Epidemiology of West Nile virus in Africa: An underestimated threat

Background West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus which has been posing continuous challenges to public health worldwide due to the identification of new lineages and clades and its ability to invade and establish in an increasing number of countries. Its current distribution, genetic variability, ecology, and epidemiological pattern in the African continent are only partially known despite the general consensus on the urgency to obtain such information for quantifying the actual disease burden in Africa other than to predict future threats at global scale. Methodology and principal findings References were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases on January 21, 2020, using selected keywords, without language and date restriction. Additional manual searches of reference list were carried out. Further references have been later added accordingly to experts’ opinion. We included 153 scientific papers published between 1940 and 2021. This review highlights: (i) the co-circulation of WNV-lineages 1, 2, and 8 in the African continent; (ii) the presence of diverse WNV competent vectors in Africa, mainly belonging to the Culex genus; (iii) the lack of vector competence studies for several other mosquito species found naturally infected with WNV in Africa; (iv) the need of more competence studies to be addressed on ticks; (iv) evidence of circulation of WNV among humans, animals and vectors in at least 28 Countries; (v) the lack of knowledge on the epidemiological situation of WNV for 19 Countries and (vii) the importance of carrying out specific serological surveys in order to avoid possible bias on WNV circulation in Africa. Conclusions This study provides the state of art on WNV investigation carried out in Africa, highlighting several knowledge gaps regarding i) the current WNV distribution and genetic diversity, ii) its ecology and transmission chains including the role of different arthropods and vertebrate species as competent reservoirs, and iii) the real disease burden for humans and animals. This review highlights the needs for further research and coordinated surveillance efforts on WNV in Africa.

Epidemiology, Incidence and Trend of Injuries in Iran: A National Study

Background: Injuries are one of the well-known leading causes of disability and mortality in all societies. This study aims to determine the incidence and trend of injuries and their epidemiologic characteristics in Iran.Methods: In a cross sectional study, injuries fatality data from 2006 to 2016 were obtained from the registry of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Iran) and analyzed to determine the epidemiological pattern of injuries. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Excel and statistical package of SPSS version 22 were used for data analysis. The P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The highest incidence of injuries was related to traffic injuries with 546.4 per 100000 populations, followed by trauma and falls from heights with 497.7 and 195.2 per 100000 population, respectively. The highest incidence of traffic injuries in Iran had occurred in the year 2011 with 628.1 per 100000 population.Conclusion: Regarding the high incidence of injuries, especially traffic crashes, traumas and falls the priorities for close monitoring of these injuries during the high-risk periods in order to decrease and control of the rate of the injuries strongly felt.

Epidemiological, Morphological, and Morphometric Study on Haemonchus spp. Recovered From Goats in Egypt

Goats can be infected by multiple groups of external and internal parasites. Haemonchus spp. are among abomasal parasites that can result in higher mortality and several considerable economic losses in goats. Early detection of parasites and better understanding of the major risk factors associated with infection are among the main strategies for controlling the infection. Considering this, information on hemonchosis in goats from Egypt, and the contribution of goats in the maintenance of the epidemiological foci of the disease is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of Haemonchus species among 240 abomasum samples collected during postmortem examination of goat carcasses from Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Moreover, the association of the major risk factors to describe the epidemiological pattern of the disease was explored. This study demonstrated that 16.66% of abomasa samples harbored Haemonchus species. Additionally, age, sex, and sampling season were the most significant risk factors associated with infection. Following the variable factors under study, goats aged 1 year or older were at higher risk, with an infection rate of 22.14% (31 of 140), than those younger than 1 year (9%) [p = 0.008; odds ratio (OR) = 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30–6.35]. The infection rate was 25% (19 of 76) in males and 12.8% (21 of 164) in females [p = 0.024; odds ratio (OR) = 2.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13–4.53]. Moreover, the exposure to infection was higher in summer (22.22%) than in winter (8.33%) (p = 0.007; odds ratio (OR) = 0.318; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.139–0.725). More importantly, three species of the parasite—Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, and Haemonchus longistipes—were identified for the first time, and the confirmation of the identification and morphological characterization of the worms was performed using light microscopy and SEM. Collectively, this study reveals interesting epidemiological, morphological, and morphometric findings associated with the occurrence of hemonchosis among goats in Egypt. This study suggests further research for exploring the major circulating species of the parasite in Egypt, which is mandatory for controlling the disease.

CLINICO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF LEPROSY IN TERTIARY CARE INSTITUTE IN CHHATTISGARH

INTRODUCTION – Leprosy is a chronic bacterial infection. India has achieved an elimination target of less than one case per ten thousand population in December 2005. Even after elimination leprosy is remaining a major health issue in a few states like Chhattisgarh and union territories like Dadra and Nagar haveli. AIMS AND OBJECTIVE –To study the clinico-epidemiological pattern of leprosy in a tertiary care institute at Chhattisgarh. MATERIAL AND METHOD- A retrospective descriptive study was performed at LSLAM medical college, Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. All the cases of leprosy attending skin OPD from January 2020 to December 2020 were recruited for the study. Data was collected in MS excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 20. RESULT – A total of 92 patients were diagnosed as leprosy. 4 (4.35%) patients were children less than 14 years of age. 67 patients were male and 25 were female with male to female ratio was 2.68:1. Commonest age group of presentation was 21 to 40 years. The most common type of leprosy was Borderline Tuberculoid Hansen Disease (BTHD) (43.48%). 64 patients (69.57%) were diagnosed as multibacillary (MB) leprosy. The most common nerve found thickened was ulnar nerve. 30 patients (32.60%) presented with lepra reaction at the time of diagnosis. Out of 30 Lepra reaction cases, 21 (70%) were diagnosed as type1 lepra reaction and the rest 9 (30%) cases were diagnosed as type 2 lepra reaction cases. 59 patients (64.13%) presented with peripheral nerve involvement at the time of diagnosis. 23 (25%) patients were having grade 2 disability at the time of diagnosis. CONCLUSION – Even after achieving the target of elimination leprosy remains a major health problem especially in endemic states of India like Chhattisgarh.

