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Bulled N, Singer M. Conceptualizing COVID-19 syndemics: A scoping review. JOURNAL OF MULTIMORBIDITY AND COMORBIDITY 2024; 14:26335565241249835. [PMID: 38682155 PMCID: PMC11055430 DOI: 10.1177/26335565241249835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Background COVID-19's heavy toll on human health, and its concentration within specific at-risk groups including the socially vulnerable and individuals with comorbidities, has made it the focus of much syndemic discourse. Syndemic theory recognizes that social factors create the conditions that support the clustering of diseases and that these diseases interact in a manner that worsens health outcomes. Syndemics theory has helped to facilitate systems-level approaches to disease as a biosocial phenomenon and guide prevention and treatment efforts. Despite its recognized value, reviews of syndemics literature have noted frequent misuse of the concept limiting its potential in guiding appropriate interventions. Objective To review how the term 'syndemic' is defined and applied within peer-reviewed literature in relation to COVID-19. Design A scoping review of definitions within COVID-19 literature published between January 1, 2020 to May 15, 2023 was conducted. Searches took place across six databases: Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, JSTOR, MEDLINE/Pubmed, PsycINFO and Scopus. PRISMA-ScR guidelines were followed. Results Content analysis revealed that COVID-19 has varied clustered configurations of communicable-non-communicable diseases and novel communicable disease interactions. Spatial analysis was presented as a new strategy to evidence syndemic arrangements. However, syndemics continue to be regarded as universal, with continued misunderstanding and misapplication of the concept. Conclusion This review found that current applications of syndemics remain problematic. Recommendations are made on the design of syndemic studies. A syndemic framework offers an opportunity for systems-level thinking that considers the full complexity of human-disease interactions and is useful to inform future pandemic preparations and responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Merrill Singer
- Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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2
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Segala FV, Patti G, Olal L, De Vita E, Olung N, Papagni R, Amone J, Totaro V, Onapa E, Novara R, Ngole B, L'Episcopia M, Okori S, Dall'Oglio G, Ictho J, Severini C, Putoto G, Lochoro P, Di Gennaro F, Saracino A. COVID Perceptions among Pregnant Women Living in a Malaria Hyperendemic Rural Region in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2023; 109:1363-1367. [PMID: 37931305 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0464] [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: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Both SARS-CoV2 and Plasmodium falciparum infection during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including abortion, severe disease, and death. Indeed, although malaria and COVID-19 show an overlapping clinical presentation, they require a profoundly different approach. The aim of this study was to explore COVID-19 awareness among pregnant women living in a P. falciparum hyperendemic region in rural Uganda. This cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in one Hospital and two Health Centers (HC) in Lango region, Uganda, from July 14, 2022, to March 14, 2023. Data about demographics, COVID-19 history, and COVID-19 and malaria perceptions were collected using RedCap mobile app platform. Study endpoint was a context-specific COVID-19 awareness score, accounting for the most common disease misconceptions. Association between study variables and good COVID-19 awareness was assessed by χ2 and t test, as appropriate, and variables found to be statistically significant were further explored in multivariate logistic regression analysis. A total of 888 pregnant women were recruited. Median age was 24 (interquartile range: 20-29) years, whereas 79% (n = 704) attained only primary education and 66.6% (n = 591) were used in agriculture. SARS-CoV2 vaccination rate was 92%. In multivariate analysis (Table 3), variables associated with high COVID knowledge were presenting at antenatal care visit in Atipe HC (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.1, 95% CI: 4.1-16.48) having a previous good knowledge about malaria (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.21-2.56). Among pregnant women living in rural Uganda, COVID-19 awareness relies on the overall educational level, malaria knowledge and reference HC. Among pregnant women living in P. falciparum endemic areas, community-level malaria awareness might guide educational interventions during future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Vladimiro Segala
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Patti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elda De Vita
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Papagni
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - James Amone
- St. John's XXIII Hospital Aber, Jaber, Uganda
| | - Valentina Totaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Novara
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlo Severini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Putoto
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Saracino
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
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3
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Mboni HM, Tshikongo AK, Chirubagula VB, Shakalenga CM, Kanyegere AM, Rugema BB, Mushobekwa SS, Akiba DB, Rusati NM. [Evaluation of self-medication practices and their characteristics among Uvira in Democratic Republic of Congo students]. Pan Afr Med J 2023; 45:53. [PMID: 37637404 PMCID: PMC10460111 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.45.53.39690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction self-medication poses a threat to public health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate self-medication practices among Uvira students in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study based on an indirect interview of 700 students, using a self-administered survey questionnaire. Data were processed using XLSTAT. Results according to the survey conducted on these 700 students, the prevalence of self-medication was 99.3% (n=695), of which 42.3% (n=294) started during adolescence. Of the total respondents, 57.4% (n=399) said they resorted to self-medication every time they fell ill and were short of money (n=471, 67.7%) for a consultation. The most commonly cited pathology encountered during this practice was malaria (n=212, 30.5%). Of all drugs used, paracetamol was in the first place (n=106, 15.3%) while the tablet was the form most used by these students (n=598, 86%). In terms of the drug combination, Fansidar-Coartem (n=106, 17.2%) was the most common; the dosage was age-dependent in 65.6% (n=456) of cases. This study also showed that 37.4% (n=695) of the students interviewed used phytotherapy, mainly to treat malaria (n=124, 47.3%). Conclusion among Uvira students, self-medication is extremely used, especially against malaria. Efforts must be made by healthcare personnel in collaboration with policymakers to raise awareness about the rational use of medications, in order to better control and potentially eradicate this practice that is harmful to health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry Manya Mboni
- Département de Pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo
- Filière des Techniques Pharmaceutiques, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Arsène Kabamba Tshikongo
- Département de Biologie Clinique, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique Congo
| | - Valentin Bashige Chirubagula
- Département de Pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Cedrick Mutombo Shakalenga
- Département de Pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Arsène Mutula Kanyegere
- Filière des Techniques Pharmaceutiques, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Bontemps Byakujoga Rugema
- Filière des Sciences Infirmières, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Saili Stay Mushobekwa
- Filière des Sciences Infirmières, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Derrick Bushobole Akiba
- Filière de Santé Publique, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
| | - Nicolas Mihuhi Rusati
- Filière de Santé Publique, Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales d´Uvira, Uvira, République Démocratique du Congo
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Ibrahim OR, Alao MA, Suleiman BM, Mokuolu OA. Outcomes of childhood severe malaria: a comparative of study pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:177. [PMID: 37061668 PMCID: PMC10105138 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-03985-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The collateral damages from measures adopted to mitigate the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been projected to negatively impact malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. Herein, we compare the prevalence and outcomes of childhood severe malaria during the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria. METHODS This was a retrospective review of cases of severe malaria admitted from 1st January to 31st December 2019 (pre-COVID-19 period) and 1st January to 31st December 2020 (COVID-19 period). We extracted relevant information, including demographics, the duration of symptoms before presentation, forms of severe malaria, and outcomes of hospitalization (discharged or death). RESULTS In the pre-COVID-19 period, there were a total of 2312 admissions to the EPU and 1685 in the COVID-19 period, representing a decline of 27%. In contrast, there were 263 and 292 severe malaria admissions in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods, respectively, representing an 11% increase in the absolute number of cases. The prevalence rates were 11.4% in the pre-COVID-19 period and 17.3% in the COVID-19 period, representing an increase of 52% in the percentage differences. The mortality rate in the COVID-19 period was higher than the pre-COVID-19 period ([10.3%; 30/292 vs. 2.3%; 6/263], p 0.001). The death rate increased by 350% during the COVID-19 period. The odds ratio (OR) of a child dying from severe malaria in the COVID-19 era was 4.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.008 to 11.982]. In the COVID-19 era, presentation at a health facility was also delayed (p = 0.029), as were the odds of multiple features of severe malaria manifestations (OR-1.9, 95% CI, 1.107 to 3.269; p = 0.020). CONCLUSION This study shows that the prevalence of severe childhood malaria increased by as much as 11.0%, with a disproportionate increase in mortality compared to the pre-pandemic level. Most children with severe malaria presented late with multiple features of severe malaria, probably contributing to the poor hospitalization outcomes (death) observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayinka Rasheed Ibrahim
- Department of Pediatrics, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, & University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Michael Abel Alao
- Department of Pediatrics, University College Hospital, & University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria
| | | | - Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokuolu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, & University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
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Co-infection of COVID-19 and parasitic diseases: A systematic review. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2023; 21:e00299. [PMID: 37091061 PMCID: PMC10062795 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00299] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-infection of COVID-19 with other diseases increases the challenges related to its treatment management. COVID-19 co-infection with parasites is studied with low frequency. Here, we systematically reviewed the cases of parasitic disease co-infection with COVID-19. All articles on COVID-19 co-infected with parasites (protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites), were screened through defined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of 2190 records, 35 studies remained for data extraction. The majority of studies were about COVID-19 co-infected with malaria, followed by strongyloidiasis, amoebiasis, chagas, filariasis, giardiasis, leishmaniasis, lophomoniasis, myiasis, and toxoplasmosis. No or low manifestation differences were reported between the co-infected cases and naïve COVID-19 or naïve parasitic disease. Although there was a relatively low number of reports on parasitic diseases-COVID-19 co-infection, COVID-19 and some parasitic diseases have overlapping symptoms and also COVID-19 conditions and treatment regimens may cause some parasites re-emergence, relapse, or re-activation. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the on-time diagnosis of COVID-19 and the co-infected parasites.
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SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, stillbirth, and maternal COVID-19 vaccination: clinical-pathologic correlations. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:261-269. [PMID: 36243041 PMCID: PMC9554221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Stillbirth is a recognized complication of COVID-19 in pregnant women that has recently been demonstrated to be caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta. Multiple global studies have found that the placental pathology present in cases of stillbirth consists of a combination of concurrent destructive findings that include increased fibrin deposition that typically reaches the level of massive perivillous fibrin deposition, chronic histiocytic intervillositis, and trophoblast necrosis. These 3 pathologic lesions, collectively termed SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, can cause severe and diffuse placental parenchymal destruction that can affect >75% of the placenta, effectively rendering it incapable of performing its function of oxygenating the fetus and leading to stillbirth and neonatal death via malperfusion and placental insufficiency. Placental infection and destruction can occur in the absence of demonstrable fetal infection. Development of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is a complex process that may have both an infectious and immunologic basis. An important observation is that in all reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 placentitis causing stillbirth and neonatal death, the mothers were unvaccinated. SARS-CoV-2 placentitis is likely the result of an episode of SARS-CoV-2 viremia at some time during the pregnancy. This article discusses clinical and pathologic aspects of the relationship between maternal COVID-19 vaccination, SARS-CoV-2 placentitis, and perinatal death.
