Emergence Of Diseases Research Articles

Tea Farmers' Perceptions of the Influence of Climate Variability on Dodder Occurrence in Nandi County, Kenya

Climate variability continues to adversely impact agricultural systems globally. From the literature, it is reported that there has been an unprecedented emergence of pests and diseases associated with climate change and variability among other factors. In Kenya, crop cultivation and yield are affected primarily by changing climatic conditions, pests, and diseases. Of major concern in counties of Kenya, are the impacts of climate variability and parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on tea cultivation and production. From the literature, little is reported on the continuing invasion and effects of parasitic dodder on tea farming. This study aimed to assess tea farmer perceptions on the role of climate variability on the occurrence of dodder in Nandi. An exploratory survey design was utilized for this study. Using the Yamane Formula, a sample size of 392 was drawn from the Kenya Tea Development Agency tea farmers to represent the study. Primary data obtained from the administered questionnaires was extracted, collated, classified, and analysed (p≤0.05) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Rainfall and temperature data for the County was obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department from 1992 to 2022. Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis showed a significant increase in temperature denoted by a Sen’s slope= 0.031 and a strong positive correlation of Kendall’s Tau 0.554 indicated an increase at p<0.000. Rainfall showed an increasing trend Sen’s slope= 5.618 was not statistically significant at p= 0.341 with a weak correlation of Kendall’s Tau= 0.123. On the influence of rainfall and temperature on dodder occurrence, 95.6%, and 68.9% of the respondents perceived that long rainy (March to May) and cold (June to August) seasons increased its intensity. While 69.8% of the respondents perceived a moderate intensity of dodder during the hot season (December to February). In conclusion, climate variability has influenced the spread of dodder on tea farms. The study recommends further research to examine the effectiveness of different Integrated Pest Management strategies under varying climate conditions.

Characterization of a chitinase from Trichinella spiralis and its immunomodulatory effects on allergic airway inflammation in mice.

A fundamental tenet of the hygiene theory is the inverse association between helminth infections and the emergence of immune-mediated diseases. Research has been done to clarify the processes by which helminth-derived molecules can inhibit immunological disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of Trichinella spiralis chitinase (Ts-chit) to ameliorate the symptoms of allergic airway inflammation. Recombinant Trichinella spiralis chitinase (rTs-chit) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and its structural homology to murine acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) was comprehensively analyzed. The expression of Ts-chit was examined across all T. spiralis life stages. To explore its immunomodulatory potential, a murine model of allergen-induced airway inflammation was established. The effects of rTs-chit were evaluated by assessing airway hyperresponsiveness and cytokine profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and performing detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Recombinant Ts-chit (rTs-chit) was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21, showing strong structural similarity to murine acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). Expression profiling revealed that Ts-chit is present throughout all stages of the T. spiralis life cycle. In an allergic airway inflammation model, rTs-chit reduced weight loss and lung inflammation, lowering inflammatory cell infiltration and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) while increasing the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. Additionally, rTs-chit treatment decreased the expression of GATA3, arginase-1, MCP-1, CCL-11, and AMCase, along with reducing OVA-specific IgE, IgG, and IgG1 levels, suggesting its potential as an immunomodulatory agent. This study highlights rTs-chit's potential as a therapeutic agent for allergic airway diseases, leveraging its structural similarity to host chitinases to regulate Th2 responses and inflammatory pathways. The findings provide new insights into helminth-derived proteins as promising candidates for immune-based therapies.

