scholarly journals Clinical Application of Interferon-γ Release Assays for the Prevention of Tuberculosis in Countries with Low Incidence

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Lange ◽  
Anna M. Mandalakas ◽  
Barbara Kalsdorf ◽  
Claudia M. Denkinger ◽  
Martina Sester
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Interferon Γ ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
World Health ◽  
Preventive Chemotherapy ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Health Organization

Despite global efforts to control tuberculosis (TB) the estimated number of people who developed TB worldwide increased to an all-time record of more than 10 million in 2015. The goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the global incidence of TB to less than 100 cases per million by 2035, cannot be reached unless TB prevention is markedly improved. There is a need for an improved vaccine that better protects individuals who are exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis from infection and active disease compared to the current M. bovis Bacille Calmette Guérin (BCG) vaccine. In the absence of such a vaccine, prevention relies on infection control measures and preventive chemotherapy for people with latent infection with M. tuberculosis (LTBI), who have the highest risk of progression to active TB. During the past decade, interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) have increasingly replaced the tuberculin skin test as screening tools for the diagnosis of LTBI in countries with a low incidence of TB. Despite recent WHO guidelines on the management of LTBI, the definition of groups at risk for TB remains controversial, and the role of IGRAs for TB prevention in low-incidence countries remains uncertain. We reviewed the scientific literature and provide recommendations for the use of IGRAs for LTBI diagnosis in low-incidence countries. These recommendations are based on the number of patients needing treatment in order to prevent one case of TB. As the positive predictive value of IGRAs for the development of TB is sub-optimal, research must focus on the identification of alternative biomarkers that offer better predictive ability in order to substantially reduce the number needing treatment while improving the prevention of TB and improving the effectiveness of targeted preventive chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Emerging and Future Challenges for Dental and Oral Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 481-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Meng ◽  
F. Hua ◽  
Z. Bian
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Dental Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Essential Knowledge ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originating in Wuhan, China, has become a major public health challenge for not only China but also countries around the world. The World Health Organization announced that the outbreaks of the novel coronavirus have constituted a public health emergency of international concern. As of February 26, 2020, COVID-19 has been recognized in 34 countries, with a total of 80,239 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,700 deaths. Infection control measures are necessary to prevent the virus from further spreading and to help control the epidemic situation. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection can be high between patients and dental practitioners. For dental practices and hospitals in areas that are (potentially) affected with COVID-19, strict and effective infection control protocols are urgently needed. This article, based on our experience and relevant guidelines and research, introduces essential knowledge about COVID-19 and nosocomial infection in dental settings and provides recommended management protocols for dental practitioners and students in (potentially) affected areas.

IMPACT OF KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HAND HYGIENE IN HEALTH CARE WORKERS TOWARD INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN INDIA

2021 ◽  
pp. 69-71
Author(s):  
Ruby Naz ◽  
Akil Hussain ◽  
Sameena Khan
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Indirect Contact ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) are a major concern in the intensive care units (ICU)and postoperative wards. HAIs prolonged the stay of patient in hospital and increase the cost of treatment and morbidity. In ICU, stroke unit, neurosurgery ward burn unit patients are prone to have a variety of nosocomial infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) has described HAIs as one of the infectious diseases which have a huge economic impact on health industry. (1). many health workers like Staff Nurses, resident doctors and housekeeping are in direct or indirect contact with the Patients and surrounding in wards around the clock. These HCW play major role in preventing and controlling HAIs. In overpopulated country like India majority of public hospitals are overcrowded.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal tract imaging findings in confirmed COVID-19 patients: a non-comparative observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Ahmed Abdelmohsen ◽  
Buthaina M. Alkandari ◽  
Vikash K. Gupta ◽  
Nermeen Elsebaie
Keyword(s):  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Imaging Features ◽  
Thoracic Imaging ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic—as declared by the World Health Organization—is a major threatening public health problem. At the time of writing, more than 60,000,000 patients and more than 1,500,000 deaths were recorded worldwide. Besides the classical chest symptoms, gastrointestinal tract-related symptoms were noted, like diarrhea, abdominal distention, and hematochezia, adding more difficulties in the diagnosis of the disease. Although there are many publications evaluated, the thoracic imaging signs and complications of COVID-19, there are few articles—to the best of our knowledge—that evaluated the gastrointestinal tract imaging features and complications related to COVID-19. Results In this retrospective study, positive COVID-19 patients who underwent diagnostic computed tomography (CT) for abdominal complaints along a 3-month duration in a large isolation hospital were evaluated. Strict infection control measures were taken during the CT examinations. The data were reviewed on picture archiving and communications systems with clinical data and laboratory result correlation. Thirty patients (30%) showed gastrointestinal (GI) findings, and 70 patients showed unremarkable or non-related GI findings. The 30 patients were classified into four groups: the ischemic group including 10 patients (10/30: 33.33%), the bleeding group included six patients (6/30: 20%), the inflammatory group included nine patients (9/30: 30%), and fluid-filled bowel group included five patients (5/30: 16.6%). Conclusions COVID-19 should be evaluated as a systemic disease with extra pulmonary highlights. GI imaging should be considered for COVID-19 patients with related suspicious symptoms. Ischemic GI complications were the most common GI findings.

