Epidemiological Risk Research Articles

Optimal design of electromagnetic field exposure maps in large areas

The mapping of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure over large areas is a very useful tool for the analysis of epidemiological data and risk assessment. Its production requires a costly measurement process. To optimize the effort and ensure the representativeness of the exposure map, criteria for the selection of the sites to be measured must be established. This paper presents a methodology for conducting EMF exposure maps suitable for risk assessment evaluation in large areas. The proposal combines radio wave propagation criteria and GIS methods to optimize the sampling effort. The design criteria are based on the determination of a rectangular grid of 250 m side and the identification of the emitters within the area under study. Both urban and rural sites are analysed in the proposal and line of sight conditions (LOS) are considered to reduce the number of points required and thus optimize the measurement effort. Depending on the extent and regularity of the surface, the density of measurement points has been estimated to be between 8 and 10 points per square kilometre in the urban area. The proposed methodology has been applied to a case study of a 2.8 km2 urban area within a 35.11 km2 municipality, obtaining an average point density of 9.64 points/km2 in the urban area. The differences in exposure depending on the application of the criteria have been analysed by means of the statistical values of the sets and the subtraction of the maps generated using kriging techniques. According to our results, if LOS measurements are not properly incorporated, the mean value of the EMF is underestimated in the area under study.

A Scoping Review of GIS Mapping of Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Identifying Current Gaps and Future Research Directions Using PRISMA-ScR.

Type 1 Diabetes poses a significant public health threat, especially in low-and-middle countries, where resources are limited. The use of geographical information systems in diabetes research has shown the potential to reveal several epidemiological risk factors. This scoping review aimed to identify the scope and extent of the current literature and explore its limitations on the geographical mapping of children with type 1 diabetes. A scoping review was conducted using five electronic databases and included studies published between the years 2000 and 2023. The search terms included: "Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus", "GIS mapping", "Juvenile Onset Diabetes Mellitus", "Spatial Epidemiology", "Spatial Clustering", "Spatial analysis", and "Geographic information system". Relevant full-text articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. The search identified 17 studies that met the criteria for inclusion in the review. More than half the studies were conducted before 2015 (n=11; 61%). All studies were conducted in High-Income Countries. More than 10 articles studied environmental factors, 3 of them focused on the environment, 6 of them included sociodemographic factors, and 1 study incorporated nutrition (as a variable) in environmental factors. 2 studies focused on the accessibility of health services by pediatric patients. Studies on type 1 diabetes highlight the complex relationship between incidence and risk, suggesting comprehensive prevention and treatment. Geographical mapping has potential in low- and middle-income nations, but further research is needed to develop innovative strategies. The importance of geomappping in understanding the risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes is highlighted in this scoping review, which also suggests a possible direction for focused interventions, particularly in settings with low resources.

Arrhythmias and ion channelopathies causing sudden cardiac death in Hispanic/Latino and Indigenous populations.

The limited literature and increasing interest in studies on cardiac electrophysiology, explicitly focusing on cardiac ion channelopathies and sudden cardiac death in diverse populations, has prompted a comprehensive examination of existing research. Our review specifically targets Hispanic/Latino and Indigenous populations, which are often underrepresented in healthcare studies. This review encompasses investigations into genetic variants, epidemiology, etiologies, and clinical risk factors associated with arrhythmias in these demographic groups. The review explores the Hispanic paradox, a phenomenon linking healthcare outcomes to socioeconomic factors within Hispanic communities in the United States. Furthermore, it discusses studies exemplifying this observation in the context of arrhythmias and ion channelopathies in Hispanic populations. Current research also sheds light on disparities in overall healthcare quality in Indigenous populations. The available yet limited literature underscores the pressing need for more extensive and comprehensive research on cardiac ion channelopathies in Hispanic/Latino and Indigenous populations. Specifically, additional studies are essential to fully characterize pathogenic genetic variants, identify population-specific risk factors, and address health disparities to enhance the detection, prevention, and management of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in these demographic groups.

