scholarly journals In Grenada, West Indies, What Is the Degree of Bat-human Interaction in Households and Is It Associated to Arboviral Disease?

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Macri ◽  
Marilyn Prieto ◽  
Morgan Domangue ◽  
Amanda James ◽  
Taylor Shulse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Indies ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Bus Stop ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Arbovirus Infection ◽  
Arboviral Disease

Abstract Background: Bats are reservoirs for several zoonotic pathogens, making human-bat interactions particularly concerning. Recent studies documented that Grenadian bats can be infected with Zika, dengue and Chikungunya viruses and Leptospira bacteria among other pathogens. The objective of this study was to estimate the number of homes in Grenada that have a bat infestation, and to determine whether there is a correlation between the number of bat infested homes with the type of roofing or the presence of arbovirus infections of human inhabitants. Methods: An institutional review board (IRB) approved questionnaire delivered through a semi-structured interview was administered at the central bus stop in St. George, Grenada to recruit participants from all six parishes and the island of Carriacou. Results determined the percentage of individuals that had bat roosts in their households, whether this was of concern to them, whether they had taken any steps to keep bats out of their residence, and whether they had confirmed or suspected cases of dengue, Zika or Chikungunya virus infections. Information on the type of roofing and presence of window screens were also documented. Bat type (fruit vs insect eating bats) was attempted by guano description. Results: Results from 210 individual responses provided data showing all six parishes were represented although not equally. Having bats at the household was not associated with parish of residence, roof type or presence or absence of window screens. The results showed 60% of homes in Grenada are bat-infested and 51% of people self-reported recent arbovirus infection; but no correlation between the two. Also, no correlation to a specific type of roof or type of bat was found.Conclusions: A statistically significant number of inhabitants had attempted to remove bats from their homes, indicating that bats are perceived as pest to homes in Grenada, and justifying further research into relocating bats through the use of construction changes, awareness, and the creation of bat houses.

Phylogenetic and sequencing analysis of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) strains from local Pakistani population

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Humaira Aziz Sawal ◽  
Saifullah Khan Niazi ◽  
Eijaz Ghani ◽  
Misbah Noor
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Pakistani Population ◽  
Structural Prediction ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
The World

Objective: The present study aims to outline the genotype of circulating CHIKV strains in Pakistan and their phylogenetic analysis Methods: The study is being conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Pathology after the approval by Institutional Review Board. The study was conducted during the period of Aug 2016 to Sep 2017. During this period we have got the total 11 suspected Chikungunya samples in our center and out of these 7 were positive. The viral RNA was extracted, amplified and then the purified product was sequenced by using Sanger dideoxy method. Structural Prediction and Analysis was performed by using Phyre2 and then models were visualized in PyMol2.2. Results: In our study total 11 samples were analyzed, in which 7 samples were positive and the amplified product from five samples were later sequenced because these samples were of good quality for sequencing. Phylogenetic tree was constructed. Five sequences generated in our study were aligned with other CHIKV sequences reported from all over the world. Conclusion: The phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains present in Pakistan belong to the ECSA genotype and derived from India and South East Asia. These results help in the better understanding of CHIKV evolution in the world and discovered that how CHIKV originated in Pakistan. Keywords: Chikungunya; glycoprotein E1; glycoprotein E2; Aedes aegypti. Continuous...

scholarly journals Contribution of Research in the West Indies and Northeast Amazonia to Knowledge of the 2014–2015 Chikungunya Epidemic in the Americas

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothee Bonifay ◽  
Lidvine Godaert ◽  
Yanouk Epelboin ◽  
Dominique Rousset ◽  
Maylis Douine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Indies ◽  
Chikungunya Virus ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
The West ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Epidemic Dynamics ◽  
The Indian Ocean

