Pathogens and Global Health最新文献

{"title":"Beyond alarmism: what Australia's influenza season really tells us about Italy.","authors":"Francesco Branda, Chiara Romano, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Fabio Scarpa, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2573304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2573304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The seasonality of influenza still poses a significant challenge to public health today, with different dynamics between the southern and northern hemispheres. In Europe and Italy, the arrival of winter is often accompanied by alarmist media reports about the so-called 'Australian flu', a term that has no scientific basis and is potentially misleading. This study systematically compares the most recent epidemiological and virological data from Australia and Italy, analyzing laboratory-confirmed cases, the distribution of viral subtypes, and vaccination coverage. The results show that, although Australia is a useful sentinel system for identifying circulating strains and validating vaccine composition, the trend of its flu season is not a direct predictor of the subsequent European season. Demographic differences, vaccination coverage, mobility, and co-circulation of other respiratory viruses (RSV, SARS-CoV-2) determine distinct epidemiological scenarios. The implications for public health indicate the need to move beyond alarmist communication approaches in favor of a scientifically based interpretation of data, promoting integrated surveillance systems, targeted vaccination campaigns, and updated clinical strategies for multi-pathogen management. An evidence-based approach and clear, contextualized communication are essential to effectively address the challenges posed by seasonal respiratory diseases in an increasingly complex global context.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145286686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disrupting vector competence: exploring radiofrequency exposure as a novel approach to mosquito-borne disease prevention in a changing climate.","authors":"Francesco Defilippo, Ana Moreno, Massimo Ciccozzi, Margherita Losardo, Pietro Bia, Antonio Manna, Laura de Gara, Marta Giovanetti","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2573317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2573317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global expansion of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus is a major public health concern, intensified by climate change and environmental alterations. <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, <i>Aedes albopictus</i>, and <i>Culex pipiens</i> are among the most important vectors for these pathogens, contributing to their transmission across increasingly broad geographic areas. In Europe, the expanding distribution and vectorial competence of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> and <i>Cx. pipiens</i> highlight the need for innovative control strategies beyond traditional chemical and mechanical interventions, which face growing limitations due to resistance and sustainability concerns. This review examines the potential of radiofrequency (RF) exposure as a novel method to disrupt mosquito development and reduce vector competence. While the biological effects of RF have been studied in other systems, its impact on mosquito physiology and pathogen transmission remains underexplored. Preliminary findings suggest that RF exposure may alter larval viability, adult emergence, and reproductive capacity, with possible downstream effects on pathogen replication and transmission. We contextualize RF-based approaches alongside other emerging biocontrol strategies, including <i>Wolbachia</i>-based methods, genetic modification, and sterile insect techniques, emphasizing their integration into climate-responsive vector control programs. Additional consideration is given to other arthropod vectors of medical relevance, such as sandflies (<i>Phlebotominae</i>) and biting midges (<i>Culicoides</i> spp.), which contribute to the spread of arboviruses. Finally, we identify research gaps and propose directions for interdisciplinary studies to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and ecological impact of RF-based interventions. By targeting mosquito competence through non-chemical, scalable technologies, RF exposure offers a promising avenue to strengthen arbovirus prevention in the context of climate-driven vector expansion.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influenza strains in focus: global approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and control of H1N1, H3N2, H7N9, and H9N2.","authors":"Amandeep Singh, Prabhjot Kaur, Manish Kumar, Rohit Bhatia, Sheeba Shafi, Prabhat Kumar Upadhyay, Ashish Gaur, Abhishek Tiwari, Varsha Tiwari","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2536906","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2536906","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Influenza virus and its various strains are a significant risk for the global health; influenza and its various strains have caused various periodic outbreaks and pandemics. As we delve into this review, it studies the history and the threat possessed by the four prominent strains of influenza H1N1, H3N2, H7N9, and H9N2. It also examines some of recent and notable outbreaks posed by these influenza strains. In 2009, the H1N1 pandemic was originated in the swine and was spread worldwide rapidly. This outbreak highlighted the gaps in the preparations and response in global healthcare system. The other strain H3N2 with a long history of frequent outbreaks distresses the public health and the health care sectors due to its evolution and the ability to adapt. In 2013 China, a novel strain was identified with a high mortality rate and the potential for human-to-human transmission remains a concern to the public health. Another strain H9N2 though less infectious is being monitored for its ability to cause pandemics in the future, and its distinct genetic