Frequent Outbreaks Research Articles

Transgression of planetary boundaries and the effects on child health through an infectious diseases lens.

Life on earth, as we know it, is changing. The likelihood of more frequent pandemics and disease outbreaks is something that current global healthcare infrastructure is ill equipped to navigate. Human activity is forcing our planet into a new geologic epoch, the Anthropocene, which is typified by increased uncertainty resulting from human disruption of earth's life-giving ecosystems. Plagues and pandemics have always been unfortunate partners to periods of disruption, as they will be again if the frequency and severity of climate and conflict-mediated disasters increase in coming years. If we continue to exceed and degrade the planetary boundaries that protect human health, our children and their children will reap the consequences. Scientists have defined nine 'safe operating' planetary boundaries for life in all its glorious diversity to thrive on planet earth. Recent evidence suggests that six of these nine boundaries have already been transgressed, but the potential implications for these transgressions upon child health is not well articulated. We highlight how contravention of these boundaries will impact infectious disease risk and humans' ability to survive and thrive. We reflect specifically on how paediatricians are called upon to speak up for the most vulnerable members of our species, young children and as yet unborn future generations. Post COVID-19 initiatives to improve pandemic preparedness and response are certainly warranted, but pandemic prevention should include committed efforts not to exceed safe planetary boundaries. Willingly exceeding these boundaries has deep moral consequences that are poorly articulated by current ethical frameworks. Paediatricians are best placed to develop and champion the neglected 'third dimension' of medical ethics, recognizing the moral imperative to protect the long-term best interests of children and future generations.

Management Practices at Poultry Demonstration Centres for Boosting Backyard Poultry Farming System in Ramban District of Jammu & Kashmir, India: A Review

The Backyard poultry farming is an age-old practice in India and plays an important role to reduce poverty among the most under-privileged sections of the Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in far flung areas of rural J&K, India. There is not any specific arrangement required for backyard poultry farming and is mostly popular in backward and resource-deprived areas of J&K and provides rural families with good source of income, healthy food sources in terms of meat and eggs. Backyard poultry farming improves the status of women in rural communities, creates jobs for rural residents, and closes the gap between supply and demand for chicken products, such as meat and eggs. The high mortality rate among chicks due to frequent disease outbreaks, lack of a framework, lower potential of Desi chickens, lack of scientific information, predation, hunger, climate change, and year-round fluctuations in feed supply and price are some of the major drawbacks of backyard poultry farming in J&K. This farming needs to be improved because it is the best way for J&K's marginal and small farmers to supplement their income with relatively little investment. Nonetheless, the J&K government has started 29 projects under the Holistic Agriculture growth Programme (HADP), of which P25 is only focused on the growth of poultry in J&K. Backyard poultry farming results in socio-economic development, nutritional and livelihood security, empowerment of women etc. among rural people. Birds are kept mostly on scavenging system, where they acquire their feeds through natural foraging, kitchen wastes etc. Rural poultry farming has been responsible to produce 40 per cent meat and 44 per cent egg requirement in J&K. Chicken eggs and meat are the only cheapest and best sources of protein, vitamin and minerals with high biological value for rural poor and marginal sections of people. The additional income earned from indigenous chicken farming has improved their socio- economic stability.

Evaluation of mobile clinics by MSF in pastoralist community in Doolo Zone, Somali region, Ethiopia

BackgroundThe Somali region in Ethiopia has poor health infrastructure, coupled with the adversity experienced by the largely pastoralist population through frequent droughts, disease outbreaks and conflict. From January 2019, MSF strategically focused on improving access to primary healthcare in the Doolo zone of the Somali region by providing 15–20 mobile clinics covering a wide geographical area. We aimed to evaluate the extent to which mobile clinics were an appropriate and effective modality to deliver healthcare for populations living in the region.MethodsIn this mixed-methods study, we conducted a descriptive analysis of 24 months of routine mobile clinic data (February 2019 to January 2021) to evaluate the appropriateness and effectiveness of mobile clinics. We conducted a patient satisfaction survey to assess perceived benefits and challenges, as well as seven interviews with MSF medical staff and four focus group discussions with community members from mobile clinic sites to explore the appropriateness, effectiveness, and connectedness of mobile clinics.ResultsMSF mobile clinics conducted 90,542 outpatient consultations, across 30 mobile clinic sites during the two-year period. However, there were gaps in continuity of care. The ratio of follow-up-to-first antenatal care visits was 0.82, and the ratio of third-to-first dose of DTP/Hib/HepB vaccine was 0.39. The current mobile clinic strategy is generally well perceived by the community in terms of the quality of services provided. However, MSF staff and community members expressed that its appropriateness and effectiveness are limited by mobile clinic opening hours, large patient volumes, referral policies, staffing, and drug supply issues.ConclusionsLimited opening hours, large patient volumes, weak referral processes and supply issues impacted the appropriateness and effectiveness of healthcare provision by mobile clinics to this pastoralist population. These challenges are consistent with those faced by mobile clinics in other contexts. To enhance the effectiveness and appropriateness of mobile clinics for pastoralist populations requires collaboration with both community members and local authorities to design and regularly review the locations, frequency, healthcare service package and referral policies of mobile clinics.

ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY FOR DIAGNOSING AND CONTROLLING COCCIDIOSIS IN POULTRY: A REVIEW OF THE EIMERIA GENUS

Coccidiosis accounts for significant economic losses in poultry production, with a global impact estimated at $3 billion annually. The spread of the disease is facilitated by typical conditions of intensive production systems, further exacerbated by climate changes that increase the frequency of outbreaks in new regions. Traditional control methods, relying on anticoccidial drugs, have been compromised by the development of resistance, driving the adoption of live attenuated and recombinant vaccines. Advances in molecular diagnostics, such as real-time PCR and next-generation sequencing, provide greater precision in species identification and disease control. The economic impact, etiology, epidemiology, and new approaches in the diagnosis and control of coccidiosis highlight future challenges, including anticoccidial resistance and the pressing need for more sustainable solutions.

SMC-YOLO: A High-Precision Maize Insect Pest-Detection Method

Maize is an excellent crop with high yields and versatility, and the extent and frequency of pest outbreaks will have a serious impact on maize yields. Therefore, helping growers accurately identify pest species is important for improving corn yields. Thus, in this study, we propose to use a pest detector called SMC-YOLO, which is proposed using You Only Look Once (YOLO) v8 as a reference model. First, the Spatial Pyramid Convolutional Pooling Module (SPCPM) is utilized in lieu of the Spatial Pyramid Pooling-Fast (SPPF) to enrich the diversity of feature information. Subsequently, a Multi-Dimensional Feature-Enhancement Module (MDFEM) is incorporated into the neck network. This module serves the purpose of augmenting the feature information associated with pests. Finally, a cross-scale feature-level non-local module (CSFLNLM) is incorporated in front of the detector head, which improves the global perception of the detector head. The results showed that SMC-YOLO achieved excellent results in several metrics, with its F1 Score (F1), mean Average Precision (mAP) @0.50, mAP@0.50:0.95 and mAP@0.75 reaching 83.18%, 86.7%, 60.6% and 70%, respectively, outperforming YOLOv11. This study provides a more reliable method of pest identification for the development of smart agriculture.

Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of an Exotic Strain of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus and Its Effect on an Affected Herd Immunized Against the Endemic Strain in Thailand.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is caused by the PED virus, with genogroup 2 (G2), comprising G2a and G2b, being the primary contributors to outbreaks worldwide. In Thailand, G2a was the only virulent strain identified until the emergence of the first G2b strain in 2014, followed by additional G2b strains in 2015-2016, particularly those closely related to virulent strains from China. This led to increased awareness of more frequent and complex outbreaks. This study examined farms affected by G2a and G2b strains, both employing planned exposure of sows to intestines from G2a-affected piglets, a traditional practice in Thailand. The analysis focused on the milk and colostrum profiles of sows, including viral neutralization and ELISA methods, as well as histopathological assessments of piglet intestinal villi. Additionally, a novel G2b strain was sequenced for phylogenetic and protein structure analyses. The results revealed no significant differences in colostrum and milk profiles between the farms. However, piglets infected with G2b showed significantly more severe intestinal damage. A unique insertion in the protein structure of the novel G2b strain led to the identification of a new epitope and potential changes in viral properties. This study highlights the importance of monitoring emerging strains and provides valuable insights for enhancing preventive strategies and advancing phylogenetic research.

