The pitfalls of inferring virus–virus interactions from co-detection prevalence data: application to influenza and SARS-CoV-2

There is growing experimental evidence that many respiratory viruses—including influenza and SARS-CoV-2—can interact, such that their epidemiological dynamics may not be independent. To assess these interactions, standard statistical tests of independence suggest that the prevalence ratio—defined as the ratio of co-infection prevalence to the product of single-infection prevalences—should equal unity for non-interacting pathogens. As a result, earlier epidemiological studies aimed to estimate the prevalence ratio from co-detection prevalence data, under the assumption that deviations from unity implied interaction. To examine the validity of this assumption, we designed a simulation study that built on a broadly applicable epidemiological model of co-circulation of two emerging or seasonal respiratory viruses. By focusing on the pair influenza–SARS-CoV-2, we first demonstrate that the prevalence ratio systematically underestimates the strength of interaction, and can even misclassify antagonistic or synergistic interactions that persist after clearance of infection. In a global sensitivity analysis, we further identify properties of viral infection—such as a high reproduction number or a short infectious period—that blur the interaction inferred from the prevalence ratio. Altogether, our results suggest that ecological or epidemiological studies based on co-detection prevalence data provide a poor guide to assess interactions among respiratory viruses.

Geospatial modeling of pre-intervention prevalence of Onchocerca volvulus infection in Ethiopia as an aid to onchocerciasis elimination

Background Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical and filarial disease transmitted by the bites of blackflies, causing blindness and severe skin lesions. The change in focus for onchocerciasis management from control to elimination requires thorough mapping of pre-control endemicity to identify areas requiring interventions and to monitor progress. Onchocerca volvulus infection prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa is spatially continuous and heterogeneous, and highly endemic areas may contribute to transmission in areas of low endemicity or vice-versa. Ethiopia is one such onchocerciasis-endemic country with heterogeneous O. volvulus infection prevalence, and many districts are still unmapped despite their potential for O. volvulus infection transmission. Methodology/Principle findings A Bayesian geostatistical model was fitted for retrospective pre-intervention nodule prevalence data collected from 916 unique sites and 35,077 people across Ethiopia. We used multiple environmental, socio-demographic, and climate variables to estimate the pre-intervention prevalence of O. volvulus infection across Ethiopia and to explore their relationship with prevalence. Prevalence was high in southern and northwestern Ethiopia and low in Ethiopia's central and eastern parts. Distance to the nearest river (-0.015, 95% BCI: -0.025 - -0.005), precipitation seasonality (-0.017, 95% BCI: -0.032 - -0.001), and flow accumulation (-0.042, 95% BCI: -0.07 - -0.019) were negatively associated with O. volvulus infection prevalence, while soil moisture (0.0216, 95% BCI: 0.014 - 0.03) was positively associated. Conclusions/Significance Infection distribution was correlated with habitat suitability for vector breeding and associated biting behavior. The modeled pre-intervention prevalence can be used as a guide for determining priority for intervention in regions of Ethiopia that are currently unmapped, most of which have comparatively low infection prevalence.

Prevalence of internet gaming disorder among engineering student of engineering institute of Belagavi City, Karnataka, India

Background: Today internet is reaching every corner of the world. This has created increase in games who play games online. Cases of suicide attempts, suicide death, self-harm allegedly have been reported from all parts of India. To estimate the prevalence of internet gaming disorder (IGD) among engineering students of engineering institute of Belagavi city.Methods: 262 engineering students of studying in Engineering Institute of Belagavi city were enrolled. Information on socio-demographic was collected by using questionnaire IGD-20 and DSM-5 IGD-9 standard tools were used to estimate IGD prevalence. Data were analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) software.Results: Out of 262 participants, 77.9% were male and 22.1% were female. Prevalence of internet gaming disorder was 9.1% among engineering students.Conclusions: Prevalence of internet gaming disorder was high majority were male. Prevalence of IGD was higher among youths and those students spent 3-4-hour daily in gaming.

