Average Infection Rate Research Articles

Especially Spreading of Cestodes Avitellina centripunctata (Rivota, 1874) in Sheep Kept on Flat Territories of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic

In the article was considered the especially of avitellinosis spreading in sheep kept in the flat territories of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Studying the dynamics of avitellinosis in the mentioned territories, it is established that sheep are infected with helminths almost during the whole pasture season. Avitellinoses are intestinal helminthic diseases that cause huge economic damage to farm animals; the productivity of adult animals is reduced, there is a significant waste of young animals.In 2018-2019, the distribution of Avitellina centripunctata species was studied in Sadarak and Sharur districts using carpological and helminthological autopsy methods of sheep small intestine. The highest infestation of Avitellina centripunctata was observed in sheep over a year old during autumn period. In lambs, avitellinae appear in May-June. Infection with avitellinosis of animals kept in farms of two districts was rather high (average infection rate 42.5%). During the research it was found that more young animals are infected with avitellina in spring and older animals in autumn. As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that infection of animals kept in lowlands of Nakhchivan AR and not transferred to mountain pastures with avitellinosis is quite high.

Mosquito-borne diseases in urban East Africa: a scoping review of urban typology research and mosquito population, 2000-2024

BackgroundGrowing concerns about mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) in urban settings have prompted renewed urgency for collaborative and active mosquito surveillance programs. This literature review collates entomological data from five East African Community (EAC) countries, studying the definitions of urban settings, co-occurrence of Anopheles, Aedes and Culex mosquito genera and their infection rates to provide a wholistic understanding of MBDs in urban EAC.MethodsA literature search following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases to identify entomological studies conducted in urban and peri-urban settings since 2000. Data on urban and peri-urban settings definitions, presence records and infection rates of Aedes, Culex and Anopheles mosquitoes were compiled and presented.ResultsA hundred and five articles were included in the review. Diverse definitions of urban landscapes emerged, emphasizing (i) distinct characteristics for dichotomous delineation from rural settings (e.g., population density) and (ii) urban-peri-urban continuum integrating spatial variations in urban features associated with MBDs (e.g., planned/unplanned neighbourhoods). Mosquito ecology data derived from 88 sites, comprising 45 urban, 25 peri-urban, 14 mixed settings and four slums, reported 91 mosquito species, including 32% Culex, 31% Aedes, and 25% Anopheles genera. Other co-occurring genera, such as Coquillettidia and Mansonia, represented 12% between 2000 and 2024. Intricate co-occurrence patterns among Aedes, Culex and Anopheles genera linked to habitat preference and climatic conditions (temperature and precipitation) were observed. The average infection rates were estimated as 0.8% for yellow fever, 0.9% and 1.1% for urban and peri-urban P. falciparum sporozoites respectfully, 2.7% for Dengue, 5.3% for Chikungunya and 6.02% for flavivirus, indicating co-circulation of arboviruses among mosquito population.ConclusionOur synthesis presents an overview of the complexities of urban MBD research over the past two decades. Integrated assessment of MBDs dynamics in rapidly evolving urban environments is crucial to achieving healthier urban environments in East Africa.Systematic review registrationhttps://osf.io/a6s9j/.

The Efficacy of Biodegradable Temporising Matrix for Upper Limb Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of the biodegradable temporising matrix (BTM) (NovoSorb; PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) in the reconstruction of complex upper extremity wounds. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines assessing the efficacy of BTM in complex upper extremity wound reconstruction. The primary outcome measures were successful BTM integration and the proportion of wounds healed. Secondary outcomes analysed were the average time from BTM application to its integration, the proportion of wounds healed by secondary intention, graft take over BTM, as well as the incidence of infection. The rate of complications as well as scarring and outcomes in upper limb function were also evaluated. The inclusion criteria were met by 12 studies consisting of 164 complex upper extremity wounds. Successful BTM integration was reported in 92.1% (p<0.001) of cases, coupled with wound healing achieved in 90% (p<0.001) of cases overall. The average time to integration for BTM was 37.37 days (p<0.001). The average infection rate for upper extremity wounds with BTM application was 8.5% (p<0.001). Satisfactory scarring and functional outcomes were reported in the majority of the studies. The authors conclude that BTM offers good wound healing outcomes for upper extremity reconstruction. The studies analysed indicate good graft take rates and a low infection incidence; however, further prospective randomised studies are required to support the efficacy of BTM compared to other dermal matrices.

