Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Cost-savings and health impact of strategies for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus with nirsevimab in Chile based on the integrated analysis of 2019–2023 national databases: A retrospective study","authors":"Denis Sauré ,&nbsp;Miguel O’Ryan ,&nbsp;Juan Pablo Torres ,&nbsp;Natalia Trigo ,&nbsp;Gonzalo Diaz ,&nbsp;Marcel Goic ,&nbsp;Charles Thraves ,&nbsp;Jorge Pacheco ,&nbsp;Patricio Aguilera ,&nbsp;Andrea Caro ,&nbsp;Leonardo J. Basso","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102680","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102680","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In the latter half of 2023, the northern hemisphere initiated the rollout of nirsevimab immunization strategies for infants, yielding promising early results. As Chile prepared for its 2024 strategy implementation, we retrospectively evaluated the potential cost-saving nature of various immunization strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Leveraging comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, and sentinel programs data, we conduct a simulation-based retrospective analysis to evaluate the net cost savings of various immunization strategies based on nirsevimab. We first characterize RSV burden among Chilean infants between 2019 and 2023, focusing on medically attended lower respiratory tract infections (MA LRTI), hospital admissions (HA LRTI), and severe cases requiring ICU admission (ICU LRTI). Utilizing nirsevimab efficacy estimates, we simulate counterfactual scenarios to estimate reductions in outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and ICU admissions had nirsevimab been used. We evaluate diverse immunization strategies and estimate their cost-saving status.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>With nirsevimab costing about USD$225 per dose, immunizing infants under 6 months before the RSV season, all newborns during the season, and high-risk groups would have been cost-saving in 2023 and 2019. This strategy would have significantly decreased the strain on the healthcare system during the seasonal surge, reducing 13,533 ICU (77·81/1000 live newborns) and 27,465 hospital bed requirements (157·91/1000 live newborns), alongside 46,886 emergency room visits (269·58/1000 live newborns).</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>In Chile, a country with a GDP per capita of USD$17,000, various immunization strategies are cost-saving for scenarios comparable to pre-pandemic 2019 and to the particularly severe 2023 when considering only those direct costs associated with patient care, albeit differing in their impact in health outcomes. The resulting decrease in healthcare strain during the Winter virus surge underscores the strategy’s impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 4","pages":"Article 102680"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143099921","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":"Addressing challenges in meningococcal meningitis prevention: Key highlights from recent cases in Xining, China","authors":"Zichen Li ,&nbsp;Leiliang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102683","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102683","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102683"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059344","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":"Epidemiology of notifiable outbreaks in different hospital units in Saudi Arabia: A national descriptive study","authors":"Nawal M. Alanazi ,&nbsp;Nasser H. Alshanbari ,&nbsp;Hala M. Roushdy ,&nbsp;Yahya I. Alnshbah ,&nbsp;Eman Ali Barnawi ,&nbsp;Nawaf M. Almatrafi ,&nbsp;Rula Felemban ,&nbsp;Zainah M. Al Shahrani ,&nbsp;Nadeen Burhan ,&nbsp;Aiman El-Saed ,&nbsp;Khalid H. Alanazi","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Healthcare-associated outbreaks have serious impacts on patient morbidity and mortality, and healthcare resources. The objective was to describe the epidemiology of healthcare outbreaks notified to the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) over a year.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective analysis of national data collected through timely notifications to the MOH during 2023. Data included hospital and patient information. Healthcare outbreaks were defined as per the MOH outbreak manual. Outbreaks notified by 117 MOH hospitals and 53 private hospitals in 20 Saudi regions were included.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 1240 outbreaks were notified, including 2392 patients, 2703 infections, and 806 deaths. Males represented 62.3 % of the patients, and the average age was 51.2 ± 27.7 years. Almost all patients had devices: central line (63.6 %), foley catheters (52.7 %), or mechanical ventilation (50.4 %). More than 70 % of the outbreaks occurred in intensive care units and two-thirds were manifested as infection. The main device-associated infections were central line-associated bloodstream infection (38.5 %) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (39.0 %). The main pathogens were <em>Candida auris</em> (29.9 %), <em>Klebsiella</em> spp. (24.5 %), <em>Acinetobacter baumanni</em> (19.6 %) and <em>Pseudomonas</em> spp. (7.7 %). More than 60 % of the bacteria were resistant, including Carbapenem-resistant <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em> (32.5 %), multidrug-resistant bacteria (26.4 %), and Extended spectrum B-lactamases (23.0 %). Approximately 33.7 % of the patients died, 24.1 % cured, 19.3 % transferred, and 17.0 % discharged.