Muma Chipo Misapa, Eugene C Bwalya, Ladslav Moonga, Josiah Zimba, Emmanuel S Kabwali, Mwenya Silombe, Edgar Chilanzi Mulwanda, Christopher Mulenga, Martin C Simuunza, Hirofumi Sawa, Bernard Hang'ombe, Walter Muleya
{"title":"Rabies Realities: Navigating Barriers to Rabies Control in Rural Zambia-A Case Study of Manyinga and Mwansabombwe Districts.","authors":"Muma Chipo Misapa, Eugene C Bwalya, Ladslav Moonga, Josiah Zimba, Emmanuel S Kabwali, Mwenya Silombe, Edgar Chilanzi Mulwanda, Christopher Mulenga, Martin C Simuunza, Hirofumi Sawa, Bernard Hang'ombe, Walter Muleya","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070161","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rabies persists as a longstanding issue in Zambia, despite being preventable. The current control measures, including dog vaccination, population control, and movement restriction, guided by 'The Control of Dogs Act Chapter 247 of the Laws of Zambia', have not yielded the desired impact in many areas of the country including Manyinga and Mwansabombwe districts. These two districts continue to report low dog vaccination rates, unrestricted dog movements, and escalating cases of animal and human rabies, along with dog bites. Aligned with global aspirations to achieve zero human rabies cases by 2030, this study scrutinizes the determinants and obstacles hampering the execution of rabies control initiatives in Manyinga and Mwansabombwe. Spanning approximately 11 months, this cross-sectional study gathered pre- and post-vaccination data from 301 households in Manyinga and 100 households in Mwansabombwe. Questionnaires probed knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to rabies prevention and control. A transect survey, key informant interviews, and assessment of rabies vaccination and dog bite records complemented the data collection. Findings revealed that 88.0% of respondents from both districts possessed knowledge about rabies, confirming affected species and transmission. Moreover, 76.8% in Manyinga and 88.6% in Mwansabombwe were acquainted with rabies prevention and control methods. Concerning dog owners, 89.0% were aware of rabies, 66.0% understood its prevention and control, and the majority identified bites as the primary mode of transmission. Despite the high level of knowledge recorded during the survey, the implementation of preventive measures was low, which was attributed to low levels of law enforcement by the local government authority, inadequate staffing in the veterinary department, unwillingness to pay for dog vaccinations, and unavailability of rabies vaccine at the veterinary office in both districts. Vaccination coverage stood at 64.0% in Manyinga and 21.0% in Mwansabombwe. Notably, education and occupation exhibited a positive significant association with rabies knowledge. In terms of dog bite cases, Manyinga recorded 538 dog bite cases from 2017 to June 2022, while Mwansabombwe recorded 81 dog bite and 23 jackal bite cases from 2021 to June 2022. The study underscores critical knowledge gaps in rural areas and emphasizes the imperative for enhanced public education and awareness programs, improved rabies surveillance, free mass vaccination campaigns, and community engagement to augment vaccination coverage and knowledge about rabies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11281691/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141761141","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}
Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela, Thais Ferreira Feitosa
{"title":"Recent Advances in <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection and Toxoplasmosis.","authors":"Vinícius Longo Ribeiro Vilela, Thais Ferreira Feitosa","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070160","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, affects nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans, domestic animals, and both terrestrial and marine wildlife [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11281620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141761142","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}
Jean-Baptiste K. Sékré, M. Ouattara, Nana R. Diakité, F. Bassa, Rufin K. Assaré, Jules N. Kouadio, G. Coulibaly, Agodio Loukouri, M. N. Orsot, Jürg Utzinger, E. N'Goran
{"title":"Effectiveness of Three Sampling Approaches for Optimizing Mapping and Preventive Chemotherapy against Schistosoma mansoni in the Western Part of Côte d’Ivoire","authors":"Jean-Baptiste K. Sékré, M. Ouattara, Nana R. Diakité, F. Bassa, Rufin K. Assaré, Jules N. Kouadio, G. Coulibaly, Agodio Loukouri, M. N. Orsot, Jürg Utzinger, E. N'Goran","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070159","url":null,"abstract":"The elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2030 is one of the main goals put forth in the World Health Organization’s roadmap for neglected tropical diseases. This study aimed to compare different sampling approaches to guide mapping and preventive chemotherapy. A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted from August to September 2022 in the health districts of Biankouma, Ouaninou, and Touba in the western part of Côte d’Ivoire. The prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection were assessed in children aged 5–14 years using three sampling approaches. The first approach involved a random selection of 50% of the villages in the health districts. The second approach involved a random selection of half of the villages selected in approach 1, thus constituting 25% of the villages in the health district. The third approach consisted of randomly selecting 15 villages from villages selected by approach 2 in each health district. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 23.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 19.9–27.6%), 21.6% (95% CI: 17.1–26.8%), and 18.3% (95% CI: 11.9–27.1%) with the first, second, and third approach, respectively. The respective geometric mean S. mansoni infection intensity was 117.9 eggs per gram of stool (EPG) (95% CI: 109.3–127.3 EPG), 104.6 EPG (95% CI: 93.8–116.6 EPG), and 94.6 EPG (95% CI 79.5–112.7 EPG). We conclude that, although randomly sampling up to 50% of villages in a health district provides more precise population-based prevalence and intensity measures of S. mansoni, randomly selecting only 15 villages in a district characterized by low heterogeneity provides reasonable estimates and is less costly.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141649609","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}