Microbiota of spring wheat seeds grown within the contrasting agroclimatic conditions of the Tyumen region

Relevance. Pathogenic microbiota of seed grain can cause death of seedlings, root rot, weakening of plants and a decrease in yield. Monitoring of seed grains pathogens infection rate is always relevant because the composition of the microbiota is dynamic due to the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors.Methods. Phytopathological analysis of spring wheat seeds grown at the state variety testing sites of the Tyumen region was carried out in contrasting years: cool and excessively moist in July 2015 and hot with moderate rainfall in 2016. We used the “wet chamber” method. 144 samples were analyzed.Results. Fungus of the genus Alternaria were the most abundant representatives of the grain microbial community. Average infection rate of seed samples with fungi Alternaria spp. was 49.5%. No differences were found by year of the study. In 2015 compared to 2016, higher prevalence of fungus of the genus Fusarium (4.8% vs. 1.6%) and bacteria (5.7% vs. 0.7%) was observed in the seed material. The maximum indicators of Fusarium infestation were observed in samples from Nizhnetavda variety testing site located in the subtaiga zone – up to 30% (variety Ikar). In 2016 compared to 2015, higher infection of seed material with helminthosporiose (7.1% vs. 2.6%) and mold fungi (2.3% vs. 0.2%) was observed. The prevalence of Bipolaris sorokiniana fungi was the highest in wheat samples grown in the northern forest-steppe zone, especially samples from the Yalutorovsky variety testing site — the limit value was 27% (variety SKENT-3). Harmfulness fungus of the genus Alternaria was significantly lower compared to other key representatives of grain microbiota. The average score of seedling damage was 1.4 vs. 2.2–2.6, seed germination indices — 94.1% vs. 53.2–67.4%.

Cycle Threshold Values of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR during Outbreaks in Nursing Homes: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

a retrospective cohort design with Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression were used. We studied four nursing home SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, and the average infection rate, reinfection rate, and case fatality were 72.7%, 19.9%, and 5.5%, respectively; 98.9% of residents were vaccinated with three doses of a mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Ct values for first infections and reinfections were 27.1 ± 6.6 and 31.9 ± 5.4 (p = 0.000). Considering Ct values ≥ 30 versus <30, residents with reinfections had Ct values higher than residents with a first infection, an adjusted relative risk of 1.66 (95% Confidence interval 1.10-2.51). A sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Reinfection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination (hybrid immunity) could protect against severe disease better than vaccination alone. High Ct values suggest lower transmission and severity. Its value can be useful for surveillance and forecasting future SARS-CoV-2 epidemics.

ПРЕВАЛЕНТНОСТЬ ИКСОДОВЫХ КЛЕЩЕЙ, СОБРАННЫХ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ НЕКОТОРЫХ СУБЪЕКТОВ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОГО ОКРУГА, В ОТНОШЕНИИ BABESIA SPP.

An individual study of ixodic ticks collected in various subjects of the Northwestern Federal District of Russia was conducted for the presence of DNA of procysts of the genus Babesia in them. A total of 1628 ticks collected in 2022-2023 were studied. The ticks belonged to three species: Ixodes ricinus, I. persulcatus and Dermacentor reticulatus. The DNA of Babesia spp. it was detected by PCR. Fragments of babesia DNA were found in the body of three individuals of I. persulcatus (0,3 %) and 12 individuals of I. ricinus (1,8%), while all ticks of D. reticulatus showed a negative result. Babesia DNA was most often detected in ticks from the Pskov region (2,4 %), and the average infection rate of ticks was 0,9 %. The data obtained can contribute to the development of measures for the control and prevention of babesiosis.

