Second round statewide survey for estimation of the burden of active infection and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in the general population of Karnataka, India

Objective: The second round of the serial cross sectional sentinel based population survey to assess active infection, seroprevalence, and their evolution in the general population across Karnataka was conducted. Additionally, a longitudinal study among participants identified as COVID 19 positive in the first survey round was conducted to assess the clinical sensitivity of the testing kit used. Methods: The cross sectional study of 41,228 participants across 290 healthcare facilities in all 30 districts of Karnataka was done among three groups of participants (low, moderate, and high risk). Consenting participants were subjected to real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) testing, and antibody (IgG) testing. Results: Overall weighted adjusted seroprevalence of IgG was 15.6% (95% CI: 14.9 to 16.3), crude IgG prevalence was 15.0% and crude active prevalence was 0.5%. Statewide infection fatality rate (IFR) was estimated as 0.11%, and COVID 19 burden estimated between 26.1 to 37.7% (at 90% confidence). Clinical sensitivity of the IgG ELISA test kit was estimated as equal or more than 38.9%. Conclusion: The sentinel based population survey helped identify districts that needed better testing, reporting, and clinical management. The state was far from attaining natural immunity during the survey and hence must step up vaccination coverage and enforce public health measures to prevent the spread of COVD 19.

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Sero-Detection of Leptospira hardjo in Cattle of Bhaktapur District of Nepal

International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology ◽

10.3126/ijasbt.v7i3.25713 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 378-381 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gaurav Rawal ◽

Denusha Shrestha

Keyword(s):

Antibody Test ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Isolation And Identification ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Multiple Comparison Test ◽

Test Kit ◽

Elisa Data

Leptospira hardjo is the most commonly reported cause of leptospirosis among cattle globally. The objective of this study was to determine sero-detection of Leptospira hardjo in cattle of Bhaktapur district of Nepal. A cross-sectional study was conducted in cattle pockets located at 4 different village development committees (VDCs) in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal. The sample collection was done in cattle to determine the sero-detection of Leptospira hardjo from February 2014 to June 2014. A total of 176 serum samples were collected from four VDCs of Bhaktapur district namely Sipadol, Dhadikot, Duwakot and Nangkhel, selected purposively. Forty samples from Sipadol, 46 Dhadikot, 42 Duwakot and 48 from Nangkhel were collected. 5 ml of blood was collected aseptically from jugular vein using 5 ml sterile disposable syringe. After that blood was transferred to the plain vacutainer. The harvested sera were transferred to serum vials and stored at in -20˚c deep freeze of Central Veterinary Laboratory until used for ELISA test. For screening of Leptospira hardjo, the Leptospira hardjo antibody test kit, ELISA (Prionics, Netherlands) was used. ANOVA along with multiple comparison test Tukey was used to compare frequency of detection across different locations in Bhaktapur district using SAS 9.4. MS-Excel was used to manage ELISA data from four different VDCs and to extract information regarding frequency of detection. There was 5.11% sero-detection in cattle of Bhaktapur district. Location wise sero-detection was 5% in Sipadol, 4.3% in Dhadikot, 4.76% in Duwakot and 6.25% in Nangkhel. The study showed that the detection of Leptospira hardjo in cattle. There was no statistical difference (P>0.05) between location suggesting that cattle in all areas are equally at risk of this pathogen. Further study is suggested on isolation and identification of disease in Nepal. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 7(3): 378-381

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Infection control practices and challenges in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Journal of Infection Prevention ◽

10.1177/17571774211012761 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175717742110127

Author(s):

Salma Abbas ◽

Faisal Sultan

Keyword(s):

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Hospital Staff ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

And Control

Background: Patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities during outbreaks hinges on a prompt infection prevention and control response. Physicians leading these programmes have encountered numerous obstacles during the pandemic. Aim/objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate infection prevention and control practices and explore the challenges in Pakistan during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study and administered a survey to physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes at 18 hospitals in Pakistan. Results: All participants implemented universal masking, limited the intake of patients and designated separate triage areas, wards and intensive care units for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at their hospitals. Eleven (61%) physicians reported personal protective equipment shortages. Staff at three (17%) hospitals worked without the appropriate personal protective equipment due to limited supplies. All participants felt overworked and 17 (94%) reported stress. Physicians identified the lack of negative pressure rooms, fear and anxiety among hospital staff, rapidly evolving guidelines, personal protective equipment shortages and opposition from hospital staff regarding the choice of recommended personal protective equipment as major challenges during the pandemic. Discussion: The results of this study highlight the challenges faced by physicians leading infection prevention and control programmes in Pakistan. It is essential to support infection prevention and control personnel and bridge the identified gaps to ensure patient and staff safety at healthcare facilities.

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The immediate psychological response of the general population in Saudi Arabia during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Journal of Infection and Public Health ◽

10.1016/j.jiph.2020.11.017 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 276-283

Author(s):

Royes Joseph ◽

Jisha M. Lucca ◽

Dhfer Alshayban ◽

Yasir A. Alshehry

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

General Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Psychological Response

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Exogenous female sex steroid hormones and risk of asthma and asthma-like symptoms: a cross sectional study of the general population

Thorax ◽

10.1136/thx.56.8.613 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 56 (8) ◽

pp. 613-616

Author(s):

P Lange ◽

J Parner ◽

E Prescott ◽

C Suppli Ulrik ◽

J Vestbo

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Hormone Replacement ◽

Premenopausal Women ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Asthma Medication ◽

Hormonal Contraceptives ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Heart Study ◽