Predicting the Risk of Dengue Shock Syndrome with Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio on the Third Day of Dengue Infection

Background: Dengue is an endemic infection in Bangladesh with frequent outbreaks. Dengue shock syndrome (DSS) contributes to the majority of mortality in dengue infection. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was found as a predictor of severe dengue in a recent study. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the association of NLR and the development of DSS. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 42 dengue patients admitted under the Department of Medicine of Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital from July to October 2023. Association of NLR on the third day of fever with DSS was assessed following appropriate statistical procedures. Results: Mean NLR on the third day of fever was higher in DSS patients. NLR≥2 was associated with a statistically significant higher proportion of DSS. Conclusion: An NLR≥2 on the third day of fever possesses a higher risk of developing DSS. These patients should have close monitoring and be discharged from the hospital after complete recovery. EWMCJ Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2025: 50-53

Data Platform for Animal Mortality Information System (DATASIMA): Monitoring Companion Animal's Euthanasia Causes in City of João Pessoa, Brazil.

The literature regarding causes of animal mortality varies greatly in how it evaluates and describes reasons for euthanasia, showing a clear need for tools to identify, standardize, and map diseases. This study describes the application of the Animal Mortality Information System Database (DATASIMA) to monitoring and georeferencing animal mortality. An observational study was conducted on the dogs and cats euthanized at the Municipal Center for Environmental and Zoonotic Surveillance in João Pessoa, Paraíba. The deaths were reported through DATASIMA, an online platform created and developed in Brazil, which is aimed at observing animal mortality through the Animal Death Declaration between April and September 2022. A total of 403 euthanized animals were recorded, including 204 dogs and 199 cats. The most common diseases leading to euthanasia were as follows: (i) Sporotrichosis (171 cats); (ii) Leishmaniasis (75 dogs); (iii) Distemper (35 dogs); (iv) Trauma from vehicle collisions (ten dogs and nine cats). The DATASIMA platform proved to be an effective system for keeping records and reporting causes of animal mortality. Through georeferencing, it was possible to map areas with higher frequencies of zoonotic outbreaks in the municipality studied, thus providing useful data to implement health promotion strategies.

Development of nucleic acid-based vaccines against dengue and other mosquito-borne flaviviruses: the past, present, and future.

Due to their widespread geographic distribution and frequent outbreaks, mosquito-borne flaviviruses, such as DENV (DENV), Zika virus (ZIKV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), yellow fever virus (YFV), and West Nile virus (WNV), are considered significant global public health threats and contribute to dramatic socioeconomic imbalances worldwide. The global prevalence of these viruses is largely driven by extensive international travels and ecological disruptions that create favorable conditions for the breeding of Aedes and Culex species, the mosquito vectors responsible for the spread of these pathogens. Currently, vaccines are available for only DENV, YFV, and JEV, but these face several challenges, including safety concerns, lengthy production processes, and logistical difficulties in distribution, especially in resource-limited regions, highlighting the urgent need for innovative vaccine approaches. Nucleic acid-based platforms, including DNA and mRNA vaccines, have emerged as promising alternatives due to their ability to elicit strong immune responses, facilitate rapid development, and support scalable manufacturing. This review provides a comprehensive update on the progress of DNA and mRNA vaccine development against mosquito-borne flaviviruses, detailing early efforts and current strategies that have produced candidates with remarkable protective efficacy and strong immunogenicity in preclinical models. Furthermore, we explore future directions for advancing nucleic acid vaccine candidates, which hold transformative potential for enhancing global public health.

N-Acetyl cysteine exhibits antimicrobial and anti-virulence activity against Salmonella enterica.

Salmonella enterica is a common foodborne pathogen that causes intestinal illness varying from mild gastroenteritis to life-threatening systemic infections. The frequency of outbreaks due to multidrug-resistant Salmonella has been increased in the past few years with increasing numbers of annual deaths. Therefore, new strategies to control the spread of antimicrobial resistance are required. In this work, we found that N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) inhibits S. enterica at MIC of 3 mg ml-1 and synergistically activates the bactericidal activities of common antibiotics from three-fold for ampicillin and apramycin up to1000-fold for gentamycin. In addition, NAC inhibits the expression of virulence genes at sub-inhibitory concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. The whole-genome sequencing revealed that continuous exposure of S. enterica to NAC leads to the development of resistance; these resistant strains are attenuated for virulence. These results suggest that NAC may be a promising adjuvant to antibiotics for treating S. enterica in combination with other antibiotics.

