Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: efficacy of outbreak management

Abstract Purpose Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is one of the most severe ocular viral infections. The aim of this interruptive time series study was to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of a hygienic EKC outbreak management concept developed in our ophthalmological department. Methods All patients with suspected EKC in the period from August to November 2018 were included in the study. Data were retrospectively collected from the patient’s medical documents and records. The disease was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by virus detection through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from conjunctival swabs. With the beginning of the epidemic, an outbreak management plan was implemented to reduce the nosocomial spread. Results The outbreak lasted 77 days (20th August 2018 to 4th November 2018) and affected a total of 120 patients. This corresponds to a mean of 1.5 patients per outbreak day. The median age was 58 [1–92] years. Of all patients, 61 (50.8%) were female. Conjunctival swabs were collected in 100/120 (83.3%) cases, the adenovirus being detected in all positive smears (63/63, 100%). The implementation of our outbreak management plan reduced significantly the number of EKC cases per outbreak day and resulted in a reduction of the basic reproduction number by a factor of 2.2. Conclusion The detection of EKC together with the immediate implementation of hygienic outbreak measures can significantly reduce the spread of infection. The implementation of a strict outbreak management concept can significantly reduce the number of EKC cases, thus avoiding possible complications and therefore unnecessary health-related costs.

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Methods of Respiratory Virus Detection: Advances towards Point-of-Care for Early Intervention

Micromachines ◽

10.3390/mi12060697 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 697

Author(s):

Siming Lu ◽

Sha Lin ◽

Hongrui Zhang ◽

Liguo Liang ◽

Shien Shen

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Human Life ◽

Low Cost ◽

Virus Detection ◽

Frequent Monitoring ◽

User Friendly ◽

New Strategies

Respiratory viral infections threaten human life and inflict an enormous healthcare burden worldwide. Frequent monitoring of viral antibodies and viral load can effectively help to control the spread of the virus and make timely interventions. However, current methods for detecting viral load require dedicated personnel and are time-consuming. Additionally, COVID-19 detection is generally relied on an automated PCR analyzer, which is highly instrument-dependent and expensive. As such, emerging technologies in the development of respiratory viral load assays for point-of-care (POC) testing are urgently needed for viral screening. Recent advances in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), biosensors, nanotechnology-based paper strips and microfluidics offer new strategies to develop a rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly respiratory viral monitoring platform. In this review, we summarized the traditional methods in respiratory virus detection and present the state-of-art technologies in the monitoring of respiratory virus at POC.

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Viruses and Type 1 Diabetes: From Enteroviruses to the Virome

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9071519 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 1519

Author(s):

Sonia R. Isaacs ◽

Dylan B. Foskett ◽

Anna J. Maxwell ◽

Emily J. Ward ◽

Clare L. Faulkner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Antiviral Drug ◽

Virus Detection ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Islet Autoimmunity ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Drug Candidates

For over a century, viruses have left a long trail of evidence implicating them as frequent suspects in the development of type 1 diabetes. Through vigorous interrogation of viral infections in individuals with islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes using serological and molecular virus detection methods, as well as mechanistic studies of virus-infected human pancreatic β-cells, the prime suspects have been narrowed down to predominantly human enteroviruses. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of evidence supporting the hypothesised role of enteroviruses in the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. We also discuss concerns over the historical focus and investigation bias toward enteroviruses and summarise current unbiased efforts aimed at characterising the complete population of viruses (the “virome”) contributing early in life to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Finally, we review the range of vaccine and antiviral drug candidates currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the prevention and potential treatment of type 1 diabetes.

