Trop Med Infect Dis. 2023 Mar 13;8(3):169. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8030169.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cholera is a large public health issue, especially in countries with limited resources. The aim of the study was to determine trends in global cholera mortality from 1990-2019.

METHODS: This research is an observational, descriptive epidemiological study. The age-standardized rates (ASRs, per 100,000 population) of cholera mortality from 1990 to 2019 were evaluated through joinpoint regression analysis (by calculating Odds Ratio-OR, with corresponding 95% Confidence Interval-95% CI).

RESULTS: From 1990-2019 in the world, the number of deaths due to cholera in both sexes together increased, ranging from 83,045 in 1990 to 117,167 in 2019. During the observed period, there were about 3.0 million deaths due to cholera in the world. In both sexes together in 2019, the cholera mortality rate was the highest in Nigeria (ARS = 39.19) and Central African Republic (ARS = 38.80), followed by populations in Eritrea (ARS = 17.62) and Botswana (ARS = 13.77). Globally, cholera-related mortality significantly decreased in males (AAPC = -0.4%, 95% CI = -0.7 to -0.1), while a stable trend was noted in females (AAPC = -0.1%, 95% CI = -0.4 to 0.2) in the observed period. In the African Region, significantly increasing cholera-related mortality trends were observed both in males and females (AAPC = 1.3% and AAPC = 1.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Cholera mortality showed a constantly increasing trend in the African Region over the last three decades. More efforts in cholera management are necessary for effective response to the growing mortality in developing countries.

PMID:36977170 | DOI:10.3390/tropicalmed8030169

Lancet Infect Dis. 2023 Apr;23(4):411. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00149-4.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36965496 | DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00149-4

PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022 Dec 14;2(12):e0000869. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000869. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Nigeria currently reports the second highest number of cholera cases in Africa, with numerous socioeconomic and environmental risk factors. Less investigated are the role of extreme events, despite recent work showing their potential importance. To address this gap, we used a machine learning approach to understand the risks and thresholds for cholera outbreaks and extreme events, taking into consideration pre-existing vulnerabilities. We estimated time varying reproductive number (R) from cholera incidence in Nigeria and used a machine learning approach to evaluate its association with extreme events (conflict, flood, drought) and pre-existing vulnerabilities (poverty, sanitation, healthcare). We then created a traffic-light system for cholera outbreak risk, using three hypothetical traffic-light scenarios (Red, Amber and Green) and used this to predict R. The system highlighted potential extreme events and socioeconomic thresholds for outbreaks to occur. We found that reducing poverty and increasing access to sanitation lessened vulnerability to increased cholera risk caused by extreme events (monthly conflicts and the Palmers Drought Severity Index). The main limitation is the underreporting of cholera globally and the potential number of cholera cases missed in the data used here. Increasing access to sanitation and decreasing poverty reduced the impact of extreme events in terms of cholera outbreak risk. The results here therefore add further evidence of the need for sustainable development for disaster prevention and mitigation and to improve health and quality of life.

PMID:36962831 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000869

PLOS Glob Public Health. 2022 Oct 12;2(10):e0000590. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000590. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: On 21st March 2020, the first COVID-19 case was detected in Uganda and a COVID-19 pandemic declared. On the same date, a nationwide lockdown was instituted in response to the pandemic. Subsequently, more cases were detected amongst the returning international travelers as the disease continued to spread across the country. On May 14th, 2020, a cholera epidemic was confirmed in Moroto district at a time when the district had registered several COVID-19 cases and was in lockdown. This study aimed to describe the cholera epidemic and response activities during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the hurdles and opportunities for cholera control encountered during the response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design, we reviewed Moroto district's weekly epidemiological records on cholera and COVID-19 from April to July 2020. We obtained additional information through a review of the outbreak investigation and control reports. Data were analyzed and presented in frequencies, proportions, attack rates, case fatality rates, graphs, and maps.