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7
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Ayandipo EO, Babatunde D, Afolayan O, Kalejaye O, Obembe T. Assessing the knowledge and practices of primary healthcare workers on malaria diagnosis and related challenges in view of COVID-19 outbreak in a Nigerian Southwestern metropolis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0000625. [PMID: 36962957 PMCID: PMC10021342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The clinical features of COVID-19 and malaria are interrelated. Due to the similarity of symptoms between the two disease states, patients can be incorrectly diagnosed with the other ailment in areas with limited health resources. There is a dearth of knowledge of co-infection between COVID-19 and malaria from healthcare providers' perspective. Hence, this study assessed the ability of primary healthcare workers to diagnose malaria infection correctly from COVID-19 infection. A multistage sampling technique was used to select health care workers who were directly involved in malaria case management at 261 government-owned primary health facilities in Oyo State. Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, knowledge and practices, COVID-19 differential diagnosis and challenges that healthcare workers face regarding malaria diagnosis were obtained using a standardized electronic structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analysis were conducted on data collected and significant results were interpreted at a 5% level of significance. A good percentage of the respondents (81.6%, 74.3%) had good knowledge about malaria and COVID-19. However, the knowledge gained did not translate to practice, as majority (86.2%) of respondents had poor malaria diagnosis practices. Practices relating to COVID-19 differential diagnosis in 69.7% of respondents were also poor. Most of the respondents attributed poor practices to the unavailability of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT), inadequate training and continuous capacity improvement. Only 12.3% of the respondents have not had any form of training on malaria diagnosis and treatment in the last five years. Harmonization of regular trainings and continuous on-the job capacity building is essential to improve case identification, diagnosis and management of both ailments. Also, uninterrupted supplies of essential commodities such as mRDT in laboratories will reduce missed opportunities for malaria diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Taiwo Obembe
- Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, United States of America
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8
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Munsense IM, Tsoka-Gwegweni JM. Perceived Health System Challenges of Implementing Cross-Border Malaria Preventive Measures at Ports of Entry in KwaZulu-Natal. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:29. [PMID: 37124936 PMCID: PMC10144057 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cross-border movements, especially from a malaria-endemic neighbour, contribute to importation of malaria, as they provide favourable conditions for malaria transmission in the receiving country. In the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa (SA), the uMkhanyakude district is one of the endemic malaria areas where the borders are characterised by frequent cross-border movements of travellers coming into the province, mostly from Mozambique. Many studies have suggested that regional efforts through the implementation of cross-border measures are needed in both the high- and low-endemic countries to effectively address imported malaria. The implementation of cross-border measures to prevent imported malaria has led to a significant decline in malaria cases in KZN and SA; however, those measures are subjected to various challenges. Objective This study sought to determine the health system challenges of implementing cross-border preventive measures for imported malaria at the Kosi Bay, Kwaphuza and Golela ports of entry in KZN. Methods This inquiry consisted of a mixed methods approach, of which the qualitative component is reported here. In-depth interviews were conducted with four purposively selected health officers working at the legal and illegal ports of entry of the KZN province. Data were coded manually and then analysed using thematic data and descriptive analyses. Results This study identified operational and prevention challenges. The related operational challenges included travellers' non-disclosure and refusal, uncontrolled cross-border movements and poor coverage as well as shortage of staff. The prevention challenges included lack of novelty in the existing cross-border preventive measures, insecurity and illegal migration. Concerning travellers' non-disclosure and refusal to cooperate, these issues occur at the legal ports of entry of Kosi Bay and Golela, where travellers were less cooperative in disclosing their health-related information to health border officers. They were more eager to cross and attend to their business. The findings revealed a lack of new ideas in the existing cross-border measures for the prevention of imported malaria, which some scientists considered as the reason for the failure of the elimination efforts in SA. Because of the porous borders and the shortage of staff to cover all the uncontrolled entries, travellers constantly crossed without any hindrances. Porous borders exposed the people living at the border areas and travellers to insecurity, promoted criminal activities and encouraged illegal migration. Conclusion Cross-border malaria preventive measures are meant to contribute to decreased travel-related disease. Failure to attain this purpose must be carefully examined and mitigation strategies implemented. The study revealed the challenges of implementing cross-border measures at the KZN ports of entry of Kosi Bay, Kwaphuza and Golela. The challenges occurred at the operational and prevention levels, which, if not effectively addressed, could impede the decrease of imported malaria in the malaria-endemic district of KZN and SA in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida M. Munsense
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing & Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Rayella C, Devanandan P, Rasuri K, Yerravelly SS, Andem S, Puvvada RC. Clinical characteristics of malaria in COVID-19: A systematic review of case reports. Trop Parasitol 2023; 13:22-27. [PMID: 37415760 PMCID: PMC10321589 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_26_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 is a viral infection that was first discovered in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019. Effects of COVID-19 infection could drastically influence other concomitant diseases like Malaria. Malaria and COVID-19 may mimic each other and share look-alike symptoms. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the clinical and biochemical characteristics of malaria and COVID-19 synergism that was based on the published case reports. Subjects and Methods An extensive literature search was carried out between May 2020 and February 2022 in PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE. Our study was devised according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Results We have evaluated 16 case reports and one case series of coinfection of malaria with COVID-19. It has been observed that all the patients showed lymphopenia, fever, headache (52%), vomiting (47%), cough (38%), chills (38%), body ache (38%), myalgia (28%), and sweating (14%). Despite unprecedented times, whenever there is a suspicion, we recommend that medical practitioners should be alert to presenting plethora features of COVID-19 and confirm with polymerase chain reaction test. Conclusion We conclude that screening for COVID-19 should also be performed to mitigate missed diagnoses due to the long incubation period of novel coronavirus. Especially in vulnerable population, we should suspect other concurrent diseases and diagnoses in patients presenting with the symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandana Rayella
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
| | - Praveen Devanandan
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
| | - Kavitha Rasuri
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
| | - Sai Sudha Yerravelly
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
| | - Sanjana Andem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
| | - Ranadheer Chowdary Puvvada
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, St. Peter’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hanamkonda, Telangana, India
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Missaghi B, Malik MW, Shaukat W, Ranjha MA, Ikram A, Barkema HW. Associations of the COVID-19 pandemic with the reported incidence of important endemic infectious disease agents and syndromes in Pakistan. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:887. [DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07869-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Persons in Pakistan have suffered from various infectious diseases over the years, each impacted by various factors including climate change, seasonality, geopolitics, and resource availability. The COVID-19 pandemic is another complicating factor, with changes in the reported incidence of endemic infectious diseases and related syndromes under surveillance.
Methods
We assessed the monthly incidence of eight important infectious diseases/syndromes: acute upper respiratory infection (AURI), viral hepatitis, malaria, pneumonia, diarrhea, typhoid fever, measles, and neonatal tetanus (NNT), before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Administrative health data of monthly reported cases of these diseases/syndromes from all five provinces/regions of Pakistan for a 3-year interval (March 2018–February 2021) were analyzed using an interrupted time series approach. Reported monthly incidence for each infectious disease agent or syndrome and COVID-19 were subjected to time series visualization. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between each infectious disease/syndrome and COVID-19 was calculated and median case numbers of each disease before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Subsequently, a generalized linear negative binomial regression model was developed to determine the association between reported cases of each disease and COVID-19.
Results
In late February 2020, concurrent with the start of COVID-19, in all provinces, there were decreases in the reported incidence of the following diseases: AURI, pneumonia, hepatitis, diarrhea, typhoid, and measles. In contrast, the incidence of COVID was negatively associated with the reported incidence of NNT only in Punjab and Sindh, but not in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, or Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) & Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Similarly, COVID-19 was associated with a lowered incidence of malaria in Punjab, Sindh, and AJK & GB, but not in KPK and Balochistan.
Conclusions
COVID-19 was associated with a decreased reported incidence of most infectious diseases/syndromes studied in most provinces of Pakistan. However, exceptions included NNT in KPK, Balochistan and AJK & GB, and malaria in KPK and Balochistan. This general trend was attributed to a combination of resource diversion, misdiagnosis, misclassification, misinformation, and seasonal patterns of each disease.
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Chang T, Jung BK, Chai JY, Cho SI. The notable global heterogeneity in the distribution of COVID-19 cases and the association with pre-existing parasitic diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010826. [PMID: 36215332 PMCID: PMC9584393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010826] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that has caused extensive ravages worldwide since being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unlike initially predicted by WHO, the incidence and severity of COVID-19 appeared milder in many Low-to-Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). To explain this noticeable disparity between countries, many hypotheses, including socio-demographic and geographic factors, have been put forward. This study aimed to estimate the possible association of parasitic diseases with COVID-19 as either protective agents or potential risk factors. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A country-level ecological study using publicly available data of countries was conducted. We conceptualized the true number of COVID-19 infections based on a function of test positivity rate (TPR) and employed linear regression analysis to assess the association between the outcome and parasitic diseases. We considered demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic confounders previously suggested. A notable heterogeneity was observed across WHO regions. The countries in Africa (AFRO) showed the lowest rates of COVID-19 incidence, and the countries in the Americas (AMRO) presented the highest. The multivariable model results were computed using 165 countries, excluding missing values. In the models analyzed, lower COVID-19 incidence rates were consistently observed in malaria-endemic countries, even accounting for potential confounding variables, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, the population aged 65 and above, and differences in the duration of COVID-19. However, the other parasitic diseases were not significantly associated with the spread of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study suggests that malaria prevalence is an essential factor that explains variability in the observed incidence of COVID-19 cases at the national level. Potential associations of COVID-19 with schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are worthy of further investigation but appeared unlikely, based on this analysis, to be critical factors of the variability in COVID-19 epidemic trends. The quality of publicly accessible data and its ecological design constrained our research, with fundamental disparities in monitoring and testing capabilities between countries. Research at the subnational or individual level should be conducted to explore hypotheses further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehee Chang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Yil Chai
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-il Cho
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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12
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Interventions for Improving Long COVID-19 Symptomatology: A Systematic Review. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091863. [PMID: 36146672 PMCID: PMC9502379 DOI: 10.3390/v14091863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Although the understanding of several aspects of long COVID-19 syndrome is increasing, there is limited literature regarding the treatment of these signs and symptoms. The aim of our systematic review was to understand which therapies have proved effective against the symptoms of long COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search for randomized controlled or clinical trials in several databases was conducted through 15 May 2022. Specific inclusion criteria included: (1) intervention studies, either randomized controlled (RCTs) or clinical trials; (2) diagnosis of long COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization criteria; (3) presence of long COVID-19 for at least 12 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: We initially found 1638 articles to screen. After removing 1602 works based on their title/abstract, we considered 35 full texts, and among them, two intervention studies were finally included. The first RCT focused on the greater improvement of treatment combining olfactory rehabilitation with oral supplementation with Palmitoylethanolamide and Luteolin in patients with olfactory dysfunction after COVID-19. The second study evaluated the positive impact of aromatherapy vs. standard care in adult females affected by fatigue. Conclusion: Our systematic review found only two intervention studies focused on patients affected by long COVID-19. More intervention studies are needed to investigate potentially positive interventions for long COVID-19 symptoms.
