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Bonney JHK, Sanders T, Pratt D, Agbodzi B, Laryea D, Agyeman NKF, Kumordjie S, Attiku K, Adams PL, Boateng GA, Ohene SA, Tamal C, Mawuli G, Yeboah C, Dadzie S, Kubio C, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Odoom JK. Molecular Characterization of Circulating Yellow Fever Viruses from Outbreak in Ghana, 2021-2022. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1818-1826. [PMID: 37610174 PMCID: PMC10461649 DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.221671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Yellow fever virus, transmitted by infected Aedes spp. mosquitoes, causes an acute viral hemorrhagic disease. During October 2021-February 2022, a yellow fever outbreak in some communities in Ghana resulted in 70 confirmed cases with 35 deaths (case-fatality rate 50%). The outbreak started in a predominantly unvaccinated nomadic community in the Savannah region, from which 65% of the cases came. The molecular amplification methods we used for diagnosis produced full-length DNA sequences from 3 confirmed cases. Phylogenetic analysis characterized the 3 sequences within West Africa genotype II; strains shared a close homology with sequences from Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal. We deployed more sensitive advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, which enabled earlier detection, helped control spread, and improved case management. We urge increased efforts from health authorities to vaccinate vulnerable groups in difficult-to-access areas and to educate the population about potential risks for yellow fever infections.
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Bonney JK, Adu B, Sanders T, Pratt D, Adams P, Asante IA, Bonney EY, Agbodzi B, Kumordjie S, Faye M, Obodai E, Ketorwoley P, Yeboah C, Tublu M, Diagne MM, Diallo A, Ofori M, Laryea D, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Kyei GB, Ohene SA, Boateng G, Chapman R, Faye O, Wiley M, Odoom J, Sall A, Kasolo FC, Yeboah-Manu D. Marburg Virus Disease in Ghana. N Engl J Med 2023; 388:2393-2394. [PMID: 37342928 DOI: 10.1056/nejmc2300867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph K Bonney
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bright Adu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Deborah Pratt
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Patience Adams
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ivy A Asante
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Y Bonney
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Clara Yeboah
- U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit 3, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mildred Tublu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Magdalene Ofori
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | - Gifty Boateng
- National Public Health Reference Laboratory, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ryan Chapman
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, NE
| | | | | | - John Odoom
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
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Jewell C, Wittkowski A, Pratt D. The impact of parent-only interventions on child anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2022; 309:324-349. [PMID: 35460744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.04.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parent-only interventions for childhood anxiety may be an important alternative to resource and time intensive child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy of parent-only interventions in reducing symptoms of anxiety disorders in school-aged children. METHODS A systematic search of five databases (inception to March 2021) identified 29 eligible studies. A range of study designs were captured, including randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and case series. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Random effects meta-analyses were performed on parent- and child-reported outcomes and pre-test post-test effect sizes were calculated for uncontrolled studies. RESULTS Findings indicated a significant treatment effect for parent-only interventions compared to waitlist controls. No significant differences were found when comparing parent-only interventions with other active interventions; anxiety symptoms reduced in both conditions. No significant treatment effects were found for child-rated outcomes. Calculated effect sizes for uncontrolled studies were typically large, although sample sizes were small. No clear evidence was found for a superior type, duration or format of intervention. LIMITATIONS The methodological quality of many studies in this review (19/29) was rated 'weak'. Only English language papers were included. CONCLUSIONS To date, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of parent-only interventions for reducing symptoms of child anxiety disorders. Our results suggest that parent-only interventions may be effective in reducing child anxiety. These findings are important for clinical practice because they suggest that efficient, low intensity interventions delivered to parents may lead to positive outcomes for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Jewell
- Centre for New Treatments and Understanding in Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - A Wittkowski
- Centre for New Treatments and Understanding in Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
| | - D Pratt
- Centre for New Treatments and Understanding in Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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4
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Gosling H, Pratt D, Montgomery H, Lea J. The relationship between minority stress factors and suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst transgender and gender non-conforming adults: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2022; 303:31-51. [PMID: 34958812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of Minority Stress (MS) upon suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) adults is not sufficiently understood, hence our intervention efforts on an individual and societal level are limited. This review aims to evaluate recent literature that reports on the association between MS and suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst TGNC adults. METHODS PsycINFO, Web of Science, MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE were systematically searched for relevant articles. Peer reviewed and grey literature were considered. Included papers reported quantitative analyses on associations between MS factors and suicidal ideation and behaviours amongst TGNC adults. The quality of papers was assessed. RESULTS 28 papers were identified as eligible. Findings suggested positive associations between external and internal minority stressors and suicidal ideation and behaviour. Dysfunctional individual coping was associated with a greater likelihood of suicide attempts. Community resilience was negatively associated with suicidal outcomes, but did not consistently buffer the effects of minority stress. LIMITATIONS Overall quality of included papers was 'poor'. Almost all papers were cross-sectional by design, therefore causality cannot be inferred. Many papers measured variables using non-standardised measures undermining the reliability and validity of reported results. CONCLUSIONS Findings offer support to the application of MS theory to the understanding of suicidal ideation and behaviour amongst TGNC. Future research should use standardised measures and longitudinal designs to better support the investigation of directionality and causality. More research is needed to understand the complex interactions between minority stress factors and the role of resilience in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Gosling
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - D Pratt
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - H Montgomery
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
| | - J Lea
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK.
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5
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Pape S, Snijders RJALM, Gevers TJG, Chazouilleres O, Dalekos GN, Hirschfield GM, Lenzi M, Trauner M, Manns MP, Vierling JM, Montano-Loza AJ, Lohse AW, Schramm C, Drenth JPH, Heneghan MA, Alvarez F, Andrade R, Arikan C, Assis D, Bardou-Jacquet E, Biewenga M, Cancado E, Cazzagon N, Chazouillères O, Colloredo G, Cuarterolo M, Dalekos G, Debray D, Robles-Díaz M, Drenth J, Dyson J, Efe C, Engel B, Ferri S, Fontana R, Gatselis N, Gerussi A, Halilbasic E, Halliday N, Heneghan M, Hirschfield G, van Hoek B, Hørby Jørgensen M, Indolfini G, Iorio R, Jeong S, Jones D, Kelly D, Kerkar N, Lacaille F, Lammert C, Leggett B, Lenzi M, Levy C, Liberal R, Lleo A, Lohse A, Ines Lopez S, de Martin E, McLin V, Mieli-Vergani G, Milkiewicz P, Mohan N, Muratori L, Nebbia G, van Nieuwkerk C, Oo Y, Ortega A, Páres A, Pop T, Pratt D, Purnak T, Ranucci G, Rushbrook S, Schramm C, Stättermayer A, Swain M, Tanaka A, Taubert R, Terrabuio D, Terziroli B, Trauner M, Valentino P, van den Brand F, Villamil A, Wahlin S, Ytting H, Zachou K, Zeniya M. Systematic review of response criteria and endpoints in autoimmune hepatitis by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. J Hepatol 2022; 76:841-849. [PMID: 35066089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been well characterised and codified through the development of diagnostic criteria. These criteria have been adapted and simplified and are widely used in clinical practice. However, there is a need to update and precisely define the criteria for both treatment response and treatment. METHODS A systematic review was performed and a modified Delphi consensus process was used to identify and redefine the response criteria in autoimmune hepatitis. RESULTS The consensus process initiated by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group proposes that the term 'complete biochemical response' defined as 'normalization of serum transaminases and IgG below the upper limit of normal' be adopted to include a time point at 6 months after initiation of treatment. An insufficient response by 6 months was a failure to meet the above definition. Non-response was defined as '<50% decrease of serum transaminases within 4 weeks after initiation of treatment'. Remission is defined as liver histology with a Hepatitis Activity Index <4/18. Intolerance to treatment was agreed to stand for 'any adverse event possibly related to treatment leading to potential drug discontinuation'. CONCLUSIONS These definitions provide a simple and reproducible framework to define treatment response and non-response, irrespective of the therapeutic intervention. A consensus on endpoints is urgently required to set a global standard for the reporting of study results and to enable inter-study comparisons. Future prospective database studies are needed to validate these endpoints. LAY SUMMARY Consensus among international experts on response criteria and endpoints in autoimmune hepatitis is lacking. A consensus on endpoints is urgently required to set a global standard for the reporting of study results and to enable the comparison of results between clinical trials. Therefore, the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) herein presents a statement on 5 agreed response criteria and endpoints: complete biochemical response, insufficient response, non-response, remission, and intolerance to treatment, which can be used to guide future reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Pape
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Romée J A L M Snijders
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Tom J G Gevers
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht 6229HX, The Netherlands; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Oliver Chazouilleres
- Hepatology Department, Reference Center for Inflammatory Biliary Diseases and Autoimmune Hepatitis, Saint-Antoine Hospital Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - George N Dalekos
- Department of Medicine and Research Laboratory of Internal Medicine, University of Thessaly Medical School, Larissa, Greece
| | - Gideon M Hirschfield
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Marco Lenzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michael Trauner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - John M Vierling
- Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Aldo J Montano-Loza
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ansgar W Lohse
- 1(st) Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Christoph Schramm
- 1(st) Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Martin Zeitz Centre for Rare Diseases, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Joost P H Drenth
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER)
| | - Michael A Heneghan
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; European Reference Network on Hepatological Diseases (ERN RARE-LIVER).
