, Research Center of Social Inequality and Governance (CEDESOG), Spain
| | - Gustavo A Marrero
- University of La Laguna, Department of Economics, Spain; University of La Laguna, Research Center of Social Inequality and Governance (CEDESOG), Spain; University of La Laguna, IUDR, Spain.
| | - Ana Guerra-Neira
- International Vaccination Center at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spanish Ministry of Health, Spain; University of La Laguna, Research Center of Social Inequality and Governance (CEDESOG), Spain
| | - Almudena Rivera-Deán
- International Vaccination Center at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spanish Ministry of Health, Spain; University of La Laguna, Research Center of Social Inequality and Governance (CEDESOG), Spain
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8
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Brown AB, Miller C, Hamer DH, Kozarsky P, Libman M, Huits R, Rizwan A, Emetulu H, Waggoner J, Chen LH, Leung DT, Bourque D, Connor BA, Licitra C, Angelo KM. Travel-Related Diagnoses Among U.S. Nonmigrant Travelers or Migrants Presenting to U.S. GeoSentinel Sites - GeoSentinel Network, 2012-2021. MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT. SURVEILLANCE SUMMARIES (WASHINGTON, D.C. : 2002) 2023; 72:1-22. [PMID: 37368820 PMCID: PMC10332343 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.ss7207a1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Problem/Condition During 2012-2021, the volume of international travel reached record highs and lows. This period also was marked by the emergence or large outbreaks of multiple infectious diseases (e.g., Zika virus, yellow fever, and COVID-19). Over time, the growing ease and increased frequency of travel has resulted in the unprecedented global spread of infectious diseases. Detecting infectious diseases and other diagnoses among travelers can serve as sentinel surveillance for new or emerging pathogens and provide information to improve case identification, clinical management, and public health prevention and response. Reporting Period 2012-2021. Description of System Established in 1995, the GeoSentinel Network (GeoSentinel), a collaboration between CDC and the International Society of Travel Medicine, is a global, clinical-care-based surveillance and research network of travel and tropical medicine sites that monitors infectious diseases and other adverse health events that affect international travelers. GeoSentinel comprises 71 sites in 29 countries where clinicians diagnose illnesses and collect demographic, clinical, and travel-related information about diseases and illnesses acquired during travel using a standardized report form. Data are collected electronically via a secure CDC database, and daily reports are generated for assistance in detecting sentinel events (i.e., unusual patterns or clusters of disease). GeoSentinel sites collaborate to report disease or population-specific findings through retrospective database analyses and the collection of supplemental data to fill specific knowledge gaps. GeoSentinel also serves as a communications network by using internal notifications, ProMed alerts, and peer-reviewed publications to alert clinicians and public health professionals about global outbreaks and events that might affect travelers. This report summarizes data from 20 U.S. GeoSentinel sites and reports on the detection of three worldwide events that demonstrate GeoSentinel's notification capability. Results During 2012-2021, data were collected by all GeoSentinel sites on approximately 200,000 patients who had approximately 244,000 confirmed or probable travel-related diagnoses. Twenty GeoSentinel sites from the United States contributed records during the 10-year surveillance period, submitting data on 18,336 patients, of which 17,389 lived in the United States and were evaluated by a clinician at a U.S. site after travel. Of those patients, 7,530 (43.3%) were recent migrants to the United States, and 9,859 (56.7%) were returning nonmigrant travelers.Among the recent migrants to the United States, the median age was 28.5 years (range = <19 years to 93 years); 47.3% were female, and 6.0% were U.S. citizens. A majority (89.8%) were seen as outpatients, and among 4,672 migrants with information available, 4,148 (88.8%) did not receive pretravel health information. Of 13,986 diagnoses among migrants, the most frequent were vitamin D deficiency (20.2%), Blastocystis (10.9%), and latent tuberculosis (10.3%). Malaria was diagnosed in 54 (<1%) migrants. Of the 26 migrants diagnosed with malaria for whom pretravel information was known, 88.5% did not receive pretravel health information. Before November 16, 2018, patients' reasons for travel, exposure country, and exposure region were not linked to an individual diagnosis. Thus, results of these data from January 1, 2012, to November 15, 2018 (early period), and from November 16, 2018, to December 31, 2021 (later period), are reported separately. During the early and later periods, the most frequent regions of exposure were Sub-Saharan Africa (22.7% and 26.2%, respectively), the Caribbean (21.3% and 8.4%, respectively), Central America (13.4% and 27.6%, respectively), and South East Asia (13.1% and 16.9%, respectively). Migrants with diagnosed malaria were most frequently exposed in Sub-Saharan Africa (89.3% and 100%, respectively).Among nonmigrant travelers returning to the United States, the median age was 37 years (range = <19 years to 96 years); 55.7% were female, 75.3% were born in the United States, and 89.4% were U.S. citizens. A majority (90.6%) were seen as outpatients, and of 8,967 nonmigrant travelers with available information, 5,878 (65.6%) did not receive pretravel health information. Of 11,987 diagnoses, the most frequent were related to the gastrointestinal system (5,173; 43.2%). The most frequent diagnoses among nonmigrant travelers were acute diarrhea (16.9%), viral syndrome (4.9%), and irritable bowel syndrome (4.1%).Malaria was diagnosed in 421 (3.5%) nonmigrant travelers. During the early (January 1, 2012, to November 15, 2018) and later (November 16, 2018, to December 31, 2021) periods, the most frequent reasons for travel among nonmigrant travelers were tourism (44.8% and 53.6%, respectively), travelers visiting friends and relatives (VFRs) (22.0% and 21.4%, respectively), business (13.4% and 12.3%, respectively), and missionary or humanitarian aid (13.1% and 6.2%, respectively). The most frequent regions of exposure for any diagnosis among nonmigrant travelers during the early and later period were Central America (19.2% and 17.3%, respectively), Sub-Saharan Africa (17.7% and 25.5%, respectively), the Caribbean (13.0% and 10.9%, respectively), and South East Asia (10.4% and 11.2%, respectively).Nonmigrant travelers who had malaria diagnosed were most frequently exposed in Sub-Saharan Africa (88.6% and 95.9% during the early and later period, respectively) and VFRs (70.3% and 57.9%, respectively). Among VFRs with malaria, a majority did not receive pretravel health information (70.2% and 83.3%, respectively) or take malaria chemoprophylaxis (88.3% and 100%, respectively). Interpretation Among ill U.S. travelers evaluated at U.S. GeoSentinel sites after travel, the majority were nonmigrant travelers who most frequently received a gastrointestinal disease diagnosis, implying that persons from the United States traveling internationally might be exposed to contaminated food and water. Migrants most frequently received diagnoses of conditions such as vitamin D deficiency and latent tuberculosis, which might result from adverse circumstances before and during migration (e.g., malnutrition and food insecurity, limited access to adequate sanitation and hygiene, and crowded housing,). Malaria was diagnosed in both migrants and nonmigrant travelers, and only a limited number reported taking malaria chemoprophylaxis, which might be attributed to both barriers to acquiring pretravel health care (especially for VFRs) and lack of prevention practices (e.g., insect repellant use) during travel. The number of ill travelers evaluated by U.S. GeoSentinel sites after travel decreased in 2020 and 2021 compared with previous years because of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions. GeoSentinel detected limited cases of COVID-19 and did not detect any sentinel cases early in the pandemic because of the lack of global diagnostic testing capacity. Public Health Action The findings in this report describe the scope of health-related conditions that migrants and returning nonmigrant travelers to the United States acquired, illustrating risk for acquiring illnesses during travel. In addition, certain travelers do not seek pretravel health care, even when traveling to areas in which high-risk, preventable diseases are endemic. Health care professionals can aid international travelers by providing evaluations and destination-specific advice.Health care professionals should both foster trust and enhance pretravel prevention messaging for VFRs, a group known to have a higher incidence of serious diseases after travel (e.g., malaria and enteric fever). Health care professionals should continue to advocate for medical care in underserved populations (e.g., VFRs and migrants) to prevent disease progression, reactivation, and potential spread to and within vulnerable populations. Because both travel and infectious diseases evolve, public health professionals should explore ways to enhance the detection of emerging diseases that might not be captured by current surveillance systems that are not site based.
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Itzkowitz E, Alpert EA, Farojeh AZ, Zimmerman DR, Schwartz E, Lachish T. Morbidity of Returning Travelers Seen in Community Urgent Care Centers throughout Israel. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:319. [PMID: 37368737 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8060319] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Information regarding post-travel morbidity is usually reported via dedicated post-travel clinics and mainly relates to travelers returning from low-middle-income countries (LMIC), however, the spectrum of morbidity seen within the community setting is scarcely reported. This prospective observational study among visitors to 17 community Urgent Care Centers (UCC) was designed to evaluate the reasons for post-travel community clinic visits and to compare travelers returning from LMIC to high-income countries (HIC). All visitors within one-month post-travel to all destinations were included. A total of 1580 post-travel visits were analyzed during 25 months. Travelers to LMICs were younger (mean 36.8 years old vs. 41.4 in the HIC group) and stayed longer periods abroad (30.1 ± 41.2 vs. 10.0 ± 10.6 in the HIC group) but more of them had pre-travel vaccines (35.5% vs. 6.6%). Travel-related morbidity was significantly more common in the LMIC group 58.3% (253/434) vs. 34.1% (391/1146) in the HIC group, (p < 0.001). Acute diarrhea was the leading cause of morbidity after visiting LMIC (28.8%) and was significantly more common than in the HIC (6.6%, p < 0.001). Other common morbidities in the LMIC cohort were respiratory (23.3%), cutaneous (15.8%), and injuries (9.9%). In the HIC group, the common morbidities were respiratory (37.3%), and diarrhea composed only 6.6% of the complaints. Our study group represents a less biased sample of travelers to LMIC as well as HIC, therefore, data from the UCC setting and at the specialized travel clinics complete each other in understanding the true extent of morbidity in travelers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyal Itzkowitz
- Nephrology Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
| | - Evan A Alpert
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel
| | | | - Deena R Zimmerman
- TEREM Urgent Care Centers, Jerusalem 9439029, Israel
- Maternal Child and Adolescent Department, Public Health Division, Israel Ministry of Health, Jerusalem 9446724, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5262000, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tamar Lachish
- Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9101001, Israel
- The Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem 9103102, Israel
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Mashru JS, Bogoch II. Murine typhus in returned travelers to Toronto, Canada. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 53:102587. [PMID: 37164110 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jai S Mashru
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Isaac I Bogoch
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada.