makeup and sporadic human infections are causes for worry. This review outlines their differences and similarities, the importance of vigilant surveillance, effective treatment strategies, and the preparedness measures to mitigate any future influenza outbreaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"272-292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459171/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global and regional mortality rate statistics of mpox (formerly monkeypox): a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Srivatsa Surya Vasudevan, Tiba Yamin Kandrikar, Prachi Cooner, Bijay Mukesh Jeswani, Suhel F Batarseh, Abdalla Sayed, Ashmita Yadav, Aakanksha Pitliya, Vijay Kumar, Riddhi Panchal, Abhishek Vasudevan, Chun Li, Hansala Nursah Yilmaz Tuna, Kartik Dapke, Piyush Gondaliya","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2551507","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2551507","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mortality trends associated with the mpox virus (MPXV) are not well defined. This study aims to systematically assess the mortality rate of mpox and its stratification across different geographical locations. Comprehensive review of articles from the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to June 2025, focusing on studies reporting mortality rates among patients diagnosed with mpox. A random-effects proportional meta-analysis assessed global and regional mpox mortality rates and their geographical variations. Sensitivity analysis using one-study removal method and meta-regression analyses were conducted. Out of 4,098 records, 30 articles met the selection criteria, comprising a total of 47,311 patients diagnosed with mpox. The pooled global mpox mortality rate was 3.1% (95% CI: 1.6%-5.9%). Mortality was significantly higher before 2016 at 11.4% (95% CI: 5.8%-21.1%), compared to 2.4% (95% CI: 1.2%-4.7%) during 2016-2025, and declined further in the post-COVID era to 1.5% (95% CI: 0.7%-3.4%). Mortality was markedly elevated among individuals with HIV co-infection (83.8%; 95% CI: 74.0%-90.5%). Regionally, mortality was highest in Africa (6.3%) and lowest in Europe (0.1%). Among studies conducted in endemic regions, a notable temporal decline was also observed, with mortality decreasing from 11.4% before 2016 to 4.1% during 2016-2025. Meta-regression identified year of publication as a significant predictor of mortality (<i>p</i> = 0.028), indicating improved outcomes over time. Global mpox mortality has declined over time, particularly in endemic regions and the post-COVID era. However, individuals with HIV remain at exceptionally high risk, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"293-303"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459194/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144964312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of severe COVID-19 in vaccinated adults: a study from southern Brazil (2021-2023).","authors":"Guilherme Geraldo Lovato Sorio, Vinicius da Silva Gregory, Daniel Sganzerla, Marcelo Rodrigues Gonçalves, Fabio Fernandes Dantas Filho, Maria Helena da Silva Pitombeira Rigatto","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2554138","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2554138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19, some individuals remain at risk. The study goal was to determine risk factors for COVID-19 requiring hospital admission. A case-control study was conducted in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Vaccinated adults with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from February 2021 to March 2023 were eligible. Hospitalized patients (cases) and outpatients with non-severe infections (control group) were time-matched in a 1:1 ratio. Moreover, we followed hospitalized patients (cases) to evaluate factors related to 30-day mortality and/or ventilation support. We included 364 patients: 182 cases and 182 controls. Age > 60 years (odds ratio [OR] 3.98 [95% confidence interval{CI} 2.23-7.19]), male sex (OR 3.07 [95%CI 1.78-5.40]), diabetes mellitus (OR 4.61 [95% CI 2.08-11.08]), cardiovascular disease (OR 4.07 [95%CI 1.73-10.64]), lung disease (OR 3.06 [95%CI 1.39-6.94]), obesity (OR 3.39 [95%CI 1.29-9.73]), and previous infection (OR 0.19 [95%CI 0.06-0.51]) were independently related to COVID-19 hospital admission. In the arm of hospitalized patients, the number of vaccine doses (OR 0.53 [95%CI 0.39-0.73]) was a protective factor against 30-day mortality and/or ventilation support, whereas obesity (OR1.62 [95%CI 1.19-2.20]) was a risk factor. Health policies should consider focusing on these risk populations for targeted interventions, such as additional boosters, early treatment and prophylaxis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"235-242"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"New enemies: contribution of C<i>ulex perexiguus</i> in the transmission dynamic of West Nile virus.","authors":"Elisa Fesce, Martina Ferraguti","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2538838","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2538838","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vector-borne pathogens like West Nile virus (WNV), an emerging zoonotic arbovirus, are strongly influenced by mosquito community dynamics. WNV is maintained between birds and mosquitoes, with humans and other mammal species (such as equids) as dead-end hosts. In Spain, the role of <i>Culex perexiguus</i> as main vector of WNV is gaining significance over <i>Cx. pipiens</i> due to differences in feeding behavior, and vector competence, and ecological preferences that affect WNV transmission. Using a SEIR (Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered) model, we examined how mosquito abundance and feeding preferences impact WNV spread in a Mediterranean region. Our results suggest that, under the conditions simulated, <i>Cx. pipiens</i> alone is unlikely to sustain WNV transmission in the study area, whereas <i>Cx. perexiguus</i> may contribute more substantially