Human Health Surveillance During Animal Disease Emergencies: Minnesota Department of Health Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreaks, 2015 and 2022–2023

ABSTRACT Objectives Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses an occupational risk for poultry workers, responders, and others in contact with infected birds. The objective of this analysis was to describe HPAI surveillance methods and outcomes, and highlight the challenges, successes, and lessons learned during the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH’s) public health response to HPAI outbreaks in Minnesota poultry flocks in the years 2015 and 2022–2023. Methods During both outbreaks, MDH staff attempted to contact all potentially exposed people and conduct a standardized interview. People were considered exposed and at risk if they had entered a barn with poultry on any HPAI test-positive premises. With their consent, exposed persons were entered into illness monitoring until 10 days from their last exposure. In 2015, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers only. In the 2022–2023 response, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers, backyard flock owners, responders, and private contract workers. In 2022–2023, interview responses were entered into a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database in real time, which automatically entered the person into monitoring if they consented. Through REDCap, they received an automated email with a unique link to a short survey asking about any symptom development. Where appropriate, interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2015 were compared to interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2022–2023. Results From March 3 to June 5, 2015, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 375 (86%) of 435 poultry workers from 110 HPAI-infected flocks. From March 25, 2022 through December 31, 2023, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 649 (65%) of 992 poultry workers, responders, contractors, and backyard flock owners associated with 151 HPAI-infected flocks. Among poultry workers, self-reported personal protective equipment (PPE) usage declined significantly from 2015 to 2022–2023 (full PPE usage 51.8% vs. 23.9%, p < .01). Conclusion MDH’s long standing relationships with animal health officials and the poultry industry resulted in strong poultry worker participation rates in surveillance efforts during HPAI outbreaks in 2015 and 2022–2023. Self-reported PPE usage was low, particularly in 2022–2023. Improvements in PPE accessibility and technology are needed to protect workers and responders in the on-going HPAI outbreak.

Spatiotemporal analysis of mosquito-borne infections and mosquito vectors in mainland Portugal

BackgroundThe incidence of mosquito-borne infections has increased worldwide. Mainland Portugal’s characteristics might favour the (re)emergence of mosquito-borne diseases. This study aimed to characterize the spatial distribution of vectors and notification rates of imported cases of mosquito-borne infections in mainland Portugal and demarcate the areas where these geographies overlap.MethodsWe used data from imported cases of malaria, dengue and Zika from 2009 to 2019, alongside data on the presence of mosquitoes capable of potentially transmitting these diseases at the municipality level (2009–2018). This data was provided by the National Epidemiological Surveillance System and Regional Health Administrations, based on reports from the Vector Surveillance Network. While the mosquitoes in question do not currently transmit these diseases, they have the potential to do so if there is a significant increase in pathogen circulation. A spatial cluster analysis was performed using the univariate Local Moran Index, the Bivariate Moran Local Index and the Mann-Kendall method.ResultsWe found significant spatial variability in both notification rates of imported mosquito-borne infections and the distribution of competent mosquito species. We identified clusters of simultaneous high concentrations of vectors and imported cases of malaria in Condeixa-a-Nova (Coimbra), Cuba (Beja), Santiago do Cacém (Setúbal), Albufeira and São Brás de Alportel (Faro), most located on the Southern coast of Portugal. For dengue, we detected clusters of simultaneous high concentrations of vectors and imported cases in Paredes, in the Northern region, and Faro, on the southern coast. For Zika, no clusters were identified.ConclusionThis study identified areas with high notification rates of imported cases and the presence of competent vectors. Surveillance, control, and awareness efforts are essential, as these areas may present higher risks for local transmission in the future if ecological conditions remain or become suitable, potentially evolving into foci for disease transmission.

Importance of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Circadian Disruption-Associated Biomarkers in Emergence of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major devastating neurodegenerative disorder afflicting majorly the geriatric population. Emerging studies augur the connection of gut dysbiosis and circadian disruption with the early onset of AD. Gut dysbiosis is characterized by dysregulated gut microbiota signature and compromised intestinal integrity, which provokes the translocation of bacterial metabolites into the systemic circulation. Noteworthy, gut-derived metabolites like calprotectin, trimethylamine-N-oxide, kynurenine, isoamylamine, and short-chain fatty acids play a key role in AD pathogenesis. Circadian dysregulation also corresponds with the exacerbated AD pathogenesis by accumulating Aβ and tau proteins. Moreover, circadian dysregulation is one of the causative factors for gut dysbiosis. This review discusses the complex interplay between the microbiota-gut-brain axis, circadian rhythmicity, and the emergence of AD. We reviewed preclinical and clinical studies on AD describing potential biomarkers of gut dysbiosis and circadian dysregulation. The identification of new biomarkers associated with the microbiota-gut-brain axis and circadian rhythmicity may help in early diagnosis and development of targeted therapies for mitigating neurodegenerative AD.

