Association of Pregnancy and HIV Status With Molecular-Bacterial Vaginosis in Indian Women

BACKGROUND

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent disorder of the cervicovaginal microbiota. Molecular-BV may put women at increased risk for adverse reproductive and obstetric outcomes. We investigated the association of HIV and pregnancy on the vaginal microbiota and associations with molecular-BV in women of reproductive age from Pune, India.

SETTING

We studied vaginal samples from N = 170 women, including N = 44 nonpregnant HIV seronegative, N = 56 pregnant seronegative, N = 47 nonpregnant women with HIV (WWH), and N = 23 pregnant WWH, and collected data on clinical, behavioral, and demographic factors.

METHODS

We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the composition of the vaginal microbiota. We classified the vaginal microbiota of these women into community state types based on bacterial composition and relative abundance and further categorized them into molecular-BV versus Lactobacillus -dominated states. To determine associations between pregnancy and HIV status with outcome of molecular-BV, logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

There was a high prevalence of molecular-BV (30%) in this cohort. We found that pregnancy was associated with decreased odds of molecular-BV (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.87), while HIV was associated with increased odds of molecular-BV (adjusted OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.33 to 5.73), even when controlling for multiple relevant factors such as age, number of sexual partners, condom use, and douching.

CONCLUSION

Larger and longitudinal studies are needed to further characterize molecular-BV and the vaginal microbiota in pregnant women and WWH and relate these factors to infectious, reproductive, and obstetric outcomes. In the long term, these studies may lead to novel microbiota-based therapeutics to improve women's reproductive and obstetric health.

Assessing Behavioral Risk Factors Driving Zoonotic Spillover Among High-risk Populations in Myanmar

The increasing global emergence of zoonoses warrants improved awareness of activities that predispose vulnerable communities to greater risk of disease. Zoonotic disease outbreaks regularly occur within Myanmar and at its borders partly due to insufficient knowledge of behavioral risks, hindering participatory surveillance and reporting. This study employed a behavioral surveillance strategy among high-risk populations to understand the behavioral risks for zoonotic disease transmission in an effort to identify risk factors for pathogen spillover. To explore behavioral mechanisms of spillover in Myanmar, we aimed to: (1) evaluate the details around animal contact and types of interaction, (2) assess the association between self-reported unusual symptoms (i.e., any illness or sickness that is not known or recognized in the community or diagnosed by medical providers) and animal contact activities and (3) identify the potential risk factors including behavioral practices of self-reported illness. Participants were enrolled at two community sites: Hpa-An and Hmawbi in Southern Myanmar. A behavioral questionnaire was administered to understand participants' animal exposures, behaviors and self-reported illnesses. From these responses, associations between (1) animal contact activities and self-reported unusual illnesses, and (2) potential risk factors and self-reported unusual illness were tested. Contact with poultry seemed to be very frequent (91.1%) and many participants reported raising, handling and having poultry in their houses as well as slaughtering or being scratched/bitten by them, followed by contact with rodents (57.8%) and swine (17.9%). Compared to participants who did not have any unusual symptoms, participants who had unusual symptoms in the past year were more likely to have sold dead animals (OR = 13.6, 95% CI 6.8-27.2), slaughtered (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.7-3.3), raised (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.3-5.0) or handled animals (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.6), and had eaten sick (OR = 4.4, 95% CI 3.0-6.4) and/or dead animals (OR = 6.0, 95% CI 4.1-8.8) in the same year. Odds of having reported unusual symptoms was higher among those involved in animal production business (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-6.2) and animal-involved livelihoods (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.2) compared to other livelihoods. The results suggest that there is a high level of interaction between humans, livestock and wild animals in communities we investigated in Myanmar. The study highlights the specific high-risk behaviors as they relate to animal contact and demographic risk factors for zoonotic spillover. Our findings contribute to human behavioral data needed to develop targeted interventions to prevent zoonotic disease transmission at human-animal interfaces.

Behavioral-biological surveillance of emerging infectious diseases among a dynamic cohort in Thailand

Background

Interactions between humans and animals are the key elements of zoonotic spillover leading to zoonotic disease emergence. Research to understand the high-risk behaviors associated with disease transmission at the human-animal interface is limited, and few consider regional and local contexts.

Objective

This study employed an integrated behavioral–biological surveillance approach for the early detection of novel and known zoonotic viruses in potentially high-risk populations, in an effort to identify risk factors for spillover and to determine potential foci for risk-mitigation measures.

Method

Participants were enrolled at two community-based sites (n = 472) in eastern and western Thailand and two hospital (clinical) sites (n = 206) in northeastern and central Thailand. A behavioral questionnaire was administered to understand participants’ demographics, living conditions, health history, and animal-contact behaviors and attitudes. Biological specimens were tested for coronaviruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, influenza viruses, and paramyxoviruses using pan (consensus) RNA Virus assays.

