Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Risk factors, clinical outcomes of patients with Ceftazidime/Avibactam-resistant carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection and its potential resistant mechanisms","authors":"Zhenchao Wu ,&nbsp;Yanqiu Ma ,&nbsp;Jiajia Zheng ,&nbsp;Ping Yang ,&nbsp;Ming Lu ,&nbsp;Du Yipeng ,&nbsp;Ning Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103161","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103161","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ceftazidime/avibactam (CZA) resistance (CZAr) poses critical challenges for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> (CRKP) infections. The early identification of high-risk populations is essential for controlling nosocomial transmission and guiding empirical therapy. This study aimed to systematically focus on the correlation between the clinical characteristics of patients and the microbial features of CZArCRKP.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective cohort study (January 2020-May 2023) of 97 patients with CRKP infection. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) were used to analyze resistance phenotype-genotype correlations. Survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>CZArCRKP primarily caused lower respiratory (72.16 %) and urinary tract (16.49 %) infections, predominantly affecting elderly patients with comorbidities (81.4 %) or undergoing invasive procedures (63.9 %). Chronic renal failure combined with platelet counts &gt; 149× 10⁹/L post-infection strongly predicted patients with CZArCRKP in pulmonary infections. <em>NDM-1</em> gene carriage and <em>OmpK36</em> mutations were associated with CZA resistance. CZA-treated patients demonstrated lower 14-day mortality rates.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>We established the first integrated host-pathogen risk model for CZArCRKP and identified chronic renal failure and platelet count as key clinical predictors. <em>NDM-1/OmpK36</em> mutations represents a clear mechanism of resistance. CZA use may improve the survival of selected patients with CRKP. These findings advance the surveillance and therapeutic strategies for multidrug-resistant infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103161"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146102487","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 role of changes in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in predicting COVID-19 severity and mortality: A biomarker analysis","authors":"Seyed Hassan Saadat ,&nbsp;Behzad Einollahi ,&nbsp;Hadi Norouzi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Farjami ,&nbsp;Nematollah Jonaidi Jafari ,&nbsp;Shahla Afsharpeyman ,&nbsp;Fahime Shahjooie ,&nbsp;Ali Bahrami Far ,&nbsp;Kiavash Hushmandi","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103153","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103153","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has emerged as a potential biomarker for COVID-19 severity, but the diagnostic value of its dynamic changes (ΔLDH) remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the predictive value of ΔLDH for clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We performed a retrospective cohort study of 5635 adults with confirmed COVID-19, analyzing LDH measurements. The patients were stratified by ΔLDH quartiles (Q1-Q4). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associations with mortality and ICU admission, while ROC analysis was used to determine the predictive performance.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A U-shaped relationship was observed, with both extreme reductions (Q1: ΔLDH ≤ -196 U/L) and elevations (Q4: ΔLDH ≥ 108 U/L) predicting adverse outcomes. Q4 patients had a higher risk of mortality (aOR = 6.72, 95 % CI: 5.31–8.51) and a higher risk of ICU admission (aOR = 6.63, 95 % CI: 5.26–8.36) compared to Q1. ΔLDH revealed excellent discrimination for mortality (AUC = 0.78) with an optimal cutoff at 181.5 U/L (sensitivity = 66.7 %, specificity = 88.9 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>ΔLDH is a powerful, independent predictor of COVID-19 severity, revealing a novel U-shaped risk pattern. The 181.5 U/L threshold offers clinically actionable guidance for risk stratification. These findings support the incorporation of serial LDH monitoring into COVID-19 management protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103153"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146156772","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":"Post-exposure prophylaxis with favipiravir among household close contacts to confirmed COVID-19 cases: A cluster-randomized trial (PEPfavi)","authors":"Taweegrit Siripongboonsitti ,&nbsp;Teerapat Ungtrakul ,&nbsp;Kriangkrai Tawinprai ,&nbsp;Krongkwan Niemsorn ,&nbsp;Kunsuda Punjachaipornpol ,&nbsp;Worrawat Sangwipasnapaporn ,&nbsp;Natcha Wattanapokasilp ,&nbsp;Marisa Muadchimkaew ,&nbsp;Saowanee Wongpatcharawarakul ,&nbsp;Kamonwan Soonklang ,&nbsp;Nithi Mahanonda","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103150","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103150","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains a key driver of community spread, with secondary attack rates in Thai households reaching approximately 50 %. There is limited evidence supporting the efficacy of antiviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in this context.