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Mergenthaler C, Bhatnagar A, Dong D, Kumar V, Lakis C, Mutasa R, Dapkekar S, Sahore A, Surendran S, Fritsche G, Sachdeva KS, Dieleman M. Assessing the impact of COVID-19 management on the workload of human resources working in India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:907. [PMID: 39113002 PMCID: PMC11308665 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-11131-8] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 1993, WHO declared tuberculosis (TB) as a global health emergency considering 10 million people are battling TB, of which 30% are undiagnosed annually. In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic took an unprecedented toll on health systems in every country. Public health staff already engaged in TB control and numerous other departments were additionally tasked with managing COVID-19, stretching human resource (HR) capacity beyond its limits. As part of an assessment of HR involved in TB control in India, The World Bank Group and partners conducted an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on TB human resources for health (HRH) workloads, with the objective of describing the extent to which TB-related activities could be fulfilled and hypothesizing on future HR requirements to meet those needs. METHODS The study team conducted a Workload Indicators and Staffing Needs (WISN) analysis according to standard WHO methodology to classify the workloads of priority cadres directly or indirectly involved in TB control activities as over-, adequately or under-worked, in 18 districts across seven states in India. Data collection was done via telephone interviews, and questions were added regarding the proportion of time dedicated to COVID-19 related tasks. We carried out quantitative analysis to describe the time allocated to COVID-19 which otherwise would have been spent on TB activities. We also conducted key informant interviews (KII) with key TB program staff about HRH planning and task-shifting from TB to COVID-19. RESULTS Workload data were collected from 377 respondents working in or together with India's Central TB Division (CTD). 73% of all respondents (n = 270) reported carrying out COVID-19 tasks. The average time spent on COVID-19 tasks was 4 h / day (n = 72 respondents). Multiple cadres highly instrumental in TB screening and diagnosis, in particular community outreach (ASHA) workers and CBNAAT/TrueNAAT laboratory technicians working at peripheral, block and district levels, were overworked, and spending more than 50% of their time on COVID-19 tasks, reducing time for TB case-finding. Qualitative interviews with laboratory technicians revealed that PCR machines previously used for TB testing were repurposed for COVID-19 testing. CONCLUSIONS The devastating impact of COVID-19 on HR capacity to conduct TB case-finding in India, as in other settings, cannot be overstated. Our findings provide clear evidence that NTEP human resources did not have time or essential material resources to carry out TB tasks during the COVID pandemic without doing substantial overtime and/or compromising on TB service delivery. To minimize disruptions to routine health services such as TB amidst future emerging infectious diseases, we would do well, during periods of relative calm and stability, to strategically map out how HRH lab staff, public health resources, such as India's Health and Wellness Centers and public health cadre, and public-private sector collaboration can most optimally absorb shocks to the health system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Di Dong
- The World Bank Group, Washington D.C, USA
| | | | - Chantale Lakis
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva
- The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (South East Asia), New Delhi, India
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Marco MH, Ahmedov S, Castro KG. The global impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis: A thematic scoping review, 2020-2023. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0003043. [PMID: 38959278 PMCID: PMC11221697 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This thematic scoping review of publications sought to understand the global impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis (TB), interpret the scope of resonating themes, and offer policy recommendations to stimulate TB recovery and future pandemic preparedness. DATA SOURCES Publications were captured from three search engines, PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, and applicable websites written in English from January 1, 2020, to April 30, 2023. STUDY SELECTION Our scoping review was limited to publications detailing the impact of COVID-19 on TB. Original research, reviews, letters, and editorials describing the deleterious and harmful--yet sometimes positive--impact of COVID-19 (sole exposure) on TB (sole outcome) were included. The objective was to methodically categorize the impacts into themes through a comprehensive review of selected studies to provide significant health policy guidance. DATA EXTRACTION Two authors independently screened citations and full texts, while the third arbitrated when consensus was not met. All three performed data extraction. DATA SYNTHESIS/RESULTS Of 1,755 screened publications, 176 (10%) covering 39 countries over 41 months met the inclusion criteria. By independently using a data extraction instrument, the three authors identified ten principal themes from each publication. These