Outbreak Of Hemorrhagic Fever Research Articles

Evaluation of Nucleoprotein-Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Serodiagnosis of Acute Crimean–Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Infections in a Turkish Population

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causes a highly contagious tick-borne disease with high case-fatality rates in humans. It is circulating not only in many Asian and African countries, but also spreading to and within Europe. To cope better with future outbreaks of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), the WHO has prioritized the need for the development and validation of CCHF diagnostics, including serological assays. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the new EUROIMMUN anti-CCHFV IgM and IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Materials and Methods: Both ELISAs were compared to the Vector-Best VectoCrimean-CHF-IgM and -IgG ELISAs using the EUROIMMUN CCHFV Mosaic 2 IgM and IgG indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) as reference. Forty-nine acute-phase serum samples from patients with CCHFV infection confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or anti-CCHFV IgM IFA positivity were used to determine assay sensitivity. The assessment of specificity was based on sera from 30 control patients, 30 healthy blood donors, and 29 patients with hantavirus or sandfly fever virus infections. All samples originated from Turkey. Results: Sensitivity of the EUROIMMUN ELISAs (IgM 98.0%, IgG 47.1%) exceeded that of the Vector-Best ELISAs (IgM 95.9%, IgG 35.3%). Specificity of the EUROIMMUN ELISA IgM (86.4%) was slightly higher compared with the Vector-Best ELISA IgM (84.7%), while specificity for IgG was 100% for both assays. Qualitative agreement between the EUROIMMUN and Vector-Best ELISAs was substantial for detecting anti-CCHFV IgM (84.1%, ĸ = 0.673) and IgG (94.9%, ĸ = 0.791), whereas the quantitative results indicated a very strong positive correlation (IgM: r = 0.868, IgG: r = 0.913). Conclusion: The new EUROIMMUN anti-CCHFV ELISAs are standardized and easy-to-use tools that reliably support the identification of acute CCHF cases, and thus suitable for laboratories involved in on-site outbreak support.

Circulation of Ngari Virus in Livestock, Kenya.

Ngari virus (NRIV) is a mosquito-borne reassortant orthobunyavirus that causes severe febrile illness and hemorrhagic fever in humans and small ruminants. Due to limited diagnostics and surveillance, NRIV has only been detected sporadically during Rift Valley fever virus outbreaks. Little is known on its interepidemic maintenance and geographic distribution. In this study, sera from cattle, goats, and sheep were collected through a cross-sectional survey after the rainy seasons between 2020 and 2021 in two pastoralist-dominated semiarid ecosystems, Baringo and Kajiado counties in Kenya. NRIV was detected in 11 apparently healthy animals (11/2,039, 0.54%) by RT-PCR and isolated in cell culture from seven individuals. Growth analyses displayed efficient replication in cells from sheep and humans in contrast to weak replication in goat cells. NRIV infection of a wide variety of different vector cells showed only rapid replication in Aedes albopictus cells but not in cells derived from other mosquito species or sandflies. Phylogenetic analyses of complete-coding sequences of L, M, and S segments of four viruses showed that the Kenyan sequences established a monophyletic clade most closely related to a NRIV sequence from a small ruminant from Mauritania. NRIV neutralizing reactivity in cattle, goats, and sheep were 41.6% (95% CI = 30 to 54.3), 52.4% (95% CI = 37.7 to 66.6), and 19% (95% CI = 9.7 to 33.6), respectively. This is the first detection of NRIV in livestock in Kenya. Our results demonstrate active and undetected circulation of NRIV in the three most common livestock species highlighting the need for an active one-health surveillance of host networks, including humans, livestock, and vectors. IMPORTANCE Surveillance of vectors and hosts for infection with zoonotic arthropod-borne viruses is important for early detection and intervention measures to prevent outbreaks. Here, we report the undetected circulation of Ngari virus (NRIV) in apparently healthy cattle, sheep, and goats in Kenya. NRIV is associated with outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in humans and small ruminants. We demonstrate the isolation of infectious virus from several animals as well as presence of neutralizing antibodies in 38% of the tested animals. Our data indicate active virus circulation and endemicity likely having important implications for human and animal health.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in Refugee Settlement during COVID-19 Pandemic, Uganda, April 2021.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) was detected in 2 refugees living in a refugee settlement in Kikuube district, Uganda. Investigations revealed a CCHF IgG seroprevalence of 71.3% (37/52) in goats within the refugee settlement. This finding highlights the need for a multisectoral approach to controlling CCHF in humans and animals in Uganda.

