Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health最新文献

{"title":"Assessing the Quality of World Health Organisation Guidelines during Health Emergencies: A Domain-Based Analysis.","authors":"Bernard Ayine, Cornelius Fuumaale Suom-Kogle","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00461-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00461-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Effective response during global health emergencies hinges on the quality of guidelines provided by authoritative organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO). This study assessed the quality of WHO emergency guidelines disseminated through the Disease Outbreak News (DONs) platform between 2023 and 2024 to identify strengths and weaknesses across established quality domains.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 115 WHO guidelines issued within DONs were analysed using the AGREE II framework, which evaluates six domains: Scope and Purpose; Stakeholder Involvement; Rigour of Development; Clarity of Presentation; Applicability, and Editorial Independence. Descriptive statistics and one-way repeated measures ANOVA were conducted to determine significant differences among domain scores.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed statistically significant differences across domains, F(2.40, 552.34) = 739.09, p < .001, ηp² = 0.866. The highest mean scores were recorded for Scope and Purpose (M = 6.46) and Clarity of Presentation (M = 6.27), indicating strengths in goal articulation and user accessibility. Conversely, Editorial Independence (M = 2.74) and Rigour of Development (M = 3.26) scored the lowest, pointing to persistent gaps in transparency and methodological robustness.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>While WHO guidelines during emergencies perform well in clarity and scope, critical weaknesses remain in transparency, stakeholder engagement, and methodological rigour. These findings indicate the need for more balanced and inclusive guideline development processes to enhance trust and utility during public health emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"117"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12514109/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145274839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trends and Disparities in Stroke Mortality Among Adults with Hyperlipidemia in the United States, 1999-2023.","authors":"Muhammad Ahmed, Shaheer Bin Shafiq, Junaid Razzak, Khubaib Tariq Mansoor, Muhammad Abdullah Naveed, Ahila Ali, Muhammad Shaheer Bin Faheem, Sumaya Samadi, Himaja Dutt Chigurupati, Sivaram Neppala","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00453-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00453-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S., with mortality trends influenced by hyperlipidemia, a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease that can lead to ischemic stroke. This analysis examines stroke-related mortality in hyperlipidemia among adults aged 25 and older from 1999 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis of CDC WONDER investigated trends in mortality from Stroke (ICD codes: I60-I69) among Hyperlipidemia patients (ICD codes: E78.0, E78.1, E78.3, E78.4, E78.5) aged 25 and older. Joinpoint regression analysis calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per 100,000 individuals, annual percentage changes (APC), Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC), and 95% confidence intervals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Between 1999 and 2023, stroke and hyperlipidemia caused 241,308 deaths, with AAMRs of 1.38 in 1999 and 7.46 in 2023, an AAPC of + 7.16 (95% CI: 6.66 to 8.52). Adult men had higher AAMRs than women, with increases for both sexes [AAPC: + 7.20 vs. + 7.10; p < 0.001]. Black individuals had the highest AAMRs, followed by Hispanics. AAMR rose for all races, notably for Blacks/African Americans (AAPC: + 8.63%) and adults aged 65 and above (AAPC: + 7.35%). Northeast regions have the highest AAMRs, with the Midwest showing the most significant rise (AAPC: + 7.86%). AAMRs varied by state, from 2.0 in Georgia to 9.43 in Vermont in 2023. Non-metropolitan areas had higher AAMRs (4.31) than metropolitan areas (3.54).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This analysis reveals significant demographic and racial disparities in Stroke mortality among U.S. adults with Hyperlipidemia, which highlights the urgent need for targeted, equity-focused interventions to address these disparities.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"116"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12514083/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145274833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility and Acceptability of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination in Mothers for Infant Protection at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, the Gambia.","authors":"Isatou Jasseh, Muhammed Manka, Samuel Mendy, Ousman Bajinka, Lamin Makalo","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00467-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00467-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) represents a predominant etiological agent of severe acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) among infants and young children in The Gambia, contributing substantially to seasonal peaks in paediatric hospitalizations and mortality during the annual rainy season [1-3]. Despite recent global approvals of maternal RSV vaccines, their operational feasibility and sociocultural acceptability in resource-constrained settings remain