International Journal of Infectious Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Profile of Protective Anti-Hbs Antibodies among Healthy Indian Children and Adults Immunized in Infancy","authors":"Dr Sanjay Verma , Dr Nazakat Hussain , Dr Amit Rawat , Dr Vikas Suri , Dr Vanita Suri","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107449","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107449","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hepatitis-B (HB) virus infection is a serious public health problem worldwide. It's almost 20 years since HB vaccination was first introduced in our National Immunization Schedule (NIS). The study aimed to determine the proportion of subjects in various age groups (children and adults) having anti-Hbs antibody levels in the seroprotective range following early infantile hepatitis-B vaccination.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>In this cross-sectional, observational study, apparently healthy subjects from OPDs of a tertiary care hospital in Northern India, over last one-year were enrolled after taking informed consent. Institute ethics committee clearance was obtained before enrolment. Only those subjects in specified age groups (4-6, 9-12, 16-20 years) were enrolled, who had completed vaccination during infancy, including a minimum of three doses of HB vaccine, and received no other dose of HB vaccination after infancy. Serum samples of subjects were used for measuring anti-Hbs titers (quantitative), anti-Hbc, and HbsAg (qualitative) by standard commercial ELISA kits. Anti-Hbs antibody titers >10 mIU/ml WHO was considered as protective.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 79 subjects (M:F=48:31) were enrolled from three age groups. When tested for anti-HB antibodies in these subjects aged 4-6, 9-12, and 16-20 years, 82.7%, 73.7%, and 55% had antibodies in the protective range, respectively. This gradual decline with increasing age was also noticed in GMTs, which were 33.6, 20.9, and 19.9 mIU/mL, respectively. Out of the total subjects enrolled, 16 (20.2%) developed a subclinical natural infection shown by the presence of anti-HBc antibodies. Despite the decrease in titers of anti-HBs antibodies, such individuals remain protected against clinical illness and chronic HB virus infection upon exposure to the virus, as all of them were negative for HBsAg.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our study shows that quite a good number of subjects developed subclinical natural infection even after primary hepatitis-B vaccination in infancy. All of them were subclinical infections, which the body could clear off, as none was HBsAg positive. Despite the disappearance of anti-HBs, such immunized individuals remain protected against clinical illness and chronic HBV infection upon exposure to the virus.</div><div>Experts and most available guidelines stress upon high-risk people (including HCWs) to document postvaccination serological testing of anti-HB antibodies to ensure vaccine uptake. Once they have documented evidence of immunological response to the vaccine, they don't need regular boosters for hepatitis B in the future, even if their protective titers go down, because of immunological memory and the long incubation period of HBV infection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Infants who received Hepatitis-B vaccination in early infancy, when they become adults, may develop a mild in","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107449"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping the implementation challenges in a multidisciplinary antimicrobial stewardship intervention across fourteen South African neonatal units: a multi-site survey","authors":"Dr Dena Van Den Bergh , Ms Ama Anor , Ms Angeliki Messina , Ms Andriette van Jaardsveld , Prof Esmita Charani","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107395","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107395","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background/Introduction</h3><div>Limited studies report on the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in resource-limited neonatal inpatient settings. Undertaking qualitative research to better understand the contextual drivers for implementation of ASPs is increasingly recognized as means to enable sustainable stewardship programs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods & Materials</h3><div>As part of a sequential three-phase, mixed-methods, multidisciplinary, prospective neonatal stewardship interventional study in 14 South African hospitals (7 public, 7 private), we conducted a pre-intervention barriers and enablers survey (BES) to help understand the context for implementing a multidisciplinary approach to neonatal AMS. The survey included 82 potential barriers to neonatal antibiotic stewardship with a five-point rating scale and an open question on enablers. We used a purposive sampling method including neonatal unit multidisciplinary professionals and members of the hospital leadership team at each hospital. Surveys were completed anonymously via an electronic link provided and entered directly into a RedCap database system.