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Outbreaks caused by Gram-negative bacteria and <em>Candida auris</em> remain the main challenge in Saudi hospitals, representing 90 % of the outbreaks. The high resistance of causative pathogens and high associated mortality underscore the importance of strict implementation of infection control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102678"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136003","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":"Population-level impact of COVID-19 on thyroid function tests: Results from a repeated cross-sectional study","authors":"Gabriel Berkebile ,&nbsp;Françoise Barbé ,&nbsp;Catherine Malaplate ,&nbsp;Lauriane Le Collen ,&nbsp;Jean-Louis Guéant ,&nbsp;Marc Klein ,&nbsp;Abderrahim Oussalah","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102681","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102681","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Reports have highlighted thyroid abnormalities, including subacute thyroiditis and thyrotoxicosis, in COVID-19 patients, with a potential link between thyroid dysfunction and disease severity. However, population-level studies on COVID-19’s impact on thyroid hormone levels are limited. We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on thyroid function tests at the population level.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study on consecutive patients who underwent thyroid function tests between March 1 and April 15, 2020, during the first wave of COVID-19 in northeastern France, and compared the results with those from the same period in 2018 and 2019.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study analyzed 3968 tests, including 1534 in 2018, 1547 in 2019, and 887 in 2020. Patients tested in the first wave of COVID-19 had significantly lower TSH and FT3 levels and higher FT4 levels than those in reference periods. On ROC analysis, the optimal thresholds for FT3 and FT4 were ≤ 4.5 pmol/L and &gt; 12 pmol/L, respectively. On multivariable analysis, FT3 ≤ 4.5 pmol/L and FT4 &gt; 12 pmol/L were independently associated with the first wave of COVID-19. The proportion of subjects with concurrent changes in FT3 and FT4 levels was significantly higher in 2020 than in the reference periods, with an odds ratio of 3.62 (95 % CI, 2.77–4.73). A phenome-wide association study of 128 clinical and biological predictors identified an independent association between a low FT3/FT4 ratio and COVID-19, hypertension, or amiodarone therapy, suggesting the contribution of euthyroid sick syndrome to this presentation. This association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders such as thyroid disease, steroids, and iodinated contrast injection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings suggest that COVID-19 is associated with significant population-level variation in thyroid function tests, which may have implications for managing COVID-19 patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102681"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059345","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":"Impact of same-day ART initiation on medical care and medication discontinuation among patients with incident HIV infection or AIDS in Taiwan: A population-based cohort study","authors":"Chen-Han Chueh ,&nbsp;Hsiao-Jou Yu ,&nbsp;Yu-Wen Wen ,&nbsp;Ming-Neng Shiu ,&nbsp;Yi-Ying Chen ,&nbsp;Shao-Chin Chiang ,&nbsp;Yi-Wen Tsai","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Care retention and medication adherence are crucial for individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Discrepancies exist between real-world evidence and randomized trials regarding early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and care retention. We investigated the effects of same-day ART initiation on care and medication discontinuation in new patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and those newly infected with HIV.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The two groups commenced ART from January 2017 to December 2021 in Taiwan. Data were collected from the National Health Insurance claims database. We defined care discontinuation as having no clinical visits for over 90 days since the last clinical visit and medication discontinuation as failing to pick up medication 30 days after the expected medication pick-up date. We used a doubly robust weighted Cox regression model to estimate the average hazard ratio for same-day ART initiation compared to rapid ART initiation within 7 days over a 12-month care- and medication-discontinuation risk horizon.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 1528 HIV- and 5373 AIDS-group individuals, 1329 and 4494 initiated same-day ART, respectively. Same-day ART initiation did not impact care or medication discontinuation among HIV-infected patients. However, it was associated with a significantly lower hazard of care discontinuation (adjusted average hazard ratio [aAHR] = 0.86, 95 % CI: 0.74–0.99) and a higher, though not significant, hazard of medication discontinuation (aAHR = 1.14, 95 % CI: 0.86–1.52) among patients with AIDS.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Same-day ART initiation demonstrates varying impacts on care and medication continuation. While it improves care retention, caution is advised regarding medication discontinuation among patients with AIDS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 4","pages":"Article 102677"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143079750","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":"Fatal acute liver failure following norovirus gastroenteritis in a child: A case report","authors":"Rabab Taha ,&nbsp;Noura Elazhary ,&nbsp;Sarah Alqhtani ,&nbsp;Walaa Almansouri","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102675","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102675","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis and rarely present with extra-intestinal manifestations. There are few reported cases of hepatitis following norovirus gastroenteritis, with no documented fatalities. We present a case of fatal acute hepatitis following norovirus gastroenteritis in a child. The patient was a previously healthy 6-year-old boy who presented with diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. He was admitted and treated supportively as a case of acute gastroenteritis. Despite treatment, he rapidly developed acute liver failure in the course of gastroenteritis. Other potential causes including drugs and other possible viral infections were ruled out, only norovirus was isolated from his stool. The patient’s liver function continued to deteriorate leading to fulminant liver failure and death within days.