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6
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Amoa-Bosompem M, Kobayashi D, Faizah AN, Kimura S, Antwi A, Agbosu E, Pratt D, Ohashi M, Bonney JHK, Dadzie S, Ejiri H, Ohta N, Sawabe K, Iwanaga S, Isawa H. Screening for tick-borne and tick-associated viruses in ticks collected in Ghana. Arch Virol 2021; 167:123-130. [PMID: 34757503 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-021-05296-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that transmit many pathogens, including arboviruses. Arboviruses transmitted by ticks are generally referred to as tick-borne viruses (TBVs). TBVs are known to cause diseases in humans, pets, and livestock. There is, however, very limited information on the occurrence and distribution of TBVs in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was designed to determine the presence and distribution of ticks infesting dogs and cattle in Ghana, as well as to identify the tick-borne or tick-associated viruses they harbour. A more diverse population of ticks was found to infest cattle (three genera) relative to those infesting dogs (one genus). Six phleboviruses and an orthonairovirus were detected in tick pools screened by RT-PCR. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed two distinct phleboviruses and the previously reported Odaw virus in ticks collected from dogs and a virus (16GH-T27) most closely related to four unclassified phleboviruses in ticks collected from cattle. The virus 16GH-T27 was considered a strain of Balambala tick virus (BTV) and named BTV strain 16GH-T27. Next-generation sequencing analysis of the BTV-positive tick pool detected only the L and S segments. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that BTV clustered with viruses previously defined as M-segment-deficient phleboviruses. The orthonairovirus detected in ticks collected from cattle was confirmed to be the medically important Dugbe virus. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of understanding the presence and distribution of ticks and TBVs in disease prevention and mitigation and the implications for public health. Our findings contribute to the knowledge pool on TBVs and tick-associated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Amoa-Bosompem
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.,Laboratory of Sanitary Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan.,Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Daisuke Kobayashi
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Astri Nur Faizah
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.,Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan
| | - Shohei Kimura
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Ama Antwi
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Esinam Agbosu
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mitsuko Ohashi
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Joseph H Kofi Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Dadzie
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box LG581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Hiroko Ejiri
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Nobuo Ohta
- Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka-cyo, Suzuka-shi, Mie, 510-0293, Japan
| | - Kyoko Sawabe
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan.,Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, 3-1 Yamadaoka, Osaka, 565-0871, Suita, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Isawa
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8640, Japan.
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7
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Joannides J, Dzodzomenyo M, Azerigyik F, Agbosu EE, Pratt D, Nyarko Osei JH, Pwalia R, Amlalo GK, Appawu M, Takashi H, Iwanaga S, Buchwald A, Rochford R, Boakye D, Koram K, Bonney K, Dadzie S. Species composition and risk of transmission of some Aedes-borne arboviruses in some sites in Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0234675. [PMID: 34061882 PMCID: PMC8168856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aedes-borne viral diseases mainly Yellow Fever (YF), Dengue (DEN), Zika (ZIK) and Chikungunya (CHK) have contributed to many deaths’ in the world especially in Africa. There have been major outbreaks of these diseases in West Africa. Although, YF outbreaks have occurred in Ghana over the years, no outbreak of DEN, ZIK and CHK has been recorded. However, the risk of outbreak is high due to its proximity to West African countries where outbreaks have been recently been recorded. This study surveyed the mosquito fauna to assess the risk of transmission of Yellow fever (YFV), Dengue (DENV), Chikungunya (CHKV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses in Larabanga and Mole Game Reserve areas in Northern Ghana. The immature and adult stages of Aedes mosquitoes were collected from Larabanga and Mole Game Reserve area. There was a significant (P>0.001) number of mosquitoes collected during the rainy season than the dry season. A total of 1,930 Aedes mosquitoes were collected during the rainy season and morphologically identified. Of these, 1,915 (99.22%) were Aedes aegypti and 15 (0.22%) were Aedes vittatus. During the dry season, 27 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were collected. A total of 415 Ae. aegypti mosquitoes were molecularly identified to subspecies level of which Ae. (Ae) aegypti aegypti was the predominant subspecies. Both Ae. aegypti aegypti and Ae aegypti formosus exist in sympatry in the area. All Aedes pools (75) were negative for DENV, ZIKV and CHKV when examined by RT- PCR. Three Larval indices namely House Index, HI (percentage of houses positive for Aedes larvae or pupae), Container Index, CI (the percentage of containers positive for Aedes larvae or pupae) and Breteau Index, BI (number of positive containers per 100 houses inspected) were assessed as a measure for risk of transmission in the study area. The HI, CI and BI for both sites were as follows; Mole Game Reserve (HI, 42.1%, CI, 23.5% and BI, 100 for rainy season and 0 for all indices for dry season) and Larabanga (39%, 15.5% and 61 for rainy season and 2.3%, 1.3% and 2.3 for dry season). The spatial distribution of Aedes breeding sites in both areas indicated that Aedes larvae were breeding in areas with close proximity to humans. Lorry tires were the main source of Aedes larvae in all the study areas. Information about the species composition and the potential role of Aedes mosquitoes in future outbreaks of the diseases that they transmit is needed to design efficient surveillance and vector control tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joannitta Joannides
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mawuli Dzodzomenyo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Faustus Azerigyik
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eudocia Esinam Agbosu
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Rebecca Pwalia
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Godwin Kwame Amlalo
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Appawu
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Hayashi Takashi
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Molecular Virology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andrea Buchwald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Rosemary Rochford
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Daniel Boakye
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Koram
- Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kofi Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Dadzie
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- * E-mail:
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8
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Amoa-Bosompem M, Kobayashi D, Murota K, Faizah AN, Itokawa K, Fujita R, Osei JHN, Agbosu E, Pratt D, Kimura S, Kwofie KD, Ohashi M, Bonney JHK, Dadzie S, Sasaki T, Ohta N, Isawa H, Sawabe K, Iwanaga S. Entomological Assessment of the Status and Risk of Mosquito-borne Arboviral Transmission in Ghana. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020147. [PMID: 32012771 PMCID: PMC7077231 DOI: 10.3390/v12020147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Entomological surveillance is one of the tools used in monitoring and controlling vector-borne diseases. However, the use of entomological surveillance for arboviral infection vector control is often dependent on finding infected individuals. Although this method may suffice in highly endemic areas, it is not as effective in controlling the spread of diseases in low endemic and non-endemic areas. In this study, we examined the efficiency of using entomological markers to assess the status and risk of arbovirus infection in Ghana, which is considered a non-endemic country, by combining mosquito surveillance with virus isolation and detection. This study reports the presence of cryptic species of mosquitoes in Ghana, demonstrating the need to combine morphological identification and molecular techniques in mosquito surveillance. Furthermore, although no medically important viruses were detected, the importance of insect-specific viruses in understanding virus evolution and arbovirus transmission is discussed. This study reports the first mutualistic relationship between dengue virus and the double-stranded RNA Aedes aegypti totivirus. Finally, this study discusses the complexity of the virome of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes and its implication for arbovirus transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Amoa-Bosompem
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; (M.A.-B.); (S.K.); (K.D.K.); (M.O.)
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (J.H.N.O.); (S.D.)
| | - Daisuke Kobayashi
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Katsunori Murota
- Kyushu Research Station, National Institute of Animal Health, NARO, 2702 Chuzan, Kagoshima 891-0105, Japan;
| | - Astri Nur Faizah
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kentaro Itokawa
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan;
| | - Ryosuke Fujita
- Laboratory of Sanitary Entomology, Kyushu University Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
| | - Joseph Harold Nyarko Osei
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (J.H.N.O.); (S.D.)
| | - Esinam Agbosu
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (E.A.); (D.P.); (J.H.K.B.)