Dynamics of a susceptible-infected-recovered model on complex networks with interregional migration.

We present a susceptible-infected-recovered model based on a dynamic flow network that describes the epidemic process on complex metapopulation networks. This model views population regions as interconnected nodes and describes the evolution of each region using a system of differential equations. The next-generation matrix method is used to derive the global basic reproduction number for three cases: a general network with homogeneous infection rates in all regions, a fully connected network, and a star network with heterogeneous infection and recovery rates. For the homogeneous case, we show that this global basic reproduction number is independent of the migration rates between regions. However, the rate of convergence of each region to an equilibrium state exhibits a much larger variance in random (Erdős-Rényi) networks compared to small-scale (Barabási-Albert) networks. For the general heterogeneous case, we report interesting results, namely that the global basic reproduction number decays exponentially with respect to the smallest nonzero Laplacian eigenvalue (algebraic connectivity). Furthermore, we demonstrate both analytically and numerically that as the network's algebraic connectivity increases, either by increasing the average node degree of each region or the global migration rate, the global basic reproduction number decreases and converges to the ratio of the average local infection rate to the average local recovery rate, meaning that the lower bound of the global basic reproduction rate does not equal the mean of local basic reproduction rates.

The Isolation and Identification of a New Pathogen Causing Sunflower Disk Rot in China

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an important oil crop, ranking behind soybean, peanut, and rapeseed in terms of planting area in China. Throughout its cultivation, sunflower is susceptible to various diseases that can significantly reduce its seed yield. Among them, Fusarium species pose a major threat to numerous crops. The accurate identification of Fusarium species responsible for specific diseases is crucial for developing effective control measures. In Inner Mongolia, sunflower disk rot (SDR) has been observed in various sunflower fields, with an average infection rate of approximately 8.50%. The infection rate can reach up to 11.67% in certain highly susceptible cultivars. Samples of diseased sunflower receptacles were collected from different locations, and Koch’s postulates were employed to identify the causal agent. The results confirmed Fusarium verticillioides as the pathogen responsible for SDR. Fungicide toxicity tests were conducted, screening six fungicides for efficacy against F. verticillioides. Fludioxonil and Flutolanil were identified as the most effective, with EC50 values of 0.05 µg/mL (R = 0.9825) and 0.96 µg/mL (R = 0.9964), respectively. This is the first report of SDR caused by F. verticillioides, and it will alert sunflower researchers to include SDR in the disease list, so as to control sunflower diseases with integrated management strategies successfully.

CHALLENGES OF FASCIOLOSIS SPREADING IN CATTLE IN UKRAINE IN 2021-2023

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the epizootic process of cattle Fasciolosis dynamics in Ukraine from 2021 to 2023. The data are broken down by region. The risk zones are determined, and the territory of Ukraine is conditionally divided into dangerous, threatened, and temporarily not-dangerous areas. Grazing ruminants' helminths are common worldwide and harm cattle productivity and food security. The concern that climate change can increase the frequency and intensity of helminth infections has been growing. In Ukraine, this concern stems from case reports and theoretical life-cycle models, which allow us to assess the impact of climate change on helminth epidemiology. We believe that this study is the first attempt to investigate geographic and climatic trends in cattle helminth infections spreading by region. In the total of 474209 conducted tests, 6967 cases had positive results, and the average infection rate of cattle with Fasciola from 2021 to 2023 was 1.5 % in the regions with mild climate. Fasciolosis infection spread depends on the elevation of the farm and agricultural region. The studies show that meteorological changes can significantly contribute to understanding the impact of climate on infectious disease dynamics. If local environmental conditions are taken into account, the impact of climate change on disease dynamics can be clearer on a local scale. We recommend developing a strategy for extensive sample selection across Ukraine to monitor changes in helminthic disease risk and inform on adaptation strategies to increase productivity and protect the health of the cattle.