Study of the Immunologic Value of Trichinella spiralis recombinant Protein Tsp-LE

Background and Aim. Trichinellosis is a serious zoonotic disease, with frequent outbreaks reported across various regions in Europe and Asia. However, current diagnostic tests based on excretory-secretory antigens (ES-Ag) and somatic antigens (S-Ag) lack adequate specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, the production of these antigens is both labor-intensive and costly.Materials and Methods. The immunodiagnostic potential of a recombinant 11 kDa serine protease protein, previously characterized in earlier studies was assessed. This study detected infection in Balb/c mice as early as 14 days post infection with T. spiralis larvae, yielding no false-positive results and an average infection level of 61±5.3 larvae per mouse.Results. Comparative indirect ELISA analysis on mouse sera after the 3rd and 5th immunizations, alongside tests on S Ag and S-Ag using sera from infected rabbits and pigs, demonstrated the high diagnostic accuracy of the recombinant protein. The protein revealed strong specificity for trichinellosis detection, showing no cross reactivity with echinococcosis.Conclusion. These findings support using rTsp-LE as a reliable component in developing ELISA test systems for trichinellosis detection.

Single-chain antibody gene therapy strategy based on high-throughput screening triggers sustained antiviral activity in the body.

The occurrence of viral diseases poses a huge threat and impact on human public health safety and the development of the animal and fishery industry. Here, a strain of single-chain antibody fragment, scFv-1, was isolated from the phage antibody display library construct by immunizing New Zealand white rabbits with rhabdovirus. In vitro analysis showed that the single-chain antibody could inhibit the infection of the virus in multiple pathways, including adsorption, fusion, and release. In vivo analysis revealed scFv-1 had a preventive and protective effect against the infection of virus. In addition, we describe that transposon-based transport of neutralizing genes allows for long-term, continuous expression, avoiding the need for lifelong, repeated passive immunization for treatment. In sum, high-throughput screening of neutralization genes based on phage display technology and transposon vector-based gene transfer provides effective methods for treating and preventing diseases and avoiding repetitive passive immunotherapy. This study also provides a reference for the prevention and treatment of unknown pathogens.IMPORTANCELivestock and fisheries play an important role in economic development and food security. The frequent outbreaks of viral diseases have caused great losses to the livestock industry, while the increase in drug resistance caused by the use of antibiotics as well as the potential risks to human health have raised serious concerns. Here, we constructed a phage display antibody library by immunizing New Zealand white rabbits with purified rhabdovirus and selected a single-chain antibody, scFv-1, with good neutralizing activity, which was validated and found to be able to block multiple phases of the virus and thus play a neutralizing role. In addition, we describe that transposon-based transport of neutralizing genes allows for long-term, continuous expression, reducing the need for lifelong, repeated passive immunization for treatment. Our work not only provides methods for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases but also provides the body with long-lasting and even permanent protection against repeated passive immunization.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Outbreak Reporting to Foodborne Disease Outbreaks Surveillance System - China, 2011-2022.

Foodborne diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) outbreaks constitute a significant global public health concern, yet comprehensive data on outbreak incidence and epidemiological characteristics in China remain limited. Between 2011 and 2022, there were 413 foodborne DEC outbreaks reported to foodborne disease outbreak surveillance system, resulting in 8,127 illnesses, 2,565 hospitalizations, and one fatality. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) emerged as the predominant causative pathogen (48.82% of outbreaks), with school canteens being the most frequent outbreak setting (21.79%). This systematic analysis of foodborne DEC outbreak trends and epidemiological characteristics in China over the past decade provides crucial insights for enhancing outbreak investigation capabilities and identifying specific etiologies, food vehicles, and high-risk settings associated with these outbreaks.

Infectomics of Chikungunya Virus: Roles Played by Host Factors.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), prevalent in tropical regions, is known for causing frequent outbreaks, particularly in Central Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. It is an arbovirus transmitted by the Aedes (Ae.) aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Infections lead to severe joint and muscle pain, which can linger and significantly impair an individual's health, quality of life, and economic stability. Recent climatic changes and the globalization of travel have facilitated the worldwide spread of these mosquitoes. Currently, no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drug is available for treating CHIKV infection. Recently, the FDA approved a live, attenuated vaccine called Ixchiq. However, this vaccine has been linked to side effects, leading the FDA to mandate additional post-marketing studies to assess the risk of severe adverse reactions similar to the virus. An emerging strategy in drug development focuses on targeting host factors that the virus exploits rather than the viral proteins themselves. This review explores the interactions between CHIKV and host factors that could be potential therapeutic targets. Despite progress in understanding the life cycle of CHIKV, the immune system's role in combating the virus still needs to be fully understood. Investigating treatments that enhance the host's immune response may offer new paths to combating CHIKV.

Advantages of Broad-Spectrum Influenza mRNA Vaccines and Their Impact on Pulmonary Influenza.