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (E.A.); (D.P.); (J.H.K.B.)
| | - Shohei Kimura
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; (M.A.-B.); (S.K.); (K.D.K.); (M.O.)
| | - Kofi Dadzie Kwofie
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; (M.A.-B.); (S.K.); (K.D.K.); (M.O.)
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (J.H.N.O.); (S.D.)
| | - Mitsuko Ohashi
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; (M.A.-B.); (S.K.); (K.D.K.); (M.O.)
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (J.H.N.O.); (S.D.)
| | - Joseph H. Kofi Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (E.A.); (D.P.); (J.H.K.B.)
| | - Samuel Dadzie
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, College of Health Sciences, P.O. box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana; (J.H.N.O.); (S.D.)
| | - Toshinori Sasaki
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Nobuo Ohta
- Faculty of Health Science, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka-cyo, Suzuka-shi, Mie 510-0293, Japan;
| | - Haruhiko Isawa
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: (H.I.); (S.I.); Tel.: +81-3-5285-1111 (H.I.); +81-3-5803-5191 (S.I.)
| | - Kyoko Sawabe
- Department of Medical Entomology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan; (D.K.); (A.N.F.); (T.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Department of Environmental Parasitology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan; (M.A.-B.); (S.K.); (K.D.K.); (M.O.)
- Correspondence: (H.I.); (S.I.); Tel.: +81-3-5285-1111 (H.I.); +81-3-5803-5191 (S.I.)
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Borschmann R, Tibble H, Spittal MJ, Preen D, Pirkis J, Larney S, Rosen DL, Young JT, Love AD, Altice FL, Binswanger IA, Bukten A, Butler T, Chang Z, Chen CY, Clausen T, Christensen PB, Culbert GJ, Degenhardt L, Dirkzwager AJE, Dolan K, Fazel S, Fischbacher C, Giles M, Graham L, Harding D, Huang YF, Huber F, Karaminia A, Keen C, Kouyoumdjian FG, Lim S, Møller L, Moniruzzaman A, Morenoff J, O’Moore E, Pizzicato LN, Pratt D, Proescholdbell SK, Ranapurwala SI, Shanahan ME, Shaw J, Slaunwhite A, Somers JM, Spaulding AC, Stern MF, Viner KM, Wang N, Willoughby M, Zhao B, Kinner SA. The Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC): Protocol for a multi-national, individual participant data meta-analysis. Int J Popul Data Sci 2020; 5:1145. [PMID: 32935053 PMCID: PMC7473255 DOI: 10.23889/ijpds.v5i1.1145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION More than 30 million adults are released from incarceration globally each year. Many experience complex physical and mental health problems, and are at markedly increased risk of preventable mortality. Despite this, evidence regarding the global epidemiology of mortality following release from incarceration is insufficient to inform the development of targeted, evidence-based responses. Many previous studies have suffered from inadequate power and poor precision, and even large studies have limited capacity to disaggregate data by specific causes of death, sub-populations or time since release to answer questions of clinical and public health relevance. OBJECTIVES To comprehensively document the incidence, timing, causes and risk factors for mortality in adults released from prison. METHODS We created the Mortality After Release from Incarceration Consortium (MARIC), a multi-disciplinary collaboration representing 29 cohorts of adults who have experienced incarceration from 11 countries. Findings across cohorts will be analysed using a two-step, individual participant data meta-analysis methodology. RESULTS The combined sample includes 1,337,993 individuals (89% male), with 75,795 deaths recorded over 9,191,393 person-years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The consortium represents an important advancement in the field, bringing international attention to this problem. It will provide internationally relevant evidence to guide policymakers and clinicians in reducing preventable deaths in this marginalized population. KEY WORDS Mortality; incarceration; prison; release; individual participant data meta-analysis; consortium; cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Borschmann
- Justice Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie street, Carlton 3010, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
| | - H Tibble
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, Centre for Medical Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - MJ Spittal
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - D Preen
- The University of Western Australia, School of Population and Global Health, Nedlands, AUSTRALIA
| | - J Pirkis
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - S Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
| | - DL Rosen
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - JT Young
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - AD Love
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - FL Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine and Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - IA Binswanger
- Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Colorado Permanente Medical Group, USA
| | - A Bukten
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - T Butler
- University of New South Wales, Kirby Institute, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
| | - Z Chang
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SWEDEN
| | - C-Y Chen
- National Yang-Ming University, Institute of Public Health, TAIWAN
| | - T Clausen
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - PB Christensen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital and Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, DENMARK
| | - GJ Culbert
- Department of Health Systems Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - L Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
| | - AJE Dirkzwager
- Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
| | - K Dolan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
| | - S Fazel
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Medical Sciences Division, Oxford, ENGLAND
| | - C Fischbacher
- NHS National Services, Information Services Division, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
| | - M Giles
- Edith Cowan University, School of Arts and Humanities, Joondalup, AUSTRALIA
| | - L Graham
- NHS National Services, Information Services Division, Edinburgh, SCOTLAND
| | - D Harding
- University of California Berkeley, USA
| | - Y-F Huang
- Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Taipei, TAIWAN
| | - F Huber
- Cayenne General Hospital, COREVIH Guyane, and Reseau Kikiwi, Cayenne, French Guiana, FRANCE
| | - A Karaminia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
| | - C Keen
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - FG Kouyoumdjian
- McMaster University, Department of Family Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA
| | - S Lim
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Epidemiology Services, Division of Epidemiology, New York, USA
| | - L Møller
- World Health Organization, Division of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Health through the Life-course, Marmorvej, DENMARK
| | - A Moniruzzaman
- Somers Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA
| | - J Morenoff
- University of Michigan, Department of Sociology, USA
| | - E O’Moore
- Public Health England, London, ENGLAND
| | - LN Pizzicato
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - D Pratt
- University of Manchester, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Manchester, ENGLAND
| | - SK Proescholdbell
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina, USA
| | - SI Ranapurwala
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - ME Shanahan
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - J Shaw
- Centre for Mental Health and Safety, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, ENGLAND
| | - A Slaunwhite
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
| | - JM Somers
- Somers Research Group, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, CANADA
| | - AC Spaulding
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - MF Stern
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - KM Viner
- Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - N Wang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, TAIWAN
| | - M Willoughby
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
| | - B Zhao
- BC Centre for Disease Control, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA
| | - SA Kinner
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Centre for Adolescent Health, Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
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Manu SK, Bonney JHK, Pratt D, Abdulai FN, Agbosu EE, Frimpong PO, Adiku TK. Arbovirus circulation among febrile patients at the greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:332. [PMID: 31186058 PMCID: PMC6560752 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4378-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Arboviruses, Dengue and Chikungunya have become major international public health concerns due to their epidemics and introduction in new areas. In Ghana, little is known is about Dengue and Chikungunya viruses though the country has been listed as part of the 34 countries in which the viruses are endemic. This has been attributed partly to the lack of diagnostic tools for these viruses in several health facilities and institutions across the country. The purpose of this study was to detect and characterize these viral pathogens among febrile patients in Accra Ghana. Results This hospital-based cross-sectional study enrolled 260 suspected Dengue and/or Chikungunya febrile patients who submitted their clinical specimens of serum. Out of the total number tested with both molecular and serological tools, Chikungunya and Dengue specific total antibodies were detected from 72 (27.69%) and 180 (69.23%) respectively. None of the participants tested positive for Dengue and Chikungunya by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and with the Dengue-specific NS1 antigen strip kits. Our findings suggested that Dengue and Chikungunya viruses may be circulating but are being missed among febrile patients. Differential diagnosis work-up in febrile patients should be made to include Dengue and Chikungunya infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Kofi Manu
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Humphrey Kofi Bonney
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Eudosia Esinam Agbosu
- Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, P.O. Box LG 581, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Theophilus Korku Adiku
- Department of Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
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Ankrah GA, Bonney JHK, Agbosu EE, Pratt D, Adiku TK. Serological evidence of Zika virus infection in febrile patients at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Accra Ghana. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:326. [PMID: 31182146 PMCID: PMC6558911 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Increase in the evidence of global occurrence of Zika viral infection suggests that in Africa the circulation of the virus which causes 80% of asymptomatic infection could be undetected and/or overlooked. We sought to serologically detect Zika virus infection in febrile patients at Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana. Results Of the 160 patient serum samples analyzed, 33 were found to have antibodies against Zika virus infection. Among the sero-positives 30 (91%) of the cases were anti-Zika virus IgM with the 21–30-year age group recording the highest number of 8 (26%) and 2 (7%) cases being the least for the 61 years and above age group. All sero-positive febrile patients developed at least one symptom consistent with Zika virus infection: 33 (100%) fever, 25 (76%) muscle pain, 24 (73%) joint pain, and conjunctivitis 2 (6%). Digestive symptoms recorded include 16 (49%) nausea, 12 (36%) vomiting and diarrhea 18 (55%). In addition, 28 (85%) loss of appetite, 14 (75%) rapid respiration and chest pain 15 (42%) were reported by seropositive febrile patients. Our data indicates exposure to Zika virus which suggests the possible circulation of the virus among febrile patients in Ghana with a sero-prevalence rate of 20.6%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godson Aryee Ankrah
