Journal of Infection and Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Under-estimated burden of pertussis among middle and older-aged adults: A longitudinal seroepidemiological study in Taiwan during 2014–2020","authors":"Ming-Han Tsai ,&nbsp;Chih-Jung Chen ,&nbsp;Lan-Yan Yang ,&nbsp;Yu-Bin Pan ,&nbsp;Hsiang-Ju Shih ,&nbsp;Chyi-Liang Chen ,&nbsp;Cheng-Hsun Chiu","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The resurgence of pertussis has been observed in Taiwan in the last 2 decades. Most cases are infants and young children, and few were reported in adults. The study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of pertussis among adults aged ≧ 45 years and identify associated risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sera from adults ≧ 45 years of age, stored at the biobank of a tertiary medical center from 2014 to 2020, were analyzed. Anti-pertussis toxin (PT) IgG levels ≧ 40 IU/mL measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was defined as seropositivity. The association between seropositivity, clinical characters and different age groups was investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 2199 samples were analyzed. The seropositivity was 4.5 % (99/2199), with increasing rates by age ranging from 2.9 % (21/732) in 45–54-year-old to 16.2 % (17/105) in ≧ 75-year-old age groups. Of the analysis between seropositivity and clinical characters, seropositive individuals were more likely to be male (69.7 % vs. 56.1 %; OR 2.12, 95 % CI 1.25–3.59, <em>P</em> = 0.005), older (mean age 63.7 vs. 58.6 years old; OR 1.04, 95 % CI 1.01–1.06, <em>P</em> = 0.004), and have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (21.6 % vs. 7.1 %; OR 2.94, 95 % CI 1.61–5.36, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Additionally, if the anti-PT IgG levels were measured as geometric mean titers, malignancy was found to be more common in cases with seropositivity compared with those without (<em>P</em> = 0.0085).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Pertussis, which was underestimated in older adults, has been circulating in Taiwan. To avoid the resurgence of pertussis in Taiwan, targeted tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination is recommended for adults, especially for those with older age, ESRD or malignancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 11","pages":"Article 102901"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772595","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 comparison of three regimens of polymyxin B for the treatment of central nervous system infections caused by carbapenem-resistant bacteria: A retrospective cohort study","authors":"Xuan Leng ,&nbsp;Lexin Xia ,&nbsp;Hui Zhou ,&nbsp;Chunlu Cheng ,&nbsp;Chunfang Cui ,&nbsp;Jingyan Xia ,&nbsp;Feng Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The prevalence of central nervous system infections caused by carbapenem-resistant organisms is on the rise, posing a growing threat to public health. Polymyxin is deemed as one of the “last resort” options. In this study, we analyzed the therapeutic efficacy of three dosing regimens of polymyxin B: intravenous (IV), intraventricular (IVT) or intrathecal (ITH) (denote as IVT/ITH), and IV combined with IVT or ITH (denote as combination therapy).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The retrospective study was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine. There were 53 patients in the IV group, 71 in the IVT/ITH group, and 106 in the combination group. The clinical characteristics, treatment process, and the results of relevant tests were documented.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Clinical outcome (classified as clinical success, clinical relief and clinical failure), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathogen clearance rate, and 28-day all-cause mortality were the three primary evaluation criteria. Concerning the clinical outcome, the IV group was inferior to the IVT/ITH (<em>P</em> = 0.032) and the combination group (<em>P</em> = 0.008). The CSF pathogen clearance rate of the combination group was superior to that of the IV group (<em>P</em> = 0.001) and the IVT/ITH group (<em>P</em> = 0.041). The 28-day all-cause mortality was lower in the IVT/ITH group (<em>P</em> = 0.018) and the combination group (<em>P</em> = 0.004) compared to the IV group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the route of delivery of polymyxin B was associated with 28-day all-cause mortality (<em>P</em> = 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The IVT/ITH and IV combined with IVT/ITH use of polymyxin B can effectively reduce mortality and achieve better clinical outcomes, while the combination regimen performed better in eradicating CSF pathogens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 11","pages":"Article 102903"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144772594","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":"Chronic meningococcal disease: Systematic literature review","authors":"Lukas P. Schulz ,&nbsp;Beatrice Gatti ,&nbsp;Gregorio P. Milani ,&nbsp;Sebastiano A.G. Lava ,&nbsp;Camilla Lavagno ,&nbsp;Mario G. Bianchetti ,&nbsp;Gabriel Bronz ,&nbsp;Lisa Kottanattu ,&nbsp;Pietro Camozzi ,&nbsp;Pietro B. Faré","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chronic meningococcal disease is a rare and under-recognized manifestation of Neisseria meningitidis infection. Unlike acute meningococcal infections, its presentation is insidious, leading to diagnostic delays. We conducted a systematic review to better characterize its clinical, microbiological, and epidemiological profile.