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The phase 2/3, open-label, (1:1) cluster-randomized controlled trial in Thailand, 168 household close contacts from 76 index cases were enrolled to receive either favipiravir-PEP (FPV-PEP) (1600–2000 mg/day for 7 days) or usual care. The efficacy of FPV-PEP was investigated in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection after contact with index cases.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The incidence of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection was lower in the FPV-PEP group than in the usual care group (7.32 % vs. 14.47 %), although the difference was not statistically significant. A trend toward fewer early positive rapid diagnostic test results on day 3 was observed in the FPV-PEP group. Symptom development was less frequent among FPV-PEP recipients, with fewer cases of fever, rhinorrhea, and myalgia. A significantly higher probability of remaining asymptomatic and delayed symptom onset was observed in the FPV-PEP group. No participants developed severe COVID-19 or required hospitalization.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>FPV-PEP was associated with a lower incidence of fever, rhinorrhea, and myalgia among household contacts. While a reduction in secondary transmission was observed, it did not reach statistical significance. Further large-scale studies are warranted to clarify its role in preventing household transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103150"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146102486","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":"Perinatal HIV exposure is associated with long-term alterations in immune marker levels in children","authors":"José Avendaño-Ortiz ,&nbsp;Judit Ventosa-Cubillo ,&nbsp;Concepción Rodríguez-Jiménez ,&nbsp;Dulce Morales-Pérez ,&nbsp;Rocío Muñoz-Hernández ,&nbsp;Noris Pavía-Ruz ,&nbsp;María L. Navarro ,&nbsp;África Holguín","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children represent a little-studied growing population. We aimed to determine whether perinatal HIV exposure imparts long-term immune alterations.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A prospective cohort including 91 children (&lt;13 years) from México was classified into four groups: HIV unexposed-uninfected (HUU, n = 25), HEU (n = 25), HIV exposed infected with undetectable (HEI^undetVL, n = 25) or detectable VL (HEI^detVL, n = 16). Sixty-four immune biomarkers were measured in each child: 55 proteins in plasma and 9 mRNAs in paired-dried blood samples</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Principal Component Analysis revealed that HEU exhibited similarity to HEI^undetVL and higher inter-individual variability than HUU. HEU children exhibited significantly higher levels of IL-17A, TIM-3, P-Selectin and <em>CD14</em> mRNA along with lower levels in Serum amyloid A (SAA), IGFBP-4, myeloperoxidase and tPA compared with HUU. Despite no differences in age at diagnosis, CD4 counts, or ART exposure time between the HIV-exposed and infected groups, active infection (HEI^detVL) was associated with significant alterations in 15 markers, indicating extensive immune dysregulation. These included higher levels of myeloid activation markers (sCD14, sCD163), chemokines (CXCL10), VEGF-A, immune-checkpoints (Galectin-9, <em>PD-1</em> mRNA) and markers of vascular inflammation and coagulation (tPA, ICAM-1, myeloperoxidase, N-GAL, or SAA), as well as lower levels of four immune-checkpoints (sCD86, sCD137, CTLA-4) and MMP-2, compared with HEI^undetVL. Logistic regression models identified SAA, TIM-3 and IGFBP-4 as independently associated with HIV exposure, achieving an accuracy of 82 % in classifying HEU <em>vs.</em> HUU children, whereas downregulated sCD86, combined with elevated Galectin-9 and VEGF-A levels, were independently associated with active HIV viremia, with a classification accuracy of 92.7 %.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Perinatal HIV exposure induces persistent immune alterations, even in uninfected children, including elevated cytokines, immune-checkpoints, thrombosis and vascular inflammation markers. These findings suggest that, even without acquiring HIV, exposed children exhibit immunological imprints that may contribute to increased risk of adverse health outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103168"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147307055","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":"PostInfluenza bacterial infections: Epidemiology, mechanistic insights and emerging treatment approaches","authors":"Yueying Chen ,&nbsp;Hong Li ,&nbsp;Jingwen Mu ,&nbsp;Yanchun Peng ,&nbsp;Pasqualina D’Ursi ,&nbsp;Keda Chen ,&nbsp;Yuejuan Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103178","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Influenza virus is one of the most common viruses for respiratory tract infections. Postinfluenza bacterial infections can lead to severe pneumonia and significantly increase the mortality during influenza outbreaks. This review addresses the differences between primary influenza viral infection and postinfluenza bacterial infection and explores the underlying mechanisms of the secondary infection. The mechanisms entail the disruption of the lung barrier and the host immune system by influenza