Abstract Purpose of Review Although the chikungunya virus was discovered more than 60 years ago, it has only really been studied since the outbreak in La Reunion in 2005–2006. Ten years later, between 2014 and 2015, the chikungunya virus spread throughout the Americas, affecting millions of people. The objective of this review is to describe the contributions of research on chikungunya virus infection gained from epidemic in the West Indies and the Guiana Shield. Recent Findings Prevalence data were similar to those found in the Indian Ocean or Asia during epidemics. Clinically, there is now a better understanding of the typical, atypical, and severe forms. Several studies have insisted on the presence of neurological forms of chikungunya infection, such as encephalitis or Guillain–Barré syndrome. Cases of septic shock due to chikungunya virus as well as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura were described for the first time. Given the magnitude of the epidemic and the large number of people affected, this has led to a better description and new classifications of chikungunya virus infections in specific populations such as pregnant women, the elderly, and children. Several studies also described the behavior of populations faced with an emerging disease. Summary Current epidemiological data from tropical regions highlights the risk of spreading emerging diseases at higher latitudes, especially concerning arboviruses, since the vector Aedes albopictus is already established in many parts of northern countries. A better understanding of the disease and its epidemic dynamics will foster better management, the crucial importance of which was demonstrated during the COVID-19 epidemic.

scholarly journals The Impact of NORTH STAR on Suicidality, Substance Problems, Intimate Partner Violence, and Child Abuse

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy M Smith Slep ◽  
Richard E Heyman ◽  
Michael F Lorber ◽  
David J Linkh
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Air Force ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Absolute Risk ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction We evaluated the effectiveness of New Orientation for Reducing Threats to Health from Secretive-problems That Affect Readiness (NORTH STAR), a community assessment, planning, and action framework to reduce the prevalence of suicidality, substance problems, intimate partner violence, and child abuse. Materials and Methods One-third of U.S. Air Force bases worldwide were randomly assigned to NORTH STAR (n = 12) or an assessment-and-feedback-only condition (n = 12). Two Air Force-wide, cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based surveys were conducted of randomly selected samples assessing risk/protective factors and outcomes. This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board at the investigators’ university and by the institutional review board at Fort Detrick. Results NORTH STAR, relative to control, bases experienced a 33% absolute risk reduction in hazardous drinking rates and cumulative risk, although, given the small number of bases, these effects were not statistically significant. Conclusions Given its relatively low cost, use of empirically supported light-touch interventions, and emphasis on sustainability with existing resources, NORTH STAR may be a useful system for prevention of a range of adult behavioral health problems that are difficult to impact.

scholarly journals 2019 Novel Coronavirus Vaccination among Post-graduate Residents and Fellows

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110229
Author(s):  
Mostafa Abohelwa ◽  
Mohamed Elmassry ◽  
John Abdelmalek ◽  
Drew Payne ◽  
Kenneth Nugent
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Institutional Review Board ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Texas Tech University ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
United States Healthcare

Background Coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) has caused a worldwide pandemic since December 2019. Since then, clinical trials with vaccines have been started and completed, and at present, 3 COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use in the United States. Healthcare providers were among the first to get vaccinated, but the precise attitudes of healthcare workers toward vaccination are uncertain. Objective To understand residents and fellows’ attitudes toward vaccination and record any side effects after vaccination. Methods We conducted an anonymous survey that was open from 3-1-2021 to 3-12-2021 using distribution lists from the Graduate Medical Education office on the Lubbock campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center after getting approval from the Institutional Review Board (L21-088). Results Eighty-one residents and fellows (26.6% out of 304) responded to our survey. Among those who responded, 63 (77.8 %) were between 25 and 35 years old, and 41 (50.6%) were males. Seventy-seven (95.1%) received the vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech), 78 (96.3%) reported that they supported vaccination, and 3 (3.7%) reported that they did not want vaccination. Eight members (9.8%) had tested positive for COVID-19 infection before vaccination, but only 1 (1.23%) had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. All residents and fellows reported side effects after the vaccination, including pain at the injection site (77; 100%), local redness (9; 11.6%), local swelling (13; 16.8%), fever (25; 32.5%), fatigue (25; 32.5%), chills (34; 44.1 %), headache (38; 49.4%). Conclusions Most medical trainees have a high interest in COVID-19 vaccination; however, a few reported that they did not want vaccination.

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