inadequately characterized. This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study evaluated these parameters among 179 antenatal and lactating mothers attending Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) between June and August 2025, utilizing structured questionnaires complemented by qualitative insights from healthcare providers. Findings revealed critically deficient maternal awareness of RSV: merely 12.8% of participants acknowledged familiarity with the virus, and only 10.6% recognized its potential for life-threatening infant respiratory disease. Healthcare workers constituted the primary information source (82.6%). Paradoxically, willingness to accept maternal RSV vaccination was elevated (81.6% during pregnancy; 74.9% during lactation), predominantly motivated by trust in clinical recommendations. Primary barriers included safety apprehensions (88.8%), vaccine unavailability (41.9%), and limited awareness (79.3%). Multiparity significantly correlated with gestational vaccine acceptance (p = 0.004), while tertiary education predicted RSV awareness (p = 0.022). Hospital-based administration was preferred (88.3%). This study concludes that while maternal RSV vaccination is broadly acceptable in The Gambia, profound knowledge deficits and systemic impediments especially safety concerns and supply chain limitations compromise feasibility. Programmatic success necessitates integration into antenatal care (ANC) frameworks, provider-driven education initiatives, and fortified cold chain logistics. These evidence-based insights offer actionable guidance for policymakers developing context-specific maternal immunization strategies to mitigate infant RSV burden in analogous low-resource settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"118"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12514080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145274864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Return of MenW: Religious Mass Gatherings as Global Catalysts for Meningococcal Spread.","authors":"Jaffar A Al-Tawfiq, Ziad A Memish","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00463-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00463-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"115"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12420526/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145023446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"National Update on Healthcare-Associated Infections in Iran for 2023-Based on the Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (INIS) System.","authors":"Arash Seifi, Mohammad Zeinali, Kianoush Kamali, Shirin Afhami, Marjan Rahnamaye-Farzami, Ronak Miladi, Maryam Shafaati","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00462-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00462-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a serious threat to healthcare systems. Accurately determining the incidence of HCAIs is crucial for planning and implementing efficient interventions, as they are associated with a wide range of challenges. The objective of this study was to assess and update the incidence rates of HCAIs in Iran in 2023, using data from the Iranian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (INIS) system, a nationwide hospital-based surveillance program.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Iranian Center for Communicable Diseases Control (ICDC) evaluated data from 1,066 hospitals using the INIS software. Hospitals' trained infection control staff collected all information and entered it into the INIS. HCAIs were diagnosed based on the CDC/NHSN case definition criteria. We calculated incidence rate (per 100 admissions and per 1,000 patient-days).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We reported 170,948 HCAIs among 11,043,373 hospitalized patients, with an incidence rate of 4.95 per 1,000 patient-days, and the crude mortality rate of 19.85%. Looking at the relative frequencies, Pneumonia was the most frequent infection (28.32%), followed by urinary tract infections (UTIs) (26.6%), and surgical site infections (SSIs) (21.85%). HCAI rates were highest in intensive care units (ICUs), transplant wards, and burn units, with major surgeries like cardiovascular, neurosurgeries, and orthopedics having the highest SSI rates. The most common microorganisms were Klebsiella spp. (16.56%) and E. coli (14.6%), with high proportions of multidrug-resistance (MDR) including MRSA (43.2%), VRE (65.24%), and KPC (74.21%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study reveals a high incidence of HCAIs in Iranian hospitals in 2023, with pneumonia, UTIs, and SSIs being most common. The high proportion of MDR pathogens underscores the need for enhanced infection control, antibiotic stewardship program, and continuous staff education to reduce HCAIs and improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"114"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12420528/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145023430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medium-Term Lag-Response Associations Between PM₁₀ Exposure and All-Cause Mortality in Valencia and London: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study.","authors":"Bin Zhou, Katrin Gohlsch, Surendra Ranpal, Jiancong Wang, Christoph Knote","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00459-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s44197-025-00459-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Air pollution is among the top five environmental risk factors for human health worldwide. However, our understanding of the physiological responses to PM₁₀ exposure over medium-term lag periods remains limited. This study aims to examine the medium-term lag-response associations-using lagging time windows of up to 21 days-between PM₁₀ exposure and all-cause mortality in Valencia and London from 2002 to 2006.