Tracking Persistent Symptoms in Scotland (TraPSS): a longitudinal prospective cohort study of COVID-19 recovery after mild acute infection

BackgroundCOVID-19 disease results in disparate responses between individuals and has led to the emergence of long coronavirus disease (Long-COVID), characterised by persistent and cyclical symptomology. To understand the complexity of...

Virome analysis unveils a rich array of newly identified viruses in the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is the second most widely cultured crustacean globally. As a highly invasive species with a worldwide distribution, P. clarkii presents a substantial risk for the transmission of viral pathogens to native aquatic organisms. Recently, the emergence of growth retardation disease (GRD) in P. clarkii has led to significant production declines and economic losses. A comprehensive viromic analysis could offer valuable insights into the potential viral pathogens harbored by P. clarkii. Here we systematically examined the RNA viromes of healthy and GRD-affected P. clarkii collected from Qianjiang, China. Our investigation identified a total of 1,729 viral species across 21 known viral taxa, with 1,603 species being previously unreported. The orders Picornavirales, Tolivirales, and Nodamuvirales were predominant in both species count and relative abundance. Moreover, seven viruses exhibited higher abundance in GRD-affected P. clarkii compared to healthy individuals. Our work uncovers an unexpectedly diverse RNA viral community within P. clarkii and identifies potential viral pathogens associated with GRD in this species.

Alternaria radicina; unveiling the cause, spread, and molecular basis of a novel coriander leaf blight disease in Egypt.

Coriandrum sativum L. faced a new and previously undocumented leaf blight disease for the first time. This disease manifests initially as small, circular, or irregular brown spots on older leaves, which gradually expand and merge into dark brownish blotches over time. This disease's impact is detrimental to plant health and seed quality. Through comprehensive morphological characteristics, and molecular identification (GenBank OL823169), the pathogen was conclusively identified as Alternaria radicina. Further confirmation was obtained by analyzing target sequences for the Alt-a-1 gene (GenBank OR492259). Koch's postulates were strictly adhered to, leading to the successful re-isolation of A. radicina from artificially infected 8-week-old coriander plants (local variety; Balady), providing unequivocal evidence that the fungus is responsible for leaf blight disease, marking the first such confirmation worldwide. The significant activity of fungal enzymes may be associated with pathogenicity. The seed-health test supported the hypothesis that seeds play a central role in the transmission of A. radicina, as it was detected in 40% of seed lots, alongside other common pathogenic and saprophytic genera. This study underscores the urgency of implementing seed treatments to curtail the pathogen's spread. The emergence of coriander leaf blight disease documented here (Egypt; 30° 57' 25″ N and 31° 35 ' 54″E) for the first time, necessitates heightened awareness and proactive measures to protect coriander plants all over the world.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in People Living With HIV Attending Centre of Excellence in HIV Care at a Tertiary Level Teaching Hospital in North India-A Pilot Study.

