Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Characterization of multidrug resistance in clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae strains carrying drug efflux pumps and multiple repetitive tandem blaKPC-2 core structures","authors":"Xiaoyu Ruan ,&nbsp;Wenji Wang ,&nbsp;Dongguo Wang ,&nbsp;Liman Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102850","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102850","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To elucidate the mechanisms of multidrug resistance in clinical <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> strains that harbor drug efflux pumps and contain multiple tandem repeats of the <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 core structure.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The characteristics of strains SC7, SC35, SC38, SC41, SC42, SC67, and SC173 were comprehensively examined. This analysis encompassed antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugative transfer experiments, and the detection of beta-lactamase and carbapenemase production. The genomes of these strains were sequenced using both Illumina and Nanopore platforms to generate high-quality genomic data. Subsequently, bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze the mobile genetic elements that carry antibiotic resistance genes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analyzed <em>K. pneumoniae</em> strains were found to produce class A carbapenemase and exhibited resistance to nearly all tested antibiotics. This resistance was primarily attributed to the presence of efflux pump genes, such as <em>acrAB-tolC</em>, located on the chromosomes. Additionally, these strains contained one or more repetitive tandem core structures of <em>bla</em>_KPC-2, as well as <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and/or <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-65 core structures within their genomes. Some plasmids also harbored <em>bla</em>_SHV-12, <em>bla</em>_TEM-1, and <em>rmtB</em>. These genetic structures showed similarities to mobile genetic elements like Tn<em>3</em> and Tn<em>As3</em>. The identification of strain SC67, which possessed seven tandem repeats of the <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 core structure, represents a novel finding and significantly advances our understanding of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Plasmid transfer assays demonstrated successful conjugation in all strains, with varying average conjugation frequencies. Comparative analyses of the full-length plasmids and the multidrug resistance regions carrying <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and/or <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-65 revealed a high degree of evolutionary conservation in these core structures.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The evolution of these strains is intricately linked to the core structures of <em>bla</em>_KPC-2 and/or <em>bla</em>_CTX-M-65. Moreover, the presence of multiple drug efflux pumps on the chromosomes significantly contributes to their resistance to nearly all commonly used antibiotics. Given these findings, it is imperative to develop and implement effective strategies to curb the dissemination and prevalence of these highly resistant strains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102850"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548794","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":"Electrocardiographic alterations in patients treated for acute Lassa Fever: Description of results from a phase II clinical trial in Nigeria","authors":"Cyril Erameh ,&nbsp;Oladele Oluwafemi Ayodeji ,&nbsp;Augusto Meneguim ,&nbsp;Kevin Okwaraeke ,&nbsp;Osahogie Edeawe ,&nbsp;Enomen Ekata ,&nbsp;ThankGod Akhigbe ,&nbsp;Nelson Adedosu ,&nbsp;Chukwuyem Abejegah ,&nbsp;Sampson Owhin ,&nbsp;Liasu Ahmed ,&nbsp;Till Omansen ,&nbsp;Meike Pahlmann ,&nbsp;Georg Goliasch ,&nbsp;Alexandre Duvignaud ,&nbsp;Peter Akhideno ,&nbsp;Sylvanus Okogbenin ,&nbsp;Stephan Günther ,&nbsp;Marie Jaspard ,&nbsp;Michael Ramharter ,&nbsp;Mirjam Groger","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Lassa virus (LASV) leads to high case fatality among hospitalized patients in West Africa. While the pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood, cardiac pathology is suspected to constitute an important feature of severe Lassa Fever (LF). We report an analysis of electrocardiogram (ECG) findings of patients enrolled in a clinical trial comparing ribavirin with favipiravir for the treatment of LF.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This randomized controlled open-label phase II clinical trial conducted at two reference hospitals for LF treatment in Nigeria, assessed the tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics of favipiravir compared to ribavirin in the treatment of acute LF. Hospitalized adult participants with RT-PCR-confirmed mild LF were eligible to participate. Baseline and follow-up ECG readings were performed.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>From August 2021 to October 2022, 40 patients were included in the study (48 % female), and 36 completed the 10-day follow-up period. ECG alterations were similarly distributed between treatment arms and observed in 18 (45 %) participants, namely, T-wave inversion (n = 14; 35 %), conduction disorders (n = 5; 13 %), ST-segment elevation (n = 4; 10 %), and arrythmia (n = 2; 5 %). 36 % (n = 9) of the alterations observed subsided by the end of the study.