Influenza poses a significant global health challenge due to its rapid mutation and antigenic variability, which often leads to seasonal epidemics and frequent outbreaks. Traditional vaccines struggle to offer comprehensive protection because of mismatches with circulating viral strains. The development of a broad-spectrum vaccine is therefore crucial. This paper explores the potential of mRNA vaccine technology to address these challenges by providing a swift, adaptable, and broad protective response against evolving influenza strains. We detail the mechanisms of antigenic variation in influenza viruses and discuss the rapid design and production, enhanced immunogenicity, encoding of multiple antigens, and safety and stability of mRNA vaccines compared to traditional methods. By leveraging these advantages, mRNA vaccines represent a revolutionary approach in influenza prevention, potentially offering broad-spectrum protection and significantly improving global influenza management and response strategies.

Roles of host and environment in shift of primary anthrax host species in Kruger National Park.

Environmental and climatic factors, as well as host demographics and behaviour, significantly influence the exposure of herbivorous mammalian hosts to pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax. Until the early 1990s in Kruger National Park (KNP), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) was the host species most affected by anthrax, with outbreaks occurring predominantly in the dry season, particularly during drought cycles. However, the most affected host species has shifted to impala (Aepyceros melampus), with more frequent anthrax outbreaks during the wet season. This study investigates the roles of environmental variation and other host species in this shift. Temporal trends in environmental variables such as precipitation, soil moisture, temperature, and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) were analyzed in relation to anthrax occurrence (presence/ absence and counts). Additionally, correlations between host species' densities and anthrax mortalities over time were examined. Anthrax cases in 1990 were concentrated in the central and northern regions of KNP(excluding Pafuri), primarily affected kudus; while subsequent mortalities affected mostly impala and were restricted to the far north, in Pafuri. Significant correlations were found between kudu anthrax mortality and a decrease in NDVI, average temperature, SPI-6 and SPI-12 (Standardised Precipitation Index in various time intervals. Conversely, anthrax occurrence in impalas was associated with a decline in SPI-3, and temperature rise, with increased mortality during the rainy season. Elephant density correlated negatively with kudu mortality, but a positive correlation with both impala mortality and impala density. The study concludes that environmental variables and species' densities may alter the diversity and frequency of hosts exposed to B. anthracis. Climate extremes and alterations therein may exacerbate anthrax severity by modifying species susceptibility and their probability of exposure over time.

Current epidemiology of infectious encephalitis: a narrative review.

Infectious encephalitis poses a global health challenge with a high mortality and severe neurological consequences in survivors. Emerging pathogens and outbreaks are reshaping the patterns of the disease. To understand the current epidemiology for improving prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. MEDLINE/PubMed was searched using "encephalitis" and related MeSH terms from 2020 to September 2024. Population-based and case-control studies on encephalitis were searched for without time restrictions. Other studies known by the authors were also included. The incidence of infectious encephalitis ranged from 1.4 to 13.8 cases per 100,000 per year with a bimodal peak in infants and older adults. Herpes viruses remain the most common causes of sporadic encephalitis with Herpes simplex virus type 1 and Varicella Zoster virus reported most frequently. In endemic regions, arboviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus and West Nile virus contribute significantly to the disease burden. Climate change is adding to the spread of these vector-borne viruses and thereby both altering the geographic distribution of causative agents and increasing the frequency of outbreaks. Evidence on risk factors associated to encephalitis is scarce and hampered by the absence of population-based case-control studies. The prognosis of infectious encephalitis remains unchanged during recent decades with high case-fatality rates and may vary according to e.g. aetiology, age, and presence of immuno-compromising conditions or other comorbidities. Importantly, a substantial proportion of survivors are left with disabling neurological sequalae. The findings underscore the importance of public health surveillance and prevention strategies to address the changing epidemiology of encephalitis. This can be pursued through vaccination programs and vector control efforts. Future research should focus on identifying risk factors, improving diagnostic tools, optimizing current treatment as well as exploring novel therapies for patients with encephalitis. Timely treatment and specialised post-hospital rehabilitation remain essential for patient management.

Metabolomic analysis revealed the inflammatory and oxidative stress regulation in response to Vibrio infection in Plectropomus leopardus.