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13
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Konozy EHE, Osman MEFM, Ghartey-Kwansah G, Abushama HM. The striking mimics between COVID-19 and malaria: A review. Front Immunol 2022; 13:957913. [PMID: 36081516 PMCID: PMC9445119 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.957913] [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: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives COVID-19 is a transmissible illness triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since its onset in late 2019 in Wuhan city of China, it continues to spread universally, leading to an ongoing pandemic that shattered all efforts to restrain it. On the other hand, in Africa, the COVID-19 infection may be influenced by malaria coinfection. Hence, in this review article, we aimed to give a comprehensive account of the similarities between COVID-19 and malaria in terms of symptoms, clinical, immunological, and molecular perspectives. Methodology In this article, we reviewed over 50 research papers to highlight the multilayered similarities between COVID-19 and malaria infections that might influence the ontology of COVID-19. Results Despite the poor health and fragile medical system of many sub-Saharan African countries, they persisted with a statistically significantly low number of COVID-19 cases. This was attributed to many factors such as the young population age, the warm weather, the lack of proper diagnosis, previous infection with malaria, the use of antimalarial drugs, etc. Additionally, population genetics appears to play a significant role in shaping the COVID-19 dynamics. This is evident as recent genomic screening analyses of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and malaria-associated-variants identified 6 candidate genes that might play a role in malaria and COVID-19 incidence and severity. Moreover, the clinical and pathological resemblances between the two diseases have made considerable confusion in the diagnosis and thereafter curb the disease in Africa. Therefore, possible similarities between the diseases in regards to the clinical, pathological, immunological, and genetical ascription were discussed. Conclusion Understanding the dynamics of COVID-19 infection in Sub-Saharan Africa and how it is shaped by another endemic disease like malaria can provide insights into how to tailor a successful diagnostic, intervention, and control plans that lower both disease morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - George Ghartey-Kwansah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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14
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Rashidzadeh H, Tabatabaei Rezaei SJ, Danafar H, Ramazani A. Multifunctional pH-responsive nanogel for malaria and cancer treatment: Hitting two targets with one arrow. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.103740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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15
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Scalisi M, Giordano S, Canduscio LA, Failla MC, Messina L, Sferrazza E, Rubino R, Siracusa L, Vanella V, Cascio A, Colomba C. MIS-C and co-infection with P. vivax and P. falciparum in a child: a clinical conundrum. Ital J Pediatr 2022; 48:130. [PMID: 35897103 PMCID: PMC9327400 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-022-01311-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic represents an unprecedented global health challenge. Many COVID-19 symptoms are similar to symptoms that can occur in other infections. Malaria should always be considered in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection returning from endemic areas. Case presentation We present the first case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and Plasmodium vivax-falciparum and SARS-CoV2 coinfection in children. Despite clearance of parassitaemia and a negative COVID-19 nasopharyngeal PCR, the patient’s clinical conditions worsened. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used to make the diagnosis of MIS-C. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and methylprednisolone was effective. Conclusions This case emphasizes the importance of considering malaria diagnosis in patients returning from endemic areas, even in the COVID 19 era. Malaria and SARS-CoV2 co-infection may increase the risk of MIS-C, for which early detection is critical for proper management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Scalisi
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giordano
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Maria Concetta Failla
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luca Messina
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Elisa Sferrazza
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Raffaella Rubino
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lucia Siracusa
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Veronica Vanella
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Cascio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Colomba
- Division of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, "G. Di Cristina" Hospital, ARNAS Civico, Palermo, Italy. .,Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
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16
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Boonyarangka P, Phontham K, Sriwichai S, Poramathikul K, Harncharoenkul K, Kuntawunginn W, Maneesrikhum N, Srisawath S, Seenuan C, Thanyakait C, Inkabajan K, Pludpiem S, Pidtana K, Demons S, Vesely B, Wojnarski M, Griesenbeck JS, Spring M. Co-Infection with Plasmodium vivax and COVID-19 in Thailand. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7080145. [PMID: 35893653 PMCID: PMC9332623 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080145] [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] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
With the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, healthcare systems not only had to address the pressing clinical needs of the COVID-19 pandemic but anticipate the effect on and of other conditions and diseases. This was of particular concern in areas of the world endemic with malaria, a disease which takes hundreds of thousands of lives each year. This case report from Thailand describes a 25-year-old man diagnosed with Plasmodium vivax, who was then found to be co-infected with COVID-19. Both conditions can have overlapping acute febrile illness symptoms which may delay or complicate diagnoses. He had no prior history of malaria and had received two vaccinations against COVID-19. His clinical course was mild with no pulmonary complications or oxygen requirement, and he responded well to treatments for both conditions. Three months after cure, he again contracted COVID-19 but did not experience any P. vivax relapse. Review of the available literature produced less than 10 publications describing co-infections with P. vivax and COVID-19; nonetheless, in endemic areas, vigilance for both diseases should continue, as co-infections could significantly alter the course of clinical management and prognosis as well as affect the healthcare staff caring for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parat Boonyarangka
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Kittijarankon Phontham
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Sabaithip Sriwichai
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Kamonporn Poramathikul
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Krit Harncharoenkul
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Worachet Kuntawunginn
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Napat Maneesrikhum
- Suan Phueng Hospital, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.S.); (C.S.); (C.T.); (K.I.)
| | - Sarayouth Srisawath
- Suan Phueng Hospital, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.S.); (C.S.); (C.T.); (K.I.)
| | - Chanida Seenuan
- Suan Phueng Hospital, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.S.); (C.S.); (C.T.); (K.I.)
| | - Chattakorn Thanyakait
- Suan Phueng Hospital, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.S.); (C.S.); (C.T.); (K.I.)
| | - Kanjana Inkabajan
- Suan Phueng Hospital, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand; (N.M.); (S.S.); (C.S.); (C.T.); (K.I.)
| | - Suda Pludpiem
- Division of Health Promotion and Prevention, Suan Phueng District Health Office, Ratchaburi 70180, Thailand;
| | - Kingkan Pidtana
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Samandra Demons
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Brian Vesely
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Mariusz Wojnarski
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - John S. Griesenbeck
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
| | - Michele Spring
- Department of Bacterial and Parasitic Diseases, US Army Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand; (P.B.); (K.P.); (S.S.); (K.P.); (K.H.); (W.K.); (K.P.); (S.D.); (B.V.); (M.W.); (J.S.G.)
- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
- Correspondence:
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17
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Gounassegarane D, Gunalan A, Jamir I, Sharmila FM, Barathidasan R, Raj RV, Dhodapkar R. Potential impact of SARS COV-2 infection on the performance of serological assays used to diagnose arboviral diseases. J Immunol Methods 2022; 508:113312. [PMID: 35798263 PMCID: PMC9251896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2022.113312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 was first described in December 2019, in China. In addition, there has also been an increase in arboviral infections in recent years. As both infections have similar symptoms, misdiagnosis may occur if both outbreaks occur at the same time. Objective Our objective was to assess the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on diagnostic assays used for arboviral diseases. Materials and methods We conducted this study by testing samples obtained during the precovid phase (before November 2019) and during the covid period (after February 2020). Samples were further grouped as those with acute febrile illness (AFI) and those without. All samples were tested for anti SARS-CoV-2 Ab, Chikungunya and Dengue specific IgM antibodies to evaluate potential serological cross-reactions between COVID-19 and Arbovirus specific antibodies. Results One sample from the 62 cases of AFI during the pre-covid phase showed seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Also, in asymptomatic individuals, arboviral seropositivity was significantly higher in the COVID period samples (22%) compared to pre-COVID samples (3%). Conclusion Due to similar clinical symptoms and cross reactions in both infections, relying solely on serological testing for arboviral diagnosis may be less sensitive; other clinical and laboratory parameters may be required.
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18
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Agha ADA, Elaiw AM. Global dynamics of SARS-CoV-2/malaria model with antibody immune response. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2022; 19:8380-8410. [PMID: 35801470 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2022390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. In this paper, we explore a within-host model of SARS-CoV-2/malaria coinfection. This model consists of seven ordinary differential equations that study the interactions between uninfected red blood cells, infected red blood cells, free merozoites, uninfected epithelial cells, infected epithelial cells, free SARS-CoV-2 particles, and antibodies. We show that the model has bounded and nonnegative solutions. We compute all steady state points and derive their existence conditions. We use appropriate Lyapunov functions to confirm the global stability of all steady states. We enhance the reliability of the theoretical results by performing numerical simulations. The steady states reflect the monoinfection and coinfection with malaria and SARS-CoV-2. The shared immune response reduces the concentrations of malaria merozoites and SARS-CoV-2 particles in coinfected patients. This response reduces the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Al Agha
- Department of Mathematical Science, College of Engineering, University of Business and Technology, Jeddah 21361, Saudi Arabia
| | - A M Elaiw
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt
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19
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Ahmed KAHM, Hasabo EA, Haroun MS, Eljack MMF, Salih EH, Altayeb YFO, Nour AB, Abdallah AM, Osman WAM, Yousif MYE. Clinical Characteristics, Complications and Predictors of Outcome of Hospitalized Adult Sudanese Patients with COVID-19 and Malaria Co-Infection in Sudan: A Multi-Center Retrospective Cross-sectional Study. J Med Virol 2022; 94:3685-3697. [PMID: 35415939 PMCID: PMC9088527 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Malaria and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) share several characteristics that could lead to cross‐infection, particularly in malaria‐endemic areas. Early COVID‐19 symptoms might be misdiagnosed for malaria in clinical settings. Also, both diseases can cause fatal complications. So, laboratory testing for both diseases was recommended by the World Health Organization. To study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Adult Sudanese patients with COVID‐19 and malaria coinfection. This retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to October 2021 in Wad Medani. Total coverage of all Sudanese patients above 18 years old with a confirmed diagnosis of coinfection with COVID‐19 and malaria was included, and data were collected using a data collection sheet. Data were analyzed using R software version 4.0.2. Data were described and presented as mean, standard deviation, and number (percentage). To find associated factors with in‐hospital outcome, χ2 test, fisher exact test, and independent t test or Wilcoxon rank‐sum test were used. In this study, 156 participants were diagnosed with COVID‐19 and malaria coinfection. Most of them were between 60 and 70 years (30.8%), the majority were males (59%). Shortness of breath (76.3%) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (35.3%) were the most common symptom and complications among coinfected patients, respectively. Ground glass opacity (n = 47/49, 95.9%) is the most common result for computed tomography scan. Atrial fibrillation was the most common abnormal electrocardiogram finding (n = 6/62, 9.7%). Overall mortality among all participants was (63/156, 40.4%). High mortality rate was found among the coinfected patients. More attention is needed towards fighting COVID‐19 and malaria coinfection. There may be a link between malaria and COVID‐19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alshareef B Nour
- Wad Medani College of Medical Science and Technology, Medani, Sudan
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20
