Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Encephalitis-predominant Nipah virus outbreaks in Kerala, India during 2024","authors":"Rima R. Sahay ,&nbsp;Deepak Y. Patil ,&nbsp;Shubin Chenayil ,&nbsp;Anita M. Shete ,&nbsp;Kannan Sabarinath PS ,&nbsp;Sreelekshmy Mohandas ,&nbsp;R. Balasubramanian ,&nbsp;Satish Gaikwad ,&nbsp;Siba S ,&nbsp;Arun Thachappully Remesh ,&nbsp;Pankaj Singh ,&nbsp;Lekshmi S. Rajan ,&nbsp;Pragya D. Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus with significant public health concern. Since 2018, Kerala, India, has experienced NiV outbreaks with variable clinical manifestations ranging from acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recently, we observed two NiV outbreaks in Malappuram, Kerala, India during 2024, with AES as the predominant clinical manifestation in July and September 2024. Among all close contacts screened no secondary transmission of NiV was observed. The data from NiV outbreaks of Kerala state indicated that AES-predominant outbreaks (2019, 2021, and 2024) had shown no human-to-human transmission compared to ARDS-predominant outbreaks (2001, 2007, 2018, and 2023). Early detection, efficient containment, and improved surveillance were important measures in preventing secondary transmission. The two spill over events of NiV in 2024 reiterates the need for enhancing the surveillance of NiV among ARDS cases for timely case management and containment of the outbreak. In view of this, a network of seventeen Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) was established for surveillance of severe acute respiratory illnesses in West Bengal and Kerala states of India. The continued public health preparedness and community awareness would help to prevent future outbreaks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102782"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The spread of the Delta variant in Catalonia during summer 2021: Modelling and interpretation","authors":"Benjamin Steinegger ,&nbsp;Giulio Burgio ,&nbsp;Piergiorgio Castioni ,&nbsp;Clara Granell ,&nbsp;Alex Arenas","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102771","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants has posed significant challenges to public health efforts worldwide. During the summer of 2021, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) rapidly displaced the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) in Catalonia, Spain, leading to a resurgence in infections despite ongoing vaccination campaigns. Understanding the epidemiological drivers of this outbreak is critical for refining future mitigation strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We employed a Bayesian age-stratified epidemiological model, incorporating vaccination status and variant-specific transmission dynamics, to analyze the outbreak in Catalonia. The model was calibrated using daily reported cases, hospitalizations, sequencing data, and vaccination coverage across age groups. We inferred contact patterns dynamically to assess their role in the epidemic resurgence and estimated the transmission advantage of the Delta variant over Alpha.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our analysis revealed that increased social interactions among younger, less vaccinated populations significantly contributed to the surge in infections. The long weekend of Sant Joan (June 23–24) coincided with a peak in contact rates, driving a rise in the reproduction number, particularly among individuals aged 20–29. We estimated that the Delta variant had a 40–60.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings underscore the critical role of vaccination coverage in mitigating the impact of emerging variants. The combination of increased social interactions and uneven vaccine distribution exacerbated the Delta-driven resurgence. NPIs alone proved insufficient in controlling transmission, highlighting the necessity of targeted vaccination strategies to achieve robust epidemic control. This study provides a framework for assessing future variant-specific threats and informing tailored public health interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102771"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143863607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"COVID-19＆depression: New and detailed evidence from NHANES","authors":"Hongxuan Fan ,&nbsp;Zhaoyu Ren ,&nbsp;Ping Zhang ,&nbsp;Boda Zhou","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to investigate the changes in depression prevalence among American adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Data were acquired from three cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2017 to 2023. The 2017–2020 cycles were classified as pre-pandemic by the National Center for Health Statistics, while the 2021–2023 cycle was regarded as pandemic and post-pandemic. Adult participants aged 20 years and older with complete data from the PHQ-9 assessment were included. The prevalence of depression among American adults increased from 8.45 % pre-pandemic to 12.20 % during and after the pandemic. Stratified by age, the prevalence of depression was significantly higher during and after the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period in 20–39 years (Prevalence: 16.56 %, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001). Following the pandemic, the prevalence of depression among American adults has significantly increased. The most significant increase was observed in the younger age group of 20–39 years.