scholarly journals Increasing Importance of Balamuthia mandrillaris

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Matin ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui ◽  
Samantha Jayasekera ◽  
Naveed Ahmed Khan
Keyword(s):  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Protozoan Parasite ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Balamuthia Mandrillaris ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System

SUMMARY Balamuthia mandrillaris is an emerging protozoan parasite, an agent of granulomatous amoebic encephalitis involving the central nervous system, with a case fatality rate of >98%. This review presents our current understanding of Balamuthia infections, their pathogenesis and pathophysiology, and molecular mechanisms associated with the disease, as well as virulence traits of Balamuthia that may be potential targets for therapeutic interventions and/or for the development of preventative measures.

scholarly journals The transcriptome of Balamuthia mandrillaris trophozoites for structure-guided drug design

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Q. Phan ◽  
Christopher A. Rice ◽  
Justin Craig ◽  
Rooksana E. Noorai ◽  
Jacquelyn R. McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Direct Sequencing ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Antiparasitic Activity ◽  
Balamuthia Mandrillaris ◽  
Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System

AbstractBalamuthia mandrillaris, a pathogenic free-living amoeba, causes cutaneous skin lesions as well as granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, a ‘brain-eating’ disease. As with the other known pathogenic free-living amoebas (Naegleria fowleri and Acanthamoeba species), drug discovery efforts to combat Balamuthia infections of the central nervous system are sparse; few targets have been validated or characterized at the molecular level, and little is known about the biochemical pathways necessary for parasite survival. Current treatments of encephalitis due to B. mandrillaris lack efficacy, leading to case fatality rates above 90%. Using our recently published methodology to discover potential drugs against pathogenic amoebas, we screened a collection of 85 compounds with known antiparasitic activity and identified 59 compounds that impacted the growth of Balamuthia trophozoites at concentrations below 220 µM. Since there is no fully annotated genome or proteome of B. mandrillaris, we sequenced and assembled its transcriptome from a high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) experiment and located the coding sequences of the genes potentially targeted by the growth inhibitors from our compound screens. We determined the sequence of 17 of these target genes and obtained expression clones for 15 that we validated by direct sequencing. These will be used in the future in combination with the identified hits in structure guided drug discovery campaigns to develop new approaches for the treatment of Balamuthia infections.

scholarly journals Using the Kano model to associate the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a population of 100,000 with case fatality rates: an observational study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shih-Bin Su ◽  
Wei-Chih Kan ◽  
Jui-Chung John Lin ◽  
Yu-Tsen Yeh ◽  
Tsair-Wei Chien
Keyword(s):  
Count Data ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Kano Model ◽  
Google Maps ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Incident Rate

Abstract Background: One of the key factors to understand the spread of COVID-19 is the case fatality rate(CFR) rates for counties/regions. However, many merely reported those CFRs on the basis of total confirmed cases(TCC) instead of per population of 100, 000. As such, the disparate definitions of CFR yield inconsistent results in COVID-19 situations. Whether both incident rate and the CFR can be indicators to identify a country/region hit by COVID-19 under(or out of) control is still unclear. This study aims to (1) develop a diagram to disperse both TCC and CFR on a population base of 100,000(namely TCC100 and CFR100, respectively) using the Kano model, (2)discuss selected countries/regions with success on preventative measures to keep COVID-19 under control(i.e., relatively lower TCC100 and CFR100 or CFR), and (3) design an app to display both TCC100 and CFR100 or CFR for all infected countries/regions. Methods: We downloaded the COVID-19 data of confirmed cases and deaths in countries/regions on a daily basis from the Github website. Three values, TCC100, CFR100, and CFR, were computed for each country/region and displayed on the Kano model. The lower TCC100 and CFR values were deemed as having the COVID-19 situation more under control. An app was developed to display both TCC100 and CFR100 on Google Maps. Results: The correlation coefficient(CC) between TCC100 and CFR100 is 0.92(t=37.87) based on 285 count data (i.e., 12, 225, and 48 dispersed on the Kano diagram) obtained in comparison to the pair of TCC100 and CFR with the CC=-0.02(t=-0.25) and counts(i.e., 56, 145, and 84 on the Kano diagram). The state of Washington, USA, was found having the highest TCC100(=3498.15), CFR100 (=16548.96) and CFR(=5%) in comparison to (1)Taiwan[TCC100(=1.65), CFR100 (=2.17), CFR(=1%)] and (2)South Korea[TCC100(=20.34), CFR100 (=39.8), CFR(=2%)] on April 12,2020. Conclusion: We illustrated both TCC100 and CFR along with CFR100 to compare countries/regions on a Kano diagram to understand the COVID-19 situations better. A larger TCC100 value was strongly associated with a larger CFR100 value that needs further verifications in the future. An app was developed to display both TCC100 and CFR for countries/regions on a dashboard laid over Google Maps.