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Responses received from 100 health professionals and leaders were equally distributed between public and private sector hospitals. There was a higher proportion of nurse respondents, and a lower proportion of clinicians (neonatologists/paediatricians) respondents from hospitals with smaller neonatal units (<30-beds). Nine of the top 14 barriers for all respondents across all professions were in the domain of personnel, related to time (55/100), workload (53/100), and insufficient staff resources (50/100). A higher proportion of private hospital respondents indicated insufficient doctor involvement (54%) and absence of an antibiotic stewardship multidisciplinary team (MDT) (33%), as important barriers, compared to public hospitals respondents (34% and 33%). Two of the most reported barriers for all respondents were in the domain of data specifically, no/insufficient data on antimicrobial use trends over time (42/100) and antimicrobial/microbiology data available, not accessible to MDT (40/100). The complexity of neonatal care in the domain of knowledge was the third highest barrier for all respondents (51/100), with a higher proportion of pharmacists indicating this as an important barrier (78%), compared to nurses (29%). The main themes from the open question on top enablers for neonatal AMS were more staff resources, better communication, and strengthening MDT collaboration.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>ASPs globally and in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as South Africa are burdened with many challenges regarding effective implementation of health interventions. Comparative data on barriers and enablers in neonatal AMS in LMICs are limited. The results of our survey provided insight into the MDT perspectives on the barriers and en","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107395"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143519657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progress on implementation of the World Health Organization global antimicrobial resistance surveillance system recommendations on antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Africa: Findings of preliminary analysis of a scoping review","authors":"Dr Mackline Hope, Dr Reuben Kiggundu, Mr Dickson Tabajjwa, Mr Fahad Lwigale, Mr Herman Mwanja, Dr Conrad Tumwine, Dr Jonathan Mayito, Dr Dathan M Byonanebye, Dr Andrew Kambugu, Dr Francis Kakooza","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107396","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107396","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, especially impacting low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) global antimicrobial resistance surveillance system (GLASS) was rolled out in 2016 to guide AMR surveillance systems. However, its implementation has not been fully evaluated. We conducted a scoping review of the current status of implementation of GLASS and present preliminary findings.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We developed a search strategy and retrieved articles conducted between January 2016 and November 2023 from four electronic databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and Embase). We followed the Arksey and O'Malley's methodological framework for scoping reviews to guide analysis and reporting. We extracted data on priority samples, pathogens, pathogen-antibiotic combinations and assessed compliance to WHO GLASS recommendations on AST and AMR surveillance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>7477 articles were identified, 6868 duplicates and irrelevant articles were removed at abstract screening, and 609 studies were included for the full-text review, of which 344 were considered for data extraction. Of the 344 studies, 38/344 (11%) were included in this analysis. Majority of studies were conducted in Eastern 50% (19/38), followed by Western 34% (13/38) and Northern 16% (6/38), Africa. 95% (36/38) of studies were conducted in hospital settings. Majority 92% (35/38) of the studies involved only one priority sample type (blood 46% (16/35); urine 32% (11/35) and stool 23% (8/35); while 8% (3/38) studies involved the collection of two priority sample types, specifically urine and blood. Of the 19 studies that focused on blood as a priority sample type, 8 (42%), 11 (58%), 13 (68%), 10 (53%), 1 (5%) and 5 (26%) recovered Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella species respectively. Shigella and Salmonella species were recovered from 6 (75%) and 7 (88%) of the 8 studies that focused on stool. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also recovered from 11 (79%) of the 14 studies that focused on urine. Compliance to GLASS priority pathogen-antibiotic combinations was 13% (1/8), 9% (1/11), 8% (1/13), 70% (7/10), and 60% (3/5) of the studies that recovered Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella species from blood respectively. 17% (1/6) and 29% (2/7) of the studies that recovered Salmonella and Shigella species from stool followed the GLASS priority pathogen-antibiotic combinations for AST. None of the studies on urine followed the GLASS-recommended pathogen-antibiotic combination.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Africa has made progress in implementing the GLASS recommendations. However, adoption of GLASS recommendations including appropriate pathogen-antibiotic combinations for priority pathogens and samples, ","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107396"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143519658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Deep Learning with Computational Methods for Dual Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Pantothenate Kinase and CTP Synthetase: A Novel Approach to Combat Multi-Drug Resistance.","authors":"Dr Prakash Jha","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107401","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107401","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Multi-drug resistance continues to pose an important threat in tuberculosis (TB) treatment, urging the development of innovative therapeutic techniques. Pantothenate kinase (PanK) and CTP synthetase PyrG are enzymes that are essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) survival. Targeting both simultaneously appears to be a potential method to develop more effective anti-TB treatments. The objective of this study intended to find prospective lead drugs that target both MtPanK and MtPyrG by combining ligand-based pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, MM-PBSA analysis, and deep learning techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The HypoGen model generation approach was used to model ligand-based pharmacophores. Pharmacophore validation comprised both internal cost function analysis and external validation with a test set of MtPanK inhibitors. A virtual screening of drug-like molecules from two databases was performed against the best pharmacophore model. Molecular docking was used on selected compounds, followed by MD simulation and MM-PBSA analysis to determine binding stability and affinity. Deep learning techniques were used to refine the pharmacophore model. In vitro investigations validated the tested compounds' antibacterial activity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The best pharmacophore model (Hypo1) had good predictive power, as validated both internally and externally. Virtual screening identified 87 compounds from DrugBank and Selleckchem, as well as 422 compounds from Otava Chemicals, for docking investigations. Nine of the 509 compounds docked demonstrated promising binding energies. MD simulation validated the complexes' stability, with RMSD, RMSF, and Rg values indicating strong interactions. According to MM-PBSA study, Lead A2 and Lead B4 are the most promising compounds, with high binding affinities to both MtPanK and MtPyrG. In vitro investigations validated the screened compounds' antibacterial activity, indicating their potential as anti-TB drugs.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The discovered compounds exhibited favourable interactions with critical residues in the active site of MtPanK and MtPyrG. The use of deep learning algorithms improved the accuracy of the pharmacophore model, resulting in the selection of potent lead compounds. The findings emphasize the lead compound ability to inhibit both enzymes simultaneously, emphasizing their importance in the fight against tuberculosis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Lead compounds, specifically Lead A2 and Lead B4, have emerged as intriguing candidates for dual inhibition of MtPanK and MtPyrG. Their significant binding affinities, stability, and demonstrated antibacterial activity point to their potential as novel anti-TB drugs. Further validation through in vivo investigations is required to thoroughly investigate their medicinal potential. This study indicates the efficacy of","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107401"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143519738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial Activity of Ceftazidime-avibactam against carbapenem-resistant non-fermenters Gram-negative bacteria: a cross-sectional study from a tertiary care hospital","authors":"Dr Farhan Rasheed","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) is an innovative combination of the non-ß-lactam ß-lactamase inhibitor avibactam and the extended-spectrum ceftazidime. This combination is effective in treating infections resulted frommultidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, the present study was done to determine the efficacy of CAZ-AVI in carbapenem-resistant against non-fermenters Gram-negative bacteria.