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024608035). We searched Excerpta Medica, National Library of Medicine, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and bibliographies for cases reported since 1960 using the terms “chronic meningococcemia” or “chronic meningococcal disease.” Eligible cases involved previously apparently healthy individuals with N. meningitidis isolated from a normally sterile site. Two reviewers independently extracted data on demographics, clinical features, diagnostics, microbiology, treatment, and outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 126 cases from 97 reports were included. Most patients (median age: 21 years) presented with recurrent fever (98 %), non-blanching skin lesions (95 %), and musculoskeletal symptoms (90 %) over a period of ≥ 10 days. In over two-thirds of cases, symptoms followed a relapsing-remitting pattern, with alternating episodes of fever, rash, and joint involvement. Diagnosis was delayed longer in adults than in children (P &lt; 0.0001). Blood cultures were positive in 77 % of cases; molecular testing and skin biopsy improved diagnostic yield. N. meningitidis serogroup B (58 %) and C (31 %) were most common. Meningeal signs were largely absent (94 %). Antimicrobial therapy led to complete recovery without sequelae in all patients. Testing for inherited susceptibility was conducted in 52 cases and revealed abnormalities - primarily complement deficiencies - in 13 (23 %) of them.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Chronic meningococcal disease should be considered in individuals with relapsing fever, vasculitic skin lesions, and joint involvement, especially when cultures are negative or symptoms mimic viral or autoimmune conditions. Early use of molecular diagnostics and awareness of characteristic patterns may improve recognition. The term \"relapsing-remitting meningococcal disease\" may better reflect its clinical nature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 11","pages":"Article 102900"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780029","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":"Pathogen genotypes and host phenotypes of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease in Taiwan","authors":"Yu-Hsun Chiang ,&nbsp;Jia-Yih Feng ,&nbsp;Chin-Chung Shu ,&nbsp;Chih-Jung Chang ,&nbsp;Sheng-Wei Pan ,&nbsp;Wei-Juin Su","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Mycobacterium abscessus</em> (Mabs) pulmonary disease (Mabs-PD) is difficult to treat, particularly in subspecies <em>abscessus</em> (Mabs-a), usually harboring macrolide-resistant sequevars, unlike subspecies <em>massiliense</em> (Mabs-m). The relationship between Mabs genetic variants and clinical features remains largely unexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this retrospective cohort study, patients with Mabs-PD and Mabs extrapulmonary disease (Mabs-ED), identified during 2016–2018, were observed for severe or progressive Mabs-PD, indicated by antibiotic needs or increased lung lesions. DNA of Mabs isolates was sequenced to determine subspecies and evaluate macrolide-resistance genetic variants (<em>rrl</em> mutations or functional <em>erm</em>(41) with T28 sequevar).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The Mabs-PD group (n = 77) was older and thinner than the Mabs-ED group (n = 20). In Mabs-PD, macrolide-resistance genetic variants were detected in 84.6 % of Mabs-a (n = 42) and 9.4 % of Mabs-m (n = 35) isolates (p &lt; 0.001). Cavitary disease (n = 10) and non-cavitary bilateral disease (n = 45) were associated with an increased risk of severe or progressive Mabs-PD compared to non-cavitary unilateral disease (n = 22) (adjusted odds ratio 13.039 [95 % CI 1.239–137.172], p = 0.032; and 4.875 [0.755–31.502], p = 0.096, respectively). Patients with cavitary disease or non-cavitary bilateral disease were more likely to harbor Mabs-m isolates compared to those with non-cavitary unilateral disease (50.0 % and 57.8 % vs. 18.2 %, p = 0.008). Bilateral disease (n = 54, with 9 cavitary disease included) was inversely associated with macrolide-resistance genetic variants, a finding consistent across subgroup analyses, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.187 (95 % CI [0.054–0.646], p = 0.008).