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Zafar MR, Whitfield T, Zaidi SK, Weerakoon S, Paul J, Rautemaa-Richardson R. Histoplasma capsulatum as a cause for prolonged pulmonary illness in an immunocompetent returning traveller from Bangladesh. Med Mycol Case Rep 2024; 44:100647. [PMID: 38634015 PMCID: PMC11021948 DOI: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2024.100647] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections can be challenging to diagnose in returning travellers due to their non-specific clinical manifestations and changing epidemiology. We present a case of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in a returning traveller from Bangladesh. The patient had a progressive and prolonged respiratory illness necessitating mechanical ventilatory support. The clue to potential fungal aetiology was provided by serum fungal markers - 1-3-β-D-glucan and Aspergillus galactomannan. Diagnosis was eventually made using panfungal PCR on bronchioalveolar lavage fluid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rizwan Zafar
- North Manchester General Hospital, Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 5RB, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Whitfield
- The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Joel Paul
- The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham, OL1 2JH, United Kingdom
| | - Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
- Mycology Reference Centre Manchester and Department of Infectious Diseases, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, United Kingdom
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Maier JD, Anagnostopoulos A, Gazzotti A, Bühler S, Baroutsou V, Hatz C, Puhan MA, Fehr J, Farnham A. The Ready-To-Go Questionnaire predicts health outcomes during travel: a smartphone application-based analysis. J Travel Med 2023; 30:taad117. [PMID: 37669125 PMCID: PMC10755167 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Ready-To-Go (R2G) Questionnaire is a tool for rapid assessment of health risks for travel consultation. This study aims to assess the utility of the R2G Questionnaire in identifying high-risk travellers and predicting health events and behaviour during travel in the TOURIST2 prospective cohort. METHODS TOURIST2 data were used to calculate the R2G medical and travel risk scores and categorize each participant based on their risk. The TOURIST2 study enrolled 1000 participants from Switzerland's largest travel clinics between 2017 and 2019. Participants completed daily smartphone application surveys before, during and after travel on health events and behaviours. We used regression models to analyse incidence of overall health events and of similar health events grouped into health domains (e.g. respiratory, gastrointestinal, accident/injury). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) are displayed with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS R2G high-risk travellers experienced significantly greater incidence of health events compared to lower-risk travellers (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.22-1.33). Both the medical and travel scores showed significant positive associations with incidence of health events during travel (IRR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07-1.16; IRR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12, respectively), with significant increases in all health domains except skin disorders. Medical and travel risk scores were associated with different patterns in behaviour. Travellers with chronic health conditions accessed medical care during travel more often (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03-1.31), had greater difficulty in carrying out planned activities (IRR = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.05, -0.02), and rated their travel experience lower (IRR = -0.04, 95% CI: -0.06, -0.02). Travellers with increased travel-related risks due to planned travel itinerary had more frequent animal contact (IRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.01-1.18) and accidents/injuries (IRR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.15-1.44). CONCLUSIONS The R2G Questionnaire is a promising risk assessment tool that offers a timesaving and reliable means to identify high-risk travellers. Incorporated into travel medicine websites, it could serve as a pre-consultation triage to help travellers self-identify their risk level, direct them to the appropriate medical provider(s), and help practitioners in giving more tailored advice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian D Maier
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alexia Anagnostopoulos
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna Gazzotti
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silja Bühler
- Division of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Hygiene and Environment, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vasiliki Baroutsou
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Hatz
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Milo A Puhan
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Fehr
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Farnham
- Department of Public & Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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