Evaluation of Epidemiological Risk Features and Hematological Parameters in the Lymphoma Patients in the Larkana Region

Background: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a type of lymphatic cancer that is distinctly characterized and classified into various subtypes, with varying prognoses based on the stage at diagnosis and treatment modalities. Despite advances in treatment, the specific demographic and clinical factors influencing treatment outcomes and the incidence of side effects, such as chemotherapy-induced anemia and neutropenia, remain under-explored, particularly in diverse regional settings. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological risk features and hematological parameters of lymphoma patients in the Larkana region, with a focus on the impact of chemotherapy on these parameters. Methods: A case-control study was conducted over twelve months at Linar Hospital in Larkana, involving 40 participants aged between 10 and 70 years. Informed consent was obtained, aligning with ethical standards akin to the Declaration of Helsinki. Two types of blood samples were collected pre- and post-chemotherapy for hematological analysis including total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and platelet levels, which were assessed using Complete Blood Count (CBC) containers with EDTA. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS Version 23, utilizing descriptive statistics and the Student's t-test. Results: The study documented a decrease in mean hemoglobin levels from 11.42 ± 1.74 g/dL before chemotherapy to 10.65 ± 1.55 g/dL after (p = 0.001), mean white blood cell count from 7.30 ± 2.6 × 10^3/uL to 5.71 ± 2.1 × 10^3/uL (p = 0.003), and platelet count from 297.52 ± 116.2 × 10^3/uL to 230.2 ± 72.6 × 10^3/uL (p = 0.001). These findings indicate a significant hematological impact associated with chemotherapy. Conclusion: The significant reduction in critical hematological parameters among lymphoma patients’ post-chemotherapy highlights the need for rigorous monitoring and tailored management strategies to mitigate treatment side effects. The findings emphasize the importance of comprehensive patient care and support in improving treatment outcomes in lymphoma.

Pulmonary tuberculosis epidemiology and genetics in Kazakhstan.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health emergency in many countries, including Kazakhstan. Despite the decline in the incidence rate and having one of the highest treatment effectiveness in the world, the incidence rate of TB remains high in Kazakhstan. Social and environmental factors along with host genetics contribute to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence. Due to the high incidence rate of TB in Kazakhstan, our research aimed to study the epidemiology and genetics of PTB in Kazakhstan. 1,555 participants were recruited to the case-control study. The epidemiology data was taken during an interview. Polymorphisms of selected genes were determined by real-time PCR using pre-designed TaqMan probes. Epidemiological risk factors like diabetes (χ2 = 57.71, p < 0.001), unemployment (χ2 = 81.1, p < 0.001), and underweight-ranged BMI (<18.49, χ2 = 206.39, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PTB. VDR FokI (rs2228570) and VDR BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of PTB. A/A genotype of the TLR8 gene (rs3764880) showed a significant association with an increased risk of PTB in Asians and Asian males. The G allele of the rs2278589 polymorphism of the MARCO gene increases PTB susceptibility in Asians and Asian females. VDR BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphism was significantly associated with PTB in Asian females. A significant association between VDR ApaI polymorphism and PTB susceptibility in the Caucasian population of Kazakhstan was found. This is the first study that evaluated the epidemiology and genetics of PTB in Kazakhstan on a relatively large cohort. Social and environmental risk factors play a crucial role in TB incidence in Kazakhstan. Underweight BMI (<18.49 kg/m2), diabetes, and unemployment showed a statistically significant association with PTB in our study group. FokI (rs2228570) and BsmI (rs1544410) polymorphisms of the VDR gene can be used as possible biomarkers of PTB in Asian males. rs2278589 polymorphism of the MARCO gene may act as a potential biomarker of PTB in Kazakhs. BsmI polymorphism of the VDR gene and rs2278589 polymorphism of the MARCO gene can be used as possible biomarkers of PTB risk in Asian females as well as VDR ApaI polymorphism in Caucasians.

Clinical Epidemiological Characteristics and Risk Factors for Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients: A Hospital-Based Study in Vietnam.