The Difference We Make at Home: Impact of Infection Prevention and Control in Pediatric Homecare Tracheitis Reduction

Background: Quality improvement (QI) efforts within Infection prevention and control (IP&amp;C) programs to reduce risk of device-related infections in the acute care setting are well described. However, less focus has been placed on continued prevention in the homecare setting. This QI project illustrates the benefits of IP&amp;C involvement in reducing tracheitis in pediatric homecare patients. Methods: The homecare multidisciplinary IP&amp;C team implemented a series of QI initiatives aimed at reducing incidence of tracheitis beginning in 2016. Initial interventions included increasing oral care frequency to every four hours, inpatient training for new tracheostomy patients and families before discharge, and an optional inpatient simulation training resource to provide hands-on practice. Enhanced educational interventions included caregiver learning modules and competencies completed with their primary nurse in the home every ninety days and following a tracheitis infection. Practice changes and education efforts were further sustained with the creation and distribution of laminated tracheostomy care teaching sheets to patient homes. Quarterly tracheitis infection rates were tracked using a U-chart. Organism distribution in tracheitis cases were compared across the baseline (2015-2018) and post-intervention periods (2019-2023) using the Chi square test. Analyses were performed using Stata Statistical Software: Release 18 (College Station, TX: StataCorp, LLC) with two-tailed alpha level of 0.05. Results: Quarterly tracheitis infection rates from 2015 through 2023 are displayed in the Figure. Notably, the baseline period, established Q1 2015 through Q4 2017, revealed a consistent rate of 1.08 tracheitis infections per 1000 tracheostomy days. During this initial phase, changes in oral care frequency and enhanced educational resources were implemented to decrease rates. Following these interventions, a significant shift was observed in Q1 2019, with the new baseline rate drastically reduced to 0.32 infections per 1000 tracheostomy days. This denotes a remarkable 70% improvement from the prior average infection rate which has been sustained through Q4 2023 with the laminated teaching sheets. The most frequently identified organisms across both time periods are displayed in the Table. Pathogen distribution was similar following QI interventions (p = 0.50). Conclusions: Tracheitis infections were reduced by 70% through implementation of multidisciplinary homecare IP&amp;C QI efforts. IP&amp;C programs are integral to pediatric homecare.

Seroprevalence and Endemic Status of Babesia ovis by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in East Azerbaijan Province, North-West of Iran.

Babesia ovis, an intraerythrocytic parasite carried by ticks and one of the most common subclinical ovine illnesses, was studied to ascertain its seroprevalence and endemic status in ram and ewe populations in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, in lambs, yearlings, and adults of over two years of age. A total of 960 sheep from 10 cities were selected from Jan 2018 to Nov 2019. Blood samples were collected from each animal and tested for the presence of B. ovis antibodies by applying a developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Checkerboard titrations were used to determine the optimal dilution of the antigen using negative and positive control sera. To determine whether the disease is endemically stable, inoculation rates for each age group were also calculated. Correlation coefficients were calculated between age and infection rates and also between age and inoculation rates. The results revealed an average infection rate of 49.4% in East Azerbaijan Province. There was a positive correlation between the age of animals and susceptibility to infection except for lambs and yearlings, whereas there was no meaningful difference in exposure to B. ovis between rams and ewes. The negative correlation between age and inoculation rates indicates increased disease instability with age. Inoculation rate results revealed the endemically instable status of B. ovis in the studied area. High prevalence rates and endemically instable status of the disease suggest demand for vaccine development and implementation of appropriate control measures for ovine babesiosis to mitigate the associated economic losses.

