scholarly journals Utility of Pan-Family Assays for Rapid Viral Screening: Reducing Delays in Public Health Responses During Pandemics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Erlichster ◽  
Gursharan Chana ◽  
Daniela Zantomio ◽  
Benjamin Goudey ◽  
Efstratios Skafidas
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Test Specificity ◽  
Widespread Availability ◽  
Genomic Regions

SummaryBackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in the testing capacity of many developed countries during the early stages of emerging pandemics. Here we describe the potential for pan-family viral assays to improve early accessibility of large-scale nucleic acid testing.MethodsCoronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 were used as a case-study for investigating the utility of pan-family viral assays during the early stages of a novel pandemic. Specificity of a pan-coronavirus (Pan-CoV) assay for viral detection was assessed using the frequency of common human coronavirus (HCoV) species in key populations. A reported Pan-CoV assay was assessed to determine sensitivity to SARS-CoV-2 and 59 other coronavirus species. The resilience of the primer target regions of this assay to mutation was assessed in 8893 high quality SARS-CoV-2 genomes to predict ongoing utility during pandemic progression.FindingsDue to infection with common HCoV species, a Pan-CoV assay would return a false positive for as few as 1% of asymptomatic adults, but up to 30% of immunocompromised patients displaying symptoms of respiratory disease. Two of the four reported pan-coronavirus assays would have identified SARS-CoV-2 and we demonstrate that with small adjustments to the primers, these assays can accommodate novel variation observed in animal coronaviruses. The assay target region of one well established Pan-CoV assay is highly resistant to mutation compared to regions targeted by other widely applied SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays.InterpretationPan-family assays have the potential to greatly assist management of emerging public health emergencies through prioritization of high-resolution testing or isolation measures, despite limitations in test specificity due to cross-reactivity with common pathogens. Targeting highly conserved genomic regions make pan-family assays robust and resilient to mutation of a given virus. This approach may be applicable to other viral families and has utility as part of a strategic stockpile of tests maintained to better contain spread of novel diseases prior to the widespread availability of specific assays.

scholarly journals Pan-Family Assays for Rapid Viral Screening: Reducing Delays in Public Health Responses During Pandemics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Erlichster ◽  
Gursharan Chana ◽  
Daniela Zantomio ◽  
Benjamin Goudey ◽  
Efstratios Skafidas
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Target Region ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Genomic Regions ◽  
Conserved Genomic Regions ◽  
Viral Screening

Abstract Background COVID-19 has highlighted deficiencies in the testing capacity of many developed countries during the early stages of pandemics. Here we describe a strategy utilizing pan-family viral assays to improve early accessibility of large-scale nucleic acid testing. Methods Coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 were used as a case-study for assessing utility of pan-family viral assays during the early stages of a novel pandemic. Specificity of a pan-coronavirus (Pan-CoV) assay for a novel pathogen was assessed using the frequency of common human coronavirus (HCoV) species in key populations. A reported Pan-CoV assay was assessed to determine sensitivity to 60 reference coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The resilience of the primer target regions of this assay to mutation was assessed in 8893 high-quality SARS-CoV-2 genomes to predict ongoing utility during pandemic progression. Results Due to common HCoV species, a Pan-CoV assay would return false positives for as few as 1% of asymptomatic adults, but up to 30% of immunocompromised patients with respiratory disease. Half of reported Pan-CoV assays identify SARS-CoV-2 and with small adjustments can accommodate diverse variation observed in animal coronaviruses. The target region of one well established Pan-CoV assay is highly resistant to mutation compared to species-specific SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assays. Conclusions Despite cross-reactivity with common pathogens, pan-family assays may greatly assist management of emerging pandemics through prioritization of high-resolution testing or isolation measures. Targeting highly conserved genomic regions make pan-family assays robust and resilient to mutation. A strategic stockpile of pan-family assays may improve containment of novel diseases prior to the availability of species-specific assays.

Current State of (Dis)Integration: Public Health and Fusion Centers

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cody Minks ◽  
Anke Richter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Fusion Centers ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Public Health Information

AbstractObjectiveResponding to large-scale public health emergencies relies heavily on planning and collaboration between law enforcement and public health officials. This study examines the current level of information sharing and integration between these domains by measuring the inclusion of public health in the law enforcement functions of fusion centers.MethodsSurvey of all fusion centers, with a 29.9% response rate.ResultsOnly one of the 23 responding fusion centers had true public health inclusion, a decrease from research conducted in 2007. Information sharing is primarily limited to information flowing out of the fusion center, with little public health information coming in. Most of the collaboration is done on a personal, informal, ad-hoc basis. There remains a large misunderstanding of roles, capabilities, and regulations by all parties (fusion centers and public health). The majority of the parties appear to be willing to work together, but there but there is no forward momentum to make these desires a reality. Funding and staffing issues seem to be the limiting factor for integration.ConclusionThese problems need to be urgently addressed to increase public health preparedness and enable a decisive and beneficial response to public health emergencies involving a homeland security response.