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>The present study was done at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan over the period of 2 years. Different clinical samples were processed according to standard microbiological techniques. Confirmation of bacterial isolates was done by different biochemical tests. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done onVitek 2® automated system. CAZ-AVI sensitivity testing was performed for carbapenem-resistant isolates on Meuller Hamilton (MH) agar according to Clinical and Laboratory Standard institute (CLSI) guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CAZ-AVI was 100% sensitive in carbapenem sensitive isolates. Among non-fermenters, highest resistance against CAZ-AVI was found in Acinetobacterspp. (90.8%) while 75% resistance was observed in P. aeruginosa isolates. Maximum number of isolates were collected from wound (35%) followed by pus (16.8%).</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>In our study, 66.7% resistance was observed against CAZ-AVI among the isolates of carbapenem resistant P. aeruginosa while only 33.3% isolates were found to be susceptible. Similar to our results, reduced susceptibility rate of P. aeruginosa was also reported from several other countries. Lowest susceptibility rates were observed in Romania which was22.2%, 23.1% in Latvia/Lituania and 39.4% susceptibility rate was reported from Ukraine[19]. These results were in accordance with our findings. Contradiction to our results, a study conducted in 2018, reported only 2.9% resistance against CAZ-AVI among P. aeruginosa isolates but the isolates were carbapenem sensitive[20].However, several other studies reported higher resistance rates of 50.9% and 48.2% especially when the isolates were extensively drug resistant or resistant to carbapenems respectively[21]. Moreover, it was also found that MBL-positive isolates also showed >95% resistance rate against ceftazidime-avibactam[22, 23].</div><div>Our study reported 74.7% resistance in A. baumanii against CAZ-AVI, consistent to our results, a study conducted by Sader et al in 2015 reported 68.8% resistance of CAZ-AVI in Acinetobacter isolates. Higher resistance was observed in isolates collected from intensive care units (ICUs) which was 73.6%[24].Moreover, MDR and blaOXA-51 gene carrying isolates were found to be completely resistant against CAZ- AVI[25]. Another study conducted on cancer patients reported 57.1% resistance of Acinetobacter spp. against CAZ-AVI. Likewise, several other antimicrobial agents were found to be of moder","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107392"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing Antimicrobial Stewardship: A Survey of Distribution Practices in Dispensaries in Ghana","authors":"Ms Hannah Greene ,&nbsp;Dr. Kinga Makovi ,&nbsp;Rafiatu Abdul-Mumin ,&nbsp;Dr. Akhil Bansal ,&nbsp;Dr. Jemima Frimpong","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The extent of antimicrobial stewardship practices remains uncertain in Ghana, a context where health care frequently takes place at the community level, and in private sector entities. Private medicine vendors have previously been identified as disproportionate drivers of antimicrobial misuse fueling the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogen outbreaks. This study sought to assess antimicrobial distribution in dispensaries in Accra, Ghana, to determine patterns in risk for antimicrobial misuse.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A 72-question survey questionnaire explored the backgrounds, behaviors, and medicine dispensation patterns of dispensaries’ staff (shopkeepers). The survey also assessed economic indicators of the surrounding community, alongside an inventory of sales trends, prices, medications, and neighborhood-level socioeconomic condition. The survey was conducted with 83 pharmacies and chemical shops.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We found that the type of medication most relied upon varied by location. The frequency of antibiotic and antimalarial sales varied widely, with average estimates that antibiotics represented 27% of sales in pharmacies. A majority of respondents asserted that medical decision-making is primarily navigated based on the amount of money on hand for a customer. Shopkeepers exercised a variety of strategies to respond to customers' insufficient funds, the most central of which was a practice of offering progressively lower-cost, generic-brand medicines. Misuse of antimicrobials appears to be relatively limited, but may still occur via over-prescription, unqualified dispensing practices, and the use of subtherapeutic quantities of antibiotics. Over 50% reported occasionally selling incomplete treatment courses to customers unable to pay for an entire course at once.