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102770"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative bibliometric analysis of highly cited monkeypox research in general and specialized infectious disease journals: Dissecting trends, collaborations, and impact","authors":"Rui-Xuan Li ,&nbsp;Zhi-Xin Li ,&nbsp;Yu-Yue Shen ,&nbsp;Jia-Jie Guo ,&nbsp;Yue Liu ,&nbsp;Jia-Yu Cai ,&nbsp;Bin-Bin Xiang ,&nbsp;Xin-Rong Ye ,&nbsp;Xu-Guang Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102769","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102769","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study employs bibliometric methods to analyze global publication trends in monkeypox (MPX) research from 2022 to 2024. Using the Web of Science Core Collection database, we identified the top 100 cited articles from all journals and infectious disease specialty journals. The United States and the United Kingdom were the most productive countries, with significant contributions from African nations like Nigeria. Key institutions included the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of London. Research focused on virus transmission, clinical manifestations, and treatments, especially vaccines and antiviral strategies after MPX was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Our findings offer micro-level insights into biological mechanisms and targeted therapies, as well as macro-level perspectives on international collaboration and policy impact. These results are essential for guiding future diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102769"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143874222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on seasonal infectious disease outbreak detection using hybrid SARIMAX-LSTM model","authors":"Geunsoo Jang ,&nbsp;Jeonghwa Seo ,&nbsp;Hyojung Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102772","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102772","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study estimates the incidence of seasonal infectious diseases, including influenza, norovirus, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and tsutsugamushi disease, in the Republic of Korea from 2005 to 2023. It also examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their transmission patterns.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We employed the Seasonal AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average with eXogenous variables (SARIMAX) model, long short-term memory (LSTM) neural networks, and a hybrid SARIMAX-LSTM model to predict disease incidence and identify outbreak periods. Meteorological data were incorporated into the models, and change point detection (CPD) was used to identify shifts in outbreak trends. Model predictions were compared with actual data to evaluate the influence of COVID-19 on disease incidence.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The incidence of influenza and norovirus was significantly affected by COVID-19, whereas SFTS and tsutsugamushi disease showed no substantial changes. Influenza did not return to pre-pandemic levels post-COVID-19, while norovirus incidence reverted to previous patterns. Despite a decrease in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases during the pandemic, predictive models indicated a potential resurgence of outbreaks.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings highlight the need for tailored public health strategies for each disease. Early detection and timely interventions are essential for reducing healthcare burdens and improving health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102772"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143848062","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The efficacy and safety of vonoprazan-based high-dose dual therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Ming-ming Zhang ,&nbsp;Mei-ding Wang ,&nbsp;Shi-yu Yang ,&nbsp;Jia-qiang Hu ,&nbsp;Bao-qiang Zhu ,&nbsp;Yuan-kui Wei ,&nbsp;Chang-lan Zhang ,&nbsp;En-wu Long","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102768","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102768","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of high-dose dual therapy with vonoprazan for eradicating <em>Helicobacter pylori</em>, we searched seven electronic databases from the establishment of the database to March 2025, collecting randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing high-dose dual therapy with vonoprazan to high-dose dual therapy with PPI and quadruple therapy with bismuth, including 13 RCTs with 4023 patients. The primary outcome is the eradication rate determined based on intention to treat analysis and protocol analysis, while secondary outcomes include incidence of adverse events and compliance. According to ITT analysis and PP treatment analysis, the eradication rates of VA therapy were 88.81 % and 93.56 %, respectively. The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower (14.56 % vs 26.00 %, RR=0.57, 95 % CI: 0.48–0.67, p &lt; 0.0001), and compliance was better (96.29 % vs 93.56 %, RR=1.03, 95 % CI: 1.01–1.05, p = 0.003), making it a reliable alternative therapy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102768"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early fungal colonization and infection as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients: A nationwide target trial emulation study in Taiwan","authors":"Yao-Kuang Wu ,&nbsp;Hsueh-Wen Chung ,&nbsp;Wei-Chih Chen ,&nbsp;Kuang-Yao Yang ,&nbsp;Lun-Yu Jao ,&nbsp;Hou-Tai Chang ,&nbsp;Chien-Hua Tseng ,&nbsp;Tzu-Tao Chen ,&nbsp;Shih-Chi Ku ,&nbsp;Thomas Tao-Min Huang ,&nbsp;Tzu-Hsuan Chiu ,&nbsp;Kuo-Chin Kao ,&nbsp;Chieh-Jen Wang ,&nbsp;Chiao-Hung Wang ,&nbsp;Tse-Bin Yang ,&nbsp;Chi-Won Suk ,&nbsp;Chung-Kan Peng ,&nbsp;Chih-Hao Shen ,&nbsp;Yu-San Chien ,&nbsp;Li-kuo Kuo ,&nbsp;Wen-Lin Su","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To evaluate the impact of fungal colonization and infection phenotypes and other prognostic factors on in-hospital mortality among mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients (n = 376) admitted to ICUs during the first wave of the pandemic in Taiwan.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A target trial emulation framework was used to minimize immortal time bias. Patients were matched 1:1:2 for age and gender and classified into three groups: 94 in the “Early” group (fungal colonization or infection within 10 days), 94 in the “Late” group (10–30 days), and 188 in the “No” group (no fungal colonization or infection within 30 days). In-hospital mortality and clinical outcomes were compared across groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients in the “Early” group received higher cumulative corticosteroid doses, had lower PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios, and exhibited higher rates of comorbidities, cytomegalovirus viremia, and lung, heart, and kidney complications. They also had a longer duration of ventilator use, ICU stay, and total hospitalization compared to the “Late” and “No” groups. Time-dependent multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the “Early” phenotype as a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]= 3.992, 95 % CI: 2.676–5.956, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Additional independent risk factors included Charlson Comorbidity Index (aHR = 1.213, 95 % CI: 1.113–1.323, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001) and APACHE II score (aHR = 1.028, 95 % CI: 1.011–1.045, <em>p</em> = 0.001). In contrast, higher PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios (aHR = 0.998, 95 % CI: 0.997–1.000, <em>p</em> = 0.021) and ganciclovir use (aHR = 0.419, 95 % CI: 0.245–0.717, <em>p</em> = 0.002) were associated with reduced mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>“Early” fungal colonization and infection within 10 days of corticosteroid initiation is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. Future research should explore early intervention strategies, including antifungal prophylaxis, optimized corticosteroid dosing, and immune modulation, to improve survival outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102767"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The epidemiology and clinical manifestations of anaplasmosis in humans: A systematic review of case reports","authors":"Jaime David Acosta-España ,&nbsp;Andrés Herrera-Yela ,&nbsp;Jenny Belén Altamirano-Jara ,&nbsp;D. Katterine Bonilla-Aldana ,&nbsp;Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anaplasmosis, caused by <em>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</em>, is an emerging tick-borne disease affecting humans and animals with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. This systematic review and analysis aimed to synthesise the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and treatment outcomes of anaplasmosis, emphasising enhanced surveillance and management strategies. The systematic review encompassed 73 cases from various geographic regions, revealing fever as the predominant symptom, alongside myalgia, headache, chills, and arthralgia. Molecular testing, particularly PCR, emerged as the primary diagnostic tool, aiding in identifying <em>Anaplasma</em> species. Co-infections are uncommonly described in the cases analysed, showing borreliosis and viral infections, underscoring the complexity of disease presentation. Doxycycline monotherapy demonstrated high efficacy, with a low mortality rate, while alternative antimicrobial options and combination therapy were considered in specific scenarios. This study contributes to understanding anaplasmosis's global burden and highlights the importance of continued research and collaborative efforts to mitigate its impact on public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 7","pages":"Article 102765"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143816566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of fluoroquinolone resistance with rare quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) mutations and protein-quinolone binding affinity (PQBA) in multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection","authors":"Md Rasel Khan Manik ,&nbsp;Israt Dilruba Mishu ,&nbsp;Zimam Mahmud ,&nbsp;Muntaha Noor Muskan ,&nbsp;Sharmin Zaman Emon","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by <em>Escherichia coli</em> pose significant public health risks, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study aimed to elucidate resistance patterns among UTI isolates and comprehensively investigate the mutational spectrum and its impact on drug-microbe interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We collected and identified <em>E. coli</em> isolates from hospitalized UTI patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and determined their resistance patterns using the disc diffusion method and broth microdilution. Quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of the target genes (<em>gyrA</em>, <em>gyrB</em>, <em>parC</em>, and <em>parE</em>) associated with fluoroquinolone resistance were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed through BTSeq™ sequencing for mutations, followed by molecular docking analysis using PyMOL and AutoDock for the protein-quinolone binding affinity (PQBA) study.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All isolates (100 %) displayed multidrug resistance, with chloramphenicol (16 % resistant) and colistin (28 % resistant) demonstrating superior efficacy compared to other antibiotics. The isolates resistant to colistin, as determined by disc diffusion testing, exhibited remarkably high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), with one isolate registering an MIC exceeding 512 µg/mL. Alarming resistance rates were observed for five antibiotic classes, except for polymyxins (28 % resistant) and protein synthesis inhibitors (48 % resistant). Fifty-two percent (52 %) of the isolates exhibited resistance to all five tested quinolones. Sequence analysis revealed a novel L88Q mutation in ParC, affecting PQBA and binding conformation. Additionally, three ParC mutations (S80I, E84V, and E84G) and two ParE mutations (S458A and I529L) were identified, which had not been previously reported in Bangladesh. Among these, S80I appeared in all isolates. Double-mutations (S83L+D87N) in GyrA, L88Q and S80I in ParC, and I529L in ParE were identified as key drivers of fluoroquinolone resistance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings underscore the accumulation of significant mutations within QRDRs of UTI isolates, potentially compromising fluoroquinolone efficacy. The emergence of these novel mutations warrants further investigation to impede their dissemination and combat quinolone resistance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 6","pages":"Article 102766"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring therapeutic paradigm focusing on genes, proteins, and pathways to combat leprosy and tuberculosis: A network medicine and drug repurposing approach","authors":"Mohd Imran ,&nbsp;Ahmed S. Alshrari ,&nbsp;Mariah N. Hafiz ,&nbsp;Mohammed M. Jawad ,&nbsp;Abida Khan ,&nbsp;Fadiyah Jadid Alanazi ,&nbsp;Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Leprosy and tuberculosis caused by <em>Mycobacterium leprae</em> and <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis,</em> respectively, are chronic infections with significant public health implications. While leprosy affects the skin and peripheral nerves and tuberculosis primarily targets the lungs, both diseases involve systemic immune responses. This study integrates transcriptomic analysis cheminformatics and molecular dynamics simulations to identify molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Transcriptomic datasets were analyzed to identify dysregulated genes and pathways. Pathway enrichment tissue-specific and bulk RNA-seq expression analyses provided biological context. System biology networks revealed regulatory hub genes and molecular docking studies evaluated CHEMBL compounds as potential therapeutics. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations assessed the stability of top ligand-protein complexes through RMSD RMSF and MM-GBSA free energy calculations.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Gene expression analysis identified 13 core dysregulated genes, including HSP90AA1 MAPK8IP3 and ZMPSTE24. Tissue-specific expression localized pivotal genes to lung tissues and immune cells with HSP90AA1 highly expressed in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. HSP90AA1 gene emerged as a central hub gene with 96 interactions involved in stress response pathways. Docking studies identified CHEMBL3653862 and CHEMBL3653884 with strong binding affinities (-10.16 to −12.69 kcal/mol) interacting with Asp93 and Tyr139. MD simulations confirmed binding stability with RMSD fluctuations within 2.1–3.5 Å and MM-GBSA energy values supporting ligand-protein stability.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study identifies HSP90AA1 as a potential drug target in leprosy and tuberculosis. Findings support host-directed therapy approaches and highlight the importance of computational modeling in accelerating drug discovery. The study provides a foundation for future experimental validation, including in <em>vitro</em> and in <em>vivo</em> testing to advance drug repurposing strategies for these chronic infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 6","pages":"Article 102763"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143716188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}