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Joseph Humphrey Kofi Bonney
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Esinam Eudosia Agbosu
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Theophilus Korku Adiku
- Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana
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Frenk N, Ganguli S, Bochnakova T, Pratt D, Yamada K, Frenk N. 03:45 PM Abstract No. 253 Small-diameter TIPS combined with splenic artery embolization in the management of refractory ascites in cirrhotic patients. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2018.12.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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13
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Bonney JHK, Hayashi T, Dadzie S, Agbosu E, Pratt D, Nyarko S, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Ido E, Sarkodie B, Ohta N, Yamaoka S. Molecular detection of dengue virus in patients suspected of Ebola virus disease in Ghana. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208907. [PMID: 30566466 PMCID: PMC6300295 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue fever is known to be one of the most common arthropod-borne viral infectious diseases of public health importance. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific with an estimated two fifths of the world's population being at risk. The notable endemic viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) found in West Africa, including yellow fever, Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, dengue fever and until recently Ebola have been responsible for most outbreaks with fatal consequences. These VHFs usually produce unclear acute febrile illness, especially in the acute phase of infection. In this study we detected the presence of 2 different serotypes (DENV-2 and DENV-3) of Dengue virus in 4 sera of 150 patients clinically suspected of Ebola virus disease during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa with the use of serological and molecular test assays. Sequence data was successfully generated for DENV-3 and phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene showed that the DENV-3 sequences had close homology with DENV-3 sequences from Senegal and India. This study documents molecular evidence of an indigenous Dengue fever viral infection in Ghana and therefore necessitates the need to have an efficient surveillance system to rapidly detect and control the dissemination of the different serotypes in the population which has the potential to cause outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fevers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takaya Hayashi
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Samuel Dadzie
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Esinam Agbosu
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Stephen Nyarko
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Eiji Ido
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Badu Sarkodie
- Public Health Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nobuo Ohta
- Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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14
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Amoako N, Duodu S, Dennis FE, Bonney JHK, Asante KP, Ameh J, Mosi L, Hayashi T, Agbosu EE, Pratt D, Operario DJ, Fields B, Liu J, Houpt ER, Armah GE, Stoler J, Awandare GA. Detection of Dengue Virus among Children with Suspected Malaria, Accra, Ghana. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 24:1544-1547. [PMID: 30015610 PMCID: PMC6056106 DOI: 10.3201/eid2408.180341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We report new molecular evidence of locally acquired dengue virus infections in Ghana. We detected dengue viral RNA among children with suspected malaria by using a multipathogen real-time PCR. Subsequent sequence analysis revealed a close relationship with dengue virus serotype 2, which was implicated in a 2016 outbreak in Burkina Faso.
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15
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Larson KE, Grobmyer SR, Karafa M, Pratt D. Time to treatment and survival in triple negative breast cancer patients receiving trimodality treatment in the United States. Cancer Treat Res Commun 2018; 16:32-37. [PMID: 31299000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Time from diagnosis to treatment for breast cancer patients has been linked to outcomes. Our goal was to assess the relationship between survival, time to first treatment (TFT), and time to treatment completion (TTC) in Stage I-III triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) receiving trimodality therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation). METHODS National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for TNBC patients diagnosed with Stage I-III disease from 2010 to 2011 who received all treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) within 18 months of diagnosis. Multivariate analysis controlled for age, stage, operation, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and comorbidities. RESULTS 17,717 women were included. Most had early stage disease (34.1% Stage 1; 48.2% Stage 2) treated with lumpectomy (69.2%) and adjuvant chemotherapy (63.3%). During follow-up (2.8 ± 1.1 years), mortality was 11.4%. TFT was 34.8 days for NAC and 35.6 days for surgery. Multivariate analysis demonstrated no mortality difference when considering TFT in 30 day (p = 0.43) or 6 week (p = 0.91) intervals. When separating into NAC or surgery first, there remained no mortality difference when considering TFT in 30 day (NAC p = 0.96, surgery p = 0.26) or 6 week (NAC p = 0.91, surgery p = 0.91) intervals. Overall, TTC was 9.0 ± 1.8 months. When dividing patients into tertiles by TTC, multivariate analysis demonstrated no survival difference between groups (p = 0.9). There was also no mortality difference for each 30 day increased TTC (p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS In Stage I-III TNBC patients receiving trimodality therapy, TFT (NAC or surgery) and TTC do not impact short-term survival if TTC is <18 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Larson
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Breast Services, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Surgery, Division of Breast Surgery, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - S R Grobmyer
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Breast Services, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - M Karafa
- Department of Quantitate Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - D Pratt
- Department of General Surgery, Division of Breast Services, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Frenk N, Irani Z, Yamada K, Ganguli S, Chung R, Pratt D, Allegretti A. Abstract No. 615 Performance of MELD score versus MELD-Na in predicting 90-day survival after TIPS placement. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2018.01.660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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17
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Cunningham LJ, Odoom J, Pratt D, Boatemaa L, Asante-Ntim N, Attiku K, Banahene B, Osei-Atweneboana M, Verweij JJ, Molyneux D, Stothard RJ, Adams ER. Expanding molecular diagnostics of helminthiasis: Piloting use of the GPLN platform for surveillance of soil transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis in Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018; 12:e0006129. [PMID: 29370166 PMCID: PMC5784883 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The efforts to control and eradicate polio as a global health burden have been successful to the point where currently only three countries now report endemic polio, and the number of cases of polio continues to decrease. The success of the polio programme has been dependant on a well-developed network of laboratories termed the global polio laboratory network (GPLN). Here we explore collaborative opportunities with the GPLN to target two of the 18 diseases listed as a neglected tropical diseases (NTD) namely soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH). These were chosen based on prevalence and the use of faecal materials to identify both polio, STH and SCH. Our study screened 448 faecal samples from the Ghana GPLN using three triplex TaqMan assays to identify Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma spp, Trichuris trchiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp. Our results found a combined helminth prevalence of 22%. The most common helminth infection was A. lumbricoides with a prevalence of 15% followed by N. americanus (5%), Ancylostoma spp. (2.5%), Schistosoma spp. (1.6%) and S. stercoralis (1%). These results show that it is possible to identify alternative pathogens to polio in the samples collected by the GPLN platform and to introduce new diagnostic assays to their laboratories. The diagnostic methods employed were also able to identify S. stercoralis positive samples, which are difficult to identify using parasitological methods such as Kato-Katz. This study raises the possibility of collaboration with the GPLN for the surveillance of a wider range of diseases which would both benefit the efforts to control the NTDs and also increase the scope of the GPLN as a diagnostic platform. The successful campaign being waged against polio has eliminated the disease from most countries where it was once endemic. With this success, it is anticipated that the disease will be eradicated in the coming years with only 37 cases being reported in 2016. Although the efforts to control polio are successful there are a number of low-profile, but no less serious disease, that are still highly prevalent throughout the world. These diseases have been termed the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and this study aims to test the suitability of the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) as a platform to screen for two of the NTDs, soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SCH). To test the suitability of the samples collected by the GPLN and the suitability of the laboratories themselves 448 samples from the Ghanaian GPLN laboratory were screened with multiplex TaqMan assays for the following six helminth types: Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma spp, Trichuris trchiura, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp. Using this method this study was able to identify a prevalence of 22% for the combined helminth infection. The most common infection was A. lumbricoides with a prevalence of 15% followed by N. americanus (5%), Ancylostoma spp. (2.5%), Schistosoma spp. (1.6%) and S. stercoralis (1%). The success of this study indicates that this may be a cost-effective method to passively screen a country for STH and SCH and its success in identifying S. stercoralis infections makes it especially useful as this parasite is hard to identify using traditional surveillance techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J. Cunningham
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - John Odoom
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah Pratt
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linda Boatemaa
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Nana Asante-Ntim
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Keren Attiku
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Bismarck Banahene
- Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Mike Osei-Atweneboana
- Department of Environmental Biology and Health, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Accra, Ghana