Introduction Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, which can cause organ failure in several organs, cardiac problems, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Identifying clinical epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for complications of COVID-19 allows clinicians to diagnose and treat promptly. Objectives This study aims to describe the clinical epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 and assess risk factors for the severity of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in children treated at Haiphong Children's Hospital. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Haiphong Children's Hospital, Haiphong, Vietnam, for one year, from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Results In our study, 540 children were evaluated; the male-to-female ratio was 1.48/1; the median age was 23 months (IQR=6-74); Children aged under one year accounted for the highest proportion (n=202; 37.4%); 40 (7.4%) children had underlying illnesses. The number of admitted patients diagnosed with COVID-19 peaked in February 2022. Regarding severity, 380 (70.4%) cases were mild, 136 (25.2%) were moderate, only 24 (4.4%) cases were severe, and no children died. Common symptoms were fever in 483 (89.4%), coughing in 399 (73.9%), and tachypnea in 163 (30.2%) children. Laboratory features: white blood cell count, platelet count, serum CRP, and coagulation test showed little change. Around 116(21.5%) had lymphopenia and 148 (27.4%) had pneumonia. Patients under one year were approximately 1.64 times more likely to experience pneumonia complications from COVID-19 than those without such a history (OR=1.64, 95%CI = 1.12 - 2.41, p=0.0112). Patients with underlying conditions were approximately 2.08 times more likely to experience pneumonia complications from COVID-19 compared to those without such conditions (OR=2.08, 95%CI =1.08 - 4.02, p=0.0289). Conclusion In COVID-19 pediatric patients, the severity of the disease was mild to moderate without any mortality. Children aged under one year accounted for the highest proportion of all COVID-19 patients. This study found that age under one year and underlying illnesses are related to pneumonia in COVID-19 pediatric patients.

Flock level socio-economic and other associated risk factors for Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) exposure in sheep and goats in Madhya Pradesh state, India.

To effectively control and eradicate PPR, the comprehensive understanding of risk factors associated with PPR exposure is vital. Hence, this study investigated socioeconomic and other associated risk determinants for PPR exposure at flock level in sheep and goats in a non-vaccination programme implemented Madhya Pradesh state India. A total of 410 sheep and goat flocks, comprised mostly of goats but also some mixed flocks, were surveyed during 2016 using a multistage random sampling procedure. Further, 230 blood samples were also collected from the farmers-reported PPR affected flocks and sera were tested using c-ELISA to confirm PPR exposure. The primary data on socioeconomic factors, farm management factors, health status, vaccination details and other epidemiological risk factors were collected from flock owners and descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis and logistic regression models were fitted to identify the significant risk factors for PPR incidence. The farmer's education, flock size, rearing pattern, and awareness of PPR vaccination were found to be significant pre-disposing risk factors for PPR exposure in the flocks. Hence, the control and eradication strategy need to be designed comprehensively considering the key social factors like education and vaccination awareness along with other flock level risk factors to eradicate PPR by 2030 in consonance with the global plan.

Soil pollution of the city with machine-building production by heavy metals and arsenic and epidemiological risk to public health