RESULTS: As of June 28th, 2020, 458 cases presenting with severe diarrhea and/or vomiting were line listed in Moroto district. The most affected age group was 15-30 years, 30.1% (138/458). The females, 59.0% [270/458], were the majority. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) was 0.4% (2/458). Whereas home use of contaminated water following the vandalization of the only clean water source in Natapar Kocuc village, Moroto district, could have elicited the epidemic, implementing COVID-19 preventive and control measures presented some hurdles and opportunities for cholera control. The significant hurdles were observing the COVID-19 control measures such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and limited time in the community due to the need to observe curfew rules starting at 6.00 pm. The opportunities from COVID-19 measures complementary to cholera control measures included frequent hand washing, travel restrictions within the district & surrounding areas, and closure of markets.

CONCLUSION: COVID-19 preventive and control measures such as social distancing, wearing of masks, and curfew rules may be a hurdle to cholera control whereas frequent hand washing, travel restrictions within the district & surrounding areas, and closure of markets may present opportunities for cholera control. Other settings experiencing concurrent cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks can borrow lessons from this study.

PMID:36962556 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pgph.0000590

Pol J Microbiol. 2023 Mar 24;72(1):39-46. doi: 10.33073/pjm-2023-008. Print 2023 Mar 1.

ABSTRACT

Cholera is a disease caused by a Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is among the significant threats to global public health. The disease is mainly spread in the hot months of the year; low sanitation and lack of clean water are the major causes of the disease. In this study, we conducted a molecular and epidemiological study of the recent outbreak in the city of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq. Based on the bacteriological, serological, and molecular identification of the bacterium, it was shown that V. cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa caused the disease. Additionally, the number of positive cholera cases were higher in June compared to July (391 positive cases in June and 23 in July). Moreover, the majority (> 60%) of the cholera cases were recorded among 20-44-year-old people in both months; however, there was no significant difference in the patient genders diagnosed every month. Overall, this is the first report on the recent cholera outbreak in the city of Sulaimaniyah in Iraq.

PMID:36929893 | DOI:10.33073/pjm-2023-008

Indian J Med Res. 2022 Oct-Nov;156(4&5):608-614. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_2612_19.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Regional Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory established at ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED) regularly receives samples for dengue screening and serotyping from patients of acute febrile illness (AFI) from Kolkata and adjacent districts. In this study, data over a three year period (August 2016-July 2019) was retrospectively analyzed to provide insight into the epidemiological trends of dengue fever in this region.

METHODS: Serological screening of dengue was performed by detection of NS1 antigen and/or immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody. Dengue serotyping was done by conventional or real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. The data were analyzed to describe the distribution of dengue with respect to age of patient, duration of fever on the day of blood collection and month of the year. Zip codes were used for spatial plotting.

RESULTS: Out of the 24,474 samples received from Kolkata and its adjacent districts (Hooghly, Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas), 38.3 per cent (95% confidence interval: 37.7-38.9%) samples were screened positive for dengue. The correlation between age and dengue positivity was found to be weak. A combination of dengue NS1 antigen and dengue IgM antibody detection may be a better option for detecting dengue positivity compared to a single test. Most AFI cases were tested from August to November during the study period, with maximum dengue positivity noted during September (45.9%). The predominant serotype of 2016, dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV-1), was almost entirely replaced by DENV-2 in 2017 and 2018.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Dengue continues to be an important cause of AFI in the region and round-the-year preventive measures are required for its control. Serotype switching is alarming and should be monitored routinely.

PMID:36926776 | DOI:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_2612_19

BMC Microbiol. 2023 Mar 16;23(1):75. doi: 10.1186/s12866-023-02811-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present study reports on the comprehensive analysis of Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1/non-O139 serogroups isolated from environmental water sources during cholera outbreaks, epidemics and surveillance studies between years 2007 to 2019 from different districts of Odisha, India.

