scholarly journals Measles Elimination: Identifying Susceptible Sub-Populations to Tailor Immunization Strategies

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 765 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kreidl ◽  
David Ammerer ◽  
Reinhard Würzner ◽  
Anita Luckner Hornischer ◽  
Dorothee von Laer ◽  
...  

Measles elimination has been identified as a public health priority in Europe for a long time but has not yet been achieved. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends identification of susceptible sub-populations to target supplementary immunization activities. We used three different sources of information: retrospective samples investigated for measles IgG between 1997 and 2016, vaccine coverage data from the existing electronic registry for birth cohorts 2015 to 1999, and surveillance data from 2009 until 20 July 2019. We calculated susceptibility by birth cohort using seroprevalence data, adjusting vaccine coverage data with reported effectiveness (93% for the first and 97% for the second dose, respectively), and compared it with measles incidence data, aggregated by birth cohorts and districts. Susceptibility levels for persons 10–41 years (birth cohorts 2007–1976) were 10.4% and thus far above the recommended values of WHO (5%). Older birth cohorts were sufficiently protected. Districts with the highest susceptibility estimates corresponded with districts with the highest incidence rates. Birth cohorts with susceptibility levels > 10% showed a 4.7 increased relative risk of having had more than one measles case. We conclude that retrospective serosurveys are a cheap and useful approach in identifying susceptible sub-populations, especially for older birth cohorts whose coverage data remain scarce.

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suellen Nadine de Lima Costa ◽  
Fábia Cheyenne Gomes de Morais Fernandes ◽  
Dyego Leandro Bezerra de Souza ◽  
Héllyda de Souza Bezerra ◽  
Emelynne Gabrielly de Oliveira Santos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe how the incidence and mortality trends for laryngeal cancer in South and Central American countries. Methods: Time series study, with incidence data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, from 1990 to 2012 and mortality data from 17 countries of the World Health Organization, from 1995 to 2013. The trend was analyzed by Joinpoint regression. Results: The highest incidence rate for laryngeal cancer was in Brazil, with 5.9 new cases per 100,000 men, and the highest mortality rate in Uruguay with 4.2 deaths per 100,000 men. The incidence ratio between genders ranged from 4: 1 (Colombia) to 12: 1 (Ecuador). The mortality ratio between the sexes ranged from 4: 1 (Peru) to 14: 1 (Uruguay). Conclusion: Most countries had low incidence rates and reduced mortality in Latin America.


Author(s):  
Ariel M Slifka ◽  
Byung Park ◽  
Lina Gao ◽  
Mark K Slifka

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend routine adult booster vaccination for tetanus and diphtheria after completion of the childhood vaccination series. However, many countries continue to implement adult booster vaccinations, leading to the question of whether this is necessary to reduce the incidence of these 2 rare diseases. Methods We conducted an observational cohort study based on WHO case reports from 2001 through 2016. We compared the incidence of tetanus and diphtheria in 31 North American and European countries that either do or do not recommend adult booster vaccination. Results Countries that vaccinate adults every 5–20 years (group 1) were compared with countries that do not routinely vaccinate adults for tetanus or diphtheria (group 2). Comparison of group 1 vs group 2 revealed no significant decline in tetanus incidence rates among countries that vaccinate adults (P = .52; risk ratio [RR] = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], .36 to 1.70). The risk of contracting diphtheria was increased among countries that vaccinate adults due to inclusion of Latvia, a country that had poor vaccination coverage (P < .001). However, if Latvia is excluded, there is no difference in diphtheria incidence between countries that do or do not routinely vaccinate adults (P = .26; RR = 2.46; 95% CI, .54 to 11.23). Conclusions Review of >11 billion person-years of incidence data revealed no benefit associated with performing adult booster vaccinations against tetanus or diphtheria. Similar to other vaccines, this analysis supports the WHO position on adult booster vaccination and, if approved by governing health authorities, this may allow more countries to focus healthcare resources on vulnerable and undervaccinated populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 356-363
Author(s):  
Fatmah Alsharif