Epidemiological Pattern of Poisoning in Children under the Age of 15 Admitted to the Referral Teaching Hospitals of Yazd and Taft Cities (2014-2019)

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological pattern and causes of poisoning is the first step to prevent and reduce complications and mortality due to poisoning in children. Given that no study has been conducted on this subject in Yazd, this study aimed to determine the epidemiology pattern of poisoning in children admitted to the referral teaching hospitals in Yazd and Taft cities during 2014-2019. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 children under the age of 15 who have been admitted to Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd and Shahid Beheshti hospital in Taft city during 2014-2019. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 20.0 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square. In all the statistical analyses, a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the frequency of poisonings was higher in girls (58%), in summer (31.1%), and in urban areas (82.8%). Most cases of poisoning aged less than 15 years (75.1%). The main cause of poisoning in children was drug poisoning (60.5%), followed by cleansing products (10.1%). The most common clinical manifestations included neurological signs (33.6%). During 2014-2019, the frequency of drugs and pesticide poisonings decreased; while poisoning due to drug-opioids and cleansing products increased (P = 0.04). Also, 3 deaths occurred due to poisoning during this period. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of drug and cleansing products poisoning in children under the age of 15 indicates involuntary poisoning in this group. Therefore, proper storage of these substances and more parental care can reduce poisonings in children.

Epidemiological Pattern of COVID-19 Infection from March to November 2020 in Situbondo District, East Java, Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a global threat. As of March 31, 2020, there were 1,528 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 136 deaths in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological features and clinical course of COVID-19 in Situbondo District, East Java Province, Indonesia, to facilitate understanding of the epidemiological situation and the spread of infection in the community to improve the control and prevention measures. This study examined the epidemiological features of COVID-19 cases in Situbondo using descriptive analysis. The results revealed that from March to November 2020, there were 1,622 suspected cases and 816 confirmed cases. Moreover, females (total case 470,58%) were more likely to be infected than males (total case 346,43%). Mainly, the cases of COVID-19 infection were in the age group of 19-37 years old (36.8%), and almost half of the confirmed cases (41 cases) were caused by the infection from close contact to confirmed cases, based on the epidemiological investigation report. People with comorbidities were more susceptible to being infected. Hypertension (8,7%), diabetes (8,6%), heart disease (3,7%), kidney failure, and COPD, each by (1%) were the highest reported comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. There was another disease with a low percentage like asthma, pulmonary TB, and cancer. This study opens the gate to further studies, which are needed to understand more about the epidemiological COVID-19 situation in the community.

Demographic profile of patients treated for melasma with glycolic acid and trichloroacetic acid: an institutional experience

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Melasma is an acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation characterised by forehead, cheeks, around eyelids and chin mostly in the sun-exposed areas of the skin. The etiology for melasma is not clear, various factors like genetic or hormonal influences the cause. The aim was to understand the demographical distribution and epidemiological pattern of pigmentation in melasma patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 50 patients were participated in the present study at department of dermatology of Mamata medical college and hospital, Khammam over a period of one year.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The mean age of patients with melasma was 33.84±5.76 years, with the youngest and oldest being 20 and 40 years with female preponderance, with a male to female ratio of 1:9. The maximum number of patients educated up to middle school level (38%) followed by primary school. The maximum number of individuals participated in the present study were housewife’s and out of 50 individuals 92% patients in the present series were married whereas family history of melasma was noted only 16% of the melasma patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present observations demonstrates that the melasma is a female predominant, affecting young adults, etiological observations like sunlight, married, pregnancy, indoor, family history followed by cosmetics plays an important role in the melasma.</p>

THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PATTERN OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE IN PATIENTS UNDER 50 YEARS OF AGE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological pattern of factors associated with ischemic stroke among patients under 50 years old. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 197 Stroke patients. Individuals with confirmed ischemic stroke based on of CT scan were included in the study. Demographic information included age, sex, history of smoking, place of residence, season of disease incidence, history of contraceptive use in women, history of hypertension, having high blood pressure at the onset of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart disease and patient weight. Finally, the collected data was analyzed using SPSS ver. 22. Results: The mean age of participants was 40.18 years. The mean weight, height, body mass index (BMI) were 79.83, 168.63, and 28.12, respectively. A total of 60.4% of the participants were male and 39.6% were female. Moreover, 66.9% were urban residents, 38.6% had complications in winter, 67% were smokers, and 50% used contraceptives. The history of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease was seen in 69%, 49.7, 66%, and 73.6% of cases, respectively. Also, 53.8% of patients had high blood pressure upon admission. Conclusion: The present study showed that a history of heart disease and a history of hypertension in the past and nicotine use are very common in people with stroke. Considering the above mentioned epidemiological factors, it is recommended to prioritize the mentioned factors when identifying new cases