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Wellington T, Fraser JA, Kuo HC, Hickey PW, Lindholm DA. The Burden of Arboviral Infections in the Military Health System 2012-2019. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 108:1007-1013. [PMID: 37037439 PMCID: PMC10160904 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0684] [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: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Arboviral infections, including dengue (DNV), chikungunya (CHIKV), and Zika (ZIKV), impact both travelers and native populations of endemic regions. We sought to assess the disease burden of arboviral infections in the Military Health System, the validity of arboviral diagnostic codes, and the role of pretravel counseling on insect avoidance precautions. We searched for diagnostic codes consistent with arboviral infection and grouped them into DNV, CHIKV, ZIKV, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and Other. Demographic data were evaluated. A subset of charts in each category were reviewed for diagnostic validity and travel characteristics. In all, 10,547 unique subjects carried 17,135 arboviral diagnostic codes, including 1,606 subjects (15.2%) coded for DNV, 230 (2.2%) for ZIKV, 65 (0.6%) for CHIKV, and 4,317 (40.9%) for JEV. A chart review was performed on 807 outpatient charts, yielding outpatient diagnostic code positive predictive values of 60.5% (DNV), 15.3% (ZIKV), and 64.5% (CHIKV); there were no valid cases of JEV. Dengue represented the greatest burden of arboviral infections with 2.2 cases per 100,000 military healthcare enrollees over the 2012-2019 fiscal years. More than 80% of subjects with arboviral infection did not have documented pretravel counseling. Arboviral infections represent a significant disease burden in young travelers to endemic regions. After adjustment for diagnostic validity, DNV represented the greatest burden. Diagnostic codes for ZIKV and JEV overestimate the burden of these diseases. Low rates of pretravel visits represent an opportunity for increased emphasis on insect exposure precautions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Wellington
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Clinical Trials Center, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland
- 1 Area Medical Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland
| | - Jamie A. Fraser
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Huai-Ching Kuo
- Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Patrick W. Hickey
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - David A. Lindholm
- Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
- Infectious Disease Service, Department of Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
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Kölsch Y, Phiri BSJ, Küpper T. Tropical infections as occupational diseases among young volunteers in social projects. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 250:114164. [PMID: 37030087 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114164] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The trend of volunteering overseas has increased tremendously over the last decade. Volunteers often go to regions where they are exposed to the risk of tropical infections like malaria, dengue, typhoid fever and schistosomiasis. Health assessments have shown a high occurrence of tropical infections among young volunteers. Such tropical infections are notifiable in Germany, as they are covered by a separate branch of the social insurance system. However, there is still limited data on systematical improvement of medical prevention and health care for volunteers. METHODS This retrospective study included 457 cases with a diagnosis for a tropical infection or typhoid fever from January 2016 to December 2019. Data sets were anonymised and then analysed with descriptive statistics first. Cases of volunteers sent abroad by "Weltwärts" were compared to cases of aid workers sent to non-industrial countries. RESULTS A high occurrence of tropical infections as occupational diseases has been shown for volunteers compared to other (mostly older) aid workers being sent to tropical regions. The risk of acquiring a tropical infection was significantly higher in Africa compared to other tropical regions. Cases of malaria were reported significantly more often among the group of volunteers than among aid workers during the period under review. Medical check-ups after travel were rare among volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Data imply a disproportionate risk for malaria in Africa with a higher risk of acquiring malaria tropica in Sub-Saharan regions. Region-specific risks need to be addressed in training seminars in order to raise awareness among young volunteers before travel. Medical examinations after travel should be mandatory and specific to a particular region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Kölsch
- Institute for Occupational, Social & Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Bruno S J Phiri
- Central Veterinary Research Institute (CVRI), Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, P.O. Box 33980, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Thomas Küpper
- Institute for Occupational, Social & Environmental Medicine, RWTH Aachen Technical University, Aachen, Germany.
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Schawaller M, Wiemer D, Hagen RM, Frickmann H. Infectious diseases in German military personnel after predominantly tropical deployments: a retrospective assessment over 13 years. BMJ Mil Health 2023; 169:146-151. [PMID: 33257519 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Military deployments to the tropics are associated with specific infection risks. To add to the available epidemiological information, infectious disease risks in German military personnel returning from predominantly tropical deployments were assessed. METHODS Since 2006, German soldiers returning from predominantly tropical deployments have been offered the opportunity of returnee screenings at the Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases of the Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg. Case files and diagnostic results recorded between 2006 and 2018 were retrospectively assessed to identify deployment-associated infectious disease risks. RESULTS Along with high enteric colonisation rates with apathogenic protozoa and resistant Enterobacteriaceae, direct or indirect proof of infections among the 764 assessed cases comprised Plasmodium spp (n=37), Giardia duodenalis (n=21), Schistosoma spp (n=14), Yersinia enterocolitica (n=5), Strongyloides stercoralis (n=3), Campylobacter jejuni (n=1), Leishmania spp (n=1) and Salmonella enterica (n=1), as well as latent infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (n=8). The infections were mainly imported from the African region and Eastern Mediterranean region and high proportions of cases lacked typical symptoms. Reported side effect rates of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis for mefloquine (n=121), atovaquone/proguanil (n=49) and doxycycline (n=6) were 36.3%, 19.3% and 11.8%, respectively, while non-compliance rates were 12.9%, 13.0% and 5.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Considerable rates of infections with sometimes atypical or absent symptoms confirm a need for returnee screenings after tropical deployments. High reported side effect rates for mefloquine support its replacement by atovaquone/proguanil or doxycycline for antimalarial chemoprophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Schawaller
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - D Wiemer
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - R M Hagen
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany
| | - H Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Desmet S, Henckaerts L, Ombelet S, Damanet B, Vanbrabant P. Imported diseases in travellers presenting to the emergency department after a stay in a malaria-endemic country: a retrospective observational study. Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines 2023; 9:3. [PMID: 36803441 PMCID: PMC9939251 DOI: 10.1186/s40794-023-00190-0] [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: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the aetiology and outcomes of illnesses in patients presenting to an emergency department after travelling to a malaria-endemic country, in order to raise awareness of both tropical and cosmopolitan diseases. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent blood smear testing for malaria at the Emergency Department of the University Hospitals Leuven from 2017 to 2020. Patient characteristics, results of laboratory and radiological examinations, diagnoses, disease course and outcome were collected and analysed. RESULTS A total of 253 patients were included in the study. The majority of ill travellers returned from Sub-Saharan Africa (68.4%) and Southeast Asia (19.4%). Their diagnoses fell into three major syndrome categories: systemic febrile illness (30.8%), inflammatory syndrome of unknown origin (23.3%) and acute diarrhoea (18.2%). Malaria (15.8%) was the most common specific diagnosis in patients with systemic febrile illness, followed by influenza (5.1%), rickettsiosis (3.2%), dengue (1.6%), enteric fever (0.8%), chikungunya (0.8%) and leptospirosis (0.8%). The presence of hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia increased the probability of malaria, with a likelihood ratio of 4.01 and 6.03, respectively. Seven patients (2.8%) were treated in the intensive care unit, and none died. CONCLUSION Systemic febrile illness, inflammatory syndrome of unknown origin and acute diarrhoea were the three major syndromic categories in returning travellers presenting to our emergency department after a stay in a malaria-endemic country. Malaria was the most common specific diagnosis in patients with systemic febrile illness. None of the patients died.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Desmet
- grid.410569.f0000 0004 0626 3338Department of General Internal Medicine, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Liesbet Henckaerts
- grid.410569.f0000 0004 0626 3338Department of General Internal Medicine, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium ,grid.410569.f0000 0004 0626 3338Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sien Ombelet
- grid.410569.f0000 0004 0626 3338Department of Laboratory Medicine, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Benjamin Damanet
- grid.8767.e0000 0001 2290 8069School of Public Health, Free University of Brussels, Brussels, Belgium ,grid.489075.70000 0001 2287 089XNational Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (NIHDI), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Peter Vanbrabant
- Department of General Internal Medicine, KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
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Le Goff M, Kendjo E, Thellier M, Piarroux R, Boelle PY, Jauréguiberry S. Impact of Chemoprophylaxis on Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale Infection Among Civilian Travelers: A Nested Case-Control Study With a Counterfactual Approach on 862 Patients. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:e884-e893. [PMID: 35962785 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac641] [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: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of chemoprophylaxis targeting Plasmodium falciparum on Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which may remain quiescent as hypnozoites in the liver, is debated. METHODS We conducted a nested case-control analysis of the outcomes of P. vivax and P. ovale infections in imported malaria cases in France among civilian travelers from 1 January 2006, to 31 December 2017. Using adjusted logistic regression, we assessed the effect of chemoprophylaxis on the incubation period, time from symptoms to diagnosis, management, blood results, symptoms, and hospitalization duration. We analyzed the effect of blood-stage drugs (doxycycline, mefloquine, chloroquine, chloroquine-proguanil) or atovaquone-proguanil on the incubation period. We used a counterfactual approach to ascertain the causal effect of chemoprophylaxis on postinfection characteristics. RESULTS Among 247 P. vivax- and 615 P. ovale-infected travelers, 30% and 47%, respectively, used chemoprophylaxis, and 7 (3%) and 8 (1%) were severe cases. Chemoprophylaxis users had a greater risk of presenting symptoms >2 months after returning for both species (P. vivax odds ratio [OR], 2.91 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.22-6.95], P = .02; P. ovale OR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.47-3.53], P < .001). Using drugs only acting on the blood stage was associated with delayed symptom onset after 60 days, while using atovaquone-proguanil was not. CONCLUSIONS Civilian travelers infected with P. vivax or P. ovale reporting chemoprophylaxis use, especially of blood-stage agents, had a greater risk of delayed onset of illness. The impact of chemoprophylaxis on the outcomes of infection with relapse-causing species calls for new chemoprophylaxis acting against erythrocytic and liver stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maëlle Le Goff
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire La Cavale Blanche, Brest, France.,Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Eric Kendjo
- Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Inserm, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Paris, France
| | - Marc Thellier
- Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Inserm, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Service de parasitologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Renaud Piarroux
- Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Inserm, Paris, France.,Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Service de parasitologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Boelle
- Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Stéphane Jauréguiberry
- Centre National de Référence du Paludisme, Paris, France.,Université de Paris Saclay, Service des maladies infectieuses et tropicales, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France.,Société Française de Médecine des Voyages, Paris, France.,Université de Paris Saclay, Centre de Recherche en Epidémiologie et Santé des Populations, Inserm, Villejuif, France
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Lin CY, Chang K, Chang CJ. Questionnaire-Based Analysis of Adverse Events and Compliance with Malaria Chemoprophylaxis in Taiwan. J Pers Med 2023; 13:jpm13020179. [PMID: 36836413 PMCID: PMC9967687 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13020179] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria was eradicated in Taiwan in 1952; however, imported malaria cases are reported every year. The subtropical climate in Taiwan permits mosquito propagation and possible outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate travelers' compliance and side effects of malaria prophylaxis to prevent a malaria outbreak in Taiwan. In this prospective study, we enrolled travelers who visited our travel clinic before going to malarious areas. A total of 161 questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Associations between the occurrence of side effects and compliance with antimalarial drugs were analyzed. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated after adjusting for potential risk factors in multiple logistic regression analysis. Of the 161 enrolled travelers, 58 (36.0%) reported side effects. Insomnia, somnolence, irritability, nausea, and anorexia were associated with poor compliance. Mefloquine was not associated with more neuropsychological side effects than doxycycline. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chemoprophylaxis compliance was affected by a younger age, visiting friends and relatives, visiting the travel clinic more than 1 week before the trip, and preferring to use the same antimalarial regimen on the next trip. Our findings could provide information to travelers besides labeled side effects to improve compliance with malaria prophylaxis and consequently help to prevent malaria outbreaks in Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yun Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal SiaoGang Hospital, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Ko Chang
- Tropical Medicine Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Chai-Jan Chang
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Family Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Simon F, Caumes E, Jelinek T, Lopez-Velez R, Steffen R, Chen LH. Chikungunya: risks for travellers. J Travel Med 2023; 30:6989692. [PMID: 36648431 PMCID: PMC10075059 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE FOR REVIEW Chikungunya outbreaks continue to occur, with changing epidemiology. Awareness about chikungunya is low both among the at-risk travellers and healthcare professionals, which can result in underdiagnosis and underreporting. This review aims to improve awareness among healthcare professionals regarding the risks of chikungunya for travellers. KEY FINDINGS Chikungunya virus transmission to humans occurs mainly via daytime-active mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The areas where these mosquitoes live is continuously expanding, partly due to climate changes. Chikungunya is characterized by an acute onset of fever with joint pain. These symptoms generally resolve within 1-3 weeks but at least one-third of the patients suffer from debilitating rheumatologic symptoms for months to years. Large outbreaks in changing regions of the world since the turn of the 21st century (e.g. Caribbean, La Réunion; currently Brazil, India) have resulted in growing numbers of travellers importing chikungunya, mainly to Europe and North America. Viremic travellers with chikungunya infection have seeded chikungunya clusters (France, United States of America) and outbreaks (Italy in 2007 and 2017) in non-endemic countries where Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are present. Community preventive measures are important to prevent disease transmission by mosquitoes. Individual preventive options are limited to personal protection measures against mosquito bites, particularly the daytime-active mosquitos that transmit the chikungunya virus. Candidate vaccines are on the horizon and regulatory authorities will need to assess environmental and host risk factors for persistent sequelae, such as obesity, age (over 40 years), and history of arthritis or inflammatory rheumatologic disease to determine which populations should be targeted for these chikungunya vaccines. CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS Travellers planning to visit destinations with active CHIKV circulation should be advised about the risk for chikungunya, prevention strategies, the disease manifestations, possible chronic rheumatologic sequelae, and if symptomatic, seek medical evaluation and report potential exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Simon
- Service de Pathologie Infectieuse et Tropicale, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Laveran, Marseille, France
| | - Eric Caumes
- Centre de Diagnostic; Hôpital de l'Hôtel-Dieu, Paris, France
| | - Tomas Jelinek
- Berlin Centre for Travel & Tropical Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rogelio Lopez-Velez
- Ramón y Cajal Institute for Health Research (IRyCIS). Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Robert Steffen
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, WHO Collaborating Center on Travelers' Health, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston TX, USA
| | - Lin H Chen
- Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Mastroianni A, Vocale C, Sambri V, Lazzarotto T, Gaibani P, Rossini G, Varani S. Dengue and falciparum malaria co-infection in travelers returning from Burkina Faso: Report of two cases in Northeastern Italy. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/1995-7645.372294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
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19
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Dinulos JE, Dinulos JG. Present and future: infectious tropical travel rashes and the impact of climate change. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2022; 130:452-462. [PMID: 36574899 PMCID: PMC9789609 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2022.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we discuss pertinent cutaneous findings with which patients may present after travel to tropical destinations. We address arthropod-borne infectious diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, cutaneous larva migrans, and myiasis. We discuss other relevant diseases with cutaneous signs such as monkey pox and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We provide clinicians with information regarding the background, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of these tropical rashes. In addition, we address the impact that climate change will have on the temporal and geographic incidence of these rashes. Viral, fungal, and vector-borne diseases have seen a geographic expansion into more northern latitudes. Among these are tick-borne Lyme disease, aquatic snail-related seabather's eruption, and atopic dermatitis. As these diseases spread, we believe that the updated information within this article is significant to the practicing physician in today's warming world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James G Dinulos
- Seacoast Dermatology, PLLC, Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Department of Dermatology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire; Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Framingham, Connecticut.
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20
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Chandra R, Supehia S, Nath B, Chhetri C, Kumari R, Joshi KD, Sharma R, Chaudary J, Joshi K, Bhatta R, Bhatt CR. Effects of sanitation and hygiene perceptions on international travelers' health, travel plans and trip experiences in India. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1042880. [PMID: 36568770 PMCID: PMC9774491 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1042880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International travelers often experience travelers' diarrhea. However, there is paucity of data on whether self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms influence travelers' perceptions of adequacy of sanitation and hygiene services encountered during travel, and to what degree their travel plans, and overall trip experience are impacted. Methods A cross-sectional face-to-face survey was conducted amongst international travelers in India. Data collected included socio-demographics, travel characteristics, self-reported occurrence and frequency/severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, perceptions of sanitation and hygiene encountered, and adverse effects of symptoms on travel plans and trip experiences. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed to describe differences and associations between categorical variables. Results Of the 300 international travelers surveyed, 46.3% experienced diarrhea. At least two thirds of travelers perceived the quality of sanitation (67.0%) and hygiene (70.0%) encountered to be inadequate. Perceptions of inadequate sanitation (adjusted OR = 3.0; 95% CI 1.7-5.5) and poor hygiene (adjusted OR = 7.7; 95% CI 4.1-15.5) were higher among travelers who experienced diarrhea. Additionally, both higher likelihood of travel plans being affected (adjusted OR = 10.7; 95% CI 5.1-23.6) and adverse impacts on overall trip experience (adjusted OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.4-5.8) were reported among those who experienced diarrhea. Conclusions More than two thirds of travelers surveyed in India experienced inadequate sanitation and hygiene services, with perceptions influenced by occurrence and frequency of diarrhea. Self-reported diarrhea was also associated with adverse effects on travel plans and overall trip experience. While these results may seem intuitive, they have important implications and suggest that improving sanitation and hygiene standards in India could potentially enhance tourism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishita Chandra
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Sakshi Supehia
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India,Department of Community Medicine, Dr RP Government Medical College, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Bhola Nath
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Charu Chhetri
- Department of Community Medicine, Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Ranjeeta Kumari
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Kumari Damayanti Joshi
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Education, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Roshan Sharma
- Center for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jatin Chaudary
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India,Humsafar Trust, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kishor Joshi
- School of Physiotherapy and Allied Health, Sardar Bhagwan Singh Post Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences and Research, Dehradun, India
| | - Ramesh Bhatta
- Yeti Health Science Academy, Kathmandu, Nepal,Purbanchal University, Biratnagar, Nepal
| | - Chhavi R. Bhatt
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: Chhavi R. Bhatt
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21
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Abstract
Several tropical or geographically confined infectious diseases may lead to organ failure requiring management in an intensive care unit (ICU), both in endemic low- and middle-income countries where ICU facilities are increasingly being developed and in (nonendemic) high-income countries through an increase in international travel and migration. The ICU physician must know which of these diseases may be encountered and how to recognize, differentiate, and treat them. The four historically most prevalent "tropical" diseases (malaria, enteric fever, dengue, and rickettsiosis) can present with single or multiple organ failure in a very similar manner, which makes differentiation based solely on clinical signs very difficult. Specific but frequently subtle symptoms should be considered and related to the travel history of the patient, the geographic distribution of these diseases, and the incubation period. In the future, ICU physicians may also be more frequently confronted with rare but frequently lethal diseases, such as Ebola and other viral hemorrhagic fevers, leptospirosis, and yellow fever. No one could have foreseen the worldwide 2019-up to now coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was initially spread by travel too. In addition, the actual pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 reminds us of the actual and potential threat of (re)-emerging pathogens. If left untreated or when treated with a delay, many travel-related diseases remain an important cause of morbidity and even mortality, even when high-quality critical care is provided. Awareness and a high index of suspicion of these diseases is a key skill for the ICU physicians of today and tomorrow to develop.