Background: In the battle against the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, medical care staff, especially nurses, are at a higher risk of encountering psychological health issues and distress, such as stress, tension, burdensome indications, and, most importantly, fear. They are also at higher risk of becoming infected and transmitting this virus. In Saudi Arabia, it was noticed that the healthcare workforce suffered from anxiety, and that this more evident in women than men. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nurses regarding COVID-19 and the level of anxiety toward the COVID-19 outbreak in the current pandemic situation. Design: A cross-sectional design was used and a validated self-administered online questionnaire with a set of questions related to COVID-19 was distributed to 87 participating nurses. Results: The results showed that more than half of the nurses (71.90%) had an adequate and good knowledge about the causes, transmission, symptoms, treatment, and death rate of COVID-19. The main sources of information for the nurses were social media (51.7%) and the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health (36.8%). Conclusions: The results allowed the conclusion that, though the nurses had satisfactory knowledge about COVID-19, more than 50% of them experienced mental health issues such as anxiety. To address this, along with providing more knowledge about COVID-19, nurses should be supported in managing their anxiety.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 3178
Author(s):  
Ashutosh Tripathy ◽  
Jayalaxmi Dash ◽  
Sudhakar Kancharla ◽  
Prachetha Kolli ◽  
Deviyani Mahajan ◽  
...  

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the World’s third most frequently diagnosed cancer type. It accounted for about 9.4% mortality out of the total incidences of cancer in the year 2020. According to estimated facts by World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, 27 million new CRC cases, 17 million deaths, and around 75 million people living with the disease will appear. The facts and evidence that establish a link between the intestinal microflora and the occurrence of CRC are quite intuitive. Current shortcomings of chemo- and radiotherapies and the unavailability of appropriate treatment strategies for CRC are becoming the driving force to search for an alternative approach for the prevention, therapy, and management of CRC. Probiotics have been used for a long time due to their beneficial health effects, and now, it has become a popular candidate for the preventive and therapeutic treatment of CRC. The probiotics adopt different strategies such as the improvement of the intestinal barrier function, balancing of natural gut microflora, secretion of anticancer compounds, and degradation of carcinogenic compounds, which are useful in the prophylactic treatment of CRC. The pro-apoptotic ability of probiotics against cancerous cells makes them a potential therapeutic candidate against cancer diseases. Moreover, the immunomodulatory properties of probiotics have created interest among researchers to explore the therapeutic strategy by activating the immune system against cancerous cells. The present review discusses in detail different strategies and mechanisms of probiotics towards the prevention and treatment of CRC.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Zayra Ramírez Gaytán

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing, life-threatening, chronic degenerative diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it has affected 422 million people worldwide in 2018. Approximately 50% of all people who suffer diabetes are not diagnosed due to the asymptomatic phase which usually lasts a long time. In this work, a data set of 520 instances has been used. The data set has been analyzed with the next three algorithms: logistic regression algorithm, decision trees and random forest. The results show that the decision tree algorithm had better performance with an AUC of 98%. Also, it was found the most common symptoms that a person with a risk of diabetes presents are polyuria, polydipsia and sudden weight loss.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 280-285
Author(s):  
Nelly SD Situmeang ◽  
Etti Sudaryati ◽  
Jumirah

Stunting is a chronic nutritional problem due to insufficient intake for a long time, in Indonesia the prevalence is high. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies if the length/height z score is below −2 SD. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between parenting, and nutrient intake (energy and protein) with stunting in children aged 24-59 years. This study used a cross sectional design with a sample of 117 children. Data collection was carried out with questionnaire instruments for parenting, and 24-hour food recall for nutritional intake. Data stunting was performed by comparing the height of the children measured by the WHO growth standards. Correlation analysis using Pearson correlation analysis. The results showed that the prevalence of stunting for children aged 24-59 months was 50.4%. There was a significant correlation between parenting with stunting (r = 0.287 and p = 0.02), energy intake with stunting (r = 0.215 and p = 0.020) and protein intake with stunting (r = 0.354 and p = 0.0001). It is recommended that the Ministry of Health improve nutrition surveillance programs, and encourage the community to monitor the growth of children under five years every month in health services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Emanuele Napoli ◽  
Matteo Nioi ◽  
Ernesto d’Aloja ◽  
Maurizio Fossarello