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - David Molyneux
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Russell J. Stothard
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Emily R. Adams
- Parasitology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Littlewood DL, Gooding P, Pratt D, Peters S, Kyle SD. 1117 SLEEP AND SUICIDAL IDEATION: EXAMINATION OF PROSPECTIVE TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS. Sleep 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/sleepj/zsx050.1116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Akuffo R, Brandful JAM, Zayed A, Adjei A, Watany N, Fahmy NT, Hughes R, Doman B, Voegborlo SV, Aziati D, Pratt D, Awuni JA, Adams N, Dueger E. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in livestock ticks and animal handler seroprevalence at an abattoir in Ghana. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:324. [PMID: 27392037 PMCID: PMC4939019 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1660-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted by Ixodid ticks and causes Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) disease in humans with up to 50 % mortality rate. Methods Freshly slaughtered livestock at the Kumasi abattoir in the Ashanti Region of Ghana were examined for the presence of ticks once a month over a 6-month period from May to November 2011. The ticks were grouped into pools by species, sex, and animal source. CCHFV was detected in the ticks using reverse transcription PCR. Blood samples were collected from enrolled abattoir workers at initiation, and from those who reported fever in a preceding 30-day period during monthly visits 2–5 months after initiation. Six months after initiation, all participants who provided baseline samples were invited to provide blood samples. Serology was performed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Demographic and epidemiological data was also obtained from enrolled participants using a structured questionnaire. Results Of 428 freshly slaughtered animals comprising 130 sheep, 149 cattle, and 149 goats examined, 144 ticks belonging to the genera Ambylomma, Hyalomma and Boophilus were identified from 57 (13.3 %): 52 (34.9 %), 4 (3.1 %) and 1 (0.7 %) cattle, sheep and goat respectively. Of 97 tick pools tested, 5 pools comprising 1 pool of Hyalomma excavatum and 4 pools of Ambylomma variegatum, collected from cattle, were positive for CCHFV. Of 188 human serum samples collected from 108 abattoir workers, 7 (3.7 %) samples from 6 persons were anti-CCHF IgG positive with one of them also being CCHF IgM positive. The seroprevalence of CCHFV identified in this study was 5.7 %. Conclusions This study detected human exposure to CCHF virus in slaughterhouse workers and also identified the CCHF virus in proven vectors (ticks) of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever in Ghana. The CCHFV was detected only in ticks collected from cattle, one of the livestock known to play a role in the amplification of the CCHF virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Akuffo
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt. .,Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. .,Present Address: NAMRU-3, PSC 452, P.O Box 5000, FPO, AE 09835-9998, 3A Imtidad Ramses Street. Adjacent to Abbassia Fever Hospital, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - J A M Brandful
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - A Zayed
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Adjei
- University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - N Watany
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - N T Fahmy
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - R Hughes
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - B Doman
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - D Aziati
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - D Pratt
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - J A Awuni
- Veterinary Services of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - N Adams
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt
| | - E Dueger
- U.S Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt.,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Prisoners have an exceptional risk of suicide. Cognitive-behavioural therapy for suicidal behaviour has been shown to offer considerable potential, but has yet to be formally evaluated within prisons. This study investigated the feasibility of delivering and evaluating a novel, manualized cognitive-behavioural suicide prevention (CBSP) therapy for suicidal male prisoners. METHOD A pilot randomized controlled trial of CBSP in addition to treatment as usual (CBSP; n = 31) compared with treatment as usual (TAU; n = 31) alone was conducted in a male prison in England. The primary outcome was self-injurious behaviour occurring within the past 6 months. Secondary outcomes were dimensions of suicidal ideation, psychiatric symptomatology, personality dysfunction and psychological determinants of suicide, including depression and hopelessness. The trial was prospectively registered (number ISRCTN59909209). RESULTS Relative to TAU, participants receiving CBSP therapy achieved a significantly greater reduction in suicidal behaviours with a moderate treatment effect [Cohen's d = -0.72, 95% confidence interval -1.71 to 0.09; baseline mean TAU: 1.39 (S.D. = 3.28) v. CBSP: 1.06 (S.D. = 2.10), 6 months mean TAU: 1.48 (S.D. = 3.23) v. CBSP: 0.58 (S.D. = 1.52)]. Significant improvements were achieved on measures of psychiatric symptomatology and personality dysfunction. Improvements on psychological determinants of suicide were non-significant. More than half of the participants in the CBSP group achieved a clinically significant recovery by the end of therapy, compared with a quarter of the TAU group. CONCLUSIONS The delivery and evaluation of CBSP therapy within a prison is feasible. CBSP therapy offers significant promise in the prevention of prison suicide and an adequately powered randomized controlled trial is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- School of Psychological Sciences,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - N Tarrier
- Department of Psychology,Institute of Psychiatry,King's College London,London,UK
| | - G Dunn
- Institute of Population Health,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - Y Awenat
- School of Psychological Sciences,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - J Shaw
- Institute of Brain,Behaviour and Mental Health,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - F Ulph
- School of Psychological Sciences,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
| | - P Gooding
- School of Psychological Sciences,University of Manchester,Manchester,UK
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Gooding P, Tarrier N, Dunn G, Shaw J, Awenat Y, Ulph F, Pratt D. The moderating effects of coping and self-esteem on the relationship between defeat, entrapment and suicidality in a sample of prisoners at high risk of suicide. Eur Psychiatry 2015; 30:988-94. [PMID: 26497469 PMCID: PMC4682192 DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2015.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Revised: 08/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research is sparse which examines pathways to suicide, and resilience to suicide, in people who are particularly vulnerable to suicide, for example, prison inmates. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which perceptions of self-esteem and coping ability interacted with defeat and entrapment to both amplify suicidal thoughts and feelings, and to act as a buffer against suicidal thoughts and feelings. METHODS Participants were 65 male prisoners at high risk of suicide. A cross-sectional questionnaire design was used. Questionnaire measures of depression, defeat, entrapment, self-esteem, coping ability and suicidal probability were administered. RESULTS For the hopelessness component of the suicide probability measure, high levels of coping ability together with low levels of defeat resulted in the lowest levels of suicidality indicative of a resilience factor. In contrast, low levels of coping skills together with high levels of entrapment were a high risk factor for this hopelessness component of suicide. This pattern of results pertained when controlling for depression levels. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to examine interactions between defeat, entrapment and appraisals of self-esteem and coping ability. Therapeutic interventions would benefit from boosting perceptions and appraisals of coping ability, in particular, in people who are at high risk for suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gooding
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK.
| | - N Tarrier
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK
| | - G Dunn
- Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK
| | - J Shaw
- Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK; Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Y Awenat
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK
| | - F Ulph
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK
| | - D Pratt
- School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Manchester Health Science Centre (MAHSC), Manchester, UK; Manchester Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
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Pratt D, Fuchs PN, Sluka KA. Assessment of avoidance behaviors in mouse models of muscle pain. Neuroscience 2013; 248:54-60. [PMID: 23747349 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.05.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pain encompasses both a sensory as well as an affective dimension and these are differentially processed in the cortex. Animal models typically use reflexive behaviors to test nociceptive responses; these are thought to reflect the sensory dimension of pain. While several behavioral tests are available for examining the affective dimension of pain it is unclear if these are appropriate in animal models of muscle pain. We therefore tested the utility of existing paradigms as well as new avoidance paradigms in animal models of muscle pain in mice. Specifically we used an escape-avoidance test to noxious mechanical stimuli, a learned avoidance test to noxious mechanical stimuli, and avoidance of physical activity. We used three animal models of muscle pain: carrageenan-induced inflammation, non-inflammatory muscle pain, and exercise-enhanced pain. In the carrageenan model of inflammation mice developed escape-avoidance behaviors to mechanical stimuli, learned avoidance to mechanical stimulation and avoidance of physical activity - these models are associated with unilateral hyperalgesia. When both muscles were inflamed, escape-avoidance behaviors did not develop suggesting that equivalent bilateral pain behaviors cannot be tested with an escape-avoidance test. In the non-inflammatory muscle pain model mice did not show significant changes in escape-avoidance behaviors or learned avoidance, but did avoid physical activity. In the exercise-enhanced pain model, there were no changes in escape-avoidance, learned avoidance of noxious or physical activity In conclusion, we developed several testing protocols that assess supraspinal processing of pain behaviors in models of muscle pain and that are most sensitive in animals with unilateral hyperalgesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Pain Research Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States; Department of Biology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - P N Fuchs
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Pain Research Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States; Department of Biology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States
| | - K A Sluka
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, Pain Research Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States; Department of Biology, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, United States.