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22
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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Baldassarre A, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. Management and Prevention of Traveler's Diarrhea: A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Italian Occupational Physicians (2019 and 2022). Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:370. [PMID: 36422921 PMCID: PMC9692574 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Even though Italian Occupational Physicians (OP) are increasingly involved in the managing of overseas workers, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in travel medicine are mostly undefined. We, therefore, permed a KAP study specifically targeting the management of travelers' diarrhea (TD) by OP. A total of 371 professionals (43.4% males; mean age 40.8 ± 10.9 years) completed in 2 rounds (2019 and 2022) a specifically designed web questionnaire that inquired participating OP on their knowledge status (KS), risk perception, and management of TD through pre- and post-travel advice and interventions. Multivariable odds ratios (aOR) for predictors of a better knowledge status were calculated through regression analysis. Eventually, the majority of participants (53.4%) had participated in the management of cases of TD in the previous months, but only 26.4% were reportedly involved in pre-travel consultations. The overall knowledge status was unsatisfying (potential range: 0-100%, actual average of the sample 59.6% ± 14.6), with substantial uncertainties in the management of antimicrobial treatment. Interestingly, only a small subset of participants had previously prescribed antimicrobial prophylaxis or treatment (3.5% and 1.9%, respectively). Main effectors of a better knowledge status were: having a background qualification in Hygiene and Public Health (aOR 14.769, 95%CI 5.582 to 39.073), having previously managed any case of (aOR 3.107, 95%CI 1.484 to 6.506), and having higher concern on TD, reported by acknowledging high frequency (aOR 8.579, 95%CI 3.383 to 21.756) and severity (aOR 3.386; 95%CI 1.741 to 6.585) of this disorder. As the adherence of participating OP to official recommendations for TD management was unsatisfying, continuous Education on Travel Medicine should be improved by sharing up-to-date official recommendations on appropriate treatment options for TD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Zaniboni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Baldassarre
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, I-43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, I-42016 Guastalla, Italy
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23
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Kestenbaum EH, Schler D, Schwartz E. Unusual migration of cutaneous larva migrans. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6510768. [PMID: 35040996 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) of the breast after a trip to Long-Island, NY. The location of the rash is very unusual, and the region the patient was infected in NY is not known to be endemic forCLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily H Kestenbaum
- Medical School for International Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel
| | - David Schler
- Jerusalem District, Meuhedet Health Organization, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- Shaare-Zadek Medical Center, Jerusalem & The Center for Geographic Medicine, Sheba Medical Center, Tel HaShomer, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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24
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Müller A, Frickmann H, Tannich E, Poppert S, Hagen RM. Colitis caused by Entamoeba histolytica identified by real-time-PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2022; 12:84-91. [PMID: 36136732 PMCID: PMC9530678 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2022.00016] [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: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal amoebiasis in a 35-year-old German patient with a 3 weeks travel history in Indonesia was initially misidentified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory-drug associated colitis in colonoscopy and histopathological analysis. Furthermore, initial stool examination by microscopy and Entamoeba faecal antigen ELISA did not reveal any protozoan infection. When cessation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and mesalazine treatment did not lead to clinical improvement, the patient presented to a specialist for tropical diseases. An intensive reinvestigation including a workup of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded colonic biopsies by molecular analysis with real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) proofed the diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica colitis. Molecular methods including real-time PCR and FISH for the diagnosis of amoebiasis from histopathological samples are rarely used for the diagnosis of E. histolytica infections. Bloody diarrhoea vanished after the onset of metronidazole treatment. In conclusion, the here-presented case demonstrates how modern molecular diagnostics may help to diagnose E. histolytica-associated colitis, even from difficult specimens like paraffin-embedded, formalin-fixed tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Müller
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Missioklinik, 97074Würzburg, Germany
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057Rostock, Germany
| | - Egbert Tannich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sven Poppert
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Matthias Hagen
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, 56070Koblenz, Germany
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25
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Metagenomic Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Plasmodium spp. with Different Levels of Parasitemia in EDTA Blood of Malaria Patients—A Proof-of-Principle Assessment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911150. [PMID: 36232449 PMCID: PMC9569645 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular diagnostic approaches are increasingly included in the diagnostic workup and even in the primary diagnosis of malaria in non-endemic settings, where it is difficult to maintain skillful microscopic malaria detection due to the rarity of the disease. Pathogen-specific nucleic acid amplification, however, bears the risk of overlooking other pathogens associated with febrile illness in returnees from the tropics. Here, we assessed the discriminatory potential of metagenomic sequencing for the identification of different Plasmodium species with various parasitemia in EDTA blood of malaria patients. Overall, the proportion of Plasmodium spp.-specific sequence reads in the assessed samples showed a robust positive correlation with parasitemia (Spearman r = 0.7307, p = 0.0001) and a robust negative correlation with cycle threshold (Ct) values of genus-specific real-time PCR (Spearman r = −0.8626, p ≤ 0.0001). Depending on the applied bioinformatic algorithm, discrimination on species level was successful in 50% (11/22) to 63.6% (14/22) instances. Limiting factors for the discrimination on species level were very low parasitemia, species-depending lacking availability of reliable reference genomes, and mixed infections with high variance of the proportion of the infecting species. In summary, metagenomic sequencing as performed in this study is suitable for the detection of malaria in human blood samples, but the diagnostic detection limit for a reliable discrimination on species level remains higher than for competing diagnostic approaches like microscopy and PCR.
