Contagious Infectious Disease Research Articles

High resolution melting assay as a reliable method for diagnosing drug-resistant TB cases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is one of the most contagious infectious diseases worldwide. Currently, drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) isolates are considered as one of the main challenges in the global TB control strategy. Rapid detection of resistant strains effectively reduces morbidity and mortality of world’s population. Although both culture and conventional antibiotic susceptibility testing are time-consuming, recent studies have shown that high resolution melting (HRM) assay can be used to determine the types of antibiotic resistance. In the present meta-analysis, we evaluated the discriminative power of HRM in detecting all drug-resistance cases of TB.MethodsA systematic search was performed using databases such as Cochrane Library, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Related studies on the effect of HRM in the diagnosis of drug-resistant (DR) TB cases were retrieved by April 2021. We used Meta-Disc software to evaluate the pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of HRM for the detection of each type of drug-resistant cases. Finally, diagnostic value of HRM was characterized by summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) method.ResultsOverall 47 studies (4,732 Mtb isolates) met our criteria and were included in the present meta-analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of HRM were measured for antibiotics such as isoniazid (93%, 98%, 0.987), rifampin (94%, 97%, 0963), ethambutol (82%, 87%, 0.728), streptomycin (82%, 95%, 0.957), pyrazinamide (72%, 84%, 0.845), fluoroquinolones (86%, 99%, 0.997), MDR-TB (90%, 98%, 0.989), and pan-drug-resistant TB (89%, 95%, 0.973).ConclusionsThe HRM assay has high accuracy for the identification of drug-resistant TB, particularly firs-line anti-TB drugs. Therefore, this method is considered as an alternative option for the rapid diagnosis of DR-TB cases. However, due to heterogeneity of included studies, the results of HRM assays should be interpreted based on conventional drug susceptibility testing.

Influence of Population Density for COVID-19 Spread in Malaysia: An Ecological Study.

The rapid transmission of highly contagious infectious diseases within communities can yield potential hotspots or clusters across geographies. For COVID-19, the impact of population density on transmission models demonstrates mixed findings. This study aims to determine the correlations between population density, clusters, and COVID-19 incidence across districts and regions in Malaysia. This countrywide ecological study was conducted between 22 January 2021 and 4 February 2021 involving 51,476 active COVID-19 cases during Malaysia’s third wave of the pandemic, prior to the reimplementation of lockdowns. Population data from multiple sources was aggregated and spatial analytics were performed to visualize distributional choropleths of COVID-19 cases in relation to population density. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to synthesize dendrograms to demarcate potential clusters against population density. Region-wise correlations and simple linear regression models were deduced to observe the strength of the correlations and the propagation effects of COVID-19 infections relative to population density. Distributional heats in choropleths and cluster analysis showed that districts with a high number of inhabitants and a high population density had a greater number of cases in proportion to the population in that area. The Central region had the strongest correlation between COVID-19 cases and population density (r = 0.912; 95% CI 0.911, 0.913; p < 0.001). The propagation effect and the spread of disease was greater in urbanized districts or cities. Population density is an important factor for the spread of COVID-19 in Malaysia.

A strain of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus: genomic characterization, pathogenicity, and construction of an infectious full-length cDNA clone.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which inflicts major economic losses on the global pig farming industry. Based on its similarity to highly pathogenic strains, the GDzj strain isolated in this study was predicted to be highly pathogenic. We therefore analyzed the pathogenicity of this strain experimentally in piglets. All piglets challenged with this virus experienced fever or high fever, loss of appetite, decreased food intake, daily weight loss, shortness of breath, and listlessness, and the necropsy results showed that they had experienced severe interstitial pneumonia. We then used the BAC system to construct a full-length cDNA infectious clone of GDzj, and the rescued virus displayed in vitro proliferation characteristics similar to those of the parental PRRSV strain. In summary, we successfully isolated a highly pathogenic PRRSV strain and constructed a full-length infectious cDNA clone from it, thereby providing an effective reverse genetics platform for further study of viral pathogenesis.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection: New Molecular, Phylogenetic, and Pathogenetic Insights. Efficacy of Current Vaccines and the Potential Risk of Variants.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly discovered coronavirus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 has rapidly become a public health emergency of international concern. Although remarkable scientific achievements have been reached since the beginning of the pandemic, the knowledge behind this novel coronavirus, in terms of molecular and pathogenic characteristics and zoonotic potential, is still relatively limited. Today, there is a vaccine, or rather several vaccines, which, for the first time in the history of highly contagious infectious diseases that have plagued mankind, has been manufactured in just one year. Currently, four vaccines are licensed by regulatory agencies, and they use RNA or viral vector technologies. The positive effects of the vaccination campaign are being felt in many parts of the world, but the disappearance of this new infection is still far from being a reality, as it is also threatened by the presence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants that could undermine the effectiveness of the vaccine, hampering the immunization control efforts. Indeed, the current findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is adapting to transmission in humans more efficiently, while further divergence from the initial archetype should be considered. In this review, we aimed to provide a collection of the current knowledge regarding the molecular, phylogenetic, and pathogenetic insights into SARS-CoV-2. The most recent findings obtained with respect to the impact of novel emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants as well as the development and implementation of vaccines are highlighted.

