Methodological elements for the comparative analysis of the first wave of the Covid-19 epidemic in France, Italy, and Spain

Investigaciones Geográficas ◽

10.14198/ingeo.19060 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Néstor Aldea-Ramos

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Spatial Dynamics ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

European Countries ◽

Mortality Index ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Demographic Patterns ◽

Health Situation ◽

Official Data

The three European countries included in the northwest littoral of the Mediterranean region – Italy, France and Spain – reported their first cases of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus early in 2020. The subsequent epidemic strongly impacted these countries, challenging the healthcare systems efficiency, and the capacity and transparency of their public statistics structures. Because public statistics were not fully adapted to such a new health situation, the available official data could not wholly describe the epidemic correctly. This paper developed an indicator derived from the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 aiming to describe the time and spatial dynamics of the epidemic. Although the analysis was not applied to France due to the lack of data available, the comparative analysis among Spain and Italy highlighted some similarities and certain divergences, partially attributable to the features of each country‘s national demographic patterns and the peculiarities of applied health protocols. Finally, mortality during the first wave of the epidemic has been analysed for the three countries, demonstrating higher mortality index in Spain, although the reported number of SARS-CoV-2 declared deaths does not explain a portion of this mortality excess.

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Comparative analysis of the economic feasibility of five large-power photovoltaic irrigation systems in the Mediterranean region

Renewable Energy ◽

10.1016/j.renene.2019.08.030 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 145 ◽

pp. 2671-2682

Author(s):

Isaac Barata Carrêlo ◽

Rita Hogan Almeida ◽

Luis Narvarte ◽

Francisco Martinez-Moreno ◽

Luis Miguel Carrasco

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Large Power ◽

The Mediterranean

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Tick-borne rickettsioses in Europe – a review

Przeglad Epidemiologiczny ◽

10.32394/pe.73.49 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 523-530

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Region ◽

Emerging Diseases ◽

European Countries ◽

Diagnostic Process ◽

Serological Tests ◽

Pcr Method ◽

The Mediterranean

Tick-borne rickettsioses are emerging diseases in Europe. The Mediterranean region is endemic for rickettsioses, but the disease can also occur in other European countries. Ticks can be a vector of these bacteria. Spotted fevers caused by rickettsiae have nonspecific symptoms and are difficult to diagnose. The results of serological tests are positive many days after the onset of symptoms. PCR method can be useful in the diagnostic process. In the article we discuss the problem of rickettsia in Europe.

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Chronic delta hepatitis: from discovery to new treatments

One Health & Risk Management ◽

10.38045/ohrm.2021.2.03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 19-26

Author(s):

Adela TURCANU ◽

Suhaib TAHIR WANI

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Mediterranean Region ◽

Rna Virus ◽

European Countries ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Genotype 3 ◽

Hepatitis Delta ◽

Hepatitis D ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Hdv Infection

Introduction. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a small, defective RNA virus that is related more to plant viroids than to other human pathogens. Material and methods. Nearly 50 research articles from various sources were reviewed and a comprehensive analysis was done regarding various parameters concerning HDV. Articles published over a period of 30 years were selected based on their experimental and statistical relevance to HDV. This review gives a brief insight into epidemiology, genetics, clinical evolution and treatment of chronic hepatitis delta. Results. Chronic hepatitis delta remains a major cause of morbidity in Eastern European countries and the Mediterranean region. At the same time, there is a resurgence of HBV and HDV infection in young people (under the age of 50) in Western Europe, as a consequence of the intra-familial and sexual mode of acquisition among immigrants from Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean region and from countries of the former Soviet Union, Africa high burdened regions of Asia and South America. Prevalence among IVDU was found to be higher especially in western european countries and other regions of low HDV prevalence. Chronic delta viral hepatitis is a dynamic, progressive process. A direct cytopathic pattern of liver tissue damage was also observed, especially in the presence of HDV genotype 3. Chronic hepatitis D is reported to progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer, and this trend is greater the higher the level of HDV viremia at the time of presentation. Conclusions. Flaws in screening and on-time diagnosis still remain due to the insufficient research and data available. While still not classified as a carcinogen by IARC, our review ends up in support of the notion that HDV infection increases the chances and fastens the pathogenic processes leading to HCC.

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