{"title":"How well do different COVID-19 vaccines protect against different viral variants? A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Thi Ngoc Anh Hoang, Aisling Byrne, Ha-Linh Quach, Melanie Bannister-Tyrrell, Florian Vogt","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae082","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae082","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While the efficacy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has been evaluated in numerous trials, comprehensive evidence on how protection by different vaccines has varied over time remains limited. We aimed to compare protective effects of different vaccines against different viral variants. To achieve this, we searched Medline, Cochrane Library and Embase for randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Forest plots using Mantel-Haenszel and random-effects models were generated showing risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs by vaccines and variants. We included 36 studies with 90 variant-specific primary outcomes. We found a RR of 0.26 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.31) against all variants overall, with the highest protective effects against the wild-type (RR 0.13; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.18), followed by Alpha (RR 0.26; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.36), Gamma (RR 0.34; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.55), Delta (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.28 to 0.56) and Beta (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.62) variants. Nucleic acid vaccines showed the highest protection levels against all variants (RR 0.11; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.15), followed by protein subunit, inactivated virus and viral vector. In conclusion, we found high but heterogenous levels of protection for most COVID-19 vaccines, with decreasing protective effects for vaccines based on traditional technologies as SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged over time. Novel nucleic acid-based vaccines offered substantially higher and more consistent protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142568568","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":"Prevalence and mortality of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in dengue fever: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Leong Tung Ong, Roovam Balasubramaniam","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae032","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare complication of dengue fever with potentially life-threatening consequences and high mortality. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the prevalence, management and outcome of HLH in dengue fever.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The major electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect and Ovid SP, were searched from inception until 31 January 2024 to identify relevant studies. Pooled prevalence and mortality were calculated using the random-effects generic inverse variance model with a 95% CI. All the statistical analysis was conducted using R programming.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of nine studies with 157 patients with HLH, 576 patients with severe dengue and 5081 patients with dengue fever were included in this meta-analysis. The prevalence of HLH in severe dengue (22.1%, 95% CI 8.07 to 48.0%) was significantly higher than the prevalence in dengue fever (3.12%, 95% CI 0.37 to 21.9%). The prevalence of HLH in severe dengue was higher in the paediatric population (22.8%, 95% CI 3.9 to 68.4%) compared with the adult population (19.0%, 95% CI 3.0 to 63.9%). The overall mortality rate was 20.2% (95% CI 9.7 to 37.2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The prevalence of dengue-associated HLH was low in patients with dengue fever but is significantly higher in patients with severe dengue and a high mortality rate.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140892532","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}
Milena Gisela Casafús, Micaela Andrea Gritti, Cecilia Miranda, Paula Guimarães, Luciana Montalto, María Elisa Peichoto
{"title":"Freshwater jellyfish in northeastern Argentina: a risk to human health.","authors":"Milena Gisela Casafús, Micaela Andrea Gritti, Cecilia Miranda, Paula Guimarães, Luciana Montalto, María Elisa Peichoto","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae067","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although cnidarians are mostly marine organisms, the occurrence of freshwater jellyfish frequently arouses the interest of ecologists, due to their sudden and unusual appearances in natural and artificial water bodies around the world.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study describes a series of cases compatible with cnidarian envenomation that occurred coincidentally in time and space with the presence of Craspedacusta sowerbii Lankester, 1880 jellyfish in the province of Misiones (El Saltito stream) in January 2022. A year later, its presence was confirmed in another watercourse of this province (Cazador stream). Based on these findings, its possible toxicological consequences in humans were evaluated by characterizing the jellyfish extract using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and enzymatic/toxic activities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We revealed the presence of proteolytic enzymes and cytolytic toxin(s), which-by means of activating the inflammatory cascade-could explain the stinging skin lesions observed in the suspected cases described.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In addition to recording for the first time the occurrence of this cnidarian in northeastern Argentina, this work provides, for the first time, a toxinological explanation for the clinical observations after contact with the most widespread freshwater jellyfish species in the world, giving support to health professionals in the diagnosis and management of such accidents/envenomation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142547650","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":"Erratum to: Podoconiosis in Uganda: prevalence, geographical distribution and risk factors.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae100","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142547649","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}
