Utilization of SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Surveillance in Africa—A Rapid Review

Wastewater-based epidemiology for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in wastewater is desirable for understanding COVID-19 in settings where financial resources and diagnostic facilities for mass individual testing are severely limited. We conducted a rapid review to map research evidence on the utilization of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance in Africa. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and the World Health Organization library databases for relevant reports, reviews, and primary observational studies. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Narrative synthesis of the findings from included primary studies revealed the testing methodologies utilized and that detected amount of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA correlated with the number of new cases in the studied areas. The included reviews revealed the epidemiological significance and environmental risks of SARS-CoV-2 wastewater. Wastewater surveillance data at the community level can be leveraged for the rapid assessment of emerging threats and aid pandemic preparedness. Our rapid review revealed a glaring gap in the primary literature on SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance on the continent, and accelerated and adequate investment into research is urgently needed to address this gap.

Occult Infection with Hepatitis C Virus: Looking for Clear-Cut Boundaries and Methodological Consensus

The sustained virologic response and elimination of HCV is widely viewed as a true cure of chronic hepatitis C as it associates with amelioration of histological liver damage and improved clinical outcomes. Therefore, the existence and clinical burden of occult HCV infection (OCI) has been a controversial issue for many years. In this review, we summarize recently published data that adds new information on the molecular and clinical background of OCI and its epidemiological significance. We also identify and discuss the most important methodological pitfalls, which can be a source of inconsistency between studies. Data that have accumulated so far, strongly support the existence of extrahepatic HCV replication in individuals negative for serum HCV-RNA by conventional clinical tests. OCI emerges as a condition where the immune system is unable to fully resolve infection but it is continuously stimulated by low levels of HCV antigens, leading to progression of liver pathology and extrahepatic HCV-related complications. Moreover, the development of monitoring strategies or management guidelines for OCI is still hampered by the lack of clear definition and the confusion regarding its clinical significance. Careful study design and the introduction of uniform protocols for the detection of low-level HCV-RNA are crucial for obtaining reliable data on OCI.

Influence of standard heart failure therapy on readmission rate: opportunities and limitations in modern clinical practice

This review considers the clinical and epidemiological significance of hospitalizations for decompensated heart failure, as well as using it as an indicator of therapy effectiveness. The data on the frequency of using medications that reduce the hospitalization risk in randomized clinical trials and in real practice are presented. The reasons for inadequate prescription of drugs for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and their use in insufficient doses, which include therapeutic inertness and physiological limitations, as well as the need to introduce drugs with alternative mechanisms of action into clinical practice, are iscussed.

Ixodes scapularis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Parasitizing an Unlikely Host: Big Brown Bats, Eptesicus fuscus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in New York State, USA

Ixodes scapularis Say is a three-host tick that has been recorded feeding on over 150 different species of terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, and reptiles). This tick is found throughout the northeastern, coastal southeastern, and upper midwestern United States and is considered the most significant vector of tick-borne pathogens to humans in North America. Despite its ubiquity and broad host range, I. scapularis previously has not been reported feeding on bats (Chiroptera). However, during 2019 and 2020, larvae and nymphs of I. scapularis were recovered from big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus (Palisot de Beauvois), at four locations in rural New York State, USA. All Ixodes infested bats were injured and found on the ground; therefore, parasitism by I. scapularis was likely opportunistic. Nonetheless, the large number of pathogens known to be associated with bats and the frequency with which I. scapularis bites people suggest that this host–tick relationship is of at least potential epidemiological significance.

Wings or hemelytra? brief considerations on terminology in studies with Triatominae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae)

The epidemiological significance and biological character of Triatominae are frequently explored, but errors in morphological terminology are common. We discuss the importance of using morphological terminology correctly. The incorrect use of the term “wing” to describe the hemelytron in the study of Triatominae is pointed out. The correct and standard use of the term hemelytron (pl. hemelytra) to describe the forewings is suggested.