With the availability of free antiretroviral therapy (ART) across India, HIV in adults has become a chronic disease with prolonged survival. The emergence of various non-communicable diseases in these prolonged survivors is a cause of concern. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in adults with HIV infection in India has not been explored to date. In this study, we attempted to assess the existence of MASLD in thirty adults registered at the Centre of Excellence in ART Care at a tertiary teaching hospital in New Delhi. This center provides free first-line, second-line, and third-line ART to patients as well as comprehensive HIV care including counseling, nutritional advice, and inpatient admissions for intercurrent illnesses. A total of 30 subjects were enrolled in the study to assess the occurrence of MASLD among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and its risk factors and to assess hepatic fibrosis in the subjects with MASLD using transient elastography and clinical fibrosis scores. The study population included 13 subjects on ART (43.3%) and 17 ART-naïve subjects (56.6%). All the study subjects underwent ultrasonography (USG) for the identification of the development of MASLD in them. Steatosis was identified as an increase in the echogenicity of the liver seen as an increase in the hepatorenal contrast and was further graded into the 3 grades of fatty liver. Out of the 30 subjects, 16.6% (5 out of 30) were found to have MASLD on USG, with grade 1 fatty changes seen in 4 (13.3%) and grade 2 fatty changes seen in 1 out of 30 subjects (3.3%). A majority (40%) of the subjects were underweight (body mass index [BMI] < 18.5). 22.7% of the male subjects included in the study had MASLD whereas none of the females had fatty changes in the liver on USG. Out of the study subjects, MASLD was detected in 17.6% of ART-naïve subjects while it was detected in 15.4% of subjects on ART. Although no statistically significant association was seen with any of these parameters, a few important trends were observed. These might be statistically significant in a higher power study with a larger sample size. Higher BMI (mean difference [MD] = 3.25, P = .09), waist circumference (MD = 3.84, P = .15), hip circumference (MD = 4.36, P = .14), and older age (MD = 6.56, P = .07) were observed to be associated with MASLD in our study, whereas the biochemical parameters and HIV-related factors were not seen to have any particular trend of association in our study. However, a higher median CD4 count was associated with MASLD as compared to the group without fatty changes on USG. On FibroScan, all 5 subjects with fatty changes in our study were found to have liver stiffness less than 7 kPa which corresponds to F0-F1 stage of fibrosis. Using the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease score, 2 subjects had scores corresponding to F0-F2 stage of fibrosis (as per METAVIR score) while the rest (3 out of 5) had indeterminate values. While on FIB4 scoring, 4 subjects had scores suggesting stage 0-1 fibrosis while 1 had a score suggestive of stage 4-6 fibrosis as per Ishak Fibrosis staging. As PLHIV with known diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypothyroidism were excluded from our study, the prevalence of MASLD observed in our study underestimates the real prevalence of MASLD in this specific population. No significant association was observed between ART status or ART regimen and MASLD in our study subjects. However, in light of the existing evidence of association of dolutegravir (DTG) with significant weight gain, and the recent inclusion of DTG in the first-line ART regimen nationally in India, robust surveillance and large-scale studies are recommended to study the contribution of DTG to MASLD in PLHIV, if any.

Predicting metabolic syndrome: Machine learning techniques for improved preventive medicine.

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has a significant impact on health. MetS is the umbrella term for a group of interdependent metabolic threats that contribute to the emergence of diseases that can lead to death. This study was designed to better predict the risks associated with MetS to enable medical personnel to make more optimal preventive medical decisions. Study design: Data from a large hospital survey database was used to train data mining classification techniques to predict patient-level risk subsequent to extensive data engineering that included aggregating predictors from multiple visits. Methods: A prospective group of seemingly healthy volunteers from the database was studied based on data obtained during their regular annual health checkups. Results: After aggregating the variables over time, the findings indicated that the predictive power of our model outperformed methods presented in other studies (AUC = 0.947). Specific lifestyle factors were identified as contributing to MetS. Conclusion: Involvement to avoid recurring diseases can significantly decrease medical problems and treatment expenses. The findings emphasize the importance of using predictive tools in healthcare and preventive medicine. The results can be used for future prevention strategies that encourage lifestyle changes and implement directed medical treatment protocols to decrease the burden of illness.

Determining synchronously updated fixed points and attractors in a prototype boolean gene regulation model of diphtheria pathogenesis

This study employs dynamic modeling and simulation to provide theoretical insights into the systemic behaviors underlying diphtheria pathogenesis. A Boolean network model was developed to formalize the hypothesized interactions among eight genes identified in the literature as central to toxin production, immune response, and disease transmission. Computational exploration of the state-space dynamics within this model revealed three distinct attractors, each hypothesized to represent key disease states. Structural analysis of these attractors and their basins of attraction offered insights into network architectures potentially responsible for bistable switches between chronic infection and recovery, endogenous inflammatory oscillations reflective of periodic fever cycles, and modular topologies enabling alternative developmental pathways. These findings demonstrate the utility of Boolean modeling in uncovering organizing principles—such as periodicity, bistability, and evolvability—that govern disease emergence in complex systems. The study highlights testable network signatures that could refine our understanding of diphtheria and similar pathologies, and while preliminary, it underscores the potential of iterative computational and experimental approaches to inform more effective control strategies.