METHODS: A total of 85 stocked cultures of V. cholerae O1 and non-O1/non-O139 strains were analyzed for different ctxB genotypes, toxic genes, antibiogram profiles through PCR assays and pulsotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

RESULTS: From all V. cholerae strains tested, 51 isolates were O1 Ogawa and the rest 34 strains were non-O1/non-O139. All the V. cholerae O1 strains were altered El Tor variants carrying ctxB1, ctxB3 and ctxB7 genotypes. However, only ctxB1 genotypes were present in V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139. Though non-O1/non-O139 strains were negative by O1 antisera, 20% strains were positive for rfbO1 gene by PCR assay. All the V. cholerae isolates possessed a variety of virulence genes including ace, ctxAB, toxR, zot, hlyA which were in higher percentage in the case of V. cholerae O1. The Vibrio cholerae O1 and non-O1-/non-O139 strains showed multiple antibiotic resistances in 2007 and 2012. The PCR detection of four resistance associated genes (strB, dfrA1, sulll, SXT) confirmed higher prevalence in V. cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains. The PFGE analysis revealed 3 pulsotypes having 93% similarity among V. cholerae O1 strains.

CONCLUSION: This study indicates the changing epidemiology, antibiogram patterns and continuous genetic variation in environmental V. cholerae strains of Odisha over the years. So continuous surveillance is necessary to understand the changing patterns of V. cholerae different serogroups isolated from stool and water samples from Odisha.

PMID:36927368 | DOI:10.1186/s12866-023-02811-2

Infect Genet Evol. 2023 Mar 11:105424. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105424. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Influenza A viruses (IAV) are fast-evolving pathogens with a very high mutation rate (2.0 × 10-6 to 2.0 × 10-4) compared to the influenza B (IBV) and influenza C (ICV) viruses. Generally, the tropical regions are considered as the reservoir for the IAV's genetic and antigenic evolutionary modification to be reintroduced into the temperate region. Therefore, in connection to the above facts, the present study emphasized on the evolutionary dynamic of the pandemic-2009 H1N1 (pdmH1N1) influenza virus in India. A total of Ninety-two whole genome sequences of pdmH1N1 viruses circulating in India during the 2009 post-pandemic era were analysed. The temporal signal of the study, indicating strict molecular clock evolutionary process and the overall substitution rate is 2.21 × 10-3/site/year. We are using the nonparametric Bayesian Skygrid coalescent model to estimates the effective past population dynamic or size over time. The study exhibits a strong relation between the genetic distances and collection dates of the Indian pdmH1N1 strain. The skygrid plot represents the highest exponential growth of IAV in rainy and winter seasons. All the genes of Indian pdmH1N1 were under purifying selective pressure. The Bayesian time-imprinted phylogenetic tree represents the following clade distributions in the country within the last 10 years; I) clade 6, 6C, and 7 were co-circulating between the 2011 to 2012 flu season; II) the clade 6B was introduced into circulation in the late seasons of 2012; III) lastly, the clade 6B remain existing in the circulation and segregated into subclade 6B.1 with five different subgroup (6B.1A, 6B.1A.1, 6B.1A.5a, 6B.1A.5a.2, 6B.1A.7). The recent circulating strain of Indian H1N1 strain represent the insertion of basic-amino acid arginine (R) in the cleavage site (325/K-R) of HA protein and amino acid mutation (314/I-M) on the lateral head surface domain of NA protein. Moreover, the study indicates the sporadic presence of the oseltamivir-resistant (275/H-Y) H1N1 variant in circulation. The present study suggests the purifying selective pressure and stochastic ecological factors for the existence and adaptation of a certain clade 6B in the host populations and additional information on the emergence of mutated strains in the circulation.

PMID:36913995 | DOI:10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105424

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 13;18(3):e0279048. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279048. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the leading causes of health, and economic burdens in the developing world, leading to considerable morbidity, mortality, and stigma. The incidence and prevalence of the four curable STIs viz. syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis vary remarkably across different geographical locations. In India, the prevalence of four curable STI among general populations is in between 0 to 3.9 percent. However, it is assumed that STI prevalence is much higher among subpopulations practicing high-risk behaviour. Like men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG), injecting drug users (IDU), and female sex workers (FSW).

OBJECTIVES: In the present circumstances, a systematic review is necessary to integrate the available data from previously published peer-reviewed articles and published reports from several competent authorities to provide the prevalence and geographical distribution of the four curable STIs among the key population of India.