Investigation Around Cases of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever—Mauritania, 2022

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic arbovirosis. Humans are infected by tick bites or contact with blood of infected animals. CCHF can be responsible for severe outbreaks due to human-to-human transmission. Our aims were to increase awareness and promote the search for risk factors and disease monitoring to prevent CCHF epidemic, capacity building, appropriate measures to treat patients, and information for the local population. During the outbreak of hemorrhagic fever from February to May 2022, blood samples were collected from 88 patients suspected to be infected with the virus. Diagnosis was established by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CCHF was confirmed by RT-PCR in 7 of 88 (8%) patients. Ticks were found in cattle, sheep, or goats in the areas where the subjects resided, with the exception of 1 CCHF-positive patient in close contact with fresh animal meat. Exposure to potential risk factors was found in all patients. The interval between the onset of symptoms and hospital admission was 2-3 days. All 7 patients were admitted to our hospital and treated promptly by blood transfusion. Two patients died. Mortality is high in patients with the hemorrhagic form of CCHF. Disease prevention is necessary by strengthening vector control, avoiding contact and consumption of organic products from diseased animals, and vaccinating animals in areas where the disease is endemic. Furthermore, it is essential to establish management procedures for patients infected with CCHF virus.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by destruction of residential area of rodent in a construction site: epidemiological investigation

BackgroundAn outbreak of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), caused by a Hantavirus, affected nine adult males in the southwest area of Xi’an in November 2020 was analyzed in this study.MethodsClinical and epidemiological data of HFRS patients in this outbreak were retrospectively analyzed. The whole genome of a hantavirus named 201120HV03xa (hv03xa for short) isolated from Apodemus agrarius captured in the construction site was sequenced and analyzed. In addition, nine HFRS patients were monitored for the IgG antibody against the HV N protein at 6 and 12 months, respectively.ResultsIn this study, inhalation of aerosolized excreta and contaminated food may be the main source of infection. Genome analysis and phylogenetic analysis showed that hv03xa is a reassortment strain of HTNV, having an S segment related to A16 of HTN 4, an M segment related to Q37 and Q10 of HTN 4, and an L segment related to prototype strain 76–118 of HTN 7. Potential recombination was detected in the S segment of hv03xa strain. The anti-HV-IgG level of all the patients persist for at least one year after infection.ConclusionsThis report documented an HFRS outbreak in Xi’an, China, which provided the basic data for epidemiological surveillance of endemic HTNV infection and facilitated to predict disease risk and implement prevention measures.

A Cloned Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Vectored Marburg Vaccine, PHV01, Protects Guinea Pigs from Lethal Marburg Virus Disease.

Marburg virus (MARV) is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Filoviridae family. Despite having caused numerous outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever with high case fatality rates, there are still no clinically approved therapeutics or vaccines to treat or prevent MARV disease. Recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSVs) expressing heterologous viral glycoproteins have shown remarkable promise as live-attenuated vaccine vectors, with an rVSV-based Ebola virus vaccine having received regulatory approval in the United States and numerous other countries. Analogous rVSV vaccine vectors have also been developed for MARV and have shown efficacy in several preclinical studies conducted in nonhuman primates. Here, we used a guinea pig model to confirm the protective efficacy of a cloned, rVSV-based candidate vaccine, termed PHV01, expressing the MARV variant Angola glycoprotein. Our results demonstrated that a single dose (2 × 106 PFU) of vaccine administered 28 days prior to challenge with a uniformly lethal dose of guinea-pig-adapted MARV variant Angola provided complete protection from death and disease. Moreover, protection was robust, with as little as 200 PFU of vaccine conferring significant protection. Not only does this study highlight the potential predictive value of the guinea pig model in the evaluation of MARV countermeasures, but it also demonstrates consistent and reproducible protection afforded by a clonal vaccine candidate. Indeed, this study identifies PHV01 as a suitable vaccine candidate for advanced development.

Evaluation of Whatman FTA cards for the preservation of yellow fever virus RNA for use in molecular diagnostics.