Flat dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for primary infection prophylaxis after CAR-T for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).

e19004 Background: Prolonged hypogammaglobulinemia is a common side effect of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for B-NHL. Average infection rates 1 year (yr) post CAR-T are 44-53% (Kampouri, Tran Infect Dis 2023). Prophylactic IVIG is typically dosed by weight; however, optimal dosing strategy remains unknown. We explored the efficacy of reduced flat IVIG dose on infection rates and non-relapse mortality (NRM) post CAR-T. Methods: B-NHL pts who received commercial CD19 CAR-T therapy from Nov 2017 to Mar 2023 at Vanderbilt Medical Center were included. All pts were on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and valacyclovir for prophylaxis. IVIG at a flat dose of 10 grams was given for IgG &lt; 400 mg/dL. Relevant clinical variables were collected from day 30 to 1 yr. Infections were defined as mild (treated outpatient), moderate (required admission), or severe (required intensive care unit) and by CTCAE v5 criteria. Severe neutropenia was defined as ANC&lt;500 and severe lymphopenia was ALC&lt;500. NRM was defined by death without progression or relapse. Estimated cost of therapy was $140/gram of IVIG based on previously published data. Results: A total of 43 pts (35 large cell lymphoma, 7 mantle cell lymphoma, and 1 follicular lymphoma) with median follow up of 445 days (range 134-2141) were included. Axicabtagene ciloleucel was given to 34 pts (79%), tisagenlecleucel to 2 pts (5%), and brexucabtagene autoleucel to 7 pts (16%). Median age was 58 (range 22-81). Median number of pre CAR-T therapies was 3 (range 1-7). There were 52 total infections with median time to first infection of 165 days (range 31-365). Of all infections, 21 (40%) were viral, 29 (56%) bacterial, and 2 (4%) fungal. There were 31 (60%) mild infections, 19 (36%) moderate, and 2 (4%) severe. Multiple G≥3 infections occurred in 14 pts (33%). At first infection, 4 pts (10%) had severeneutropenia and 13 pts (31%) had severelymphopenia. IVIG was given to 27 pts (63%). Median IgG at D30 was 438 mg/dL (range 143–1099) and 414 mg/dL (range 133–842) at D60. Prolonged IgG≤400 at 6 months occurred in 15 pts (35%). Median IVIG cost using flat dosing was $2800 (range $0-12,600) compared to a median cost of $8,075 (range $0-76,642) if weight-based dosing was utilized. NRM was 9% (4 pts). Of those pts, only 1 had a G≥3 infection during the first-year post CAR-T. Conclusions: We demonstrate comparable infection rates 1 yr post CD19 CAR-T and low NRM with the use of 10g flat IVIG dosing for consecutively treated pts. In addition, only 1 of 4 pts with NRM had severe infection within 1 yr. Notably, 35% of pts had persistent hypogammaglobulinemia at 6 mo and use of a flat dosing schedule provided substantial cost reduction. These findings should be validated in a prospective randomized trial.

A regressive analysis of the main environmental risk factors of human echinococcosis in 370 counties in China.

Echinococcosis is a natural focal, highly prevalent disease in China. Factors influencing the spread of echinococcosis are not only related to personal exposure but also closely related to the environment itself. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of environmental factors on the prevalence of human echinococcosis and to provide a reference for prevention and control of echinococcosis in the future. Data were collected from 370 endemic counties in China in 2018. By downloading Modis, DEM and other remote-sensing images in 2018. Data on environmental factors, i.e., elevation, land surface temperature (LST) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were collected. Rank correlation analysis was conducted between each environmental factor and the prevalence of echinococcosis at the county level. Negative binomial regression was used to analyze the impact of environmental factors on the prevalence of human echinococcosis at the county level. According to rank correlation analysis, the prevalence of human echinococcosis in each county was positively correlated with elevation, negatively correlated with LST, and negatively correlated with NDVI in May, June and July. Negative binomial regression showed that the prevalence of human echinococcosis was negatively correlated with annual LST and summer NDVI, and positively correlated with average elevation and dog infection rate. The prevalence of human cystic echinococcosis was inversely correlated with the annual average LST, and positively correlated with both the average elevation and the prevalence rate of domestic animals. The prevalence of human alveolar echinococcosis was positively correlated with both NDVI in autumn and average elevation, and negatively correlated with NDVI in winter. The prevalence of echinococcosis in the population is affected by environmental factors. Environmental risk assessment and prediction can be conducted in order to rationally allocate health resources and improve both prevention and control efficiency of echinococcosis.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Rats and Shrews from Zhejiang Province, China: Occurrence, Genetic Characterization, and Potential for Zoonotic Transmission.