MICROBIAL THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH: EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THE ROLE OF PHARMACOLOGY- NARRATIVE REVIEW

Background: Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) continue to pose significant threats to global public health, driven by environmental disruption, globalization, and the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The integration of pharmacology and public health strategies is critical in addressing these threats. Objectives: This review explores the drivers of EIDs, the role of pharmacology in combating them, and the integration of innovations like vaccines and diagnostics into global health frameworks. It also identifies key gaps in knowledge and highlights potential future directions. Methods: A thematic analysis of recent literature was conducted, focusing on key findings related to pathogen evolution, the development of vaccines and therapeutics, and public health preparedness. Results: The review identifies zoonotic spillovers, climate change, and AMR as central drivers of EIDs. Advances such as mRNA vaccines and genomic technologies have significantly enhanced disease prevention and management. However, inequities in access to healthcare innovations and gaps in pathogen surveillance remain major challenges. AI-driven tools and one-health approaches are highlighted as emerging trends with transformative potential. Conclusions: Addressing EIDs requires interdisciplinary strategies that combine pharmacological innovations, public health measures, and global collaboration. Future research should focus on equitable access, advanced surveillance systems, and sustainable antimicrobial solutions to bridge existing gaps and improve global preparedness.

Climate change and the emergence and exacerbation of infectious diseases: A review.

Experts expressed severe concerns over the possibility of increasing burden of infectious diseases as the planet's climate began to change years ago. There have been increased rates of climate-related catastrophes and as global temperatures rise, emergence of certain viruses has become a serious concern. Vectors are susceptible to changing temperatures as they exhibit innate responses to thermal stress to increase survivability. Climate change impacts virus reservoirs, increasing transmission rates of vectors. Vector-borne diseases have already witnessed increasing numbers compared to before. Certain non-endemic areas are encountering their first-ever infectious disease cases due to increasing temperatures. Tick-borne diseases are undergoing transformations provoking a heightened prevalence. Food-borne illnesses are expected to increase owing to warmer temperatures. It is important to recognize that climate change has a multivariable impact on the transmission of viruses. With climate change comes the potential of increasing interspecies interactions promoting jumps. These factors must be considered, and an informed strategy must be formulated. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are required to curb these diseases from spreading. Despite significant evidence that climate change affects infectious diseases, gaps in research exist. We conducted this review to identify the potential role climate change plays in the emergence of new viruses.

Role of viruses in periodontitis: An extensive review of herpesviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, coronavirus-19, papillomavirus and hepatitis viruses.

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the supporting structures around the dentition. Several microbial agents, mostly bacteria, have been identified as causative factors for periodontal disease. On the other hand, oral cavity is a rich reservoir for viruses since it contains a wide variety of cell types that can be targeted by viruses. Traditionally, the focus of research about the oral flora has been on bacteria because the most widespread oral diseases, like periodontitis and dental caries, are outcomes of bacterial infection. However, recently and especially after the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019, there is a growing tendency toward including viruses also into the scope of oral microbiome investigations. The global high prevalence of periodontitis and viral infections may point out to a concomitant or synergistic effect between the two. Although the exact nature of the mechanism still is not clearly understood, this could be speculated through the manipulation of the immune system by viruses; hence facilitating the furthermore colonization of the oral tissues by bacteria. This review provides an extensive and detailed update on the role of the most common viruses including herpes family (herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus), Human papillomaviruses, Human immunodeficiency virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in the initiation, progression and prognosis of periodontitis.