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Di Gennaro F, Petrosillo N. New endemic and pandemic pathologies with interhuman airborne transmission through ear, nose and throat anatomical sites. ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA : ORGANO UFFICIALE DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI OTORINOLARINGOLOGIA E CHIRURGIA CERVICO-FACCIALE 2022; 42:S5-S13. [PMID: 35763270 PMCID: PMC9137375 DOI: 10.14639/0392-100x-suppl.1-42-2022-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has once again stigmatised the importance of airborne pathogens and their clinical, social and public health impact. Respiratory viruses are transmitted between individuals when the pathogen is released from the upper airways or from the lower respiratory tract of an infected individual. Airborne transmission is defined as the inhalation of the infectious aerosol, named droplet nuclei which size is smaller than 5 mm and that can be inhaled at a distance up to 2 metres. This route of transmission is relevant for viral respiratory pathogens, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, influenza virus, human rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory virus families that differ in viral and genomic structures, susceptibility of a population to the infection, severity, transmissibility, ways of transmission and seasonal recurrence. Human respiratory viruses generally infect cells of the upper respiratory tract, eliciting respiratory signs and symptoms, sometimes without the possibility to differentiate them clinically. As seen by the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, human respiratory viruses can substantially contribute to increased morbidity and mortality, economic losses and, eventually, social disruption. In this article, we describe the structural, clinical and transmission aspects of the main respiratory viruses responsible for endemic, epidemic and pandemic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicola Petrosillo
- Infection Control & Infectious Disease Service, University Hospital Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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21
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Prabhu SR, Ware AP, Saadi AV, Brand A, Ghosh SK, Kamath A, Satyamoorthy K. Malaria Epidemiology and COVID-19 Pandemic: Are They Interrelated? OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2022; 26:179-188. [PMID: 35404686 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2021.0227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease, impacting multiple organs in the human body. But COVID-19 also impacts other diseases of relevance to public and planetary health. To understand and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need an intersectional conceptual lens and systems thinking. For example, the strain on health care systems due to COVID-19 has adversely impacted global malaria elimination programs. With many epidemiological, clinical, and biological parallels documented, we examined in this study the scenario of malaria and COVID-19 syndemic in India. The disruptive influence of COVID-19 on the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), impact of unintended chemoprophylaxis, population genetic influences, and the shifting patterns of epidemiology are compared. Importantly, a time series analysis forecasted the burden of malaria increasing in the upcoming years. Although reported malaria cases showed a decline in 2020 compared to the previous years, an increase in cases was documented in 2021, with nine states reporting an increase up to July 2021. Pandemics often cause crosscutting disruptions in health care. Reshaping the priorities of the malaria elimination program and a diligent implementation of the priorities in the NFME would, therefore, be well-advised: (1) vector control, (2) antimalarial therapy recommendations, (3) monitoring drug resistance, (4) prevention of the spread of asymptomatic disease-causing low-density transmission, and (5) large-scale testing measures. In conclusion, the findings from the present study inform future comparative studies in other world regions to better understand the broader, systemic, temporal, and spatial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on existing and future diseases across public health systems and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya R Prabhu
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Akshay P Ware
- Department of Bioinformatics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Abdul Vahab Saadi
- Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Angela Brand
- United Nations University-Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (UNU-MERIT), Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health Genomics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Department of International Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Susanta K Ghosh
- ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Asha Kamath
- Department of Data Science, Prasanna School of Public Health, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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22
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Ariyanachi K, Lakshmi JT, Shireen NS, Vidya MS, Supriya G, Saranya M, Sagar ST, Chenna K. Vector-Borne Diseases amidst COVID-19 Pandemic in India - A Mini-Review. MAEDICA 2022; 17:201-204. [PMID: 35733749 PMCID: PMC9168590 DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2022.17.1.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction:Vector-borne diseases are infections caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria and transmitted by vectors, which are usually insects. A greater risk of diseases such as dengue, malaria, seasonal influenza, leptospirosis, chikungunya, enteric fever, etc co-exist in COVID-19 cases. This poses challenges in clinical and laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, which may affect clinical management and patient outcomes. Methodology: Several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, DOAJ, and EMBASE, were reviewed using the keywords vector-borne infections in India amidst COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 23 articles and WHO and National website for vector-borne diseases was found. Review:For many decades, vector-borne diseases have been a major health burden for both underdeveloped and developing countries, including India. With better preparedness, the threat of climate change on vector-borne diseases may be negated. Rains during monsoon increase not only the risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya but also that of food- and water-borne diseases as well as other skin infections. A greater risk of diseases such as dengue, malaria, seasonal influenza, leptospirosis, chikungunya, enteric fever, etc co-exists in COVID-19 cases. This poses challenges in clinical and laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19, which may affect clinical management and patient outcomes (3). Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a sudden outbreak of Zika virus infection was reported at the beginning of July 2021 in the districts of Kerala, from where it started, spreading to the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India. Conclusions:With better preparedness, the threat of climate change on vector-borne diseases may be negated. Designing and strengthening an intervention strategy for environmental sanitation, regular cleaning of living houses, and keeping personal hygiene shall be considered. Risk assessment is crucial to optimize surveillance, preventative measures (vector control), and resource allocation (medical supplies).
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ariyanachi
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, India
| | - Jyothi Tadi Lakshmi
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, India
| | - Nikhat Shalam Shireen
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, India
| | - Meena S Vidya
- Department of Anatomy, Tiruvallur Medical College, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Garapati Supriya
- Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bibinagar, India
| | - Mallamgunta Saranya
- Department of Microbiology, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - S Triveni Sagar
- Department of Medicine, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kesavulu Chenna
- Department of Medicine, ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Hyderabad, India
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Leggat PA, Frean J, Blumberg L. COVID-19: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7020016. [PMID: 35202212 PMCID: PMC8879616 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Leggat
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Vector-borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-7-4781-6108
| | - John Frean
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (J.F.); (L.B.)
| | - Lucille Blumberg
- Centre for Emerging Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa; (J.F.); (L.B.)
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Hasan A, Biswas P, Bondhon TA, Jannat K, Paul TK, Paul AK, Jahan R, Nissapatorn V, Mahboob T, Wilairatana P, Hasan MN, de Lourdes Pereira M, Wiart C, Rahmatullah M. Can Artemisia herba-alba Be Useful for Managing COVID-19 and Comorbidities? Molecules 2022; 27:492. [PMID: 35056809 PMCID: PMC8779608 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27020492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The focus of this roadmap is to evaluate the possible efficacy of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (Asteraceae) for the treatment of COVID-19 and some of its symptoms and several comorbidities using a combination of in silico (molecular docking) studies, reported ethnic uses, and pharmacological activity studies of this plant. In this exploratory study, we show that various phytochemicals from Artemisia herba-alba can be useful against COVID-19 (in silico studies) and for its associated comorbidities. COVID-19 is a new disease, so reports of any therapeutic treatments against it (traditional or conventional) are scanty. On the other hand, we demonstrate, using Artemisia herba-alba as an example, that through a proper search and identification of medicinal plant(s) and their phytochemicals identification using secondary data (published reports) on the plant's ethnic uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities against COVID-19 comorbidities and symptoms coupled with the use of primary data obtained from in silico (molecular docking and molecular dynamics) studies on the binding of the selected plant's phytochemicals (such as: rutin, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and schaftoside) with various vital components of SARS-CoV-2, it may be possible to rapidly identify plants that are suitable for further research regarding therapeutic use against COVID-19 and its associated symptoms and comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamul Hasan
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
| | - Partha Biswas
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (P.B.); (M.N.H.)
| | - Tohmina Afroze Bondhon
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
| | - Khoshnur Jannat
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
| | - Tridib K. Paul
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
| | - Alok K. Paul
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia;
| | - Rownak Jahan
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
| | - Veeranoot Nissapatorn
- School of Allied Health Sciences, World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD) and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (V.N.); (T.M.)
| | - Tooba Mahboob
- School of Allied Health Sciences, World Union for Herbal Drug Discovery (WUHeDD) and Research Excellence Center for Innovation and Health Products (RECIHP), Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand; (V.N.); (T.M.)
| | - Polrat Wilairatana
- Department of Clinical Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Md Nazmul Hasan
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore 7408, Bangladesh; (P.B.); (M.N.H.)
| | - Maria de Lourdes Pereira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials and Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Christophe Wiart
- The Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Sabah, Malaysia;
| | - Mohammed Rahmatullah
- Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; (A.H.); (T.A.B.); (K.J.); (T.K.P.); (R.J.)
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Sebastião CS, Gaston C, Paixão JP, Sacomboio ENM, Neto Z, de Vasconcelos JN, Morais J. Coinfection between SARS-CoV-2 and vector-borne diseases in Luanda, Angola. J Med Virol 2022; 94:366-371. [PMID: 34546584 PMCID: PMC8662186 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Co-epidemics happening simultaneously can generate a burden on healthcare systems. The co-occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 with vector-borne diseases (VBD), such as malaria and dengue in resource-limited settings represents an additional challenge to the healthcare systems. Herein, we assessed the coinfection rate between SARS-CoV-2 and VBD to highlight the need to carry out an accurate diagnosis and promote timely measures for these infections in Luanda, the capital city of Angola. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 105 subjects tested for the SARS-CoV-2 and VBD with a rapid detection test in April 2021. The participants tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (3.80%), malaria (13.3%), and dengue (27.6%). Low odds related to testing positivity to SARS-CoV-2 or VBD were observed in participants above or equal to 40 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.60, p = 0.536), while higher odds were observed in male (OR: 1.44, p = 0.392) and urbanized areas (OR: 3.78, p = 0.223). The overall co-infection rate between SARS-CoV-2 and VBD was 11.4%. Our findings showed a coinfection between SARS-CoV-2 with malaria and dengue, which could indicate the need to integrate the screening for VBD in the SARS-CoV-2 testing algorithm and the adjustment of treatment protocols. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the relationship between COVID-19 and VBD in Angola.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cruz S. Sebastião
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS)LuandaAngola
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola (CISA)CaxitoAngola
- Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ISCISA)Universidade Agostinho Neto (UAN)LuandaAngola
| | | | | | - Euclides N. M. Sacomboio
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS)LuandaAngola
- Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde (ISCISA)Universidade Agostinho Neto (UAN)LuandaAngola
| | - Zoraima Neto
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS)LuandaAngola
| | - Jocelyne Neto de Vasconcelos
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS)LuandaAngola
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Angola (CISA)CaxitoAngola
| | - Joana Morais
- Instituto Nacional de Investigação em Saúde (INIS)LuandaAngola
- Faculdade de MedicinaUniversidade Agostinho NetoLuandaAngola
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Basu A, Banerjee S, Samanta A, Chowdhury R, Panda S. Holistic strategies to mitigate the economic, societal, and health burden of the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. COMPUTATIONAL APPROACHES FOR NOVEL THERAPEUTIC AND DIAGNOSTIC DESIGNING TO MITIGATE SARS-COV-2 INFECTION 2022. [PMCID: PMC9300458 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91172-6.00002-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pandemics are not the unique features of modern civilization; epidemics/pandemics can be traced back to ancient civilization. History is replete with such pandemics. Coronavirus first originated in Hubei province, China, in November 2019 and then manifested in Wuhan but within a very short span of time it has spread like wildfire all over the world and its impact has been multifaceted. It is indeed an indication of the fact that we live in a truly globalized world. Due to the outbreak of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), people lost their lives but due to the consequent lockdown, people lost their livelihood, and the economy is shattered. Global GDP and trade experienced a huge contraction during the period of pandemic and the improvements to date are not worth mentioning. Actually, pandemic acts like a serial killer and its aftermath is devastating on human lives and the global economy.