Introduction. The paper presents the results of a study for the assessment of the epidemiological risk to public health and the level of soil contamination with heavy metals and arsenic in the city of Kovrov, a large industrial center of the Vladimir region.&#x0D; Materials and methods. The objects of the study are the morbidity in the population of the Kovrovsky district of the Vladimir region and the soil cover of the city of Kovrov, whose industrial enterprises specialize in the production of machine-building products. Soil samples were taken in the area of industrial enterprises, highways, and residential areas. The soil cover was examined by X-ray fluorescence method to determine the content of heavy metals and arsenic.&#x0D; Results. The conducted study on the assessment of probable risk allowed establishing in the Kovrov district, relative to background regional values, children to have a very high risk for 10 classes of diseases, adults have a very high risk for 6 classes of diseases. Contamination of the Carpet city soil with heavy metals and arsenic has been established. The priority pollutants of the Kovrov soil are zinc, lead and arsenic, which belong to the first hazard class. There was a significant variation in the content of heavy metals within both industrial and residential zones. Extremely dangerous chemical contamination of the soil with heavy metals has been detected. The assessment of the level of chemical soil pollution, as an indicator of adverse effects on public health, showed the residential part of the city, where most of the residents live, to be located in the zone of moderately dangerous or dangerous category of soil pollution.&#x0D; Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to one-time sampling and a small number of reference sites, which limits the possibilities of a broader interpretation of the data obtained.&#x0D; Conclusion. The unfavourable state of the soil cover in the residential area of Kovrov requires the manaagement and conducting constant ecological and hygienic monitoring of this territory. To reduce pollutants in particular, heavy metals, entering the soil of the city and, it is necessary to improve the system for cleaning gas-air emissions of machine-building enterprises of the city, as well as to ensure the effective arrangement of sanitary protection zones. To reduce the content of heavy metals in the soil, it is necessary to carry out measures to detoxify contaminated soils.

Key Risk Factors for Intracerebral Hemorrhage According to Regional Population-Based Stroke Registry

Introduction. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) registry data allow assessing epidemiological parameters and risk factors in different age, gender, race, ethnicity, and other subgroups.&#x0D; This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of key risk factors in a group of Yakutsk residents with primary hypertensive ICH included in the regional population-based stroke registry from 2015 to 2017.&#x0D; Materials and methods. This study of risk factors was conducted in patients with hypertensive ICH (n = 251) from the regional population-based stroke registry, including 133 (53%) men and 118 (47%) women of Asian or Caucasian races. We performed statistical analysis of data.&#x0D; Results. The analysis of risk factors showed that the prevalence of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption was higher in men with ICH compared with women (p 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of hypertension, history of myocardial infarction, dyslipidemia, or diabetes mellitus in patients with ICH in gender or ethnicity subgroups. Fibrillation and other heart diseases were more common in Caucasian patients than in Asian (p = 0.005). ICH was associated with high levels of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides with low levels of total cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins compared with healthy individuals.&#x0D; Conclusions. We described gender and ethnic differences in the prevalence of risk factors in patients with hypertensive ICH.

Abstract LB374: The microbial landscape of colorectal cancer across 11 countries

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths globally. CRC is influenced by the colorectal microbiome, which plays a pivotal role in inflammation, DNA damage, and production of cancer-promoting metabolites. Most prior CRC microbial studies have identified multiple microbes enriched in tumor samples, but these examinations have generally focused on CRC from a specific country and have not accounted for CRC patient’s tumor site, sex, diet, or geographical location. Further, the interconnection between somatic alterations and microbiome composition has not been comprehensively explored. Here, we examine the microbiome profiles of 963 whole-genome sequenced CRC and their matched-normal blood from 11 different countries with highly varying age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) for colorectal cancer. Matched normal blood samples exhibited a strong intra- and inter-microbial heterogeneity across the 11 countries. In contrast, while CRC tumors exhibited a higher microbial diversity when compared to their matched-normal samples, the top 10 most abundant CRC taxa were strikingly similar across all countries, suggesting a global convergence of the CRC microbiome composition. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between the colorectal cancer ASR across 11 countries and the CRC microbial diversity (rho=0.91, p-value: 0.0002), suggesting that countries with high incidence rates also have high microbial diversities. After accounting for age, shipment batch, sex, and country-specific effects on the microbiome composition, we observed a core set of five microbial species enriched in CRC across all countries, which included Bacteroides fragilis,Phocaeicola Vulgatus, Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii, Fusobacterium Nucleatum, and Escherichia Coli. A strong correlation (rho=0.84, p-value: 0.0013) was observed between Bacteroides fragilis and a novel mutational signature characterized by A/T[C&amp;gt;G]T and T[T&amp;gt;G]N substitutions. No association was observed between polyketide synthase gene complex (pks)+ microbe and the presence of the pks-derived colibactin mutational signatures. Furthermore, additional associations were observed between the microbiome and other mutational signatures and driver genes. Overall, this study delivers a global atlas of the microbial landscapes of CRC genomes across 11 countries and their links with genetic changes and epidemiological risk factors. Citation Format: Ammal Abbasi, Ludmil Alexandrov. The microbial landscape of colorectal cancer across 11 countries [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB374.