METHODS: All available articles will be retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane database, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Global Health network using the appropriate search terms. The data will be extracted through data extraction form as per PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design) framework. Risk of bias and quality assessment will be performed according to the situation with the help of available conventional protocol.

DISCUSSION: The future systematic review, generated from the present protocol, may provide evidence of the prevalence and geographical distribution of the four curable STIs among the key population of India. We hope that the findings of the future systematic review will strengthen the existing surveillance system in India, to determine the above-mention STIs prevalence among key populations in India. Protocol registration number: International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42022346470.

PMID:36913427 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0279048

PLoS One. 2023 Mar 13;18(3):e0282844. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282844. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the epidemiology of enteric pathogens in Lebanon, a low- and middle-income country that suffers from a myriad of public health challenges. To address this knowledge gap, we aimed to assess the prevalence of enteric pathogens, identify risk factors and seasonal variations, and describe associations between pathogens among diarrheic patients in the Lebanese community.

METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A multicenter cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in the north of Lebanon. Stool samples were collected from 360 outpatients suffering from acute diarrhea. Based on fecal examination using the BioFire® FilmArray® Gastrointestinal Panel assay, the overall prevalence of enteric infections was 86.1%. Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) was the most frequently identified (41.7%), followed by enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (40.8%) and rotavirus A (27.5%). Notably, two cases of Vibrio cholerae were identified, while Cryptosporidium spp. (6.9%) was the most common parasitic agent. Overall, 27.7% (86/310) of the cases were single infections, and the majority, 73.3% (224/310), were mixed infections. Multivariable logistic regression models showed that enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and rotavirus A infections were significantly more likely to occur in the fall and winter compared to the summer. Rotavirus A infections significantly decreased with age but increased in patients living in rural areas or suffering from vomiting. We identified strong associations in the co-occurrence of EAEC, EPEC, and ETEC infections and a higher percentage of rotavirus A and norovirus GI/GII infections among EAEC-positive cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Several of the enteric pathogens reported in this study are not routinely tested in Lebanese clinical laboratories. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that diarrheal diseases are on the rise due to widespread pollution and the deterioration of the economy. Therefore, this study is of paramount importance to identify circulating etiologic agents and prioritize dwindling resources to control them and limit outbreaks in the future.

PMID:36913372 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0282844

Bull Math Biol. 2023 Mar 12;85(4):31. doi: 10.1007/s11538-023-01137-4.

ABSTRACT

Optimal control theory can be a useful tool to identify the best strategies for the management of infectious diseases. In most of the applications to disease control with ordinary differential equations, the objective functional to be optimized is formulated in monetary terms as the sum of intervention costs and the cost associated with the burden of disease. We present alternate formulations that express epidemiological outcomes via health metrics and reframe the problem to include features such as budget constraints and epidemiological targets. These alternate formulations are illustrated with a compartmental cholera model. The alternate formulations permit us to better explore the sensitivity of the optimal control solutions to changes in available budget or the desired epidemiological target. We also discuss some limitations of comprehensive cost assessment in epidemiology.

PMID:36907932 | DOI:10.1007/s11538-023-01137-4

Lancet Microbe. 2023 Mar 9:S2666-5247(22)00391-3. doi: 10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00391-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vibriocidal antibodies are currently the best characterised correlate of protection against cholera and are used to gauge immunogenicity in vaccine trials. Although other circulating antibody responses have been associated with a decreased risk of infection, the correlates of protection against cholera have not been comprehensively compared. We aimed to analyse antibody-mediated correlates of protection from both V cholerae infection and cholera-related diarrhoea.

METHODS: We conducted a systems serology study that analysed 58 serum antibody biomarkers as correlates of protection against V cholerae O1 infection or diarrhoea. We used serum samples from two cohorts: household contacts of people with confirmed cholera in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and cholera-naive volunteers who were recruited at three centres in the USA, vaccinated with a single dose of CVD 103-HgR live oral cholera vaccine, and then challenged with V cholerae O1 El Tor Inaba strain N16961. We measured antigen-specific immunoglobulin responses against antigens using a customised Luminex assay and used conditional random forest models to examine which baseline biomarkers were most important for classifying individuals who went on to develop infection versus those who remained uninfected or asymptomatic. V cholerae infection was defined as having a positive stool culture result on days 2-7 or day 30 after enrolment of the household's index cholera case and, in the vaccine challenge cohort, was the development of symptomatic diarrhoea (defined as two or more loose stools of ≥200 mL each, or a single loose stool of ≥300 mL over a 48-h period).

