Scarlet Fever Research Articles

In vitro antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd extracts on Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans

Background: “Dividivi” Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd fruits are traditionally used by the Wayuú community in La Guajira (Colombia) to treat oral and skin cavity diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. Streptococcus pyogenes is a gram-positive cocci of group A (beta-hemolytic) that is the cause of pharyngeal disease, scarlet fever, cellulitis, erysipelas, or toxic shock-like syndrome. Alternatively, Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is a normal flora of the digestive tract, vagina, or skin folds; it has been known to be the root cause of opportunistic diseases such as diaper rash, oral and esophagus thrush, or vulvovaginitis. Objective: This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of methanolic and ethanolic extracts of C. coriaria (Jacq.) Willd dry fruits on S. pyogenes ATCC 12384 and C. albicans ATTC 14053. Method: C. coriaria extracts were obtained from the Soxhlet method using two solvents (methanol and ethanol 98%) prepared from pulverized fruits. A phytochemical test and an antimicrobial activity assay were performed using the obtained extracts and tested using S. pyogenes ATCC 12384 and C. albicans ATTC 14053 strains. Results: A phytochemical profile was performed, examining the presence of bioactive metabolites (tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, and anthraquinones) from each extract. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests showed that the ethanolic extract inhibited S. pyogenes ATCC 12384, causing inhibition halos of 14.1 ± 0.1 mm and a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 172 mg/ml, and C. albicans test shows inhibition halos of 16.1 ± 0.2 mm and MIC of 212 mg/ml. Additionally, the methanolic extract inhibited S. pyogenes with inhibition halos of 15.2 ± 0.2 mm and MIC of 152 mg/ml; no inhibitory effect was observed on C. albicans. Conclusion: This study revealed that C. coriaria has an antimicrobial effect on the tested species opening the field of its possible use as a therapeutic agent.

Epidemiological characteristics of infectious diseases of group A, B and C among Chinese students' population

Objective To analyze the secular trend, ranking change, age- and regional- characteristics of leading infectious diseases among Chinese students population aged 6 to 22 years from 2008 to 2017. Methods Data were drawn from the national surveillance from 2008 to 2017, and the participants were students aged from 6 to 22 years who were diagnosed with notifiable infectious diseases. A total of 40 infectious diseases were classified into three groups based on national notifiable infectious diseases classification of A, B and C. The morbidity and mortality rates from infectious diseases were calculated using the numbers of students published by the ministry of education as the denominator. The age- and province-specific infectious diseases with the highest incidence were selected as the leading infectious diseases for analysis. Results From 2008 to 2017, the incidence rate, the number of cases and the number of deaths of infectious diseases among the boys aged 6-22 years in China were higher than that of the girls, and the overall trend was downward during the study period. The incidence rates in the boys and girls decreased from 2008 to 2015 with decrease of 43.4% and 40.1%, respectively. However, by 2017, the increase rate rebounded with the increases of 47.1% and 53.8%. The rebound trend was mainly caused by the increase of group C of infectious diseases. During the past decade, the top leading three diseases of groups A and B of infectious diseases were viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and dysentery in 2018, respectively, which changed to tuberculosis, scarlet fever and viral hepatitis in 2017. The top leading three infectious diseases in terms of mortality were rabies, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 2008, which were transformed into HIV/AIDS, rabies, and tuberculosis in 2017. There was no significantly obvious change in the incidence and mortality order of group C of infectious diseases during the decade. In the analysis of age groups and regions, the leading infectious diseases in groups A and B transferred from viral hepatitis to scarlet fever and tuberculosis, while in group C, mumps and infectious diarrhoea almost always dominated the leading infectious diseases. But in recent years, influenza and hand-foot-and-mouth disease increased significantly in the eastern region. Conclusion During the past decade, China has got remarkable achievements in the prevention and control of children infectious disease. However, the change patterns and characteristics of notifiable infectious diseases among children and adolescents show the urgent need for prevention and control of respiratory tract infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases as well as new emerging infectious diseases in China in the future. This study provides important basis for policy making of Chinese national school-based infectious disease prevention and control mechanism.

A Case of Rumpel-Leede Phenomenon in Ulnar Artery Catheterization

Rumpel - Leede phenomenon (RLP) was described as early 1909 by Theodore Rumpel and by Stockbridge Leede in 1911 in patients suffering from scarlet fever. Acute development of petechial rashes distal to the application of blood flow occlusive devices such as a blood pressure cuff or tight wrapped bandage, is a typical finding in this phenomenon. Multiple isolated cases of RLP associated with coronary angiogram have been reported. In this report, we present a case of a 53-year-old male who developed RLP after percutaneous intervention of the proximal-mid left anterior descending artery after application of a sphygmomanometer cuff to contain a right forearm hematoma and application of a trans-radial band. We here discuss the etiopathogenesis and management of RLP that develops post coronary angiogram.

