BMC Infectious Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Strongyloides species exhibit distinct behaviors on the skin of different mammals.","authors":"Courtney R Abell, Ruhi Patel, Elissa A Hallem","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11543-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11543-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1233"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long COVID in the population of COVID-19 hospitalized patients discharged from SUS' hospitals in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil: a patient-engaged cohort survey study.","authors":"Margareth Crisóstomo Portela, Sheyla Maria Lemos Lima, Claudia Caminha Escosteguy, Mônica Martins, Maurício Teixeira Leite de Vasconcellos, Bárbara do Nascimento Caldas, Michelle Bernardino, Natalie Perez Baginski, Gabriela Góes, Brenda Sabaine, Danielle Furtado, Marta Cavalcanti, Letícia Soares, Elisabeth Stelson, Sara Singer, Flora Cornish, Emma-Louise Aveling","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11615-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11615-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Long COVID (LC) is a global health concern, affecting millions and placing significant strain on healthcare systems. However, there is a notable lack of LC research in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in the global south. This study aims to fill this gap by focusing on Brazil, a country with an emerging LC literature but limited population estimates due to sampling constraints. Our unique focus is to estimate the prevalence of persistent symptoms and LC self-reported diagnosis among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro City public hospitals. We also aim to identify factors associated with the LC measures and most frequent symptoms, providing valuable insights for healthcare systems and policymakers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We designed a comprehensive, patient-engaged cohort survey study to assess LC symptoms and administered it to a probability sample of adults six to 24 months post-discharge from public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro City. LC was measured as (i) at least one persistent symptom or (ii) self-reported LC. Among the symptoms, we considered post-exertional malaise, which is frequently neglected in LC studies. Additionally, we applied an adaptation of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire to account not only for the presence but also the frequency of symptom occurrence. We estimate the prevalence of symptoms and use logistic regression models to identify associations between LC and the most frequent LC symptoms and independent variables, assessing demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics, vaccination, and severity of acute disease.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results indicate the predominant study's focus on low-income and highly vulnerable people, with an elevated prevalence of comorbidities before LC. In the study population of 11,328 persons, 71.3% (95%CI 66.3; 76.2) reported frequently experiencing at least one persistent symptom, and 39.3% (95%CI 34.2; 44.4) self-reported having LC. The most frequent symptoms were fatigue, post-exertional malaise, joint pain, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment, and symptoms were consistently more likely to occur among women. Age was non-linearly related to LC, and comorbidities before COVID-19 hospitalization were positively associated with LC symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Evidence is provided for the LC burden among COVID-19 hospitalized patients even 24 months post-discharge. LC accessible and appropriate healthcare is fundamental.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1232"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145224835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global burden of MDR-TB and XDR-TB: trends, inequities, and future implications for public health planning.","authors":"En-Li Tan, Yu Qin, Jian Yang, Xiao-Jie Li, Tian-Qi Liu, Guo-Bing Yang, Yong-Jun Li, Zhen-Zhen Zhang, Zhen-Hui Lu, Ji-Chun Wang, Jin-Xin Zheng, Shun-Xian Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11566-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11566-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health threat, reflecting disparities in healthcare capacity, access, and socioeconomic development. Previous research often lacks geographic breadth. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the global, regional, and national burden of Multidrug-resistant TB without extensive drug resistance (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB(XDR-TB) from in Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2021 Study 1990 to 2021, with a focus on distributional inequities. The findings aim to guide resource prioritization, inform targeted interventions, and reduce the burden in high-risk populations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically assessed the global, regional, and national burden of MDR-TB and XDR-TB, along with their change trends from 1990 to 2021, using data from the GBD 2021 database. The indicators included age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), prevalence rate (ASPR), mortality rate (ASMR), and disability-adjusted life-years rate (ASDR). ASDR was analyzed in conjunction with the sociodemographic index (SDI) for a comprehensive assessment. Health inequalities were quantified using the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index (CCI). Frontier analysis estimated the achievable outcomes across different development levels, while decomposition analysis identified the key factors driving changes in disease burden.