Angélica Julián Castrejón, Rosa Marene Hernández Martínez, Diana Rivero Méndez, Israel Nayensei Gil Velázquez, Juan Heriberto Rodríguez Piña, Juan Manuel Salgado Camacho, Nicolás Teyes Calva, Sayuri I. Espíndola Chavarría, Patricia A Meza-Meneses, C. A. Castro-Fuentes
{"title":"The Comprehensive Management of Patients with Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis; A Perspective from Antifungal Treatment to Prosthetic Rehabilitation: A Descriptive Cohort Study","authors":"Angélica Julián Castrejón, Rosa Marene Hernández Martínez, Diana Rivero Méndez, Israel Nayensei Gil Velázquez, Juan Heriberto Rodríguez Piña, Juan Manuel Salgado Camacho, Nicolás Teyes Calva, Sayuri I. Espíndola Chavarría, Patricia A Meza-Meneses, C. A. Castro-Fuentes","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070158","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070158","url":null,"abstract":"Surgical intervention is a key element in the management of patients diagnosed with mucormycosis. A retrospective cohort study was carried out, in which patients with a proven diagnosis of mucormycosis were evaluated over a period of 10 years, according to the MSGERC criteria. A descriptive analysis of the clinical characteristics, comorbidities, imaging, and microbiology studies, as well as medical and surgical treatment and the type of prosthesis was carried out. A total of 22 cases were identified, of which 54.5% (n = 12) of the population were men. Furthermore, 77.2% (n = 17) of the population had diabetes mellitus. The main antifungal treatment implemented was liposomal amphotericin B (77.2%, n = 17). The most affected structures in our patients were the paranasal sinuses (n = 18; 81%), followed by the maxilla and orbit (n = 15; 68%), nose (n = 12; 54%), central nervous system (n = 11; 50%), and skin and soft tissues (n = 2; <1%). Of the total population, 59.09% (n = 13) of patients underwent maxillofacial surgery, of which 61.53% (n = 8) required some type of prosthetic rehabilitation. Orbital exenteration and maxillectomy were the most frequent surgeries, accounting for 69.23% (n = 9), while skull base drainage was performed in four patients (30.76%). Of the total number of patients (n = 22), eight died (36.36%). Appropriate surgical management according to the affected structures, considering not only increasing the patient’s survival, but also considering the aesthetic and functional consequences, will require subsequent rehabilitation.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141654241","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}
Joy Shu'aibu, Grace Ajege, C. Mpyet, M. Dejene, S. Isiyaku, A. Tafida, Michaela Kelly, Innocent Emereuwa, Paul Courtright
{"title":"Optimizing Trichiasis Case Finding to Attain the Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem","authors":"Joy Shu'aibu, Grace Ajege, C. Mpyet, M. Dejene, S. Isiyaku, A. Tafida, Michaela Kelly, Innocent Emereuwa, Paul Courtright","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070157","url":null,"abstract":"Background: As national trachoma programmes increase efforts to reduce the burden of trachomatous trichiasis (TT), TT case finding and referral are critical public health programme components. Our research aimed to explore the most effective and efficient approaches to finding, referring, and managing TT cases. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study, utilizing both routine programme data and primary data collection. This study compared four different approaches to finding TT cases across three different local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State, Nigeria. Each of the study LGAs was divided into four sub-units to accommodate the four different approaches. Results: The number of outreach attendees was 4795 across the four case finding approaches, and this varied hugely, with the smallest number and proportion (403, 0.26%) in settings only employing house-to-house case finding and the largest number and proportion (1901, 0.99%) when town criers were used. That said, the proportion of TT cases among people presenting at outreach was highest (32.5%) when house-to-house case finding was used and lowest (10.3%) when town criers were used. More female TT patients were found (53–70%) and had surgery (79–85%) compared to male cases, across all approaches. The average project expenditure for finding one TT case was similar for approaches that included house-to-house case finding (USD 5.4–6.3), while it was 3.5 times higher (USD 21.5 per TT case found) when town criers were used. Discussion: This study found that the house-to-house TT case finding approaches were the most efficient method with the highest yield of TT cases. Including other eye condition and/or vision testing yielded similar results but required more personnel and cost.