FINDINGS: In the household contact cohort (261 participants from 180 households), 20 (34%) of the 58 studied biomarkers were associated with protection against V cholerae infection. We identified serum antibody-dependent complement deposition targeting the O1 antigen as the most predictive correlate of protection from infection in the household contacts, whereas vibriocidal antibody titres ranked lower. A five-biomarker model predicted protection from V cholerae infection with a cross-validated area under the curve (cvAUC) of 79% (95% CI 73-85). This model also predicted protection against diarrhoea in unvaccinated volunteers challenged with V cholerae O1 after vaccination (n=67; area under the curve [AUC] 77%, 95% CI 64-90). Although a different five-biomarker model best predicted protection from the development of cholera diarrhoea in the challenged vaccinees (cvAUC 78%, 95% CI 66-91), this model did poorly at predicting protection against infection in the household contacts (AUC 60%, 52-67).

INTERPRETATION: Several biomarkers predict protection better than vibriocidal titres. A model based on protection against infection among household contacts was predictive of protection against both infection and diarrhoeal illness in challenged vaccinees, suggesting that models based on observed conditions in a cholera-endemic population might be more likely to identify broadly applicable correlates of protection than models trained on single experimental settings.

FUNDING: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health.

PMID:36907197 | DOI:10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00391-3

BMC Public Health. 2023 Mar 8;23(1):455. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15326-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cholera still affects millions of people worldwide, especially in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) has identified surveillance and oral cholera vaccines as two critical interventions to actualise the global roadmap goals-reduction of cholera-related deaths by 90% and decreasing the number of cholera endemic countries by half by 2030. Therefore, this study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing these two cholera interventions in LMIC settings.

METHODS: A scoping review using the methods presented by Arksey and O'Malley. The search strategy involved using key search terms (cholera, surveillance, epidemiology and vaccines) in three databases (PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science) and reviewing the first ten pages of Google searches. The eligibility criteria of being conducted in LMICs, a timeline of 2011-2021 and documents only in English were applied. Thematic analysis was performed, and the findings were presented according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension.

RESULTS: Thirty-six documents met the predefined inclusion criteria, covering 2011 to 2021. There were two themes identified regarding the implementation of surveillance: timeliness and reporting (1); and resources and laboratory capabilities (2). As for oral cholera vaccines, there were four themes identified: information and awareness (1); community acceptance and trusted community leaders (2); planning and coordination (3); and resources and logistics (4). Additionally, adequate resources, good planning and coordination were identified to be operating at the interface between surveillance and oral cholera vaccines.

CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that adequate and sustainable resources are crucial for timely and accurate cholera surveillance and that oral cholera vaccine implementation would benefit from increased community awareness and engagement of community leaders.

PMID:36890476 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15326-2

Pediatr Ann. 2023 Mar;52(3):e106-e113. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20230118-06. Epub 2023 Mar 1.

ABSTRACT

Children are at risk of contracting diseases while traveling internationally. Beyond the importance of receiving routine vaccinations, physicians should also discuss with parents the effectiveness of vaccination as a strategy to protect their child against disease before travel. This article (1) explores the universally recommended routine vaccines that are particularly important for children to be up to date before travel (ie, measles, mumps, rubella; hepatitis A and B; polio; meningococcal; coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]; and influenza) and (2) explains the travel-specific vaccination recommendations (ie, dengue, cholera, typhoid, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and rabies). Physicians can encourage parents to consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for travel vaccine recommendations (https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel). Children must remain up to date on universally recommended vaccines and receive the appropriate vaccines before international travel to prevent serious illness and limit the spread of diseases in the United States. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(3):e106-e113.].