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Rash after measles vaccination: laboratory analysis of cases reported in São Paulo, Brazil

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-89102002000200006 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 155-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Maria I Oliveira ◽

Suely P Curti ◽

Cristina A Figueiredo ◽

Ana MS Afonso ◽

Márcia Theobaldo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Measles Virus ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Parvovirus B19 ◽

Study Data ◽

Laboratory Analysis ◽

Measles Vaccine ◽

Etiological Diagnosis ◽

Measles Vaccination ◽

Clinical Differential Diagnosis ◽

Rubella Vaccination

OBJECTIVE: The clinical differential diagnosis of rash due to viral infections is often difficult, and misdiagnosis is not rare, especially after the introduction of measles and rubella vaccination. A study to determine the etiological diagnosis of exanthema was carried out in a group of children after measles vaccination. METHODS: Sera collected from children with rash who received measles vaccine were reported in 1999. They were analyzed for IgM antibodies against measles virus, rubella virus, human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) using ELISA commercial techniques, and human herpes virus 6 (HHV 6) using immunofluorescence commercial technique. Viremia for each of those viruses was tested using a polimerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: A total of 17 cases of children with exanthema after measles immunization were reported in 1999. The children, aged 9 to 12 months (median 10 months), had a blood sample taken for laboratory analysis. The time between vaccination and the first rash signs varied from 1 to 60 days. The serological results of those 17 children suspected of measles or rubella infection showed the following etiological diagnosis: 17.6% (3 in 17) HPV B19 infection; 76.5% (13 in 17) HHV 6 infection; 5.9% (1 in 17) rash due to measles vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: The study data indicate that infection due to HPV B19 or HHV 6 can be misdiagnosed as exanthema due to measles vaccination. Therefore, it is important to better characterize the etiology of rash in order to avoid attributing it incorrectly to measles vaccine.

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Recommendations for management of burn patients in context of COVID-19 pandemic

Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University ◽

10.32593/jstmu/vol4.iss1.120 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 69-72

Author(s):

Sajid Rashid

Keyword(s):

Staff Training ◽

Skin Barrier ◽

Learning System ◽

Burn Patients ◽

Burn Center ◽

Structural Layout ◽

Burn Out ◽

Health Related ◽

Appointment System ◽

Spread Of Infection

It has been reported from china that burn centers have the highest risk of COVID-19 infection. The virus is highly contagious and damaging and mortality rate as high as 61.5% has been reported. Burn patients have low level of immunity, lack skin barrier and are prone to infections. Due to these facts, they have less ability to fight against the corona virus, so surgical practices for management of burn patients should be modified to prevent the spread of infection and decrease mortality. Keeping these facts in mind, we adopted certain changes in the protocols for management of burn patients at Rawalian burn center, Rawalpindi Pakistan. We are presenting new recommendations which were followed at the burn center during COVID-19 pandemic. These are the first ever recommendations from any burn center of Pakistan since the start of recent pandemic. With help of literature search we identified risk factors for infection during the course of treatment of burn patients. These recommendations include alterations in structural layout, administration procedures, burn patient care like the introduction of telemedicine, online appointment system and use of online messaging applications i.e., WhatsApp, staff training and strategies like online learning system to provide new knowledge regarding COVID-19 continuously. Issues of staff like over work, availability of personal protective equipment (PPEs), and their health-related anxiety and fear should be addressed properly for the prevention of burn out syndrome in them.

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Respiratory and Enteric Virus Detection in Children

Journal of Child Neurology ◽

10.1177/0883073816670820 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 84-93 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Marko Pokorn ◽

Monika Jevšnik ◽

Miroslav Petrovec ◽

Andrej Steyer ◽

Tatjana Mrvič ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Syncytial Virus ◽

Febrile Seizure ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Virus Detection ◽

Enteric Virus ◽

Febrile Seizures ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Human Coronavirus ◽

Detection Rates ◽

Syncytial Virus

The majority of children with febrile seizures have viral infections and viruses were detected in 22% to 63% of children in published studies. Using molecular methods, viruses were also detected in asymptomatic persons. A prospective study was conducted to detect respiratory and enteric viruses in 192 children with febrile seizures and compare the detection rates to those found in 156 healthy age-matched controls. A respiratory or enteric virus was detected in 72.9% of children with febrile seizures and in 51.4% of healthy controls. The viruses most strongly associated with febrile seizures were influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, human coronavirus, and rotavirus. Compared to healthy controls, the age-adjusted odds ratios for nasopharynx virus positivity in febrile seizure patients were 79.4, 2.8, 7.2, and 4.9 for influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human coronavirus, respectively, and 22.0 for rotavirus in stool. The detected virus did not influence clinical features of febrile seizure.