</div></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><div>ECG alterations observed in both treatment arms are compatible with direct cardiac effects of the LASV. The combination of new onset of chest pain combined with the evolution of ECG findings over time are suggestive for the occurrence of perimyocarditis in a subset of patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 9","pages":"Article 102858"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212406","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":"Concentrated urine as an alternative to cervical smear samples enabling easy screening of HPV in large populations","authors":"Neval Yurttutan Uyar ,&nbsp;Harika Bodur ,&nbsp;Merve Olcen Erdem ,&nbsp;Irem Ayse Kanneci Altinisik ,&nbsp;Ece Aksoy ,&nbsp;Tuba Polat ,&nbsp;Figen Demir ,&nbsp;Osman Acar ,&nbsp;Boran Aksakal ,&nbsp;Gulnur Alizade ,&nbsp;Narmin Nadirova ,&nbsp;Alara Apa ,&nbsp;Ozge Can ,&nbsp;Tanil Kocagoz","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102857","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102857","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading cause of cervical cancer, necessitating effective screening methods, particularly in large populations and resource limited settings. Current cervical smear-based screening faces challenges related to accessibility, invasiveness, and patient compliance. This study investigated the feasibility of using concentrated urine samples as a noninvasive alternative for HPV detection.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>First-void urine samples from 126 patients were collected alongside cervical swabs. A biological fluid concentrator, MyMagiCon®, was used to concentrate the urine samples before HPV detection via RT-PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results demonstrated substantial agreement (Fleiss’ kappa = 0.796, p &lt; 0.0001) between HPV detection in concentrated urine samples and cervical smear samples. Concentrated urine samples showed a 17 % increase in HPV detection compared to unconcentrated urine.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This noninvasive and novel approach offers significant advantages in terms of accessibility and patient acceptance, potentially improving screening coverage and early detection rates, especially in underserved populations. Further research is needed to validate these findings in larger, more diverse populations and optimize the methodology for enhanced sensitivity and specificity, but the findings suggest concentrated urine-based HPV testing holds considerable promise as a cost-effective, accessible screening strategy in preventing cervical cancer.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102857"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548642","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":"Single-center retrospective study on Basidiobolomycosis: Characteristics, management, and outcomes","authors":"Huda Abbag ,&nbsp;Alaa Al Juaid ,&nbsp;Ahmad Alghamdi ,&nbsp;Fatimah Alturkistani","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB), a rare fungal infection caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, primarily affects children in tropical regions and often mimics other conditions, leading to delayed diagnosis. This study retrospectively analyzes nine pediatric cases of GIB diagnosed between 2013 and 2023 at a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Patients had a median age of five years, with abdominal symptoms being the most common presentation (77.7 %). Laboratory findings included leukocytosis, eosinophilia, and elevated inflammatory markers. The ascending colon was the most frequently affected site (44.4 %). Histopathological examination confirmed fungal elements in all cases. All patients received voriconazole; 22.2 % were treated with both voriconazole and itraconazole. The mean treatment duration was 16 months. Complete resolution was achieved in 44.4 % of patients, while 22.2 % were lost to follow-up, and 22.2 % remained under treatment. GIB requires a high index of suspicion, particularly in patients with abdominal masses and eosinophilia. Diagnosis using minimally invasive methods and antifungal therapy, particularly voriconazole-based regimens, appear effective in managing this condition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 9","pages":"Article 102853"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144243320","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":"Estimating the infection fatality rate of emerging diseases using a regression approach applied to global COVID-19 cases","authors":"Richard E. Grewelle,&nbsp;Giulio A. De Leo","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Estimating the infection fatality rate (IFR) for emerging diseases is elusive due to the presence of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infections and variable testing capacity. IFR estimates are also affected by region-specific differences in sampling regimes, demographics, and healthcare resources.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Here we present a novel regression approach using population testing and readily available case fatality rates (CFR) to estimate the IFR during an outbreak. The approach is based on few assumptions and can be used for a wide range of emerging diseases. We validate the use of the method using commonly reported COVID-19 testing data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our new statistical approach reveals a conservative global IFR of 0.90 % (CI: 0.70 %, 1.16 %) for COVID-19 across the 139 countries affected before May 2020. Deviation of countries' reported CFR from the estimator did not correlate with demography, per capita GDP, or healthcare access and quality, suggesting variation is due to differing testing regimes or reporting guidelines by country.