Globally, Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been detected in humans and various animal hosts. Wild rats and shrews have the potential to act as carriers of E. bieneusi, facilitating the parasite's transmission to humans and domestic animals. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of E. bieneusi in 652 wild rats and shrews from Zhejiang Province, China, by amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To determine animal species, we amplified the Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene in their fecal DNA using PCR. Furthermore, we determined the genotype of E. bieneusi by amplifying the ITS region of rDNA through PCR. Genetic traits and zoonotic potential were evaluated using similarity and phylogenetic analyses. Suncus murinus (n = 282) and five rat species, Rattus losea (n = 18), Apodemus agrarius (n = 36), Rattus tanezumi (n = 86), Rattus norvegicus (n = 155), and Niviventer niviventer (n = 75), were identified. The average infection rate of E. bieneusi was 14.1% (92/652) with 18.1% (51/282) in S. murinus and 11.1% (41/370) in rats (27.8% in R. losea, 22.2% in A. agrarius, 10.5% in R. tanezumi, 8.4% in R. norvegicus, and 8.0% in N. niviventer). Thirty-three genotypes were identified, including 16 known genotypes. The most commonly known genotypes were HNR-VI (n = 47) and Peru11 (n = 6). Type IV, KIN-1, SHW7, and HNPL-II were each found in two samples, while Macaque4, CH5, K, Henan-III, Henan-V, HNP-II, HNPL-I, HNPL-III, HNHZ-II, and HNHZ-III were each found in one sample. Additionally, 17 novel genotypes were discovered: WZR-VIII (n = 5), WZR-I to WZR-VII, WZR-IX to WZR-XII, and WZSH-I to WZSH-V (n = 1 each). Those 33 genotypes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n = 25), Group 2 (n = 3), and Group 13 (n = 5). The initial report underscores the extensive occurrence and notable genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in wild rats and shrews from Zhejiang province, China. These results suggest that these animals play a pivotal role in the transmission of E. bieneusi. Furthermore, animals carrying the zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi pose a serious threat to residents.

An evaluation of driveline dressing protocols and infection rates for left ventricular assist devices across UK transplant centres

Background/Aims Left ventricular assist devices are used to improve the quality of life of people waiting for heart transplantation. Driveline infections are a significant complication of these devices, occurring in 30–40% of cases, which could lead to life threatening sepsis. This study aimed to review UK driveline dressing protocols and infection rates to determine if national standardisation is possible. Methods Six UK heart transplant centres were asked to share their driveline dressing protocols for comparison. National driveline infection data were obtained from the NHS Blood and Transplant database. Infection rates, patient demographics and device types were compared using Chi squared tests, with a P value of &lt;0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results The study found 38 driveline infections over a 3-year period, with an average infection rate was 4.4% per year. There were no significant difference in infection rates between device types. Dressing protocols varied between centres, but all centres followed international guidance. The timepoint where the highest number of infections were diagnosed was 12 months post implantations, accounting for 23.7% of infections. There were no significant differences in infection rates between centres in 2019–20 or 2021–22, but a significant difference was observed for 2020–21 (P=0.013). Conclusions UK driveline infection rates are below the average reported in the literature. Despite some differences in dressing protocols, all centres examined in this study maintained a level of infection comparable to reported rates. The feasibility of national standardisation remains uncertain, and further research is needed to determine the most effective dressing protocols for preventing driveline infections.