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26
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Suryapranata FS, Overbosch FW, Matser A, Grobusch MP, McCall MB, van Rijckevorsel GG, Prins M, Sonder GJ. Malaria in long-term travelers: Infection risks and adherence to preventive measures – A prospective cohort study. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 49:102406. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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27
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Lindner AK, Hommes F, Nikolai O, Equihua Martinez G, Gürer B, Krüger R, Leistner R, Nurjadi D, Mockenhaupt FP, Zanger P. Imported Panton-valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus skin infections: patients' perspective on quality of life and quality of medical care. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6555551. [PMID: 35349688 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PVL-positive S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections have a major impact on quality of life and mental health, often for months and beyond the period of infection. Pre-treating physicians were poorly informed about the PVL toxin. Increased awareness for early diagnosis and treatment of this yet neglected disease are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K Lindner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Interdisciplinary workgroup on PVL-positive S. aureus (www.pvl-abszess.de), Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Hommes
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Olga Nikolai
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Equihua Martinez
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Berna Gürer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Renate Krüger
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Interdisciplinary workgroup on PVL-positive S. aureus (www.pvl-abszess.de), Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Rasmus Leistner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Interdisciplinary workgroup on PVL-positive S. aureus (www.pvl-abszess.de), Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 27, 12203 Berlin, Germany.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Medical Department, Division of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology (including Nutritional Medicine), Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Nurjadi
- Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frank P Mockenhaupt
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Zanger
- Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospitals, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.,Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), University Hospitals, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130/3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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28
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Gefen-Halevi S, Biber A, Gazit Z, Amit S, Belausov N, Keller N, Smollan G, Schwartz E. Persistent abdominal symptoms in returning travellers: clinical and molecular findings. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6520889. [PMID: 35134178 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent abdominal symptoms (PAS) are the leading cause of post-travel morbidity although there is a paucity of evidence concerning the aetiology of this condition. Recently molecular methods for protozoa detection in stool have been introduced. Herein, we describe the clinical aspects and the prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoa in returning travellers with PAS. METHODS From 2017 to 2019, clinical information and stool specimens from returning travellers with PAS were analysed for the presence of parasites using the Allplex-GI-Parasite-assay. Stool findings from symptomatic patients without a travel history were used as a comparator. RESULTS During the 2-year study, 203 stool specimens from returning travellers were analysed. The median duration of symptoms before seeking care was 6 months, the most common symptoms were fatigue (79.2%), abdominal pain (75.7%) and loose stool (70.8%).Most of travellers had returned from Asia (57.6%), mainly from the Indian-subcontinent and only 52.6% were backpackers. Altogether, 36.9% samples were positive for protozoa, with Blastocystis hominis being the most common (26.6%) in samples, followed by Dientamoeba fragilis (18.7%), Giardia lamblia (3.0%) and Cryptosporidium spp (0.5%). The former two were dominant in all regions. In all cases but one, G. lamblia was acquired, but one were acquired in the Indian subcontinent (odds ratios 16.9; 95% confidence intervals: 1.9-148.3). Entamoeba histolytica was not detected. The demographic characterization of the 1359 non-travellers was comparable with the travellers. Among them D. fragilis was the most common followed by B. hominis, which was significantly less frequent compared among the travellers (16.7% vs 26.6%, P < 0.001). Average Cycle threshold values for each stool parasites were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSION Among returning travellers with PAS, more than one-third were positive for gastrointestinal protozoa. A low rate of giardia was found and no E. histolytica while B. hominis followed by D. fragilis were the dominant findings. Further studies are required to better understand the role of these protozoa in PAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiraz Gefen-Halevi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Asaf Biber
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Zeala Gazit
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Sharon Amit
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Natasha Belausov
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Nati Keller
- School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel.,Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Gill Smollan
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Eli Schwartz
- The Center for Geographic Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
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29
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Neurohr EM, Gabor J, Köhler C. Erkrankungen bei Tropenrückkehrern. MMW Fortschr Med 2022; 164:44-53. [PMID: 35650498 PMCID: PMC9159774 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-022-1077-7] [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: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eva-Maria Neurohr
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Reisemedizin und Humanparasitologie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Innere Medizin IV, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Julian Gabor
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Reisemedizin und Humanparasitologie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Innere Medizin IV, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Köhler
- Institut für Tropenmedizin, Reisemedizin und Humanparasitologie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Innere Medizin IV, Wilhelmstr. 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
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30
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Badur S, Öztürk S, AbdelGhany M, Khalaf M, Lagoubi Y, Ozudogru O, Hanif K, Saha D. Hepatitis A in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a comprehensive review. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022; 18:2073146. [PMID: 35617508 PMCID: PMC9621081 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2073146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction With 583 million inhabitants, the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is a worldwide hub for travel, migration, and food trade. However, there is a scarcity of data on the epidemiology of the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Methods The MEDLINE and grey literature were systematically searched for HAV epidemiological data relevant to the EMR region published between 1980 and 2020 in English, French, or Arabic. Results Overall, 123 publications were extracted. The proportion of HAV cases among acute viral hepatitis cases was high. HAV seroprevalence rate ranged from 5.7% to 100.0% and it was decreasing over time while the average age at infection increased. Conclusion In the EMR, HAV remains a significant cause of acute viral hepatitis. The observed endemicity shift will likely increase disease burden as the population ages. Vaccinating children and adopting sanitary measures are still essential to disease prevention; vaccinating at-risk groups might reduce disease burden even further.
What is the context?
Hepatitis A is a viral liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is generally transmitted by ingestion of contaminated food or water or through contact with an infected person. Disease severity increases with age. Children under 6 years of age are usually asymptomatic, while adults are the most affected. Limited information exists on the number of cases and transmission of hepatitis A in the Eastern Mediterranean region, which includes 21 countries and Palestine, as defined by the World Health Organization.
What is new?
We performed a literature review to summarize data on hepatitis A disease in the Eastern Mediterranean region over the last 40 years (1980-2020). As information for many countries is scarce or outdated, most of the data is from Egypt, Iran and Saudi Arabia. We found that:
Hepatitis A virus is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A exposure varied according to the country’s income level. Low- and middle-income countries showed a universal immunity to hepatitis A virus, although this is not the case anymore.
What is the impact?
Hepatitis A infections have decreased worldwide. Lower exposure to the virus has led to an increase in the susceptible population (including adolescent and adults). Hepatitis A vaccination for children and high-risk groups such travelers should be considered in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
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Multicentric Evaluation of SeeGene Allplex Real-Time PCR Assays Targeting 28 Bacterial, Microsporidal and Parasitic Nucleic Acid Sequences in Human Stool Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12041007. [PMID: 35454056 PMCID: PMC9032746 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12041007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to the implementation of new diagnostic techniques, a thorough evaluation is mandatory in order to ensure diagnostic reliability. If positive samples are scarcely available, however, such evaluations can be difficult to perform. Here, we evaluated four SeeGene Allplex real-time PCR assays amplifying a total of 28 bacteria, microsporidal and parasitic nucleic acid sequence targets in human stool samples in a multicentric approach. In the assessments with strongly positive samples, sensitivity values ranging between 13% and 100% were recorded for bacteria, between 0% and 100% for protozoa and between 7% and 100% for helminths and microsporidia; for the weakly positive samples, the recorded sensitivity values for bacteria ranged from 0% to 100%; for protozoa, from 0% to 40%; and for helminths and microsporidia, from 0% to 53%. For bacteria, the recorded specificity was in the range between 87% and 100%, while a specificity of 100% was recorded for all assessed PCRs targeting parasites and microsporidia. The intra- and inter-assay variations were generally low. Specifically for some helminth species, the sensitivity could be drastically increased by applying manual nucleic acid extraction instead of the manufacturer-recommended automatic procedure, while such effects were less obvious for the bacteria and protozoa. In summary, the testing with the chosen positive control samples showed varying degrees of discordance between the evaluated Allplex assays and the applied in-house reference assays associated with higher cycle threshold values in the Allplex assays, suggesting that samples with very low pathogen densities might be missed. As the targeted species can occur as harmless colonizers in the gut of individuals in high-endemicity settings as well, future studies should aim at assessing the clinical relevance of the latter hint.
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Sørensen HT. Patients with Chronic Diseases Who Travel: Need for Global Access to Timely Health Care Data. Clin Epidemiol 2022; 14:513-519. [PMID: 35505690 PMCID: PMC9057227 DOI: 10.2147/clep.s360699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus N, DK-8200, Denmark
- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Correspondence: Henrik Toft Sørensen, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, Aarhus N, DK-8200, Denmark, Email
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Faucon C, Godefroy N, Itani O, Nouchi A, Tebano G, Ouedraogo E, Monsel G, Caumes E. Arthropod exposure accounts for about half of skin disorders in returning travellers. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6463574. [PMID: 34918113 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
We report the spectrum of skin diseases in returning international travellers seen in our department, with the participation of a dermatologist for each consultation. Of 135 dermatoses (60% appearing abroad), 33.3% were considered as tropical, and 44–52% were related to arthropod exposure, highlighting the need and importance of anti-mosquito measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Faucon
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Nagisa Godefroy
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Oula Itani
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Agathe Nouchi
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Gianpiero Tebano
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Elise Ouedraogo
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Gentiane Monsel
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France
| | - Eric Caumes
