Vector composition, abundance, biting patterns and malaria transmission intensity in Madang, Papua New Guinea: assessment after 7 years of an LLIN-based malaria control programme

Background A malaria control programme based on distribution of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets (LLINs) and artemisinin combination therapy began in Papua New Guinea in 2009. After implementation of the programme, substantial reductions in vector abundance and malaria transmission intensity occurred. The research reported here investigated whether these reductions remained after seven years of sustained effort. Methods All-night (18:00 to 06:00) mosquito collections were conducted using human landing catches and barrier screen methods in four villages of Madang Province between September 2016 and March 2017. Anopheles species identification and sporozoite infection with Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were determined with molecular methods. Vector composition was expressed as the relative proportion of different species in villages, and vector abundance was quantified as the number of mosquitoes per barrier screen-night and per person-night. Transmission intensity was quantified as the number of sporozoite-infective vector bites per person-night. Results Five Anopheles species were present, but vector composition varied greatly among villages. Anopheles koliensis, a strongly anthropophilic species was the most prevalent in Bulal, Matukar and Wasab villages, constituting 63.7–73.8% of all Anopheles, but in Megiar Anopheles farauti was the most prevalent species (97.6%). Vector abundance varied among villages (ranging from 2.8 to 72.3 Anopheles per screen-night and 2.2–31.1 Anopheles per person-night), and spatially within villages. Malaria transmission intensity varied among the villages, with values ranging from 0.03 to 0.5 infective Anopheles bites per person-night. Most (54.1–75.1%) of the Anopheles bites occurred outdoors, with a substantial proportion (25.5–50.8%) occurring before 22:00. Conclusion The estimates of vector abundance and transmission intensity in the current study were comparable to or higher than estimates in the same villages in 2010–2012, indicating impeded programme effectiveness. Outdoor and early biting behaviours of vectors are some of the likely explanatory factors. Heterogeneity in vector composition, abundance and distribution among and within villages challenge malaria control programmes and must be considered when planning them.

Monitoring of Insecticide Resistance in Anopheles culicifacies in Twelve Districts of Madhya Pradesh, Central India (2017–2019)

Background. Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are malaria vector control measures used in India, but the development of insecticide resistance poses major impediments for effective vector control strategies. As per the guidelines of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), the study was conducted in 12 districts of Madhya Pradesh to generate data on insecticide resistance in malaria vectors. Methods. The susceptibility tests were conducted on adult An. culicifacies as per the WHO standard technique with wild-caught mosquitoes. The blood-fed female mosquitoes were exposed in 3 to 4 replicates on each occasion to the impregnated papers with specified discriminating dosages of the insecticides (DDT: 4%, malathion: 5%, deltamethrin: 0.05%, and alphacypermethrin: 0.05%), for one hour, and mortality was recorded after 24-hour holding. Results. An. culicifacies was found resistant to DDT 4% in all the 12 districts and malathion in 11 districts. The resistance to alphacypermethrin was also observed in two districts, and possible resistance was found to alphacypermethrin in seven districts and to deltamethrin in eight districts, while the vector was found susceptible to both deltamethrin and alphacypermethrin in only 3 districts. Conclusion. An. culicifacies is resistant to DDT and malathion and has emerging resistance to pyrethroids, alphacypermethrin, and deltamethrin. Therefore, regular monitoring of insecticide susceptibility in malaria vectors is needed for implementing effective vector management strategies. However, studies to verify the impact of IRS with good coverage on the transmission of disease are required before deciding on the change of insecticide in conjunction with epidemiological data.

Personal data and the assemblage security in “Consumer Internet of Things”

The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven mobile applications development. As a result, in the consumer IoT (CIoT) space, any product usually comes with a smartphone application to either control, programme, or just view what is happening with the product. The IoT brings with it opportunities and challenges to consumers. For example, IoT technology makes it possible to connect all of a person’s devices to create a smart eco-system or assemblage. However, the biggest threat in CIoT is personal data security. This study utilized a qualitative narrative inquiry and Delphi technique to explore data security issues that come with CIoT assemblages and associated mobile applications in South Africa. The study established that consumers enjoy the convenience and benefits that IoT technology brings. It is concluded that for CIoT to thrive, safety is crucial, and all the stakeholders in the IoT assemblage need to ensure the protection of consumers.

Association between Tobacco and Tuberculosis: A short narrative review

Tobacco use increases the risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB), and blights the response to treatment of the disease. Although Links between Tobacco and TB have long been suspected, still many Indian patients continue to use tobacco. Our goal is to couple reviews of older and new research to provide definitive evidence of this dangerous connection so as to put an end to the TB epidemic.: Search of studies with English language abstract published between 2000 to June 2020 was undertaken in Google Scholar and PubMed. Search included the use of keywords “tobacco” with “tuberculosis,” “cessation,” or ‘’Tuberculosis Control Programme’’. Reference lists of the articles were examined for other relevant titles that included effective estimates of tobacco exposure in relation to tuberculosis outcomes.: Available evidence shows a strong association between tobacco and tuberculosis. People who use tobacco unknowingly put themselves at high risk of getting this disease. Reduction in the prevalence of tobacco use is urgent to bring about collateral benefits in the control of the TB problem.It is high time that TB control programs must begin to address tobacco control. Within the healthcare system opportunities must be created to provide encouragement for the TB patients so that it is easier for them to overcome this addiction.There urgent need for research in the field of tobacco and tuberculosis so as to reduce the burden of tuberculosis in India.

Biological control of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) by the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga in Bulgaria in 2021

In 2021, biological control programme against gipsy moth (Lymantria dispar) populations was carried out by introduction of the entomopathogenic fungus Entomophaga maimaiga on the territory of four State Forest Enterprises: Municipal Enterprise (ME) ‘Management of Municipal Forests, Agriculture and Forestry’, Nessebar; State Game Enterprises (SGE) Nessebar and Balchik; State Forestry (SF) Vidin. The pathogen was introduced during the period 15-26.03.2021 in 34 localities - five in ME Nessebar, eight in SGE Nessebar, ten in SGE Balchik and eleven in SF Vidin. The average number of gypsy moth population density in the locations of introduction was relatively high, ranging between 0.4-15.9 egg mass/tree in the area of ​​SGE Balchik and 11.9-65.0 egg mass/tree in the area of ​​ME Nessebar. The average mortality of young gypsy moth caterpillars (first-third instar) due to E. maimaiga varied between 2.6% (SGE Balchik) and 13.0% (SF Vidin), and of caterpillars in later fourth-sixth instar - between 20.7% (SF Vidin) and 52.4% (ME Nessebar). The overall mortality of the gipsy moth caterpillars due to E. maimaiga was lowest in the region of SGE Balchik (26.1%), followed by SF Vidin (33.7%), SGE Nessebar (48.5%) and ME Nessebar (55.9%). As a result of the introduction, gipsy moth severe outbreaks in the region of Nessebar was significantly suppressed. The high number of E. maimaiga resting spores persists in the surface layers of the soil in the other two areas (Vidin and Balchik) has the potential to suppress L. dispar attacks in next years.

Outcome of Tuberculosis Case Surveillance at Kano Central Correctional Center, North-west Nigeria: A Need for Routine Active Case Findings for TB in Nigerian Correctional Centers

Aim: To demonstrate the need for routine active TB case finding in Nigerian correctional centers through a TB case surveillance intervention at the largest correctional centre in the most populous state in Nigeria by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria. Study Design: It was a retrospective review of public health intervention data derived from the mass TB screening of Kano central correctional centre inmates in Kano state, Nigeria. Methodology: A digital X-ray with artificial intelligence (AI) was used for mass TB screening of 1,967 consenting inmates at the Kano central correctional centre in Kano state, Nigeria, from 21st September to 2nd October 2020. Participants with CAD4TB score ≥ 60 had a GeneXpert assessment of their sputa for TB diagnosis. Where sputum production was not possible, or GeneXpert result was negative, expert clinical evaluation of the presumptive radiogram was carried out by experienced radiologist. Data from the project were extracted and analysed for this report. Proportions and means were compared with Fisher Exact test and Student t-test, respectively. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 1,967 inmates were screened for TB and 92 (4.7%) presumptive were identified - males (4.8%, 91/92), females (1.9%, 1/92). Out of the 92 presumptive, 21 males were diagnosed as TB cases giving a TB prevalence of 1.1% among the inmates and 22.8% among presumptive. One of the TB cases had multi-drug resistant TB. The number needed to screen (NNS) was 94. All TB cases were enrolled in treatment. Conclusion: The prevalence of TB at the Kano central correctional centre during the mass TB screening project was high. The National Tuberculosis Control Programme of Nigeria should accelerate the planned paradigm shift from passive to active case-finding for TB in Nigerian correctional centers.

Epidemiological study of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome and Japanese Encephalitis burden in Sivasagar district of Assam, India

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is among the most common cause of viral encephalitis in human beings caused by the Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV). It is found worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia and less commonly in the western pacific regions and Australia.North East India is identified as hotspot for Japanese encephalitis and is considered a major health problem in Assam. The present study assesses the epidemiology of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and JE cases of the Sivasagar district of Assam for 2011-20.Epidemiological data of AES and JE such as disease burden, case fatality rate (CFR), etc. were collected from NVBDCP Unit of Sivasagar district. Data were obtained as a part of routine AES/JE control programme for the period 2011-20. The overall AES and JE casesduring 2011-20 were 1081 and 588, and death cases 333 and 180, respectively.The CFR of the district was found to be 30.61%. AES and JE cases were highest in Galekey and Patsaku block. The AES/JE cases were significantly higher in elderly (>30 years) and male population of the district. The peak AES/JE active and death cases were reported in June and July in the study period. Routine JE vaccination was found to be carried out since 2011-20 in the agegroup 9-18 months, covering more than 50% of the target population size. Similarly, during the 2011-12 and 2014-15, JE vaccination campaign was carried out in 1-15- and 16-60-years age-group. The prevalence of AES/JE cases in the Sivasagar district of Assam is declining. Nevertheless, there is an urgent need to intensify the AES/JE surveillance programme to detect the cases and develop strategy for better JE management. The immunization coverage for 9-18 months should be increased.

A Brief Review of Sickle-Cell Haemoglobin, β-Thalassaemia and G-6-PD Deficiency Genes among Tribals of Scheduled Area of Rajasthan, India: Focus on Tribal Health

Rajasthan, situated at the north-western part of India is the biggest state in the country of India and has total of 33 districts. By merging eight tribal dominating districts namely, Banswara, Chittourgarh, Dungarpur, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajasamand, Sirohi, and Udaipur of these, the government has created a special area called the ‘schedule area” in which >70% of the people are tribal. This area is mostly backward and underdeveloped where malaria is also hyperendemic. In this area, Bhil, Damor, Meena, Garasiya, Kathudia and Sahariya are the most dominating and major endogamous tribes. Besides the several communicable and non-communicable diseases in this area, certain erythrocyte genetic disorders, Sickle-Cell Haemoglobin (Hb-S), β-thalassaemia and G-6-PD deficiency (Gd) are also deteriorating the tribal health and causing morbidity and mortality in them. Genes of these red cell genetic disorders are more prevalent and widely distributed among tribal people. The maximum prevalence of these blood genetic disorders in tribes was found as 31.14%, 9.00% and 22.00%, respectively. Since the groundwater of this tribal area contains a high amount of Fluoride (F), drinking it poses a high risk of premature death of tribal people who already have homozygous state of sickle-cell and β-thalassaemic genes. In present communication, besides the focus on tribal health, the status of genes of sickle-cell haemoglobin, β-thalassaemia and G-6-PD deficiency in different tribal ethnic groups of scheduled area, the correlation of these blood genetic disorders with malaria, impact of F intoxication in tribal subjects possessing red cell genetic disorders and the prevention and control of these erythrocyte genetic disorders in tribal people have been critically reviewed. The results of this review are significant and advantageous in making and execution of prevention and control programme of these blood genetic disorders in tribals of scheduled area of Rajasthan, India. Moreover, in this review, research gaps are also highlighted for further research work.

Trends and predictive factors for treatment failure following artemisinin-based combination therapy among children with uncomplicated malaria in Ghana: 2005–2018

Background Since the introduction of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in Ghana in 2005 there has been a surveillance system by the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) and the University of Ghana Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (UG-NMIMR) to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of ACTs for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in the country. We report trends and determinants of failure following treatment of Ghanaian children with artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) combinations. Methods Per protocol analyses as well as cumulative incidence of day 28 treatment failure from Kaplan Meier survival analyses were used to describe trends of failure over the surveillance period of 2005–2018. Univariable and multivariable cox regression analyses were used to assess the determinants of treatment failure over the period. Results Day 28 PCR-corrected failure, following treatment with ASAQ, significantly increased from 0.0% in 2005 to 2.0% (95% CI: 1.1–3.6) in 2015 (p = 0.013) but significantly decreased to 0.4% (95% CI: 0.1–1.6) in 2018 (p = 0.039). Failure, following treatment with AL, decreased from 4.5% (95% CI: 2.0–9.4) in 2010 to 2.7% (95% CI: 1.4–5.1) in 2018, though not statistically significant (p = 0.426). Risk of treatment failure, from multivariable cox regression analyses, was significantly lower among children receiving ASAQ compared with those receiving AL (HR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.11–0.53; p < 0.001); lower among children with no parasitaemia on day 3 compared with those with parasitaemia on day 3 (HR = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01–0.13; p < 0.001); and higher among children who received ASAQ and had axillary temperature ≥ 37.5 °C on day 1 compared with those with axillary temperature < 37.5 °C (HR = 3.96; 95% CI: 1.61–9.75; p = 0.003). Conclusions Treatment failures for both ASAQ and AL have remained less than 5% (below WHO’s threshold of 10%) in Ghana since 2005. Predictors of treatment failure that need to be considered in the management of uncomplicated malaria in the country should include type of ACT, day 3 parasitaemia, and day 1 axillary temperature of patients being treated.