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an important health problem that was defined as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020. Although great concern has been expressed about COVID-19 infection acquired through ocular transmission, its underlying mechanism has not currently been clarified. In the current work, we analyzed and elucidated the two main elements that should be taken into account to understand the “ocular route”, both from a clinical and molecular point of view. They are represented by the dynamism of the ocular surface system (e.g., the tear film turnover) and the distribution of ACE2 receptors and TMPRSS2 protein. Although it seems, at the moment, that there is a low risk of coronavirus spreading through tears, it may survive for a long time or replicate in the conjunctiva, even in absence of conjunctivitis signs, indicating that eye protection (e.g., protective goggles alone or in association with face shield) is advisable to prevent contamination from external droplets and aerosol.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Sahli ◽  
M Mellouli ◽  
M Limam ◽  
M El Ghardallou ◽  
A Mtiraoui ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In 1993, the World Health Organization declared that tuberculosis is a public health emergency of global concern. All efforts were made in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to reduce the burden of Tuberculosis. The MDG framework built into national priorities and development strategies has, in fact, strengthened epidemiological surveillance and the use of reliable data to make decisions based on objective data. These data are essential for planning, managing the activities of the National Tuberculosis program, monitoring and ongoing evaluation of its performance. In this context, we conducted this study to trace the trend of Tuberculosis incidence rate recorded in the Sousse Region between 1992 and 2016. Methods This is a longitudinal study of the registered data of tuberculosis cases in Sousse between 1992 and 2016. For the trend analysis the software JOINPOINT version 4.5.0.1 was used. This software offers the closest possible regression model of the different points and gives an annual percentage change (APC) with a 95% confidence interval. Results The highest TB incidence rates was recorded in 1993 (85.66 cases per 100 000 inhabitants). Between 1992 and 1997, there was a significant downward trend of TB incidence (APC = -23.2; 95% CI [-28.8, 1]). Between 1997 and 2004 the trend was stable. Between 2004 and 2016, there was a significant upward trend (APC = 8.3; 95% CI: [4.3, 12.4]). Conclusions At the national level, between 1992 and 2002, tuberculosis experienced a fall in incidence rates, as a result of an improvement in the socio-economic level and the organization of tuberculosis control. Since 2004, the trend has been rising. Increased tuberculosis control is advocated to end tuberculosis by 2030 in line with sustainable development goals. Key messages After a significant decrease, the tuberculosis incidence has increased significantly since 2004. The tuberculosis prevention efforts should be intensified to reverse the current trend.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 218
Author(s):  
Pedro Plans-Rubió

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed two-dose measles vaccination coverage of at least 95% of the population and percentages of measles immunity in the population of 85%−95% in order to achieve measles elimination in Europe. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the measles vaccination coverage required to establish herd immunity against measles viruses with basic reproduction numbers (Ro) ranging from 6 to 60, and (2) to assess whether the objectives proposed by the WHO are sufficient to establish herd immunity against measles viruses. Methods: The herd immunity effects of the recommended objectives were assessed by considering the prevalence of protected individuals required to establish herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro values ranging from 6 to 60. Results: The study found that percentages of two-dose measles vaccination coverage from 88% to 100% could establish herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro from 6 to 19, assuming 95% measles vaccination effectiveness. The study found that the objective of 95% for two-dose measles vaccination coverage proposed by the WHO would not be sufficient to establish herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro ≥ 10, assuming 95% measles vaccination effectiveness. By contrast, a 97% measles vaccination coverage objective was sufficient to establish herd immunity against measles viruses, with Ro values from 6 to 13. Measles immunity levels recommended in individuals aged 1−4 years (≥85%) and 5−9 years (≥90%) might not be sufficient to establish herd immunity against most measles viruses, while those recommended in individuals aged 10 or more years (≥95%) could be sufficient to establish herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro values from 6 to 20. Conclusion: To meet the goal of measles elimination in Europe, it is necessary to achieve percentages of two-dose measles vaccination coverage of at least 97%, and measles immunity levels in children aged 1−9 years of at least 95%.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 1900655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Cohen ◽  
Victor Dahl Mathiasen ◽  
Thomas Schön ◽  
Christian Wejse

In 1999, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that one-third of the world's population had latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), which was recently updated to one-fourth. However, this is still based on controversial assumptions in combination with tuberculin skin test (TST) surveys. Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) with a higher specificity than TST have since been widely implemented, but never used to estimate the global LTBI prevalence.We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of LTBI estimates based on both IGRA and TST results published between 2005 and 2018. Regional and global estimates of LTBI prevalence were calculated. Stratification was performed for low, intermediate and high TB incidence countries and a pooled estimate for each area was calculated using a random effects model.Among 3280 studies screened, we included 88 studies from 36 countries with 41 IGRA (n=67 167) and 67 TST estimates (n=284 644). The global prevalence of LTBI was 24.8% (95% CI 19.7–30.0%) and 21.2% (95% CI 17.9–24.4%), based on IGRA and a 10-mm TST cut-off, respectively. The prevalence estimates correlated well to WHO incidence rates (Rs=0.70, p<0.001).In the first study of the global prevalence of LTBI derived from both IGRA and TST surveys, we found that one-fourth of the world's population is infected. This is of relevance, as both tests, although imperfect, are used to identify individuals eligible for preventive therapy. Enhanced efforts are needed targeting the large pool of latently infected individuals, as this constitutes an enormous source of potential active tuberculosis.


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