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, Paris 75013, France.,INSERM UMR-S 1136, Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Paris, France
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Wang JL, Chen T, Deng LL, Han YJ, Wang DY, Wang LP, He GX. Epidemiological characteristics of imported respiratory infectious diseases in China, 2014‒2018. Infect Dis Poverty 2022; 11:22. [PMID: 35246236 PMCID: PMC8895356 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-022-00944-6] [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: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the progress of globalization, international mobility increases, greatly facilitating cross-border transmission of respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs). This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and factors influencing imported RIDs, with the goal of providing evidence to support adoption of high-tech, intelligent methods to early find imported RIDs and prevent their spread in China. Methods We obtained data of imported RIDs cases from 2014 to 2018 from the Inbound Sentinel Network of Customs and the National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System in China. We analyzed spatial, temporal, and population distribution characteristics of the imported RIDs. We developed an index to describe seasonality. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine associations between independent variables and imported cases. Data analyses and visualizations were conducted with R software. Results From a total of 1 409 265 253 inbound travelers, 31 732 (2.25/100 000) imported RIDs cases were reported. RIDs cases were imported from 142 countries and five continents. The incidence of imported RIDs was nearly 5 times higher in 2018 (2.81/100 000) than in 2014 (0.58/100 000). Among foreigners, incidence rates were higher among males (5.32/100 000), 0–14-year-olds (15.15/100 000), and cases originating in Oceania (11.10/100 000). The vast majority (90.3%) of imported RIDs were influenza, with seasonality consistent with annual seasonality of influenza. The spatial distribution of imported RIDs was different between Chinese citizens and foreigners. Increases in inbound travel volume and the number of influenza cases in source countries were associated with the number of imported RIDs. Conclusions Our study documented importation of RIDs into China from 142 countries. Inbound travel poses a significant risks bringing important RIDs to China. It is urgent to strengthen surveillance at customs of inbound travelers and establish an intelligent surveillance and early warning system to prevent importation of RIDs to China for preventing further spread within China. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Long Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Chen
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Le-Le Deng
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Jun Han
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Da-Yan Wang
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Ping Wang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
| | - Guang-Xue He
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
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35
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Clinical accuracy of malaria loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay as a stand-alone screening tool at a non-endemic Northern California regional health system. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 103:115680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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36
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Gareau E, Phillips KP. Key informant perspectives on sexual health services for travelling young adults: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:145. [PMID: 35120510 PMCID: PMC8814567 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07542-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background International travel has become increasingly popular among young adults. Young adults often engage in casual sexual relationships abroad, exhibit sexual risk behaviours and may thus be at risk of contracting sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. Pre-travel interventions and consultations may mitigate this risk. At present, we know little about sexual health-related pre-travel interventions. The aim of this study was therefore to document key informants’ experiences, perceptions and recommendations in the context of sexual health of young adult travellers. Methods Key informants were professionals working in Ottawa, Canada travel clinics, travel organizations or sexual health clinics with a young adult clientele. This study used a qualitative approach and consisted of 13 in-person or Skype semi-structured interviews with key informants. Thematic content analysis was informed by a sexual health framework, with themes emerging both inductively and deductively. Results Sexual health was not common in pre-travel interventions described by key informants. Risk-assessment, and practical or purpose-driven pre-travel interventions were identified, resulting in risk mitigation strategies tailored to the destination region and/or mission/culture of the travel organization. Dissemination (e.g. limited time, lack of training) and uptake (e.g. young adults’ embarrassment, provider discomfort, financial constraints) barriers limited in-depth discussions of pre-travel interventions related to sexual health. Key informants acknowledged the importance of early sexual health education, and recommended ongoing, comprehensive sexual education for both youth and young adults. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that more time and resources should be allocated to the topic of sexual health during pre-travel interventions with young adults. Professionals who guide and prepare young adults for travel must develop concomitant skills in sexual health promotion. Early, comprehensive sexual education is recommended to improve overall sexual health in young adults and mitigate risk behaviours during travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Gareau
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Karen P Phillips
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghady Haidar
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
| | - Nina Singh
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh
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Gossner CM, Fournet N, Frank C, Fernández-Martínez B, Del Manso M, Gomes Dias J, de Valk H. Dengue virus infections among European travellers, 2015 to 2019. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35027102 PMCID: PMC8759115 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.2.2001937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Dengue is a disease with major impacts on public health in tropical and subtropical countries. In Europe, in the past decade, few autochthonous outbreaks were described. Aim We aimed to identify factors associated with frequency of dengue virus infection among European travellers and at assessing how surveillance data could support preparedness against autochthonous outbreaks within Europe. Methods We performed a descriptive analysis of travel-related dengue cases reported by European countries from 2015 through 2019. Using flight passenger data, we calculated travellers’ infection rates (TIR). We investigated the following associations: (i) between TIR and incidence rate in selected countries of infection and (ii) between number of travel-related cases and occurrence of autochthonous outbreaks within Europe. Results There were 11,478 travel-related dengue cases and the TIR was 2.8 cases per 100,000 travellers. Most cases were infected in Asia (71%), predominantly in south-eastern Asia. The TIR was highest among travellers returning from Asia (6.1/100,000). There was an association between the incidence rate in the country of infection and the TIR but no association between the number of travel-related cases and occurrence of autochthonous outbreaks in Europe. Conclusions The likelihood of infection in travellers is a function of the ongoing epidemiological situation in the country of exposure. The number of travel-related cases alone is not sufficient to estimate the likelihood of autochthonous outbreaks where vectors are present in Europe. Additional contributing factors such as adequate vectorial capacity and suitable environmental conditions are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline M Gossner
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Christina Frank
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beatriz Fernández-Martínez
- Centro Nacional de Epidemiología & Spanish Consortium for Research in Epidemiology and Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joana Gomes Dias
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
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Dengue Fever in Italy: The "Eternal Return" of an Emerging Arboviral Disease. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7010010. [PMID: 35051126 PMCID: PMC8782038 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhanced surveillance for dengue virus (DENV) infections in Italy has been implemented since 2012, with annual reports from the National Health Institute. In this study, we summarize available evidence on the epidemiology of officially notified DENV infections from 2010–2021. In total, 1043 DENV infection cases were diagnosed, and most of them occurred in travelers, with only 11 autochthonous cases. The annual incidence rates of DENV infections peaked during 2019 with 0.277 cases per 100,000 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.187–0.267), (age-adjusted incidence rate: 0.328, 95% CI 0.314–0.314). Cases of DENV were clustered during the summer months of July (11.4%), August (19.3%), and September (12.7%). The areas characterized by higher notification rates were north-western (29.0%), and mostly north-eastern Italy (41.3%). The risk for DENV infection in travelers increased in the time period 2015–2019 (risk ratio [RR] 1.808, 95% CI 1.594–2.051) and even during 2020–2021 (RR 1.771, 95% CI 1.238–2.543). Higher risk for DENV was additionally reported in male subjects compared with females subjects, and aged 25 to 44 years, and in individuals from northern and central Italy compared to southern regions and islands. In a multivariable Poisson regression model, the increased number of travelers per 100 inhabitants (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.065, 95% CI 1.036–1.096), the incidence in other countries (IRR 1.323, 95% CI 1.165–1.481), the share of individuals aged 25 to 44 years (IRR 1.622, 95% CI 1.338–1.968), and foreign-born residents (IRR 2.717, 95% CI 1.555–3.881), were identified as effectors of annual incidence. In summary, although the circulation of DENV remains clustered among travelers, enhanced surveillance is vital for the early detection of human cases and the prompt implementation of response measures.
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Garcia-Ruiz de Morales A, Morcate C, Isaba-Ares E, Perez-Tanoira R, Perez-Molina JA. High prevalence of malaria in a non-endemic setting among febrile episodes in travellers and migrants coming from endemic areas: a retrospective analysis of a 2013-2018 cohort. Malar J 2021; 20:449. [PMID: 34838010 PMCID: PMC8627073 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03984-9] [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: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The study aimed to analyse the likelihood of imported malaria in people with a suggestive clinical picture and its distinctive characteristics in a hospital in the south of Madrid, Spain. Methods Observational retrospective study that consisted of a review of all medical files of patients with any malaria test registered at Móstoles University Hospital between April 2013 and April 2018. All suspected malaria cases were confirmed by Plasmodium spp. polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Of the 328 patients with suspected malaria (53.7% migrant-travellers; 38.7% visitors; 7.6% travellers), 108 cases were confirmed (101 by Plasmodium falciparum), accounting for a 33% positive sample rate. Sixteen cases were diagnosed only by PCR. Patients with malaria, compared to those without, presented predominantly with fever (84% vs. 65%), were older (34 vs. 24 years), sought medical attention earlier (17d vs. 32d), had a greater number of previous malaria episodes (74% vs. 60%), lower levels of platelets (110,500µL vs. 250,000µL), and higher of bilirubin (0.6 mg/dL vs. 0.5 mg/dL). Severe malaria was present in 13 cases; no deaths were recorded. Malaria diagnosis showed a bimodal distribution with two peaks: June to September and November to January. Conclusions Malaria is still a common diagnosis among febrile patients coming from the tropics specially among migrant travellers. Fever, thrombocytopenia, and/or high bilirubin levels should raise suspicion for this parasitic infection. Prompt diagnosis is crucial to avoid severe cases and deaths. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-021-03984-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Garcia-Ruiz de Morales
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, 28034, Madrid, Spain.,Internal Medicine Department, Móstoles University Hospital, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Covadonga Morcate
- Internal Medicine Department, Móstoles University Hospital, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Elena Isaba-Ares
- Internal Medicine Department, Móstoles University Hospital, Móstoles, Spain
| | - Ramon Perez-Tanoira
- Clinical Microbiology Department, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.,Biomedicine and Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alcalá de Henares University, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Jose A Perez-Molina
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, 28034, Madrid, Spain.
