Serological Positivity against Selected Flaviviruses and Alphaviruses in Free-Ranging Bats and Birds from Costa Rica Evidence Exposure to Arboviruses Seldom Reported Locally in Humans

Arboviruses have two ecological transmission cycles: sylvatic and urban. For some, the sylvatic cycle has not been thoroughly described in America. To study the role of wildlife in a putative sylvatic cycle, we sampled free-ranging bats and birds in two arbovirus endemic locations and analyzed them using molecular, serological, and histological methods. No current infection was detected, and no significant arbovirus-associated histological changes were observed. Neutralizing antibodies were detected against selected arboviruses. In bats, positivity in 34.95% for DENV-1, 16.26% for DENV-2, 5.69% for DENV-3, 4.87% for DENV-4, 2.43% for WNV, 4.87% for SLEV, 0.81% for YFV, 7.31% for EEEV, and 0.81% for VEEV was found. Antibodies against ZIKV were not detected. In birds, PRNT results were positive against WNV in 0.80%, SLEV in 5.64%, EEEV in 8.4%, and VEEV in 5.63%. An additional retrospective PRNT analysis was performed using bat samples from three additional DENV endemic sites resulting in a 3.27% prevalence for WNV and 1.63% for SLEV. Interestingly, one sample resulted unequivocally WNV positive confirmed by serum titration. These results suggest that free-ranging bats and birds are exposed to not currently reported hyperendemic-human infecting Flavivirus and Alphavirus; however, their role as reservoirs or hosts is still undetermined.

Role of Surgical Intervention in Hereditary Spherocytosis with Haemolytic Anaemia, Splenomegaly and Jaundice

haemolytic anaemia, splenomegaly and jaundice, admitted in Chettinad hospital and research institute during one year period from January 2019 to January 2020. Surgical intervention is indicated for selected patients with hereditary spherocytosis with haemolytic anaemia and jaundice to abate the hemolytic process after correction of anaemia with blood transfusion. Pigmented gallstones are seen in more than 50% cases for which incidence increases with severity of hemolysis and with age. Complications include aplastic anemia (most common after parvovirus B19 infection), haemolytic crisis during inter-current infection, megaloblastic crisis – during folic acid deficiency, cardiomyopathy, hematological malignancies.

Seroprevalence of CMV in Women with Bad Obstetric History in Babil/Iraq

Placental dysfunction and or fetal central nervous system infestation caused by Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading cause of congenital non-genetic neuro-developmental problems of the newborn, worldwide. Although the highest rates of congenital infection and CMV seroprevalence occurs in developing countries like Iraq, there remains a paucity of data from that part of the world. This descriptive case control study was undertaken in Babylon/ Iraq to determine the local seroprevalence of CMV in women of child bearing age, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with it. This study found a seropositivity peak amongst the 26-35 yr olds which declined in the 36 – 45 yr olds. However, the evidence of current infection was stable at 25% among the 26-35 yr olds and the 36 – 45 yr old women. Overall seropositivity was at 77.32%, a susceptibility rate was at 22.68%, and seropositivity for IgG was highest among the educated, those living in overcrowded settings, and those with poor obstetric histories. Our study concludes that CMV screening of women in the Al Hamza district in Babylon/Iraq and the availability of advice on how to prevent the infection can be beneficial for health outcomes.

Access to healthcare as an important moderating variable for understanding geography of immunity levels for COVID-19 - preliminary insights from Poland

Background. Underascertainment of COVID-19 burden and uncertainty in estimation of immunity levels is a known and common phenomenon in infectious diseases. We tested to what extent healthcare access (HCA) related supply/demand interfered with registered data on COVID-19 from Poland. Material and methods. We have run a multiple linear regressions model with interactions to explain geographical variability in seroprevalence, hospitalization (on voivodeship: NUTS-2 level) and current (beginning of the 4th wave: 15.09-21.11.2021) case notifications/crude mortality (on poviats: old NUTS-4 level) taking vaccination coverage and cumulative case notifications till so called 3rd wave as predictor variables and supply/demand (HCA) as moderating variables. Results. HCA with interacting terms (mainly demand) explained to the great extent the variance of current incidence and most variance in case of current mortality. HCA (mainly supply) is significantly moderating cumulative case notifications till the 3rd wave explaining the variance across seroprevalence. Conclusions. Seeking causal relations between vaccination or infection gained immunity level and current infection dynamics could be misleading without understanding socio-epidemiological context such as the moderating role of HCA (sensu lato). After quantification, HCA could be incorporated into epidemiological models for better prediction of real disease burden.

Plasmodium falciparum and Helminth Coinfections Increase IgE and Parasite-Specific IgG Responses

Coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum and helminths may impact the immune response to these parasites because they induce different immune profiles. We compared the antibody profile between groups of Mozambican individuals defined by P. falciparum and helminth previous exposure and/or current infection.