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This method can be used retrospectively or for future disease outbreaks when other data are limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102856"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548643","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 impact of recent Covid-19 infection on cytomegalovirus antibodies","authors":"Wang Dan ,&nbsp;Xu Yuzhu ,&nbsp;Wen Han ,&nbsp;Li Laisheng ,&nbsp;Fan Jinjin ,&nbsp;Liu Min ,&nbsp;Chen Wei ,&nbsp;Wang Xin","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102848","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102848","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unexpected rise in patients with increased CMV-IgM antibody titers at our hospital in China, without concurrent evidence of CMV-related organ pathology, prompting an investigation into the relationship between CMV-IgM and COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We retrospectively analyzed 516 patients tested for CMV-IgG or IgM between January 15 and February 3, 2023. We used Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests to compare COV2-IgG/IgM profiles between CMV-IgM positive and negative groups. Logistic regression assessed risk factors for increased CMV IgM positivity, adjusting for age, gender, CRP, and CMV IgG. CMV DNA was detected by real-time PCR (detection limit &gt;500 copies/mL), and CMV-IgG/IgM and COV2-IgG/IgM titers were measured by ELISA. Variance analysis compared CRP levels across groups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A notable rise in CMV IgM positivity was observed following the COVID-19 outbreak. The group of patients testing positive for CMV IgM exhibited significantly higher titers of COV2 IgM (0.83 vs 0.49, P &lt; 0.001) and a higher rate of COV2 IgG positivity (93.8 % vs 85.4 %, P = 0.02). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between the COV2-IgG and an increased likelihood of CMV IgM positivity (OR=3.050, 95 % CI=1.208–7.700, P = 0.018). A linear correlation was identified between CMV IgM and COV2 IgM titers. CMV IgM levels did not differ based on CMV DNA status, and no association was observed between CRP values and CMV IgM positivity. These findings suggest that the increase in CMV IgM is likely attributable to COVID-19 rather than an active CMV infection.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our research indicates that increased CMV IgM levels may correlate with COVID-19, possibly due to antibody cross-reactivity. Caution is advised when interpreting CMV IgM results amidst the pandemic. Using CRP as a supplementary marker may aid in identifying active infections. It's crucial to consider COVID-19's impact on CMV IgM levels in clinical assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102848"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144535995","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":"Prevalence of surgical site infections post-cesarean section in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Najim Z. Alshahrani ,&nbsp;Abdulrahman M. Albeshry ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Aljunaid ,&nbsp;Mohammed A. Kilani","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102855","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102855","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of surgical site infections (SSIs) following cesarean sections (C/S) in Saudi Arabia, a significant public health concern impacting maternal morbidity and hospital stays. Seven studies, including 7632 women, were analyzed. The pooled prevalence of SSIs post-cesarean section was 3 % (95 % CI: 2 %–4 %), with substantial heterogeneity across studies (I² = 81.8 %). Consistently identified risk factors included Pre-existing diabetes mellitus, Obesity (BMI ≥ 30), and prolonged surgery duration, while hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, and gestational age showed no significant association with SSIs. Most infections were managed effectively with systemic antibiotics, and maternal outcomes were generally favorable, although some cases required prolonged recovery or neonatal intensive care admission. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were among the most common causative pathogens. These findings underscore the need for enhanced preventive strategies and standardized protocols to reduce SSI rates and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 9","pages":"Article 102855"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212401","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":"Burkholderia cepacia ST 767 causing a three-year nosocomial outbreak in a hemodialysis unit","authors":"Stéfani T.A. Dantas ,&nbsp;Gousilin R. Silva ,&nbsp;Iranildo A. Fernandes ,&nbsp;Ary Fernandes Júnior ,&nbsp;José C.F. Pantoja ,&nbsp;Carlos H. Camargo ,&nbsp;Juliano L. Gonçalves ,&nbsp;Ivana G. Castilho ,&nbsp;Nathália C.C. Silva ,&nbsp;Vera L.M. Rall","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102843","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102843","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The risk of bloodstream infections increases in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, primarily due to water contamination or improper handling during dialyzer reprocessing. This study aimed to identify virulence factors and gather epidemiological data on the <em>Burkholderia cepacia</em> complex (Bcc), isolated from water and blood cultures during an outbreak in a hemodialysis unit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed 33 Bcc isolates from blood cultures of patients with bacteremia undergoing hemodialysis and 24 isolates from water samples collected between 2019 and 2022. All isolates were tested for virulence factor-encoding genes, including <em>cblA</em>, <em>esmR</em>, <em>zmpA</em>, and <em>zmpB</em>, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The isolates were further characterized using Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Biofilm production was assessed on polystyrene microplates at 20°C and 35°C.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The genes <em>zmpB</em> and <em>zmpA</em> were present in 100 % and 96.5 % of the isolates, respectively. However, none of the isolates carried the <em>cblA</em> or <em>esmR</em> genes. Within the Bcc, the species <em>B. cepacia</em> (genomovar I) was identified through <em>recA</em> gene sequencing. PFGE analysis revealed that all human- and water-derived isolates shared the same pulsotype, classified as ST-767.