What is the Prevalence of Peri-Implantitis? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Peri-implantitis is a usual finding but estimates of its prevalence fluctuate very much. This may be due to the wide variety of disease definitions. This systematic review aims to estimate the overall prevalence of peri-implantitis and the effect of different study designs, function times, and use of probing depth on prevalence rate.Methods: Following electronic and manual searches of the literature published from January 2005 to December 2020, data were extracted from the studies fitting the study criteria. Fifty-seven articles were included in this study.Results: Prevalence of peri-implantitis was 19.6% (95% CI, 15.25-24.75) at the patient-level, and 12.39% (95% CI, 9.46-15.43) at the implant-level and it remains highly variable even following restriction to the clinical case definition. The use of probing depth like diagnostic criteria affected the prevalence data.Conclusion: The results indicate that it remains essential the identification of the diagnostic markers for more accurate disease classification.

Case Report: Severe Dental Abscess Complications in Rural Sierra Leone

Prevalence data on severe dental infections is scarce, particularly for low-income countries. Patients with dental abscess complications who presented from September 2020 until December 2020 in two hospitals in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone, were included into this case series. We report on a total of 20 patients, median age 28 years, with severe complications of dental abscesses, with a mortality rate of 45%. This case series illustrates the severity of the dire consequences of the absence of access to basic dental and oral healthcare.

Study of viral markers (human immunodeficiency virus, HBsAg and anti-HCV) among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic

It has been recognized that population-based surveys are needed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus and HIV infection. Pregnant women can be considered as outpost populations because they are relatively unselected populations and their prevalence data may be extended to general population.Study of viral markers (Human immunodeficiency virus, HBsAg and antiHCV among pregnant woman attending the antenatal clinic. Determination of HIV, HBsAg and HCV in the pregnant females. In this age wise distribution of HCV positive cases, five cases were positive in 17-21, age group of 22-26 twelve patients were positive, age group of 27-31 eleven patients were positive, age group of 32-36 four patients were positive and three were positive in the age above 36 years. In table number two, 7 were positive for HBsAg, 35 were positive for HCV and no one was for HIV.In our study, pregnant women had a higher HCV infection rate. Occurrence of HBsAg infection was low in expectant ladies. In our area, people were very careful because they don’t want to spread HIV in their area. The public has complied with HIV/AIDS regulations. They always used condoms and never shared needles. Hence the mother could not spread HIV to the child. In order tounderstand the reasons and inferences of these findings, and provide more guidance, other research is needed.

Universal Screening in Positive School Mental Health Using the ASEBA Methodology for Teachers: A Pilot Epidemiological Study

School-based detection and intervention are critical components in ensuring positive mental health in children, with teachers playing an essential role in assessing students’ well-being. The current research aims to be a pilot epidemiological study on positive school mental health in Malaga, Spain, using the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). Data were collected in the COVID-19 pre-pandemic setting, using the Caregiver-Teacher Report Form (C-TRF) and the Teacher Report Form (TRF) in a sample of 420 children, who were between 5 and 8 years old at the time of the data collection. In 5-year-old children, the DSM-oriented scale with the highest clinical prevalence corresponds to attention deficit and hyperactivity problems (1.13%). In this same sub-sample, clinical levels of externalizing problems (4.52%) were non-significantly more common than internalizing conditions (1.69%). As for children between 6 and 8 years old, the DSM-oriented scale with the highest prevalence of clinical scores corresponds to anxiety problems (4.12%) and conduct problems (2.88%). Clinical levels of externalizing problems (9.47%) were non-significantly more prevalent than internalizing problems (6.58%). The results present 95% confidence intervals prevalence data in the general population and sex-differentiated descriptive statistics. The results are discussed according to their implication for school mental health.