Epidemiological Situation on Cholera in the Russian Federation in 2023 and Forecast for 2024

The paper presents an analysis and assessment of risks of complication of epidemiological situation regarding cholera in the Russian Federation and a forecast for 2024. It briefly characterizes the dynamics of the epidemic process around the world during the last decade (2013–2022). The forecast of cholera importation into the Russian Federation, due to activity of the epidemic process in endemic countries, has been confirmed. In 2023, two cases of cholera importation from India were reported. It was established that the toxigenic strains isolated from patients belonged to the currently dominant in the world “post-Haitian” group, including in India and Bangladesh, with the genotype ctxB7 tcpACIRS rtxA4a VSP-IIΔ0495-0512. Furthermore, non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 strains were isolated from samples of biological material from persons arriving from India, containing preCTX prophage and distinct from the strain (ctxAB– tcpAEТ–) isolated from a patient with acute intestinal infection (Zaporozhye Region, Melitopol). Nontoxigenic NAG vibrios were isolated from 13 patients with acute intestinal infections, which is 1.9 times more than in 2022. Regardless of importations, a strain of V. cholerae O1 (ctxB1+tcpAEТ) of the “pre-Haitian” group was isolated from a water sample of a surface reservoir. 52 non-toxigenic V. сholerae O1 strains were found on the territory of 11 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which is 18.9 % more than in 2022. In 2024, epidemiological risks of cholera importation from endemic countries to any administrative territory of the Russian Federation remain. The risks of epidemic manifestations of cholera are especially high in the territories of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation which are under ongoing emergency, due to migration processes, and the impact of other risk-forming factors that contribute to an increase in the degree of contact of the population with water bodies contaminated with cholera vibrios. If epidemic foci of cholera are to emerge in a neighboring country, there will be a high probability of spread of this infection in the stated constituent entities of the Russian Federation and in other territories of southern Russia. In the absence of epidemic manifestations of cholera, the possibility of occasional detection of toxigenic O1 serogroup strains in water samples due to unidentified introductions from cholera-affected areas cannot be ruled out.

Epidemiological Assessment and Risk Factors for Mortality of Bloodstream Infections by Candida sp. and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

Candidemia is one of the healthcare-associated infections that has high mortality. The risk factors that predispose a patient to develop this infection are mostly found in patients of greater severity and COVID-19 contributes to the risk of death. The aim of this study is to evaluate epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for mortality in patients with candidemia before and during the COVID-19 pandemic era. This is a retrospective study conducted at Instituto Central from 2016 to 2020 of patients with candidemia that were evaluated for demographic data, medical history, risk factors, microbiological data, therapeutic measures, complementary exams, device management, and outcome defined by 30-day mortality. A total of 170 episodes were included (58.2% males; mean age of 56 years). The overall incidence density of candidemia per 1000 admissions and per 1000 patient-days was 1.17 and 0.17, respectively, with an increase of 38% in the year 2020. The use of a central venous catheter was the most prevalent (93.5%) condition, followed by the previous use of antibiotics (91.1%). Corticosteroid use ranked seventh (56.4%). C. albicans was responsible for 71 (41.7%) of the isolates, followed by C. tropicalis and C. glabrata, with 34 (20%) isolates each. Echinocandin was prescribed in 60.1% of cases and fluconazole in 37%. Echocardiography resulted in six (5.08%) cases of endocarditis and fundoscopy resulting in two (2.4%) endophthalmitis. The 30-day mortality was 93/170 (54.7%). The risk factors associated with mortality were age (OR 1.03, CI 95% 1.01-1.06), heart disease (OR 7.51, CI 95% 1.48-37.9), hemodialysis (OR 3.68, CI 95% 1.28-10.57), and use of corticosteroids (OR 2.83, CI 95% 1.01-7.92). The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the increase incidence of candidemia. The persistently high mortality highlights the need for better management strategies, control of risk factors, and guarantee of adequate treatment.