Yellow fever virus (YFV) is a flavivirus that frequently causes outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever in Africa and South America and is considered a reemerging public health threat. Accurate diagnosis of yellow fever (YF) disease is critical as one confirmed case constitutes an outbreak and may trigger a mass vaccination campaign. Highly sensitive and specific molecular diagnostics have been developed; however, these assays require maintenance of cold-chain during transport of specimens to prevent the degradation of viral RNA prior to testing. Such cold-chain requirements are difficult to meet in some regions. In this study, we investigated Whatman FTA cards as an alternative stabilization method of YFV RNA for use in molecular diagnosis. Using contrived specimens, linear regression analysis showed that RNA detection from a single 6mm FTA card punch was significantly less sensitive than traditional RNA extraction; however, pooling RNA extracted from two FTA punches significantly lowered the limit of detection to be equal to that of the traditional RNA extraction gold standard. In experiments addressing the ability of FTA card methodology to stabilize YFV RNA at variable temperature, RNA could be detected for more than two weeks following storage at 25°C. Even more promising, YFV RNA was detectable on cards held at 37°C from two days to over two weeks depending on viral input. FTA cards were also shown to stabilize YFV RNA at high humidity if cards were desiccated prior to inoculation. These results support that FTA cards could be cost effective and easy to use in molecular diagnosis of YF, preserving viral RNA to allow for positive diagnoses in situations where maintaining cold-chain is not feasible.

Data flows during public health emergencies in LMICs: A people-centered mapping of data flows during the 2018 ebola epidemic in Equateur, DRC

In infectious outbreaks, rapid case detection and reporting, coordination, and context-specific strategies are needed for rapid containment. Data sharing between actors, and the speed and content of data flows, is essential for expediting epidemic response. In this study, researchers mapped data flows during the 2018 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Equateur Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo using semi-structured interviews, ethnographic research, and focus groups with EVD response actors. During this research, we mapped and tracked data collection, transmission, storage, sharing, and use patterns. Target participants included: key organizational actors in the EVD outbreaks responses, including local (primary health, community-based, hospital), provincial (MoPH, DRC Red Cross), and international (WHO, UN organizations, international first-responders) stakeholders. We found that a community-based surveillance system enabled the rapid detection of a hemorrhagic fever outbreak, resulting in the rapid laboratory confirmation of EVD. With the arrival of international organizations to provide support to the EVD response, routine surveillance systems continued to function robustly. However, the establishment of a vertical EVD response architecture created challenges for the response. Data flows during the Equateur outbreak were hampered by numerous challenges in the domains of early warning, line lists of cases, and contact tracing, which impeded surveillance and data flows. We therefore argue that structuring health information systems for preparedness requires taking a person-centered approach to data production, flow, and analysis.

Nasal carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among sympatric free-ranging domestic pigs and wild Chlorocebus pygerythrus in a rural African setting.

BackgroundMethicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage in domestic pigs and vervet monkeys is a risk factor for subsequent severe infections in domestic pigs and for dissemination to the human population. This study assessed nasal carriage of MRSA in domestic pigs and sympatric vervet monkeys in a rural African village during an outbreak of a virus hemorrhagic fever suspected to be contracted from wild primates.This study was conducted during the 2012 Ebola outbreak to determine nasal carriage of MRSA in free-ranging domestic pigs and sympatric freely roaming vervet monkeys using conventional methods. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolated from the anterior nares were tested for susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics and conventional PCR was used to confirm methicillin resistance. The MRSA strains were then genotyped using SCCmec typing.ResultsOverall, there was a high level of resistance to tetracycline [90% (63/70) in pigs and 67% (10/15) in vervet monkeys], trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole [90% (63/70) in pigs and 67% (10/15) in vervet monkeys], and penicillin [83% (58/70) in pigs and 67% (10/15) in vervet monkeys]. Most of the MRSA strains (91.6%, 11/12) were of the SCCmec type I [1B] genotype.ConclusionThe nasal carriage of drug resistant S. aureus in freely roaming domestic and wild animals presents a risk for widespread environmental spread of antimicrobial resistance thus presenting a risk for treatment failure in domestic animals, wild animals, and humans.

Inhibition of Arenavirus Entry and Replication by the Cell-Intrinsic Restriction Factor ZMPSTE24 Is Enhanced by IFITM Antiviral Activity.