Infectious Respiratory Diseases Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea.

Infectious respiratory diseases are highly contagious and very common, and thus can be considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We followed up the incidence rates (IRs) of eight infectious respiratory diseases, including chickenpox, measles, pertussis, mumps, invasive pneumococcal disease, scarlet fever, rubella, and meningococcal disease, after COVID-19 mitigation measures were implemented in South Korea, and then compared those with the IRs in the corresponding periods in the previous 3 years. Overall, the IRs of these diseases before and after age- or sex-standardization significantly decreased in the intervention period compared with the pre-intervention periods (p < 0.05 for all eight diseases). However, the difference in the IRs of all eight diseases between the IRs before and after age-standardization was significant (p < 0.05 for all periods), while it was not significant with regard to sex-standardization. The incidence rate ratios for eight diseases in the pre-intervention period compared with the intervention period ranged from 3.1 to 4.1. These results showed the positive effects of the mitigation measures on preventing the development of respiratory infectious diseases, regardless of age or sex, but we need to consider the age-structure of the population to calculate the effect size. In the future, some of these measures could be applied nationwide to prevent the occurrence or to reduce the transmission during outbreaks of these infections. This study provides evidence for strengthening the infectious disease management policies in South Korea.

Prophylactic and Therapeutic Measures of Homeopathy in Epidemic and Pandemic Diseases

AbstractBackground The terms Epidemic and Pandemic refer to spread of infectious diseases in different countries, nations or regions. Infectious diseases have overrun millions of people in the past, as well as doing now when the world is facing current coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, which has killed more than 607,781 people till July 2020, according to the World Health Organisation. Homeopathy has played an important role in controlling epidemic and pandemic diseases distressing humanity since the time of Hahnemann who cured scarlet fever with Belladonna and served community with best treatment. This article reviews the role of homeopathy in the management and prevention of pandemic and epidemic diseases.Methods A homeopathic literature search was performed using several bibliographic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed and Google search engine was used for collection of all relevant information from reports, review articles, archived files and Web pages etc., published in English language till July 2020.Results Gathered information based on scientific evidences manifested the efficacy of homeopathy using various approaches such as individualisation, Genus epidemicus and isopathy for prevention and treatment of epidemic diseases.Conclusion Homeopathy showcased its effectiveness in reduction of mortality and morbidity in epidemics for years. Moreover, prophylactic use of Genus epidemicus for symptomatic Covid-19 cases can be inexpensive, safe and more realistic.

Kawasaki Syndrome in Germany: Historical Aspects and Current Update

Through his analytical powers of observation, the Japanese physician Kawasaki became aware of a rare childhood disease that his colleagues mistook for scarlet fever. Even more than five decades later, there is only conjecture as to the cause, despite intensive research. Kawasaki syndrome even made it into the American blockbuster medical series Dr. House. For the Japanese pediatrician Tomisaku Kawasaki, who was regarded as very modest, it must have come as a great surprise when his name became established in medical circles worldwide at the end of the 1970s as the term for the acute inflammatory disease of the blood vessels in young children that he discovered

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TRANSMISSION OF SKARLATINA DISEASES AND CRITERIA FOR DIAGNOSIS

The main part of the diseases of streptococcal etiology is scarlet fever, and epidemiologically and clinically this disease remains one of the main problems. Although the incidence of scarlet fever has been low in recent years, the incidence is mainly in young children. Irregular, widespread use of antibacterial drugs has led to the spread of atypical forms of the disease.

Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Spain: a microbiological and epidemiological study covering the period 2007-2019.

