IJID regions最新文献

{"title":"Hepatitis D and HIV coinfection","authors":"Fujie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100530","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection requires hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate, which occurs in either HBV/HDV co-infection or following HBV infection (super-infection). The number of HDV infections has decreased globally since the introduction of universal neonatal HBV vaccination programme. However, the existing number of individuals with HBV infections is high among those who did not receive HBV vaccination. In China, with high burden of HBV infections, understanding the epidemiology of HDV, including the prevalence and molecular characteristics, is important. The prevalence of HDV was likely to vary spatially, and HIV infection is an important risk factor for HDV infection in China. Comparing with individuals with HBV monoinfections, the prevalence of HDV was higher in individuals with HBV/HIV infections. Strategic prevention and control of HDV epidemic is needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100530"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of multidrug resistant Salmonella enterica and antimicrobial resistance plasmids isolated from clinical and community sources using phenotypic testing and hybrid whole genome sequencing","authors":"Nattharee Thanawan ,&nbsp;Perapon Nitayanon ,&nbsp;Witoon Thirakittiwatthana ,&nbsp;Tanit Boonsiri ,&nbsp;Pimwan Thongdee ,&nbsp;Chanwit Tribuddharat","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100534","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100534","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a critical global health problem. Sharing of genetic materials, especially plasmids, plays a key role for the dissemination of AMR across bacterial genera. Identification of resistance plasmids in community and clinical bacteria remains a significant challenge for microbiology studies. The objective of this research was to characterize multidrug-resistant (MDR) <em>S. enterica</em> isolated from clinical and community sources focusing on phenotypic properties and molecular characterization, especially resistance plasmids, using conventional assays and hybrid whole genome sequencing.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>Two hundred twenty-one of <em>S. enterica</em> was collected from clinical samples in two hospitals (n=115) and community sources such as meat products from fresh markets (n=106) in Bangkok, Thailand. Phenotypic and molecular characterization tests were conducted to select bacterial candidates for hybrid whole genome sequencing (WGS) using Illumina and Oxford nanopore platforms and data analysis was performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 27.15% (60/221) of Salmonella isolates was classified as MDR, exhibiting resistance to tetracycline, sulphadiazine, ampicillin, etc. Thirty isolates were selected for WGS. Each candidate contained at least twenty-nine resistance genes and various mobile genetic elements (MGEs). For plasmid analysis, twenty-three contigs were characterized as antimicrobial resistance plasmids. At alignment score ≥ 70.00%, the plasmids could be divided into the five groups. One group demonstrated the linkage between clinical plasmids and plasmids from chicken meat with 98.00% coverage and 100% identity. In addition to resistance genes, both plasmids also contained high similar plasmid stability function, mobile genetic elements and genes associated with horizontal transfer.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study showed the evidence of AMR plasmid sharing between clinical and community isolates via food chain. Such information could promote awareness regarding the dissemination of MDR plasmids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100534"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Should the HPV self-sampling be promoted in Hong Kong?","authors":"Eliza Lai-Yi Wong","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100527","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100527","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Routine cervical screening, together with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, has been proven to prevent cervical cancer effectively. Screening adherence therefore is an essential global strategy for cervical cancer elimination worldwide. In the last decade, the implementation of high-risk HPV testing with the option of self-sampling for primary screening at the national level has evolved as a key direction to increase participation in screening and eliminate cervical cancer. It provides screening alternatives for women and reduces healthcare disparities among the vulnerable population. It could be a more cost-effective strategy for strengthening the healthcare systems.</div><div>In Hong Kong, the local government has launched a territory-wide Cervical Screening Programmes for two decades to encourage women to have regular cervical screening. The rewards are the decreasing trends in the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer with an increasing coverage rate of screening. However, the latest figures revealed that only one-third of the eligible women had cervical screening within 3 years. The regular cervical screening remains a significant public health concern. Local studies suggested that HPV self-sampling is a feasible and acceptable way to increase screening coverage among the local population, especially for those under-screen women and minority groups. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted routine healthcare services, including cervical cancer screening. HPV self-sampling therefore also offers an alternative during times of restricted clinic access. Lessons learned from pandemic adaptations can also inform the importance of the integration of HPV self-sampling into routine cervical screening while increasing awareness, education and clear guidelines are essential for further successful implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100527"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From contaminated soils to urban communities: Tracing the cryptic transmission routes of Burkholderia pseudomallei ST-1996 in an expanding urban melioidosis hotspot","authors":"Ivan Tak-Fai Wong,&nbsp;Iain Chi-Fung Ng,&nbsp;Franklin Wang-Ngai Chow,&nbsp;Gilman Kit-Hang Siu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100545","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100545","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Melioidosis, caused by the bacterium <em>Burkholderia pseudomallei</em>, is on the rise globally, rarely emerging in urban centres. In Hong Kong, a dense city battered by typhoons, the novel sequence type <em>B. pseudomallei</em> ST-1996 has caused a deadly outbreak in 2022. Tracing its transmission routes is critical controlling these elusive bacteria.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>This multifaceted investigation built on prior identification of <em>B. pseudomallei</em> in high ground soils. Dye tracing and isolation mapped stormwater drainage connectivity downstream catchpits. Air sampling across varying distances from outlets during rapid rainwater flows assess airborne risks. 5000-L air were drawn onto Ashdown's agar and incubated aerobically at 35°C for 10 days.</div><div>In total, 88 clinical isolates from 2015-2023 and 54 environmental samples underwent analysis. Whole-genome sequencing and core-gene SNP phylogenetic analysis assessed genetic relatedness among isolates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 864 environmental samples were collected across Sham Shui Po district. <em>B. pseudomallei</em> was isolated from 8 soil, 6 water, 41 air samples. Core-gene phylogeny revealed genomic clustering of ST-1996 strains from patient samples and environmental sources, sharing 97.51%-100% SNP identity over 1652 core-genes. Air sampling along the stormwater drainage network detected viable airborne ST-1996 up to 45 meters horizontally and 13 meters vertically from catchpit outlets, with concentrations increasing with rainfall intensity during typhoons. Of Sham Shui Po patients, 63% of cases were presented with pneumonia, supporting investigation of airborne transmission pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This integrated study uncovered ST-1996 transmission through interconnected environments, infecting communities via confined stormwater networks and wind-dispersed aerosols, resulting in predominate pneumonia after exposure. Urbanization obscures bacterial routes, but elucidating transmission dynamics through epidemiology, molecular biology and environmental science enables targeted control by guiding policymakers on interventions. With global warming intensifying typhoons, environmental tracing and weather-based preparedness can guide effective public health interventions to safeguard populations in emerging melioidosis hotspots worldwide.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100545"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between public demand and sentiment and the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2023: A time series and lag-correlation analysis","authors":"Wenxin Yan ,&nbsp;Shimo Zhang ,&nbsp;Zongchao Peng ,&nbsp;Min Liu ,&nbsp;Wannian Liang ,&nbsp;Jue Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100536","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100536","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Emerging infectious diseases continued to be a great threat to the whole world. Online public opinion, which reflected public demands and sentiments, was likely to contribute to the surveillance and prevention of the epidemics. However, the associations between the public demand and sentiment analyzed from online public opinion and epidemics remain unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>We obtained text data from “People's Daily Online-Message Board for Leaders”, representing for online public opinion in this study. The period was divided into three stages, namely Containment stage (I), Ongoing Prevention and Control stage (II), and Steady Transition stage (III). We defined and explained the indicators of public demand and sentiment. Through natural language processing (NLP) technology, we conducted sentiment analysis on the message texts and described the trends of public demand and sentiment using interrupted time series analysis. Subsequently, we assessed the lag-correlations between the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 and public demand/sentiment by stages.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Public demand showed a L-shape trend in general, and public sentiment presented a U-shaped trend. Public demand and epidemic showed mainly positive lag-correlations (Stage I: rs=0.42, lag=+14, P&lt;0.001; Stage II: rs=0.46, lag=+8, P&lt;0.001). For public sentiment, it was negatively correlated with the epidemic in Stage I (rs=-0.2, lag=+10). Lag correlation between public sentiment and the epidemic was weak in Stage II, and varied in different lags in Stage III.