Triangulation of epidemiological evidence and risk of bias evaluation: A proposed framework and applied example using formaldehyde exposure and risk of myeloid leukemias

Evidence triangulation may help identify the impact of study design elements on study findings and to tease out biased results when evaluating potential causal relationships; however, methods for triangulating epidemiologic evidence are evolving and have not been standardized. Building upon key principles of epidemiologic evidence triangulation and risk of bias assessment, and responding to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) call for applied triangulation examples, the objective of this manuscript is to propose a triangulation framework and to apply it as an illustrative example to epidemiologic studies examining the possible relationship between occupational formaldehyde exposure and risk of myeloid leukemias (ML) including acute (AML) and chronic (CML) types.A nine-component triangulation framework for epidemiological evidence was developed incorporating study quality and ROB guidance from various federal health agencies (i.e., US EPA TSCA and NTP OHAT). Several components of the triangulation framework also drew from widely used epidemiological analytic tools such as stratified meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis. Regarding the applied example, fourteen studies were identified and assessed using the following primary study quality domains to explore potential key sources of bias: 1) study design and analysis; 2) study participation; 3) exposure assessment; 4) outcome assessment; and 5) potential confounding. Across studies, methodological limitations possibly contributing to biased results were observed within most domains. Interestingly, results from one study – often providing the largest and least-precise relative risk estimates, likely reflecting study biases, deviated from most primary study findings indicating no such associations. Triangulation of epidemiological evidence appears to be helpful in exploring inconsistent results for the identification of study results possibly reflecting various biases. Nonetheless, triangulation methodologies require additional development and application to real-world examples to enhance objectivity and reproducibility.

The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection among voluntary blood donors in mainland China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through transfusion has been an imperative challenge for blood safety. Despite the implementation of screening strategies, there was still the residual risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV. Considering that the prevalence of HIV infection in blood donors is significant for evaluating blood safety and potential risks to the population, meta-analysis was applied to investigate the HIV prevalence among voluntary blood donors during the past 27 years to characterize the epidemiology and related risk factors of HIV in blood donors. The literature concerning the HIV screening reactive rate and prevalence in Chinese voluntary blood donors was collected through the systematic searching of four electronic databases. After integrating data, following the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, data manipulation and statistical analyses were conducted by Stata 12.0. The results indicated that overall HIV prevalence was 0.0178% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0169%-0.0187%) with a remarkable rise, which varied from 2000 (0.0034%) to 2015 (0.027%). The HIV window period infection rate was 0.0475‱ (95%CI, 0.0304‱-0.0646‱). Importantly, subgroup analysis revealed the heterogeneity in gender, occupations, education and donation frequency. With the effective control of HIV transmission through blood, HIV prevalence declined in China to some extent in recent years, and the characteristics of HIV epidemic in some provinces have drastically changed. However, remaining relatively high HIV prevalence and overall increased trend of HIV prevalence since the 21th century demonstrates the potential residual risk of blood transfusion, and the whole society is supposed to pay close attention to HIV infection.

Epidemiologic investigation of cardiac arrest and current research status on its risk factors analysis