Epidemiology, clinical profile, and outcomes of CSF-diversion catheter-related infections – Prospective cohort study results from a single quaternary neurosurgery referral centre

BackgroundDevice-associated CNS infections is a major subgroup of healthcare associated CNS infections. Healthcare-associated ventriculitis or meningitis differs considerably from community-acquired meningitis in its epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and management. ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the infection rates, the associated risk factors, and outcomes of these life-threatening infections. MethodsThis was a 2-year single center prospective cohort study. Patient's clinical data, laboratory parameters, treatment and their outcomes were collected using data collection tool, and device days were collected from the hospital information system (HIS). Patients were categorised using IDSA criteria as contamination or colonisation or infection. Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis to estimate hazard risk. ResultsA total of 578 CSF diversion catheters were inserted in 472 patients. The average rate for EVD and LD infection were 11.12 and 11.86 per 1000 device days respectively. The average infection rates for VP and LP shunts were 6% and 5.2% per procedure, respectively. The commonest etiological agent causing CSF diversion catheter-related infection (CDRI) was Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 14, 40%). The risk factors which were independently associated with increased infection risk by cox regression analysis were drain insertion ≥7 days [HR:11.73, p −0.03], posterior approach of EVD insertion (occipital) [HR:9.53, p - 0.01], pre-OP ASA score>3 [HR:8.28, p - 0.013] presence of EVD/LD leak [HR: 17.24, p < 0.0001], male gender [HR:2.05, p-0.05] and presence of associated peri-operative scalp infections [HR:3.531, p-0.005]. Shift to narrow spectrum surgical prophylactic antibiotic [Coefficient: −1.284, p-0.03] and reduction in CSF sampling frequency [Coefficient: −1.741, p-0.02] were found to be negatively associated with CDRI. ConclusionsThe study demonstrated drain insertion ≥7 days, posterior approach of EVD insertion, presence of EVD/LD leak, male gender and presence of associated peri-operative scalp skin and soft tissue infections were associated with increased risk of infection.

Investigation of Prototheca bovis Infection and Its Correlation with Dairy Herd Improvement Data from a Dairy Farm in Central China.

Prototheca bovis (P. bovis), an alga that has attracted considerable attention over the years as a causative microorganism of mastitis in dairy cows, exhibits limited susceptibility to specific aminoglycosides and antifungal agents, and no effective clinical treatment is currently available, thereby posing challenges for both prevention and treatment. To investigate the infection of P. bovis mastitis and its impact on raw milk production, a total of 348 raw milk samples were collected from August to December 2022 from a dairy farm in central China. P. bovis and other bacteria were detected, and the average infection rate of P. bovis in raw milk was 60.34% (210/348). The total number of colonies and the somatic cell count (SCC) of P. bovis positive samples were significantly higher than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). The daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield of the P. bovis positive samples were significantly lower than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). A correlation analysis showed that P. bovis infection was negatively correlated with daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield (p < 0.0001), while being positively correlated with the total number of colonies, SCC, milk loss, and protein percentage (p < 0.0001). These findings may help practitioners in comprehending the occurrence of Prototheca mastitis and developing more effective strategies for the prevention of P. bovis infections.

РЕТРОСПЕКТИВНЫЙ АНАЛИЗ ЗАБОЛЕВАЕМОСТИ ОПИСТОРХОЗОМ В АЛТАЙСКОМ КРАЕ ЗА 2011-2022 гг.