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>The findings suggested robust associations between 8-days-posteriority public demand and the newly confirmed cases in Ongoing Prevention and Control stage, 10-days-priority public sentiment and the cases in Containment stage. This work introduced two potential monitor indicators and lag-correlation model on the real time warning, surveillance of emerging infectious diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100536"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibody kinetics following mRNA booster vaccination as correlates of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection","authors":"Luis Ponce ,&nbsp;Yuqian Wang ,&nbsp;Ananya Singh ,&nbsp;Hoong Kai Chua ,&nbsp;Marc Chen ,&nbsp;Xuan Ying Poh ,&nbsp;Suma Rao ,&nbsp;Po Ying Chia ,&nbsp;Sean WX Ong ,&nbsp;Tau Hong Lee ,&nbsp;Ray JH Lin ,&nbsp;Clarissa Lim ,&nbsp;Jefanie Teo ,&nbsp;David Chien Lye ,&nbsp;Barnaby E Young ,&nbsp;Lisa FP Ng ,&nbsp;Pei Xiang Hor ,&nbsp;Chiew Yee Loh ,&nbsp;Laurent Renia ,&nbsp;Yun Shan Goh ,&nbsp;Keisuke Ejima","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100542","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Understanding the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels post-booster vaccination is crucial for optimizing vaccination strategies, as higher immunoglobulin responses are considered to correlate with reduced infection risk.</div></div><div><h3>Material and Methods</h3><div>Data were collected longitudinally from a cohort of healthcare workers at four time points: day of booster vaccination and 28, 180, and 360 days after. We utilized non-linear mixed effects models to map the trajectory of antibody kinetics for immunoglobulin A and G (IgA and IgG) binding (%) against the wild-type (WT) and Omicron BA.1 spike protein. Participants’ age, sex, type of mRNA vaccine, and timing of infection were considered as potential covariates, and best-fit models were chosen based on lowest statistical criteria. We then analyzed the association between each antibody isotype and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this cohort through Cox proportional hazards models, and predicted protection against infection.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The best-fit antibody kinetics models showed that decay rates post-booster and growth rates post-infection were higher with Pfizer boosters compared to Moderna. Binding antibody growth rates post-infection were higher in the elderly, females, and those with late infections. In our survival analyses, after adjustment for age, sex, vaccine type, and time-varying COVID-19 incidence, having high (above 75th percentile) antibody levels for WT IgG and BA.1 IgA at booster response (day 28) showed significant reductions in infection risk; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.47 (0.22-0.98) and 0.36 (0.17-0.78) compared with low antibody levels (below 25th percentile), respectively. To account for antibody kinetics, we used time-varying antibody levels and found similar results, with HRs of 0.22 (0.07-0.74) per percent increase in binding against WT IgG and 0.09 (0.01-0.66) against BA.1 IgA, but with higher prediction ability (AIC and BIC). On average, ≥80% booster vaccination-elicited protection against infection lasts 155 days.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>In conclusion, antibody kinetics of WT IgG and BA.1 IgA are correlated with reduced infection risk. To predict infection risk with high accuracy, follow-up measurements of antibody levels are essential. Duration of protection estimates may be used to inform frequency of booster vaccinations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100542"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143429731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rotational thromboelastometry performed during the febrile phase of dengue in predicting progression to critical phase: A prospective case control study","authors":"Ahalyaa Sivashangar ,&nbsp;Manujasri Wimalachandra ,&nbsp;Jithmal Meegoda ,&nbsp;Thisarika Perera ,&nbsp;Panduka Karunanayake ,&nbsp;Roopen Arya ,&nbsp;Lallindra Gooneratne","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Dengue is a global health concern. Early identification of patients whose disease is likely to progress to a critical phase helps reduce mortality.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A total of 136 patients with fever, a positive dengue NS1 antigen test result, a platelet count &gt;100 × 10⁹/l, and no plasma leakage who were admitted to National Hospital, Sri Lanka had conventional coagulation tests (CCTs); prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and Clauss fibrinogen and ROTEM (rotational thromboelastometry) tests; extrinsic coagulation pathway (EXTEM) and intrinsic coagulation pathway (INTEM) on ROTEM <em>delta</em> performed on the 3^rd day of fever. Patients were followed up and categorized as “cases” if they progressed to critical phase and “controls” if they did not.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 36 cases and 100 controls were recruited. Results of the CCTs were not significant. The three ROTEM <em>delta</em> parameters (clotting time and clot formation time of the EXTEM and clot formation time of INTEM) had cut-off values with acceptable sensitivities and specificities on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. When combined, these parameters predicted patients whose disease was unlikely to progress to a critical phase (negative predictive value of 84.37%).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>ROTEM <em>delta</em> parameters on the 3^rd day of fever predicted progression, whereas CCTs did not. These parameters were generated in approximately 10 minutes, at the point of care. It would be prudent to substantiate these findings in a larger study. The subclinical coagulopathy evidenced by derangements in ROTEM <em>delta</em> with normal Clauss and platelet &gt;100 × 10⁹/l raises the possibility of platelet dysfunction being the cause.