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used a time-stratified case-crossover design; building on the methodologies of Tobias et al. and Bhaskaran et al., we applied a fixed-effects conditional quasi-Poisson regression model to quantify the association between PM₁₀ exposure and all-cause mortality. We also analyzed three different temporal lag methodological models for the exposure-mortality relationships.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found distinct differences in the relative risk (RR) patterns of PM₁₀ exposure and all-cause mortality. In Valencia, the RR varied significantly, with confidence intervals that were wider than in London, where the RR remained more stable, fluctuating closely around 1. Significant associations were observed at early lag periods in both cities, consistent with Tobias et al. Notably, Valencia showed a significant peak in RR at lag 14, which was not observed in London. Subgroup analysis in Valencia also indicated delayed effects in younger populations. Scenario 3 (cumulative lag model) is conceptually closer to the cumulative progression of health risks associated with PM₁₀ exposure and produces higher RR estimates compared to Scenario 1 and 2.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the critical importance of addressing medium-term lag-response associations and methodological variations in environmental epidemiology. The findings have important clinical and public health implications and offer insights for risk assessment, healthcare planning, and the development of policies to mitigate the health impacts of PM₁₀ exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"113"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12398449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution and Surgical Treatment of Corneal Dystrophies Over Eight Decades (1945-2024): An Analysis of Histopathologically Confirmed Cases from a German Center.","authors":"Othmane Touirssa, Philip Maier, Daniel Boehringer, Claudia Auw-Haedrich, Mateusz Glegola, Thomas Reinhard, Simone Nuessle","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00458-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00458-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Corneal dystrophies are inherited disorders that can lead to significant visual impairment and often require surgical intervention in advanced stages. Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is the most frequently diagnosed type in Western countries and remains a leading global indication for corneal transplantation. In contrast, non-Fuchs dystrophies represent a diverse group of less common entities, each with distinct clinical features, surgical considerations, and regional variations in incidence and management. Despite their relevance, long-term data on the full spectrum of corneal dystrophies remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and temporal trends in dystrophy types and associated surgical procedures over eight decades at a tertiary referral center in Germany.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective analysis included 3 827 histopathologically confirmed corneal dystrophy specimens identified from an archive of 58 150 ophthalmic specimens collected between 1945 and 2024. Extracted data included dystrophy type, patient age at surgery, sex assigned at birth and associated surgical procedures. Distribution and temporal trends were analyzed descriptively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FECD accounted for 90.3% (n = 3 455) of all cases, with a more than 15-fold increase in annual cases between 2003 and 2024. Its surgical management transitioned from exclusive use of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) to posterior lamellar keratoplasty in over 99% of cases by 2024. Among non-Fuchs dystrophies (n = 372), granular (21.2%), macular (17.5%), and lattice dystrophy (17.2%) were most frequent. These exhibited greater surgical variability, reflecting their heterogeneity across 21 non-Fuchs dystrophy types in this study. Stromal and epithelial-stromal dystrophies were predominantly managed with PKP, whereas superficial epithelial and basement membrane dystrophies were increasingly treated with phototherapeutic or manual superficial keratectomy. Limbo-keratoplasty was introduced in the early 2000s for recurrent subepithelial and epithelial-stromal types.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study provides unique insights into the type distribution and surgical management of corneal dystrophies over eight decades in a German center, encompassing nearly all IC3D-classified entities. The marked increase in FECD specimen numbers and the shift toward lamellar keratoplasty reflect evolving clinical practices and rising demand on corneal transplantation services. The broader clinical spectrum and procedural diversity among non-Fuchs dystrophies underscore the ongoing need for pathology-specific management strategies tailored to population-specific needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12394727/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Yemen's Malaria Crisis and its Implications for the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Countries.","authors":"Shahul H Ebrahim, Muna Al-Maslamani, Farida Al-Hosani, Saif Al-Abri, Manaf Alqahtani, Barrak Alahmad, Simon Bland, Ziad