1
|
Brimicombe C, Wieser K, Monthaler T, Jackson D, De Bont J, Chersich MF, Otto IM. Effects of ambient heat exposure on risk of all-cause mortality in children younger than 5 years in Africa: a pooled time-series analysis. Lancet Planet Health 2024; 8:e640-e646. [PMID: 39128471 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(24)00160-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reducing child mortality is a Sustainable Development Goal, and climate change constitutes numerous challenges for Africa. Previous research has shown an association between leading causes of child mortality and climate change. However, few studies have examined these effects in detail. We aimed to explore the effects of ambient heat on neonate, post-neonate, and child mortality rates. METHODS For this pooled time-series analysis, health data were obtained from the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH) Health and Demographic Surveillance System. We included data from 29 settlements from 13 countries across Africa, collected via monthly surveys from Jan 1, 1993, to Dec 31, 2016. Climate data were obtained from ERA5, collected from Jan 1, 1991, to Dec 31, 2019. We pooled these data for monthly mean daily maximum wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and downscaled to geolocations. Due to data heaping, we pooled our health data on a monthly temporal scale and a spatial scale into six different climate regions (ie, Sahel [ie, Burkina Faso and northern Ghana], Guinea [ie, southern Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria], Senegal and The Gambia, eastern Africa [ie, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Uganda], South Africa, and Ethiopia). Our outcomes were neonate (ie, younger than 28 days), post-neonate (ie, aged 28 days to 1 year), and child (ie, older than 1 year and younger than 5 years) mortality. To assess the association between WBGT and monthly all-cause mortality, we used a time-series regression with a quasi-Poisson, polynomial-distributed lag model. FINDINGS Between Jan 1, 1993, and Dec 31, 2016, there were 44 909 deaths in children younger than 5 years across the 29 sites in the 13 African countries: 10 078 neonates, 14 141 post-neonates, and 20 690 children. We observed differences in the association of heat with neonate, post-neonate, and child mortality by study region. For example, for Ethiopia, the relative risk ratio of mortality at the 95th percentile compared with median heat exposure during the study period was 1·14 (95% CI 1·06-1·23) for neonates, 0·99 (0·90-1·07) for post-neonates, and 0·79 (0·73-0·87) for children. Across the whole year, there was a significant increase in the relative risk of increased mortality for children in eastern Africa (relative risk 1·27, 95% CI 1·19-1·36) and Senegal and The Gambia (1·11, 1·04-1·18). INTERPRETATION Our results show that the influence of extreme heat on mortality risk in children younger than 5 years varies by age group, region, and season. Future research should explore potentially informative ways to measure subtleties of heat stress and the factors contributing to vulnerability. FUNDING EU Horizons as part of the Heat Indicators for Global Health (HIGH) Horizons project.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Brimicombe
- Wegener Centre for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
| | - Katharina Wieser
- Wegener Centre for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Monthaler
- Wegener Centre for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Debra Jackson
- Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jeroen De Bont
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthew F Chersich
- Climate and Health Directorate and Wits Planetary Health Research Division, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ilona M Otto
- Wegener Centre for Climate and Global Change, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rotejanaprasert C, Malaphone V, Mayxay M, Chindavongsa K, Banouvong V, Khamlome B, Vilay P, Vanisavaeth V, Maude RJ. Spatiotemporal patterns and association with climate for malaria elimination in Lao PDR: a hierarchical modelling analysis with two-step Bayesian model selection. Malar J 2024; 23:231. [PMID: 39098946 PMCID: PMC11298089 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-05064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The government of Lao PDR has increased efforts to control malaria transmission in order to reach its national elimination goal by 2030. Weather can influence malaria transmission dynamics and should be considered when assessing the impact of elimination interventions but this relationship has not been well characterized in Lao PDR. This study examined the space-time association between climate variables and Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria incidence from 2010 to 2022. METHODS Spatiotemporal Bayesian modelling was used to investigate the monthly relationship, and model selection criteria were used to evaluate the performance of the models and weather variable specifications. As the malaria control and elimination situation was spatially and temporally dynamic during the study period, the association was examined annually at the provincial level. RESULTS Malaria incidence decreased from 2010 to 2022 and was concentrated in the southern regions for both P. falciparum and P. vivax. Rainfall and maximum humidity were identified as most strongly associated with malaria during the study period. Rainfall was associated with P. falciparum incidence in the north and central regions during 2010-2011, and with P. vivax incidence in the north and central regions during 2012-2015. Maximum humidity was persistently associated with P. falciparum and P. vivax incidence in the south. CONCLUSIONS Malaria remains prevalent in Lao PDR, particularly in the south, and the relationship with weather varies between regions but was strongest for rainfall and maximum humidity for both species. During peak periods with suitable weather conditions, vector control activities and raising public health awareness on the proper usage of intervention measures, such as indoor residual spraying and personal protection, should be prioritized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chawarat Rotejanaprasert
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Vilayvone Malaphone