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Malaria, HIV and Malnutrition among Internally Displaced People in Mozambique During COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Community-Based Intervention. Ann Glob Health 2022; 88:106. [PMID: 36561539 PMCID: PMC9733147 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.3969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The spread of COVID-19 poses an unprecedented challenge to care delivery in post-disaster and conflict situations. In Mozambique, the 2019 cyclone Idai and the violence by Non-State-Armed-Groups devastated the province of Sofala and Cabo Delgado respectively and led to the displacement of thousands of people living in poor and overcrowded conditions. The pandemic has further aggravated the situation. Doctors with Africa CUAMM (University college for aspiring missionary doctors) implemented surveillance activities in these regions between October 2020 and September 2021. The aim of this study is to give an overview of the prevalence of malaria, malnutrition, COVID-19 related symptoms and access to HIV testing. Methods Data were collected in targeted internally displaced people (IDP) sites in Sofala and Cabo Delgado province between 31st January and 25th September 2021. The tool used enabled to assess COVID-19 symptoms, risk of HIV infection, malaria cases and malnutrition in children under five. Results The project reached 93 503 people. During the study period, 13.6% people reported at least one symptom suggestive of COVID-19 infection. Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) were administered to 86% of the recruited people (n = ?), with a positive diagnosis in the 4.5% of them (n = ?). Among the recruited Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), 23.1% were considered eligible for HIV screening, but only 1.4% were referred for testing. Acute malnutrition was found in 6.3% of children screened and, among these, a higher prevalence of concurrent COVID-19 symptoms was reported. Discussion Our study highlights the importance of mass clinical screening for COVID-19 infection in this target population to enact prevention behavior, although this may not be enough, due to the pivotal role played by asymptomatic transmissions. Considering the overlap of the symptoms of COVID-19 and malaria, a combined diagnostic algorithm is urgently needed to avoid underdiagnosing malaria. Moreover, the high prevalence of respiratory symptoms in malnourished children confirmed the known correlation between malnutrition and respiratory infection. Finally, access to HIV screening needs to be implemented, given the high prevalence of people with HIV risk factors to avoid diagnostic delay. Conclusions Population-specific needs make necessary to develop new screening methods that respond to the specific characteristics of the target population.
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Vitex negundo L. Essential Oil: Odorant Binding Protein Efficiency Using Molecular Docking Approach and Studies of the Mosquito Repellent. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12121061. [PMID: 34940149 PMCID: PMC8703855 DOI: 10.3390/insects12121061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Malaria fever kills millions of people annually in the tropical and subtropical countries of Africa and Asia. Because there is no effective vaccine, malaria prevention is exclusively dependent on avoiding human-vector interaction. The interaction of Vitex negundo essential oil constituents with Anopheles gambiae Odorant Binding Proteins (OBP), as well as its compositional variation, repellent efficacy, and toxicity profile, are investigated in this work. The oils were subjected to GC-MS analysis, a mosquito behavioral test, OBP-ligand interactions, Anopheles species authentication, and toxicity profile. Docking protocol validation was achieved by redocking the co-crystallized ligands and root mean square deviation (RMSD) calculation. The oil yields and compositions are climate–soil dependent with ≈71.39% monoterpenes and ≈16.32% sesquiterpene. Optimal repellency is achieved at 15 min at ED50 0.08–0.48% v/v while the RMSD was estimated to be within 0.24–1.35 Å. Strong affinities, −6.4 to −5.4 kcal/mol, were demonstrated by α-pinene, citronellal, linalool, and myrcene for OBP1, OBP7, OBP4, and OBP. respectively. The hydrophobic interactions involve Leu17, Cys35, ALA52, Leu73, Leu76, Ala88, Met91, Lys93, Trp114, Phe123, and Leu124 receptors on α-helixes 1–7 within the binding cavities, and may block the olfactory receptors resulting in disorientation. α-pinene, linalool, and myrcene are safe and suitable for use in the development of green and innovative repellents because their ligand efficiency metrics, ADME/tox, and repellency screening are all within the threshold values. Abstract (1) Background: Malaria fever affects millions of people yearly in Africa and Asia’s tropical and subtropical areas. Because there is no effective vaccine, malaria prevention is solely dependent on avoiding human-vector interaction. (2) Aim: This study examines the interaction between the constituents of Vitex negundo essential oil and Anopheles gambiae Odorant Binding Proteins (OBP) as well as the compositional variation, repellent efficacy, and toxicity profile. (3) Methods: The oils were subjected to GC-MS and mosquito behavioral analysis. OBP–ligand interactions, Anopheles species authentication, and the toxicity profile were determined by molecular docking, PCR assay and in silico ADME/tox tool. Docking protocol validation was achieved by redocking the co-crystallized ligands into the protein binding pocket and root mean square deviation (RMSD) calculation. (4) Results: The oil yields and compositions are climate–soil dependent with ≈71.39% monoterpenes and ≈16.32% sesquiterpene. Optimal repellency is achieved at 15 min at ED50 0.08–0.48% v/v while the RMSD was estimated to be within 0.24–1.35 Å. Strong affinities were demonstrated by α-pinene (−6.4 kcal/mol), citronellal (−5.5 kcal/mol), linalool (−5.4 kcal/mol), and myrcene (−5.8 kcal/mol) for OBP1, OBP7, OBP4, and OBP; respectively. The hydrophobic interactions involve Leu17 (α-helix 1), Cys35 (α-helix 2), ALA52 (α-helix 3), Leu73, Leu76 (α-helix 4), Ala88, Met91, Lys93, Trp114 (α-helix 5), Phe123 (α-helix 6), and Leu124 (α-helix 7) receptors within the binding cavities, and may cause blocking of the olfactory receptors resulting in disorientation. (5) Conclusion: The ligand efficiency metrics, ADME/tox and repellency screening are within the threshold values; hence, α-pinene, linalool, and myrcene are safe and fit-to-use in the development of a green and novel repellent.
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Aliye M, Hong T. Role of health extension workers in the relationship between vector control interventions and malaria in Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1140. [PMID: 34749657 PMCID: PMC8573560 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06040-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite a tremendous decline in the burden of malaria through public health interventions, it is yet remains a critical parasitic health problem in Ethiopia. Insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spray are considered as the most effective preventive interventions against malaria. This study intended to determine the role of health extension workers in influencing the relationship between vector control strategies and malaria prevalence in Ethiopia. METHODS The study adopted a descriptive study based on panel data collected from 10 regions of Ethiopia from 2010 to 2018. The data collected were analyzed using STATA version 13.0. Structural equation modelling was used to assess the mediating effect of health extension workers in the relationship. Further, the random effect model was employed to investigate the direct relationship among the study variables. RESULTS We observed a strong mediating role of health extension workers to the relationship between strategic interventions and malaria prevalence, where the direct path is (β = 0.64, p < 0.05), and the indirect path (β = 0.72, p < 0.001) and (β = 0.98, p < 0.001) confirming the mediation condition to appear. Our analysis revealed that, insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spray significantly impacts the malaria prevalence (β = 0.20, p < 0.05) and (β = 0.70, p < 0.001) respectively. Further, our analysis suggests that the cumulative effect of indoor residual spray and insecticide-treated mosquito nets have helped better avert malaria prevalence (β = 81.3%, P < 0.05). Moreover, the finding demonstrates the incremental rate of 30.2%, which is the indirect effect of the research [(β = 0.813) - (β1 = 0.511)]. CONCLUSION The findings are potentially useful for the health sector in charge of infectious disease prevention and control, particularly in developing countries explaining how these group provided support to reduce malaria ensuring the provision of proper health message about the program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Aliye
- School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150001, Harbin, P.R. China
| | - Tao Hong
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China.
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Anyanwu MU. The association between malaria prevalence and COVID-19 mortality. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:975. [PMID: 34538242 PMCID: PMC8449890 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06701-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of persons infected with COVID-19 continues to increase with deaths reported daily across the globe. High income countries such as the US, the UK, Italy and Belgium have reported high COVID-19 related deaths but low-and-middle-income countries have recorded fewer deaths despite having poor healthcare system. This study aimed to investigate the association between malaria prevalence and COVID-19 mortality. METHODS An ecological study was conducted with data from 195 countries. Spearman's correlation was used to test the association between the population variables and COVID-19 mortality. Generalized linear model with Poisson distribution was used to determine the significant predictors of COVID-19 mortality. RESULTS There was a significant positive correlation between median age, life expectancy, 65+ mortality and COVID-19 mortality while malaria prevalence, sex ratio and cardiovascular mortality were negatively correlated with COVID-19 mortality. Malaria prevalence, life expectancy and mortality rate were significant on multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION The results of this study support the hypotheses that there are reduced COVID-19 deaths in malaria endemic countries, although the results need to be proved further by clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael U Anyanwu
- Department of Community Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P.O Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda.