themes were later finalized through a consensus decision. The themes encompassed TB's care cascade, patient-centered care, psychosocial issues, and health services: 1) case-finding and notification (n = 45; 26%); 2) diagnosis and laboratory systems (n = 19; 10.7%) 3) prevention, treatment, and care (n = 22; 12.2%); 4) telemedicine/telehealth (n = 12; 6.8%); 5) social determinants of health (n = 14; 8%); 6) airborne infection prevention and control (n = 8; 4.6%); 7) health system strengthening (n = 22; 13%); 8) mental health (n = 13; 7.4%); 9) stigma (n = 11; 6.3%); and 10) health education (n = 10; 5.7%). LIMITATIONS Heterogeneity of publications within themes. CONCLUSIONS We identified ten globally generalizable themes of COVID-19's impact on TB. The impact and lessons learned from the themed analysis propelled us to draft public health policy recommendations to direct evidence-informed guidance that strengthens comprehensive global responses, recovery for TB, and future airborne pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H. Marco
- TB Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Global Health Technical Assistance and Mission Support, Vienna, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sevim Ahmedov
- TB Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Kenneth G. Castro
- TB Division, Office of Infectious Diseases, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- Rollins School of Public Health, School of Medicine, Emory/Georgia TB Research Advancement Center, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Priyadarshi V, Tripathi S. The impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis in most populated state of India: A geospatial meta-analysis. J Family Med Prim Care 2024; 13:2576-2584. [PMID: 39071010 PMCID: PMC11272013 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1970_23] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis is one of the major burdens to developing nations. India is among the countries categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as experiencing a significant burden of TB, HIV-associated TB, and MDR/RR-TB within the context of low- and middle-income nations. Globally South East Asian and African region alone accounted for 82% of death (HIV negative), where India accounts for 36% of TB fatalities. Materials and Methods The data was extracted from NIKSHAY web portal on TB notification cases in UP, India. The random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled proportion of TB cases in public and private notified during both the periods. Spatial analysis was used to display the spread of TB cases across the state, during both the periods. Results A total 75 districts data on TB notified cases were available for current investigation. The pooled proportion of TB cases were 0.24 (0.21, 0.27) and 0.76 (0.73, 0.79) during COVID-19 period for private and public hospitals, respectively. Similarly, the pooled proportion of TB cases were 0.26 (0.23, 0.29) and 0.74 (0.71, 0.77) post-COVID-19 for private and public hospitals, respectively. Conclusion The proportion of TB cases were more in public hospital as compared to private hospitals during COVID-19 period. Similarly, result was obtained in post-COVID-19 period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Priyadarshi
- Department of Geography, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Community Medicine (Biostatistics), University College of Medical Sciecnes, Delhi, India
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Bohmwald K, Diethelm-Varela B, Rodríguez-Guilarte L, Rivera T, Riedel CA, González PA, Kalergis AM. Pathophysiological, immunological, and inflammatory features of long COVID. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1341600. [PMID: 38482000 PMCID: PMC10932978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1341600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause severe global disruption, resulting in significant excess mortality, overwhelming healthcare systems, and imposing substantial social and economic burdens on nations. While most of the attention and therapeutic efforts have concentrated on the acute phase of the disease, a notable proportion of survivors experience persistent symptoms post-infection clearance. This diverse set of symptoms, loosely categorized as long COVID, presents a potential additional public health crisis. It is estimated that 1 in 5 COVID-19 survivors exhibit clinical manifestations consistent with long COVID. Despite this prevalence, the mechanisms and pathophysiology of long COVID remain poorly understood. Alarmingly, evidence suggests that a significant proportion of cases within this clinical condition develop debilitating or disabling symptoms. Hence, urgent priority should be given to further studies on this condition to equip global public health systems for its management. This review provides an overview of available information on this emerging clinical condition, focusing on the affected individuals' epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, and immunological and inflammatory profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bohmwald
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Benjamín Diethelm-Varela
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Linmar Rodríguez-Guilarte
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Thomas Rivera
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudia A. Riedel