scholarly journals Leishmaniasis and Climate Change—Case Study: Argentina

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Daniel Salomón ◽  
María Gabriela Quintana ◽  
Andrea Verónica Mastrángelo ◽  
María Soledad Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Scale Models ◽  
Vector Borne

Vector-borne diseases closely associated with the environment, such as leishmaniases, have been a usual argument about the deleterious impact of climate change on public health. From the biological point of view interaction of different variables has different and even conflicting effects on the survival of vectors and the probability transmission of pathogens. The results on ecoepidemiology of leishmaniasis in Argentina related to climate variables at different scales of space and time are presented. These studies showed that the changes in transmission due to change or increase in frequency and intensity of climatic instability were expressed through changes in the probability of vector-human reservoir effective contacts. These changes of contact in turn are modulated by both direct effects on the biology and ecology of the organisms involved, as by perceptions and changes in the behavior of the human communities at risk. Therefore, from the perspective of public health and state policy, and taking into account the current nonlinear increased velocity of climate change, we concluded that discussing the uncertainties of large-scale models will have lower impact than to develop-validate mitigation strategies to be operative at local level, and compatibles with sustainable development, conservation biodiversity, and respect for cultural diversity.

In Preparation or Response: Examining Health Care Coalitions Amid a Changing Economic and Political Landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 698-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Dornauer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Community Health Centers ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Political Landscape ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Operations Capabilities

ABSTRACTThe Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the US Department of Health and Human Services leads the nation in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the adverse health effects of public health emergencies, in part through formal collaborations between hospitals, health systems, community health centers, public health departments, and community organizations via health care coalitions (HCCs). HCCs endeavor to meet the medical surge demands inherent to disasters and to improve health outcomes before, during, and after public health emergencies. Nevertheless, significant changes in health economics and policy can impact the operations, capabilities, and scope of HCCs. Specifically, hospital consolidation and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are altering the national health care landscape, as well as the emergency preparedness sector, and are challenging HCCs to adapt to large-scale, industry-wide transformations. This article examines HCCs in the context of the developments of hospital consolidation and the ACA in order to facilitate future discourse regarding the strategy and policy of HCCs amid a changing economic and political landscape. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:698–703)

A Conceptual Framework for Allocation of Federally Stockpiled Ventilators During Large-Scale Public Health Emergencies

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Zaza ◽  
Lisa M. Koonin ◽  
Adebola Ajao ◽  
Scott V. Nystrom ◽  
Richard Branson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Emergencies

scholarly journals Assessment of Anemia Prevalence Among Non-Pregnant Women in Urban Areas of Shanghai and Tokyo: A Retrospective Observational Study

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 5890-5890
Author(s):  
Kana Yamamoto ◽  
Wang Na ◽  
Morihito Takita ◽  
Tomohiko Sato ◽  
Tomohiro Morita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Microcytic Anemia ◽  
Group Comparison ◽  
Health Checkup ◽  
Child Bearing ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Prevalence Of Anemia

Abstract Introduction: Anemia, one of the most common and widespread disorders in the world, is a public health problem, and among various causes, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, affecting more than 2.2 billion people worldwide. In developing countries, insufficient dietary intake is a main cause whereas eating habits like vegetarian diet or avoidance of red meat is associated with anemia in developed countries. Shanghai has been sharing many characteristics with Tokyo not only in rapid economic growth and westernization but also in more volition on personal life and late marriage in women of child-bearing age. Here in this study, with the large-scale database in both areas, the prevalence of anemia was elucidated among non-pregnant women age in urban areas of representative Asian countries undergoing routine annual health checkups. Methods: All participants in this retrospective observational study were limited to women aged between 20 and 44. A total of 2,006 health checkup data (from May to September 2016) from residents of Xinqiao, Sheshan and Maogang towns in Songjiang District by stratified cluster sampling were collected. These three towns are located in the southwestern part of Shanghai and their population is approximately 230,000 in total. A total 877 health checkup data (from February to July 2017) from 1,087 employees in the dispensing pharmacies in Tokyo area were collected. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration lower than 12.0 g/dL, which was further categorized as mild (10.0<Hb≤12.0), moderate (7.0<Hb≤10.0) and severe (<7.0). Microcytic anemia was defined as Hb < 12 and a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) < 80 fL. In-group comparisons regarding anemia prevalence according to age and body mass index (BMI) were conducted. Results: Medians of age, BMI, Hb and MCV in Shanghai area (SA) group were 36 y.o. (range; 20-44), 21.7 (14.7-41.5), 13.1 (6.4-17.9) and 91.6 (59.0-107.2), while these in Tokyo area (TA) group were 36 y.o. (20-44), 20.5 (13.3-42.8), 13.0 (8.7-16.0) and 91.0 (61.0-106.0). Anemia was seen in 14.8% (n=297) of participants in SA and 11.4% (100) of participants in TA, among which prevalences of mild and moderate anemia were 12.2% (SA: 244) / 10.0% (TA: 88) and 2.6% (SA: 53) / 1.4% (TA: 12), respectively. No severe anemia was detected. Microcytic anemia was found in 5.7% (115) of SA and 3.4% (30) of TA. In-group comparison according to age (persons aged 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44) showed a gradual increase of anemia prevalence in SA, the highest prevalence of 20.8% in persons aged 40-44. By contrast, in TA group, persons aged 30-34 had the highest prevalence of 14.7%. Another in-group comparison by BMI (<18.5, 18.5≤BMI<25.0, 25.0≤BMI<30.0, 30.0≤) revealed an inverse correlation to anemia prevalence, the highest of 18.2% in SA group, while in TA group persons with BMI ranging 18.5-25.0 had the highest of 10.8%. Discussion and Conclusion: Using the large-scale database of health checkup program, our analysis of CBC data revealed that high prevalence of anemia was associated with older age and lower BMI in SA group but that the prevalence of anemia in TA group had no correlation with age and BMI. First of all, the difference of recruitment for health checkup between the two areas was a possible cause. People who have health checkup might be more interested in healthy lifestyle, possibly generating selection bias in our study. And multiple factors including calorie intake, type of diet, iron supplementation and so on would affect the difference. Besides them, it is of note that beta thalassemia is highly prevalent in south China, which might contribute to the difference. Although the prevalences of anemia in two areas were lower than the global prevalence of about 25%, there still exists a sizable anemic population even in urban areas of developed countries, suggesting the importance of considering regional difference in etiology of anemia. Still needed further study with larger cohorts with detailed parameters, our data could provide an important information about anemia prevalence in two major Asian metropolises, constructing a basis of anti-anemia countermeasures for women of child-bearing age. Our findings call for well-designed public health policies with more individualized approach reflecting on eating and social habits in such urban areas. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals How Local Governments Are Caring for the Homeless During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 650-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham David Benavides ◽  
Julius A. Nukpezah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Public Administrators ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Federal Department ◽  
Subsidiarity Principle ◽  
Control And Prevention