Cardiac arrest most commonly occurs outside of the hospital, known as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and is an important global health problem. Approximately 40% of cardiac arrest has no clear cause. Hereditary arrhythmias and cardiomyopathies factors contribute to cardiac arrest. The identification of genetic factors for cardiac arrest after its occurrence is of great value not only for the individual, but also for relatives who may be at risk for the disease in their family. In the United States, there are over 350 000 cases of OHCA and over 200 000 cases of in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) each year, and in Western Europe, cardiac arrest accounts for 15%-20% of all adult natural deaths and 50% of all cardiovascular deaths. In order to reduce the burden caused by cardiac arrest within society, it is essential to further understand its etiological factors, such as incidence in different regions, risk factors, and populations at higher risk. For each individual, cardiac arrest is the result of a complex interaction of genetic and acquired factors. Understanding the complex interplay of pathogenic factors in cardiac arrest and the development of individualized prevention and treatment approaches requires the collection of clinical data from cardiac arrest populations and multimodal analysis in order to identify epidemiological features and risk factors for cardiac arrest. Recently, cardiac arrest-related data are being collected and integrated in Europe in different regions and populations. As a result of the commitment to the creation of large datasets of clinical information on cardiac arrest populations, the knowledge of the pathology of cardiac arrest pathogenesis as well as risk factors is steadily increasing. This article reviews the epidemiologic data of cardiac arrest in recent years and the associated risk factors, thus providing ideas for developing better strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiac arrest.

Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Encephalitis in the Russian Federation in 2014–2023 and Short-Term Forecast of the Incidence for 2024

The aim of the review was to conduct a comparative analysis of the epidemiological situation on tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) over 2014–2023 in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located in the European and Asian parts of the country and to give a forecast of incidence for 2024. The incidence of TBE in 2023 only marginally decreased as compared to the peak values in 2022, which leveled down the ten-year trend towards reduction. Grouping of the entities of the Russian Federation according to the average incidence of TBE over a decade made it possible to classify 17 of them as regions of low, 15 – of medium, and 17 – of high epidemiological risk. In general, the epidemiological situation regarding TBE is more unfavorable in the Asian part of the country. A list of species of Ixodidae ticks, the main vectors of the tick-borne encephalitis virus, is provided, as well as subtypes and genetic variants of the latter, identified in the European and Asian parts of the country. The peculiarities of the epidemiological situation on TBE and the scope of preventive measures undertaken in Russia in 2023 are considered. It is shown that there are no clearly outlined trends in the nature of changes in the incidence of TBE in endemic federal districts and entities of the country, and the expected incidence rates in 2024 will remain at the long-term average level.

Indirect hemagglutination assay for diagnosing brucellosis: Past, present, and future

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that causes enormous losses in livestock production worldwide and has a significant public health impact. None of the brucellosis-free countries is currently able to guarantee their ability to prevent the introduction of the pathogen due to the increase in tourism and the expansion of migration. The timely identification of infected animals is an effective means of preventing brucellosis and minimizing the epidemiological risk. The tube agglutination test, Rose Bengal plate test, complement fixation test, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which are routinely used to identify seropositive productive animals, have limitations and results that do not always correlate. The indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) stands out among non-traditional methods because it is affordable, has a simple protocol, and is more reliable than classical serological tests, especially in cases of questionable and/or false-negative results. The diagnostic value of the IHA has long been studied by laboratories in several countries, but mostly by post-soviet research teams; therefore, the results continue to be published in Russian-language journals, ensuring that the local scientific community can access the results. In addition, the efficacy of this test for the diagnosis of brucellosis and other infectious diseases has not yet been reviewed. The purpose of this review was to summarize the results of studies on the development and use of IHA for the diagnosis of brucellosis and to determine the prospects for further improvement Keywords: brucellosis, diagnostic value, indirect hemagglutination assay, prospects for improving the test, serological tests.

Health Factors Associated With Development and Severity of Poststroke Dysphagia: An Epidemiological Investigation.