virus, as well as an increase in the availability of nutrients necessary for bacterial proliferation, which collectively lead to increased susceptibility to secondary infections. This review also discusses the current common clinical and novel therapeutic strategies to provide new insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103178"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146172263","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":"Next-generation gene therapy for infectious disease: Advances, challenges, and future directions","authors":"Maryam Fattahi ,&nbsp;Fatemeh Pirbadami ,&nbsp;Tahereh Motallebirad ,&nbsp;Zeynab Beheshti ,&nbsp;Davood Azadi","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Infectious diseases, worsened by antimicrobial resistance and limitations of conventional treatments, demand innovative solutions. This systematic review evaluates recent advances in next-generation gene therapy for HIV, HBV, HPV, and multidrug-resistant(MDR) pathogens, while addressing key challenges and future directions. Following PRISMA guidelines, major databases were searched (2015–2025), yielding 1250 records. the114 peer-reviewed studies were included, assessed using the MMAT, and thematically synthesized for therapeutic strategies, efficacy, challenges, and prospects. Findings show CRISPR-based genome editing achieved HIV remission in preclinical and early clinical trials, engineered bacteriophages demonstrated strong efficacy against MDR bacteria, RNAi effectively silenced HBV, and phage-derived depolymerases reduced MDR biofilms. Adverse events included off-target effects, immunogenicity, and scalability issues. Efficacy varied, with CRISPR offering high specificity and phage therapies showing robust lysis. In conclusion, Gene therapy shows strong potential against resistant pathogens, but faces challenges like study heterogeneity, preclinical reliance, delivery barriers, and unequal access in low-and middle-income countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103164"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146165508","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":"Corrigendum to “Beyond COVID-19 in people with HIV: Specific miRNA expression profile persist after SARS-CoV-2 clearance” [J Infect Public Health 19 (3) (2026) 103108]","authors":"Sergio Grande-García ,&nbsp;Manuel Llamás-Adán ,&nbsp;Celia Crespo-Bermejo ,&nbsp;Violeta Lara-Aguilar ,&nbsp;Sonia Arca-Lafuente ,&nbsp;Luz Martín-Carbonero ,&nbsp;Pablo Ryan ,&nbsp;Ignacio de los Santos ,&nbsp;María de Lagarde ,&nbsp;Rafael Mican-Rivera ,&nbsp;Santiago Moreno ,&nbsp;Salvador Resino ,&nbsp;Juan Berenguer ,&nbsp;Verónica Briz ,&nbsp;Amanda Fernández-Rodríguez ,&nbsp;on behalf of the Multidisciplinary HIV/Hepatitis Viral Coinfection Group (COVIHEP) and of the CoRIS cohort","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103167","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103167"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137422","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":"A structured-data algorithm for semiautomated surveillance of surgical site infection after colorectal surgery: A diagnostic accuracy study","authors":"Daniel Casanova-Portoles ,&nbsp;Josep M. Badia ,&nbsp;Carlos G. Forero ,&nbsp;Néstor Sánchez-Martínez ,&nbsp;Manel Romero ,&nbsp;Toni Alonso-Solís ,&nbsp;Enric Limón ,&nbsp;Miquel Pujol ,&nbsp;Joan Sancho","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103151","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103151","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Manual surveillance of surgical site infections (SSIs) after colorectal surgery is resource-intensive, limiting scalability. Semiautomated algorithms based on structured electronic health record (EHR) data may maintain high case-finding sensitivity while reducing workload.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective diagnostic-accuracy study was conducted in a teaching hospital participating in a nationwide SSI surveillance programme. All elective colorectal procedures performed between January 2010 and December 2023 were included. SSIs were classified according to CDC-NHSN/ECDC criteria. Eight binary EHR-derived “alerts” were combined into a composite rule (any alert positive). Manual surveillance served as the reference standard. Performance was assessed overall, by SSI depth (superficial, deep, organ/space), and by procedure type (colon vs rectal). Discrimination (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 1213 patients (1085 colon; 128 rectal) were included. The overall SSI incidence was 11.2 % (3.1 % superficial, 1.2 % deep, 6.8 % organ/space). The composite alert achieved an AUC of 0.859 (95 % CI 0.838–0.878) for any SSI, with sensitivity 0.721, specificity 0.876, PPV 0.424, and NPV 0.961. At this operating point, 19 % of procedures would be flagged for manual verification, corresponding to an estimated 81 % reduction in full chart reviews. Discrimination was highest for organ/space infections (AUC 0.919; sensitivity 0.831; specificity 0.911). Performance for deep SSI was intermediate (AUC 0.805), and for superficial SSI, more limited (AUC 0.571). Sensitivity was higher for colon surgery (AUC 0.853) and specificity higher for rectal surgery (AUC 0.881).