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Mohan A, Wara UU, Amjad SW, Rackimuthu S, Hunain R, Khan H, Carla Dos Santos Costa A, Ahmad S, Essar MY. Malaria amidst COVID-19 in India: Challenges, Efforts, and Recommendations. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH 2021; 12:100867. [PMID: 34522826 PMCID: PMC8431839 DOI: 10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in India, the country has faced a slew of new challenges, spawning a slew of other deadly viruses and diseases while also serving as a breeding ground for them. Not only did Malaria (a vector-borne disease) emerge as a coincidental outbreak during the pandemic, but many others did as well, causing severe diseases in humans due to flaws in health-care systems that were already overburdened with identifying, preventing, and treating the recently introduced coronavirus disease. Inadequate water cleanliness, as well as the delayed and misdiagnosis of Malaria with COVID-19 due to overlapping symptoms, are major impediments in the incidence of these unique outbreaks. Appropriate steps, such as providing clean water and diagnostic facilities to control Malaria cases, should be adopted to prevent such epidemics in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmol Mohan
- Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Um Ul Wara
- Karachi Medical & Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - Hiba Khan
- Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Khan MAA, Faisal K, Chowdhury R, Nath R, Ghosh P, Ghosh D, Hossain F, Abd El Wahed A, Mondal D. Evaluation of molecular assays to detect Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus argentipes fed on post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:465. [PMID: 34503557 PMCID: PMC8428120 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04961-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) caused by Leishmania donovani (LD) is a skin disorder that often appears after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. PKDL patients are potential reservoirs of LD parasites, which can initiate a new epidemic of anthroponotic VL. Therefore, host infectiousness to its sand fly vector is a critical factor for transmission, and its accurate estimation can facilitate control strategies. At present, conventional microscopy serves as the reference method to detect parasites in its vector. However, low sensitivity of microscopy can be a limiting factor. METHODS In this study, real-time quantitative PCR (LD-qPCR) and recombinase polymerase amplification (LD-RPA) assays were evaluated against microscopy for the detection of LD DNA extracted from live sand flies five days after controlled feeding on PKDL cases. RESULTS The sensitivity of LD-qPCR and LD-RPA assays were found to be 96.43 and 100%, respectively, against microscopy for the selected fed sand flies (n = 28), and an absolute specificity of both molecular tools for apparently unfed sand flies (n = 30). While the proportion of infectious cases among 47 PKDL patients was estimated as 46.81% as defined by microscopic detection of LD in at least one fed sand fly per case, LD-RPA assay evaluation of only the microscopy negative sand flies fed to those 47 PKDL cases estimated an even greater proportion of infectious cases (51.06%). In overall estimation of the infectious cases in retrospective manner, discordance in positivity rate was observed (p < 0.05) between LD-RPA (59.57%) assay and microscopy (46.81%), while LD-RPA had slightly better positivity rate than LD-qPCR (55.32%) as well. CONCLUSIONS Considering the sensitivity, cost, detection time, and field applicability, RPA assay can be considered as a promising single molecular detection tool for investigations pertaining to LD infections in sand flies and/or host infectiousness in PKDL, while it can also be useful in confirmation of microscopy negative sand fly samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Anik Ashfaq Khan
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Khaledul Faisal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rajashree Chowdhury
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Rupen Nath
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Prakash Ghosh
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Debashis Ghosh
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Faria Hossain
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 43, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Dinesh Mondal
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh. .,Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research Bangladesh, 1212, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Heuschen AK, Lu G, Razum O, Abdul-Mumin A, Sankoh O, von Seidlein L, D'Alessandro U, Müller O. Public health-relevant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review. Malar J 2021; 20:339. [PMID: 34380494 PMCID: PMC8355579 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03872-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented challenges to health systems worldwide, including the control of non-COVID-19 diseases. Malaria cases and deaths may increase due to the direct and indirect effects of the pandemic in malaria-endemic countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to summarize information on public health-relevant effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria situation in SSA. METHODS Review of publications and manuscripts on preprint servers, in peer-reviewed journals and in grey literature documents from 1 December, 2019 to 9 June, 2021. A structured search was conducted on different databases using predefined eligibility criteria for the selection of articles. RESULTS A total of 51 papers have been included in the analysis. Modelling papers have predicted a significant increase in malaria cases and malaria deaths in SSA due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many papers provided potential explanations for expected COVID-19 effects on the malaria burden; these ranged from relevant diagnostical and clinical aspects to reduced access to health care services, impaired availability of curative and preventive commodities and medications, and effects on malaria prevention campaigns. Compared to previous years, fewer country reports provided data on the actual number of malaria cases and deaths in 2020, with mixed results. While highly endemic countries reported evidence of decreased malaria cases in health facilities, low endemic countries reported overall higher numbers of malaria cases and deaths in 2020. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this review provide evidence for a significant but diverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on malaria in SSA. There is the need to further investigate the public health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the malaria burden. Protocol registered on Open Science Framework: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/STQ9D.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guangyu Lu
- Department of Public Health, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Oliver Razum
- Department of Epidemiology and International Public Health, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alhassan Abdul-Mumin
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Osman Sankoh
- Institute of Global Health, Medical School, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Statistics Sierra Leone, Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lorenz von Seidlein
- Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Olaf Müller
- Institute of Global Health, Medical School, Ruprecht-Karls-University, Heidelberg, Germany
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Lawry LL, Stroupe Kannappan N, Canteli C, Clemmer W. Mixed-methods assessment of health and mental health characteristics and barriers to healthcare for Ebola survivors in Beni, Butembo and Katwa health zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e050349. [PMID: 34380729 PMCID: PMC8359460 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Health and mental health characteristics of all respondents, barriers to accessing health and mental health services and the characteristics and those most at risk for mental health disorders. SETTING Beni, Butembo and Katwa health zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo. PARTICIPANTS The sample contained 223 Ebola survivors, 102 sexual partners and 74 comparison respondents living in the same areas of the survivors. Survivors were eligible if aged >18 years with confirmed Ebola-free status. The comparison group was neither a survivor nor a partner of a survivor and did not have any household members who contracted Ebola virus disease (EVD). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Health and mental health characteristics, barriers to care and the association of association of mental health disorders with study population characteristics. RESULTS Funding was a barrier to accessing needed health services among all groups. Nearly one-third (28.4%, 95% CI 18.0% to 38.7%) of comparison households avoided getting injections for their children. Although most pregnant women were attending antenatal care, less than 40% of respondents stated EVD precautions were discussed at those visits. Trouble sleeping and anger were the strongest predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety and suicide attempts with 3-fold to 16-fold increases in the odds of these disorders. There was a 71% decrease in the odds of MDD if current substance abuse (aOR 0.29; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.67; p<0.01) was reported. CONCLUSIONS Specialised mental health services were limited. Fear of contracting EVD influenced vaccine compliance. Anger and sleep disorders significantly increased the odds of mental health disorders across all groups. Respondents may be using substance abuse as self-medication for MDD. Ebola outbreak areas would benefit from improved screening of mental health disorders and associated conditions like anger and sleep difficulties and improved mental health services that include substance abuse prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Lieberman Lawry
- Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences F Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Caglar B, Karaali R, Balkan II, Mete B, Aygun G. COVID-19 and Plasmodium ovale Malaria: A Rare Case of Co-Infection. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2021; 59:399-402. [PMID: 34470091 PMCID: PMC8413863 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.4.399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major health problem worldwide. Timely diagnosis of co-infections mimicking COVID-19, such as malaria, might be challenging particularly in non-endemic areas. We report the first case of COVID-19 and Plasmodium ovale malaria co-infection from our region aiming to highligt the importance of travel history and prophylaxis in malaria management in the context of pandemic. The galloping sound can sometimes be a harbinger of zebra besides the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilge Caglar
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ridvan Karaali
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ilker Inanc Balkan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bilgul Mete
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Aygun
- Department of Microbiology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Vanroye F, den Bossche DV, Brosius I, Tack B, Esbroeck MV, Jacobs J. COVID-19 Antibody Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Tests Show High Cross-Reactivity When Challenged with Pre-Pandemic Malaria, Schistosomiasis and Dengue Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11071163. [PMID: 34202195 PMCID: PMC8305106 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 Antibody Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Tests (COVID-19 Ab RDTs) are the preferred tool for SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The present study challenged COVID-19 Ab RDTs with pre-pandemic samples of patients exposed to tropical pathogens. A retrospective study was performed on archived serum (n = 94) and EDTA whole blood (n = 126) samples obtained during 2010–2018 from 196 travelers with malaria (n = 170), schistosomiasis (n = 25) and dengue (n = 25). COVID-19 Ab RDTs were selected based on regulatory approval status, independent evaluation results and detecting antigens. Among 13 COVID-19 Ab RDT products, overall cross-reactivity was 18.5%; cross-reactivity for malaria, schistosomiasis and dengue was 20.3%, 18.1% and 7.5%, respectively. Cross-reactivity for current and recent malaria, malaria antibodies, Plasmodium species and parasite densities was similar. Cross-reactivity among the different RDT products ranged from 2.7% to 48.9% (median value 14.5%). IgM represented 67.9% of cross-reactive test lines. Cross-reactivity was not associated with detecting antigens, patient categories or disease (sub)groups, except for schistosomiasis (two products with ≥60% cross-reactivity). The high cross-reactivity for malaria, schistosomiasis and—to a lesser extent—dengue calls for risk mitigation when using COVID-19 Ab RDTs in co-endemic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fien Vanroye
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Dorien Van den Bossche
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
| | - Isabel Brosius
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
| | - Bieke Tack
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
| | - Jan Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (D.V.d.B.); (I.B.); (B.T.); (M.V.E.); (J.J.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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A Bayesian Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Malaria in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana from 2015 to 2019. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18116080. [PMID: 34199996 PMCID: PMC8200193 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18116080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The Greater Accra Region is the smallest of the 16 administrative regions in Ghana. It is highly populated and characterized by tropical climatic conditions. Although efforts towards malaria control in Ghana have had positive impacts, malaria remains in the top five diseases reported at healthcare facilities within the Greater Accra Region. To further accelerate progress, analysis of regionally generated data is needed to inform control and management measures at this level. This study aimed to examine the climatic drivers of malaria transmission in the Greater Accra Region and identify inter-district variation in malaria burden. Monthly malaria cases for the Greater Accra Region were obtained from the Ghanaian District Health Information and Management System. Malaria cases were decomposed using seasonal-trend decomposition, based on locally weighted regression to analyze seasonality. A negative binomial regression model with a conditional autoregressive prior structure was used to quantify associations between climatic variables and malaria risk and spatial dependence. Posterior parameters were estimated using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation with Gibbs sampling. A total of 1,105,370 malaria cases were recorded in the region from 2015 to 2019. The overall malaria incidence for the region was approximately 47 per 1000 population. Malaria transmission was highly seasonal with an irregular inter-annual pattern. Monthly malaria case incidence was found to decrease by 2.3% (95% credible interval: 0.7–4.2%) for each 1 °C increase in monthly minimum temperature. Only five districts located in the south-central part of the region had a malaria incidence rate lower than the regional average at >95% probability level. The distribution of malaria cases was heterogeneous, seasonal, and significantly associated with climatic variables. Targeted malaria control and prevention in high-risk districts at the appropriate time points could result in a significant reduction in malaria transmission in the Greater Accra Region.