scholarly journals COVID-19 eye infection: recommendations for ophthalmologist and patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Datu Respatika ◽  
Indra Tri Mahayana ◽  
Dwi Puspita ◽  
Guiddo Ilyasa ◽  
Agus Supartoto
Keyword(s):  
Close Contact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lacrimal Duct ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Patient Interaction ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Eye Infection ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern as declared by the World Health Organization on 30 January 2020. Currently, COVID-19 is spreading rapidly worldwide, with no proven treatment nor vaccination, thus infection control measures are paramount. The severity of the majority of COVID-19 cases is mild to moderate, with fever as its most common symptoms, followed by dry cough and fatigue. COVID-19 initially reported to be transmitted from bats but then evolved into human-to-human via droplets. Coronavirus has been detected in tears and conjunctival secretions, but there is still a controversy about whether the virus can be transmitted through tears. However, the ocular transmission might be transported through a lacrimal duct to nasopharyngeal mucosa and then cause an infection. Because the nature of close contact in doctor-patient interaction during ophthalmologic practice, strict measures must be taken to minimize the impact both on the patients and health care workers.

scholarly journals Knowledge and awareness on usage of mouth masks among dental fraternity during this pandemic COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Ravichandra Ravi ◽  
Srividya Athkuri ◽  
Charishma Chowdary Ponugubati ◽  
Roopesh Borugadda ◽  
Sahithi Pamidimukkala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization

Background: The pandemic caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 is a highly infectious disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Corona Virus Diseases (COVID 19) as a global public health emergency. Currently, research on novel coronaviruses is still in the primary stage. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and awareness on the usage of mouth masks among dental fraternity during this pandemic COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A total of 507 dentists from the Andhra Pradesh (India) region completed a questionnaire-based survey on knowledge, awareness, and infection control measures, such as usage of mouth masks during the pandemic COVID -19. The questionnaire was tailored from the guidance and the information provided for healthcare workers issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A suitable sampling method was used for the collection of data, and the distribution of responses was presented as percentages. Explanatory statistics were performed for all groups based on the percentage of correct responses. Results: A total of 530 participated in the survey, out of which 507 dentists completely answered the survey, and the response rate was 95.6%. Among the respondents, general practitioners and postgraduates accounted for 58.8% and 41.2%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference for all the questions solicited among the respondents. General or private practitioners seem to be more aware than postgraduates, as they have answered correctly (>65%) for almost all the questions. Conclusion: The inputs from the study help us to throw some light and fill up space where required. There is a specific and strong need to implement periodic educational programmes and training sessions on infection control practices for COVID-19 among dentists in particular.

scholarly journals Just the Facts: Recommendations on point-of-care ultrasound use and machine infection control during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 445-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kim ◽  
Tomislav Jelic ◽  
Michael Y. Woo ◽  
Claire Heslop ◽  
Paul Olszynski
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Widespread Interest

The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020, and, currently, there are over 10,000 confirmed cases in Canada, with this number expected to grow exponentially. There has been widespread interest in the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the management of patients with suspected COVID-19. The CAEP Emergency Ultrasound Committee has developed recommendations on the use of POCUS in these patients, with an emphasis on machine infection control measures.