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Mabs-PD patients with cavitary or bilateral disease, potentially requiring treatment initiation, had a lower risk of harboring macrolide-resistant Mabs, emphasizing the importance of phenotype-specific investigations to enhance clinical decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102899"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144632598","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":"Cost-effectiveness of tuberculosis infection screening and treatment among high-tuberculosis risk immigrants and asylum seekers in The Netherlands: A cohort modelling study","authors":"Jan A.C. Hontelez ,&nbsp;Ineke T. Spruijt ,&nbsp;Roel Bakker ,&nbsp;Frank Cobelens ,&nbsp;Connie Erkens ,&nbsp;Susan van den Hof ,&nbsp;Sake J. de Vlas","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102889","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102889","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of TB infection (TBI) screening and TB preventive treatment (TPT) for immigrants, asylum seekers, and settled migrants in The Netherlands.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used a deterministic cohort model that captures the natural history of TBI and TB disease for a migrant cohort in the country of origin (pre-entry) and in The Netherlands (post-entry). We fitted the pre-entry force of infection to Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) positivity rates from an implementation pilot study, and chest X-ray (CXR) positivity from the national entry-screening programme. We compared the costs per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained for TBI screening with CXR screening over a 20-year time-horizon, accounting for parameter uncertainty by producing predictions for over 1000 unique parameter combinations that fit the data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>TBI screening uniformly resulted in an increase in QALYs gained compared to current CXR-based screening policies. For immigrants, &lt;10 % of parameter combinations predicted TBI entry screening to be more cost-effective than CXR screening under observed TPT completion rates (36 %). However, this changed to nearly 100 % of parameter combinations for immigrants coming from countries with a TB incidence of ≥100 per 100,000 when applying TPT completion rates as observed in asylum seekers (72 %). For asylum seekers, 100 % of parameter combinations predicted cost-effectiveness, while 0 % predicted TBI screening to be cost-effective among settled migrants.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>TBI entry screening is a cost-effective alternative to CXR entry screening for immigrants and asylum seekers coming from high TB endemic countries, provided TPT completion is sufficiently high.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102889"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144588079","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 and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas","authors":"Manoj K. Sah ,&nbsp;Lenin Mahimainathan ,&nbsp;Muluye Mesfin ,&nbsp;Andrew E. Clark ,&nbsp;Jeffrey A. SoRelle","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102890","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102890","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are an emerging group of related opportunistic pathogens resembling tuberculosis (TB) infections with a wide virulence spectrum. The diversity of the causative agents of NTM disease underscores the need for swift identification, as it differs by geographic regions, and treatment approaches vary. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Non-tuberculous <em>Mycobacteria</em> recovered in North Texas.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. We included 15,724 pulmonary and extra-pulmonary specimens submitted to Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) culture. A total of 820 specimens growing with the <em>Mycobacterial</em> species were counted for the final analysis. Species prevalence, site of growth, and seasonal trends were evaluated at our site.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In a total of 15,724 AFB cultures (5.21 %, n = 820), specimens were positive for twenty-four different species/subspecies of mycobacteria. Overall, the prevalence of NTM was (5.05 %, n = 795). Out of 820, the incidence of NTM was (97 %, n = 795) and <em>M. tuberculosis</em> complex (3 %, n = 25). 15.4 % (704/4574) of NTM were isolated from pulmonary and 0.82 % (91/11,150) from extra-pulmonary specimens. (63 %, n = 514) were slow-growing mycobacteria. The major NTM species were <em>M. avium</em> complex (MAC) (46 %, n = 375), followed by <em>M. abscessus</em> complex (23.78 %, n = 195), <em>M. chelonae</em> (4.9 %, n = 40), <em>M. mucogenicum phocaicum</em> (3.9 %, n = 32), and <em>M. arupense</em> (2.1 %, n = 17). Notably, MAC had cyclical low points in July and February but peaked in October. There was no seasonal pattern for <em>M. abscessus</em> complex.