Kevin T Moore, Madelyn J Mangan, Belinda Linnegar, Tejas S Athni, Hamish I McCallum, Brendan J Trewin, Eloise Skinner
{"title":"Australian vertebrate hosts of Japanese encephalitis virus: a review of the evidence.","authors":"Kevin T Moore, Madelyn J Mangan, Belinda Linnegar, Tejas S Athni, Hamish I McCallum, Brendan J Trewin, Eloise Skinner","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae079","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae079","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) transmission in temperate Australia has underscored a critical need to characterise transmission pathways and identify probable hosts of the virus. This systematic review consolidates existing research on the vertebrate hosts of JEV that are known to exist in Australia. Specifically, we aim to identify probable species involved in JEV transmission, their potential role as hosts and identify critical knowledge gaps. Data were extracted from studies involving experimental infection, seroprevalence and virus isolation and were available for 22 vertebrate species known to reside in Australia. A host competence score was calculated to assess the ability of each species to generate and sustain a viraemia. Based on the host competence score and ecology of each species, we find that ardeid birds, feral pigs and flying foxes have potential as maintenance hosts for JEV in the Australian context. We also note that domestic pigs are frequently infected during outbreaks, but their role as amplification hosts in Australia is unclear. Evidence to confirm these roles is sparse, emphasising the need for further targeted research. This review provides a foundation for future investigations into JEV transmission in Australia, advocating for enhanced surveillance and standardised research methodologies to better understand and mitigate the virus's impact.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142508702","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":"Scrub typhus-leptospirosis co-infection in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Siddhant Govekar, Oshin Puri, Mohit Bhatia","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae081","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scrub typhus and leptospirosis are re-emerging zoonotic infections with significant morbidity and mortality rates in India. Overlapping aetiological and epidemiological patterns indicate a high possibility of their co-infection in India, which can be a diagnostic challenge due to non-specific clinical features. A systematic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published through 31 August 2023. Studies reporting co-infection of scrub typhus and leptospirosis among the Indian population were included. Data extraction, quality assessment and statistical analysis were performed in accordance with established guidelines. Six studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 58 co-infection cases. Pooled prevalence of scrub typhus-leptospirosis co-infection among acute undifferentiated febrile illness patients was 3.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.00 to 0.126). Among scrub typhus patients, the prevalence of co-infection with leptospirosis was 13.7% (95% CI 0.027 to 0.304). Significant heterogeneity was observed among the included studies, highlighting the need for cautious interpretation of prevalence estimates. This meta-analysis underscores the clinical importance of scrub typhus-leptospirosis co-infection in India and emphasizes the need for enhanced clinical awareness, improved diagnostic strategies and targeted research efforts to address this emerging infectious disease threat.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142508704","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":"Corrigendum to: Reported snakebite mortality and state compensation payments in Madhya Pradesh, India, from 2020 to 2022.","authors":"","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae099","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142508703","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}
Md Mohiuddin Khan, Md Abdul Hannan Miah, Mohammad Khurshed Alam, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Md Atikur Rahman, Ramim Islam Ibne Noor, Ershad Mondal, A H M Shalakin Mamun, Md Rasel, Md Rubaiyat Tasfin Talukder, Salwa Islam, Mohammad Jahid Hasan