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Institute for Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit, Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Boualam Khamlome
- Center of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Phoutnalong Vilay
- Center of Malariology, Parasitology, and Entomology, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | | | - Richard J Maude
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sisodiya SM, Gulcebi MI, Fortunato F, Mills JD, Haynes E, Bramon E, Chadwick P, Ciccarelli O, David AS, De Meyer K, Fox NC, Davan Wetton J, Koltzenburg M, Kullmann DM, Kurian MA, Manji H, Maslin MA, Matharu M, Montgomery H, Romanello M, Werring DJ, Zhang L, Friston KJ, Hanna MG. Climate change and disorders of the nervous system. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:636-648. [PMID: 38760101 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(24)00087-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change is affecting people's health, including those with neurological and psychiatric diseases. Currently, making inferences about the effect of climate change on neurological and psychiatric diseases is challenging because of an overall sparsity of data, differing study methods, paucity of detail regarding disease subtypes, little consideration of the effect of individual and population genetics, and widely differing geographical locations with the potential for regional influences. However, evidence suggests that the incidence, prevalence, and severity of many nervous system conditions (eg, stroke, neurological infections, and some mental health disorders) can be affected by climate change. The data show broad and complex adverse effects, especially of temperature extremes to which people are unaccustomed and wide diurnal temperature fluctuations. Protective measures might be possible through local forecasting. Few studies project the future effects of climate change on brain health, hindering policy developments. Robust studies on the threats from changing climate for people who have, or are at risk of developing, disorders of the nervous system are urgently needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay M Sisodiya
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, UK.
| | - Medine I Gulcebi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, UK
| | - Francesco Fortunato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, UK
| | - James D Mills
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, UK
| | - Ethan Haynes
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont-St-Peter, UK
| | - Elvira Bramon
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Chadwick
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, UK
| | - Olga Ciccarelli
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; National Institute of Health Research University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kris De Meyer
- UCL Climate Action Unit, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; Department of the UK Dementia Research Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Martin Koltzenburg
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dimitri M Kullmann
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Manju A Kurian
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Hadi Manji
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Mark A Maslin
- Department of Geography, University College London, London, UK; Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Manjit Matharu
- Headache and Facial Pain Group, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Hugh Montgomery
- Department of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marina Romanello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - David J Werring
- Stroke Research Centre, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Lisa Zhang
- Centre for Behaviour Change, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karl J Friston
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael G Hanna
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; MRC International Centre for Genomic Medicine in Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nduwayezu G, Zhao P, Kagoyire C, Eklund L, Bizimana JP, Pilesjo P, Mansourian A. Understanding the spatial non-stationarity in the relationships between malaria incidence and environmental risk factors using Geographically Weighted Random Forest: A case study in Rwanda. GEOSPATIAL HEALTH 2023; 18. [PMID: 37246535 DOI: 10.4081/gh.2023.1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
As found in the health studies literature, the levels of climate association between epidemiological diseases have been found to vary across regions. Therefore, it seems reasonable to allow for the possibility that relationships might vary spatially within regions. We implemented the geographically weighted random forest (GWRF) machine learning method to analyze ecological disease patterns caused by spatially non-stationary processes using a malaria incidence dataset for Rwanda. We first compared the geographically weighted regression (WGR), the global random forest (GRF), and the geographically weighted random forest (GWRF) to examine the spatial non-stationarity in the non-linear relationships between malaria incidence and their risk factors. We used the Gaussian areal kriging model to disaggregate the malaria incidence at the local administrative cell level to understand the relationships at a fine scale since the model goodness of fit was not satisfactory to explain malaria incidence due to the limited number of sample values. Our results show that in terms of the coefficients of determination and prediction accuracy, the geographical random forest model performs better than the GWR and the global random forest model. The coefficients of determination of the geographically weighted regression (R2), the global RF (R2), and the GWRF (R2) were 4.74, 0.76, and 0.79, respectively. The GWRF algorithm achieves the best result and reveals that risk factors (rainfall, land surface temperature, elevation, and air temperature) have a strong non-linear relationship with the spatial distribution of malaria incidence rates, which could have implications for supporting local initiatives for malaria elimination in Rwanda.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Nduwayezu
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering, University of Rwanda.