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Zacarias M, Pizzol D, de Miranda H, Colangelo AC, Veronese N, Smith L. Schistosomal appendicitis: Case series and systematic literature review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009478. [PMID: 34166369 PMCID: PMC8224979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, schistosomiasis affects at least 240 million people each year with a high proportion of cases in sub-Saharan Africa. The infection presents a wide range of symptoms mainly at the gastrointestinal and urogenital level. Cases of schistosomiasis-related appendicitis are seldom reported. The aim of the present study is to identify the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related appendicitis in Beira, Mozambique and compare to global prevalence. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all cases of appendicitis recorded from January 2017 to March 2020 at a single pathology department located in Beira in order to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis. Moreover, we performed a systematic review on the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related appendicitis in all countries. FINDINGS A total of 145 appendicitis cases in Beira showed a 13.1% prevalence of schistosomal-related appendicitis. The mean age of patients was 29.1 years, and 14 (73.7%) were male. The systematic review identified 20 studies with 34,790 inpatients with schistosomiasis-related appendicitis with a global prevalence of 1.31% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72 to 2.06); a high heterogeneity (I2 = 96.0%) was observed. Studies carried out in Africa reported a significantly higher prevalence of schistosomiasis-related appendicitis (2.75%; 95% CI: 1.28 to 4.68) than those in Middle East (0.49%; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.95) (p for interaction < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Schistosomiasis infection should be considered as possible cause of appendicitis not only in endemic areas but also in developed countries. Considering that prevention is the best way to control the infection, more efforts should be put in place in order to increase the prevention coverage and avoid the cascading implications for health. This is even more so important in this Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) era where the majority of attention and funds are used to fight the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Zacarias
- Department of Surgery, Central Hospital of Beira, Beira, Mozambique
| | - Damiano Pizzol
- Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | | | - Nicola Veronese
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Lee Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport & Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Fikrie A, Kayamo M, Bekele H. Malaria prevention practices and associated factors among households of Hawassa City Administration, Southern Ethiopia, 2020. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250981. [PMID: 33984022 PMCID: PMC8118284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite it is easily preventable; malaria is still remains to be a major public health problem in globally as well as in Ethiopia. The disease can be easily prevented through individual and societal combined efforts by keeping the environment safe, effective utilization of long lasting Insecticide Nets and early treatment. However, the factors for poor knowledge and practices of malaria prevention is not well studied in Ethiopia; particularly, in the study area. Hence, this study aimed to provide concrete evidence towards malaria prevention practices and associated factors among Households of Hawassa City Administration, Southern Ethiopia, 2020. METHOD A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected 598 households at Hawassa City Administration from April 1-15, 2020. Multistage sampling technique was employed to recruit the study households. Data were collected by trained data collectors through a face-to-face interview with pretested structured questionnaire, which was adapted from previous peer reviewed articles. Then the data were checked for the completeness and consistencies, then, coded and entered into Epi data 3.1 and it was exported to SPSS IBM version 23 for analysis. Descriptive mean with standard deviation was used to summarize the continuous variables. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess factors affecting prevention and control of Malaria. Finally, adjusted odds ratio together with 95% CI and p-value <0.05 was used to declare the statistical significances. RESULTS The overall 317 (54.3%) of households practiced good measure of malaria prevention and control measures. Urban residence [AOR = 1.95 (95%CI: 1.17-3.24)], Secondary school completed [AOR = 5.02(95%CI 2.24-12.03)], Tertiary school completed [AOR = 7.27(95%CI: 2.84-18.55)], Positive Attitude [AOR = 8.20(95%CI: 5.31-12.68)] and Good knowledge about malaria [AOR = 2.81(95%CI: 1.78-4.44)] were significantly associated with malaria prevention practices. CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of the households were still practiced poor measure of malaria prevention and control measures. Hence, health officials and stake holders need attention by providing continuous health education and follow up to control malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anteneh Fikrie
- School of Public Health, College of Health and Medical Sciences, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Oromia, Ethiopia
- Public Health Department, Pharma College Hawassa Campus, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Mihiret Kayamo
- Public Health Department, Pharma College Hawassa Campus, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
| | - Henok Bekele
- Public Health Department, Pharma College Hawassa Campus, Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia
- Malaria Prevention, Control and Elimination Program Technical Advisory in South Nation Nationalities Peoples Regional State, Southern Ethiopia
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Rusmini M, Uva P, Amoroso A, Tolomeo M, Cavalli A. How Genetics Might Explain the Unusual Link Between Malaria and COVID-19. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:650231. [PMID: 33981715 PMCID: PMC8107224 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.650231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the subject of a large number of studies in recent times. Here, starting from the evidence that in Italy, the areas with the lowest number of COVID-19 cases were those with the highest incidence of malaria in the early 1900's, we explore possible inverse relationships between malaria and COVID-19. Indeed, some genetic variants, which have been demonstrated to give an advantage against malaria, can also play a role in the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections (e.g., the ACE2 receptor). To verify this scientific hypothesis, we here use public data from whole-genome sequencing (WGS) experiments to extrapolate the genetic information of 46 world populations with matched COVID-19 data. In particular, we focus on 47 genes, including ACE2 and genes which have previously been reported to play a role in malaria. Only common variants (>5%) in at least 30% of the selected populations were considered, and, for this subset, we correlate the intra-population allele frequency with the COVID-19 data (cases/million inhabitants), eventually pinpointing meaningful variants in 6 genes. This study allows us to distinguish between positive and negative correlations, i.e., variants whose frequency significantly increases with increasing or decreasing COVID-19 cases. Finally, we discuss the possible molecular mechanisms associated with these variants and advance potential therapeutic options, which may help fight and/or prevent COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Rusmini
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Uva
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
- Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Amoroso
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Manlio Tolomeo
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone, Palermo, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Computational and Chemical Biology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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The New Zoonotic Malaria: Plasmodium cynomolgi. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6020046. [PMID: 33916448 PMCID: PMC8167800 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium cynomolgi is a simian malaria parasite that has been a central model parasite since it was first described in 1907. Recently it has made the zoonotic jump and started naturally infecting humans. In this paper, the interactions between Plasmodium cynomolgi and humans, the environment and the non-human animal intermediates or definitive host will be discussed, with a particular focus on the clinical implications of infection and approaches to management of this novel zoonotic parasite.
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de Souza FSH, Hojo-Souza NS, Batista BDDO, da Silva CM, Guidoni DL. On the analysis of mortality risk factors for hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A data-driven study using the major Brazilian database. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248580. [PMID: 33735272 PMCID: PMC7971705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brazil became the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic in a brief period of a few months after the first officially registered case. The knowledge of the epidemiological/clinical profile and the risk factors of Brazilian COVID-19 patients can assist in the decision making of physicians in the implementation of early and most appropriate measures for poor prognosis patients. However, these reports are missing. Here we present a comprehensive study that addresses this demand. METHODS This data-driven study was based on the Brazilian Ministry of Health Database (SIVEP-Gripe) regarding notified cases of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the period from February 26th to August 10th, 2020. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, comorbidities and other additional information of patients were analyzed. RESULTS The hospitalization rate was higher for male gender (56.56%) and for older age patients of both sexes. Overall, the lethality rate was quite high (41.28%) among hospitalized patients, especially those over 60 years of age. Most prevalent symptoms were cough, dyspnoea, fever, low oxygen saturation and respiratory distress. Cardiac disease, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, neurological disease, and pneumopathy were the most prevalent comorbidities. A high prevalence of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with cardiac disease (65.7%) and diabetes (53.55%) and with a high lethality rate of around 50% was observed. The intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate was 39.37% and of these 62.4% died. 24.4% of patients required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), with high mortality among them (82.98%). The main mortality risk predictors were older age and IMV requirement. In addition, socioeconomic conditions have been shown to significantly influence the disease outcome, regardless of age and comorbidities. CONCLUSION Our study provides a comprehensive overview of the hospitalized Brazilian COVID-19 patients profile and the mortality risk factors. The analysis also evidenced that the disease outcome is influenced by multiple factors, as unequally affects different segments of population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daniel Ludovico Guidoni
- Department of Computer Science, Federal University of São João del-Rei, Sao Joao del-Rei, MG, Brazil
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Marotta C, Nacareia U, Estevez AS, Tognon F, Genna GD, De Meneghi G, Occa E, Ramirez L, Lazzari M, Di Gennaro F, Putoto G. Mozambican Adolescents and Youths during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Knowledge and Awareness Gaps in the Provinces of Sofala and Tete. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9030321. [PMID: 33805689 PMCID: PMC7998514 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9030321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Mozambique has an average population age of 17 years and adolescents and youths have a pivotal role in SARS-CoV-2 pandemic control. (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in order to assess the awareness and information needs with regard to COVID-19 among a sample of adolescents and youths from two different Mozambican provinces. (3) Results: Only 25% of adolescents and youths had a high level of awareness and only 543/2170 participants reported a high level of knowledge regarding COVID-19. In our multivariate model, significant predictors of reporting a high level of knowledge about COVID-19 include female sex (O.R. = 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–2.89), having a house without a thatched roof (O.R. = 1.85; 95% CI 1.02–2.95) and HIV-positive status (O.R. = 1.56; 95% CI 1.36–2.87). (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights an important and relevant knowledge gap in adolescents and youths with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. Involving young people and adolescents in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 is an essential strategy, especially in countries where the national average age is young, such as Mozambique, and where this epidemic can aggravate an already fragile health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Marotta
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (F.T.); (G.P.)
| | - Ussene Nacareia
- Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (U.N.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Alba Sardon Estevez
- Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (U.N.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Francesca Tognon
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (F.T.); (G.P.)
- Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Università degli Studi di Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (U.N.); (A.S.E.)
| | - Giselle Daiana Genna
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira 2100, Mozambique; (G.D.G.); (G.D.M.); (E.O.); (L.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Giovanna De Meneghi
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira 2100, Mozambique; (G.D.G.); (G.D.M.); (E.O.); (L.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Edoardo Occa
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira 2100, Mozambique; (G.D.G.); (G.D.M.); (E.O.); (L.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Lucy Ramirez
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira 2100, Mozambique; (G.D.G.); (G.D.M.); (E.O.); (L.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Marzia Lazzari
- Doctors with Africa CUAMM, Beira 2100, Mozambique; (G.D.G.); (G.D.M.); (E.O.); (L.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Francesco Di Gennaro
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (F.T.); (G.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giovanni Putoto
- Operational Research Unit, Doctors with Africa CUAMM, 35121 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (F.T.); (G.P.)