Genome Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of the First Bovine Rhinitis B Virus Isolate in China

Bovine rhinitis B virus (BRBV) is an emerging viral species in the genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae. Studies suggested that BRBV was considered a potential etiological agent of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). BRBV has been reported in the United States, Sweden, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. However, little information of BRBV was available in China. In this study, we performed viral metagenomic analysis in a calf with respiratory disease. The results showed high abundance (3.85) of BRBV nucleotide and 248 mapped reads in calf samples. Online BLASTn analysis showed that three contigs of those had the highest nucleotide similarity (95%) with one Swedish BRBV isolate (BRBV_SWE1, GenBank accession no. KY432299). To identify the genome characterization of the Chinese BRBV isolate (designated CHN1), six couples of overlapping RT-PCR primers were designed according to genome sequences of BRBV_SWE1. Through gene cloning and splicing, we obtained the genome information of CHN1, possessing 7,465 nucleotides (46.6% G+C). Although CHN1 had the highest nucleotide similarity (95.1%) with BRBV_SWE1, one 11-nucleotide (ACATTTGTTGT) deletion occurred in the 5′ untranslated region compared to SWE1. Phylogenetic analysis showed that CHN1 clustered together with BRBV_SWE1, and far from other BRBV isolates. This study recorded the first discovery of BRBV infection in China. Further investigation should be made in order to evaluate the infection status and epidemiological significance of BRBV in China.

Intestinal helminths of dogs in Samarkand and the Samarkand region and their epidemiological significance.

Aims: To study the intestinal helminth fauna of domestic and neglected dogs living in the city of Samarkand and adjacent areas of the Samarkand region and to assess their epidemiological significance. Materials and methods: 112 dogs of different ages from Samarkand and the surrounding area were examined. 45 animals were examined by the method of incomplete helminthological autopsy; diagnostic deworming was performed in 12 priotarny dogs; in 55 dogs, feces were examined once by the Fulleborn method. Results: In the examined dogs, 4 types of cestodes and 4 types of nematodes were found in the intestines. The most common type was dog tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). The extent of invasion (EI) is 73.7%, the intensity of invasion (AI) is 5-56 copies. Taenia hydatigena tapeworm was detected during preventive deworming in 5 animals out of 12 (41.7%), and at autopsy in 18 dogs out of 45 (40%), AI 1-4 copies. The tapeworm of Echinicoccus granulosus was found in the autopsy of one dog out of 45 (EI-4.4%, AI-more than 350 copies). Mesocestoides lineatus cestodes were observed in the autopsy of 3 dogs (EI-6.7%, AI-1-2 copies). Trichuris (=Trichocephalus) vulpis lived in the caecum of 20 dissected animals (EI-88%, AI-5-23 copies). During coproscopy of feces of 55 dogs, whipworm eggs were found in 25 animals (45.5%). Males and females of Toxocara canis were found in the intestines during autopsy of 5 animals (EI -22%, AI-2-4 copies). Eggs Toxocara coproscopy found in the feces of dogs 9 out of 55 (16.4 percent). The EI of the nematode Toxascaris leonina averaged 14.0%. AI 1-3 copies. The nematode Pterygodermatites (=Rictularia) affinis was found in the singular (male) in the duodenum of one dissected dog. Conclusions: In domestic and neglected dogs living in the territory of Samarkand and the Samarkand region, it was possible to establish the presence of 8 species of intestinal helminths, of which three species are dangerous to humans and have important epidemiological significance: Echinicoccus granulosus, Dipylidium caninum and Toxocara canis.