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy. Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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Sinha R, Rana RK, Kujur A, Jahnavi G, Kumar M, Venugopal V, Priya N, Kujur M, Jha RR, Barnwal R, Nishant N, Murmu N, Pathak R, T A, Prasad R, Dayal R, Modi B, Purty AJ, Bn S, Nair D, Kumar D. Trends of Private Drugs' Sales and Costs Incurred by Patients on Anti-tuberculosis Drugs in Selected Districts of Jharkhand (2022): Results From Sub-national TB-Free Certification. Cureus 2023; 15:e47296. [PMID: 38021489 PMCID: PMC10656432 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47296] [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] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The government of India is committed to eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme which provides free investigations and treatment as well as incentives for nutritional support during their treatment course. Many TB patients prefer to seek treatment from the private sector which sometimes leads to financial constraints for the patients. Our study aims to find the burden of TB patients in the private sector and the expenses borne by them for their treatment. METHODOLOGY Sales data of rifampicin-containing formulation drug consumption in the private sector of six districts of Jharkhand was collected from Clearing and Forwarding agencies. Based on the drug sales data, the total incurring costs of the drugs, total number of patients, and cost per patient seeking treatment from the private sector were calculated for the year 2015-2021. ANOVA and the post hoc test (Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD)) were applied for analysis. RESULTS There was a marked difference amongst all the districts in relation to all the variables namely total costs, cost per patient, and total private patients seeking treatment from the private sector which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). East Singhbhum had the highest out-of-pocket expense and private patients as compared to all six districts. Lohardaga showed the sharpest decline in total private patients from 2015 to 2021. The average cost borne by private patients in 2015 was INR 1821 (95% CI 1086 - 2556) which decreased to INR 1033 (95% CI 507 - 1559) in 2021. CONCLUSION From the study, it was concluded that the purchase of medicines for TB treatment from the private sector is one of the essential elements in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) borne by TB patients. Hence, newer initiatives should be explored to foresee the future OOPE borne by the patients and decrease OOPE-induced poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratnesh Sinha
- Department of Community Medicine, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Jamshedpur, IND
| | - Rishabh K Rana
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine/Community Medicine, Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (Erstwhile Patliputra Medical College), Dhanbad, IND
| | - Anit Kujur
- Department of Community Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - G Jahnavi
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Deoghar, IND
| | - Mithilesh Kumar
- Department of Community Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Vinayagamoorthy Venugopal
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Deoghar, Deoghar, IND
| | - Neha Priya
- Department of Community Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Manisha Kujur
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
| | - Ravi Ranjan Jha
- Department of Community Medicine, Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (Erstwhile Patliputra Medical College), Dhanbad, IND
| | - Rajan Barnwal
- Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital, Jamshedpur, IND
| | - Nikhil Nishant
- Department of Community Medicine, Medinirai Medical College, Palamu, IND
| | - Nisha Murmu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar, IND
| | - Rajeev Pathak
- NTEP Technical Support Network, World Health Organization, Ranchi, IND
| | - Anupama T
- NTEP Technical Support Network, World Health Organization, Ranchi, IND
| | - Ranjit Prasad
- State TB Cell, Health Services, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi, IND
| | - Rakesh Dayal
- State TB Cell, Health Services, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi, IND
| | - Bhavesh Modi
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rajkot, Rajkot, IND
| | - Anil J Purty
- Department of Community Medicine, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry, IND
| | - Sharath Bn
- Department of Community Medicine, Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science & Research (PGIMSR), Bengaluru, IND
| | - Dina Nair
- Department of Clinical Research, Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT), Chennai, IND
| | - Dewesh Kumar
- Department of Community Medicine/Preventive and Social Medicine, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, IND