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Respondents revealed an overall intention to judiciously guard antibiotics, but a lack of systemic interventions, given competing forces. Key findings suggested that middle-income neighborhoods faced the highest risk of antimicrobial overuse, driven by patient-level expectations, mixed economic access, and weaker stewardship practices by shopkeepers. The findings of this study offer a more recent and detailed outlook on antimicrobial use than prior works in this context.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Shopkeepers' understanding of clients' preferences and disincentives for purchase can inform interventions in the scope of user behaviors. Expanding the diagnostic, health surveillance, and treatment capacity of shopkeepers shows promise for public health interventions seeking to improve stewardship of antimicrobials at the community level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107393"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deadly dengue epidemic outbreak in Burkina Faso in 2023","authors":"Dr Armel Poda ,&nbsp;Dr Léa Da ,&nbsp;Dr Dogpèponé Somé ,&nbsp;Dr Jacques Zoungrana ,&nbsp;Dr Mahamoudou Savadogo ,&nbsp;Dr Ismael Diallo ,&nbsp;Dr Arnaud Diendéré ,&nbsp;Dr Arsène Ouédraogo ,&nbsp;Dr Thérèse Kagoné ,&nbsp;Dr Rodrigue Diao ,&nbsp;Dr Joseph Soubeiga ,&nbsp;Dr Hamed Ouédraogo ,&nbsp;Dr Issa Ouédraogo ,&nbsp;Dr Abdoul-Salam Ouédraogo ,&nbsp;Dr Hervé Hien","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107420","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107420","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Since the 2016-2017 dengue outbreak in Burkina Faso, dengue has become endemic in our country. In epidemiological week no. 29 of 2023, the Hauts-Bassins health region recorded an unusual increase in the number of dengue cases compared to the same period in 2021 and 2022. The outbreak then spread to the whole country. This work aims to describe this epidemic outbreak in Burkina Faso, particularly in the Hauts-Bassins region.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This was a descriptive study for the year 2023. Data were collected from situation reports from the different health structures of the Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In week 52 of 2023, 154,867 suspected cases of dengue fever were reported in Burkina Faso with 70,433 probable cases and 709 deaths (0.4%). The central regions (capital) and the upper basins (second largest city) were the most affected with 56.50% and 24% of cases, respectively. The peak of the epidemic was reached in the central region at week 44-45 with 5,110 cases and at week 47 for the upper basins region with 1,453 cases reported. The Hauts-Bassins region reported 228 deaths, or 32.15% of dengue-associated deaths during the epidemic, with 3,601 hospitalized cases and a case fatality rate of 1.6%. Out of 3017 samples analysed in the laboratory, there were 218 dengue IgM positive, 883 dengue RT-PCR positive (78.8% DEN3 serotypes, 17.1% DEN1 serotypes, 0.45% DEN2 serotypes). Four cases of DEN1+DEN2 coinfection and 5 cases of DEN1+DEN3 coinfection were found.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This is the first time in Burkina Faso and the sub-region to have such a significant outbreak with more than 100,000 cases of dengue and so many deaths. During the 2016-2017 outbreak, the predominant circulating serotype was DEN2, versus DEN3 in this epidemic. These data are surely underestimated because of under-reporting, difficulties in accessing diagnostic tests, and also because of the use of traditional medicine by some patients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This is the largest known dengue epidemic in Burkina Faso with significant lethality. More in-depth studies should make it possible to understand the causes of the outbreak of the epidemic and the causes of its severity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107420"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plasmid profile analysis of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from the beef production chain","authors":"Dr Libby Onyeka,&nbsp;Prof Abiodun Adesiyun,&nbsp;Prof Karen Keddy,&nbsp;Prof Peter Thompson","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107425","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107425","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Resistance plasmids play a vital role in the tranmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from animals to humans through the food chain. Thus food contamination at various production points have served as portal of entry for plasmid mediated resistance to humans. However, there is a dearth of data on the level of contamination at various production points in the Gauteng region. In this study, therefore, E. coli isolates originating from the beef production chain were assessed for their plasmid content and to determine the distribution of incompatibility (Inc) groups and associated antibiotic resistance along the beef production chain in the Gauteng region, South Africa.