Epidemiological Isolation May Explain Differences in Historical Respiratory Infectious Disease Mortality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Dennis Shanks
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
South African ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Genetic Resistance ◽  
Aboriginal Peoples ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Resistance Factors ◽  
Evolutionary Selection ◽  
Disease Mortality

Indigenous and aboriginal peoples of the Americas and Pacific died at enormous rates soon after joining the global pathogen pool in the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries from respiratory infections such as smallpox, measles, and influenza. It was widely assumed that this represented a selection process against primitive societies. Darwinian selection for specific genetic resistance factors seems an unlikely hypothesis given that some populations stabilized quickly over two to three generations. European-origin populations whose childhood was marked by epidemiological isolation also suffered high infectious disease mortality from respiratory pathogens. American soldiers with smallpox, South African (Boer) children with measles, and New Zealand soldiers with influenza suggest that epidemiological isolation resulting in few previous respiratory infections during childhood may be a consistent mortality risk factor. Modern studies of innate immunity following Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) in infancy point toward rapid immune adaptation rather than evolutionary selection as an explanation for excessive first contact epidemic mortality from respiratory pathogens.

scholarly journals Prioritizing and Analyzing the Role of Climate and Urban Parameters in the Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Based on Artificial Intelligence Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Shaffiee Haghshenas ◽  
Behrouz Pirouz ◽  
Sami Shaffiee Haghshenas ◽  
Behzad Pirouz ◽  
Patrizia Piro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Cost Function ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Data Set ◽  
De Algorithm

Nowadays, an infectious disease outbreak is considered one of the most destructive effects in the sustainable development process. The outbreak of new coronavirus (COVID-19) as an infectious disease showed that it has undesirable social, environmental, and economic impacts, and leads to serious challenges and threats. Additionally, investigating the prioritization parameters is of vital importance to reducing the negative impacts of this global crisis. Hence, the main aim of this study is to prioritize and analyze the role of certain environmental parameters. For this purpose, four cities in Italy were selected as a case study and some notable climate parameters—such as daily average temperature, relative humidity, wind speed—and an urban parameter, population density, were considered as input data set, with confirmed cases of COVID-19 being the output dataset. In this paper, two artificial intelligence techniques, including an artificial neural network (ANN) based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and differential evolution (DE) algorithm, were used for prioritizing climate and urban parameters. The analysis is based on the feature selection process and then the obtained results from the proposed models compared to select the best one. Finally, the difference in cost function was about 0.0001 between the performances of the two models, hence, the two methods were not different in cost function, however, ANN-PSO was found to be better, because it reached to the desired precision level in lesser iterations than ANN-DE. In addition, the priority of two variables, urban parameter, and relative humidity, were the highest to predict the confirmed cases of COVID-19.

scholarly journals In VitroAntimicrobial Activity of Extracts from Plants Used Traditionally in South Africa to Treat Tuberculosis and Related Symptoms

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balungile Madikizela ◽  
Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala ◽  
Jeffrey Franklin Finnie ◽  
Johannes Van Staden
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Microbial Strains ◽  
African Plants ◽  
Mycobacterium Aurum

Respiratory ailments are major human killers, especially in developing countries. Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease causing a threat to human healthcare. Many South African plants are used in the traditional treatment of TB and related symptoms, but there has not been a sufficient focus on evaluating their antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of plants used traditionally to treat TB and related symptoms against microorganisms (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus,andMycobacterium aurumA+) associated with respiratory infections using the microdilution assay. Ten plants were selected based on a survey of available literature of medicinal plants used in South Africa for the treatment of TB and related symptoms. The petroleum ether, dichloromethane, 80% ethanol, and water extracts of the selected plants were evaluated for antibacterial activity. Out of 68 extracts tested from different parts of the 10 plant species, 17 showed good antimicrobial activities against at least one or more of the microbial strains tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.195 to 12.5 mg/mL. The good antimicrobial properties ofAbrus precatorius, Terminalia phanerophlebia, Indigofera arrecta,andPentanisia prunelloidesauthenticate their traditional use in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Thus, further pharmacological and phytochemical analysis is required.

scholarly journals Reduced generation of lung tissue–resident memory T cells during infancy

2017 ◽  
Vol 214 (10) ◽  
pp. 2915-2932 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyra D. Zens ◽  
Jun Kui Chen ◽  
Rebecca S. Guyer ◽  
Felix L. Wu ◽  
Filip Cvetkovski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Memory T Cells ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Human Infant ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Infant Mouse ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Resident Memory T Cells

Infants suffer disproportionately from respiratory infections and generate reduced vaccine responses compared with adults, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In adult mice, lung-localized, tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) mediate optimal protection to respiratory pathogens, and we hypothesized that reduced protection in infancy could be due to impaired establishment of lung TRM. Using an infant mouse model, we demonstrate generation of lung-homing, virus-specific T effectors after influenza infection or live-attenuated vaccination, similar to adults. However, infection during infancy generated markedly fewer lung TRMs, and heterosubtypic protection was reduced compared with adults. Impaired TRM establishment was infant–T cell intrinsic, and infant effectors displayed distinct transcriptional profiles enriched for T-bet–regulated genes. Notably, mouse and human infant T cells exhibited increased T-bet expression after activation, and reduction of T-bet levels in infant mice enhanced lung TRM establishment. Our findings reveal that infant T cells are intrinsically programmed for short-term responses, and targeting key regulators could promote long-term, tissue-targeted protection at this critical life stage.