Results

Overall 61/678 (9%) of participants tested positive for the viral families screened which included influenza viruses (75%), paramyxoviruses (15%), human coronaviruses (3%), flaviviruses (3%), and enteroviruses (3%). The most salient predictors of reporting unusual symptoms (i.e., any illness or sickness that is not known or recognized in the community or diagnosed by medical providers) in the past year were having other household members who had unusual symptoms and being scratched or bitten by animals in the same year. Many participants reported raising and handling poultry (10.3% and 24.2%), swine (2%, 14.6%), and cattle (4.9%, 7.8%) and several participants also reported eating raw or undercooked meat of these animals (2.2%, 5.5%, 10.3% respectively). Twenty four participants (3.5%) reported handling bats or having bats in the house roof. Gender, age, and livelihood activities were shown to be significantly associated with participants’ interactions with animals. Participants’ knowledge of risks influenced their health-seeking behavior.

Conclusion

The results suggest that there is a high level of interaction between humans, livestock, and wild animals in communities at sites we investigated in Thailand. This study highlights important differences among demographic and occupational risk factors as they relate to animal contact and zoonotic disease risk, which can be used by policymakers and local public health programs to build more effective surveillance strategies and behavior-focused interventions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07439-7.

Association of Maternal Inflammation During Pregnancy With Birth Outcomes and Infant Growth Among Women With or Without HIV in India

IMPORTANCE

The association of elevated levels of specific inflammatory markers during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes and infant growth could indicate pathways for potential interventions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether higher levels of certain inflammatory markers during pregnancy are associated with preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW), and infant growth deficits.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this cohort study of pregnant women with or without HIV, 218 mother-infant pairs were followed up from pregnancy through 12 months post partum from June 27, 2016, to December 9, 2019. Pregnant women aged 18 to 40 years and between 13 and 34 weeks of gestation who were receiving antenatal care were enrolled in a cohort stratified by HIV status; sampling was based on convenience sampling from women receiving antenatal care at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College.

EXPOSURES

Levels of multiple circulating inflammation markers during the third trimester of pregnancy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary study outcome was PTB (<37 weeks' gestation). Secondary outcomes were LBW (<2500 g) and repeated measures (delivery; 6 weeks post partum; and 3, 6, and 12 months post partum using multivariable generalized linear models) of infant growth outcomes (length-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length z scores).

RESULTS

The median age of the 218 women at enrollment was 23 years (IQR, 21-27 years). In multivariable models, higher pregnancy levels of interleukin 17A were associated with increased odds of both PTB (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.62; 95% CI, 1.11-6.17) and LBW (aOR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.04-3.15). Higher levels of interleukin 1β were associated with increased PTB (aOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.15-1.89) and infant growth deficits (lower length-for-age z score: adjusted β = -0.10; 95% CI, -0.18 to -0.01; lower weight-for-age z score: adjusted β = -0.07; 95% CI, -0.14 to 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study suggests that increased levels of certain systemic inflammatory markers, including interleukin 1β and interleukin 17A, during pregnancy were associated with adverse birth outcomes and infant growth deficits. Future studies should evaluate whether potential interventions to modulate specific inflammatory pathways during pregnancy could improve birth outcomes and infant growth.

Systemic Inflammation in Pregnant Women With Latent Tuberculosis Infection

Background

Recent studies in adults have characterized differences in systemic inflammation between adults with and without latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI+ vs. LTBI−). Potential differences in systemic inflammation by LTBI status has not been assess in pregnant women.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 155 LTBI+ and 65 LTBI− pregnant women, stratified by HIV status, attending an antenatal clinic in Pune, India. LTBI status was assessed by interferon gamma release assay. Plasma was used to measure systemic inflammation markers using immunoassays: IFNβ, CRP, AGP, I-FABP, IFNγ, IL-1β, soluble CD14 (sCD14), sCD163, TNF, IL-6, IL-17a and IL-13. Linear regression models were fit to test the association of LTBI status with each inflammation marker. We also conducted an exploratory analysis using logistic regression to test the association of inflammatory markers with TB progression.

Results

Study population was a median age of 23 (Interquartile range: 21–27), 28% undernourished (mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) <23 cm), 12% were vegetarian, 10% with gestational diabetes and 32% with HIV. In multivariable models, LTBI+ women had significantly lower levels of third trimester AGP, IL1β, sCD163, IL-6 and IL-17a. Interestingly, in exploratory analysis, LTBI+ TB progressors had significantly higher levels of IL1β, IL-6 and IL-13 in multivariable models compared to LTBI+ non-progressors.

Conclusions

Our data shows a distinct systemic immune profile in LTBI+ pregnant women compared to LTBI− women. Data from our exploratory analysis suggest that LTBI+ TB progressors do not have this immune profile, suggesting negative association of this profile with TB progression. If other studies confirm these differences by LTBI status and show a causal relationship with TB progression, this immune profile could identify subsets of LTBI+ pregnant women at high risk for TB progression and who can be targeted for preventative therapy.