PMID:36881794 | DOI:10.3928/19382359-20230118-06

BMC Public Health. 2023 Mar 7;23(1):446. doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-15332-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cholera, a diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, transmitted through fecal contamination of water or food remains an ever-present risk in many countries, especially where water supply, sanitation, food safety, and hygiene are inadequate. A cholera outbreak was reported in Bauchi State, North-eastern Nigeria. We investigated the outbreak to determine the extent and assess risk factors associated with the outbreak.

METHODS: We conducted a descriptive analysis of suspected cholera cases to determine the fatality rate (CFR), attack rate (AR), and trends/patterns of the outbreak. We also conducted a 1:2 unmatched case-control study to assess risk factors amongst 110 confirmed cases and 220 uninfected individuals (controls). We defined a suspected case as any person > 5 years with acute watery diarrhea with/without vomiting; a confirmed case as any suspected case in which there was laboratory isolation of Vibrio cholerae O1 or O139 from the stool while control was any uninfected individual with close contact (same household) with a confirmed case. Children under 5 were not included in the case definition however, samples from this age group were collected where such symptoms had occurred and line-listed separately. Data were collected with an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using Epi-info and Microsoft excel for frequencies, proportions, bivariate and multivariate analysis at a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS: A total of 9725 cases were line-listed with a CFR of 0.3% in the state. Dass LGA had the highest CFR (14.3%) while Bauchi LGA recorded the highest AR of 1,830 cases per 100,000 persons. Factors significantly associated with cholera infection were attending social gatherings (aOR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.16-3.59) and drinking unsafe water (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.07-2.83).

CONCLUSION: Attending social gatherings and drinking unsafe water were risk factors for cholera infection. Public health actions included chlorination of wells and distribution of water guard (1% chlorine solution) bottles to households and public education on cholera prevention. We recommend the provision of safe drinking water by the government as well as improved sanitary and hygienic conditions for citizens of the state.

PMID:36882734 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-023-15332-4

J Clin Microbiol. 2023 Mar 23;61(3):e0014223. doi: 10.1128/jcm.00142-23. Epub 2023 Mar 6.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:36877025 | PMC:PMC10035305 | DOI:10.1128/jcm.00142-23

Bull World Health Organ. 2023 Mar 1;101(3):170-178. doi: 10.2471/BLT.22.288885. Epub 2023 Jan 18.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of case-area targeted interventions to reduce cholera transmission using a rapid, localized response in Kribi district, Cameroon.

METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design to study the implementation of case-area targeted interventions. We initiated interventions after rapid diagnostic test confirmation of a case of cholera. We targeted households within a 100-250 metre perimeter around the index case (spatial targeting). The interventions package included: health promotion, oral cholera vaccination, antibiotic chemoprophylaxis for nonimmunized direct contacts, point-of-use water treatment and active case-finding.

FINDINGS: We implemented eight targeted intervention packages in four health areas of Kribi between 17 September 2020 and 16 October 2020. We visited 1533 households (range: 7-544 per case-area) hosting 5877 individuals (range: 7-1687 per case-area). The average time from detection of the index case to implementation of interventions was 3.4 days (range: 1-7). Oral cholera vaccination increased overall immunization coverage in Kribi from 49.2% (2771/5621 people) to 79.3% (4456/5621 people). Interventions also led to the detection and prompt management of eight suspected cases of cholera, five of whom had severe dehydration. Stool culture was positive for Vibrio cholerae O1 in four cases. The average time from onset of symptoms to admission of a person with cholera to a health facility was 1.2 days.

CONCLUSION: Despite challenges, we successfully implemented targeted interventions at the tail-end of a cholera epidemic, after which no further cases were reported in Kribi up until week 49 of 2021. The effectiveness of case-area targeted interventions in stopping or reducing cholera transmission needs further investigation.