De volksgezondheid heeft specifieke ethische ijkpunten nodig

Public health needs its own ethical values. Public health ethics is guided by a core value: the defense of the common good, which may, in certain circumstances, conflict with the respect for individual freedom. The management of contagious infectious diseases in general, and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in particular offer many examples of this ethical clash. Both victim and vector of the disease, the contagious patient must benefit from the best possible care and at the same time accept a duty of solidarity towards those he may infect. If, however, in certain circumstances, health constraints can be imposed on citizens in order to protect the common good, these coercive measures should be guided by clear ethical benchmarks. First of all, the threat for which we seek protection, must be significant and realistic. Secondly, the coercive measures put in place must have proven their effectiveness. Thirdly, the inconveniences linked to these measures must be proportional to the expected benefits and the targeted threat. Finally, the measures must be as least restrictive as possible.

Vaccination status of medical students and faculty members

Objectives: To analyze the student's and professor's vaccinal situation of a medical course. Methods: It is a transversal and quantitative research, done in 2019, which aimed to identify if preconized vaccines of Programa Nacional de Imunização (PNI) were administered or not. The data was obtained through a questionnaire applied to professors and students from the 1st to the 12th period, under CAAE 08246918.1.0000.5237. Posteriorly, it was done an inferential and comparative analysis with literature and vaccinal data from previous research done in 2014, at the same institution, that evaluated vaccination for hepatitis B, dT, varicella, influenza, and HPV. Results: Despite the rise in vaccination of students from 2014 to 2019, most of PNI coverage goals were not reached in 2019. As a result, it is necessary to maintain the incentives for vaccination in the health sector since the sample is constituted of a high-risk group of infectious contagious diseases. Conclusion: The implementation of an action plan for the exigence of the updated vaccinal chart as a prerequisite for registration of medical students must be considered. It is expected that it would reinforce the relevance of vaccination for diseases that are preventable through immunization.

Clinical Dentistry -The Pandemic’s Late Effects

Coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) is the most recent HCID (highly contagious infectious diseases) pandemic to hit the world. The respiratory disease (sars-cov-2) has been shown to spread from symptomatic patients through droplets and aerosols. Because of the closed environment and the use of high and low-speed handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, infection spreads even more easily in a dental setting. During these times, our priority should be inward to protect ourselves as well as the patients who need medical attention. Various methods for controlling infection transmission from aerosol-generating dental procedures are recommended to accomplish this. In light of the effect of oral health on the seriousness of the Covid 19 pandemic, and to protect ourselves financially during this pandemic it is critical to explain patients that we dentists are using the most up-to-date approaches to keep them safe by reducing the risk of them contracting the virus from the dental office in order to maximise the number of outpatients. And it is important to treat every patient as a Covid -19 infected person and take the appropriate precautions to ensure our safety while rendering dental treatment.

The Characteristics of Spike Glycoprotein Gene of Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome Coronavirus Strain CH/FJWT/2018 Isolated in China.