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 2021, the global ASIR of MDR-TB was 5.42 per 100,000 population [95% uncertainty interval(UI): 3.17, 9.34]), and the ASIR of XDR-TB was 0.29 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 0.21, 0.42). From 1990 to 2021, the ASIR of MDR-TB [AAPC = 0.14%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.13, 0.14] and XDR-TB (AAPC = 0.01%, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.02) both showed an increasing trend. The ASIR and ASMR of MDR-TB increased in low and low-middle SDI regions. Similarly, the ASIR and ASMR of XDR-TB increased in all five SDI regions. The ASIR of MDR-TB increased in 155 countries, with the largest increase observed in Somalia (AAPC = 1.79%, 95% CI: 1.67, 1.92). The ASIR of XDR-TB increased in all countries. From 1990 to 2021, both absolute and relative health inequalities in the ASDR of MDR-TB and XDR-TB have grown. In addition, the ASIR and incidence of MDR-TB and XDR-TB are negatively correlated with SDI.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The burden of MDR-TB/XIDR-TB is projected to increase, with persistent disparities concentrated in low-SDI settings. Targeted public health strategies-including improved resource allocation, infrastructure development, and community health education-are essential to reduce inequities. Strengthening these efforts may enhance global TB control and advance progress toward health equity.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1225"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490063/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of AcrAB efflux pump mediated ciprofloxacin resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Nepal.","authors":"Sadikshya Kharel, Sandesh Rimal, Babita Neupane, Bijay Kumar Sharma, Narayan Sharma Bashyal, Yogendra Shah, Bimal Sharma Chalise, Manisha Rawal, Mya Myat Ngwe Tun, Shyam Prakash Dumre","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11555-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11555-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a serious public health threat with a sharply increasing burden globally. Resource limited countries like Nepal are facing difficulties in the fight against AMR. This has been further worsened due to the lack of adequate molecular data. Ciprofloxacin resistance by AcrAB-TolC efflux pump (EP) genes in Gram-negative bacteria becomes a challenging issue due to its potential role in multidrug resistance (MDR). This hospital-based cross-sectional study investigated these genes in ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Different clinical specimens (n = 877) were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by agar dilution. AcrAB-TolC genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 877 samples, 124 (14.1%) showed bacterial growth, comprising 59 (47.6%) E. coli, 39 (31.4%) K. pneumoniae, and 26 (20.9%) other bacterial species. MDR was observed in 66.1% of E. coli and 89.7% of K. pneumoniae. Ciprofloxacin resistance was seen in 57.6% of E. coli and 71.8% of K. pneumoniae isolates. Majority of E. coli (10) and K. pneumoniae (8) isolates showed MIC of ciprofloxacin as 256 µg/mL and 512 µg/mL, respectively. There was significant association between ciprofloxacin resistance and MDR (p < 0.05). The higher proportion of AcrAB-TolC genes was detected in ciprofloxacin-resistant MDR isolates of E. coli (87.5%) and K. pneumoniae (66.7%) compared to non-MDR isolates.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae exhibited alarmingly high MDR rates with substantial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics in Nepal. We also observed a notable presence of EP-mediated resistance in these isolates. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced AMR surveillance (including resistance marker screening and genomic surveillance) and development of evidence-based antibiotic stewardship programs to address the growing burden of MDR Nepal.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1227"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on changes in a subset of full blood count parameters of patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever presented to teaching hospital - Kurunegala, Sri Lanka - a descriptive cross-sectional study.","authors":"Pavithra Madushi Nanayakkara, Ranathunga Arachchilage Nayomi Ranathunga, Maximus Marsh Muthuthamby, Paththini Gedara Chandana Sanjeewa Bowatte, Sithamparapillai Jeevathayaparan, Kottegodage Priyantha Julian Perera","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11630-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11630-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dengue is a viral infection with a notable surge in prevalence over the past few decades making it a global problem. Haematological and biochemical parameters keep changing throughout the disease process. This research studied the patterns of a subset of full blood count parameters of patients with dengue fever during different phases of the illness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Teaching Hospital - Kurunegala (THK) from April-2021 to March-2022. Patients diagnosed with dengue fever were recruited on all-inclusive, nonselective basis. Demographic data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and investigation results were obtained from clinical records. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Review Committees of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya and THK.