Prescription Practice

BACKGROUNDRecent evidence suggests a role for hormonal factors in the aetiology of asthma.METHODSData from a large study of women selected from the general population were used to relate treatment with oral hormonal contraceptives (OCP) and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to the following asthma indicators: self-reported asthma, wheezing, cough at exertion, and use of medication for asthma. The study sample comprised 1536 premenopausal and 3016 postmenopausal women who participated in the third round of the Copenhagen City Heart Study in 1991–4. A total of 377 women were taking OCP (24.5% of premenopausal women) and 458 were on HRT (15.2% of postmenopausal women).RESULTSIn premenopausal women 4.8% reported having asthma. The prevalence of self-reported asthma, wheeze, use of asthma medication, and cough at exertion was not significantly related to use of OCP. In postmenopausal women the prevalence of self-reported asthma was 6.2%. A weak but consistent association was observed between HRT and self-reported asthma (OR 1.42 (95% CI 0.95 to 2.12)), wheeze (OR 1.29 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.64)), cough at exertion (OR 1.34 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.77)), and use of asthma medication (OR 1.45 (95% CI 0.97 to 2.18)).CONCLUSIONSIn this study of the general population no relationship was found between the use of OCP and asthma. Although an association was observed between HRT and asthma and asthma-like symptoms, this was relatively weak and it is concluded that there is no necessity to change present prescription practice.

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The characteristics and risk factors of human papillomavirus infection: an outpatient population-based study in Changsha, Hunan

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-94635-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bingsi Gao ◽

Yu-Ligh Liou ◽

Yang Yu ◽

Lingxiao Zou ◽

Waixing Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Hpv Infection ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hpv Dna ◽

Test Kit

AbstractThis cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics of cervical HPV infection in Changsha area and explored the influence of Candida vaginitis on this infection. From 11 August 2017 to 11 September 2018, 12,628 outpatient participants ranged from 19 to 84 years old were enrolled and analyzed. HPV DNA was amplified and tested by HPV GenoArray Test Kit. The vaginal ecology was detected by microscopic and biochemistry examinations. The diagnosis of Candida vaginitis was based on microscopic examination (spores, and/or hypha) and biochemical testing (galactosidase) for vaginal discharge by experts. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4. Continuous and categorical variables were analyzed by t-tests and by Chi-square tests, respectively. HPV infection risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Of the total number of participants, 1753 were infected with HPV (13.88%). Females aged ≥ 40 to < 50 years constituted the largest population of HPV-infected females (31.26%). The top 5 HPV subtypes affecting this population of 1753 infected females were the following: HPV-52 (28.01%), HPV-58 (14.83%), CP8304 (11.47%), HPV-53 (10.84%), and HPV-39 (9.64%). Age (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1–1.01; P < 0.05) and alcohol consumption (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.09–1.56; P < 0.01) were found to be risk factors for HPV infection. However, the presence of Candida in the vaginal flora was found to be a protective factor against HPV infection (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.48–0.8; P < 0.001). Comparing with our previous study of 2016, we conclude that the subtype distribution of HPV infection is relatively constant in Changsha. Our data suggest a negative correlation between vaginal Candida and HPV, however, more radical HPV management is required in this area for perimenopausal women and those who regularly consume alcohol.

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Seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus in risk populations and blood donors in a referral hospital in the south of Brazil

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-85365-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marisa Boff Costa ◽

Michele Soares Gomes Gouvêa ◽

Samira Chuffi ◽

Gustavo Hirata Dellavia ◽

Felipe Ornel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Hepatitis E Virus ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Total Sample ◽

Hepatitis E ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Elisa Test ◽

Confirmatory Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Populations At Risk

AbstractThe prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies has a high heterogeneity worldwide. South American data are still scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HEV in populations at risk in comparison to blood donors (BD). A cross-sectional study was carried out in adults of different risk populations including crack users (CK), residents in a low income area (LIA), cirrhotic (CIR) and liver transplant patients (LT) compared with BD. The WANTAI HEV ELISA test was used and real-time PCR (in-house for screening and ALTONA as confirmatory test) for HEV RNA screening. A total of 400 participants were included. Anti-HEV IgG was positive in 19.5% of the total sample, reaching the highest rate in the CIR group, 22.5%, followed by CK, LT, and LIA (20%, 18.7%, and 17.5%, respectively). The prevalence found in BD individuals was of 18.7% (p = NS). Anti-HEV IgM was positive in only 1.5% of the sample (6/400). No blood or stools samples were positive for HEV RNA. The seroprevalence reported is among the highest rates ever found in Brazil. Considering the intense diagnostic investigation, data show that HEV circulation is more common that might be expected in our country.

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Assessing the Preparedness of Healthcare Facilities for Disasters and Emergencies in Damghan, Iran

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2021.104 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Behrad Pourmohammadi ◽

Ahad Heydari ◽

Farin Fatemi ◽

Ali Modarresi

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

Mitigation Measures ◽

Health Staff ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Wide Range ◽

Care Facilities ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives: Iran is exposed to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. Health-care facilities can play a significant role in providing life-saving measures in the minutes and hours immediately following the impact or exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the preparedness of health-care facilities in disasters and emergencies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Damghan, Semnan Province, in 2019. The samples consisted of all the 11 health-care facilities located in Damghan County. A developed checklist was used to collect the data, including 272 questions in 4 sections: understanding threatening hazards, functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability of health-care facilities. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Results: The results revealed that the health-care facilities were exposed to 22 different natural and man-made hazards throughout the county. The total level of preparedness of the health-care centers under assessment was 45.8%. The average functional, structural, and nonstructural vulnerability was assessed at 49.3%, 31.6%, and 56.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Conducting mitigation measures is necessary for promoting the functional and structural preparedness. Disaster educational programs and exercises are recommended among the health staff in health-care facilities.

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