Swine acute diarrhea syndrome (SADS) is a highly contagious infectious disease characterized by acute vomiting and watery diarrhea in neonatal piglets. The causative agent for SADS is the swine acute diarrhea syndrome coronavirus (SADS-CoV), an alphacoronavirus in the family Coronaviridae. Currently, SADS-CoV was identified only in Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, not in any other regions or countries in the world. To explore the genetic diversity of SADS-CoV isolates, herein we comparatively analyzed 44 full-length genomes of viruses isolated in Guangdong and Fujian provinces during 2017–2019. The spike glycoprotein gene of SADS-CoV strain CH/FJWT/2018 isolated in Fujian province is distinct from that of other viral isolates in either spike glycoprotein gene-based phylogenetic analysis or whole genome-based gene similarity analysis. Moreover, at least 7 predicted linear B cell epitopes in the spike glycoprotein of CH/FJWT/2018 would be affected by amino acid variations when compared with a representative virus isolated in Guangdong province. The spike glycoprotein of coronaviruses determines viral host range and tissue tropism during virus infection via specific interactions with the cellular receptor and also plays critical roles in eliciting the production of neutralizing antibodies. Since SADS-CoVs have a broad cell tropism, the results in this report further emphasize that the spike glycoprotein gene is a pivotal target in the surveillance of SADS-CoV.

A persistent epidemic of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus infection by serological survey of commercial pig farms in northern Vietnam

BackgroundPorcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) is a highly contagious infectious disease with negative economic impacts on the swine industry. PED outbreaks were reported from 2009 to 2015, but sporadic infection has been observed until now in Vietnam. However, the seroprevalence of PEDV infection has not yet been reported for commercial pig farms in Vietnam. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of PEDV infection in Vietnamese pig farms to reveal the endemic status of PEDV in northern Vietnam.ResultsA serological survey of PEDV infection was carried out using indirect ELISA in commercial pig farms in Hai Duong, Hung Yen and Thai Binh provinces in northern Vietnam in 2019. Twenty sera were randomly collected from each of 10 commercial pig farms, from each province; none of the farms had vaccinated for PEDV. Serological evidence of natural PEDV infection, expressed as a high antibody titre, was observed in the pig farms in all 3 provinces. The OD values were significantly higher (p < 0.001) for pig sera from Thai Binh than from Hai Duong and Hung Yen. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected for seropositivity to PEDV based on locality, age, pig breed and farm size.ConclusionsThis study indicates serological evidence of natural PEDV infection with high antibody titre in commercial pig farms. PEDV infection was widespread among the pig population in these 3 provinces and that good management and strict biosecurity are needed at these pig farms.

Skin problems related to personal protective equipment among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (online research)

Introduction Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a highly contagious infectious disease that first appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Health care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection because the virus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by a variety of routes. Health care workers are required to use a variety of personal protective equipment (PPE) for prolonged hours and, as a result, they face varying degrees of cutaneous complications. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey to investigate skin problems caused by the use of PPE and personal hygiene measures. We developed a survey with 32 questions using Google forms and distributed it via WhatsApp and Facebook groups. Results A total of 1142 responses were obtained. Among the respondents, 88.1% reported adverse skin reactions due to PPE and personal hygiene measures. Female sex, working as a nurse, wearing PPE more than 6 h/day, and working more than 3 days/week increase the risk of PPE-related skin problems. Conclusion In this study, we highlighted skin problems related to PPE and found out risk factors for PPE-related skin problems.

A Case Report of Tuberculosis with Ascites

Background: Tuberculosis is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis. This disease is mostly recognized as a pulmonary disorder but it can be transmitted to other parts of the body by blood. The most common extra pulmonary sites, including lymph nodes, abdomen, pleura, and abdominal tuberculosis, are less common than pulmonary tuberculosis. Given the importance of tuberculosis, a rare case of tuberculosis was reported.Case Report: A 13-year-old girl was admitted to Afzalipour hospital, Kerman, because of fever and abdominal pain. Her fever started from two weeks ago and generalized abdominal pain started a week ago. Ultrasound and abdominal CT scan showed fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. The result of chronic granuloma pathology was reported in favor of mycobacterium tuberculosis, and PCR test of pleural tuberculosis was positive. She was treated empirically with Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol, and Pyrazinamide. She was visited a month later. Her general condition was good and the clinical symptoms disappeared.

Novel сoronavirus infectious disease COVID-19: features of comprehensive cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation

In the Consensus of experts from Russian societies, issues of comprehensive medical rehabilitation of patients with a new coronavirus infection are being discussed. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious infectious disease that can cause respiratory, cardiac, motor, metabolic, neurocognitive and mental disorders, i.e. multiple organ dysfunction. Patients who survived COVID-19, especially after a severe course, face serious psychological and physical problems, post-traumatic stress, cognitive dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies and exacerbation of concomitant chronic diseases. Some patients, regardless of the severity of the coronavirus infection, have a long-term course of disease ("chronic COVID", "long-term COVID"). There is evidence of the development of "post-COVID-19 syndrome". In this regard, patients with COVID-19 need rehabilitation. The Consensus of experts from Russian societies provides general principles, stages and aspects of medical rehabilitation after COVID-19, indications and contraindications for rehabilitation interventions. The Consensus includes recommendations on comprehensive cardiac and respiratory rehabilitation, as well as the features of the rehabilitation of patients with different clinical course of COVID-19 within the framework of the national three-stage medical rehabilitation system.