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Ledesma JR, Basting A, Chu HT, Ma J, Zhang M, Vongpradith A, Novotney A, Dalos J, Zheng P, Murray CJL, Kyu HH. Global-, Regional-, and National-Level Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Diagnoses, 2020-2021. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2191. [PMID: 37764035 PMCID: PMC10536333 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092191] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluating cross-country variability on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis (TB) may provide urgent inputs to control programs as countries recover from the pandemic. We compared expected TB notifications, modeled using trends in annual TB notifications from 2013-2019, with observed TB notifications to compute the observed to expected (OE) ratios for 170 countries. We applied the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method to identify the covariates, out of 27 pandemic- and tuberculosis-relevant variables, that had the strongest explanatory power for log OE ratios. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a 1.55 million (95% CI: 1.26-1.85, 21.0% [17.5-24.6%]) decrease in TB diagnoses in 2020 and a 1.28 million (0.90-1.76, 16.6% [12.1-21.2%]) decrease in 2021 at a global level. India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China contributed the most to the global declines for both years, while sub-Saharan Africa achieved pre-pandemic levels by 2021 (OE ratio = 1.02 [0.99-1.05]). Age-stratified analyses revealed that the ≥ 65-year-old age group experienced greater relative declines in TB diagnoses compared with the under 65-year-old age group in 2020 (RR = 0.88 [0.81-0.96]) and 2021 (RR = 0.88 [0.79-0.98]) globally. Covariates found to be associated with all-age OE ratios in 2020 were age-standardized smoking prevalence in 2019 (β = 0.973 [0.957-990]), school closures (β = 0.988 [0.977-0.998]), stay-at-home orders (β = 0.993 [0.985-1.00]), SARS-CoV-2 infection rate (β = 0.991 [0.987-0.996]), and proportion of population ≥65 years (β = 0.971 [0.944-0.999]). Further research is needed to clarify the extent to which the observed declines in TB diagnoses were attributable to disruptions in health services, decreases in TB transmission, and COVID-19 mortality among TB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge R. Ledesma
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 S Main St, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Ann Basting
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
| | - Huong T. Chu
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jianing Ma
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, 1800 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Meixin Zhang
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
| | - Avina Vongpradith
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
| | - Amanda Novotney
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
| | - Jeremy Dalos
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
| | - Peng Zheng
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Christopher J. L. Murray
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Hmwe H. Kyu
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; (J.R.L.); (A.B.); (H.T.C.); (M.Z.); (A.V.); (A.N.); (J.D.); (P.Z.); (C.J.L.M.)
- Department of Health Metrics Sciences, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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Sharma H, Ilyas A, Chowdhury A, Poddar NK, Chaudhary AA, Shilbayeh SAR, Ibrahim AA, Khan S. Does COVID-19 lockdowns have impacted on global dengue burden? A special focus to India. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1402. [PMID: 35869470 PMCID: PMC9304795 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13720-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The world has been battling several vector-borne diseases since time immemorial. Socio-economic marginality, precipitation variations and human behavioral attributes play a major role in the proliferation of these diseases. Lockdown and social distancing have affected social behavioral aspects of human life and somehow impact on the spread of vector borne diseases. This article sheds light into the relationship between COVID-19 lockdown and global dengue burden with special focus on India. It also focuses on the interconnection of the COVID-19 pandemic (waves 1 and 2) and the alteration of human behavioral patterns in dengue cases. Methods We performed a systematic search using various resources from different platforms and websites, such as Medline; Pubmed; PAHO; WHO; CDC; ECDC; Epidemiology Unit Ministry of Health (Sri Lanka Government); NASA; NVBDCP from 2015 until 2021. We have included many factors, such as different geographical conditions (tropical climate, semitropic and arid conditions); GDP rate (developed nations, developing nations, and underdeveloped nations). We also categorized our data in order to conform to COVID-19 duration from 2019 to 2021. Data was extracted for the complete duration of 10 years (2012 to 2021) from various countries with different geographical region (arid region, semitropic/semiarid region and tropical region). Results There was a noticeable reduction in dengue cases in underdeveloped (70–85%), developing (50–90%), and developed nations (75%) in the years 2019 and 2021. The dengue cases drastically reduced by 55–65% with the advent of COVID-19 s wave in the year 2021 across the globe. Conclusions At present, we can conclude that COVID-19 and dengue show an inverse relationship. These preliminary, data-based observations should guide clinical practice until more data are made public and basis for further medical research. • COVID-19 has increased the burden on the health care system across the globe. • COVID-19 has inverse relation with the occurrence of Dengue cases. • Dengue situation is worse in countries with low GDP. • Human behavior and social distancing have direct correlation with the number of Dengue cases. • Cross-reactivity or overlap between Dengue and COVID-19, has proportional effect on each other.
