scholarly journals A computational framework for modeling and studying pertussis epidemiology and vaccination

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (S8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Castagno ◽  
Simone Pernice ◽  
Gianni Ghetti ◽  
Massimiliano Povero ◽  
Lorenzo Pradelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
R Package ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Modeling Framework ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
High Level ◽  
Pertussis Epidemiology

Abstract Background Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as Zika, SARS, ncovid19 and Pertussis, pose a compelling challenge for epidemiologists due to their significant impact on global public health. In this context, computational models and computer simulations are one of the available research tools that epidemiologists can exploit to better understand the spreading characteristics of these diseases and to decide on vaccination policies, human interaction controls, and other social measures to counter, mitigate or simply delay the spread of the infectious diseases. Nevertheless, the construction of mathematical models for these diseases and their solutions remain a challenging tasks due to the fact that little effort has been devoted to the definition of a general framework easily accessible even by researchers without advanced modelling and mathematical skills. Results In this paper we describe a new general modeling framework to study epidemiological systems, whose novelties and strengths are: (1) the use of a graphical formalism to simplify the model creation phase; (2) the implementation of an R package providing a friendly interface to access the analysis techniques implemented in the framework; (3) a high level of portability and reproducibility granted by the containerization of all analysis techniques implemented in the framework; (4) a well-defined schema and related infrastructure to allow users to easily integrate their own analysis workflow in the framework. Then, the effectiveness of this framework is showed through a case of study in which we investigate the pertussis epidemiology in Italy. Conclusions We propose a new general modeling framework for the analysis of epidemiological systems, which exploits Petri Net graphical formalism, R environment, and Docker containerization to derive a tool easily accessible by any researcher even without advanced mathematical and computational skills. Moreover, the framework was implemented following the guidelines defined by Reproducible Bioinformatics Project so it guarantees reproducible analysis and makes simple the developed of new user-defined workflows.

scholarly journals Toward a transdisciplinary understanding and a global control of emerging infectious diseases

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 903-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Paul Gonzalez ◽  
Gérard Lambert ◽  
Anaïs Legand ◽  
Patrice Debré
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Human And Social Sciences ◽  
High Level ◽  
International Experts ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Scientific Debates

The Franceville International Centre for Medical Research (CIRMF) organized a first international symposium on infectious diseases, environments, and biodiversity. Over 200 international experts gathered in Gabon to forecast and work to prevent the emergence of infectious diseases. This symposium aimed to strengthen the regional and international fight against the emergence of infectious diseases with high-level scientific debates. Toward this goal, it brought together experts in human and animal health, the environment, and ecology, including biologists, climatologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, public health professionals, and human and social sciences specialists. National, regional and international participants were present to debate on the challenges related to the emergence of infectious diseases and on the responses to be implemented. The symposium was very successful, and plans for a second symposium of this kind to be held in the near future in another high-biodiversity area are already underway.

scholarly journals Agent-Based Modeling for Super-Spreading Events: A Case Study of MERS-CoV Transmission Dynamics in the Republic of Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunhwan Kim ◽  
Hohyung Ryu ◽  
Sunmi Lee
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Agent Based Modeling ◽  
Transmission Dynamics ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
The Republic ◽  
High Level

Super-spreading events have been observed in the transmission dynamics of many infectious diseases. The 2015 MERS-CoV outbreak in the Republic of Korea has also shown super-spreading events with a significantly high level of heterogeneity in generating secondary cases. It becomes critical to understand the mechanism for this high level of heterogeneity to develop effective intervention strategies and preventive plans for future emerging infectious diseases. In this regard, agent-based modeling is a useful tool for incorporating individual heterogeneity into the epidemic model. In the present work, a stochastic agent-based framework is developed in order to understand the underlying mechanism of heterogeneity. Clinical (i.e., an infectivity level) and social or environmental (i.e., a contact level) heterogeneity are modeled. These factors are incorporated in the transmission rate functions under assumptions that super-spreaders have stronger transmission and/or higher links. Our agent-based model has employed real MERS-CoV epidemic features based on the 2015 MERS-CoV epidemiological data. Monte Carlo simulations are carried out under various epidemic scenarios. Our findings highlight the roles of super-spreaders in a high level of heterogeneity, underscoring that the number of contacts combined with a higher level of infectivity are the most critical factors for substantial heterogeneity in generating secondary cases of the 2015 MERS-CoV transmission.