The aim of this study is to present the first nationwide microbiological and epidemiological study of invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease in Spain. One thousand eight hundred ninety-three iGAS isolates were analyzed over 2007-2019. emm typing was performed by sequencing the gene's variable 5' end, exotoxin genes were identified by PCR, and antimicrobial susceptibility explored via the E test and disk diffusion. Five hundred twenty-three isolates were associated with sepsis, 292 with cellulitis, 232 with scarlet fever, 153 with pneumonia, 141 with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, and 94 with necrotizing fasciitis. The most prevalent emm types were emm1 (449/1893 isolates), emm89 (210/1893), emm3 (208/1893), emm4 (150/1893), emm12 (112/1893) emm6 (107/1893), emm87 (89/1893), emm28 (88/1893), emm75 (78/1893), emm77 (78/1893), emm11 (58/1893), and emm22 (35/1893). emm1, emm3, emm4, and emm6 were the predominant types affecting children (mostly respiratory infections), while emm11, emm77, and emm89 prevailed in the elderly (mostly skin infections). Each emm type was associated with one or more exotoxin gene (spe, sme, and ssa) profiles. speA was detected in 660 isolates, speB in 1829, speC in 1014, speF in 1826, speG in 1651, speJ in 716, speH in 331, smeZ in 720, and ssa in 512. Isolates with speA were associated with the most severe infections. Penicillin susceptibility was universal. Two hundred twenty-four isolates were resistant to tetracycline, 169 to erythromycin, and 81 to clindamycin. Tetracycline, erythromycin, and clindamycin resistance rates declined over the study period. The above information could serve as the basis for continued surveillance efforts designed to control disease cause by this bacterium.

Homeopathy in Epidemics: Birth and Evolution of Hahnemann’s Thought (Part 1)

The 19th century saw an explosion of serious epidemic diseases, such as smallpox and scarlet fever, which led to the development of a new medical system called homeopathy. Under this system, S. Hahnemann developed a rigorous methodology based on repeated observations on the field, leading to successful results. The aim of this work is to depict the birth and evolution of his thought. The correct understanding and application of this methodology became the reference model for subsequent generations of homeopaths, who successfully treated some epidemics, such as cholera and Spanish flu. Although these results were well-documented, they were not recognized by the academic community; however, they gave a great impulse to the worldwide spread of homeopathy.

Homeopathy in Epidemics: From Cholera to 1918 Spanish Flu (Part 2)

The 19th century saw an explosion of serious epidemic diseases, such as smallpox and scarlet fever, which led to the development of an alternative system of medicine called homeopathy. Under this system, S. Hahnemann developed a rigorous methodology based on repeated observations on the field, leading to successful results. The aim of this work is to depict the birth and evolution of his thought. The correct understanding and application of this methodology became the reference model for subsequent generations of homeopaths, who successfully treated some epidemics, such as cholera and Spanish flu. Although these results were well-documented , they were not recognized by the academic community; however, they gave a great impulse to the worldwide spread of homeopathy.

Вопросы охраны материнства и детства в земской врачебной практике конца XIX — начала XX в. (На материалах Саратовской губернии)

The protection of motherhood and childhood occupied a significant place in the zemstvo medical practice of the late XIX — early XX c. It was “zemsky” doctors who were first to investigate the risk factors for maternal and child health in a Russian village. These included, first of all, the imperfect system of obstetrics, the incorrect feeding of infants, and the prevalence of acute childhood infections. For the protection of the health of the mother and child, work has been directed to organize skilled obstetric care, establish nursery-shelters, prevent acute childhood infections, support breastfeeding, and prevent orphanhood. At the same time, a number of zemstvo medico-social programs (organization of obstetric centers, nurseryshelters) were ineffective. The reasons for these failures were cultural traditions, peculiarities of the economic system, and the poverty of the Russian peasantry. More significant success was achieved in the prevention of acute childhood infections, medical care for pupils of rural schools and orphans. With the help of serum therapy, zemstvo doctors were able to reduce mortality from diphtheria. In addition, a vaccine against scarlet fever was being tested in Saratov region. The establishment of permanent medical supervision of children in Saratov orphanage resulted in 20—30 % mortality reduction. Many initiatives of zemstvo doctors: support of breastfeeding, prevention of orphanhood, mass immunization are being used in modern maternity and childhood protection systems.

Staphylococcal Scarlet Fever in a Child

Staphylococcal scarlet fever is a rare infectious skin disease, with few cases reported in literature. The etiology is related to the staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin.

The role of Fever in Covid-19

We are living with a lot of diseases related to fevers with different names like Chikungunya fever, West Nile fever, rheumatic fever, Relapsing fever, Rat-bite fever (sodoku), Haver hill fever, Dengue fever, Typhoid fever, Scarlet fever, Viral hemorrhagic fever, etc.