In the absence of effective vaccines and treatments, annual outbreaks of severe human haemorrhagic fever caused by arenaviruses, such as Lassa virus, continue to pose a significant human health threat. Understanding the balance of cellular factors that inhibit or promote arenavirus infection may have important implications for the development of effective antiviral strategies. Here, we identified the cell-intrinsic zinc transmembrane metalloprotease, ZMPSTE24, as a restriction factor against arenaviruses. Notably, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout of ZMPSTE24 in human alveolar epithelial A549 cells increased arenavirus glycoprotein-mediated viral entry in pseudoparticle assays and live virus infection models. As a barrier to viral entry and replication, ZMPSTE24 may act as a downstream effector of interferon-induced transmembrane protein (IFITM) antiviral function; though through a yet poorly understood mechanism. Overexpression of IFITM1, IFITM2, and IFITM3 proteins did not restrict the entry of pseudoparticles carrying arenavirus envelope glycoproteins and live virus infection. Furthermore, gain-of-function studies revealed that IFITMs augment the antiviral activity of ZMPSTE24 against arenaviruses, suggesting a cooperative effect of viral restriction. We show that ZMPSTE24 and IFITMs affect the kinetics of cellular endocytosis, suggesting that perturbation of membrane structure and stability is likely the mechanism of ZMPSTE24-mediated restriction and cooperative ZMPSTE24-IFITM antiviral activity. Collectively, our findings define the role of ZMPSTE24 host restriction activity in the early stages of arenavirus infection. Moreover, we provide insight into the importance of cellular membrane integrity for productive fusion of arenaviruses and highlight a novel avenue for therapeutic development.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Outbreak in the North Region of Oman in August 2019: Case Series Study

Background Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonotic tickborne disease that has been linked to a high mortality rate in a number of nations. In Oman, the first case of CCHF was discovered in 1995. The Directorate of Disease Surveillance and Control received reports of four individuals with CCHF from various places in Northern Oman between August 17 and August 23, 2019 (during the Eid Adha festival). Objective The aim of this study was to identify CCHF patients, determine the source and mechanism of transmission, and recommend preventive measures to avoid further outbreaks. Methods We arranged for a field visit with teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Municipality on the same day of notice (August 23-17, 2019) in the region, and a case series study was undertaken using a semistructured questionnaire. Results The findings revealed that all of the patients were men (three were Omanis), ranging in age from 40 to 55 years. Three of the patients worked in slaughterhouses, and all patients had close contact with raw sheep tissues. Fever and gastrointestinal problems were the most common symptoms, with a case fatality rate of 25%. Late bleeding signs and coagulopathy were detected in the patient who died. Conclusions The causative agent was most likely CCHF virus, and the source of the outbreak was infected imported sheep through direct contact with contaminated biological tissues, based on symptoms, signs, lab tests, and the incubation period. All imported sheep must be tested and flagged at the main gates of the three ports in Oman’s north region.

Stepwise Enzymatic-Dependent Mechanism of Ebola Virus Binding to Cell Surface Receptors Monitored by AFM.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is responsible for several outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever with high mortality, raising great public concern. Several cell surface receptors have been identified to mediate EBOV binding and internalization, including phosphatidylserine (PS) receptors (TIM-1) and C-type lectin receptors (DC-SIGNR). However, the role of TIM-1 during early cell surface binding remains elusive and in particular whether TIM-1 acts as a specific receptor for EBOV. Here, we used force-distance curve-based atomic force microscopy (FD-based AFM) to quantify the binding between TIM-1/DC-SIGNR and EBOV glycoprotein (GP) and observed that both receptors specifically bind to GP with high-affinity. Since TIM-1 can also directly interact with PS at the single-molecule level, we also confirmed that TIM-1 acts as dual-function receptors of EBOV. These results highlight the direct involvement of multiple high-affinity receptors in the first steps of binding to cell surfaces, thus offering new perspectives for the development of anti-EBOV therapeutic molecules.

WWOX-Mediated Degradation of AMOTp130 Negatively Affects Egress of Filovirus VP40 Virus-Like Particles.

Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) continue to emerge and cause severe hemorrhagic disease in humans. A comprehensive understanding of the filovirus-host interplay will be crucial for identifying and developing antiviral strategies. The filoviral VP40 matrix protein drives virion assembly and egress, in part by recruiting specific WW domain-containing host interactors via its conserved PPxY late (L) domain motif to positively regulate virus egress and spread. In contrast to these positive regulators of virus budding, a growing list of WW domain-containing interactors that negatively regulate virus egress and spread have been identified, including BAG3, YAP/TAZ, and WWOX. In addition to host WW domain regulators of virus budding, host PPxY-containing proteins also contribute to regulating this late stage of filovirus replication. For example, angiomotin (AMOT) is a multi-PPxY-containing host protein that functionally interacts with many of the same WW domain-containing proteins that regulate virus egress and spread. In this report, we demonstrate that host WWOX, which negatively regulates egress of VP40 virus-like particles (VLPs) and recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) M40 virus, interacts with and suppresses the expression of AMOT. We found that WWOX disrupts AMOT's scaffold-like tubular distribution and reduces AMOT localization at the plasma membrane via lysosomal degradation. In sum, our findings reveal an indirect and novel mechanism by which modular PPxY-WW domain interactions between AMOT and WWOX regulate PPxY-mediated egress of filovirus VP40 VLPs. A better understanding of this modular network and competitive nature of protein-protein interactions will help to identify new antiviral targets and therapeutic strategies. IMPORTANCE Filoviruses (Ebola virus [EBOV] and Marburg virus [MARV]) are zoonotic, emerging pathogens that cause outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. A fundamental understanding of the virus-host interface is critical for understanding the biology of these viruses and for developing future strategies for therapeutic intervention. Here, we reveal a novel mechanism by which host proteins WWOX and AMOTp130 interact with each other and with the filovirus matrix protein VP40 to regulate VP40-mediated egress of virus-like particles (VLPs). Our results highlight the biological impact of competitive interplay of modular virus-host interactions on both the virus life cycle and the host cell.

The Distribution of Dengue Virus Serotype in Quang Nam Province (Vietnam) during the Outbreak in 2018.

Objectives: Quang Nam province in the Centre of Vietnam has faced an outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in 2018. Although DHF is a recurrent disease in this area, no epidemiological and microbiological reports on dengue virus serotypes have been conducted mainly due to lack of facilities for such a kind of advanced surveillance. The aim of this study was to detect different dengue virus serotypes in patients’ blood samples. Design and Methods: Suspected cases living in Quang Nam province (Vietnam) and presenting clinical and hematological signs of dengue hemorrhagic fever were included in the study. The screening was performed, and the results were compared by using two methodologies: RT real-time PCR (RT-rPCR) and the Dengue NS1 rapid test. Results: From December 2018 to February 2019, looking both at RT-rPCR [+] and NS1 [+] methodologies, a total of 488 patients were screened and 336 were positive for dengue virus detection (74 children and 262 adults); 273 of these patients (81.3%) underwent viral serotype identification as follows: 12.82% (35/273) D1 serotype, 17.95% (49/273) D2, 0.37% (1/273) D3, 68.50 (187/283) D4, and 0.37% (1/273) D2+D4 serotypes. The RT-rPCR outcomes showed higher sensitivity during the first three days of infection compared to NS1 (92.3% vs. 89.7%). The NS1 increased sensitivity after the first 3 days whilst the RT-rPCR decreased. Conclusions: Advanced surveillance with dengue virus serotypes identification, if performed routinely, may help to predict and prevent further DHF epidemics based on the exposure of the different serotypes during different periods that lead to the intensification of disease severity as a consequence of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

Clinical presentations, diagnostics, treatments and treatment costs of children and adults with febrile illness in a tertiary referral hospital in south-eastern Guinea: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

