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Fallucca A, Restivo V, Sgariglia MC, Roveta M, Trucchi C. Hepatitis a Vaccine as Opportunity of Primary Prevention for Food Handlers: A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1271. [PMID: 37515087 PMCID: PMC10383099 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is still a leading cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. After a long incubation period, the clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic infection to acute liver failure. The severity of the disease increases with age and pre-existing liver disease. The transmission is mainly via person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or water. Food contamination can occur at any step of the food chain, especially when infected people handle not-heated or otherwise-treated food. HAV is endemic in low-income countries because of poor sanitary and sociodemographic conditions. The populations of developed countries are highly susceptible, and large outbreaks occur when HAV is introduced from endemic countries due to globalization, travel, and movement of foodstuffs. HAV prevention includes hygiene practices, immunoglobulins, and vaccination. Safe and effective inactivated and live attenuated vaccines are available and provide long-term protection. The vaccine targets are children and subjects at increased risk of HAV exposure or serious clinical outcomes. This review discusses the critical role of food handlers in the spread of HAV and the opportunity for food industry employers to consider food handler immunization a tool to manage both food safety in compliance with HACCP principles and food operators' biologic risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Fallucca
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Restivo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Marco Roveta
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Prevention, Local Health Unit 3, 16142 Genoa, Italy
| | - Cecilia Trucchi
- Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service, Department of Prevention, Local Health Unit 3, 16142 Genoa, Italy
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Hirae K, Hoshina T, Koga H. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of other communicable diseases in Japan. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 128:265-271. [PMID: 36642212 PMCID: PMC9837205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To elucidate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of other infectious diseases. DESIGN We investigated the epidemiology of 36 communicable diseases during 2015-2021 in Japan and compared the number of cases in each disease between the prepandemic (2015-2019) and intrapandemic (2020-2021) periods. Relationships between the incidence of the infectious diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic were also investigated. RESULTS Of 36 communicable diseases, the number of cases in the 27 diseases (75%) mainly caused by pathogens transmitted by droplet or contact was lower intrapandemic than prepandemic, and the cases of 21 diseases (58%) continued to decrease intrapandemic. The number of cases of six diseases (17%) was higher intrapandemic than prepandemic, and the cases of two diseases (5.6%), Japanese spotted fever and syphilis, continued to increase intrapandemic. Time trend analyses revealed a positive correlation between case numbers of communicable diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas the case numbers of hand-foot-and-mouth disease and respiratory syncytial virus infection rebounded in 2021 after decreasing in 2020. CONCLUSION The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the epidemiology of communicable diseases, suggesting that countermeasures against COVID-19 and lifestyle changes might be involved in these epidemiological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenji Hirae
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Beppu Medical Center, Beppu, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Hoshina
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Koga
- Department of Pediatrics, National Hospital Organization Beppu Medical Center, Beppu, Japan.
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Ostankova YV, Shchemelev AN, Boumbaly S, Balde TAL, Zueva EB, Valutite DE, Serikova EN, Davydenko VS, Skvoroda VV, Vasileva DA, Semenov AV, Esaulenko EV, Totolian AA. Prevalence of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Markers among Healthcare Workers in the Republic of Guinea. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13030378. [PMID: 36766482 PMCID: PMC9914033 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers are much more likely to be infected with HIV and hepatitis viruses compared to the general population. Although healthcare workers are more aware of HIV and hepatitis viruses, several countries in Africa lack a comprehensive grasp of disease routes and transmission risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of the serological and molecular biological markers of HIV and viral hepatitis among healthcare workers in the Republic of Guinea. The study material was 74 blood serum samples collected from healthcare workers who received additional training at the Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG, Kindia, Republic of Guinea). The markers examined included HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs IgG, anti-HBcore IgG, anti-HCV qualitative determination, anti-HEV IgM and IgG, anti-HAV IgM and IgG, and anti-HIV. For viral DNA and RNA detection, nucleic acids were extracted from blood serum, and viral presence was inferred using real-time PCR with hybridization fluorescence detection. A high prevalence of viral hepatitis B markers was shown, and significantly fewer cases of viral hepatitis C and HIV were detected. Almost all examined medical workers had anti-HAV IgG antibodies, but no antibodies to hepatitis E virus. Apparently, the identified markers depend on the general prevalence of certain pathogens in the region and are associated with the traditions and characteristics of the country's residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia V Ostankova
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander N Shchemelev
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Sanaba Boumbaly
- Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG), Kindia 100 BP 75, Guinea
- Centre International de Recherche sur les Infections Tropicales en Guinée, Nzerekore 400 BP, Guinea
| | - Thierno A L Balde
- Institute of Applied Biological Research of Guinea (IRBAG), Kindia 100 BP 75, Guinea
| | - Elena B Zueva
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Diana E Valutite
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena N Serikova
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vladimir S Davydenko
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vsevolod V Skvoroda
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria A Vasileva
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander V Semenov
- Ekaterinburg Research Institute of Viral Infections, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology Vector of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 620030 Ekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Elena V Esaulenko
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Areg A Totolian
- Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institut of the Federal Service for Surveillance of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor), 197101 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Takuissu GR, Kenmoe S, Ebogo-Belobo JT, Kengne-Ndé C, Mbaga DS, Bowo-Ngandji A, Ndzie Ondigui JL, Kenfack-Momo R, Tchatchouang S, Kenfack-Zanguim J, Lontuo Fogang R, Zeuko’o Menkem E, Kame-Ngasse GI, Magoudjou-Pekam JN, Veneri C, Mancini P, Bonanno Ferraro G, Iaconelli M, Orlandi L, Del Giudice C, Suffredini E, La Rosa G. Occurrence of Hepatitis A Virus in Water Matrices: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1054. [PMID: 36673812 PMCID: PMC9859052 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis A is a common form of viral hepatitis. It is usually transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. This systematic review was carried out to summarise the overall prevalence of Hepatitis A virus (HAV) in different water matrices: untreated and treated wastewater, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and others (e.g., irrigation water and floodwater). The literature search was performed in four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Excerpta Medica Database. Heterogeneity (I2) was assessed using the χ2 test on the Cochran Q statistic and H parameters. A total of 200 prevalence data from 144 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of HAV in water matrices was 16.7% (95% CI: 13.4−20.3). The prevalence for individual matrix was as follows: 31.4% (95% CI: 23.0−40.4) untreated wastewater, 18.0% (95% CI: 9.5−28.2) treated wastewater, 15.0% (95% CI: 10.1−20.5) surface water, 2.3% (95% CI: 0.1−6.0) in groundwater, 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0−1.7) in drinking water, and 8.5% (95% CI: 3.1−15.6) in other matrices. The prevalence was higher in low-income economies (29.0%). Africa and Eastern Mediterranean were the regions with higher HAV prevalence values. This study showed a high heterogeneity (I2 > 75%) with a significant publication bias (p value Egger test < 0.001). The results of this review suggest that water matrices could be an important route of HAV transmission even in industrialized countries, despite the lower prevalence compared to less industrialized countries, and the availability of advanced water management systems. More effective water/wastewater treatment strategies are needed in developing countries to limit the environmental circulation of HAV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Roussel Takuissu
- Centre for Food, Food Security and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Sebastien Kenmoe
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Cyprien Kengne-Ndé
- Epidemiological Surveillance, Evaluation and Research Unit, National AIDS Control Committee, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Arnol Bowo-Ngandji
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Raoul Kenfack-Momo
- Department of Biochemistry, The University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | | | | | | | - Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse
- Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Iaconelli
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Orlandi
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Del Giudice
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
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