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Palmier-Claus JE, Taylor PJ, Varese F, Pratt D. Does unstable mood increase risk of suicide? Theory, research and practice. J Affect Disord 2012; 143:5-15. [PMID: 22842024 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide represents a substantial problem, with significant societal and personal impact. The identification of factors influencing suicide risk is an important step in preventing self-harming behaviour. In this article the authors explore whether emotional instability increases risk of suicide, beyond that of mood intensity. METHOD This article provides a summary of existing theory and indirect evidence in support of an association between emotional instability and suicidality. A systematic literature search (Embase, Medline, PsychInfo) was carried out on literature conducted up to October, 2011. Meta-analysis was used to assess the strength of the proposed association. RESULTS The systematic search identified 20 journal articles meeting the inclusion criteria, including retrospective questionnaire design studies and research conducted across several time-points. Meta-analysis revealed a moderate association, which remained statistically significant even when only including studies conducted over multiple time-points. This effect was attenuated, but remained significant, when controlling for study selection bias. LIMITATIONS Retrospective questionnaire studies failed to adequately control for mood level. Little is still currently understood about the types of emotional instability (e.g., dysoria, anxiety) most associated with suicidality. CONCLUSIONS Future avenues of investigation include micro- to macro-longitudinal research and the differentiation of emotion subtypes and instability metrics. Momentary assessment techniques may help to detect subtle fluctuations in mood leading to more effective and immediate intervention. Psychosocial intervention strategies for treating unstable emotions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Palmier-Claus
- The School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Johnson J, Gooding P, Wood A, Taylor P, Pratt D, Tarrier N. Resilience to suicidal ideation in psychosis: Positive self-appraisals buffer the impact of hopelessness. Behav Res Ther 2010; 48:883-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2010.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2010] [Revised: 05/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently released prisoners are at markedly higher risk of suicide than the general population. The aim of this study was to identify key risk factors for suicide by offenders released from prisons in England and Wales. METHOD All suicides committed by offenders within 12 months of their release from prison in England and Wales, between 2000 and 2002, were identified. One control matched on gender and date of release from prison was recruited for each case. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression modelling identified key independent risk factors for suicide. RESULTS Of 256 920 released prisoners, 384 suicides occurred within a year of release. Factors significantly associated with post-release suicide were increasing age over 25 years, released from a local prison, a history of alcohol misuse or self-harm, a psychiatric diagnosis, and requiring Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) follow-up after release from prison. Non-white ethnicity and a history of previous imprisonment were protective factors. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to improve the continuity of care for people who are released from prison and for community health, offender and social care agencies to coordinate care for these vulnerable individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- Centre for Suicide Prevention, School of Community-Based Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Pratt D, Hahn W, Matthews A, Febbo P, Berger R, Duckworth B, Levy J, Segaran T, Sun J, Ladd B, Elliston K. Computational causal reasoning models of mechanisms of androgen stimulation in prostate cancer. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2008; 2006:38. [PMID: 17946775 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2006.259460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- Genstruct Inc., Cambridge, MA 02140, USA.
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Flynn F, Haley G, Jensen D, Schamber K, Pratt D. Central injections of tachykinin NK3 receptor agonists inhibit salt appetite and cause translocation of the NK3 receptor to the nuclei of neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Appetite 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2007.03.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abstract
17033 Background: The role of mammography (MG) but not of breast self-exam (BSE) and clinical breast exam (CBE) in breast cancer detection and survival is well documented. This study compares the different methods of breast cancer detection and subsequent survival rates, analyzing the differences even within the same stage of the disease. Methods: Retrospective review of 1,259 patients was done using the hospital Tumor Registry data. Only patients with stage I, IIA and IIB are included and were diagnosed between April 1992 to December 2005 with follow up ranging from June 1993 to August 2006. The detection methods studied include BSE, CBE, MG and ultrasonography (USG). Parametric tests were conducted. Results: Mean age of the sample was 62 years (range 24–96). There were 293 BSE, 64 CBE, 885 MG, 17 USG detected breast cancer patients. Mean size of mass at presentation was 19 mm (range 1–110). Mean survival time for patients detected with breast cancer till August 2001 was 76 months (range 1–163). 67% patients survived 5 years or more and 12% survived more than 10 years. Mean survival for BSE/CBE and MG/USG group was 43 and 57 months respectively. This difference in survival is significant p< .05; The average survival time by stages I, IIA, IIB for BSE was 47, 45, 38 months, for CBE it was 43, 39, 51 months, for MG it was 57, 59, 50 months and for USG group it was 52, 47, 95 months respectively. Even within the same stage, the method of detection affected survival with the BSE and CBE group having less survival rates (Tukey Test mean difference 0.54, 95% C.I 42–66 and 0.38, 95% C.I 15–61) respectively than the MG group. Survival time also positively correlated with cancer recurrence (r =.7), family history (r = .06) and negatively correlated with age (r = -.09), size of tumor (r = -.09), estrogen receptor positivity status (r = -.06) all with (p < 0.05). We believe this study underestimates overall survival rate as the last follow up date was taken as an end point and also the survival rates are not disease specific survival. Conclusions: MG/USG group show higher survival rates compared to BSE/CBE across the early stages of breast cancer. Even within the same stage, the method of detection affects survival with MG/USG detected cases having more favorable outcomes. May be our current staging system for breast cancer is inadequate and needs revision. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Misra
- Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, OH
| | - S. Tarr
- Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, OH
| | - D. Pratt
- Cleveland Clinic Health System, Cleveland, OH
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Goddu S, Chaudhari S, Pratt D, Khullar D, Mutic S, Zoberi I, Powell S, Low D. SU-EE-A1-06: Helical Tomotherapy Planning for Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients with Positive Lymph Nodes: Compared to Conventional Multi-Port-Breast Technique. Med Phys 2007. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2760369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- VIRUS LABORATORY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
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Hossain A, Islam N, Schultz N, Pratt D, Madanes A. Evidence of a Relationship Between the Age of the Infertile Patient and the Prevalence of Antisperm Antibody (ASA). Fertil Steril 2005. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.07.1196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Elliston KO, Pratt D, Hahn W, Febbo P. Identification of the androgen-induced transcriptional program of human prostate cancer revealed by causal analysis. J Clin Oncol 2005. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.23.16_suppl.4637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- K. O. Elliston
- Genstruct, Inc, Cambridge, MA; Dana-Farber Cancer Inst, Boston, MA
| | - D. Pratt
- Genstruct, Inc, Cambridge, MA; Dana-Farber Cancer Inst, Boston, MA
| | - W. Hahn
- Genstruct, Inc, Cambridge, MA; Dana-Farber Cancer Inst, Boston, MA
| | - P. Febbo
- Genstruct, Inc, Cambridge, MA; Dana-Farber Cancer Inst, Boston, MA
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Kisley MA, Davalos DB, Layton HS, Pratt D, Ellis JK, Seger CA. Small changes in temporal deviance modulate mismatch negativity amplitude in humans. Neurosci Lett 2004; 358:197-200. [PMID: 15039115 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2003] [Revised: 01/14/2004] [Accepted: 01/21/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The relative sensitivity of mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitude to small changes in temporal (i.e. timing) deviance of an ongoing stimulus train was investigated. MMN was measured at Fz in response to 3.75-15% decrements of inter-stimulus interval from a 400 ms standard with a deviant probability of 1/15. This parameter space represents the smallest degree of deviance and the narrowest range of variation that has been tested in the context of MMN sensitivity to temporal variables. Waveform amplitude was found to significantly increase with degree of temporal deviance even within this relatively narrow parameter space. This finding is consistent with the view that the MMN corresponds to pre-attentive neural activity that subsequently allows the conscious perception of time during temporal discrimination tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Kisley
- Department of Psychology, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80933-7150, USA.