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods and Materials&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;E. coli isolates in this study were obtained in Gauteng province, South Africa, during 2015-2017 from three sources; cattle feedlot (faeces), beef abattoirs (carcass swabs, environment, faeces) and retail outlets (raw beef and ready to eat (RTE) beef products). Whole genome sequencing on MiSeq-illumina platform was used to sequence the isolates, Plasmidfinder for in silico detection and typing of plasmids of E. coli and Resfinder database for antimicrobial resistance genes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A total of 242 plasmids were identifed in genomes of 79 isolates recovered from the beef production chain, of which 43.8%(106) originated from the feedlot, 33.8%(82) abatoir and 22.4%(55) from retail outlets. A larger percentage of the plasmids belonged to the IncF group (61.2%;148), follwed by Colicinogenic (Col) plasmids (20.7%;50) and IncX (5%;12). Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col stood out because they were found across the entire beef production chain. We identified 215 ARGs belonging to 8 antibiotic classes, of which macrolide and tetracycline (38.1%; 82) ranked top, followed by amynoglycosides (10.2%;22) and beta-lactamases (1.4%;3) the lowest. Two isolates were notable; faecal isolate (GdH35-2) from the abattoir haboured ten plasmids and nine ARG's, and retail isolate SSL5_1, five plamids and nine ARGs.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In this study, Inc F, Q, X, B/O/K/Z, p0111 and Col plasmid groups were detected across the entire beef production chain, of which IncF-groups (61.2%;148/242) had the highest frequency. This observation have multiple public health implications, as it confirms the presence of food-borne plasmids in the beef chain in the region, moreso, these plasmid represents reservoirs of resistance genes which increases the likelihood of genetic transfer. Furthermore, the high occurrence of tetracycline (mostly plasmid-mediated) and macrolide resistance genes reflects the misuse of antibiotics in the livestock industry in the study area.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study provides evidence of food-borne plasmids in the beef production chain in the Gauteng province, and its far-reaching public health implications. Given the livestock-human l","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107425"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PD-1/PD-L1 Axis Downregulation in Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Potential Mechanism Driving the Autoimmune Pathogenesis","authors":"Mr Rasel Ahmed,&nbsp;Mrs Israt Jahan,&nbsp;Mrs Pritha Biswash,&nbsp;Miss Mehjabeen Haque,&nbsp;Miss Sarah Khurshid,&nbsp;Mr Jigishu Ahmed,&nbsp;Mr Sayed Akib Hossain,&nbsp;Dr Zhahirul Islam","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107413","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107413","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by progressive muscle weakness, is often triggered by Campylobacter jejuni infection. Molecular mimicry between C. jejuni's lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS) and host nerve gangliosides likely initiates this heterogenic disorder. Besides microbial factors, the host's immune response may play a crucial role in GBS pathogenesis. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway regulates T-cell differentiation, maintaining immune equilibrium. This study aims to compare PD-1/PD-L1 gene expression in GBS patients and healthy controls (HCs) and explore its correlation with regulatory/helper T-cell response in GBS.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In this prospective study, 30 patients with GBS and 30 HCs were included. We isolated total RNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and performed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to assess PD-1/PD-L1 gene expression and analyzed via the 2−ΔΔCT method. Flow cytometry was performed to measure the regulatory T cells (Tregs) and helper-T-17 cells using CD4, CD25, FoxP3, and IL-17 antibodies. Mann-Whitney t-tests and simple linear regression were done to compare the PD-1/PD-L1 gene expression and their correlation with T-cell subsets.