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Khoury S, Kaplan S, Zaidenstein R, Cohen E, Tischler-Aurkin D, Sheffer R, Mathew L, Mor Z. Adherence to antimalarial chemoprophylaxis among Israeli travelers visiting malaria-endemic areas. Travel Med Infect Dis 2021; 44:102193. [PMID: 34728384 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travelers are recommended to take antimalarial chemoprophylaxis (AMC) when traveling to endemic areas. METHODS This prospective comparative cohort study included 400 Israeli travelers to malaria-endemic areas, recruited in pre-travel clinics. They were contacted within one month following their return and asked about their actual adherence and the reasons for non-adherence. RESULTS Of 400 travelers with a mean age of 24.6 [SD = 4] years, 201 (50.2%) were men and 328 (82%) were singles. The majority (N = 185, 46.3%) traveled with friends, and the most common travel destination was southeast Asia (N = 267, 66.8%). Most travelers (N = 340, 85%) did not adhere to the AMC. In the multivariate analysis, non-adherence was found to be significantly associated with traveling solo or with friends, traveling to southeast Asia and longer travel duration. The most common reason for non-adherence among travelers was the perception that the risk of contracting malaria is low (N = 251, 73.8%). CONCLUSION In this study, 85% of the Israeli travelers did not adhere to the AMC, especially those traveling solo or with friends, visiting southeast Asia and for a long period. Counselors at the pre-travel clinics should stress the importance of AMC in highly endemic countries and consider alternative treatment strategies, especially in low risk areas or long duration travel, such as short-term schedule or reserve AMC for field trips.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sobhi Khoury
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Shiran Kaplan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ronit Zaidenstein
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Internal Medicine Department A, Shamir (Assaf-Harofeh) Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel; Mor Travel Clinics, Israel
| | - Erica Cohen
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Maccabi Healthcare Services, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Rivka Sheffer
- Tel Aviv Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lewis Mathew
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Izrael Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Afula, Israel
| | - Zohar Mor
- Mor Travel Clinics, Israel; Tel Aviv Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Tel Aviv, Israel; School of Health Sciences, Ashkelon Academic College, Ashkelon, Israel
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Navero-Castillejos J, Benitez R, Torner N, Muñoz J, Camprubí-Ferrer D, Peiró-Mestres A, Sulleiro E, Silgado A, Gonzalo V, Falgueras T, Alejo-Cancho I, Roldán M, Plasencia V, Albarracin R, Perez J, Navarro A, Calderón A, Rubio R, Navarro M, Micó M, Llaberia J, Navarro M, Barrachina J, Vilamala A, Martí C, Pulido MÁ, Sanchez-Seco MP, Vazquez A, Martínez A, Jané M, Martínez MJ. Molecular Characterization of Imported and Autochthonous Dengue in Northeastern Spain. Viruses 2021; 13:1910. [PMID: 34696340 PMCID: PMC8539074 DOI: 10.3390/v13101910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue is the most significant arbovirus worldwide and a public health threat to non-endemic areas in which Aedes vectors are present. Autochthonous dengue transmission has been reported in several European countries in the last decade. Infected travelers from endemic regions arriving to areas colonized by Aedes albopictus in Europe need to be monitored in surveillance and control programs. We aimed to perform molecular characterization of RT-PCR-positive dengue cases detected in Catalonia, northeastern Spain, from 2013 to 2018. The basic demographic information and the geographical regions of importation were also analyzed. One-hundred four dengue cases were studied (103 imported infections and the first autochthonous case in our region). The dengue virus strains detected were serotyped and genotyped using molecular methods, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted. All four dengue serotypes were detected in travelers, including up to 10 different genotypes, reflecting the global circulation of dengue in endemic areas. The primary travel-related case of the 2018 autochthonous transmission was not identified, but the molecular analysis revealed dengue serotype 1, genotype I of Asian origin. Our results highlight the diversity of imported dengue virus strains and the role of molecular epidemiology in supporting arbovirus surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Navero-Castillejos
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Rosa Benitez
- North Metropolitan International Health Unit PROSICS, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, 08916 Badalona, Spain;
| | - Nuria Torner
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health CIBERESP, University of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - José Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Aida Peiró-Mestres
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Elena Sulleiro
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (E.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Aroa Silgado
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (E.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Verónica Gonzalo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Teresa Falgueras
- Hospital Municipal de Badalona, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, 08911 Badalona, Spain; (T.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Izaskun Alejo-Cancho
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Montserrat Roldán
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Virginia Plasencia
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, 08232 Viladecavalls, Spain; (V.P.); (J.P.); (R.R.)
| | - Rosa Albarracin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Josefa Perez
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, 08232 Viladecavalls, Spain; (V.P.); (J.P.); (R.R.)
| | - Alexander Navarro
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Ana Calderón
- Hospital Municipal de Badalona, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, 08911 Badalona, Spain; (T.F.); (A.C.)
| | - Rosa Rubio
- Microbiology Laboratory, Catlab, 08232 Viladecavalls, Spain; (V.P.); (J.P.); (R.R.)
| | - Mireia Navarro
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
| | - Miguel Micó
- Microbiology Department, Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, 08243 Manresa, Spain;
| | - Jaume Llaberia
- Hospital de Barcelona, Societat Cooperativa d’Instal·lacions Assistencials Sanitàries (SCIAS), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - María Navarro
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Vic, 08500 Barcelona, Spain; (M.N.); (A.V.)
| | - Josep Barrachina
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
| | - Anna Vilamala
- Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitari de Vic, 08500 Barcelona, Spain; (M.N.); (A.V.)
| | - Carmina Martí
- Hospital General de Granollers, 08402 Granollers, Spain; (C.M.); (M.Á.P.)
| | | | - María Paz Sanchez-Seco
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28222 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.S.-S.); (A.V.)
| | - Ana Vazquez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28222 Madrid, Spain; (M.P.S.-S.); (A.V.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Martínez
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Generalitat of Catalonia, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (M.J.)
| | - Mireia Jané
- Public Health Agency of Catalonia, Generalitat of Catalonia, 08005 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.); (M.J.)
| | - Miguel Julián Martínez
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.N.-C.); (A.P.-M.); (V.G.); (I.A.-C.); (R.A.); (A.N.); (M.N.); (J.B.)
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (J.M.); (D.C.-F.); (M.R.)
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Bottieau E, Huits R, Van Den Broucke S, Maniewski U, Declercq S, Brosius I, Theunissen C, Feyens AM, Van Esbroeck M, van Griensven J, Clerinx J, Soentjens P. Human filariasis in travelers and migrants: a retrospective 25-year analysis at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:1972-1978. [PMID: 34463732 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information on human filariasis in international travelers is scarce. We describe the epidemiology, clinical presentation and outcome of these infections in a reference travel clinic over the past decades. METHODS We reviewed all cases of filariasis diagnosed at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium, from 1994 to 2018. Diagnosis was obtained by either parasitological methods (confirmed) or strict clinical case definitions (probable). We assessed the characteristics of cases at diagnosis and response to therapy within three to 12 months. RESULTS A total of 320 patients (median age: 41 years; 71% males) were diagnosed with 327 filarial infections (Wuchereria bancrofti = 6; Onchocerca volvulus = 33, Loa loa = 150, Mansonella perstans = 130; unspecified species = 8). Diagnosis was confirmed in 213/320 (67%) patients. European long-term travelers accounted for 166 patients (52%) and visitors/migrants from tropical countries for another 110 (34%). Central Africa was the likely region of acquisition for 294 (92%) patients. The number of filariasis cases decreased from 21.5/year in average in the nineties to 6.3/year in the last decade, when loiasis became predominant. Cases reported symptoms in > 80% of all filarial infections but mansonellosis (45/123 single infections; 37%). Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis cases responded well to conventional therapy. However, 30% of patients with loiasis and mansonellosis experienced treatment failure (with diethylcarbamazine and levamisole-mebendazole, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The burden and species distribution of filariasis in travelers evolved in the past decades. Most presentations were symptomatic. Case management would benefit from more effective therapies for loiasis and mansonellosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ralph Huits
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Ula Maniewski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven Declercq
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Isabel Brosius
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Caroline Theunissen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Anne-Marie Feyens
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan van Griensven
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan Clerinx
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Soentjens
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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44
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Abdel-Haq N, Asmar BI. Fever in the Returned Pediatric Traveler. Glob Pediatr Health 2021; 8:2333794X211026188. [PMID: 34423077 PMCID: PMC8375340 DOI: 10.1177/2333794x211026188] [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: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Global mobility has been steadily increasing in recent years. The assessment of the febrile child returning from international travel is a diagnostic challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected international travel and made evaluation and management of the sick returned traveler more challenging. Children visiting friends and relatives abroad remain at higher risk of infection compared to tourists. This review presents a guidance on the initial assessment of a traveling febrile child including interpretation of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory findings. Important clues to etiology include exposure to different infectious agents, incubation periods of pathogens, and prophylaxis regimens and vaccines received. Early identification of potentially life-threatening and highly contagious infections is essential. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology, evaluation, and management of specific travel related infections such as malaria, typhoid fever, dengue fever, viral hemorrhagic fever, rickettsiosis, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis, gastrointestinal, and respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahed Abdel-Haq
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Basim I. Asmar
- Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
- Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
- Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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45
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Herdman MT, Karo B, Dave J, Katwa P, Freedman J, Do Nascimento V, Kirkbride H, Chattaway MA, Godbole G, Balasegaram S. Increasingly limited options for the treatment of enteric fever in travellers returning to England, 2014-2019: a cross-sectional analytical study. J Med Microbiol 2021; 70. [PMID: 34351258 PMCID: PMC8513630 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Enteric fever (caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi) frequently presents as an acute, undifferentiated febrile illness in returning travellers, requiring timely empirical antibiotics.Gap Statement. Determining which empirical antibiotics to prescribe for enteric fever requires up-to-date knowledge of susceptibility patterns.Aim. By characterising factors associated with antimicrobial resistance in cases of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi imported to England, we aim to guide effective empirical treatment.Methodology. All English isolates of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi 2014-2019 underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing; results were compared to a previous survey in London 2005-2012. Risk factors for antimicrobial resistance were analysed with logistic regression models to predict adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for resistance to individual antibiotics and multi-drug resistance.Results. We identified 1088 cases of S. Typhi, 729 S. Paratyphi A, 93 S. Paratyphi B, and one S. Paratyphi C. In total, 93 % were imported. Overall, 90 % of S. Typhi and 97 % of S. Paratyphi A isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin; 26 % of S. Typhi were multidrug resistant to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, and chloramphenicol (MDR+FQ). Of the isolates, 4 % of S. Typhi showed an extended drug resistance (XDR) phenotype of MDR+FQ plus resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, with cases of XDR rising sharply in recent years (none before 2017, one in 2017, six in 2018, 32 in 2019). For S. Typhi isolates, resistance to ciprofloxacin was associated with travel to Pakistan (aOR=32.0, 95 % CI: 15.4-66.4), India (aOR=21.8, 95 % CI: 11.6-41.2), and Bangladesh (aOR=6.2, 95 % CI: 2.8-13.6) compared to travel elsewhere, after adjusting for rising prevalence of resistance over time. MDR+FQ resistance in S. Typhi isolates was associated with travel to Pakistan (aOR=3.5, 95 % CI: 2.4-5.2) and less likely with travel to India (aOR=0.07, 95 % CI 0.04-0.15) compared to travel elsewhere. All XDR cases were imported from Pakistan. No isolate was resistant to azithromycin. Comparison with the 2005-2012 London survey indicates substantial increases in the prevalence of resistance of S. Typhi isolates to ciprofloxacin associated with travel to Pakistan (from 79-98 %) and Africa (from 12-60 %).Conclusion. Third-generation cephalosporins and azithromycin remain appropriate choices for empirical treatment of enteric fever in most returning travellers to the UK from endemic countries, except from Pakistan, where XDR represents a significant risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Trent Herdman