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"15 ","pages":"Article 100598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143808006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intentions for the prevention of hepatitis B and C among healthcare workers in a tertiary facility in Ghana","authors":"Yvonne Naa Duaba Cofie ,&nbsp;Vivian Efua Senoo-Dogbey ,&nbsp;Brightson Tettey Coffie Kennedy ,&nbsp;Moses Drah Tetteh ,&nbsp;Michael Matey Mensah","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100590","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100590","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV, respectively) infections pose a significant occupational hazard to healthcare workers (HCWs) globally, with increased risk due to exposure to blood and body fluids. In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, the prevalence of these infections among HCWs remains high, despite existing prevention measures. Understanding the factors influencing HCWs’ preventive behaviors is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce transmission risks in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess HBV and HCV prevention intentions and related factors among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Ghana.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional, facility-based study was conducted using a quantitative approach. Two hundred HCWs were selected using stratified random sampling. The Theory of Planned Behavior was used as a conceptual framework to determine the behavioral intentions of HCWs toward the prevention of hepatitis B and C. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Attitudes toward prevention were generally poor (M = 1.56 ± 0.56) and did not significantly influence preventive behaviors (β = 0.056, <em>P</em> = 0.427). Subjective norms showed a moderate positive influence (M = 3.14 ± 0.64, β = 0.208, <em>P</em> = 0.003). Self-efficacy emerged as the strongest predictor of preventive behaviors (M = 3.44 ± 0.59, β = 0.566, <em>P</em> <span><math><mo>&lt;</mo></math></span>0.001), followed by behavioral intentions (M = 3.55 ± 0.63, β = 0.321, <em>P</em> <span><math><mo>&lt;</mo></math></span>0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy and leveraging subjective norms may be most effective in improving HBV and HCV preventive behaviors among HCWs. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of targeted prevention strategies in healthcare settings, particularly in the Ghanaian context.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100590"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis on students at Bochesa Elementary School, around the wetlands of Lake Ziway, Ethiopia","authors":"Ayalew Sisay","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100591","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100591","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis in students at Bochesa Elementary School in the wetlands of Lake Ziway.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional study of 384 students was conducted in May 2016. Intestinal schistosomiasis was examined using the Kato-Katz technique. For the association between the prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis and categorical variables, the chi-square (χ²) test was used. A binary logistic regression was applied.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The overall prevalence of intestinal schistosomiasis was 25.52%. Males were more infected (17.45%) than women (8.07%), and the difference was significant (χ² = 17.756; <em>P</em> &lt;0.05). Lower grade (1–4) students were more infected (20.83%) than grade 5-8 students (4.69%), and the difference was significant (χ² = 19.558; <em>P</em> &lt;0.05). Age groups of 7-14-year-old students were more infected (24.74%) than &gt;15-year-old students (0.78%), and the difference was significant (χ² = 4.788; <em>P</em> &lt;0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The result implied that the wetlands of Lake Ziway are conducive to schistosomiasis. Students should receive health education on the mode of schistosomiasis transmission and its prevention methods, and a buffer zone for the wetlands should be identified. Praziquantel treatment is crucial in reducing intestinal schistosomiasis in students.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100591"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a real health problem in Iraq?","authors":"Masood Abdulkareem Abdulrahman","doi":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100588","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100588","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the most widespread tick-borne viral disease worldwide. CCHF was not recognized in Iraq before 1979, after which many outbreaks occurred, and the disease became endemic with the re-emergence of outbreaks. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology of the largest outbreak in Iraqi history in 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study included human CCHF cases from 2023.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>2186 suspected cases were investigated. There were 587 confirmed cases, and 83 deaths, and an overall case fatality rate (14%). Among the confirmed cases, only 539 cases had complete data, and the analysis was performed on these cases. The majority 70.9% of patients lived in the southern provinces. Approximately 58% of the patients were male and up to half of the patients resided in rural areas. Approximately 45% of cases were in the 25-44 years age group. The occupations of the patients were as follows: 30% were housewives, 22% were butchers, 18% were animal owners, 30% had other occupations, and up to 60% had a history of exposure to fresh raw meat.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The 2023 outbreak was the largest in Iraq in decades. The absence of preventive and control activities during the COVID-19 pandemic played an important role in the rise of cases and the presence of unlicensed and freelance slaughterers, especially during religious events played an important role in this epidemic.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73335,"journal":{"name":"IJID regions","volume":"14 ","pages":"Article 100588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143419495","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}