Memish","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00457-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00457-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"111"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12381340/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Distribution and Evolutionary Trends of Scrub Typhus in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2023.","authors":"Xiaoqing Cheng, Lei Xu, Weili Kang, Xuefeng Zhang, Wenxin Gu, Changjun Bao, Peiling Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00450-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00450-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to analyze the epidemiological characteristics, spatial and temporal distribution patterns, and trends in the evolution of scrub typhus (ST) in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2023. Scrub typhus was chosen for this study due to its increasing incidence in Jiangsu Province, its substantial health burden on rural populations, and its relevance as a vector-borne disease influenced by environmental and seasonal factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data on ST cases in Jiangsu Province from 2006 to 2023 were obtained from the China Disease Control and Prevention Information System. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the overall epidemiological trends. Spatial autocorrelation analysis (Global and Local Moran's I) assessed the overall and local distribution patterns of ST cases. while spatial-temporal hotspot analysis identified regions with significant clustering of cases over time, providing insights into potential high-risk areas.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 16,998 ST cases were reported in Jiangsu Province, with an average annual incidence rate of 1.13 per 100,000. The gender distribution showed a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.20. The ages of affected individuals ranged from 3 months to 97 years, with a mean age of 60 years. Farmers represented the largest occupational group, accounting for 84.68% of the cases. The incidence rate showed a significant upward trend (χ²trend = 8484.517, p < 0.001). Peak incidence occurred primarily between October and November. The global Moran's I index ranged from 0.071 to 0.345. Local autocorrelation analysis revealed that Yancheng and Nantong cities were high-high clustering areas. Spatial-temporal hotspot analysis revealed that hotspots were predominantly located in the northern and central regions of Jiangsu, while the southern region was identified as a cold spot. These hotspots displayed oscillating patterns, with new hotspots emerging in specific areas. Standard deviation ellipse analysis indicated that the epidemic spread continued to expand along the north-south axis, while the east-west axis showed relative stability. Spatial-temporal scanning analysis identified four high-incidence spatial-temporal clustering zones.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The incidence of ST in Jiangsu Province exhibited a significant upward trend, with distinct seasonal peaks between October and November. The epidemic demonstrated a pronounced transmission along the north-south axis, spatial-temporal clustering, and a shifting center of gravity. It is recommended to strengthen surveillance in high-risk areas and implement targeted prevention and control measures during high-risk seasons, particularly for vulnerable populations, to effectively curb the spread of the epidemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"110"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12378859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the Future of Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis: The Transformative Role of Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing in Culture-Negative Cases.","authors":"Shafiu A Umar Shinge, Binbin Zhang, Baixin Zheng, Yongjia Qiang, Hussein M Ali, Youmbi T Vanessa Melchiade, Lu Zhang, Minnan Gao, Guibin Feng, Kuan Zeng, Yanqi Yang","doi":"10.1007/s44197-025-00455-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00455-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Culture-negative infective endocarditis (CNE) remains a significant diagnostic challenge in cardiology and infectious disease, often leading to delayed or empirical treatment. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has emerged as a complementary diagnostic tool capable of identifying fastidious, unexpected, or novel pathogens without prior assumptions. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from 152 studies (2015-2024), evaluating mNGS within existing diagnostic frameworks for culture-negative IE. Compared to conventional diagnostics (blood cultures, PCR, 16 S rRNA sequencing), mNGS demonstrates enhanced detection capabilities for polymicrobial infections and rare pathogens, though methodological heterogeneity across studies precludes definitive performance comparisons. Performance varies substantially based on sample type, sequencing platform, and bioinformatic pipelines. Real-world applications reveal persistent challenges, including cost barriers, interpretive complexities in low-biomass samples, and contamination risks. Integration with host-response biomarkers and AI-driven interpretation platforms shows promise for advancing clinical utility. For mNGS to be effectively integrated into routine CNE care, standardization, regulatory clarity, and equitable implementation will be essential.</p>","PeriodicalId":15796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health","volume":"15 1","pages":"108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12373624/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144956649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}