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK
| | - Basel Karo
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK
| | - Jayshree Dave
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK
| | - Parisha Katwa
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK
| | - Joanne Freedman
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK.,Health Education, East of England, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | - Gauri Godbole
- National Infection Service, Public Health England, England, UK
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46
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Fongwen N, Delrieu I, Ham LH, Gubler DJ, Durbin A, Ooi EE, Peeling RW, Flasche S, Hartigan-Go K, Clifford S, Martinez CT, de Lamballerie X, Barnighausen T, Wilder-Smith A. Implementation strategies for the first licensed dengue vaccine: A meeting report. Vaccine 2021; 39:4759-4765. [PMID: 34253416 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dengue vaccination would enhance the control of dengue, one of the most frequent vector-borne viral diseases globally. CYD-TDV is the first dengue vaccine to be licensed, but global uptake has been hampered due to its use being limited to seropositive persons aged 9 years and above, and the need for a 3-dose schedule. The Partnership for Dengue Control (PDC) organized a meeting with key opinion leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on implementation strategies for the use of CYD-TDV. New data have emerged that support the shortening of the primary schedule from a 3 to 2 dose schedule, extending the age range below 9 to 6 years of age, and expanding the indication from endemic populations to also include travelers to endemic areas. Cost-effectiveness may improve with the modified 2-dose regimen and with multiple testing. Strategies to implement a dengue vaccination program have been developed, in particular school-based strategies. A range of delivery scenarios can then be considered, using various settings for each step of the intervention. However, several challenges remain, including communication about limiting the use of this vaccine to seropositive individuals only. Affordability will vary from country to country, as will government commitment and community acceptance. Well-tailored communication strategies that target key stakeholders are expected to make up a significant part of any future dengue vaccination program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Fongwen
- International Diagnostics Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Duane J Gubler
- Partnership for Dengue Control, Fondation Merieux, France
| | | | | | - Rosanna W Peeling
- International Diagnostics Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Flasche
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sam Clifford
- Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Torres Martinez
- Director of Cafettor Medical, Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Universidad del Bosque, in Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- UMR IRD 190, Inserm 1207 "Unité des Virus Émergents", Aix-Marseille Université - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale - Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées - Établissement Français du Sang, France
| | - Till Barnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Annelies Wilder-Smith
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Germany; Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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47
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Yagnik KJ, Pezo-Salazar A, Rosenbaum D, Jaso JM, Cavuoti D, Nelson B, Chancey RJ, McKenna ML, Castellino LM. A Wandering Missionary's Burden: Persistent Fever and Progressive Somnolence in a Returning Traveler. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab377. [PMID: 34381849 PMCID: PMC8351803 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab377] [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: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human African trypanosomiasis incidence has declined, but diagnosis remains difficult, especially in nonendemic areas. Our patient presented with fever, progressive lethargy, and weight loss for 5 months and had previously traveled to Ghana and Cameroon but had not been to areas with recently reported African trypanosomiasis. Extensive workup was negative, except for lymphocytic pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid; ultimately, a bone marrow aspiration revealed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation with 2 trypanosomes discovered on the aspirate smear, consistent with Trypanosoma brucei. The patient was treated with combination nifurtimox and eflornithine with full recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kruti J Yagnik
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Alonso Pezo-Salazar
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - David Rosenbaum
- Division of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jesse Manuel Jaso
- Division of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Dominick Cavuoti
- Division of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Benjamin Nelson
- Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Division of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rebecca J Chancey
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Megan L McKenna
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Laila M Castellino
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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48
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Islam N, Wright S, Lau CL, Doi SAR, Mills DJ, Clark J, Clements ACA, Furuya-Kanamori L. Efficacy of a 3-day pretravel schedule of tafenoquine for malaria chemoprophylaxis: a network meta-analysis. J Travel Med 2021; 28:6217513. [PMID: 33834208 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chemoprophylaxis with weekly doses of tafenoquine (200 mg/day for 3 days before departure [loading dose], 200 mg/week during travel and 1-week post-travel [maintenance doses]) is effective in preventing malaria. Effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis drugs in travellers is often compromised by poor compliance. Shorter schedules that can be completed before travel, allowing 'drug-free holidays', could increase compliance and thus reduce travel-related malaria. In this meta-analysis, we examined if a loading dose of tafenoquine alone is effective in preventing malaria in short-term travellers. METHODS Four databases were searched in November 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed efficacy and/or safety of tafenoquine for chemoprophylaxis. Network meta-analysis using the generalized pair-wise modelling framework was utilized to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of malaria infection in long-term (>28 days) and short-term (≤28 days) travellers, as well as adverse events (AEs) associated with receiving loading dose of tafenoquine alone, loading dose of tafenoquine followed by maintenance doses, loading dose of mefloquine followed by maintenance doses, or placebo. RESULTS Nine RCTs (1714 participants) were included. In long-term travellers, compared to mefloquine, tafenoquine with maintenance doses (OR = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44-2.46) was equally effective in preventing malaria, while there was an increased risk of infection with the loading dose of tafenoquine alone (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 0.78-10.68) and placebo (OR = 62.91; 95% CI: 8.53-463.88). In short-term travellers, loading dose of tafenoquine alone (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.04-22.42) and tafenoquine with maintenance doses (OR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.06-16.10) were as effective as mefloquine. The risk of AEs with tafenoquine with maintenance doses (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.67-1.60) was similar to mefloquine, while loading dose of tafenoquine alone (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.20-1.66) was associated with lower risk of AEs, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS For short-term travellers, loading dose of tafenoquine alone was equally effective, had possibly lower rate of AEs, and likely better compliance than standard tafenoquine or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis schedules with maintenance doses. Studies are needed to confirm if short-term travellers remain free of infection after long-term follow-up. REGISTRATION The meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021223756). HIGHLIGHT Tafenoquine is the latest approved drug for malaria chemoprophylaxis. A loading dose of tafenoquine (200 mg/day for 3 days before departure) is as effective in preventing malaria in short-term (≤28 days) travellers as chemoprophylaxis schedules of tafenoquine or mefloquine with maintenance doses, allowing travellers to have a 'drug-free holiday'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmul Islam
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, PO BOX 2713, Qatar
| | - Sophie Wright
- ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Colleen L Lau
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Dr Deb The Travel Doctor, Travel Medicine Alliance, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
| | - Suhail A R Doi
- Department of Population Medicine, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, PO BOX 2713, Qatar
| | - Deborah J Mills
- Dr Deb The Travel Doctor, Travel Medicine Alliance, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Justin Clark
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
| | | | - Luis Furuya-Kanamori
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
- UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia
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49
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Garcia AM, Watkins E. Evaluation of the returning traveler with fever and neurologic symptoms. JAAPA 2021; 34:1-7. [PMID: 34162815 DOI: 10.1097/01.jaa.0000753952.13872.2a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Exposure to infectious disease increases in tandem with international travel rates. Globally, up to 70% of travelers to developing countries report health problems while traveling, most being self-limiting. Few travelers are ill enough to seek medical care while abroad or upon returning home. Although fever is one of the more common symptoms in these travelers, little attention has been paid to those who return with fever and neurologic symptoms. This article describes conditions that can present with fever and neurologic changes and how to evaluate patients in a timely manner to prevent progression of neural dysfunction and spread of disease in local communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison M Garcia
- Alison M. Garcia practices in neurosurgery at New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Hospital and at NYU Langone Brooklyn, both in Brooklyn, N.Y., and is opportunities chair for Physician Assistants for Global Health. Elyse Watkins is an associate professor in the PA program at the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Va. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise
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50
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Loderstädt U, Hagen RM, Hahn A, Frickmann H. New Developments in PCR-Based Diagnostics for Bacterial Pathogens Causing Gastrointestinal Infections-A Narrative Mini-Review on Challenges in the Tropics. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020096. [PMID: 34199650 PMCID: PMC8293448 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of modern PCR approaches for the diagnosis of bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens is on the rise due to their rapidly available results combined with high sensitivity. While multiple studies describe the ongoing implementation of this technique for routine diagnostic purposes in laboratories in Western industrialized countries, reports on successful and also sustainable respective approaches in resource-poor tropical settings are still scarce. In order to shed light on potential reasons for this marked discrepancy, this narrative review summarizes identified challenges for the application of diagnostic PCR targeting bacterial gastrointestinal pathogens from stool samples in the tropics. The identified and discussed issues comprise the lack of generally accepted definitions for (1) minimum standards regarding sample acquisition, storage and transport time for diagnostic PCR analyses in the tropics, (2) nucleic acid extraction standards allowing an optimum detection of all types of pathogens which may be responsible for gastroenteritis in the tropics, (3) validation standards to ensure comparable quality of applied diagnostic assays, and (4) cut-offs for a reliable discrimination of infection and mere colonization in areas where semi-immunity due to repeated exposition associated with poor hygiene conditions has to be expected. Further implementation research is needed to solve those issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Loderstädt
- Institute for Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany;
| | - Ralf Matthias Hagen
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz, Andernacher Str. 100, 56070 Koblenz, Germany;
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Hagen Frickmann
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medicine Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
- Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, Bundeswehr Hospital Hamburg, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: or or ; Tel.: +49-40-6947-28743
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