Introduction. Currently, opisthorchiasis presents a pressing and socially significant challenge in practical healthcare. Among biohelminthiasis, opisthorchiasis holds the highest incidence and significantly impacts population health. Aim. This study aims to conduct a retrospective epidemiological analysis of opisthorchiasis incidence in the Altai Krai (AK) from 2011 to 2022. Materials and Methods. The study utilized statistical form No. 2 of the Federal State Statistical Observation "Information on infectious and parasitic diseases" for 2011-2022. Intensive and extensive indicators were calculated, along with the arithmetic mean (X) and standard error of the mean (m). Statistical analysis was performed using the Microsoft Excel program. The mapping method was employed to identify spatial patterns, correlations, and combinations of geographically expressed phenomena. Results. Between 2011 and 2022, there was a notable trend towards a 2-fold decrease in opisthorchiasis morbidity in the Altai region, with rates dropping from 54.44±1.500/0000 to 29.85±0.900/0000. This decrease, while significant, still represented an 8.5% excess compared to the Russian Federation. However, in 2022, there was a concerning spike in morbidity, which was 2.3 times higher than the levels seen in the period of 2020-2021. This increase could potentially be linked to reduced healthcare-seeking behavior due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. The highest rates of infection were observed among the adult population and children aged 7 to 17 years, averaging at 39.63±4.200/0000. Urban areas showed a striking 64.9% excess in opisthorchiasis morbidity compared to rural regions. Specifically, twelve administrative districts, along with the cities of Barnaul and Belokurikha, stood out with rates exceeding 74.600/0000. This heightened prevalence was attributed to their proximity to the Ob River and water bodies hosting carp fish species infected with opisthorchis larvae, with an average long-term infection rate of 7.2%. Conclusions. The endemic nature of opisthorchiasis in the Altai region, centered around the Ob River, combined with the significant infection levels in carp fish consumed by the local population, underscores the urgent need for enhanced epidemiological surveillance. Utilizing modern mathematical data processing techniques is crucial to bolster the efficacy of therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive measures against this parasitic invasion.

Identification of prevalence and degree of infection of paramphistomatosis of cattle according to the age: Case of districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan

According to our research, the ecological situation in Karakalpakstan has gotten worse recently. This includes the Aral Sea tragedy, the drying up of many lakes due to droughts, the loss of most of the natural gastrotilax foci, as well as other paramphistomata like P.ichikawae and rare cases of L.scotiae. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of paramphistomatosis in cattle across different districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan and to evaluate the infection's impact based on the animals' age. Research was conducted in the districts of Tortkul, Amudarya, Ellikkala, and Beruni. Methods included helmintoovoscopic examination of dung samples from 478 cattle and comprehensive helminthological dissection of 40 cattle. Results indicated an average infection rate of 3.9%, with the highest prevalence in Amudarya district (5.5%) and the lowest in Tortkul district (3.3%). Age-wise, infection rates were 3.5% in calves (6-12 months), 3.7% in young cattle (1-2 years), and 2.5% in older cattle (2 years and older). The study concluded that paramphistomatosis is a significant issue in Karakalpakstan, with notable age and regional variations. The Amudarya district, with more natural freshwater mollusc biotopes, exhibited a higher prevalence, suggesting a correlation between mollusc populations and infection rates.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in wild rodents from the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province, China: assessing host specificity and the potential for zoonotic transmission.

Wild rodents are key hosts for Cryptosporidium transmission, yet there is a dearth of information regarding their infection status in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province of China. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium among wild rodents residing in these two provinces. A total of 486 rodents were captured, and fresh feces were collected from each rodent's intestine for DNA extraction. Species identification of rodents was performed through PCR amplification of the vertebrate cytochrome b (cytb) gene. To detect the presence of Cryptosporidium in all fecal samples, PCR analysis and sequencing of the partial small subunit of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene were performed. Four species of rodents were identified: Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Apodemus agrarius, and Cricetulus barabensis. Positive results for Cryptosporidium were obtained for 9.2% (18/195), 6.6% (7/106), 5.6% (5/89), and 6.3% (6/96) of these rodents, respectively, with an average infection rate of 7.4% (36/486). The identification revealed the presence of five Cryptosporidium species, C. ubiquitum (n = 8), C. occultus (n = 5), C. muris (n = 2), C. viatorum (n = 1), and C. ratti (n = 1), along with two Cryptosporidium genotypes: Rat genotype III (n = 10) and Rat genotype IV (n = 9). Based on the molecular evidence presented, the wild rodents investigated were concurrently infected with zoonotic (C. muris, C. occultus, C. ubiquitum and C. viatorum) as well as rodent-adapted (C. ratti and Rat genotype III and IV) species/genotypes, actively participating in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis.