Modeling Clostridium difficile in a hospital setting: control and admissions of colonized and symptomatic patients

Identifying the panorama of potential pandemic pathogens and their key characteristics: a systematic scoping review

The globe has recently seen several terrifying pandemics and outbreaks, underlining the ongoing danger presented by infectious microorganisms. This literature review aims to explore the wide range of infections that have the potential to lead to pandemics in the present and the future and pave the way to the conception of epidemic early warning systems. A systematic review was carried out to identify and compile data on infectious agents known to cause pandemics and those that pose future concerns. One hundred and fifteen articles were included in the review. They provided insights on 25 pathogens that could start or contribute to creating pandemic situations. Diagnostic procedures, clinical symptoms, and infection transmission routes were analyzed for each of these pathogens. Each infectious agent's potential is discussed, shedding light on the crucial aspects that render them potential threats to the future. This literature review provides insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers in their quest to identify potential pandemic pathogens, and in their efforts to enhance pandemic preparedness through building early warning systems for continuous epidemiological monitoring.

A review of epidemiological models of Clostridioides difficile transmission and control (2009-2021)

Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of infectious diarrhea and one of the most common healthcare-acquired infections worldwide. We performed a systematic search and a bibliometric analysis of mathematical and computational models for Clostridioides difficile transmission. We identified 33 publications from 2009 to 2021. Models have underscored the importance of asymptomatic colonized patients in maintaining transmission in health-care settings. Infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, active testing, and vaccination have often been evaluated in models. Despite active testing and vaccination being not currently implemented, they are the most commonly evaluated interventions. Some aspects of C. difficile transmission, such community transmission and interventions in health-care settings other than in acute-care hospitals, remained less evaluated through modeling.