Association of Vegetable and Animal Flesh Intake with Inflammation in Pregnant Women from India

In pregnant women, studies are lacking on the relationship of vegetable and animal flesh (poultry, red meat and seafood) intake with inflammation, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a cohort study of pregnant women receiving antenatal care at BJ Medical College in Pune, India. The dietary intake of pregnant women was queried in the third trimester using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Twelve inflammatory markers were measured in plasma samples using immunoassays. Only 12% of the study population were vegetarians, although animal flesh intake levels were lower compared to Western populations. In multivariable models, higher intakes of total vegetables were associated with lower levels of the T-helper (Th) 17 cytokine interleukin (IL)-17a (p = 0.03) and the monocyte/macrophage activation marker soluble CD163 (sCD163) (p = 0.02). Additionally, higher intakes of poultry were negatively associated with intestinal fatty-acid binding protein (I-FABP) levels (p = 0.01), a marker of intestinal barrier dysfunction and Th2 cytokine IL-13 (p = 0.03), and higher seafood was associated with lower IL-13 (p = 0.005). Our data from pregnant women in India suggest that a higher quality diet emphasizing vegetables and with some animal flesh is associated with lower inflammation. Future studies should confirm these findings and test if modulating vegetables and animal flesh intake could impact specific aspects of immunity and perinatal health.

Adenoviral Infections in Singapore: Should New Antiviral Therapies and Vaccines Be Adopted?

Background

A number of serious human adenovirus (HAdV) outbreaks have been recently reported: HAdV-B7 (Israel, Singapore, and USA), HAdV-B7d (USA and China), HAdV-D8, -D54, and -C2 (Japan), HAdV-B14p1 (USA, Europe, and China), and HAdV-B55 (China, Singapore, and France).

Methods

To understand the epidemiology of HAdV infections in Singapore, we studied 533 HAdV-positive clinical samples collected from 396 pediatric and 137 adult patients in Singapore from 2012 to 2018. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed to identify HAdV genotypes, clonal clusters, and recombinant or novel HAdVs.

Results

The most prevalent genotypes identified were HAdV-B3 (35.6%), HAdV-B7 (15.4%), and HAdV-E4 (15.2%). We detected 4 new HAdV-C strains and detected incursions with HAdV-B7 (odds ratio [OR], 14.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1–52.0) and HAdV-E4 (OR, 13.6; 95% CI, 3.9–46.7) among pediatric patients over time. In addition, immunocompromised patients (adjusted OR [aOR], 11.4; 95% CI, 3.8–34.8) and patients infected with HAdV-C2 (aOR, 8.5; 95% CI, 1.5–48.0), HAdV-B7 (aOR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.2–10.9), or HAdV-E4 (aOR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.1–8.9) were at increased risk for severe disease.

Conclusions

Singapore would benefit from more frequent studies of clinical HAdV genotypes to identify patients at risk for severe disease and help guide the use of new antiviral therapies, such as brincidofovir, and potential administration of HAdV 4 and 7 vaccine.

Monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in a general pediatric ward in Singapore

There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that transmission of respiratory viruses occurs through the inhalation of virus-laden particles. Our study describes the use of an aerosol sampling system to monitor the prevalence of airborne viruses in a hospital setting. Using SKC AirCheck Touch pumps, with National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) bioaerosol samplers and SKC filter cassette blanks, 28 aerosol samples were collected in a hospital ward in Singapore. Following DNA/RNA extraction, real-time RT-PCR/PCR was used for the detection of influenza A, B and D viruses, coronaviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses. Airborne virus was detected in nine (32%) of 28 samples. Among the nine positive samples, eight were PCR-positive for adenovirus and one for influenza A virus. Our data suggest that bioaerosol sampling could be valuable in monitoring for airborne respiratory viruses in clinical environments to better understand the risk of infection during a hospital visit.

Bioaerosol Sampling for Respiratory Viruses in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit Network

As a leading global city with a high population density, Singapore is at risk for the introduction of novel biological threats. This risk has been recently reinforced by human epidemics in Singapore of SARS coronavirus, 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus, and enterovirus 71. Other major threats to Singapore include MERS-coronavirus and various avian and swine influenza viruses. The ability to quickly identify and robustly track such threats to initiate an early emergency response remains a significant challenge. In an effort to enhance respiratory virus surveillance in Singapore, our team conducted a pilot study employing a noninvasive bioaerosol sampling method to detect respiratory viruses in Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. Over a period of 52 weeks, 89 aerosol samples were collected during peak MRT ridership hours. Nine (10%) tested positive for adenovirus, four (4.5%) tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus type A, and one (1%) tested positive for influenza A virus using real-time RT-PCR/PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first time molecular evidence for any infectious respiratory agent has been collected from Singapore's MRT. Our pilot study data support the possibility of employing bioaerosol samplers in crowded public spaces to noninvasively monitor for respiratory viruses circulating in communities.