| | - Pengxiang Zhao
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund.
| | - Clarisse Kagoyire
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Centre for Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, University of Rwanda, Kigali.
| | - Lina Eklund
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund.
| | | | - Petter Pilesjo
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund.
| | - Ali Mansourian
- Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Lund University's Profile Area: Nature-based Future Solutions.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen J, Jiao Z, Liang Z, Ma J, Xu M, Biswal S, Ramanathan M, Sun S, Zhang Z. Association between temperature variability and global meningitis incidence. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 171:107649. [PMID: 36470121 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meningitis can cause devastating epidemics and is susceptible to climate change. It is unclear how temperature variability, an indicator of climate change, is associated with meningitis incidence. METHODS We used global meningitis incidence data along with meteorological and demographic data over 1990-2019 to identify the association between temperature variability and meningitis. We also employed future (2020-2100) climate data to predict meningitis incidence under different emission levels (SSPs: Shared Socioeconomic Pathways). RESULTS We found that the mean temperature variability increased by almost 3 folds in the past 30 years. The largest changes occurred in Australasia, Tropical Latin America, and Central Sub-Saharan Africa. With a logarithmic unit increase in temperature variability, the overall global meningitis risk increases by 4.8 %. Australasia, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, and High-income North America are the most at-risk regions. Higher statistical differences were identified in males, children, and the elderly population. Compared to high-emission (SSP585) scenario, we predicted a median reduction of 85.8 % in meningitis incidence globally under the low-emission (SSP126) climate change scenario by 2100. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence for temperature variability being in association with meningitis incidence, which suggests that global actions are urgently needed to address climate change and to prevent meningitis occurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Chen
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhihua Jiao
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Zhisheng Liang
- Department of Global Health, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China
| | - Junxiong Ma
- Department of Global Health, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Global Health, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China; Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Shyam Biswal
- Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, US
| | - Murugappan Ramanathan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhang
- Department of Global Health, Peking University School of Public Health, Beijing, China; Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Alexander J, Wilke ABB, Mantero A, Vasquez C, Petrie W, Kumar N, Beier JC. Using machine learning to understand microgeographic determinants of the Zika vector, Aedes aegypti. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265472. [PMID: 36584050 PMCID: PMC9803113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There are limited data on why the 2016 Zika outbreak in Miami-Dade County, Florida was confined to certain neighborhoods. In this research, Aedes aegypti, the primary vector of Zika virus, are studied to examine neighborhood-level differences in their population dynamics and underlying processes. Weekly mosquito data were acquired from the Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division from 2016 to 2020 from 172 traps deployed around Miami-Dade County. Using random forest, a machine learning method, predictive models of spatiotemporal dynamics of Ae. aegypti in response to meteorological conditions and neighborhood-specific socio-demographic and physical characteristics, such as land-use and land-cover type and income level, were created. The study area was divided into two groups: areas affected by local transmission of Zika during the 2016 outbreak and unaffected areas. Ae. aegypti populations in areas affected by Zika were more strongly influenced by 14- and 21-day lagged weather conditions. In the unaffected areas, mosquito populations were more strongly influenced by land-use and day-of-collection weather conditions. There are neighborhood-scale differences in Ae. aegypti population dynamics. These differences in turn influence vector-borne disease diffusion in a region. These results have implications for vector control experts to lead neighborhood-specific vector control strategies and for epidemiologists to guide vector-borne disease risk preparations, especially for containing the spread of vector-borne disease in response to ongoing climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jagger Alexander
- University of Miami Department of Public Health, Miami, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - André Barretto Bruno Wilke
- Laboratory for Computational Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Indiana University School of Public Health, Bloomington, IN, United States of America
| | - Alejandro Mantero
- University of Miami Department of Public Health, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Chalmers Vasquez
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - William Petrie
- Miami-Dade County Mosquito Control Division, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Naresh Kumar
- University of Miami Department of Public Health, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - John C. Beier
- University of Miami Department of Public Health, Miami, FL, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oboh MA, Oyebola KM, Ajibola O, Thomas BN. Nigeria at 62: Quagmire of malaria and the urgent need for deliberate and concerted control strategy. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.1074751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has disproportionately contributed the majority (95%) of all malaria cases and deaths for more than a decade (2010-2021) and Nigeria contributes the highest in global malaria cases and deaths in the last decade.Main bodyDespite several malaria control initiatives, why is Nigeria still the most endemic malaria country? Published reports have underlined possible reasons for the sustenance of malaria transmission. Malaria transmission pattern in the country is largely and remarkably heterogeneous, hence control measures must take this uniqueness into consideration when designing intervention strategies. Nigeria became 62 years post-independence on the 1st of October, 2022, therefore making positive impacts on all aspects of the country, especially in the health sector becomes imperative more than ever before. To achieve a pre-elimination malaria status, we propose the implementation of focused and calculated research strategies. Such strategies would be consciously geared towards understanding vectorial capacity, susceptibility to approved insecticides, identifying malaria hotspots, and deciphering the genetic structure and architecture of P. falciparum within and between groups and regions. This will provide insight into delineating the inter/intra-regional migration of parasite populations, amongst others.ConclusionWith regard to malaria elimination, Nigeria still has a long way to go. There is a need for dedicated prioritization of research efforts that would provide a basic understanding of the Plasmodium parasite in circulation. Such information will support the implementation of policies that will drive down malaria transmission in Nigeria.