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Business Continuity Plan for Tour Operator in a Crisis of COVID 19 in Thailand

Psychology and Education Journal ◽

10.17762/pae.v58i1.929 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 1458-1463

Author(s):

Jenasama Srihirun Et al.

Keyword(s):

Impact Analysis ◽

Planning Process ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Management Plan ◽

Control Measures ◽

Business Continuity ◽

Critical Conditions ◽

Efficient Communication ◽

Management Concept ◽

Systematic Planning

This article aims to study and analyze the concepts and theories of the business continuity plan and the crisis management concept to be used as a guideline for the survival of tour operators from the COVID 19 outbreak in Thailand. According to the Scott Guidelines (1990); (2006) for data selection criteria, Content was analyzed and synthesized from secondary data. The study found that the business continuity management plan of small and medium tour operators does not yet have a systematic planning process. Nevertheless, there were steps to resolve the problem in the short term. Furthermore, it requires cooperation in many sectors of business stakeholders. Ten step-by-step business continuity plan (BCP) in critical conditions was used. While BCP for the epidemic COVID 19 outbreak focusing on the PPRR model: 1) Prevention, 2) Preparation, 3) Response, and 4) Recovery corresponding to the efficient communication, maintenance of health and hygiene, digital and technology linkage, social distancing, and compliance with the COVID-19 control measures following the policies of the respective governments. Moreover, there were four elements for the business continuity plan: 1) Risk Management Plan, 2) Business Impact Analysis, 3) Incident Response Plan and 4) Recovery Plan.

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Viruses and Type 1 Diabetes: From Enteroviruses to the Virome

10.20944/preprints202106.0574.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sonia R Isaacs ◽

Dylan B Foskett ◽

Anna J Maxwell ◽

Emily J Ward ◽

Clare L Faulkner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 1 Diabetes ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Antiviral Drug ◽

Virus Detection ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Islet Autoimmunity ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Drug Candidates

For over a century, viruses have left a long trail of evidence implicating them as frequent suspects in the development of type 1 diabetes. Through vigorous interrogation of viral infections in individuals with islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes using serological and molecular virus detection methods, and mechanistic studies of virus infected human pancreatic β-cells, the prime suspects have been narrowed down to predominantly human enteroviruses. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of evidence supporting the hypothesised role of enteroviruses in the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. We also discuss concerns over the historical focus and investigation bias toward enteroviruses, and summarise current unbiased efforts aimed at characterising the complete population of viruses (the “virome”) contributing early in life to the development of islet autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes. Finally, we review the range of vaccine and antiviral drug candidates currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the prevention and potential treatment of type 1 diabetes.

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ROLE OF RASAYANA IN RELATION TO CORONA VIRUS (COVID – 19) DISEASE

November 2020 - International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ◽

10.46607/iamj2209022021 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 459-465

Author(s):

Pooja Pawar ◽

Sanjay Srivastava ◽

Rajesh Jain

Keyword(s):

Management Plan ◽

Epidemic Disease ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Clinical Observations ◽

Corona Virus ◽

The People ◽

Health Related ◽

Current Scenario ◽

Anxiety Depression

The pandemic outbreak of COVID – 19 came with extensive health related hazards which lead to econom-ical and psychological problems like fear, stress, sadness, anxiety, depression among the people and is a challenge for humanity to face and fight this comorbidity. Various clinical Observations indicate the inter-action of SARS CoV– 2 viruses with the immune system which plays a significant role in determining the outcome of infection and it is responsible for controlling the immunopathogenesis of coronavirus infec-tion. Early control of this contagious disease within the host, limits its spread. Yet no system of medicine has any evidence-based treatment for COVID – 19. All the doctrine of medicine in the world has tried to develop effective strategies to overcome this disorder. Panchakarma and Rasayana therapy are indicated as an effective management plan for Janpdhodhwamsa Vyadhi (epidemic disease). Preventive use of Ra-sayana in Corona virus in the current scenario to build strong immunity in the peoples and to explore how it modifies the immunity along with use of certain recipes for its management