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In this cohort, the median age of GBS patients was 31 years (IQR:18-43), where 22 patients were male. Twenty-one patients were reported with antecedent events, primarily diarrhea (n=10), followed by fever (n=6), and common cold (n=5). Twenty-seven patients experienced severe clinical symptoms with a GBS-disability score ≥3, among them 14 required mechanical ventilation and 10 exhibited autonomic dysfunction. A significant downregulation of PD-1 (median difference = 0.5135, p = 0.0001) and PD-L1 (median difference= 0.5812, p&lt; 0.0001) was found in patients with GBS compared to HCs. CD4+CD25+ Tregs (6.16% vs. 8.232%; p= 0.007) and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs (3.21% vs. 4.508%; p= 0.015) were significantly reduced in acute GBS, whereas Th17 cells elevated in acute phase (p= 0.044) compared to HCs. Correlation analysis revealed that decreased relative expression of PD-1 (r, p= 0.503, 0.003 and r, p= 0.334, 0.015) and PD-L1 (r, p= 0.352, 0.020 and r, p= 0.306, 0.021) was associated with lower levels of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs in GBS. However, no correlation was found between the regulation of PD-1/PD-L1 gene expression and Th17 cell levels in GBS.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study highlights the downregulation of the PD-1/PD-L1 gene is involved in breaching of immune homeostasis by reducing CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ regulatory-T cells. This aligned with prior research, which hinted that PD-1/PD-L1′s influences on immune tolerance and plays a potential role in autoimmune diseases via Treg function regulation. Further investigation with a larger sample size with different time points is warranted to","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107413"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole genome analysis reveals the major pathotypes and predominant antimicrobial resistance genes in Escherichia coli strains from India","authors":"Dr Punit Kaur ,&nbsp;Dr. Priyanka Sharma ,&nbsp;Dr Arti Kapil","doi":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107417","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107417","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Escherichia coli is one of the leading causes of infectious diseases worldwide and the emergence of multi-drug resistant phenotypes in developing countries has raised concern. The present study concerns the prediction of predominant pathotypes, sequence types and pan-genome analysis of Escherichia coli clinical isolates from India.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;A total of 100 strains of E. coli were selected for WGS analysis from different clinical samples. Whole genome sequencing was undertaken using MiSeq followed by read quality analysis, trimming and de novo assembly using FastQC, Trimmomatic and Spades respectively. Pan-Genome analysis was performed using Roary and phylogenetic tree was visualised in iTOL. The SNP prediction was done with Snippy and analysed using gubbin tool. The assembled contigs were used to BLAST against CARD, PlasmidFinder and VRDB databases to identify various resistance markers, plasmid types and virulence genes. WGS data was also used to perform in silico serotyping using the ECTyper tool.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The phenotypic antimicrobial resistance to third generation cephalosporins was 82.1% (193/235) whereas 169 (71.9%) strains were found to be resistant to amikacin. The WGS analysis revealed the presence of one to 61 resistance genes per strain. The most prevalent resistance mechanism was beta-lactamases, which included blaCTX-M-15 149/235 (63%), and blaTEM-1B 117/235 (50%). Sulphonamide resistance genes were detected in 45.8% of the isolates, wherein two were commonly known transferable resistance conferring genes, sul1 (72%), and Sul2 (78%). Trimethoprim resistance genes were observed in 48% of the isolates and they are predominantly dfrA genes (dfrA12, dfrA17, dfrA1, dfrA14 and dfrA7). Tetracycline resistance genes were seen in 70.8% of the isolates. The most prevalent tetracycline resistance genes were tet(A) (37%) and tet(B) (32%) and tet (j) (8%). Overall, 56 different types of plasmids were observed and the most common plasmid types included IncFIA (83%) followed by Col(BS512) (49%) and Col156 (24%). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis revealed high levels of species diversity with a total of 52 different sequence types (STs). The dominant sequence type was ST167 (31/235), followed by ST131 (29/235) and ST405 (18/235).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The increased affordability and accessibility of whole genome sequencing (WGS) have made it a widely used tool in bacterial research as well as clinical diagnostics. Our results reveal the good efficacy of in silico analysis to determine antimicrobial resistance and pathotypes in E.coli clinical isolates. Despite genetic diversity amongst the isolated strains, the phylogenetic tree was able to diffusely group the strains belonging to different antimicrobial resistance phenotypes.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;WGS provides comprehensive insights into various aspects of pathogen behav","PeriodicalId":14006,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Infectious Diseases","volume":"152 ","pages":"Article 107417"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143520777","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}