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141657787","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":"Evaluation of Mass Drug Administration Coverage for Lymphatic Filariasis in the Lukonga Health Zone in 2022","authors":"Patrick N. Ntumba, P. Akilimali","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070156","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070156","url":null,"abstract":"(1) Background and rationale: To validate the reported therapeutic coverage, a lymphatic filariasis post-mass drug administration (MDA) campaign survey was conducted in the Lukonga health zone from 10 June to 15 July 2023. (2) Materials and methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at the community level in 30 villages in the Lukonga health zone from 10 June to 15 July 2023. The study population included all individuals from the visited communities. The study variables included age, sex, drug use (ivermectin + albendazole), adverse events, and adherence to MDA guidelines for supervised drug use. Questionnaires were administered on Android phones using the SurveyCTO platform. Stata version 17 was used for data analysis. (3) Results: Of the 1092 respondents, 54.8% were female and one-third were between the ages of 5 and 14. Two-thirds of the households surveyed, or 64%, had more than six people living in them, and 1031 individuals, or 94%, reported being present during the community mass drug distribution. Notably, 678 individuals, or 66%, reported taking the drugs offered, and 66.4% of those who took the drugs reported doing so in the presence of drug distributors. Thus, the survey coverage was 65.7% [95% CI: 62.9–68.7]. The results of this study show that the survey coverage was above the 65% threshold recommended by the WHO but below the 82.3% reported by the Lukonga health zone. The main reason for non-compliance was a fear of ivermectin-related side effects (47%). Supervised or directly observed treatment was not adhered to (66.4%). (4) Discussion and conclusions: Key challenges to further increase treatment coverage include assessing data quality, building capacity, motivating drug distributors, improving data reporting tools, proper recording by drug distributors, and accurate reporting on non-residents who take the drugs during the MDA. In addition, harmonization of the numerator for calculating drug coverage in the health zone is critical. It is imperative to provide the public with explicit information regarding the objective of drug distribution and the probable adverse effects.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141657899","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":"Persons Living with HIV as a Vulnerable Group: An Argument to Ensure Treatment, Care, and Support","authors":"Michelle Brotherton","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070155","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070155","url":null,"abstract":"Generally, human rights documents are to be applied universally. However, certain groups are identified for special treatment due to vulnerabilities faced; these are often referred to as vulnerable groups or populations. While human rights literature and public health literature make a case for particular sensitivity regarding vulnerable populations living with HIV, there is perhaps a case to be made for people living with HIV to be recognised as a vulnerable group in and of itself. It is often other vulnerabilities, such as poverty, disability, or discrimination, that render persons living with HIV legally vulnerable. But what happens if these other vulnerabilities are not present? Persons living with HIV could benefit from being recognised as a vulnerable group, in that it could prioritise their health rights and promote their access to healthcare and services. This article considers how identifying persons living with HIV as a vulnerable group could impact their treatment, care, and support. By looking at examples of countries where people living with HIV have been identified as vulnerable, and at how vulnerable groups are defined, an argument is made that it could be beneficial to persons living with HIV to be identified as a vulnerable group in terms of accessing treatment, care, and support.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141658421","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}
C. Mashiri, J. M. Batidzirai, R. Chifurira, Knowledge Chinhamu
{"title":"Investigating the Determinants of Mortality before CD4 Count Recovery in a Cohort of Patients Initiated on Antiretroviral Therapy in South Africa Using a Fine and Gray Competing Risks Model","authors":"C. Mashiri, J. M. Batidzirai, R. Chifurira, Knowledge Chinhamu","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070154","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070154","url":null,"abstract":"CD4 count recovery is the main goal for an HIV patient who initiated ART. Early ART initiation in HIV patients can help restore immune function more effectively, even when they have reached an advanced stage. Some patients may respond positively to ART and attain CD4 count recovery. Meanwhile, other patients failing to recover their CD4 count due to non-adherence, treatment resistance and virological failure might lead to HIV-related complications and death. The purpose of this study was to find the determinants of death in patients who failed to recover their CD4 count after initiating antiretroviral therapy. The data used in this study was obtained from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where 2528 HIV-infected patients with a baseline CD4 count of <200 cells/mm3 were initiated on ART. We used a Fine–Gray sub-distribution hazard and cumulative incidence function to estimate potential confounding factors of death, where CD4 count recovery was a competing event for failure due to death. Patients who had no tuberculosis were 1.33 times at risk of dying before attaining CD4 count recovery [aSHR 1.33; 95% CI (0.96–1.85)] compared to those who had tuberculosis. Rural patients had a higher risk of not recovering and leading to death [aSHR 1.97; 95% CI (1.57–2.47)] than those from urban areas. The patient’s tuberculosis status, viral load, regimen, baseline CD4 count, and location were significant contributors to death before CD4 count recovery. Intervention programs targeting HIV testing in rural areas for early ART initiation and promoting treatment adherence are recommended.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141660945","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}