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 137 patients were recruited, of which 27 went into the critical phase. Patients were admitted within two to six days of the onset of fever, and 44.5% were admitted on the day five. Although the mean white blood cells count of the leakers (7.12 ± 3.21) was significantly higher (p = < .001) when compared to the non-leakers (5.26 ± 2.23) during the convalescent phase, it was not significant in the febrile phase. The mean haematocrit value of the leakers was higher (43.01 ± 4.66) in the febrile phase, whilst the haematocrit value of the non-leakers was higher (42.30 ± 36.17) in the convalescent phase. The difference in means of haematocrit values was statistically significant only in leakers (p = .007) in the febrile phase when compared to the non-leakers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Nearly half of the patients were admitted on day five, which increases the risk of not being able to identify the critical phase early, which may have a significant impact on the outcome. The results confirm the value of dropping platelet count and rising haematocrit value as the markers of leaking. Higher white blood cell count observed in both leakers and non-leakers during the convalescence phase indicates that it can be used as a predictive factor of identifying the patient entering the convalescent phase.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1229"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of complement system proteins on the clinical progression of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.","authors":"Lorena Viana de Andrade, Beatriz Vasconcelos, Ricardo Khouri, Carlos Dornels Freire de Souza, Anderson da Costa Armstrong, Rodrigo Feliciano do Carmo","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11663-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11663-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The complement system is an important defense mechanism against pathogens, including viruses. In COVID-19, evidence suggests that hyperactivation of the complement system can lead to tissue damage and provoke dysregulation of the coagulation cascade, resulting in vascular damage observed in severe COVID-19. There is still little evidence regarding the role of plasma levels of these molecules in the clinical evolution of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included individuals 18 years of age or older with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, admitted to two referral hospitals in the Northeast Region of Brazil between August 2020 and July 2021. Plasma samples were collected within 24 hours of hospital admission. Patients were followed up until discharge, and complications during hospitalization were duly recorded. Plasma levels of the following complement proteins were determined by Luminex: C2, C3, C3b/iC3b, C4, C4b, C5, C5a, MBL, C1q, factor I, factor D, factor B, and factor H. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to correct the results according to possible confounding factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 267 patients (134 critical and 133 severe), with mean ages of 54 and 52 years, respectively. Plasma levels of C2, C5a, factor B, and factor D were significantly higher in patients who required intensive care unit admission, required ventilatory support, developed sepsis, developed cardiorespiratory arrest, or developed acute kidney failure. On the other hand, C4b level was lower in patients who developed complications. Complement proteins were significantly associated with laboratory parameters related to coagulation and kidney function.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings show that the complement system is associated with COVID-19 complications and laboratory parameters of coagulation and kidney function. These results suggest that these molecules may be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets in the clinical progression of COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1231"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490050/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution of antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes in different genotypes of Acinetobacter baumannii.","authors":"Ali Naghi Kebriaee, Payam Behzadi, Taher Mohammadian, Abbas Ali Imani Fooladi, Mohsen Shah Hosseini","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11632-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11632-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In accordance with high genomic plasticity of Acinetobacter baumannii, the aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of 22 genes including 16 S rRNA, integrase genes (intI and intII), antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) (acquired carbapenemase genes (ACGs) and Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes) and virulence genes (VGs) (involving adeABC, ompA genes) among different genotypes of A. baumannii and providing an epidemiological pattern in association with both of ARGs and VGs in this bacterium. The present study was conducted through collection of A. baumannii isolates from clinical samples during six months between December 2021 and May 2022. In this regard, routine biochemical and microbiological tests and molecular diagnostic techniques were recruited. More than 94% of the A. baumannii strains were resistant to 15 antibiotics. In addition, 37%, 40% and 23% of the isolated strains were recognized as MDR, XDR and PDR, respectively. The genes of 16 S rRNA (100%), intI (66%), intII (9%), bla_NDM (98%), bla_SIM (98%), bla_OXA-23-like (100%), bla_OXA-24-like (99%), bla_OXA-51-like (97%), adeA (100%), adeB (95%), adeC (85%), ompA (82%), bla_CTX-M (15%), and bla_TEM (50%) were present in isolated strains while, the genes of bla_AIM, bla_DIM, bla_GIM, bla_IMP, bla_SPM, bla_VIM, bla_SHV and bla_VEB were absent in A. baumannii isolates. In accordance with the results obtained from ERIC-PCR, the isolated strains of A. baumannii were classified into 12 clades and four genotypes. In conclusion, our findings confirm the previous reported records in association with molecular characteristics and the related patterns in Iran and worldwide. Moreover, the obtained results in the present study show an obvious antimicrobial resistance rise in the epidemiological pattern.