Analysis of traumatism in officers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus (2003–2020)

Relevance. Traumatism in military personnel is defined as injuries and their consequences occurring over a specified period of time, usually over a year. Trauma rates in the Armed Forces (AF) are important for occupational safety.Intention: To compare trauma rates in officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus over 18 years (2003–2020).Methodology. Medical reports on the state of health of personnel and activities of the medical service were selectively analysed according to Form 3 / MED from those military units where no less than 80% of the total number of officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus served. Blocks of injuries are consistent with Chapter XIX «Injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes» of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Problems Related to Health, 10th revision (ICD-10). Injuries were calculated per 1000 officers (‰), mortality - per 100 thousand officers.Results and Discussion. Among officers of the Russian AF and Belarusian AF in 2003–2020, there were observed average annual rates of injuries (17.25 ± 1.33) and (13.37 ± 1.43) ‰, respectively; hospitalizations with injuries (10.68 ± 0.64) and (7.13 ± 0.81) ‰ (p < 0.01); work days lost (344.4 ± 26.4) and (299.9 ± 25.6) ‰; dismissal rates (0.356 ± 0.068) and (0.118 ± 0.022) ‰; and injury-related mortality (47.24 ± 3.71) and (33.37 ± 5.40) (p < 0.05) per 100 thousand officers of the Russian AF and Belarusian AF, respectively. The congruence (consistency) of trends for injuries, hospitalizations and work days lost among officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus was considered positive and strong, while mortality trends were positively and moderately consistent, thus indicating effects of similar (unidirectional) military occupational factors. Polynomial trends in the dynamics of injuries, hospitalizations, work days lost and mortality among officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus with high determination coefficients showed a decrease. Injuries to the head (Block 1 according to ICD-10), injuries to the hip and lower limbs (Blocks 8-10), injuries involving multiple body regions (Block 11), and injuries to the shoulder girdle and upper limbs (Blocks 5-7) were of high military epidemiological significance for officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus. In addition, sequelae of injuries, of poisoning and of other consequences of external causes (Block 22) turned out to be significant for the Russian AF officers, and injuries to the thorax (Block 3) were significant for the Belarusian AF officers. The above blocks accounted for 88.6 and 85.5% of assessed military epidemiological significance among Russian and Belarusian AF officers, respectively.Conclusion. Traumatism can be managed and is not limited to medical issues. Various military professionals should be actively involved in the analysis of the causal relationships of injuries and their prevention. For example, among officers of the AF of Russia and Belarus injuries often occur during physical training and sports (9.8 and 6.1%, respectively) and during off-duty time (40.4 and 61.2%, respectively).

Helminthofauna of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) and korsak (Vulpes corsac)

For humans and domestic animals, parasites of wild animals can pose a threat to health, and even life. In this regard, it is important to establish the pathways of circulation of pathogens of dangerous helminthiasis, to identify the nature of the focus and the role of wild animals in this process, since these data serve as the basis for the development of anti-parasite measures. The study of parasitic organisms of wild animals is of great importance for science and practice. In natural biocenosis, one of their joints is parasitic species, which, on the one hand, are involved in the regulation of the host population; on the other hand, they prevent the introduction and spread of new species related to the host, i.e. participate in ensuring homeostasis of biocenosis. Parasitizing in various hosts, both definitive and intermediate, helminthes can determine the number and distribution over the territory not only of these hosts, but also of other animal species associated with these hosts by trophic and other connections. The foregoing determines the relevance of the problem of studying the fauna of helminthes of wild animals in the West Kazakhstan region, which is currently under-researched. The species composition of helminthes of the fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the korsak (Vulpes corsac) in the territory of the West-Kazakhstan region region was explored. In most cases, the invasion was recorded in an associative form. Some helminthes cause serious diseases in humans and farm animals. As a result of our research, we identified 6 species of intestinal helminthes in the common fox, two of which (Alveococcus multilocularis, Toxocara canis) have epidemiological significance. In korsak, 3 types of helminthes were identified at the autopsy before the species.

Sensitivity of coronaviruses to disinfectants according to the results of foreign and domestic studies

More than 40 different species of the family Coronaviridae are known. The greatest epidemiological significance was acquired by SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of a new coronavirus infection-COVID-19. It can persist on the surfaces of various objects from several hours to several days. It is sensitive to disinfectants from different chemical groups: chlorine-, oxygen-active, cationic surfactants, alcohols, aldehydes, and iodine-containing agents. Keywords: coronaviruses, survival rate, disinfectants, virucidal activity, virus sensitivity.