Timing of Infection as a Key Driver of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Mortality Rates During the Prevaccine Period

Abstract Disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 mortality are driven by inequalities in group-specific incidence rates (IRs), case fatality rates (CFRs), and their interaction. For emerging infections, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, group-specific IRs and CFRs change on different time scales, and inequities in these measures may reflect different social and medical mechanisms. To be useful tools for public health surveillance and policy, analyses of changing mortality rate disparities must independently address changes in IRs and CFRs. However, this is rarely done. In this analysis, we examine the separate contributions of disparities in the timing of infection—reflecting differential infection risk factors such as residential segregation, housing, and participation in essential work—and declining CFRs over time on mortality disparities by race/ethnicity in the US state of Michigan. We used detailed case data to decompose race/ethnicity-specific mortality rates into their age-specific IR and CFR components during each of 3 periods from March to December 2020. We used these estimates in a counterfactual simulation model to estimate that that 35% (95% credible interval, 30%–40%) of deaths in black Michigan residents could have been prevented if these residents were infected along the timeline experienced by white residents, resulting in a 67% (61%–72%) reduction in the mortality rate gap between black and white Michigan residents during 2020. These results clearly illustrate why differential power to “wait out” infection during an infectious disease emergency—a function of structural racism—is a key, underappreciated, driver of inequality in disease and death from emerging infections.

Characterization and genomic analysis of Salmonella Abortusequi phage, vB_SalP_LDDK01, and its biocontrol application in donkey meat

Salmonella Abortusequi (S. Abortusequi) is the primary cause of abortions in equine animals, and can cause serious foodborne illness. Thus, effective biocontrol strategies are needed to decontaminate and control the emergence of foodborne diseases. In recent years, phages have been used as a new strategy for modulating foodborne pathogens and food safety. In this study, a new phage, vB_SalP_LDDK01, was isolated from donkey farm bedding. The data indicated that the incubation period of vB_SalP_LDDK01 was 10 min, the burst size was 378 PFU/cell, as well as a wide range of heat resistance (40-70°C) and pH stability (4-12). Furthermore, genomic analysis and electron microscopy indicated that vB_SalP_LDDK01 belongs to the Class Caudoviricetes and genus Jerseyvirus. Moreover, its genome was 42,378 bp long, encoded 57 ORFs, was double-stranded DNA with a 49.52% GC content, and lacked virulence and drug-resistant genes. In addition, how vB_SalP_LDDK01 inhibits the growth of S. Abortusequi and removes the biofilm of S. Abortusequi was assessed in a liquid broth medium, and the results showed that vB_SalP_LDDK01 inhibited the growth of S. Abortusequi for about 8 h and significantly reduced the viable bacteria abundance compared with the phage-free positive control. Further, vB_SalP_LDDK01 treated the host bacteria for 12 h and effectively destroyed the biofilm of S. Abortusequi. This study further investigated how effectively vB_SalP_LDDK01 modulates bacterial contamination in donkey meat inoculated with S. Abortusequi LCU-S-ABORT-F at 4°C and 25°C. Furthermore, after 72 h of vB_SalP_LDDK01 treatment with different multiplicity of infection (1, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001), the bacterial contamination on the surface of donkey meat was reduced by 4.3, 3.7, 3.3, and 3.5 log10 CFU/piece at 25°C, and 4.5, 3.9, 2.8, and 2.7 log10 CFU/piece at 4°C. Whereas the phage titers at different temperatures were basically comparable to the initial titers. Overall, these results indicated that vB_SalP_LDDK01, the new phage, can serve as an effective biological agent and inhibit S. Abortusequi in donkey meat.

The Temporal Order of Mixed Viral Infections Matters: Common Events That Are Neglected in Plant Viral Diseases.

Mixed infections of plant viruses are common in crops and represent a critical biotic factor with substantial epidemiological implications for plant viral diseases. Compared to single-virus infections, mixed infections arise from simultaneous or sequential infections, which can inevitably affect the ecology and evolution of the diseases. These infections can either exacerbate or ameliorate symptom severity, including virus-virus interactions within the same host that may influence a range of viral traits associated with disease emergence. This underscores the need for a more comprehensive understanding of how the order of virus arrival to the host can impact plant disease dynamics. From this perspective, we reviewed the current evidence regarding the impact of mixed infections within the framework of simultaneous and sequential infections in plants, considering the mode of viral transmission. We also examined how the temporal order of mixed infections could affect the dynamics of viral populations and present a case study of two aphid-transmitted viruses infecting melon plants, suggesting that the order of virus arrival significantly affects viral load and disease outcomes. Finally, we anticipate future research that reconciles molecular epidemiology and evolutionary ecology, underlining the importance of biotic interactions in shaping viral epidemiology and plant disease dynamics in agroecosystems.