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our findings revealed that the frequency of NTM was much higher than TB. Remarkably, the prevalence of <em>M. avium</em> complex and <em>M. abscessus</em> complex occupies the top rank, with the emerging <em>M. chelonae</em> and <em>M</em>. <em>mucogenicum phocaicum</em>. This warrants a precise analytical approach to identify the NTM as the diverse geographical distribution and the needed species-specific treatment regimen to adopt control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102890"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144595918","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":"Non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection among clinically suspected tuberculosis in eastern India (2019–2023)","authors":"Sunil Swick Rout ,&nbsp;Jyotirmayee Turuk ,&nbsp;Narayana Swamy DM,&nbsp;Sidhartha Giri,&nbsp;Afeeq K,&nbsp;Sujeet Kumar,&nbsp;Triyambakesh Mohanty,&nbsp;Sunita Panda,&nbsp;Sudarshan Biswal,&nbsp;Dasarathi Das,&nbsp;Sanghamitra Pati","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102888","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102888","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections is on rise globally and poses significant diagnostic and treatment challenges for tuberculosis as most of them are resistant to anti-tubercular drugs. NTM susceptibility to drugs varies from species to species and there is no specific regimen for treatment. We conducted this study to understand the epidemiology of NTM infections in Odisha from 2019 to 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>All the samples referred from districts suspected for NTM infections were subjected to culture followed by species identification using line probe assay (Hain Lifesciences, details). Anti-mycobacterial susceptibility was determined by MIC breakpoints and the analysis was done as per the Clinical and laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) M24S 2018 guidelines.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 828 suspected NTM infection samples were included in the study. Non- tuberculous mycobacteria were found in 67 (8.1 %, 67/828) samples. The most prevalent non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated was found to be <em>M. intracellulare</em> (32.8 %,22/67)<em>,</em> followed by <em>M. abscessus</em> (22.3 %, 15/67)<em>, M. fortuitum</em> (11.9 %,8/67), and <em>M. scrofulaceum</em> (8.9 %),6/67)<em>.</em> Non tuberculosis mycobacterial disease was seen from most of the districts but it was more common in the coastal districts of Odisha like Khordha (29.8 %,20/67), Cuttack (11.9 %,8/67), Bhadrak (8.9 %,67), Kendrapada (7.4 %,5/67), Balasore (4.4 %, 3/67), Jajpur (4.4 %, 3/67), Puri (7.4 %,5/67). NTM was more prevalent in males (65.7 %) than females (34.3 %). The MIC breakpoints showed different sensitive and resistant patterns for NTM isolates. It was seen that <em>M. mucogeniucum</em> was sensitive to all the drugs tested, <em>M. avium</em> and <em>M. abscessus</em> isolates were resistant to most of the drugs and sensitive to few drugs like doxycycline, kanamycin and clarithromycin.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The increasing prevalence of NTM infections necessitates precise identification at the species level, coupled with drug susceptibility testing (DST), to guide targeted therapy. This approach is critical not only for optimizing patient outcomes but also for mitigating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance through inappropriate or empirical treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102888"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144569058","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-pandemic outbreak of measles seen in Japan, 2024","authors":"Yuri Amemiya,&nbsp;Tetsuro Kobayashi,&nbsp;Hiroshi Nishiura","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>An imported case of measles was reported on 1 March 2024 in Japan, followed by additional cases involving individuals who took the same flight as the index case. In addition to post-pandemic real-time assessment of the transmission dynamics, we aimed to clarify the epidemiological characteristics of the 2024 measles outbreak in Japan.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analyzed confirmed-case data based on notifications from public health centers. To estimate the effective reproduction number (<em>R</em>_t), we retrieved a serial interval distribution from an outbreak dataset in the United Kingdom. Estimating the infectiousness profile as a function of time since illness onset, we back-projected the time of secondary transmission to compute the <em>R</em>_t. We reconstructed the transmission tree based on contact tracing information.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>As of 13 May 2024, a total of 24 measles cases were notified during 2024, among which 13 were considered to have acquired the infection from the index case. The estimated <em>R</em>_t peaked at 14.1 (95 % CI: 1.2–33.4) on 23 February, the day before the index case self-isolated. <em>R</em>_t subsequently declined, and public announcements of diagnosed cases were made by the affected prefectures, raising awareness about the measles outbreak.