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Michalsky MP, Pratt D, Caniano DA, Teich S. Streamlining the care of patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: application of a clinical pathway. J Pediatr Surg 2002; 37:1072-5; discussion 1072-5. [PMID: 12077774 DOI: 10.1053/jpsu.2002.33847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a clinical pathway on infants admitted to a pediatric tertiary care center with the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). METHODS The records of 132 HPS patients were evaluated before and after implementation of a clinical pathway. Infants were excluded for prematurity, admission to nonsurgical services, or multiple diagnoses requiring prolonged hospitalization, resulting in 83 patients for analysis. Group I (prepathway, n = 40) and group II (postpathway, n = 43) infants were analyzed for time from admission to operation, operation to first feeding, operation to discharge, total length of stay, hospital charges, metabolic status at time of admission, and postoperative complications. The Mann-Whitney test was performed (statistical significance at P <.05). RESULTS There was no significant difference between group I and group II patients in the length of preoperative hospitalization or metabolic status at the time of hospital admission. In comparison with group I patients, there was a significant reduction in time to resumption of oral feedings (4.6 +/- 1.9 hours v 7.5 +/- 3.2 hours; P <.001) for group II infants and a significantly earlier discharge (26.7 +/- 6.8 hours v 38.0 +/- 11.7 hours; P <.001). This resulted in a shortened length of stay (41.8 +/- 9.7 hours v 57.8 +/- 14.3 hours; P <.001) with an associated decrease in hospital charges ($4,555 +/- $464 v $5,400 +/- $1,017; P <.001). CONCLUSIONS Elimination of practice variability by the use of a clinical pathway for HPS resulted in significant reduction of hospital stay and related charges. The impact of the pathway occurred in the postoperative period and is a consequence of a rapid and systematic return to oral feedings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Michalsky
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health and Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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35
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Abstract
Compressive optic neuropathy with acute or chronic vision loss has been associated with various skull base tumors, aneurysms, Graves disease, trauma, and, less commonly, fibrous dysplasia and osteopetrosis. The authors present a case of acute visual deterioration in a 25-year-old woman who had massive calvarial hypertrophy with optic canal stenosis secondary to renal osteodystrophy (uremic leontiasis ossea [ULO]: bighead disease). Significant visual field restoration was achieved with high-dose corticosteroids followed by optic nerve decompression. This is the first case report of cranial neuropathy associated with ULO.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
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36
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Pratt D. Risk management in mental health. Nurs Times 2001; 97:37-8. [PMID: 11957983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- D Pratt
- Affinity Healthcare, Darlington
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37
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Urban L, Eason GA, ReMine S, Bogard B, Magisano J, Raj P, Pratt D, Brown T. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with early cirrhosis. Curr Surg 2001; 58:312-315. [PMID: 11397492 DOI: 10.1016/s0149-7944(00)00477-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Traditionally, cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients has been reserved for patients with severe biliary disease, because of the high morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients undergoing this procedure. Laparoscopic cholecytectomy (LC) was originally contraindicated in cirrhotic patients because of the associated portal hypertension and coagulopathy. This study examined the safety of LC in Child's class A patients.A review was conducted of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital between 1990 and 1998.Fifteen patients with cirrhosis had their gallbladder removed laparoscopically during that time period. All patients were Child's class A. The average age was 59 (range, 36-85). The operative indications included acute cholecystitis (5 patients), biliary pacreatitis (4 patients), biliary colic (5 patients), and cholangitis (1 patients). Six patients had known cirrhosis, and 9 were examined intraoperatively. The average operative time was 105 minutes. None of the patients required a blood transfusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. No deaths occurred. Postoperative stay was 3 days or less in all but 3 patients.These results compare favorably to other published studies from outside of the United States. Based on our findings, we believe LC can be performed safely in patients with class A cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Urban
- Department of Surgery, Fairview Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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38
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Freeman R, Tsunoda S, Supran S, Warshaw A, Smith J, Fairchild R, Pratt D, Rohrer R. Direct costs for one year of liver transplant care are directly associated with disease severity at transplant. Transplant Proc 2001; 33:1436-7. [PMID: 11267362 DOI: 10.1016/s0041-1345(00)02543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Freeman
- Tufts University School of Medicine/New England Medical Center, USA
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39
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40
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Gleicher N, Brown T, Dudkiewicz A, Karande V, Rao R, Balin M, Campbell D, Pratt D. Estradiol/progesterone substitution in the luteal phase improves pregnancy rates in stimulated cycles--but only in younger women. Early Pregnancy (Cherry Hill) 2000; 4:64-73. [PMID: 11719823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Innumerable studies have attempted to demonstrate that hormonal support of the luteal phase during ovulation induction cycles improves pregnancy rates. None has, however, so far been able to confirm the validity of such treatment conclusively, possibly because most studies only utilized progesterone substitution. Since luteal phase endometrium also requires estradiol support, this study attempted to investigate whether hormone substitution with progesterone and estradiol would be more successful in improving pregnancy rates. Amongst approximately 7500 consecutive ovulation induction cycles were identified prospectively which were characterized by a precipitous drop of luteal phase serum estradiol levels by more than 50% over a 48 hour period within 10 days from hCG administration. Those cycles were prospectively randomized to oral micronized estradiol substitution (Group I) or not (Group II), while both groups received routine progesterone substitution of the luteal phase. Cycles were then evaluated in regards to the occurrence of chemical, ectopic and clinical pregnancies. One hundred sixty-three Group I cycles resulted in 34 pregnancies (20.9%), which compared favorably to 21 pregnancies in 167 Group II patients (12.6%) (x2[1] = 4.06; p < 0.04). The advantage for Group I cycles (29/95 pregnancies, 31%) vs. Group II cycles (16/105, 15%) became even more pronounced when only women up to age 35 years were evaluated. Estradiol substitution maintained a significant advantage until age 38 (x2 [1] = 6.87; p < 0.009). While gravidity did not affect pregnancy success, estradiol substitution in Group I benefited nulliparous (23% pregnancy rate) over multiparous women (12% pregnancy rate) (x2 [2] = 6.86; p< 0.03). This association was, however, age-dependent. A combined estradiol and progesterone substitution of the luteal phase of ovulation induction cycles increases the overall pregnancy rate. Since estradiol substitution was initiated in this study only once a precipitous drop in serum estradiol levels had already taken place, an even larger improvement in pregnancy rates could conceivably be possible if earlier estradiol substitution of the luteal phase is initiated. A further expansion of investigations of similar protocols for routine ovulation induction and in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles may be indicated, especially in women below age 38 years and in nulliparous females.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Gleicher
- The Center for Human Reproduction and the Foundation for Reproductive Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60610, USA
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41
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Drolet DW, Jenison RD, Smith DE, Pratt D, Hicke BJ. A High Throughput Platform for Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment (SELEX™). Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 1999. [DOI: 10.2174/1386207302666220204195705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
The systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX™) process is a combinatorial chemistry method for the isolation of nucleic acid ligands (aptamers) that bind to a desired target molecule with high affinity. In order to increase throughput via automation, we have adapted the SELEX process for protein targets to a robotics-compatible microtiter plate format. A remarkable feature of the platform is that targets are immobilized by hydrophobic adsorption onto the plate surface. Hydrophobic immobilization procedures are simple and require no specialized modification of the protein target. This format was tested by manually performing four independent SELEX experiments. All were concluded within 8 rounds of selection and yielded aptamers that bind in solution to their respective protein target, calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase, human a-thrombin or human platelet derived growth factor, with
equilibrium dissociation constants below 3 x 1o-10 M.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. W. Drolet
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA
| | - R. D. Jenison
- Biostar, Inc., 6655 Lookout Road, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA
| | - D. E. Smith
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA
| | - D. Pratt
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA
| | - B. J. Hicke
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301 USA
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42
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Cox GN, Pratt D, Smith D, McDermott MJ, Vanderslice RW. Refolding and characterization of recombinant human soluble CTLA-4 expressed in Escherichia coli. Protein Expr Purif 1999; 17:26-32. [PMID: 10497065 DOI: 10.1006/prep.1999.1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
CD28 and CTLA-4 are homologous cell surface proteins expressed by T cells. CD28 is constitutively expressed by most T cells, whereas CTLA-4 is expressed by activated T cells. Both proteins are ligands for the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 expressed by activated B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. A fusion protein comprising the CTLA-4 extracellular domain joined to a human immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region (CTLA4Ig) binds CD80 and CD-86 with high affinity and inhibits CD80/CD86-dependent immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Attempts at producing the CTLA-4 extracellular domain as an unfused protein have met with limited success. Here we describe the expression and purification of the CTLA-4 extracellular domain as a nonfused protein in Escherichia coli. The 12.5-kDa CTLA-4 extracellular domain was insoluble when expressed in E. coli and required denaturation, reduction, and refolding steps to become soluble and assume its proper conformation. The protein refolded into a mixture of monomers, disulfide-linked dimers, and higher order disulfide-linked aggregates. sCTLA-4 dimers were the predominant refold form when air was used as the oxidizing agent during the refold procedure. Purified sCTLA-4 dimers were 10- to 50-fold more potent than sCTLA-4 monomers at inhibiting T cell activation using a CD80-dependent in vitro bioassay.