Mobilizing community engagement for crisis response: lessons learned from a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada

BackgroundCommunities have an important role to play in disaster and emergency planning and response. Yet community members are not typically engaged in official planning activities, including plans for mass immunization clinics during infectious disease emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This qualitative study explores one case of a community driven effort to implement a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada. Operational between mid-March 2021 and late February 2022, the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) clinic involved 600 community volunteers, and at its peak completed approximately 700 vaccinations a day. The development and operation of the clinic was largely grassroots, spearheaded by local non-profits and volunteers. Drawing on insights from the various actors involved, this study seeks to understand the factors that made this collaborative effort a success.MethodsSemi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted between September 2022 and July 2023 with 34 individuals involved in coordinating and operating the CCC mass vaccination clinic including volunteer community members, members of local community organizations and businesses, public health unit and hospital staff and city employees. Data was analyzed utilizing an inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFour major themes were identified that contributed to the clinic’s success and enabled the team’s ability to navigate challenges including, a collaborative model, leveraging community knowledge and networks, flexibility and autonomy, and volunteers as an asset.ConclusionThe findings of this study indicate the importance of community engagement in strengthening emergency planning and response for future public health emergencies.

The propagation dynamics of UAU-SEPIR in two-layered networks

The frequent emergence of new infectious diseases poses a serious threat to human health and social development. In the current digital age, the widespread application of online social networks has accelerated the dissemination of information regarding these diseases, influencing the interplay between disease spread and information diffusion. To address this, we propose the UAU–SEPIR model, a novel two-layered network propagation model inspired by the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. This model, constructed using a micro-Markov-chain approach, features an upper layer for information diffusion (the UAU model) and a lower layer for disease propagation (the SEPIR model). We derive the epidemic threshold, which is influenced by the dynamics of information diffusion, the network topology of disease spread, and the pathways from exposed to infected to recovered individuals. Through extensive random simulations, we confirmed the validity of our model. The research findings reveal that both model parameters and network topology play crucial roles in shaping the interaction between information diffusion and disease spread. Additionally, in random networks, adaptive behavior of individuals significantly enhances the inhibition of disease transmission. Overall, Our study provides theoretical insights into the interplay between social-network dynamics and the early outbreak stages, offering valuable support for disease prevention and control strategies.

Aptamer-Based Activatable Tyramide Signal Amplification for Low-Background Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein.

As severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection posed a significant threat to public health and the global economy, in vitro diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein proved to be an effective way for SARS-CoV-2 infection control in the past years. Tyramide signal amplification (TSA) has been extensively utilized in tissue imaging and pathological diagnosis owing to the powerful signal enhancement. However, the elevated "ALWAYS ON" fluorescence background limited the accuracy and sensitivity of the conventional TSA assay. To achieve an activated "TURN ON" signal, herein, a small molecule, termed dichlorodihydrofluorescein tyramide (T-DCFH), was synthesized for activatable TSA. Under the catalysis of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), this T-DCFH facilitates the "TURN ON" fluorescence signal. Additionally, as a recognition tool, DNA aptamer has been used for developing in vitro diagnostic approaches. Hence, based on HRP-labeled aptamers binding with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein, we achieved aptamers-based activatable TSA detection with a higher signal-to-noise ratio than that of fluorescent dye (FITC)-labeled aptamers, while showing lower background than traditional fluorescein tyramide with "ALWAYS ON". The results demonstrated that the activated T-DCFH significantly enhances the fluorescence signal while diminishing the background noise. By employing multiple aptamers targeting, we offered a timely and accurate in vitro diagnostic approach for future emergent infectious diseases.