Collapse
|
8
|
High-spatial resolution epidemic surveillance of bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt in Burkina Faso. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19451. [PMID: 36376459 PMCID: PMC9663584 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23279-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite improved surveillance capacities and WHO recommendations for subdistrict analysis, routine epidemic surveillance of acute bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt remains largely limited to the district level. We evaluated the appropriateness and performance of analyses at higher spatial resolution. We used suspected meningitis surveillance data at health centre (HC) resolution from Burkina Faso from 14 health districts spanning years 2004-2014 and analysed them using spatio-temporal statistics and generative models. An operational analysis compared epidemic signals at district and HC-level using weekly incidence thresholds. Eighty-four percent (N = 98/116) of epidemic clusters spanned only one HC-week. Spatial propagation of epidemic clusters was mostly limited to 10-30 km. During the 2004-2009 (with serogroup A meningitis) and 2010-2014 (after serogroup A elimination) period, using weekly HC-level incidence thresholds of 100 and 50 per 100,000 respectively, we found a gain in epidemic detection and timeliness in 9 (41% of total) and 10 (67%), respectively, district years with at least one HC signal. Individual meningitis epidemics expanded little in space, suggesting that a health centre level analysis is most appropriate for epidemic surveillance. Epidemic surveillance could gain in precision and timeliness by higher spatial resolution. The optimal threshold should be defined depending on the current background incidence of bacterial meningitis.
Collapse
|
9
|
Khan A, Feulefack J, Sergi CM. Pre-conceptional and prenatal exposure to pesticides and pediatric neuroblastoma. A meta-analysis of nine studies. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 90:103790. [PMID: 34954124 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is primarily an embryonal tumor of infancy. Recently, some toxicological agents used as pesticides have been associated with an increased incidence of this tumor. We intended to determine the potential association between prenatal exposure to pesticides and the incidence of neuroblastoma in children. Studies targeting the link between neuroblastoma and pesticides were searched in PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar from January 1, 1960, through December 2020. We performed a PRISMA-based systematic review and meta-analysis. In addition, we took into consideration the IARC evaluation on pesticides issued in recent monographs. Prenatal pesticide exposure is associated with an increased risk of neuroblastoma with an OR of 1.6 (1.1-2.3; p = 0.013), while the OR is 1.0 (0.8-1.3; p = 0.723) for pesticide exposure after birth. There is a significant association between prenatal pesticide exposure and neuroblastoma. We emphasize the IARC conclusions evaluating the carcinogenicity of diazinon, glyphosate, malathion, parathion, and tetrachlorvinphos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aiza Khan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Joseph Feulefack
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| | - Consolato M Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Stollery Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Anatomic Pathology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada; National "111" Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Khan A, Feulefack J, Sergi CM. Exposure to pesticides and pediatric Wilms’ tumor. A meta-analysis on pre-conception and pregnancy parental exposure with an IARC/WHO commentary. Hum Exp Toxicol 2022; 41:9603271221136211. [DOI: 10.1177/09603271221136211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background There are hereditary types of nephroblastoma or Wilms’ tumor associated with exposure of the germ cells of either parent to harmful environmental factors. Some studies have examined the exposure of compounds used pesticides and herbicides as a risk factor for Wilms’ tumor. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out on case-control studies to establish the potential link between exposure to these organic molecules and Wilms’ tumor occurrence in children rigorously. We examined the monographs on some organo-phosphate insecticides and herbicides issued by the International Association for the Research on Cancer (IARC) under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO). PUBMED, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar studies (1960–2021) were identified and systematically reviewed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Subgroup analyses were conducted after stratification for occupational versus residential exposure and before birth (prenatal) vs. after birth (postnatal) exposure. In addition, we revised the monographs on chemical compounds issued recently by the IARC/WHO. Results Our findings seem to consolidate that parental pesticide exposure during the preconception or pregnancy period is correlated with an increased occurrence risk for Wilms’ tumor. We confirm the validity of the WHO essays on certain organophosphate herbicides and insecticides, which support these compounds, may be highly relevant in future cancer prevention policies. Conclusion Parental exposure to pesticides, particularly in household settings, is poorly emphasized in our society. There is a strong association between these organophosphate compounds and pediatric cancer. Public health agencies may need to take stronger action than in the past.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Khan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - J Feulefack