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Wu Z, Chen Z, Long S, Wu A, Wang H. Incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis under the regular COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control in China. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:641. [PMID: 35871653 PMCID: PMC9308895 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07620-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has driven public health intervention strategies, including keeping social distance, wearing masks in crowded places, and having good health habits, to prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, it is unknown whether the use of these intervention strategies influences morbidity in other human infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Methods In this study, three prediction models were constructed to compare variations in PTB incidences after January 2020 without or with intervention includes strict and regular interventions, when the COVID-19 outbreak began in China. The non-interventional model was developed with an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model that was trained with the monthly incidence of PTB in China from January 2005 to December 2019. The interventional model was established using an ARIMA model with a continuing intervention function that was trained with the monthly PTB incidence in China from January 2020 to December 2020. Results Starting with the assumption that no COVID-19 outbreak had occurred in China, PTB incidence was predicted, and then the actual incidence was compared with the predicted incidence. A remarkable overall decline in PTB incidence from January 2020 to December 2020 was observed, which was likely due to the potential influence of intervention policies for COVID-19. If the same intervention strategy is applied for the next 2 years, the monthly PTB incidence would reduce on average by about 1.03 per 100,000 people each month compared with the incidence predicted by the non-interventional model. The annual incidence estimated 59.15 under regular intervention per 100,000 in 2021, and the value would decline to 50.65 with strict interventions. Conclusions Our models quantified the potential knock-on effect on PTB incidence of the intervention strategy used to control the transmission of COVID-19 in China. Combined with the feasibility of the strategies, these results suggested that continuous regular interventions would play important roles in the future prevention and control of PTB. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07620-y.
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Mertaniasih NM, Soedarsono S, Pakasi TT, Nuha Z, Ato M. Proposed Algorithm for Integrated Management of TB-SARS-CoV-2 Co-Infection in a TB-Endemic Country. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:367. [PMID: 36355911 PMCID: PMC9694243 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 have become significant health problems globally, especially in countries with high prevalence. Therefore, this research aims to examine all possibilities and predict the impact of TB-SARS-CoV-2 co-infection to anticipate the cascade effect of both diseases in all sectors. The conceptual strategy of the algorithm in TB-COVID-19 is needed to create an integrated management system. It includes the stages of early detection with accurate and effective methods, as well as the synchronization of TB-COVID-19 health services, starting from primary health facilities to secondary and tertiary referral centers. The algorithm in TB-COVID-19 is crucial to prepare future strategies for PTB co-infection viral respiratory infections other than SARS-CoV-2, ILI, ARI, and SARI. Since the implementation involves all health services, there is a need to integrate the governance of TB-COVID-19 and other comorbidities in good health services based on research and multicentre design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ni Made Mertaniasih
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60131, Indonesia
- Sub-Pulmonology Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Surabaya 57600, Indonesia
| | - Soedarsono Soedarsono
- Sub-Pulmonology Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hang Tuah University, Surabaya 57600, Indonesia
- Tuberculosis Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Tiffany Tiara Pakasi
- National TB Program, Directorate of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health Indonesia, Jakarta 10710, Indonesia
| | - Zakiyathun Nuha
- Tuberculosis Laboratory, Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60115, Indonesia
| | - Manabu Ato
- Department of Mycobacteriology, Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 162-0052, Japan
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Masina HV, Lin IF, Chien LY. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Case Notification and Treatment Outcomes in Eswatini. Int J Public Health 2022; 67:1605225. [PMID: 36387290 PMCID: PMC9643149 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We investigated the impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis (TB) case notification and treatment outcomes in Eswatini. Methods: A comparative retrospective cohort study was conducted using TB data from eight facilities. An interrupted time series analysis, using segmented Poisson regression was done to assess the impact of COVID-19 on TB case notification comparing period before (December 2018-February 2020, n = 1,560) and during the pandemic (March 2020–May 2021, n = 840). Case notification was defined as number of TB cases registered in the TB treatment register. Treatment outcomes was result assigned to patients at the end of treatment according to WHO rules. Results: There was a significant decrease in TB case notification (IRR 0.71, 95% CI: 0.60–0.83) and a significant increase in death rate among registrants during the pandemic (21.3%) compared to pre-pandemic (10.8%, p < 0.01). Logistic regression indicated higher odds of unfavorable outcomes (death, lost-to-follow-up, and not evaluated) during the pandemic than pre-pandemic (aOR 2.91, 95% CI: 2.17–3.89). Conclusion: COVID-19 negatively impacted TB services in Eswatini. Eswatini should invest in strategies to safe-guard the health system against similar pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I-Feng Lin
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Yin Chien
- Institute of Community Health Care, College of Nursing, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Li-Yin Chien,
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Shah T, Shah Z, Yasmeen N, Baloch Z, Xia X. Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Coinfection. Front Immunol 2022; 13:909011. [PMID: 35784278 PMCID: PMC9246416 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.909011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is an infectious disease that poses severe threats to global public health and significant economic losses. The COVID-19 global burden is rapidly increasing, with over 246.53 million COVID-19 cases and 49.97 million deaths reported in the WHO 2021 report. People with compromised immunity, such as tuberculosis (TB) patients, are highly exposed to severe COVID-19. Both COVID-19 and TB diseases spread primarily through respiratory droplets from an infected person to a healthy person, which may cause pneumonia and cytokine storms, leading to severe respiratory disorders. The COVID-19-TB coinfection could be fatal, exacerbating the current COVID-19 pandemic apart from cellular immune deficiency, coagulation activation, myocardial infarction, and other organ dysfunction. This study aimed to assess the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2-Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfections. We provide a brief overview of COVID19-TB coinfection and discuss SARS-CoV-2 host cellular receptors and pathogenesis. In addition, we discuss M. tuberculosis host cellular receptors and pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlight the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on TB patients and the pathological pathways that connect SARS-CoV-2 and M. tuberculosis infection. Further, we discuss the impact of BCG vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 cases coinfected with M. tuberculosis, as well as the diagnostic challenges associated with the coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taif Shah
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zahir Shah
- College of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Nafeesa Yasmeen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zulqarnain Baloch
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xueshan Xia
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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12
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Jamwal A, Mohanty A, Swami A, Turbadkar D. Impact of COVID-19 on tuberculosis services: an experience from a tertiary care hospital. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35737515 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction. India is home to the most significant number of tuberculosis (TB) cases around the globe. The COVID-19 crisis has massively affected TB healthcare services in the country.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Are we sufficiently equipped to fight against TB during emergencies?Aim. Our study aims to provide a true insight into the disruption of TB care during the pandemic period at a tertiary care hospital in India.Methods. A retrospective observational cohort analysis was conducted on 6491 patients who accessed the TB diagnostics at the tertiary care hospital during the study period, i.e. the COVID-19 pandemic period (March 2020 to March 2021) compared with 14 665 in the control period (March 2019 to Feb 2020).Results. Out of the total tested, 3136 patients were notified as new TB cases in the study period than 4370 in the control period (P-value=0.0000001), i.e. 28.23 % decline in notifications. A drastic decline of 69 % in notifications was observed during the lock down months in the pandemic period, i.e. March to June 2020 (P-value=0.00001). A reduction of 44 % in treatment accession by 3690 TB patients in the control period compared with 2062 in the study period (P-value=0.0000001) was noted. Lost to follow-up patients increased by 65 % from 460 in the control period to 760 in the study period (P-value=0.0000001). Also, an increased death rate by 43 % from control to study period (P-value=0.0000001) was reported.Conclusion. There is an urgent need to maintain the continuity of essential TB services to reduce the rising burden in vulnerable populations. The need of the hour is to undertake novel strategies for tuberculosis control to combat such emergencies in the coming future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashima Jamwal
- Department of Microbiology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ankita Mohanty
- Department of Microbiology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Anjali Swami
- Department of Microbiology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dilip Turbadkar
- Department of Microbiology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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HIV epidemic amidst COVID-19 pandemic in India: a conundrum for the country's healthcare system. Epidemiol Infect 2022; 150:e112. [PMID: 35615920 PMCID: PMC9203355 DOI: 10.1017/s095026882200098x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
India has the third-largest burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the world. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has only exposed the cracks in the Indian healthcare infrastructure concerning HIV. The prevalence of HIV in India is more among the destitute or sections of society shrouded by years of social stigma such as prostitutes, truck drivers, transsexuals and intravenous drug users. National AIDS Control Organisation and The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) organisation have many several efforts over the years to set up counselling and testing centres all over the country and spread awareness about HIV among the masses. COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of progress made by the same. HIV patients are biologically more susceptible to COVID-19, and the lockdown has led to the loss of jobs, economic crises, shortage of drugs and necessities such as food and housing among this vulnerable population, which can result in lowered CD4-T cell counts in the coming months and make way for dangerous opportunistic infection outbreaks in this population increasing the overall HIV burden of India. This article explores how COVID-19 has impacted India's already existing HIV epidemic and tries to put forth recommendations based on the evidence found to be better prepared in treating the HIV-positive population in India in the face of another catastrophe like the COVID-19.