scholarly journals A bibliometric analysis of research on Ebola in Science Citation Index Expanded

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastassios Pouris ◽  
Yuh-Shan Ho ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Citation Pattern ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Experimental Drugs

Abstract An unprecedented outbreak of the Ebola virus in 2014 claimed more than 1000 lives in West Africa and the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency. This outbreak will undoubtedly promote additional research related to the Ebola virus and will create debate related to experimental drugs. This article identified the quantum of research in the field since 1991; the scientific disciplines that contributed to the field; the countries, organisations and authors that supported such research and the most cited articles. An increasing trend in annual production during 1991–2013 was observed. Journal of Virology, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Virology were the three most productive journals in the field. Similarly, the field of virology dominated the 73 categories in which the Ebola research was classified. A total of 63 countries contributed to Ebola-related research, led by the USA. The most productive institutions were the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. African countries were more likely to be involved in international collaboration than independent research. The most influential article exhibited a notable citation pattern and presented global trends in emerging infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Multivalent DNA Vaccines as A Strategy to Combat Multiple Concurrent Epidemics: Mosquito-Borne and Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
Jingjing Jiang ◽  
Stephanie J. Ramos ◽  
Preeti Bangalore ◽  
Dustin Elwood ◽  
Kathleen A. Cashman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Dna Vaccines ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Immune Memory ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Platform

The emergence of multiple concurrent infectious diseases localized in the world creates a complex burden on global public health systems. Outbreaks of Ebola, Lassa, and Marburg viruses in overlapping regions of central and West Africa and the co-circulation of Zika, Dengue, and Chikungunya viruses in areas with A. aegypti mosquitos highlight the need for a rapidly deployable, safe, and versatile vaccine platform readily available to respond. The DNA vaccine platform stands out as such an application. Here, we present proof-of-concept studies from mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates for two multivalent DNA vaccines delivered using in vivo electroporation (EP) targeting mosquito-borne (MMBV) and hemorrhagic fever (MHFV) viruses. Immunization with MMBV or MHFV vaccines via intradermal EP delivery generated robust cellular and humoral immune responses against all target viral antigens in all species. MMBV vaccine generated antigen-specific binding antibodies and IFNγ-secreting lymphocytes detected in NHPs up to six months post final immunization, suggesting induction of long-term immune memory. Serum from MHFV vaccinated NHPs demonstrated neutralizing activity in Ebola, Lassa, and Marburg pseudovirus assays indicating the potential to offer protection. Together, these data strongly support and demonstrate the versatility of DNA vaccines as a multivalent vaccine development platform for emerging infectious diseases.

scholarly journals The Psychological Status and Self-Efficacy of Nurses During COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 004695802095711
Author(s):  
Huan Xiong ◽  
Shuanglian Yi ◽  
Yufen Lin
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Public Hospital ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

A novel coronavirus pneumonia broke out and gradually developed into a global public health problem. Health care workers, especially nurses, suffered from great occupational pressure and psychological distress during the outbreak of infectious diseases. We performed a cross-sectional survey to investigate the psychological status and self-efficacy of nurses in public hospital during COVID-19 outbreak between 16th and 25th February 2020. A total of 223 nurses participated in this study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was 40.8% (CI 95%: 34.4%-47.2%) and 26.4% (CI 95%: 20.6%-42.2%), respectively. There was no difference in the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among demographic variables. There was significant differences in the prevalence of depression symptoms according to professional titles ( P = .020). The mean score of self-efficacy was 25.90 ± 7.55. The self-efficacy was negatively correlated with anxiety ( r = −0.161, P < .05). The psychological status of nurses in public hospital during COVID-19 outbreak needs our attention. Improving nurses’ self-efficacy in dealing with emerging infectious diseases may be helpful to their psychology.

scholarly journals Epidemic to Pandemic: Just a Matter of Time

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Ayesha Humayun ◽  
Muhammad Imran Anwar ◽  
Saadia Shahzad Alam ◽  
Usman Iqbal
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Substantial Risk ◽  
Vector Borne