Impact of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol on COVID-19 case-fatality rate reduction in Algeria. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Youssef Kada
Keyword(s):  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Doubling Time ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Therapeutic Protocol ◽  
First Case ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
At Home

BACKGROUND Covid-19 is an emerging infectious disease like viral zoonosis caused by new coronavirus SARS CoV 2. On December 31, 2019, Wuhan Municipal Health Commission in Hubei province (China) reported cases of pneumonia, the origin of which is a new coronavirus. Rapidly extendable around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO) declares it pandemic on March 11, 2020. This pandemic reaches Algeria on February 25, 2020, date on which the Algerian minister of health, announced the first case of Covid-19, a foreign citizen. From March 1, a cluster is formed in Blida and becomes the epicentre of the coronavirus epidemic in Algeria, its total quarantine is established on March 24, 2020, it will be smoothly alleviated on April 24. A therapeutic protocol based on hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was put in place on March 23, for complicated cases, it was extended to all the cases confirmed on April 06. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol in Algeria, in particular after its extension to all patients diagnosed COVID-19 positive on RT-PCR test. We were able to illustrate this fact graphically, but not to prove it statistically because the design of our study, indeed in the 7 days which followed generalization of therapeutic protocol, case fatality rate decrease and doubling time increase, thus confirming the impact of wide and early prescription of hydroxychloroquin/azithromycin protocol. METHODS We have analyzed the data collected from press releases and follow-ups published daily by the Ministry of Health, we have studied the possible correlations of these data with certain events or decisions having a possible impact on their development, such as confinement at home and its reduction, the prescription of hydroxychloroquine/azithromycin combination for serious patients and its extension to all positive COVID subjects. Results are presented in graphics, the data collection was closed on 31/05/2020. RESULTS Covid-19 pandemic spreads from February 25, 2020, when a foreign citizen is tested positive, on March 1 a cluster is formed in the city of Blida where sixteen members of the same family are infected during a wedding party. Wilaya of Blida becomes the epicentre of coronavirus epidemic in Algeria and lockdown measures taken, while the number of national cases diagnosed begins to increases In any event, the association of early containment measures combined with a generalized initial treatment for all positive cases, whatever their degree of severity, will have contributed to a reduction in the fatality rate of COVID 19 and a slowing down of its doubling time. CONCLUSIONS In Algeria, the rapid combination of rigorous containment measure at home and early generalized treatment with hydroxychloroquin have demonstrated their effectiveness in terms of morbidity and mortality, the classic measures of social distancing and hygiene will make it possible to perpetuate these results by reducing viral transmission, the only unknown, the reopening procedure which can only be started after being surrounded by precautions aimed at ensuring the understanding of the population. CLINICALTRIAL Algeria, Covid-19, pandemic, hydroxychloroquin, azithromycin, case fatality rate

scholarly journals Author Correction: Calcium channel blocker amlodipine besylate therapy is associated with reduced case fatality rate of COVID-19 patients with hypertension

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei-Ke Zhang ◽  
Yuan Sun ◽  
Haolong Zeng ◽  
Qingxing Wang ◽  
Xiaming Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Calcium Channel Blocker ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Channel Blocker ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Amlodipine Besylate

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41421-021-00267-0

scholarly journals Early determination of case fatality rate of COVID-19 pandemic during the ongoing Yemeni armed conflict

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Abdulla Salem Bin Ghouth ◽  
Ali Ahmed Al-Waleedi ◽  
Marhami Fahriani ◽  
Firzan Nainu ◽  
Harapan Harapan
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Mechanical Ventilators ◽  
Poor Outcomes