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>An imported measles case led to a super-spreading event, but further secondary transmission was prevented; the index case self-isolated and awareness was raised about the outbreak by public health centers. The present simple method of computing the <em>R</em>_t is useful for monitoring future outbreaks of any directly transmitted infectious disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102887"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572001","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 post-COVID-19 upsurge in Group A Streptococcus in the Czech Republic was driven by emm1 and emm12 with shared virulence factors","authors":"Marek Stefan ,&nbsp;Suhanya Prasad ,&nbsp;Ivana Vitkova ,&nbsp;Elka Nycova ,&nbsp;Lenka Ryskova ,&nbsp;Pavla Kucova ,&nbsp;Lenka Geigerova ,&nbsp;Denisa Vesela ,&nbsp;Magda Balejova ,&nbsp;Natasa Bartonikova ,&nbsp;Lenka Havlinova ,&nbsp;Erika Czyzova ,&nbsp;Jan Kubele ,&nbsp;Barbora Dratvova ,&nbsp;Milena Antuskova ,&nbsp;Jaroslava Zikova ,&nbsp;Marie Brajerova ,&nbsp;Otakar Nyc ,&nbsp;Milan Trojanek ,&nbsp;Pavel Drevinek ,&nbsp;Marcela Krutova","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102886","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102886","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In 2023, a significant increase in <em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em>, Group A <em>Streptococcus</em> (GAS) culture positivity was observed in Czech microbiological laboratories. We conducted a multicentre study to obtain epidemiological data and characterise circulating strains.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Eleven microbiology departments provided data on single-patient GAS-positive cultures from 2017 to 2023. Additionally, 10 consecutive, single-patient GAS isolates from 12 hospitals were submitted in May 2023 for whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In 2023, there was a significant increase in GAS-positive cultures compared to the periods of 2017–2019 (p = 0.002), 2020–2021 (p &lt; 0.00001), and 2022 (p = 0.001), with a disproportionate increase in children. Among 120 isolates, 12 different <em>emm</em> types and 16 multi-locus sequence types (STs) were identified, with <em>emm</em>1 (ST28, 35.0 %) and <em>emm</em>12 (STs 36, 101, 242, 1366, 32.5 %) being the most prevalent. Clonal clustering of <em>emm</em>1 and <em>emm</em>12 isolates across different study sites and geographic regions was demonstrated by whole-genome MLST analysis. When searching for shared virulence genes exclusive to <em>emm</em>1 and <em>emm</em>12 but absent in other <em>emm</em> types, immune evasion and colonisation factors (the streptococcal inhibitor of complement-<em>sic</em> gene in <em>emm</em>1, the distantly related sic-<em>drs</em> gene in <em>emm</em>12, and the <em>sda</em>1 gene in both) were identified.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>An upsurge in GAS infections, predominantly caused by <em>emm</em>1 and <em>emm</em>12, was identified in the Czech Republic. The combination of shared virulence factors, altered herd immunity and naïve immunity in children, resulting from contact precautions measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, may have contributed to their increased spread.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102886"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580185","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":"Unlocking antiviral potentials of traditional plants: A multi-method computational study against human metapneumovirus (HMPV)","authors":"Amit Dubey ,&nbsp;Manish Kumar ,&nbsp;Aisha Tufail ,&nbsp;Vivek Dhar Dwivedi ,&nbsp;Andrea Ragusa","doi":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102885","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102885","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a major cause of respiratory infections, especially in vulnerable populations. The absence of targeted antiviral therapies necessitates the exploration of novel drug candidates. Traditional medicinal plants offer a reservoir of bioactive compounds with potential antiviral properties. This study employs a multi-method computational approach to assess the antiviral potential of phytochemicals against HMPV.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive <em>in silico</em> framework was employed, including virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, density functional theory (DFT) calculations, pharmacophore modeling, and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) profiling. Key bioactive compounds were evaluated for their binding affinity, stability, and pharmacokinetic properties.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the analyzed phytochemicals, Glycyrrhizin exhibited the highest binding affinity (-65.4 kcal/mol) with strong hydrogen bonding and remarkable dynamic stability (RMSD 1.3 Å). Withaferin A (-63.7 kcal/mol) also demonstrated high pharmacokinetic potential. DFT analyses confirmed their favorable electronic properties, and ADMET profiling validated their drug-like characteristics. These findings highlight the promise of natural compounds as potential HMPV inhibitors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study underscores the potential of traditional phytochemicals in antiviral drug discovery. The integration of computational techniques accelerates lead identification and optimization. Further <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> validations are essential to confirm these findings and facilitate clinical translation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16087,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Infection and Public Health","volume":"18 10","pages":"Article 102885"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144548724","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}