Frequent outbreaks of infectious diseases in aquaculture have led to significant economic losses. The leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus) often suffers from vibriosis. Improving host immunity presents a superior strategy for disease control, with minimal side effects compared to the use of antibiotics, highlighting the necessity of exploring the mechanisms underlying the fish's response to pathogen infections. Here, we conducted a comparative metabolomic analysis on the livers of the P. leopardus infected with Vibrio harveyi. A total of 1124 differential metabolites (DMs) were identified, with 190, 218, 359, and 353 DMs being identified at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-infection (hpi), respectively. Then, based on the time series analysis, we found that the lipid metabolism pathways were modulated in response to the Vibrio infection, with an increase in the quantity of eicosanoids and gycerophospholipids (GPLs), as well as a decrease in the quantity of bile acids (BAs), vitamin D, and sex hormones. Furthermore, 13 enriched pathways involving 31 DMs were identified through KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment analyses. We identified histamine, 15(S)-HpETE, and anandamide in the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels pathway, as well as (7S,8S)-DiHODE, 5S,8R-DiHODE, and 13(S)-HpODE in the linoleic acid (LA) metabolism pathway. The DM levels increased, which may be attributed to inflammation. The DMs in the thyroid hormone synthesis pathway were identified, and the contents of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and glutathione (GSH) decreased, which may be crucial in antioxidants. Our findings highlighted the dynamic adjustments in lipid metabolism and the response to inflammation and oxidative stress during the infection of V. harveyi in P. leopardus. This study not only deepens our understanding of the metabolic underpinnings of fish immune responses but also lays the groundwork for research into functional metabolomics and mechanisms of disease resistance.

Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Staphylococcus aureus by sequential light-emitting diodes (LEDs) treatment at 365 nm and 420 nm

Frequent outbreaks caused by foodborne pathogens pose long-term risks to consumer health. To proactively reduce the load of pathogenic bacteria during food processing, a novel light-based antibacterial approach was developed by sequential application of 365 nm and 420 nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Results demonstrated that after treatment with 365 nm (480 J/cm2) followed by 420 nm (307.2 J/cm2), the reduction of Listeria monocytogenes reached 4.05 ± 0.31 log CFU/mL, significantly higher (an additional 1.8 log CFU/mL, P < 0.05) than cumulative reductions achieved by each 365 nm (2.25 ± 0.92 log CFU/mL) and 420 nm (0.02 ± 0.15 log CFU/mL) treatments. Further analysis revealed that the enhancement in bacterial reduction achieved through the sequential treatment with 365 nm and 420 nm was primarily driven by the exposure time to 365 nm. The inactivation mechanisms were investigated, considering possible photothermal, physical, and oxidative effects. Findings showed that the antibacterial effect of sequential treatment was mainly ascribed to intracellular oxidation generated by reactive oxidative species (ROS), namely hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion. The antibacterial mechanism of two LEDs may result from the sensitization of bacterial cells to excessive ROS, as evidenced by fluorescent intensity measurements and chemical scavenger assays. This research provides new insight for improving the efficacy of UVA and blue light treatment to control food contamination by Listeria.

Clinical presentation and outcome of diphtheria in health facility in North-East Nigeria

BackgroundFrequent outbreak of diphtheria occurs in Nigeria and some developing nations due to poverty, poor environmental sanitation, and vaccination coverage.AimTo determine the clinical presentation and outcome of diphtheria in cases admitted in a Yobe Specialist Hospital Potiskum, Yobe State, North-East Nigeria.MethodsThis is an observational study involving consecutive cases of diphtheria admitted in diphtheria treatment unit (DTU) in the hospital. Cases were admitted from 27th May to 30th October 2023.ResultsA total of 640 patients were admitted with median age of 9 (1–62), with males constituting 350 (54.6%). Only 9 (1)% of patients had vaccination. Common clinical features included pseudomembrane (90.7%), fever (79.7%), neck pain (78.3%), gross cervical lymphadenopathy (GCL; 69.1%), and sore throat (44.2%). The case fatality rate was 7%, higher in < 5 years (8.4%) than 5–14 years (7.4%) and ≥ 15 years (2.2%) respectively. Independent risk for fatality included delay in presentation (adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.10, 1.42], p < 0.001), vomiting (AOR = 3.6, 95% CI [1.36, 9.6], p = 0.01), bleeding from orifices (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI [5.76, 6.98], p < 0.001), blood transfusion (AOR = 8.12, 95% CI [3.34, 19.74], p < 0.001), and diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) administration (AOR = 3.17, 95% CI [1.37, 7.25], p = 0.07).ConclusionClinical presentation was consistent with diphtheria. Risk of fatality included vomiting, bleeding from orifices, anemia necessitating blood transfusion, delay in presentation, and DAT administration.