scholarly journals Preventing the Spread: A Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Journey to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) During the 2020 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 107327482110171
Author(s):  
Stephanie Carraway ◽  
Stacy Martin ◽  
John N. Greene
Keyword(s):  
Information Science ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) a pandemic. Hospitals around the world began to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to stop further spread and prevent infections within their facilities. Healthcare organizations were challenged to develop response plans, procure personal protective equipment (PPE) that was in limited supply while continuing to provide quality, safe care. Methods: As a comprehensive cancer center with immunocompromised patients, our efforts began immediately. Preventative measures were established and, as of September 2020, over 14,000 patients have been tested within the facility. From March 2020 through September 2020, only one case of hospital acquired (HA) COVID-19 was identified among our patients. Two cases of suspected community acquired (SCA) cases were also identified. Following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, IPC measures were implemented within the facility as information science about the virus developed. This article addresses the IPC measures taken, such as enhancing isolation precautions, implementing screening protocols, disinfecting and reusing N95 respirators, by the center throughout the pandemic as well as the challenges that arouse with a new and emerging infectious disease. Conclusions: The infection control measures implemented at our comprehensive cancer center during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed our center to continue to provide world class cancer care with minimal COVID-19 infection transmission among patients and team members.

scholarly journals Drug repurposing in the treatment of COVID-19: A review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
S. Gadge Sonali ◽  
L. Salode Vikrant ◽  
D. Game Madhuri
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Agent ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control ◽  
Old Drugs

The first outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December 2019 and declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Currently, there is no proven effective vaccine or therapeutic agent to combat the deadly coronavirus disease. Currently, prevention from the infection, control measures and supportive care help to treat against COVID-19. Until an effective vaccine is available for COVID-19 infection, one can repurpose known therapeutic agents that block the entry of the virus into the host cell and control the COVID-19 infection. Drug repurposing is the new use of old drugs. In this review, the most common and possible drug treatment for COVID-19 is highlighted. The therapeutic agents include antiviral drugs like Remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, umifenovir, favipiravir and oseltamivir and other agents. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these therapeutic agents in COVID-19 patients.

scholarly journals Covid - 19: Morbidity Structure and Control Measures in Russia

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (S1) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Author(s):  
Lapina Elizaveta Yurievna ◽  
Puzyrev Viktor Gennadievich
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The World ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Spread Of Infection

are important, and used to be well known, human and animal pathogens.A novel coronavirus was identified at the end of 2019, as the cause of a number of pneumonia cases in city in the Hubei Province of China, Wuhan. Appeared to be a highly contagious anthroponotic infection. It rapidly caused an epidemic throughout China, hereafter an increasing number of cases in other countries throughout the world. All age groups, including children, are susceptible to the virus, but this age group is more likely to be asymptomatic. However, children may play a great epidemiological role in the spread of the virus with the absence of clinical signs of respiratory disease. Elderly people are the most severe carriers of the virus, as well as people with concomitant diseases. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the disease COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 2019 [4]. The virus that causes COVID-19 is designated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); before, it was referred to as 2019-nCoV. We conducted meta-analysis of currently available data to summarize knowledge about the current epidemic in Russia, the dynamic of spread of the infection and management of the disease. Quarantine measures, which were carried out rather quickly, avoided the rapid spread of infection and thus contributed to a gradual increase in the load on medical facilities. As a result, most hospitals had time to prepare for an increased number of patients with coronavirus infection.

scholarly journals Anaesthesia Department Preparedness and Response for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Portugal: A Perspective from CUF Porto Hospital

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Figueiredo ◽  
Ana Leão ◽  
Carlos Moreno ◽  
Marcelo Fernandes ◽  
Angel Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Anaesthetic Management ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Engineering Controls ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The World ◽  
Anaesthesia Department ◽  
Health Organization

A global health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak spread across the world. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at risk for developing respiratory failure and requiring admission to critical care units. While providing optimal treatment for these patients, careful execution of infection control measures is necessary to prevent nosocomial transmission to other patients and to health workers providing care.1 In the operating room, these preparations involve multiple stakeholders and can present a significant challenge. Here we described the measures for the outbreak adopted by the anesthesia department of a private tertiary care level hospital in Porto. These include engineering controls such as: identification and preparation of an isolation operating rooms, administrative measures such as: modification of workflow and processes, introduction of personal protective equipment, and formulation of clinical guidelines for anaesthetic management. We discuss how the hierarchy of controls should be a framework to plan, the necessary measures during each phase of a pandemic, and review the evidence of the procedures taken. [...]

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