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Affiliation(s)
- G N Cox
- Synergen, Inc., 1885 33rd Street, Boulder, Colorado 80301, USA
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43
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Drolet DW, Jenison RD, Smith DE, Pratt D, Hicke BJ. A high throughput platform for systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 1999; 2:271-8. [PMID: 10539988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
The systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process is a combinatorial chemistry method for the isolation of nucleic acid ligands (aptamers) that bind to a desired target molecule with high affinity. In order to increase throughput via automation, we have adapted the SELEX process for protein targets to a robotics-compatible microtiter plate format. A remarkable feature of the platform is that targets are immobilized by hydrophobic adsorption onto the plate surface. Hydrophobic immobilization procedures are simple and require no specialized modification of the protein target. This format was tested by manually performing four independent SELEX experiments. All were concluded within 8 rounds of selection and yielded aptamers that bind in solution to their respective protein target, calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase, human alpha-thrombin or human platelet derived growth factor, with equilibrium dissociation constants below 3 x 10-10 M.
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Affiliation(s)
- D W Drolet
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., 2860 Wilderness Place, Boulder, Colorado 80301, USA.
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44
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Wright SE, Sicola VR, Martinez H, Thompson E, Pratt D. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy for elimination of residual microscopic non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Oncol 1999; 14:347-51. [PMID: 9917512 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.14.2.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
This study determined if patients with residual microscopic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following lung resection treated with combination chemotherapy and radiation realize prolonged survival. Ten men with microscopic NSCLC following resection were given chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Four (40%) of the ten patients were disease-free at 45 months and fully functional. Only two (20%) of the patients died of recurrent lung cancer. Of patients who died of lung cancer, recurrence occurred within five months of treatment and death occurred within one year. The findings suggest combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy delay or prevent recurrence from residual microscopic NSCLC following lung resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Wright
- Medical Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center-111, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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45
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Schumann SC, Gunn D, Pratt D. Data management in occupational medicine. Occup Med 1998; 13:735-46, iv. [PMID: 9928513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The information system is a critical component of the evolving managed care marketplace. The authors discuss how integration and application of an optimal system can help to achieve the goals of an occupational medicine practice.
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46
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VanderLaan B, Karande V, Krohm C, Morris R, Pratt D, Gleicher N. Cost considerations with infertility therapy: outcome and cost comparison between health maintenance organization and preferred provider organization care based on physician and facility cost. Hum Reprod 1998; 13:1200-5. [PMID: 9647547 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/13.5.1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Of 98 retrospectively selected patient couples insured under one scheme (group I) who, based on performance of a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), were assumed to be under active infertility care, 96 were confirmed as infertile. These were matched by date, patient age and time of HSG to 96 patients under infertility care (group II). Both patient populations were then prospectively evaluated for outcome and cost of treatment. Total physician charges for groups I and II were similar. However, charges per achieved clinical pregnancy were higher in group I than group II since group I patients demonstrated a lower pregnancy rate (28/96, 29%) than group II patients (41/96, 43%) (P=0.05). Within group I, pregnancy rates were identical, whether treatment was provided by generalists or subspecialists. In group II, all care was provided by specialists. The number of days of treatment did not vary between groups I and H, though generalists in group I provided significantly fewer treatment days than specialists in either group I (P=0.003) or in group II (P=0.021). This was primarily due to a significantly higher patient drop-out rate in group I patients, and especially amongst those who received care from generalists (P < 0.0019). Group I patients also encountered significantly more surgical procedures than group H patients (P=0.0016). If physician charges are discounted and customary surgical facility costs are added, the actual cost structure for fertility care in group I patients was dramatically higher than in group II patients. The most cost-effective format to provide infertility care of high quality appears to be a managed care setting in which subspecialists provide a majority of care and in which patient choice is restricted to those subspecialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- B VanderLaan
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Center for Human Reproduction-Illinois, Chicago 60610, USA
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47
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Kowdley KV, Trainer TD, Saltzman JR, Pedrosa M, Krawitt EL, Knox TA, Susskind K, Pratt D, Bonkovsky HL, Grace ND, Kaplan MM. Utility of hepatic iron index in American patients with hereditary hemochromatosis: a multicenter study. Gastroenterology 1997; 113:1270-7. [PMID: 9322522 DOI: 10.1053/gast.1997.v113.pm9322522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS A hepatic iron index (hepatic iron concentration divided by age) of more than 1.9 has been proposed as useful to identify patients with homozygous hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC). There are limited data on the diagnostic use of the hepatic iron index in patients with HHC in the United States. This study evaluated the hepatic iron index in the diagnosis of HHC in a multicenter U.S. study. METHODS Hepatic iron concentration was measured in 509 patients undergoing liver biopsy. The diagnosis of HHC was made using clinical, biochemical, and histopathologic criteria. RESULTS Fifty-five patients met criteria for HHC; hepatic iron index was > 1.9 in 51 of 55 (93%) patients with HHC but in none of 454 patients with other liver diseases; hepatic iron concentration was > 71 mumol/g dry weight in 54 of 55 patients with HHC but only 1 of the other 454 patients. CONCLUSIONS A hepatic iron index of > or = 1.9 can identify most U.S. patients with HHC but is < or = 1.9 in 7%. A "threshold" hepatic iron concentration of 71 mumol/g can almost always distinguish patients with HHC from patients with other liver diseases and may be a useful adjunct to the hepatic iron index in the diagnosis of HHC in the diverse U.S. population.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Kowdley
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
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48
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Ntountas I, Morschbacher R, Pratt D, Patel BC, Anderson RL, McCann JD. An orbital abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1997; 28:758-61. [PMID: 9304639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
An orbital abscess is an ophthalmic surgical emergency that is typically caused by the spread of bacteria from adjacent structures, such as the sinuses, eyelids, or teeth. Although acute dacryocystitis is commonly associated with preseptal cellulitis, it rarely causes orbital infection. Infection of the lacrimal sac will typically localize in the preseptal space because the lacrimal sac lies anterior to the orbital septum. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an intraconal abscess secondary to acute dacryocystitis. The key points in the surgical management of this entity are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Ntountas
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
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Van den Berg CL, Cox GN, Stroh CA, Hilsenbeck SG, Weng CN, McDermott MJ, Pratt D, Osborne CK, Coronado-Heinsohn EB, Yee D. Polyethylene glycol conjugated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) inhibits growth of breast cancer in athymic mice. Eur J Cancer 1997; 33:1108-13. [PMID: 9376191 DOI: 10.1016/s0959-8049(97)00071-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein-1 (BP-1) inhibits IGF-mediated proliferation of some breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Here we examined whether recombinant human wild-type IGFBP-1 (WT-BP-1) and IGFBP-1 conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-BP-1) could inhibit breast cancer growth. Three breast cancer cell lines were used: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435A (ascites model). The cells were grown in agar with or without the BP-1 conjugates to investigate their effect on colony formation. Both WT-BP-1 and PEG-BP-1 inhibited anchorage-independent growth (AIG) of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435A cells. AIG of MDA-MB-231 cells was not inhibited by PEG-BP-1, whereas WT-BP-1 significantly stimulated colony number. We also tested both forms of BP-1 in xenograft tumour models. Two solid breast tumour models were studied using MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, and one ascites model using the MDA-MB-435A cell line. PEG-BP-1 inhibited malignant ascites formation in the MDA-MB-435A model. Conversely, PEG-BP-1 did not significantly inhibit MCF-7 xenograft growth. However, the MDA-MB-231 tumour growth curves were significantly different by a constant amount, suggesting that PEG-BP-1 treatment inhibited early tumour growth of this cell line. In contrast, WT-BP-1 was ineffective in the MDA-MB-231 tumours. These data show that anti-IGF strategies can be used to inhibit breast cancer cell growth. Since PEG-BP-1 inhibited the in vivo, but not in vitro, growth of MDA-MB-231, we speculate that PEG-BP-1 may block host IGF functions required for optimal tumorigenesis. Because PEG-BP-1 has a prolonged serum half-life compared to WT-BP-1, we conclude that improvements in BP-1 pharmacological properties enhanced its antitumour effects in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- C L Van den Berg
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284-7884, USA
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50
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Levrant S, Wang L, Coulam C, Larner B, Miller C, Rinehart J, Karande V, Pratt D, Gleicher N. P-005 Evidence for human leukocyte antigen DQA1 association with endometriosis. Fertil Steril 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(97)90822-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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