Jiangshan Zhao, Yue Zhang, Haiting Zhang, Shuo Wang, Haibo He, G. Shi, W. Maimaitijiang, Yanyan Hou, Ling Zhang, Jianhai Yin, Yi Wang, Jianping Cao
{"title":"Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Xinjiang, China, during 2004–2021","authors":"Jiangshan Zhao, Yue Zhang, Haiting Zhang, Shuo Wang, Haibo He, G. Shi, W. Maimaitijiang, Yanyan Hou, Ling Zhang, Jianhai Yin, Yi Wang, Jianping Cao","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070153","url":null,"abstract":"The spread of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a serious global zoonotic parasitic disease, is mostly under control; however, several cases have been reported in recent decades in Xinjiang, China. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological status and spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of VL in Xinjiang, China, between 2004 and 2021 to provide a basis for the development and implementation of surveillance and response measures. Data on VL incidence during 2004–2021 were collected from the National Diseases Reporting Information System of China. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis, identification of local indicators of spatial association, and spatial–temporal clustering analysis were conducted to identify the distribution and high-risk areas. A total of 2034 VL cases were reported, with a mean annual incidence of 0.50 per 100,000. There was a general decreasing trend in the incidence of VL during our study period. The majority of the cases were reported from October to February of the following year, and fewer cases were reported from April to July. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that the incidence of VL was spatially clustered within a few counties. Significant differences were observed during the study period (Moran’s I = 0.74, Z = 4.900, p < 0.05). The male-to-female ratio was 1.37:1, and most patients were in the age group 0–3 years. Cases were primarily distributed in seven regions and two autonomous prefectures, and Kashgar reported the highest number of cases (1688, 82.98%). Spatial analysis revealed that the aggregation of VL was predominantly observed in southwest Xinjiang. This was in alignment with the high-risk areas identified by spatiotemporal clustering analysis. The H-H clustering region was primarily observed in Gashi, Atushi, Shufu, Injisha, Kashgar, Yepuhu, and Bachu. These findings indicate that integrated control measures must be taken in different endemic areas to strengthen the VL control program in Xinjiang, China.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141665909","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}
Sergio Agudelo-Pérez, A. M. Moreno, Juliana Martínez-Garro, Jorge Salazar, Ruth Lopez, Mateo Perdigón, R. Peláez
{"title":"16S rDNA Sequencing for Bacterial Identification in Preterm Infants with Suspected Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis","authors":"Sergio Agudelo-Pérez, A. M. Moreno, Juliana Martínez-Garro, Jorge Salazar, Ruth Lopez, Mateo Perdigón, R. Peláez","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed9070152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9070152","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The high prevalence of suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis among preterm infants leads to immediate antibiotic administration upon admission. Notably, most blood cultures for suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis do not yield a causative pathogen. This study aimed to assess polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the variable region V4 of the 16S ribosomal gene (16S rDNA) and Sanger sequencing for bacterial identification in preterm infants with suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis. Methods: Therefore, this prospective study was conducted. Preterm infants with suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis were included in this study. The three groups were formed based on the risk of infection and clinical sepsis. Blood samples were collected upon admission to the neonatal unit for culture and molecular analysis. PCR amplification and subsequent Sanger sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rDNA were performed. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in this study. Blood cultures were negative in 100% of the patients. Amplification and sequencing of the V4 region identified bacterial genera in 19 patients across distinct groups. The predominant taxonomically identified genus was Pseudomonas. Conclusions: Amplifying the 16S rDNA variable region through PCR and subsequent Sanger sequencing in preterm neonates with suspected early-onset neonatal sepsis can enhance the identification of microbial species that cause infection, especially in negative cultures.","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141671515","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}