Effect of rehabilitation program on Dyspnea, Exercise capacity and Psychological wellbeing among COVID19 patient at Qena respiratory hospital

Abstract Background: COVID-19 is a contagious beefily infectious respiratory disease; it's a public health emergency that performs varying degrees of respiratory, physical and psychological dysfunction. Aim of the study: to evaluate the effect of the rehabilitation program on dyspnea, physical activities and psychological wellbeing among patients with COVID19. Methods: quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study. The study was carried out in intensive care (ICU) and post COVID recovery unit at Qena Respiratory Hospital. A convenience sample of 50 adult patients from both sexes. The study tools; Tool 1: Self-reports Assessment Questionnaire. Tool 2: International Physical Activity Scale Tool 3: psychological symptoms scale. Tool 4: Clinical data base: includes laboratory investigation of lung function and ABGs, addition to chest tomography. Results: A significant statistically difference was found regarding symptoms associated total pain, pain intensity, dyspnea scores, physical activities, and psychological wellbeing of the studied sample between the pre and post assessment at the first week and second week post discharge and after the implementation of the rehabilitation program with p= 0.001. Conclusion: implementation of the rehabilitation program had statistically significant improvement in dyspnea scores, physical activities, anxiety, depression, pulmonary function, and laboratory investigations among patients with COVID 19. Recommendation: rehabilitation programs should be designed and implemented as individualized programs following a comprehensive evaluation.

Coronavirus disease 2019: features of comprehensive cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation

The expert consensus of the Russian communities discusses the issues of comprehensive medical rehabilitation of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a contagious infectious disease that can cause pulmonary, cardiac, motor, metabolic, neurocognitive and mental disorders, that is, multiple organ dysfunction. COVID-19 survivors, especially after a severe clinical course, face serious psychological and physical problems, posttraumatic stress, cognitive dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies and exacerbation of concomitant chronic diseases. Some patients, regardless of the COVID-19 severity, have a long clinical course of the disease (“chronic-COVID”, “long COVID”). There is evidence of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. In this regard, patients after COVID-19 will need rehabilitation measures. The expert consensus of the Russian communities presents general principles, stages and aspects of medical rehabilitation after COVID-19, indications and contraindications for rehabilitation interventions. The paper includes recommendations on comprehensive cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, as well as specifics of rehabilitation care for different COVID-19 courses within the national three-stage rehabilitation system.

NOX2 Activation in COVID-19: Possible Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading contagious infectious disease caused by the pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), that primarily affects the respiratory tract as well as the central nervous system (CNS). SARS-CoV-2 infection occurs through the interaction of the viral protein Spike with the angiotensin II receptor (ACE 2), leading to an increase of angiotensin II and activation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase2 (NOX2), resulting in the release of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory molecules. The purpose of the review is to explain that SARS-CoV-2 infection can determine neuroinflammation that induces NOX2 activation in microglia. To better understand the role of NOX2 in inflammation, an overview of its involvement in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is provided. To write this manuscript, we performed a PubMed search to evaluate the possible relationship of SARS-CoV-2 infection in NOX2 activation in microglia, as well as the role of NOX2 in NDs. Several studies highlighted that NOX2 activation in microglia amplifies neuroinflammation. To date, there is no clinical treatment capable of counteracting its activation, however, NOX2 could be a promising pharmaceutical target useful for both the treatment and prevention of NDs and COVID-19 treatment.

The Impact of the COVID-19 on Economic Sustainability—A Case Study of Fluctuation in Stock Prices for China and South Korea

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a global impact on lives, livelihoods, and economies. This study investigates whether a contagious infectious disease can affect the prices of the Chinese and Korean stock markets. Specifically, we aim to discover discrepancies in the impact of COVID-19 on the stock prices of China and South Korea through panel data. To test these discrepancies, we first regressed the stock indices on confirmed cases and deaths. We then validated the stability of coefficients over the past days. The empirical results show that (1) responses of stock indices are stable and impulsive and (2) response patterns toward COVID-19 events considerably vary across nations, especially in the counties such as China and South Korea.