{"title":"Clinico-epidemiological profiling of dengue patients in a non-endemic region of Bangladesh.","authors":"Md Mohiuddin Khan, Md Abdul Hannan Miah, Mohammad Khurshed Alam, Mohammad Ariful Islam, Md Atikur Rahman, Ramim Islam Ibne Noor, Ershad Mondal, A H M Shalakin Mamun, Md Rasel, Md Rubaiyat Tasfin Talukder, Salwa Islam, Mohammad Jahid Hasan","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae074","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to characterise the clinical and epidemiological profiles of dengue patients and their outcomes during an ongoing outbreak in a non-endemic region of Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective observational study analysed 805 confirmed dengue cases during August-December 2023. Data on demographic, clinical and laboratory profiles, as well as outcomes, were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of dengue patients was 31.5 (±12.2) y, with the majority being males (81.2%). All 805 patients experienced fever, 792 (98.4%) had headaches, 698 (86.7%) had myalgia, 601 (74.7%) had persistent vomiting and 598 (74.3%) had abdominal pain. Bleeding was observed in 191 (23.7%) patients and neurological symptoms were seen in 209 (25.9%) patients. Most patients (n=781, 97%) exhibited non-severe symptoms, while 3% (n=24) had severe symptoms. Among the 24 severe cases, four (16.7%) patients were reported to have encephalitis and one (4.2%) patient had meningoencephalitis. Moreover, 365 patients (45.3%) had travelled to an endemic region who were predominantly males (n=327, 89.6%). Most dengue patients recovered well with rapid fluid replacement therapy (n=754, 93.7%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The 2023 dengue outbreak in a non-endemic area of Bangladesh primarily impacted males, young adults, with the majority presenting non-severe symptoms. Further studies are essential to validate and build upon these results.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142475588","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":"Serological and molecular analysis of Leishmania infection in a recent outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in South Omo Zone, Ethiopia.","authors":"Habtamu Belay, Endawek Eyelachew, Ebise Abose, Esayas Aklilu, Gashaw Gebrewold, Henok Tadesse, Alemayehu Tadese, Robel Belay, Mahlet Belachew, Saskia van Henten, Tesfahun Bishaw, Nigus Manaye, Zeyede Kebede, Mesfin Wossen, Gemechu Tadese, Geremew Tasew, Johan van Griensven, Myrthe Pareyn, Berhanu Erko, Adugna Abera","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ethiopia has a high burden of visceral leishmaniasis. Recently, there was a significant increase in cases in the South Omo Zone. This study aims to assess the prevalence of Leishmania donovani infection and its associated factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A household-based cross-sectional study was carried out in January 2023 in the South Omo Zone in Ethiopia. Dried blood spot samples were collected from 382 randomly selected study participants. Direct agglutination test (DAT) and kinetoplast DNA real-time PCR tests were performed to detect L. donovani infection. Participants' sociodemographic, clinical and risk factors for L. donovani infection data were collected using questionnaires. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Febrile cases were checked for malaria with a multiplex PCR assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall prevalence of L. donovani infection among the sampled population was 32.5% (n=124), of which 41.1% (n=51) was detected by PCR, 33.9% (n=42) by DAT and 25.0% (n=31) by both tests. The majority of the positives were from the Logira (28.2%; n=35) and Dilbayne (29.0%; n=36) villages. Participants residing in Logira (adjusted OR [AOR]: 5.80; 95% CI 1.85 to 18.15) and Dilbayne (AOR: 3.38; 95% CI 1.15 to 9.96) villages and owning cows (AOR: 2.31; 95% CI 1.03 to 5.15) showed an association with Leishmania infection. Plasmodium falciparum was detected in 3.4% (n=2) of 59 febrile participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The prevalence of L. donovani infection in the South Omo Zone is high. Further research on the role of cows in the transmission cycle is needed to design the best strategy to control Leishmania infection in the South Omo Zone. Such interventions should focus on the Logira and Dilbayne villages, where most of the infections were identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142475589","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}
Peter Dambach, Valérie R Louis, Silvia Duarte, Vivian Monzón, Edgar Orlando García-Gallardo, Miguel Angel Reyes-Ramirez, Juan Pablo Felipe-Díaz, Carlos Alberto Montenegro-Quiñonez
{"title":"Assessing the potential of native copepods in Guatemala for Aedes vector control.","authors":"Peter Dambach, Valérie R Louis, Silvia Duarte, Vivian Monzón, Edgar Orlando García-Gallardo, Miguel Angel Reyes-Ramirez, Juan Pablo Felipe-Díaz, Carlos Alberto Montenegro-Quiñonez","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trae065","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In this study we examine the feeding efficiency of copepods locally found in Guatemala on first instar Aedes aegypti larvae. Copepods are a potential tool for Aedes vector control that has shown promising results in the laboratory and in community-based field trials.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four different copepod species from different habitat types were included in the laboratory assays of this study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All four tested copepod species decreased the number of the first instar Aedes larvae that were inserted into the glass vessels compared with controls. However, average predation rates between the tested species were highly different, with Thermocyclops crassus and Mesocyclops longisetus achieving the highest, with 31.0% (standard deviation [SD] 18.9) and 28. 9% (SD 11.2), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The copepod species with identified high predation rates are potential candidates for planned and other future field trials for community-based Aedes vector control with copepods in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142475586","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}