BackgroundFebrile illness is frequent among patients in the tropics. It is caused by a wide variety of common diseases such as malaria or gastrointestinal infections but also by less common but highly contagious pathogens with epidemic potential. This study describes the clinical features of adult and paediatric patients with febrile illness in in the largest tertiary referral hospital in south-eastern Guinea, a region at high risk for viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks. The study further compares their diagnostic characteristics, treatments and outcomes with non-febrile patients in order to contribute to the local epidemiology of febrile illness.MethodsWe used retrospective data collection to record demographic and clinical data of all incoming patients during a study period of three months. For the follow-up study of inpatients, we retrospectively reviewed patient charts for diagnostic characteristics, diagnoses and outcomes.ResultsOf the 4317 incoming patients during the study period, 9.5% had a febrile illness. The most used diagnostic measures to identify causative agents in febrile patients were point-of-care tests and most treatments relied on antibiotics. Most common discharge diagnoses for febrile inpatients were malaria (9.6% adults, 56.7% children), salmonella gastroenteritis/typhoid (10.6% adults, 7.8% children) and respiratory infection/pneumonia (5.3% adults, 18.7% children). Inpatient mortality for children was significantly higher in febrile than non-febrile children (18.5% vs. 5.1%, p<0.001) and considerably higher in febrile than non-febrile adults (29.8% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.404).ConclusionsMalaria, respiratory infection and gastroenteritis are considered the main causes for febrile illness. The wide reliance on rapid diagnostic tests to diagnose febrile patients not only risks to over- or under-diagnose certain diseases but also leaves the possibility of highly infectious diseases in febrile patients unexplored. Furthermore, the heavy reliance on antibiotics risks to cause antimicrobial resistance. High mortality rates in febrile patients, especially children, should be of concern to public health authorities.

Large Outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Iraq, 2022

Large Outbreak of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Iraq, 2022

Comprehensive understanding of viral diseases by field, molecular, and theoretical studies

Viral diseases are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality and continue to be of great concern. To ensure better control of viral infections, I have been tackling the issue as a medical doctor, an academic researcher, and a public health officer. Especially, I have studied respiratory viruses, such as the influenza virus, from the perspectives of molecular virology, theoretical modeling, and field epidemiology. RNA biology and its involvement with viral life-cycle and pathogenicity are central topics of molecular study, while mathematical models of transmission dynamics and phylogenetics are major components of theoretical research. As a field epidemiologist, I work with public health authorities during viral disease outbreaks. I was deployed to West Africa for viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak responses as a WHO consultant, and I have served the Japanese Government as an advisor for COVID-19 countermeasures. I would like to integrate various approaches from clinical medicine to epidemiology, theoretical modeling, evolutionary biology, genetics, and molecular biology in my research. In that way, we could gain a more comprehensive understanding of viral diseases. I hope these findings will help ease the disease burden of viral infections around the world.

Analysis of climatic variability and dengue hemorrhagic fever incidence at the Tsunami Area Banda Aceh City

The rebuilding of post-tsunami community residential an area in Banda Aceh City has created a new ecosystem and at the same time a public health problem. The construction of new settlements has an impact on the emergence of Aedes aegypti habitat. The post-tsunami climate factor is thought to be one of the factors that cause outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases every year in Banda Aceh City. This study aims to analyze the relationship between climatic variability with the DHF incidence cases from 2010-2020 at the tsunami area Banda Aceh City. The study uses monthly DHF case data obtained from the Banda Aceh City Health Office. Monthly climate data were obtained from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency of Aceh Province. Spearman’s correlation analysis shows that temperature, humidity, rainfall, and wind velocity have a significant relationship with the DHF incidence cases. Humidity and rainfall are positively correlated with DHF incidence, while temperature and wind velocity shows a negative correlation with DHF incidence. This study shows that climate is one of the factors influential in the DHF incidence cases at the tsunami area Banda Aceh City.

Filovirus Neutralising Antibodies: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Application.

Filoviruses, especially Ebola virus, cause sporadic outbreaks of viral haemorrhagic fever with very high case fatality rates in Africa. The 2013–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa provided large survivor cohorts spurring a large number of human studies which showed that specific neutralising antibodies played a key role in protection following a natural Ebola virus infection, as part of the overall humoral response and in conjunction with the cellular adaptive response. This review will discuss the studies in survivors and animal models which described protective neutralising antibody response. Their mechanisms of action will be detailed. Furthermore, the importance of neutralising antibodies in antibody-based therapeutics and in vaccine-induced responses will be explained, as well as the strategies to avoid immune escape from neutralising antibodies. Understanding the neutralising antibody response in the context of filoviruses is crucial to furthering our understanding of virus structure and function, in addition to improving current vaccines & antibody-based therapeutics.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Turkey amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; a debacle for the healthcare system of Turkey.

An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.