scholarly journals Psychological distress and infectious disease mortality in the general population

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 ◽  
pp. 280-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hamer ◽  
Mika Kivimaki ◽  
Emmanuel Stamatakis ◽  
G. David Batty
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
General Population ◽  
Disease Mortality

scholarly journals Dissecting the mechanisms of a 5-year decline in antibiotic prescribing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Kissler ◽  
R. Monina Klevens ◽  
Michael L. Barnett ◽  
Yonatan H. Grad
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Outpatient Visit ◽  
Antibiotic Prescribing ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Outpatient Visits ◽  
Prescribing Trends ◽  
Tract Infections

AbstractImportanceThe mechanisms driving the recent decline in outpatient antibiotic prescribing are unknown.ObjectiveTo estimate the extent to which reductions in the number of antibiotic prescriptions filled per outpatient visit (stewardship) and reductions in the monthly rate of outpatient visits (observed disease) for infectious disease conditions each contributed to the decline in annual outpatient antibiotic prescribing rate in Massachusetts between 2011 and 2015.DesignOutpatient medical and pharmacy claims from the Massachusetts All-Payer Claims Database were used to estimate rates of antibiotic prescribing and outpatient visits for 20 medical conditions and their contributions to the overall decline in antibiotic prescribing. Trends were compared to those in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).SettingOutpatient visits in Massachusetts between January 2011 and September 2015.Participants5,075,908 individuals with commercial health insurance or Medicaid in Massachusetts under the age of 65 and 495,515 patients included in NAMCS.Main outcomes and measuresThe number of antibiotic prescriptions avoided through reductions in observed disease and reductions in per-visit prescribing rate per medical condition.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2015, the January antibiotic prescribing rate per 1,000 individuals in Massachusetts declined by 18.9% and the July antibiotic prescribing rate declined by 13.6%. The mean prescribing rate for children under 5 declined by 42.8% (95% CI 21.7%, 59.4%), principally reflecting reduced wintertime prescribing. The monthly rate of outpatient visits per 1,000 individuals in Massachusetts declined (p < 0.05) for respiratory infections and urinary tract infections. Nationally, visits for medical conditions that merit an antibiotic prescription also declined between 2010 and 2015. Of the estimated 358 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 individuals avoided over the study period in Massachusetts, 59% (95% CI 54%, 63%) were attributable to reductions in observed disease and 41% (95% CI 37%, 46%) to reductions in prescribing per outpatient visit.Conclusions and relevanceThe decline in antibiotic prescribing in Massachusetts was driven by a decline in observed disease and improved antibiotic stewardship, with a contemporaneous reduction in visits for conditions prompting antibiotics observed nationally. A focus on infectious disease prevention should be considered alongside antibiotic stewardship as a means to reduce antibiotic prescribing.Key pointsQuestionHow did the separate mechanisms of improved stewardship and reductions in observed disease contribute to a 5-year decline in outpatient antibiotic prescribing in Massachusetts from 2011-2015?FindingsIn an observational analysis of insurance claims, reduced monthly rates of outpatient visits for infectious conditions and reduced probability of prescribing an antibiotic per outpatient visit both contributed to the decline in antibiotic prescribing. An estimated 358 antibiotic prescriptions per 1,000 individuals were avoided over the study period through the two mechanisms, 211 of which were attributable to reductions in outpatient visits and 147 to reduced antibiotic prescribing per visit.MeaningPreventing the need for outpatient visits should be considered alongside antibiotic stewardship as a means of reducing antibiotic prescribing.

scholarly journals Respiratory infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the influenza virus in South Africans undertaking the Hajj

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salim Parker ◽  
Anwar A. Hoosen ◽  
Charles Feldman ◽  
Amgad Gamil ◽  
Jerusha Naidoo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
South African ◽  
Pneumococcal Disease ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Mass Gathering ◽  
South Africans ◽  
Causes Of Disease ◽  
Prophylactic Vaccines

The Hajj is the largest annual mass gathering on Earth. Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of disease and hospitalisation during the pilgrimage, with pneumonia and influenza most common among these infections despite the availability of prophylactic vaccines. In fact, immunisation against influenza and pneumococcal disease is currently not a requirement for South African pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia. This review examines the burden of respiratory infections during the Hajj, particularly pneumonia and influenza, with a focus on pilgrims from South Africa. Although the number of South African pilgrims attending the Hajj has been capped at 2 000 since 2013, 30 000 South Africans perform the minor Umrah pilgrimage annually. Understanding the aetiology of disease in this group could have implications for medical resourcing during the Hajj.