Epidemic and pandemic potential of all respiratory diseases of zoonotic origin is well known. In recent history global public health threat was inflicted by zoonotic origin infectious diseases with pandemic potential including, Ebola and Marburg haemorrhagic fevers, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), influenza A (H5N1), Middle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERSCoV), 1 and the recently discovered COVID-19. Change of epidemic to a pandemic is just a matter of time. A novel Corona virus 2019 (COVID-19) is appearing to be one of the rapidly transmitting diseases because of the social and economic linkages worldwide. Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are not new but their incidence or geographical involvement is rapidly increasing. Global temporal and spatial patterns of these emerging infections are studied well in literature concluding significant correlation of EIDs with socio-economic, environmental and ecological factors. It helps to identify regions as ‘hotspots’ for EIDs with a substantial risk of vector-borne and wildlife zoonotic emerging diseases.

scholarly journals Multifaceted Functions of CH25H and 25HC to Modulate the Lipid Metabolism, Immune Responses, and Broadly Antiviral Activities

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Zhao ◽  
Jiaoshan Chen ◽  
Minchao Li ◽  
Musha Chen ◽  
Caijun Sun
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Metabolism ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Cholesterol Metabolism ◽  
Rift Valley Fever Virus ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Antiviral Activities

With the frequent outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases in recent years, an effective broad-spectrum antiviral drug is becoming an urgent need for global public health. Cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) and its enzymatic products 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), a well-known oxysterol that regulates lipid metabolism, have been reported to play multiple functions in modulating cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation, and immune responses. CH25H and 25HC were recently identified as exerting broadly antiviral activities, including upon a variety of highly pathogenic viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola virus (EBOV), Nipah virus (NiV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). The underlying mechanisms for its antiviral activities are being extensively investigated but have not yet been fully clarified. In this study, we summarized the current findings on how CH25H and 25HC play multiple roles to modulate cholesterol metabolism, inflammation, immunity, and antiviral infections. Overall, 25HC should be further studied as a potential therapeutic agent to control emerging infectious diseases in the future.

scholarly journals GeoSentinel: past, present and future†

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Davidson H Hamer ◽  
Aisha Rizwan ◽  
David O Freedman ◽  
Phyllis Kozarsky ◽  
Michael Libman
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Travel Medicine ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Surveillance Network ◽  
Sentinel Network ◽  
The Us

Abstract Rationale for review In response to increased concerns about emerging infectious diseases, GeoSentinel, the Global Surveillance Network of the International Society of Travel Medicine in partnership with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was established in 1995 in order to serve as a global provider-based emerging infections sentinel network, conduct surveillance for travel-related infections and communicate and assist global public health responses. This review summarizes the history, past achievements and future directions of the GeoSentinel Network. Key findings Funded by the US CDC in 1996, GeoSentinel has grown from a group of eight US-based travel and tropical medicine centers to a global network, which currently consists of 68 sites in 28 countries. GeoSentinel has provided important contributions that have enhanced the ability to use destination-specific differences to guide diagnosis and treatment of returning travelers, migrants and refugees. During the last two decades, GeoSentinel has identified a number of sentinel infectious disease events including previously unrecognized outbreaks and occurrence of diseases in locations thought not to harbor certain infectious agents. GeoSentinel has also provided useful insight into illnesses affecting different traveling populations such as migrants, business travelers and students, while characterizing in greater detail the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, leishmaniasis and Zika virus disease. Conclusions Surveillance of travel- and migration-related infectious diseases has been the main focus of GeoSentinel for the last 25 years. However, GeoSentinel is now evolving into a network that will conduct both research and surveillance. The large number of participating sites and excellent geographic coverage for identification of both common and illnesses in individuals who have traversed international borders uniquely position GeoSentinel to make important contributions of travel-related infectious diseases in the years to come.

scholarly journals CRISPR/Cas System: A Potential Technology for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 and Emerging Infectious Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronghua Ding ◽  
Jinzhao Long ◽  
Mingzhu Yuan ◽  
Yuefei Jin ◽  
Haiyan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Control

The continued global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to global public health and social stability and it has become a serious global public health problem. Unfortunately, existing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the prevention and control of COVID-19 have many shortcomings. In recent years, the emerging CRISPR/Cas technology can complement the problems of traditional methods. Biological tools based on CRISPR/Cas systems have been widely used in biomedicine. In particular, they are advantageous in pathogen detection, clinical antiviral therapy, drug, and vaccine development. Therefore, CRISPR/Cas technology may have great potential for application in the prevention and control of COVID-19 and emerging infectious diseases in the future. This article summarizes the existing applications of CRISPR/Cas technology in infectious diseases with the aim of providing effective strategies for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases in the future.

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