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 4","pages":"Article 102675"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143074448","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":"Long-term assessment of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels post-pandemic: Tracking the dynamics after two, three, and four COVID-19 vaccine doses","authors":"Fatemeh Ashrafian ,&nbsp;Mostafa Salehi-Vaziri ,&nbsp;Ehsan Mostafavi ,&nbsp;Saiedeh Haji Maghsoudi ,&nbsp;Sarah Dahmardeh ,&nbsp;Anahita Bavand ,&nbsp;Ladan Moradi ,&nbsp;Parinaz Tajmehrabi Namini ,&nbsp;Mahsan Zali ,&nbsp;Zahra Tahmasebi ,&nbsp;Mona Sadat Larijani ,&nbsp;Amitis Ramezani","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102676","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102676","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Given the limited available data about to the number of vaccine doses administered over an extended time in Iran, the immune status of vaccinated individuals and any potential disparities in this regard among those who received different numbers of vaccine doses remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to assess humoral immunity of individuals who received different doses of the COVID-19 vaccines in Iran.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was conducted from February, 2022 to December 2023 including 605 vaccinated subjects. The durability of anti-spike, anti-nucleocapsid (NCP), neutralizing antibody, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was evaluated at least 6 months after the last vaccination, as well as 60 and 120 days after it, in individuals who received two or three doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Furthermore, the evaluation of humoral and cellular response was performed before the fourth dose (second booster) as well as 21 and 60 days thereafter.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The 3-dose group showed significantly higher levels of anti-spike, neutralizing antibodies, and IFN-γ compared to the 2-dose group. Both the 2-dose and 3-dose groups experienced a slight decrease in the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 Abs, though the associated levels remained within a positive range. After receiving the fourth dose of PastoCovac, most participants had significantly high levels of anti-spike, neutralizing antibodies, and IFN-γ, regardless of the type of three-dose regimen they had previously received. The average antibody titer decreased after 60 days from the fourth dose, but remained relatively stable during the follow-up period.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study found that the level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and IFN-γ, as well as their durability, were still within a positive range in 2-dose and 3-dose vaccinated groups over the long-term follow-up. Furthermore, PastoCovac vaccine enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses and could be recommended as a booster dose for individuals previously vaccinated with any previously administered COVID-19 vaccine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102676"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143065573","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":"A region-structured model for early warning of Plasmodium vivax malaria transmission risk in the Republic of Korea","authors":"Boyeon Kim ,&nbsp;Jung Ho Kim ,&nbsp;Jeehyun Lee ,&nbsp;Joon-Sup Yeom","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102665","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102665","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Malaria cases in the Republic of Korea decreased during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic but surged in 2023. Current models inadequately address spatial heterogeneity in transmission dynamics. This study aimed to address this by designing a region-structured model considering spatial heterogeneity based on regional malaria data from high-risk areas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Malaria-risk areas were identified using data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), with eight regions designated as hotspots. The population heterogeneity of the model by region was represented using the “Who Acquires Infection From Whom” matrix. The model was calibrated using 2014–2018 KDCA civilian malaria-case data. The reproduction number (<span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span>) of each region was then calculated using the estimated parameters and predicted malaria dynamics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the hotspots, the value of <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> rose along with the number of long-latency patients, followed by an increase in short-latency patients. The points where <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> exceeded and fell below one varied by region. Ganghwa-gun exhibited the longest period (<span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub><mo>&gt;</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math></span>), whereas Deokyang-gu had the shortest. Maximum <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> values ranged from 1.1 in Deokyang-gu to 2.7 in Ganghwa-gun. A criterion was established to estimate the timing of <span><math><mrow><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub><mo>&gt;</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math></span> based on the weekly cumulative incidence per 100,000 people.