scholarly journals Evaluating Specimen Quality and Results from a Community-Wide, Home-Based Respiratory Surveillance Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley E. Kim ◽  
Elisabeth Brandstetter ◽  
Naomi Wilcox ◽  
Jessica Heimonen ◽  
Chelsey Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Pathogen Screening

AbstractIntroductionWhile influenza and other respiratory pathogens cause significant morbidity and mortality, the community-based burden of these infections remains incompletely understood. The development of novel methods to detect respiratory infections is essential for mitigating epidemics and developing pandemic-preparedness infrastructure.MethodsFrom October 2019 to March 2020, we conducted a home-based cross-sectional study in the greater Seattle area, utilizing electronic consent and data collection instruments. Participants received nasal swab collection kits via rapid delivery within 24 hours of self-reporting respiratory symptoms. Samples were returned to the laboratory and were screened for 26 respiratory pathogens and a human marker. Participant data were recorded via online survey at the time of sample collection and one week later.ResultsOf the 4,572 consented participants, 4,359 (95.3%) received a home swab kit, and 3,648 (83.7%) returned a nasal specimen for respiratory pathogen screening. The 3,638 testable samples had a mean RNase P CRT value of 19.0 (SD: 3.4) and 1,232 (33.9%) samples had positive results for one or more pathogens, including 645 (17.7%) influenza-positive specimens. Among the testable samples, the median time between shipment of the home swab kit and completion of laboratory testing was 8 days [IQR: 7.0-14.0].DiscussionHome-based surveillance using online participant enrollment and specimen self-collection is a feasible method for community-level monitoring of influenza and other respiratory pathogens, which can readily be adapted for use during pandemics.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between the Global Burden of Influenza From 2017 to 2019 and COVID-19: Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan David Baral ◽  
Katherine Blair Rucinski ◽  
Jean Olivier Twahirwa Rwema ◽  
Amrita Rao ◽  
Neia Prata Menezes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
The World ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Health Organization

BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are lipid-enveloped viruses with differential morbidity and mortality but shared modes of transmission. OBJECTIVE With a descriptive epidemiological framing, we assessed whether recent historical patterns of regional influenza burden are reflected in the observed heterogeneity in COVID-19 cases across regions of the world. METHODS Weekly surveillance data reported by the World Health Organization from January 2017 to December 2019 for influenza and from January 1, 2020 through October 31, 2020, for COVID-19 were used to assess seasonal and temporal trends for influenza and COVID-19 cases across the seven World Bank regions. RESULTS In regions with more pronounced influenza seasonality, COVID-19 epidemics have largely followed trends similar to those seen for influenza from 2017 to 2019. COVID-19 epidemics in countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America have been marked by a first peak during the spring, followed by significant reductions in COVID-19 cases in the summer months and a second wave in the fall. In Latin America and the Caribbean, COVID-19 epidemics in several countries peaked in the summer, corresponding to months with the highest influenza activity in the region. Countries from regions with less pronounced influenza activity, including South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, showed more heterogeneity in COVID-19 epidemics seen to date. However, similarities in COVID-19 and influenza trends were evident within select countries irrespective of region. CONCLUSIONS Ecological consistency in COVID-19 trends seen to date with influenza trends suggests the potential for shared individual, structural, and environmental determinants of transmission. Using a descriptive epidemiological framework to assess shared regional trends for rapidly emerging respiratory pathogens with better studied respiratory infections may provide further insights into the differential impacts of nonpharmacologic interventions and intersections with environmental conditions. Ultimately, forecasting trends and informing interventions for novel respiratory pathogens like COVID-19 should leverage epidemiologic patterns in the relative burden of past respiratory pathogens as prior information.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of cystic fibrosis respiratory pathogens isolated at a South African Hospital, 2006–2010

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 106-111
Author(s):  
Vindana Chibabhai ◽  
Warren Lowman
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
South African ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia ◽  
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia ◽  
Burkholderia Cepacia Complex ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Academic Hospital ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis Population ◽  
Susceptibility Patterns

Background: The epidemiology of cystic fibrosis (CF) associated pathogens other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the South African cystic fibrosis population has not been previously described.Methods: A retrospective review of respiratory cultures taken from cystic fibrosis clinic patients at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital from 2006 to 2010 was performed.Results: During the study period, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia complex and Candida albicans prevalence remained stable, Aspergillus fumigatus increased from 8% to 20% (p = 0.0132); Staphylococcus aureus decreased from 66% to 50% (p = 0.0243) and Haemophilus influenzae decreased from 13% to 3% (p = 0.0136). There were significant antimicrobial susceptibility changes to meropenem (p  0.0001) amongst P. aeruginosa isolates and cloxacillin (p 0.0001) amongst S. aureus isolates. Prevalence of most bacterial pathogens appeared to increase with increasing age.Conclusion: The findings of this study illustrate the epidemiology of CF associated respiratory pathogens and the trends in prevalence and susceptibility patterns over a 5-year period.

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