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1230"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490118/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211529","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk factors and predictive model for pediatric influenza-associated encephalopathy symptoms: a retrospective study.","authors":"Dongmei Zhang, Xiaolong Yu, Dan Sun","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11681-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11681-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Constructing a predictive model for influenza-associated encephalopathy symptoms (IAES) is crucial for early identification of severe cases among febrile seizure patients with influenza.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of influenza children with symptoms of fever and convulsions who were hospitalized at Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 2020 to January 2025. Patients were divided into the IAES group and the Non -IAES group for a comparative study based on whether they developed acute encephalopathy syndrome. SPSS and R programming language were used to analyze the risk factors of IAES and build a prediction model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 623 pediatric influenza cases with symptoms of fever and convulsions, there were 55 cases (8.8%) in the IAES group. There were 568 cases (91.2%) of children in the Non-IAES group. Number of convulsions, day of fever course when first convulsion occurred, respiratory rate(RR), procalcitonin (PCT), albumin(Alb), the CD4+/CD8 + ratio are independent risk factors for IAES. This study constructed a Clinical risk scoring tool for IAES accompanied by fever and convulsions and verified internally that the model has good discrimination (AUC = 0.926) and calibration (MSE = 0.00049).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Independent risk factors for IAES children with symptoms of fever and convulsions include an increased number of convulsions, the timing of the first convulsion during the course of the fever, elevated respiratory rate, increased procalcitonin, decreased albumin, and a reduction in the CD4+/CD8 + ratio. The nomogram model developed in this study assists clinicians in assessing the risk of IAES children and provides guidance for early intervention and clinical decision-making in IAES.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1228"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490069/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of antibiotic prophylaxis after flexible cystoscopy to prevent symptomatic urinary tract infection: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Atiya Seeluangsawat, Dutsadee Sowanthip, Julin Opanuraks, Apirak Santingamkun, Supoj Ratchanon","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11593-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11593-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1226"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211505","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving leptospirosis treatment through increased suspicion-\"Leptospirosis calendar for general practitioners in Sri Lanka\".","authors":"Prabha Kumari, Janaki Vidanapathirana, Jagath Amarasekera, Lilani Karunanayake","doi":"10.1186/s12879-025-11693-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12879-025-11693-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sri Lanka has one of the highest incidences of leptospirosis worldwide. Continuous awareness of leptospirosis as a differential diagnosis will improve the diagnosis of leptospirosis among General Practitioners (GPs). The objective of this study is to describe the development of a leptospirosis calendar for GPs in Sri Lanka.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Leptospirosis calendar was meticulously crafted by synthesizing information obtained from a combination of Key Informant Interviews (KII), an extensive literature review, and the valuable insights of experts in the field. It underwent a refinement process during a one-day workshop, which was attended by a team of experts, including consultants from the Epidemiology unit, the Health Promotion Bureau, a Consultant Community Physician, two GPs, and two Medical Officers of Health (MOHs). The calendar was designed to be a practical and user-friendly tool, ensuring its comprehensiveness, relevance, applicability, and suitability within the context of healthcare in Sri Lanka. The main theme of the calendar was related to paddy cultivation, as it is the main risk exposure in Monaragala. To achieve a wide reach and ensure that it effectively caught the attention of treating physicians, it was agreed upon to present the calendar in a desk format. Before finalizing the calendar, it underwent a pretesting phase involving ten experienced GPs located in the Monaragala and Colombo districts. This pretesting aimed to assess its effectiveness as a tool in aiding healthcare professionals to consider leptospirosis as a potential differential diagnosis when treating patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Leptospirosis calendar was designed to coincide with different seasonal activities of paddy cultivation related to leptospirosis depicted by month, and regarding the people who are involved in those activities so that the GP can include leptospirosis as a differential diagnosis, refer for the treatment and to educate the clients. It also prompts the GP to encourage prophylaxis in the farming community when they visit for other ailments.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The desk calendar aligns paddy farming activities with leptospirosis risk periods in Sri Lanka, aiding timely diagnosis, prevention, and outbreak response.</p>","PeriodicalId":8981,"journal":{"name":"BMC Infectious Diseases","volume":"25 1","pages":"1223"},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12490108/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145211554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}