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Afai G, Banze AR, Candrinho B, Baltazar CS, Rossetto EV. Challenges for malaria surveillance during the COVID-19 emergency response in Nampula, Mozambique, January - May 2020. Pan Afr Med J 2021; 38:254. [PMID: 34104302 PMCID: PMC8164433 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.254.27481] [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: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the announcement of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in January 30th 2020, 68 countries reported to the World Health Organization that they were experiencing disruptions in malaria diagnosis and treatment. This situation had the potential to lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, which could result in an increase in severe cases and deaths. This analysis was based on findings from a field visit, carried out between June 30th and July 1st, 2020, to a warehouse, to two health facilities, and a meeting with a community health worker, and an descriptive epidemiologic data analysis of health information system (HIS) to evaluate trends of the number of people tested for malaria and number of malaria cases reported, by comparing data from 2018, 2019 and 2020 for the period between January and May. The two health facilities and the warehouse had about two months of stock of antimalarial drugs, and patients with malaria symptoms were being tested for malaria at the COVID-19 screening site. The HIS data showed that the number of reported malaria cases decreased by 3.0% (177.646/172.246) in April, and 7.0% (173.188/161.812) in May, when comparing 2019 and 2020 data. People tested for malaria in community increased by 39.0% (190.370/264.730), between 2019 and 2020. The COVID-19 may have had a negative impact on the diagnosis and treatment of malaria in health facility (HF). The decrease in people tested for malaria in the health facilities may have overwhelmed the activities of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerson Afai
- Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, National Institute of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Baltazar Candrinho
- National Malaria Control Program, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Erika Valeska Rossetto
- MassGenics assigned to Mozambique Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maputo, Mozambique
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Abolfotouh MA, Almutairi AF, Banimustafa A, Hagras SA, Al Jeraisy M. Behavior Responses and Attitude of the Public to COVID-19 Pandemic During Movement Restrictions in Saudi Arabia. Int J Gen Med 2021; 14:741-753. [PMID: 33688245 PMCID: PMC7937388 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s296867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The behavior of the general public and the adoption of precautionary measures during a pandemic determine the fate of the country in the absence of any specific cure. This study aimed to determine the public attitude and behavior responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia during movement restrictions, and the predictors of behavioral responses. METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study of 2470 adult individuals in Saudi Arabia, 17-29 April 2020 was conducted via Survey Monkey, using an anonymous validated e-questionnaire. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related attitudes, and behavioral responses in terms of; precautionary measures, preparedness, and self-quarantine activities, to be responded to by 4-point Likert scales. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify the significant predictors of compliance with different behaviors. Significance was considered at p<0.05. RESULTS Participants reported positive attitudes towards governmental actions (95%), self-hygiene (93.2%), social distancing (97.1%) and choice of healthy food (89.6%), and negative attitudes towards the current worldwide situation of the pandemic (81.0%) and hearing someone tested positive (77.8%) or died from COVID-19 (83.7%). High rates of compliance to behavior were reported by only 55.8% of participants in terms of precautionary measures (71.3%), preparedness (38.4%), and self-quarantine activities (46.1%). After adjusting for all possible confounders, the total attitude score was a significant predictor of the total scores of precautionary measures (t=12.01, p<0.001), preparedness (t=9.29, p<0.001), self-quarantine activities (t=12.05, p<0.001), and overall behavior response (t=14.09, p<0.001). Other significant predictors of higher overall behavior response scores were female gender (t=7.22, p<0.001) and non-Saudi nationality (t=3.40, p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study provides baseline data on the behavioral response to the national COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. The levels of compliance to behavior response and attitude to COVID-19 pandemic were less than satisfactory. Socio-demographics influence public behavior and protective health measures. COVID-19 awareness programs are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa A Abolfotouh
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel F Almutairi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ala’a Banimustafa
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Majed Al Jeraisy
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Saud Bin-Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Pinzi L, Tinivella A, Caporuscio F, Rastelli G. Drug Repurposing and Polypharmacology to Fight SARS-CoV-2 Through Inhibition of the Main Protease. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:636989. [PMID: 33692695 PMCID: PMC7938350 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.636989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which is responsible for the COVID-19 disease and is spreading rapidly around the world, urgently requires effective therapeutic treatments. In this context, drug repurposing represents a valuable strategy, as it enables accelerating the identification of drug candidates with already known safety profiles, possibly aiding in the late stages of clinical evaluation. Moreover, therapeutic treatments based on drugs with beneficial multi-target activities (polypharmacology) may show an increased antiviral activity or help to counteract severe complications concurrently affecting COVID-19 patients. In this study, we present the results of a computational drug repurposing campaign that aimed at identifying potential inhibitors of the main protease (Mpro) of the SARS-CoV-2. The performed in silico screening allowed the identification of 22 candidates with putative SARS-CoV-2 Mpro inhibitory activity. Interestingly, some of the identified compounds have recently entered clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment, albeit not being assayed for their SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity. Some candidates present a polypharmacology profile that may be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment and, to the best of our knowledge, have never been considered in clinical trials. For each repurposed compound, its therapeutic relevance and potential beneficial polypharmacological effects that may arise due to its original therapeutic indication are thoroughly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pinzi
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Life Sciences Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Annachiara Tinivella
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Life Sciences Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Fabiana Caporuscio
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Life Sciences Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulio Rastelli
- Molecular Modelling and Drug Design Lab, Life Sciences Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Sousa A, Aguilar-Alba M, Vetter M, García-Barrón L, Morales J. Drivers of autochthonous and imported malaria in Spain and their relationship with meteorological variables. EURO-MEDITERRANEAN JOURNAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION 2021; 6:33. [PMID: 33614904 PMCID: PMC7885756 DOI: 10.1007/s41207-021-00245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Since the early twentieth century, the intensity of malaria transmission has decreased sharply worldwide, although it is still an infectious disease with a yearly estimate of 228 million cases. The aim of this study was to expand our knowledge on the main drivers of malaria in Spain. In the case of autochthonous malaria, these drivers were linked to socioeconomic and hygienic and sanitary conditions, especially in rural areas due to their close proximity to the wetlands that provide an important habitat for anopheline reproduction. In the case of imported malaria, the main drivers were associated with urban areas, a high population density and international communication nodes (e.g. airports). Another relevant aspect is that the major epidemic episodes of the twentieth century were strongly influenced by war and military conflicts and overcrowding of the healthcare system due to the temporal overlap with the pandemic flu of 1918. Therefore, military conflicts and overlap with other epidemics or pandemics are considered to be drivers of malaria that can-in a temporary manner-exponentially intensify transmission of the disease. Climatic factors did not play a relevant role as drivers of malaria in Spain (at least directly). However, they did influence the seasonality of the disease and, during the epidemic outbreak of 1940-1944, the climate conditions favored or coadjuvated its spread. The results of this study provide additional knowledge on the seasonal and interannual variability of malaria that can help to develop and implement health risk control measures. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41207-021-00245-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Sousa
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
| | - Mónica Aguilar-Alba
- Department of Physical Geography and AGR, Universidad de Sevilla, 41004 Seville, Spain
| | - Mark Vetter
- Geovisualization, Würzburg University of Applied Sciences, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Julia Morales
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain
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Espitia-Almeida F, Pereira-Lentino R, Quintero-Soto J, Gómez-Camargo D. Covid-19 in Cartagena and the Bolívar Department, Colombia. Current status, perspectives and challenges until the arrival of the vaccine. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06336. [PMID: 33655083 PMCID: PMC7894252 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, a new coronavirus, was first observed in Wuhan (China) in November 2019. In a short time, SARS-CoV-2 spread across the world, creating a pandemic. There is a need to know the current situation of each country and region and to generate strategies to contain and mitigate the impact on global health and the economy. To control COVID-19 in Cartagena and the Department of Bolívar, Colombia, a strategic network involving public health entities and higher education institutions has emerged. The network has been in place for six months, and 77,122 subjects have been tested in Cartagena and Bolívar Department, of whom 8,260 (10.71%) tested positive (RT-qPCR). Of those who tested positive, 51.4% were male (p>0.05), and 13.1% were health personnel (9.43% female, p < 0.05). The mortality rate was relatively low, 1.22%, with males being the most affected, accounting for 0.9% of deaths (p > 0.05). The daily case report showed upward and downward fluctuations by the mobility restrictions applied to the population, and from day 120 of the start of the pandemic, the epidemiological curve stabilized, and a logarithmic plateau was reached. COVID-19 spread in 39/46 municipalities of Bolívar; however, Bolívar and Cartagena had a low number of cases and deaths compared to other departments and city in Colombia. Cartagena and Bolívar have been given an economic opening with restrictions on crowding and mandatory use of a mouth cover until a vaccine is available. UNIMOL was the first laboratory in Cartagena, Bolívar and Colombia to receive approval from the National Institute of Health to process COVID-19 samples; thanks to the timely diagnosis of cases by UNIMOL, intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy did not exceed capacity, and population confinement was appropriately initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabián Espitia-Almeida
- UNIMOL Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
- Doctorate in Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
| | - Ramiro Pereira-Lentino
- Departmental Laboratory of Public Health of Bolivar, Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
| | - Juan Quintero-Soto
- UNIMOL Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
| | - Doris Gómez-Camargo
- UNIMOL Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
- Doctorate in Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Cartagena. Cartagena de Indias 130001, Colombia
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Stringari LL, de Souza MN, de Medeiros Junior NF, Goulart JP, Giuberti C, Dietze R, Ribeiro-Rodrigues R. Covert cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: An obscure but present danger in regions endemic for Dengue and Chikungunya viruses. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244937. [PMID: 33406122 PMCID: PMC7787539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of SARS-CoV-2 in regions endemic for both Dengue and Chikungunya is still not fully understood. Considering that symptoms/clinical features displayed during Dengue, Chikungunya and SARS-CoV-2 acute infections are similar, undiagnosed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in co-endemic areas may be more prevalent than expected. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of covert cases of SARS-CoV-2 among samples from patients with clinical symptoms compatible with either Dengue or Chikungunya viral infection in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. METHODS Presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody specific to SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein was detected using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay in samples from 7,370 patients, without previous history of COVID-19 diagnosis, suspected of having either Dengue (n = 1,700) or Chikungunya (n = 7,349) from December 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2020. FINDINGS Covert cases of SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 210 (2.85%) out of the 7,370 serum samples tested. The earliest undiagnosed missed case of COVID-19 dated back to a sample collected on December 18, 2019, also positive for Dengue Virus. Cross-reactivity with either Dengue virus or other common coronaviruses were not observed. INTERPRETATION Our findings demonstrate that concomitant Dengue or Chikungunya outbreaks may difficult the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate, with a robust sample size (n = 7,370) and using highly specific and sensitive chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method, that covert SARS-CoV-2 infections are more frequent than previously expected in Dengue and Chikungunya hyperendemic regions. Moreover, our results suggest that SAR-CoV-2 cases were occurring prior to February, 2020, and that these undiagnosed missed cases may have contributed to the fast expansion of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Brazil. Data presented here demonstrate that in arboviral endemic regions, SARS-CoV-2 infection must be always considered, regardless of the existence of a previous positive diagnosis for Dengue or Chikungunya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzzo Lyrio Stringari
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado do Espírito Santo, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Michel Norbim de Souza
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado do Espírito Santo, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Jaqueline Pegoretti Goulart
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado do Espírito Santo, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Camila Giuberti
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Reynaldo Dietze
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Ribeiro-Rodrigues
- Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública do Estado do Espírito Santo, Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Núcleo de Doenças Infecciosas, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Secretaria de Estado da Saúde do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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50
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Abu-Fatima O, Abbas AAG, Racalbuto V, Smith L, Pizzol D. Child Undernutrition in Sudan: The Social and Economic Impact and Future Perspectives. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 104:1149-1152. [PMID: 33350372 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The nutrition situation in Sudan is one of the worst in northeast Africa and it is characterized by persistently high levels of acute and chronic malnutrition that have increased over the last two decades. The underlying causes of malnutrition are multi-sectoral and are mainly due to inequalities, inadequate food practices, and limited access to healthcare services. Based on the report The Economic and Social Impacts of Child Undernutrition in Sudan, this study assesses the impact that malnutrition has on health, education, and productivity in Sudan. The country is estimated to have lost an equivalent of about 11.6 billion Sudanese pound in 2014, which represented 2.6% of the gross domestic product (GDP). Productivity-related losses contributed the largest costs at 1.5% of GDP followed by health and education sectors at 1.1% and 0.1%, respectively. In 2020, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the fragility of Sudan's health, social, and economic system. It is mandatory that all stakeholders address child nutrition as a main concern and stunting is incorporated in the center of the development agenda. In particular, the national development frameworks should be updated to ensure the reduction of the stunting prevalence and to put in place a comprehensive multi-sectoral nutrition policy, strategy, and plan of action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lee Smith
- The Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Damiano Pizzol
- Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Khartoum, Sudan
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