Comparable genetic alteration profiles between gastric cancers with current and past Helicobacter pylori infection

Gastric cancers can develop even after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in 0.2–2.9% cases per year. Since H. pylori is reported to directly activate or inactivate cancer-related pathways, molecular profiles of gastric cancers with current and past H. pylori infection may be different. Here, we aimed to analyze whether profiles of point mutation and gene amplification are different between the two groups. Current or past infection by H. pylori was determined by positive or negative amplification of H. pylori jhpr3 gene by PCR, and past infection was established by the presence of endoscopic atrophy. Among the 90 gastric cancers analyzed, 55 were with current infection, and 35 were with past infection. Target sequencing of 46 cancer-related genes revealed that 47 gastric cancers had 68 point mutations of 15 different genes, such as TP53 (36%), KRAS (4%), and PIK3CA (4%) and that gene amplification was present for ERBB2, KRAS, PIK3CA, and MET among the 26 genes assessed for copy number alterations. Gastric cancers with current and past infection had similar frequencies of TP53 mutations (38% and 31%, respectively; p = 0.652) and oncogene activation (20% and 29%, respectively; p = 0.444). Gastric cancers with current and past infection had comparable profiles of genetic alterations.

Serological Positivity against Selected Flavivirus and Alphavirus in Free-ranging Bats and Birds from Costa Rica Evidence Exposure to Arboviruses Seldom Reported Locally in Humans

Arboviruses have two ecological transmission cycles, sylvatic and urban. For some, the sylvatic cycle has not been thoroughly described in America. To study the role of wildlife in a putative sylvatic cycle, we sampled free-ranging bats and birds in two arbovirus endemic locations and analyzed them using molecular, serological, and histological methods. No current infection was detected, and no significant arbovirus-associated histological changes were observed. Neutralizing antibodies were detected against selected arboviruses. In bats, positivity in 34.95% for DENV-1, 16.26% for DENV-2, 5.69% for DENV-3, 4.87% for DENV-4, 2.43% for WNV, 4.87% for SLEV, 0,81% for YFV, 7.31% for EEEV, and 0.81% for VEEV was found. Antibodies against ZIKV were not detected. In birds, PRNT results were positive against WNV in 0.80%, SLEV in 5.64%, EEEV in 8.4%, and VEEV in 5.63%. An additional retrospective PRNT analysis was performed using bat samples from three additional DENV endemic sites resulting in a 3.27% prevalence for WNV and 1.63% for SLEV. Interestingly one sample resulted unequivocally WNV positive confirmed by serum titration. These results suggest that free-ranging bats and birds are exposed to not currently reported hyperendemic-human infecting Flavivirus and Alphavirus, however, their role as reservoirs or hosts is still undetermined.

Brought to Light: How Ultraviolet Disinfection Can Prevent the Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought to light the role of environmental hygiene in controlling disease transmission. Healthcare facilities are hot spots for infectious pathogens where physical distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) are not always sufficient to prevent disease transmission. Healthcare facilities need to consider adjunct strategies to prevent transmission of infectious pathogens. In combination with current infection control procedures, many healthcare facilities are incorporating ultraviolet (UV) disinfection into their routines. This review considers how pathogens are transmitted in healthcare facilities, the mechanism of UV microbial inactivation and the documented activity of UV against clinical pathogens. Emphasis is placed on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) that are commonly transmitted in healthcare facilities. The potential benefits and limitations of UV technologies are discussed to help inform healthcare workers, including clinical studies where UV technology is used in healthcare facilities.

Risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers outside hospitals: A real-life immuno-virological study during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic

Objectives Most COVID-19 related infections and deaths may occur in healthcare outside hospitals. Here we explored SARS-CoV-2 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) in this setting. Design All healthcare providers in Stockholm, Sweden were asked to recruit HCWs at work for a study of past or present SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCWs. Study participants This study reports the results from 839 HCWs, mostly employees of primary care centers, sampled in June 2020. Results SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was found among 12% (100/839) of HCWs, ranging from 0% to 29% between care units. Seropositivity decreased by age and was highest among HCWs <40 years of age. Within this age group there was 19% (23/120) seropositivity among women and 11% (15/138) among men (p<0.02). Current infection, as measured using PCR, was found in only 1% and the typical testing pattern of pre-symptomatic potential “superspreaders” found in only 2/839 subjects. Conclusions Previous SARS-CoV-2 infections were common among younger HCWs in this setting. Pre-symptomatic infection was uncommon, in line with the strong variability in SARS-CoV-2 exposure between units. Prioritizing infection prevention and control including sufficient and adequate personal protective equipment, and vaccination for all HCWs are important to prevent nosocomial infections and infections as occupational injuries during an ongoing pandemic.

Application of Nanomaterials as an Advanced Strategy for the Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Viral Diseases

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic poses serious global health concerns with the continued emergence of new variants. The periodic outbreak of novel emerging and re-emerging infectious pathogens has elevated concerns and challenges for the future. To develop mitigation strategies against infectious diseases, nano-based approaches are being increasingly applied in diagnostic systems, prophylactic vaccines, and therapeutics. This review presents the properties of various nanoplatforms and discusses their role in the development of sensors, vectors, delivery agents, intrinsic immunostimulants, and viral inhibitors. Advanced nanomedical applications for infectious diseases have been highlighted. Moreover, physicochemical properties that confer physiological advantages and contribute to the control and inhibition of infectious diseases have been discussed. Safety concerns limit the commercial production and clinical use of these technologies in humans; however, overcoming these limitations may enable the use of nanomaterials to resolve current infection control issues via application of nanomaterials as a platform for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral diseases.