Tuberculosis and Covid-19 Co-Infection – Clinical Characteristics

Abstract The threat of contagious infectious diseases is constantly evolving as demographic explosion, travel globalization and changes in human lifestyle increase the risk of speeding pathogens, leading to accelerate changes in disease landscape.(1) Tuberculosis and Covid-19 are both infectious diseases that attack primarily the lungs. Both diseases have similar symptoms such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing. Tuberculosis has a longer incubation period with a slower reset of disease. Experience on Covid-19 infection in TB patient remains limited. 8 studies reported a total of 80 patients with this co-infection. These patients were reported from 9 different countries, with Italy reporting the largest number of cases.(2) The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristic of TB and Covid-19 co-infection in 10 patients who were admitted in the Pulmonology Hospital of Sibiu between 01.05.2020-30.04.2021. All of these patients were with nosocomial infection Covid-19 and were previously diagnosed with TB.

Pulmonary rehabilitation principles in SARS-COV-2 infection (COVID-19): The revised guideline for the acute, subacute, and post-COVID-19 rehabilitation

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious infection disease, which may cause respiratory, physical, psychological, and generalized systemic dysfunction. The severity of disease ranges from an asymptomatic infection or mild illness to mild or severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and/or death. COVID-19 dramatically affects the pulmonary system. This clinical practice guideline includes pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) recommendations for adult COVID-19 patients and has been developed in the light of the guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 provided by the World Health Organization and Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Health, recently published scientific literature, and PR recommendations for COVID-19 regarding basic principles of PR. This national guideline provides suggestions regarding the PR methods during the clinical stages of COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 with its possible benefits, contraindications, and disadvantages.

A REVIEW ON CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF COVID-19 VIRUS AND THE POSSIBLE ADAPTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSES

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the highly contagious infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease has shown to put an enormous burden on the society and is a challenge to the physician owing to its infectivity, complications, morbidity and absence of proper medication. As medicine is an ever-changing science new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge and bring changes in drug therapy. COVID-19 is now spreading throughout the world because of its high infectivity and communicability. Also there is a lack in the proper management of the disease. Because there is no definite and specific treatment for patients with COVID-19, some antiviral agents are prescribed to the patients, depending on their condition and location. It is widely accepted that the world will not return to its prepandemic normalcy until safe and effective vaccines become available and a global vaccination programme is successfully implemented. As COVID-19 is new to humankind and the nature of protective immune responses is poorly understood, it is unclear which vaccine strategies will be most successful. This review attempts to educate the readers about the molecular and structural complexity of COVID-19 virus; its clinical manifestations in humans; immune responses and a special reference on the various adaptive immune responsive strategies including vaccines and its limitations.&#x0D; Keywords: COVID-19, Vaccine, Spike Protein, Vector, Immune response, Pandemic, SARS-CoV2

Clinical picture of pulmonary plague observed in the paediatric wards of antananarivo

Introduction: In Madagascar, plague is a highly contagious acute endemic infectious disease. The diagnosis of the most severe form of pneumonic plague remains difficult in children, hence the objectives of the present study; which is to identify the clinical signs of this clinical form in children and to describe its epidemiological and evolutionary profile. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted in four pediatric wards in Antananarivo during the urban pneumonic plague outbreak from September 2017 to January 2018. Those cases were defined as children aged 0-15 years old suspected of having plague with positive RDT and PCR, and they were defined as children aged 0-15 years old with negative RDT and PCR. Results: Fifty-two cases of pneumonic plague were identified, half of which (50%) were under 24 months of age. A male predominance was noted with a sex ratio of 1.23 and 86.54% of the patients were from urban areas. Several clinical signs were found but none was specific for pneumonic plague: cough (59.62% p: 0.5), dyspnea (3.85% p: 0.16), chest pain (3.85% p: 0.26%), hemoptysis (7.69% p: 0.17), vomiting (9.62% p: 0.14), diarrhea (11.54% p: 0.45), altered general condition (38.46% p: 0.24%). Two deaths were noted (3.8%). Conclusion: No specific clinical warning signs have been identified in childhood pneumonic plague. In the event of an epidemic of urban pneumonic plague, any bacterial pneumonia should at least initially include active treatment against Yersinia pestis.