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Helou M, Mouawad Y, El Ters F, Husni R. Measles Outbreak in Lebanon: July 2023. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2024; 18:e49. [PMID: 38525826 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2024.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
After the beginning of the Syrian crisis, increased rates of infectious diseases were reported. Lebanon, a neighboring country with a major socioeconomic crisis, witnessed a measles outbreak since July 2023, with 519 reported suspected cases. Half of the cases were under 5 y of age, most of them were unvaccinated. The mass displacement of refugees from conflict areas in Syria to Lebanon and the low vaccination coverage have made the situation more challenging. Further efforts are required in Lebanon to address identified gaps to prevent or at least better control future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Helou
- Division of Emergency, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University, School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Yara Mouawad
- Division of Emergency, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University, School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Fadi El Ters
- Division of Emergency, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University, School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rola Husni
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Lebanese American University, School of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
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Rathinam AJ, Santhaseelan H, Dahms HU, Dinakaran VT, Murugaiah SG. Bioprospecting of unexplored halophilic actinobacteria against human infectious pathogens. 3 Biotech 2023; 13:398. [PMID: 37974926 PMCID: PMC10645811 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-023-03812-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human pathogenic diseases received much attention recently due to their uncontrolled spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) which causes several threads every year. Effective alternate antimicrobials are urgently required to combat those disease causing infectious microbes. Halophilic actinobacteria revealed huge potentials and unexplored cultivable/non-cultivable actinobacterial species producing enormous antimicrobials have been proved in several genomics approaches. Potential gene clusters, PKS and NRPKS from Nocardia, Salinospora, Rhodococcus, and Streptomyces have wide range coding genes of secondary metabolites. Biosynthetic pathways identification via various approaches like genome mining, In silico, OSMAC (one strain many compound) analysis provides better identification of knowing the active metabolites using several databases like AMP, APD and CRAMPR, etc. Genome constellations of actinobacteria particularly the prediction of BGCs (Biosynthetic Gene Clusters) to mine the bioactive molecules such as pigments, biosurfactants and few enzymes have been reported for antimicrobial activity. Saltpan, saltlake, lagoon and haloalkali environment exploring potential actinobacterial strains Micromonospora, Kocuria, Pseudonocardia, and Nocardiopsis revealed several acids and ester derivatives with antimicrobial potential. Marine sediments and marine macro organisms have been found as significant population holders of potential actinobacterial strains. Deadly infectious diseases (IDs) including tuberculosis, ventilator-associated pneumonia and Candidiasis, have been targeted by halo-actinobacterial metabolites with promising results. Methicillin resistant Staphylococus aureus and virus like Encephalitic alphaviruses were potentially targeted by halophilic actinobacterial metabolites by the compound Homoseongomycin from sponge associated antinobacterium. In this review, we discuss the potential antimicrobial properties of various biomolecules extracted from the unexplored halophilic actinobacterial strains specifically against human infectious pathogens along with prospective genomic constellations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur James Rathinam
- Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620 024 India
| | - Henciya Santhaseelan
- Department of Marine Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, 620 024 India
| | - Hans-Uwe Dahms
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 80708 Taiwan
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Ching C, Zaman MH. Infectious disease burden among forcibly displaced populations: considerations for effective research. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:435-436. [PMID: 37218440 PMCID: PMC10262769 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2217401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carly Ching
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Muhammad H Zaman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Center on Forced Displacement, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Malaeb D, Sallam M, Younes S, Mourad N, Sarray El Dine A, Obeid S, Hallit S, Hallit R. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in a Sample of the Lebanese Population Regarding Cholera. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192316243. [PMID: 36498316 PMCID: PMC9735709 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of knowledge, attitude, and practices towards an emerging disease is an essential component of public health preventive measures during an outbreak. In October 2022, an outbreak of cholera was reported in Lebanon, which is the first to be reported in the Middle Eastern country for 30 years. This study aimed to explore the level of knowledge as well as attitude and practice of the general public in Lebanon towards cholera. A self-administered structured questionnaire was distributed via an online link to individuals living in Lebanon during October-November 2022. The survey instrument comprised items to assess the sociodemographic data; questions on knowledge about cholera symptoms, transmission, and prevention; as well as attitude and practice questions. Our study involved 553 participants, with a median age of 24 years and a majority of females (72.5%). The results showed that the majority of respondents correctly identified diarrhea as a symptom of cholera and recognized the spread via contaminated water and food. Having a university level education compared with secondary school or less (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.09), being married compared with single (aOR = 1.67), and working in the medical field compared with unemployed (aOR = 4.19) were significantly associated with higher odds of having good cholera knowledge. Having good knowledge compared with having a poor level of cholera knowledge (aOR = 1.83) and older age (aOR = 1.03) were significantly associated with higher odds of having a good attitude towards cholera. The current study showed an overall high knowledge score on cholera among the Lebanese population. Nevertheless, gaps in cholera knowledge were identified and should be addressed, particularly among workers in the medical field. Thus, we recommend targeted health education to the general population that aims to strengthen the health resilience in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Malaeb
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Gulf Medical University, Ajman P.O. Box 4184, United Arab Emirates
- School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Malik Sallam
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Clinical Laboratories and Forensic Medicine, Jordan University Hospital, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Department of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22184 Malmö, Sweden
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.H.); Tel.: +962-79-184-5186 (M.S.)
| | - Samar Younes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
| | - Nisreen Mourad
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Department, School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Bekaa, Lebanon
| | - Abir Sarray El Dine
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese International University, Beirut P.O. Box 146404, Lebanon
| | - Sahar Obeid
- Department of Social and Education Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
| | - Souheil Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Research Department, Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon
- Applied Science Research Center, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931, Jordan
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (S.H.); Tel.: +962-79-184-5186 (M.S.)
| | - Rabih Hallit
- School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, Jounieh P.O. Box 446, Lebanon
- Department of Infectious Disease, Bellevue Medical Center, Mansourieh, Lebanon
- Department of Infectious Disease, Notre Dame des Secours, University Hospital Center, Byblos, Lebanon
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