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The structured-data algorithm demonstrated strong overall discrimination and excellent performance for organ/space infections, supporting the feasibility of semiautomated surveillance without compromising detection quality. External and prospective validation, definition of diagnostic safety thresholds, and workload-reduction analyses are required to optimise implementation. Exploration of NLP add-ons may be considered where resources permit. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT07130656.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103151"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146102489","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":"Modeling epidemic and economic trade-offs under alternative COVID-19 isolation exit scenarios in South Korea","authors":"Suyoung Jo ,&nbsp;Sung-il Cho ,&nbsp;Asaph Young Chun ,&nbsp;Kyung-Duk Min","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103160","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103160","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Scientific evidence should guide adjustments to isolation policies as part of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exit strategies. However, such evidence was limited when these strategies were implemented. This study retrospectively evaluated the relaxation of isolation policies in South Korea, aiming to generate evidence to support policy decisions in future pandemic scenarios.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We developed an age-stratified deterministic vaccination-extended Susceptible–Exposed–Infectious–Recovered model to simulate counterfactual scenarios related to isolation policy changes during the Omicron wave. Two phases were assessed: partial relaxation of isolation in 2022 and complete lifting of isolation mandates in 2023. Model outputs included confirmed cases and wage loss. Modified cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated as economic savings per additional infection.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Moderate shortening of isolation from 10 to 7 days before the epidemic peak was associated with relatively favorable trade-offs between additional infections and wage loss reduction. In contrast, a more aggressive approach, reducing isolation to 5 days, resulted in a substantially higher number of confirmed cases with only marginal additional economic benefit. Delaying full lifting until July 2023, 1 month after the actual policy change, led to smaller and later epidemic peaks and greater economic gains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings suggested that both the timing and extent of isolation policy relaxation significantly influence epidemic dynamics and economic-epidemiologic trade-offs. Scenario-based modeling offers a valuable tool for anticipating trade-offs and informing policy decisions. Strengthening real-time surveillance and predictive modeling infrastructure is critical for an adaptive and balanced pandemic response.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103160"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146125283","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 between prior COVID-19 infection and acute mountain sickness on Jade Mountain: A prospective observational study (2023−2024)","authors":"Te-Chun Shen ,&nbsp;Mei-Chen Lin ,&nbsp;Bi-Kun Chuang ,&nbsp;Bagkall Haivangang ,&nbsp;Shui-Fei Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2026.103152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a frequent concern for climbers at high altitudes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, questions have emerged regarding whether prior infection increases susceptibility to AMS.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a prospective observational study at the Paiyun Lodge medical station (3402 m) on Jade Mountain (Yushan, 3952 m) between 2023 and 2024. All climbers presenting for medical services were screened. Demographics, comorbidities, ascent characteristics, sleep duration, prophylactic medication, and self-reported COVID-19 history were recorded. AMS was diagnosed clinically and validated using the 2018 Lake Louise AMS Score. Logistic regression and multiple propensity score methods were used to assess associations between COVID-19 history and AMS occurrence and severity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 871 patients were included; 52.4 % were aged 20–40 years, 57.3 % were male, and 74.7 % reported a history of COVID-19 infection. Clinically diagnosed AMS occurred in 64.1 % (n = 558), with 274 mild and 284 severe cases. Although crude analyses suggested a borderline association between COVID-19 history and AMS (OR = 1.36, 95 % CI: 1.00–1.87), this was not statistically significant after multivariable adjustment (adjusted OR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 0.96–1.88) or propensity score methods.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Prior COVID-19 infection was not significantly associated with the occurrence and severity of AMS among climbers who sought medical services on Jade Mountain. These findings suggest that a history of mild COVID-19 does not independently increase AMS susceptibility, providing reassurance to mountaineers and aligning with contemporary expert consensus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"19 4","pages":"Article 103152"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146125361","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}