Gonorrhoea: a systematic review of prevalence reporting globally

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends periodic gonorrhoea prevalence assessments in the general population or proxies thereof (including pregnant women, women attending family planning clinics, military recruits, and men undergoing employment physicals for example) and in population groups at increased risk, including men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and sex workers. Method We evaluated reported prevalence data, including estimates from proxy general population samples to reflect the WHO recommendations. We describe the outcomes from the general population country-by-country and extend previous reviews to include MSM, sex workers, and extragenital infections. Result and conclusion In our systematic search, 2015 titles were reviewed (January 2010–April 2019) and 174 full-text publications were included. National, population-based prevalence data were identified in only four countries (the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Peru, New Caledonia) and local population-based estimates were reported in areas within five countries (China, South Africa, Brazil, Benin, and Malawi). The remaining studies identified only reported test positivity from non-probability, proxy general population samples. Due to the diversity of the reviewed studies, detailed comparison across studies was not possible. In MSM, data were identified from 64 studies in 25 countries. Rectal infection rates were generally higher than urogenital or pharyngeal infection rates, where extragenital testing was conducted. Data on sex workers were identified from 41 studies in 23 countries; rates in female sex workers were high. Current prevalence monitoring was shown to be highly suboptimal worldwide. Serial prevalence monitoring of critical epidemiological variables, and guidelines to optimize prevalence study conduct and reporting beyond antenatal settings are recommended.

Foot Strike Patterns During Overground Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Investigations of foot strike patterns during overground distance running have foci on prevalence, performance and change in foot strike pattern with increased distance. To date, synthesised analyses of these findings are scarce. Objective The key objectives of this review were to quantify the prevalence of foot strike patterns, assess the impact of increased running distance on foot strike pattern change and investigate the potential impact of foot strike pattern on performance. Methods Relevant peer-reviewed literature was obtained by searching EBSCOhost CINAHL, Ovid Medline, EMBASE and SPORTDiscus (inception-2021) for studies investigating foot strike patterns in overground distance running settings (> 10 km). Random effects meta-analyses of prevalence data were performed where possible. Results The initial search identified 2210 unique articles. After removal of duplicates and excluded articles, 12 articles were included in the review. Meta-analysis of prevalence data revealed that 79% of long-distance overground runners rearfoot strike early, with prevalence rising to 86% with increased distance. In total, 11% of runners changed foot strike pattern with increased distance and of those, the vast majority (84%) do so in one direction, being non-rearfoot strike to rearfoot strike. Analysis of the relationship between foot strike pattern and performance revealed that 5 studies reported a performance benefit to non-rearfoot strike, 1 study reported a performance benefit to non-rearfoot strike in women but not men, 4 studies reported no benefit to non-rearfoot strike or rearfoot strike, and no studies reported a performance benefit of rearfoot strike over non-rearfoot strike. Conclusion Most overground distance runners rearfoot strike early, and the prevalence of this pattern increases with distance. Of those that do change foot strike pattern, the majority transition from non-rearfoot to rearfoot. The current literature provides inconclusive evidence of a competitive advantage being associated with long-distance runners who use a non-rearfoot strike pattern in favour of a rearfoot strike pattern.

The Prevalence and Epidemiology of Salmonella in Retail Raw Poultry Meat in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Foodborne disease caused by Salmonella is an important public health concern worldwide. Animal-based food, especially poultry meat, is the main source of human salmonellosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of Salmonella contamination in raw poultry meat commercialized in China. Following the principle of systematic review, 98 sets of prevalence data were extracted from 74 publications conducted in 21 Chinese provincial regions. The random-effect model was constructed for subgrouping analysis by meat category, preservation type, and geographical location. The prevalence levels differed from high to low among raw poultry meat, including chicken, 26.4% (95% CI: 22.4–30.8%); pigeon, 22.6% (95% CI: 18.2–27.8%); duck, 10.1% (95% CI: 5.3–18.2%); and other poultry meat, 15.4% (95% CI: 12.0–19.5%). Prevalence data on the preservation type revealed that chilled poultry meat might be more likely to experience cross-contamination than non-chilled poultry meat in China. The distribution map of Salmonella for raw poultry meat showed that a higher prevalence level was found in the Shaanxi, Henan, Sichuan, and Beijing regions. All subgroups possessed high amounts of heterogeneity (I2 > 75%). The scientific data regarding the differences in prevalence levels between meat category, preservation method, and geographical region sources might be useful to improve specific interventions to effectively control the incidence of Salmonella in poultry meat.