53034 Melatonin use and occurrence of respiratory illnesses

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Melatonin use could alleviate virus-induced respiratory illnesses. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Melatonin was identified as a potential repurposable drug in the fight against SARS Cov-2. Its ability to attenuate some virus inoculation effects raises the question whether melatonin use could alleviate virus-induced respiratory illness. Here we evaluated the occurrence of respiratory conditions in melatonin users and non-users surveyed. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Records from the Medical Panels Expenditure Survey (MEPS) database made available by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality were used to evaluate whether melatonin may be associated with reduced viral respiratory disease burden. First, all subjects reporting melatonin use (1996-2017) were collected along with records for all subjects reporting respiratory diseases as identified by consolidated ICD-9/10 codes. Second, all diagnosis codes were retrieved for all individuals identified in the first step. In total there were 201,490 occurrences of the specified conditions among 180,468 unique individuals. The relative risk of specific respiratory disease occurrence was computed for melatonin users and non-users. Population estimates for melatonin use were also determined. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Among 221 melatonin users, 132 had at least one respiratory illness. Among the 180,468 total subjects reporting at least one respiratory condition, melatonin use was associated with a lower rate of the common cold, pharyngitis, strep throat, scarlet fever, and sinusitis. Furthermore, melatonin was associated with a significantly reduced risk of common cold (RR 0.760, CI 0.587-0.985) and sinusitis (RR 0.407, CI 0.186-0.890). Due to low subject counts, the reduced risk observed for scarlet fever and strep throat was not considered significant. Melatonin users had a higher relative risk of allergic rhinitis (RR 1.393, CI 1.043-1.862) and asthma (RR 2.166, CI 1.672-2.806), probably due to melatonin active prescribing in these patients as sleep aid. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Although melatonin showed a lower relative risk of certain viral respiratory conditions, the low melatonin user numbers and their heterogeneous distribution over the time interval led to highly variable population estimates. Yet, our data suggests that melatonin may alleviate viral respiratory illness and deserves further investigation.

Mortality in Metropolises of Ukraine: Historical Parallels with the Study of Yu. O. Korchak-Chepurkivsky

The purpose of this paper is to make a comparative analysis (find historical parallels) of the situation with mortality causes in four cities of Ukraine in 1923–1929 and in our time, by comparing the mortality structure in 1926 and 2019, to identify structural changes and make assumptions regarding their determinants. Based on data from statistical tables of mortality in the four largest cities of the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Odessa) for 1923–1929 and data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine for 2019 on the distribution of deaths by death cause in the same cities and in Ukraine, the structural shares by main classes were calculated (according to the current classifications). Changes in the contribution of various causes of death to the mortality of the urban population are estimated. The overall progress (the advancement of medical science and practice, the improvement of living conditions (including sanitation and hygiene) and quality of life, the increased population’s awareness of health issues and access to medical care, etc.), immunization programs, the development and production of effective drugs have significantly reduced the mortality and transformed its structure.&#x0D; It is shown that the list of the leading causes, especially their ranks, given in the research of Yu. O. Korchak-Chepurkivsky, differed significantly from the analogous list for modern metropolises of Ukraine. In contrast to the situation in the four largest Ukrainian cities in 2019, with the majority of deaths caused by diseases of the circulatory system (about 65%), almost the same total share (67.4%) of deaths in the above cities in 1926 was determined by five classes (infectious or communicable diseases, diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs, cardiovascular diseases, and diseases of the nervous system and sense organs). The largest share of deaths in the four largest cities of the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic was found to be caused by infectious and parasitic diseases (over 27%). Given that part of the infectious pathology (the diseases of the digestive system and nervous system in the first place) was registered by the then nomenclature in other classes, their contribution to the totality of deaths can be assessed as more significant (at least by 10–15%).&#x0D; The structural share of mortality from infectious and parasitic diseases in the four largest cities has decreased from 27% altogether to nearly 2%. There was a significant transformation in the spectrum of causes: while in 1926 high mortality was due to scarlet fever, whooping cough, typhoid fever and paratyphoid fever evolved to almost zero, in our time its significant part was caused by a new pathology, a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). At the same time, the significance of tuberculosis as a cause of death is a striking difference between the mortality pattern in Ukrainian cities and the situation in modern developed countries. The decreased structural shares of infectious, respiratory and digestive diseases (some of which are also of infectious etiology), along with the prevalence of pathologies occurring in the perinatal period, congenital malformations, deformities and chromosomal abnormalities, were the largest changes in the infant mortality structure.

Spatiotemporal clustering and meteorological factors affected scarlet fever incidence in mainland China from 2004 to 2017.

To analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic distribution and detect the related meteorological factors of scarlet fever from an ecological perspective, which could provide scientific information for effective prevention and control of this disease. The data on scarlet fever cases in mainland China were downloaded from the Data Center of the China Public Health Science, while monthly meteorological data were extracted from the official website of the National Bureau of Statistics. Global Moran's I, local Getis-Ord Gi⁎ hotspot statistics, and Kulldorff's retrospective space-time scan statistical analysis were used to detect the spatial and spatiotemporal clusters of scarlet fever across all settings. A spatial panel data model was conducted to estimate the impact of meteorological factors on scarlet fever incidence. Scarlet fever in China had obvious spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal clustering, high-incidence spatial clusters were located mainly in the north and northeast of China. Nine spatiotemporal clusters were identified. A spatial lag fixed effects panel data model was the best fit for regression analysis. After adjusting for spatial individual effects and spatial autocorrelation (ρ=0.5623), scarlet fever incidence was positively associated with a one-month lag of average temperature, precipitation, and total sunshine hours (all P-values < 0.05). Each 10°C, 2cm, and 10h increase in temperature, precipitation, and sunshine hours, respectively, was associated with a 6.41% increment and 1.04% and 1.41% decrement in scarlet fever incidence, respectively. The incidence of scarlet fever in China showed an upward trend in recent years. It had obvious spatiotemporal clustering, with the high-risk areas mainly concentrated in the north and northeast of China. Areas with high temperature and with low precipitation and sunshine hours tended to have a higher scarlet fever incidence, and we should pay more attention to prevention and control in these places.

Caracterización de estreptococos beta-hemolíticos del grupo A con fenotipo mucoide aislados en un hospital de tercer nivel

IntroductionThe objective of this study is to characterize Streptococcus pyogenes isolates with a mucoid phenotype and to compare them with non-mucoid isolates obtained between April and August 2016. Material and methodsIdentification and antimicrobial susceptibility were performed in all isolates. The emm type and exotoxin genes speA, speB, speC, speF, speG, speH, speJ, speZ and ssa were analyzed. Clinical and demographic data were collected. ResultsFrom 96 isolates analyzed, 47% had a mucoid phenotype and 95.5% of them presented speA-speB-speF-speG-ssa genes and emm3 genotype. The main clinical manifestation was pharyngotonsillitis (77.1%) evolving to scarlet fever in 67.5% of the cases. ConclusionThis study describes the circulation of a mucoid phenotype strain with a speA-speB-speF-speG-ssa toxin profile and emm3.1 genotype considered one of the most frequent and virulent of SGA.

Localized Scarlatiniform Rash of the Ears and Antecubital Fossa in COVID-19

The worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global pandemic since its identification in Wuhan, China in December 2019.1 Few cases of COVID-19-associated dermatologic manifestations have been reported in the literature to date. This report describes the clinical features of a localized pruritic scarlatiniform rash of the ears and antecubital fossa on defervescence in a 29-year-old patient with COVID-19. Our case stands to further illuminate the dermatologic manifestations of this novel disease.

Toxic shock syndrome

A toxic shock syndrome (TSS) was eventually diagnosed in a four-year-old girl who attended the Emergency Department with a clinical picture suggestive of scarlet fever. The present paper briefly discusses the therapeutic approach to TSS.

Thoughts, beliefs and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine \u2013 a qualitative study

BackgroundPhysicians who include complementary medicine in their practice are thought to have an understanding of health and disease different from that of colleagues practicing conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the thoughts and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and scarlet fever) of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine.MethodsThis qualitative study used semistructured interviews. Participating physicians were either general practitioners or pediatricians. Data collection and analysis were guided by a grounded theory approach.ResultsEighteen physicians were interviewed (6 homeopathic, 6 anthroposophic and 6 conventional). All physicians agreed that while many classic infectious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella are rarely observed today, other diseases, such as chickenpox and scarlet fever, are still commonly diagnosed. All interviewed physicians vaccinated against childhood diseases. A core concern for physicians practicing conventional medicine was the risk of complications of the diseases. Therefore, it was considered essential for them to advise their patients to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. Homeopathic-oriented physicians viewed acute disease as a biological process necessary to strengthen health, fortify the immune system and increase resistance to chronic disease. They tended to treat infectious childhood diseases with homeopathic remedies and administered available vaccines as part of individual decision-making approaches with parents. For anthroposophic-oriented physicians, infectious childhood diseases were considered a crucial factor in the psychosocial growth of children. They tended to treat these diseases with anthroposophic medicine and underlined the importance of the family’s resources. Informing parents about the potential benefits and risks of vaccination was considered important.All physicians agreed that parent-delivered loving care of a sick child could benefit the parent-child relationship. Additionally, all recognized that existing working conditions hindered parents from providing such care for longer durations of time.ConclusionsThe interviewed physicians agreed that vaccines are an important aspect of modern pediatrics. They differed in their approach regarding when and what to vaccinate against. The different conceptual understandings of infectious childhood diseases influenced this decision-making. A survey with a larger sample would be needed to verify these observations.