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - CM Sergi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Anatomic Pathology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu T, Cui Y. Seasonal Variation Analysis for Weekly Cases, Deaths, and Hospitalizations of COVID-19 in the United States. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2022_750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
12
|
Feulefack J, Khan A, Forastiere F, Sergi CM. Parental Pesticide Exposure and Childhood Brain Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Confirming the IARC/WHO Monographs on Some Organophosphate Insecticides and Herbicides. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:children8121096. [PMID: 34943292 PMCID: PMC8700205 DOI: 10.3390/children8121096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background: Brain tumors are the second most common neoplasm in the pediatric age. Pesticides may play an etiologic role, but literature results are conflicting. This review provides a systematic overview, meta-analysis, and IARC/WHO consideration of data on parental exposure to pesticides and childhood brain tumors. Methods: We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar for literature (1 January 1966–31 December 2020) that assessed childhood brain tumors and parental exposure to pesticides. We undertook a meta-analysis addressing prenatal exposure, exposure after birth, occupational exposure, and residential exposure. A total of 130 case-control investigations involving 43,598 individuals (18,198 cases and 25,400 controls) were included. Results: Prenatal exposure is associated with childhood brain tumors (odds ratio, OR = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.17–1.49; I2 = 41.1%). The same occurs after birth exposure (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03–1.45, I2 = 72.3%) and residential exposure to pesticides (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11–1.54, I2 = 67.2%). Parental occupational exposure is only marginally associated with CBT (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.99–1.38, I2 = 67.0%). Conclusions: There is an association between CBT and parental pesticides exposure before childbirth, after birth, and residential exposure. It is in line with the IARC Monograph evaluating the carcinogenicity of diazinon, glyphosate, malathion, parathion, and tetrachlorvinphos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Feulefack
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China;
- Department of Lab. Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Aiza Khan
- Department of Lab. Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Francesco Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Service of Lazio, 00147 Rome, Italy;
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
- Environmental Research Group, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Consolato M. Sergi
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Key Laboratory of Fermentation Engineering (Ministry of Education), Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China;
- Department of Lab. Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
- Stollery Children’s Hospital, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
- Anatomic Pathology Division, Department of Lab. Medicine and Pathology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-737-7600 (ext. 2427); Fax: +1-613-738-4837
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
de Jesus JR, de Araújo Andrade T. Understanding the relationship between viral infections and trace elements from a metallomics perspective: implications for COVID-19. Metallomics 2020; 12:1912-1930. [PMID: 33295922 PMCID: PMC7928718 DOI: 10.1039/d0mt00220h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic situation due to a new viral infection (COVID-19) caused by a novel virus (Sars-CoV-2). COVID-19 is today the leading cause of death from viral infections in the world. It is known that many elements play important roles in viral infections, both in virus survival, and in the activation of the host's immune system, which depends on the presence of micronutrients to maintain the integrity of its functions. In this sense, the metallome can be an important object of study for understanding viral infections. Therefore, this work presents an overview of the role of trace elements in the immune system and the state of the art in metallomics, highlighting the challenges found in studies focusing on viral infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jemmyson Romário de Jesus
- University of Campinas, Institute of Chemistry, Dept of Analytical Chemistry, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | |
Collapse
|