This article discusses the plight of the homeless during public health emergencies and the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It reviews the role of public administrators that grounds their efforts by examining their foundational purpose to serve the most vulnerable in our society. Using subsidiarity principle as the context, it discusses homelessness in America and the role of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and their Continuum of Care program. It also highlights the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during public health emergencies and their interim guidelines for local governments in providing for the homeless during emergencies. Finally, through a case study on the city of Dallas, Texas, the article examines how local governments have responded to address the needs of the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic. It concludes that it is imperative that public administrators at all levels of government explore areas of shared competence, cooperation, and allocate responsibility where it would yield the most efficient result.

scholarly journals Serological assays for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), March 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranawaka APM Perera ◽  
Chris KP Mok ◽  
Owen TY Tsang ◽  
Huibin Lv ◽  
Ronald LW Ko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Herd Immunity ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
Virus Challenge ◽  
Illness Onset ◽  
Public Health Decision

Background The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has major impacts on health systems, the economy and society. Assessing infection attack rates in the population is critical for estimating disease severity and herd immunity which is needed to calibrate public health interventions. We have previously shown that it is possible to achieve this in real time to impact public health decision making. Aim Our objective was to develop and evaluate serological assays applicable in large-scale sero-epidemiological studies. Methods We developed an ELISA to detect IgG and IgM antibodies to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We evaluated its sensitivity and specificity in combination with confirmatory microneutralisation (MN) and 90% plaque reduction neutralisation tests (PRNT90) in 51 sera from 24 patients with virologically confirmed COVID-19 and in age-stratified sera from 200 healthy controls. Results IgG and IgM RBD ELISA, MN and PRNT90 were reliably positive after 29 days from illness onset with no detectable cross-reactivity in age-stratified controls. We found that PRNT90 tests were more sensitive in detecting antibody than MN tests carried out with the conventional 100 tissue culture infectious dose challenge. Heparinised plasma appeared to reduce the infectivity of the virus challenge dose and may confound interpretation of neutralisation test. Conclusion Using IgG ELISA based on the RBD of the spike protein to screen sera for SARS-CoV-2 antibody, followed by confirmation using PRNT90, is a valid approach for large-scale sero-epidemiology studies.

Exploring the Adoptions by Students of Web 2.0 Tools for E-Learning in Higher Education

2019 ◽  
pp. 128-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liliana Mata ◽  
Georgeta Panisoara ◽  
Silvia Fat ◽  
Ion-Ovidiu Panisoara ◽  
Iulia Lazar
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Education Quality ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Web 2.0 Tools ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Sustainable Economic Growth

Optimal public policies, including education, have been applied for the sustainable economic growth of the European Union. In European countries, the use of Web 2.0 tools for increasing the education quality is constantly expanding, even if it is divided into two categories. One category consists of developed countries, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members where there are the strongest of computing tools companies. Another category consists of OECD partner countries which hopes to fulfill the OECD requirements. The main study aim is the exploration of Web 2.0 tools adoptions for e-learning in one OECD candidate. A case study details how behavioral perceptions have been applied. Thus, a survey containing questions about socio-demographic characteristics alongside respondents' perceptions related to Web 2.0 tools for e-learning in higher education was applied. The research outcomes confirm the students' limited knowledge of Web 2.0. Authorities must indicate what measures are necessary for large-scale adoption of all Web 2.0 tools useful for education.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document