Dysphagia after stroke is common and can impact morbidity and death. The purpose of this population-based study was to determine specific epidemiological and health risk factors that impact development of dysphagia after acute stroke. Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke cases from 2010 and 2015 were identified via chart review from the GCNKSS (Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Stroke Study), a representative sample of ≈1.3 million adults from southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. Dysphagia status was determined on the basis of clinical assessments and necessity for alternative access to nutrition via nasogastric or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. Comparisons between patients with and without dysphagia were made to determine differences in baseline characteristics and premorbid conditions. Multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with increased risk of dysphagia. Dysphagia status was ascertained from 4139 cases (1709 with dysphagia). Logistic regression showed that increased age, Black race, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission, having a hemorrhagic stroke (versus infarct), and right hemispheric stroke increased the risk of developing dysphagia after stroke. Factors associated with reduced risk included history of high cholesterol, lower prestroke modified Rankin Scale score, and white matter disease. This study replicated previous findings of variables associated with dysphagia (older age, worse stroke, right-sided hemorrhagic lesions), whereas other variables identified were without clear biological rationale (eg, Black race, history of high cholesterol, and presence of white matter disease) and should be investigated in future studies to determine biological relevance and potential influence in stroke recovery.

Comprehensive analysis of Salmonella in poultry meat and products in Türkiye: Prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility and genomic characterisation

SummaryThe study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of Salmonella isolated from raw chicken meat and products. For this purpose, a total of 293 samples were collected, including chicken breast (n = 90), skinned drumstick (n = 80), skinned chicken chop (n = 42), wing (n = 32), chicken offal (n = 27) and chicken patty (n = 22). The samples were subjected to Salmonella enterica. detection and the obtained suspicious isolates were confirmed by conventional PCR. Their phenotypical antibiotic resistance profiles were subsequently determined. The prevalence of Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium serovars among S. enterica isolates were investigated using TaqMan probe Real‐Time PCR (qPCR) analysis, and the detected serovars were evaluated with whole genome sequencing. In the study, 112 (38.22%) of the 293 chicken samples contained S. enterica, with five (4.46%) and one (0.89%) of the isolates identified as Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium, respectively. Antibiotic resistance analysis revealed that all isolates were sensitive to Meropenem and Aztreonam, while the most resistant antibiotics were Doxycycline (96.42%) and Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (71.42%). Whole genome sequencing, specifically SNP‐based phylogenetic analyses, indicated that Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium isolates were distinct clones. All Salmonella Enteritidis isolates shared the same antigenic profiles (9: g, m:‐) and cgMLST types of 11, while the Salmonella Typhimurium isolate had cgMLST type 19 and a 4:i:1,2 antigenic profile. It was observed that the phenotypic resistance profiles of the isolates were consistent with the whole genome characterisation. The data obtained in the study reveal the continued importance of Salmonella monitoring for the poultry industry across different regions of Türkiye to maintain food safety. Chicken meat and products are indispensable to public health in providing healthy nutrition and access to animal protein. The microbiological and epidemiological risks observed in mass production can be minimised, particularly by integrating epidemiological and molecular findings with an effective strategy.

Epidemiological characterization and risk assessment of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2/b/GI.2) in the world

A novel variant of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, designated RHDV2/b/GI.2, was first discovered in France in 2010. Subsequently, RHDV2 rapidly spread to Africa, North America, Australia, and Asia. RHDV2 outbreaks have resulted in significant economic losses in the global rabbit industry and disrupted the balance of natural ecosystems. Our study investigated the seasonal characteristics of RHDV2 outbreaks using seasonal indices. RHDV2 is prone to causing significant outbreaks within domestic and wild rabbit populations during the spring season and is more likely to induce outbreaks within wild rabbit populations during late autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, based on outbreak data for domestic and wild rabbits and environmental variables, our study established two MaxEnt models to explore the relationship between RHDV2 outbreaks and the environmental factors and conducted outbreak risk predictions for RHDV2 in global domestic and wild rabbit populations. Both models demonstrated good predictive performance, with AUC values of 0.960 and 0.974, respectively. Road density, isothermality, and population density were identified as important variables in the outbreak of RHDV2 in domestic rabbits, while road density, normalized difference vegetation index, and mean annual solar radiation were considered key variables in the outbreak of RHDV2 in wild rabbits. The environmental factors associated with RHDV2 outbreaks identified in our study and the outbreak risk prediction maps generated in our study will aid in the formulation of appropriate RHDV2 control measures to reduce the risk of morbidity in domestic and wild rabbits.