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Despite routine water disinfection with peracetic acid, the detection of a single pulsotype of this species over three years indicates the persistent of <em>Burkholderia cepacia</em> ST 767 in the plumbing system, leading to the contamination of patients undergoing hemodialysis. This persistence is likely facilitated by biofilm formation, as all water-derived isolates demonstrated biofilm production at 20°C. To exacerbate the situation, all isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, further complicating patient treatment and management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 9","pages":"Article 102843"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144223416","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":"Evaluation of dengue fever vulnerability in south and southeast asian countries: A multidimensional approach","authors":"Yawen Wang ,&nbsp;Conglu Li ,&nbsp;Shi Zhao ,&nbsp;Guozhang Lin ,&nbsp;Xiaoting Jiang ,&nbsp;Shi Yin ,&nbsp;Mu He ,&nbsp;Qianyu Wu ,&nbsp;Zihao Guo ,&nbsp;Yuchen Wei ,&nbsp;Chao Ren ,&nbsp;Ka Chun Chong","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102849","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102849","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Climate change is raising the risk of dengue fever outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, where public health challenges persist. Warmer temperatures promote year-round mosquito breeding and pathogen transmission, particularly in crowded urban areas. This underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment to develop effective prevention strategies and improve health outcomes. This study evaluated the relationship between dengue fever vulnerability and disease incidence in three countries in the region.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Monthly dengue surveillance data from 2012 to 2018 were collected in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand, alongside environmental and socioeconomic data. Principal component analysis and binomial regression model were used to calculate the vulnerability index and evaluate the relationship between dengue infection, vulnerability, and its seasonality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results indicated significant spatial variations in vulnerability across the three countries. High-vulnerability regions included western coastal Sri Lanka, western and southern Thailand, and eastern Malaysia, with notable seasonal fluctuations in high-risk areas. Areas with higher vulnerability levels were associated with increased dengue fever incidence rate ratios (IRRs), particularly in Sri Lanka (IRR= 1.97, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–3.65) and Thailand (IRR= 14.56, 95 % CI: 5.55–39.90). Notably, the IRR increased significantly during the warm seasons, particularly in August in Sri Lanka (high vs. low, IRR= 6.11, 95 % CI: 2.83–13.47) and in June in Thailand (middle-high vs. low, IRR= 23.61, 95 % CI: 9.39–61.67).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The spatial heterogeneity of dengue vulnerability suggests that targeted public health interventions are essential for mitigating dengue fever risks, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 9","pages":"Article 102849"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144212404","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":"Performance evaluation of antimicrobial blue light for inactivating multidrug-resistant bacteria on common fabric materials","authors":"Hanlin Liu ,&nbsp;Huihui Zhang ,&nbsp;Alvin C.K. Lai","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102846","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102846","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fomite transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospitals is a serious public health issue. Antimicrobial blue light (aBL) holds great promise in reducing the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) while being safe for use.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study evaluated the influence of surface materials on the bactericidal performance of aBL against three multidrug-resistant bacteria: <em>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus</em>, <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa.</em> Six microbial-contaminated surfaces were studied: glass, cotton, towel, blanket, sofa and bedsheet.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At the same dose of 3.3 J/cm², aBL treatment for bedsheets resulted in a 3.0 times higher log reduction in colony forming counts (CFUs) than sofa material. This significant difference may be partly due to fabric porosity and variations in light penetration. Additionally, a positive linear relationship between reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and microbial reduction was established, indicating that higher intracellular ROS levels corresponded linearly to more effective bactericidal performance by aBL. We also systematically compared the penetration and bactericidal performance of aBL with 254 nm Ultraviolet C (UVC) and 222 nm Far-UVC for testing double-layer cotton samples. Both UVC and Far-UVC outperformed aBL treatment for single-layer fabrics. Nonetheless, due to the very low light penetration of shorter wavelengths, the bactericidal efficiency of UVC and Far-UVC was substantially reduced for the bottom-layer sample. For aBL, the difference in bactericidal efficiency data between top-layer and bottom-layer was approximately 10 %.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>aBL exhibited varying bactericidal efficacy across different surfaces, with the highest microbial reduction observed on bedsheet and the lowest reduction on sofa fabric. Furthermore, aBL demonstrated superior bactericidal performance against drug-resistant bacteria on multi-layer fabrics compared to Far-UVC and UVC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102846"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548789","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}