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study constructed a region-structured model reflecting spatial heterogeneity using actual data. By estimating <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>t</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and an easily accessible index for each region, the model provides an indicator that assists in implementing effective malaria management policies at the regional level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102665"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143059343","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":"Assessing post-COVID-19 functional recovery in healthcare workers: Insights from the 6-minute walking test and DLCO analysis","authors":"Salma AlBahrani ,&nbsp;Ali AlBarrak ,&nbsp;Jaber S. Alqahtani ,&nbsp;Nawal AlGubaisi ,&nbsp;Hamoud Alkurdi ,&nbsp;Dalia Alburaiki ,&nbsp;Abdulrahaman AlGhamdi ,&nbsp;Mohammed AlOthaiqy ,&nbsp;Osama Faqihi ,&nbsp;Meshael Musaed Almershad ,&nbsp;Fatimah Hassan Hakami ,&nbsp;Asmaa AlAbbadi ,&nbsp;Mariam Hassan Hakami ,&nbsp;Alaa AlMaimouni ,&nbsp;Zechariah Jebakumar Arulanantham ,&nbsp;Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102664","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102664","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide, necessitating an understanding of its effects on their health and functional capacity. This study utilized the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) to evaluate post-infection recovery of HCWs, and analyzed the results in relation to comorbidities, symptoms, and healthcare admission.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>HCWs who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited, and the 6MWT and PFT were conducted. Clinical data, including comorbidities, symptoms, hospitalization history, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation, were collected. Binary logistic regression analysis and Fisher's exact test were employed to examine the associations between these factors and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the 6MWT.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study comprised 80 HCWs, with various comorbidities and various presenting symptoms. On average, 167.24 days (± 63.83 days) post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, 34 (42.5 %) had a DLCO% &lt; 80 % of the predicted value, while 46 (57.5 %) had a DLCO% of ≥ 80 %. The mean six-minute-walk distance (6MWD) was 400.6 ± 54.1 m. No significant associations were found between DLCO% and most of the factors examined, except for Forced Expiratory Flow 25–75 % (FEF25–75 %), although this was not statistically significant (P=0.069).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study provides significant data regarding the functional recovery of HCWs who have recovered from COVID-19 using the 6MWT. Importantly, the findings demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 infection did not substantially impair the pulmonary functional capacity of HCWs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102664"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023722","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":"Economic evaluation of mass screening as a strategy for hepatitis C virus elimination in South Korea","authors":"Hwa Young Choi ,&nbsp;Kyung-Ah Kim ,&nbsp;Bo Young Park ,&nbsp;Bo Youl Choi ,&nbsp;Moran Ki","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study examines Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening scenarios to meet World Health Organization (WHO) elimination targets (incidence ≤5 per 100,000, mortality ≤2 per 100,000) and assesses their timeframes and cost-effectiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A closed cohort model of Koreans aged 30–79 in 2020 projected HCV incidence and mortality over 20 years. Economic evaluations used a dynamic transmission model, considering prevalent and annual incident cases. This approach addresses the limitations of previous models that neglected annual new HCV infections. Nine scenarios with varying screening intervals were created considering health checkup uptake, treatment rates, and HCV incidence reduction. Economic evaluations from the healthcare system's perspective employed cost-utility and cost-benefit analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Without national HCV screening, incidence slightly decreases, whereas mortality triples over 20 years. Introducing HCV screening offers five scenarios to meet WHO targets in 20 years. The quickest, involving biennial screening, high uptake, and a 30% incidence reduction, meets the incidence target at 6 years and mortality target at 14 years. For the most cost-efficient scenario, screening every 4 years with moderate uptake and a 20% incidence reduction meets the incidence target at 17 years and mortality target at 18 years. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) is $8,867 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY), with a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.60.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The absence of HCV screening impedes elimination goals and increases mortality. Biennial screening, with high participation and treatment rates, rapidly achieves targets but is less economically efficient. Screening every 4 years with moderate uptake and treatment rates is economically feasible and meets elimination goals within 20 years. Rapid screening implementation is crucial for effective HCV elimination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 3","pages":"Article 102662"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143023732","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}