Abstract Objectives: To determine the case-fatality rate (CFR) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its associated determinants in order to understand the true magnitude of the problem during ongoing conflict in Yemen. Methods: The CFR among confirmed COVID-19 cases in Yemen was calculated. The data was retrieved from national COVID-19 surveillance between April 10, when the first COVID-19 case reported, and May 31, 2020. Results: A total of 419 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported. There were 14.1% and 5.7% of cases who required intensive care and mechanical ventilators, respectively. Out of total cases, 95 deaths were reported, giving CFR of 22.6% which is much higher compared to other countries. CFR was significantly higher among elderly compared to young adults and varied between governorates. Mortality was associated with preexisting hypertension (OR: 2.30; 95%CI: 1.58, 3.54) and diabetes (OR: 1.68; 95%CI: 1.08, 2.61). Conclusions: Elderly and those with comorbidities, in particular hypertension and diabetes, have higher risk for poor outcomes and therefore should receive more attention in the clinical setting. Preventive measures should also be prioritized to protect those groups in order to reduce the severe cases and deaths-associated COVID-19 in armed-conflict.

scholarly journals Regional Variability in COVID-19 Case Fatality Rate in Canada, February–December 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1839
Author(s):  
Eunha Shim
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Regional Variability ◽  
Provincial Level ◽  
Mortality Burden

A total of 475,214 COVID-19 cases, including 13,659 deaths, had been recorded in Canada as of 15 December 2020. The daily reports of confirmed cases and deaths in Canada prior to 15 December 2020 were obtained from publicly available sources and used to examine regional variations in case fatality rate (CFR). Based on a factor of underestimation and the duration of time from symptom onset to death, the time-delay adjusted CFR for COVID-19 was estimated in the four most affected provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia) and nationwide. The model-based adjusted CFR was higher than the crude CFR throughout the pandemic, primarily owing to the incorporation in our estimation of the delay between case reports and deaths. The adjusted CFR in Canada was estimated to be 3.36% nationwide. At the provincial level, the adjusted CFR was the highest in Quebec (5.13%)—where the proportion of deaths among older individuals was also the highest among the four provinces—followed by Ontario (3.17%), British Columbia (1.97%), and Alberta (1.13%). Provincial-level variations in CFR were considerable, suggesting that public health interventions focused on densely populated areas and elderly individuals can ameliorate the mortality burden of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Age and Infectious Dose Significantly Affect Disease Progression after RHDV2 Infection in Naïve Domestic Rabbits

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1184
Author(s):  
Robyn N. Hall ◽  
Tegan King ◽  
Tiffany O’Connor ◽  
Andrew J. Read ◽  
Jane Arrow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Case Fatality Rate ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Fatality Rate ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
Welfare Impacts ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2 or GI.2, referring to any virus with lagovirus GI.2 structural genes) is a recently emerged calicivirus that causes generalised hepatic necrosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation leading to death in susceptible lagomorphs (rabbits and hares). Previous studies investigating the virulence of RHDV2 have reported conflicting results, with case fatality rates ranging from 0% to 100% even within a single study. Lagoviruses are of particular importance in Australia and New Zealand where they are used as biocontrol agents to manage wild rabbit populations, which threaten over 300 native species and result in economic impacts in excess of $200 million AUD annually to Australian agricultural industries. It is critically important that any pest control method is both highly effective (i.e., virulent, in the context of viral biocontrols) and has minimal animal welfare impacts. To determine whether RHDV2 might be a suitable candidate biocontrol agent, we investigated the virulence and disease progression of a naturally occurring Australian recombinant RHDV2 in both 5-week-old and 11-week-old New Zealand White laboratory rabbits after either high or low dose oral infection. Objective measures of disease progression were recorded through continuous body temperature monitoring collars, continuous activity monitors, and twice daily observations. We observed a 100% case fatality rate in both infected kittens and adult rabbits after either high dose or low dose infection. Clinical signs of disease, such as pyrexia, weight loss, and reduced activity, were evident in the late stages of infection. Clinical disease, i.e., welfare impacts, were limited to the period after the onset of pyrexia, lasting on average 12 h and increasing in severity as disease progressed. These findings confirm the high virulence of this RHDV2 variant in naïve rabbits. While age and infectious dose significantly affected disease progression, the case fatality rate was consistently 100% under all conditions tested.

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