PMID:36865607 | PMC:PMC9948504 | DOI:10.2471/BLT.22.288885

Infect Dis (Lond). 2023 Mar 3:1-11. doi: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2183253. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Only a subset of enteric pathogens is under surveillance in Denmark, and knowledge on the remaining pathogens detected in acute gastroenteritis is limited. Here, we present the one-year incidence of all enteric pathogens diagnosed in Denmark, a high-income country, in 2018 and an overview of diagnostic methods used for detection.

METHODS: All 10 departments of clinical microbiology completed a questionnaire on test methods and provided 2018-data of persons with positive stool samples with Salmonella species, Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas species, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (Enteroinvasive (EIEC), Shiga toxin-producing (STEC), Enterotoxigenic (ETEC), Enteropathogenic (EPEC), and intimin-producing/attaching and effacing (AEEC)), Shigella species., Vibrio cholerae, norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, adenovirus, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium species, and Entamoeba histolytica.

RESULTS: Enteric bacterial infections were diagnosed with an incidence of 229.9 cases/100,000 inhabitants, virus had an incidence of 86/100,000 and enteropathogenic parasites of 12.5/100,000. Viruses constituted more than half of diagnosed enteropathogens for children below 2 years and elderly above 80 years. Diagnostic methods and algorithms differed across the country and in general PCR testing resulted in higher incidences compared to culture (bacteria), antigen-test (viruses), or microscopy (parasites) for most pathogens.

CONCLUSIONS: In Denmark, the majority of detected infections are bacterial with viral agents primarily detected in the extremes of ages and with few intestinal protozoal infections. Incidence rates were affected by age, clinical setting and local test methods with PCR leading to increased detection rates. The latter needs to be taken into account when interpreting epidemiological data across the country.

PMID:36868794 | DOI:10.1080/23744235.2023.2183253

Methods Inf Med. 2023 Mar 2. doi: 10.1055/a-2045-8287. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the 19th century, Florence Nightingale pointed to the importance of nursing documentation for the care of patients and the necessity of data-based statistics for quality improvement. The same century, John Snow projected his observations about patients with Cholera on a street map, laying the ground for modern epidemiological science. The historical examples demonstrate that proper data are the foundation of relevant information about individuals and of new scientific evidence. In the ideal case of Ackoff's pyramid, information, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom arise from data.

PMID:36863407 | DOI:10.1055/a-2045-8287

Health Promot Perspect. 2022 Dec 31;12(4):325-335. doi: 10.34172/hpp.2022.42. eCollection 2022.

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aimed to generate a pooled national estimate on dental health care services utilization by the adult population in India from any public or private facility in an effort to highlight the demand and usage for oral health care. Methods: In this meta-analysis, PubMed, ScienceDirect, DOAJ, and Google Scholar were searched using a search strategy that combined MeSH headings and keywords (e.g., "Oral Health", "Dental Health Services", utilization, India, etc.) for articles on dental utilization among Indian adults, published between January 2011 and June 2022. Study quality was assessed using the NIH Quality assessment tool, and a random-effects inverse-variance method was used for pulling utilization proportions. Meta-regression and sub-group analyses were conducted to identify the sources of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is reported as I2. To examine publication bias, the funnel plot, egger's test, and trim-and-fill analysis were performed. Results: From 4012 identified articles, 21 were eligible for inclusion. The pooled dental care utilization amongst Indian adults were found to be 23.96% (confidence interval [CI]: 16.81%- 31.11%, P<0.001, I2=98.93%), and the highest estimate was in South Zone (30.02%, CI: 19.14-40.90, P<0.01, I2=98.63%). Visual inspection of the funnel plot revealed the presence of publication bias (egger's P value 0.02). A mild decrease in utilization estimate was noted through trim and fill analysis (adjusted estimate 17.65%, CI: 8.97-26.33, P=0.03). No significant subgroup effect was found for the variables study zone and conduction years (P value: 0.09 & 0.34 respectively). Conclusion: Future studies should be undertaken to focus on the demand and supply of oral health care services since an evidential gap has been identified due to the uneven distribution of studies available from various regions of India. The heterogeneity can be attributed to the diverse socioeconomic, literacy, and inherent health system performance status.

PMID:36852206 | PMC:PMC9958237 | DOI:10.34172/hpp.2022.42