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Influenza in the COVID-19 era: principles of modern pharmacotherapy

Medical Council ◽

10.21518/2079-701x-2021-16-100-108 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100-108

Author(s):

N. B. Lazareva

Keyword(s):

Generation Time ◽

Influenza A ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Reproductive Number ◽

Epidemic Season ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Spread Of Infection

Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases and a significant public health problem. Every year, the influenza virus causes 3–5 million severe cases, millions hospitalizations and approximately 650,000 deaths. According to WHO four new influenza strains are projected to circulate in the 2020–2021 epidemic season. Influenza A and B strains are: A/Guangdong-Maonan/ SWL1536/2019 (H1N1) pdm09, A/Hong Kong/2671/2019 (H3N2), B/Washington/02/2019 (Victoria lineage), B/ Phuket/3073/2013 (Yamagata lineage). In this context, the problem of prescribing rational antiviral therapy is particularly importance. COVID-19, along with influenza, is a group of respiratory viral infections, but important differences exist in terms of viral agents and the spread of infection. Important differences include the rate of transmission. The average incubation period and generation time (the time between infecting one person and infecting another) for influenza are shorter. COVID-19 may be more severe, causing complications and deaths in 3–4% of cases. The estimated generation time for COVID 19 is 5-6 days, while for influenza it is 3 days. According to the latest data, the reproductive number, i.e., the number of people who can be infected by one patient, is in the range of 2 to 2.5 in COVID 19, which is higher than in influenza. Only a laboratory test can accurately identify the type of pathogen and distinguish it from influenza and other respiratory viruses. Neuraminidase inhibitors are currently first-line drugs recommended by WHO for the treatment and prevention of influenza.

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Epidemiological Survey of the Prevalence of HCV and HBV in the Periphery of Lahore City

BioScientific Review ◽

10.32350/bsr.v3i1.1074 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Khurram ◽

Asma Irshad ◽

Muhammad Alamgir ◽

Usman Ayub ◽

Haleema Sadia

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽

Epidemiological Survey ◽

Occurrence Rate ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Gender And Age ◽

Health Related ◽

Literature Highlight

Both hepatitis C and hepatitis B are part of the major health-related issues all over the globe. Both of these are viral infections that can be disseminated via sexual contact, blood or by the use of blood products, and through methods of intra-familial transmission. Collection of blood samples of factory workers was done aseptically at KBK electronics. Overall, 272 samples of blood were taken of a variety of individuals and economically accessible ELISA (i.e. enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay) was used to screen the individuals for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) and also for anti- HCV antibodies. The screening test was done as directed by the instructions of the manufacturer. Names, gender and age group date of each person was collected. Overall, 271 examinees were inspected to check the the presence of HCV and/or HBV. The ages of all the examinees ranged from a minimum of 19 years to a maximum of 50 years of age. The complete overall pervasiveness of both HCV and as well as HBV determined as 18.4% (50/271). In contrast to HBV, HCV has a much higher ubiquity i.e. 16.17% (44/271). On the other hand, that of HBV was only 2.2% (6/271). The individuals revealed a higher percentage of positive results in hepatitis C. HBV occurrence in Lahore is much more than its neighboring areas such as Gujrat with only 0.8% prevalence, Sheikhupura with 1.6%, Narowal with 2.1%, and Hafiz Abad with 2.2% prevalence (PMRC, 2007 to 2009). The results from this study and previous literature highlight the pressing need to also conduct such kinds of experiments in even more populations because by doing so, the areas with a stronger occurrence rate of HCV and HBV can be specified and pointed out and then various methods for treating and even precluding both of these infections, can be implemented effectively.

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