to outbreak dynamics. Increased avian-feeding preferences were associated with higher outbreak intensity, although the basic reproduction number (<i>R</i>_<i>0</i>) remained below one in all scenarios. Sensitivity analyses highlighted that bite rates and abundance of <i>Cx. perexiguus</i> are key drivers of WNV spread in our model. Furthermore, a dilution effect was observed when <i>Cx. pipiens</i> fed more frequently on dead-end hosts, which contributed to lowering <i>R</i>_<i>0</i>. Our findings underscore the need for species-specific vector surveillance to inform public health interventions and control strategies for WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"243-258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459173/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144743944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of oral human papillomavirus infection in African countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Giorgia Della Polla, Grazia Miraglia Del Giudice, Mario Postiglione, Italo Francesco Angelillo","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2529822","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2529822","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This meta-analysis aimed to provide pooled overall prevalence estimates of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Africa. A literature search for cross-sectional studies was conducted until January 2025. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed the methodological quality. Random-effects model estimated the pooled prevalence of oral HPV infection. Sub-group analyses were conducted using study characteristics as covariates. Thirty-three studies involving 4.607 participants from 9 countries were included. Prevalence of oral HPV infection ranged between 0% to 95.1%, with a pooled overall estimate of 15.8%. The studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 99.3%). Subgroup analyses revealed the highest prevalence among participants with head and neck cancer (19.9%), from sub-Saharan area (19.2%), female (17.3%), moderate-low-quality studies (16.7%), and in HIV-positive (5.8%). High-quality studies with an accurate collection of the risk factors are needed for tailoring programs and health-care policies to prevent and control oral HPV infection and associated diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"259-271"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459196/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609022","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From crisis to resilience: challenges and solutions in managing the Marburg epidemic in Tanzania.","authors":"Francesco Branda, Massimo Ciccozzi, Fabio Scarpa, Ntuli A Kapologwe","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2520208","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2520208","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"304-310"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12459168/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144294716","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Redefinition of transmission clusters by accessing to additional diversity in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> through long-read sequencing.","authors":"Sergio Buenestado-Serrano, Silvia Vallejo-Godoy, Francisca Escabias Machuca, Pilar Barroso, Miguel Martínez-Lirola, Teresa Cabezas, Patricia Muñoz, Laura Pérez-Lago, Darío García de Viedma","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2555926","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2555926","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Whole-genome sequencing, supported on short-read-sequencing, has revolutionized the precision to track <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (MTB) transmission. However, the complexity of the MTB genome (10% repetitive regions and 65% GC content) challenges short-read mapping and assembly, leading to the exclusion of certain genomic regions from the analysis. Long-read sequencing can overcome these limitations, giving access to these regions, generally uninterrogated. Our study aims to evaluate the potential of long-read sequencing in redefining long-term MTB transmission clusters, previously characterized by short-read sequencing. We selected 78 cases from eight long-term clusters (5-17 years; 7 to 16 cases), from a population-based genomic epidemiology program in Almería, Spain. The clusters were carefully selected to ensure cases i) infected by identical strains (0 SNPs), ii) exhibiting pairwise-SNP-based distances from 1 to 16 SNPs and iii) distributed along different branches in the genomic networks. Long-read analysis increased the distances of each cluster from the reference by an average of 258 SNPs and intercluster distances by 113 SNPs. Within-cluster diversity also increased, with pairwise distances rising from 1 to 22 SNPs across 1-7 network branches. In one cluster, the acquisition of diversity led to overpass the 12-SNP threshold to consider a transmission cluster. Additionally, in four clusters, 1-2 cases previously classified as infected by identical strains were now reclassified due to the identification of additional SNP differences. Thanks to the identification of new diversity between the cases we could identify index cases, reconstruct transmission chronologies, precise patient-to-patient relationships and propose new epidemiological interpretations among the cases in cluster.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145131629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chikungunya and the forgotten lesson of COVID-19: where is the data?","authors":"Francesco Branda, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Davide Zella, Francesca Benedetti, Fabio Scarpa, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2566063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2566063","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-2"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145131626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}