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Tuberculosis amidst COVID-19 in Pakistan: a massive threat of overlapping crises for the fragile healthcare systems. Epidemiol Infect 2022; 150:e41. [PMID: 35190004 PMCID: PMC8886085 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268822000358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the cause of tuberculosis (TB), a granulomatous illness that mostly affects the lungs. Pakistan is one of the eight nations that accounts for two-thirds of all new cases of developing TB. TB has long been an endemic disease in Pakistan. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, the nation has over 500 000 incident TB infections per year, with a rising number of drug-resistant cases. Recently, the coexistence of COVID-19 and TB in Pakistan has provided doctors with a problem. Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing are all signs of COVID-19. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, cough might persist for weeks or months and it is frequently accompanied by persistent tiredness, cognitive impairment, dyspnoea or pain – a group of long-term consequences known as post-COVID syndrome or protracted COVID. Coughing with mucus or blood, and coughing that continues over 2 months are indications of TB. The same clinical presentation features make it difficult for healthcare personnel to effectively evaluate the illness and prevent the spread of these fatal diseases. Pakistan lacks the necessary healthcare resources to tackle two contagious diseases at the same time. To counteract the sudden increase in TB cases, appropriate management and effective policies must be implemented. Thus, in order to prevent the spread of these infectious diseases, it is critical to recognise and address the problems that the healthcare sector faces, as well as to create an atmosphere in which the healthcare sector can function at its full potential.
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Lal PM, Arif A, Mohan A, Rackimuthu S, Hasan MM, Islam Z, Uday U, Wara UU, Shaikh MTA, Essar MY. COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA): An added potential burden on India's pre-existing fungal superinfection. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 13:100960. [PMID: 35005301 PMCID: PMC8723756 DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing pandemic that initiated in Wuhan, China, has been an international public health emergency since January 2020. India has been battling a brutal COVID-19's second wave since April 2021. The healthcare system was struggling with a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases when the lack of necessary resources further aroused a major setback. Opportunistic fungal infections, specifically mucormycosis and candidiasis have become a pressing matter of concern. Recent cases of aspergillosis have also heightened public alarm. Hence, call for an immediate response to this public health crisis is the need of the hour by establishing countrywide surveillance, diagnostic, and management system, as well as public awareness to alleviate the burden of COVID-19 and fungal infections in India.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aabiya Arif
- Ziauddin Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Anmol Mohan
- Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, Bangladesh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Red-Green Research Centre, BICCB, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zarmina Islam
- Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Utkarsha Uday
- West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Um-Ul- Wara
- Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
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Tuberculosis in the middle of COVID-19 in Morocco: efforts, challenges and recommendations. Trop Med Health 2021; 49:98. [PMID: 34930506 PMCID: PMC8685801 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-021-00388-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is a deadly infectious disease that kills approximately 1.5 million people per year and is among the most frequent respiratory infections in developing countries. Morocco has made significant progress in the control and management of TB during the past 30 years thanks to its National Plan for Tuberculosis and the continuous support of national and international partners. While tremendous efforts were undertaken to tilt the balance against the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges resurfaced with regard to long-standing health problems amongst which is TB. The spill-over effect of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health service delivery globally, threatening to reverse years of progress made on the TB control front. In Morocco, this crisis highlighted deep shortcomings within the national health system and in the adopted approach to TB control. This article discusses national efforts to get back on track with regard to TB management, the multitude of challenges that co-emerged with the onset of COVID-19 and lays down key recommendations to implement in order to build back a TB control plan that is resilient in the face of health hazards.
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