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Obeng BM, Kelleher AD, Di Giallonardo F. Molecular epidemiology to aid virtual elimination of HIV transmission in Australia. Virus Res 2024; 341:199310. [PMID: 38185332 PMCID: PMC10825322 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The Global UNAIDS 95/95/95 targets aim to increase the percentage of persons who know their HIV status, receive antiretroviral therapy, and have achieved viral suppression. Achieving these targets requires efforts to improve the public health response to increase access to care for those living with HIV, identify those yet undiagnosed with HIV early, and increase access to prevention for those most at risk of HIV acquisition. HIV infections in Australia are among the lowest globally having recorded significant declines in new diagnoses in the last decade. However, the HIV epidemic has changed with an increasing proportion of newly diagnosed infections among those born outside Australia observed in the last five years. Thus, the current prevention efforts are not enough to achieve the UNAIDS targets and virtual elimination across all population groups. We believe both are possible by including molecular epidemiology in the public health response. Molecular epidemiology methods have been crucial in the field of HIV prevention, particularly in demonstrating the efficacy of treatment as prevention. Cluster detection using molecular epidemiology can provide opportunities for the real-time detection of new outbreaks before they grow, and cluster detection programs are now part of the public health response in the USA and Canada. Here, we review what molecular epidemiology has taught us about HIV evolution and spread. We summarize how we can use this knowledge to improve public health measures by presenting case studies from the USA and Canada. We discuss the successes and challenges of current public health programs in Australia, and how we could use cluster detection as an add-on to identify gaps in current prevention measures easier and respond quicker to growing clusters. Lastly, we raise important ethical and legal challenges that need to be addressed when HIV genotypic data is used in combination with personal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billal M Obeng
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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2
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Rich SN, Richards V, Mavian C, Rife Magalis B, Grubaugh N, Rasmussen SA, Dellicour S, Vrancken B, Carrington C, Fisk-Hoffman R, Danso-Odei D, Chacreton D, Shapiro J, Seraphin MN, Hepp C, Black A, Dennis A, Trovão NS, Vandamme AM, Rasmussen A, Lauzardo M, Dean N, Salemi M, Prosperi M. Application of Phylodynamic Tools to Inform the Public Health Response to COVID-19: Qualitative Analysis of Expert Opinions. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e39409. [PMID: 36848460 PMCID: PMC10131930 DOI: 10.2196/39409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, scientists have scrambled to collect and analyze SARS-CoV-2 genomic data to inform public health responses to COVID-19 in real time. Open source phylogenetic and data visualization platforms for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology have rapidly gained popularity for their ability to illuminate spatial-temporal transmission patterns worldwide. However, the utility of such tools to inform public health decision-making for COVID-19 in real time remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to convene experts in public health, infectious diseases, virology, and bioinformatics-many of whom were actively engaged in the COVID-19 response-to discuss and report on the application of phylodynamic tools to inform pandemic responses. METHODS In total, 4 focus groups (FGs) occurred between June 2020 and June 2021, covering both the pre- and postvariant strain emergence and vaccination eras of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Participants included national and international academic and government researchers, clinicians, public health practitioners, and other stakeholders recruited through purposive and convenience sampling by the study team. Open-ended questions were developed to prompt discussion. FGs I and II concentrated on phylodynamics for the public health practitioner, while FGs III and IV discussed the methodological nuances of phylodynamic inference. Two FGs per topic area to increase data saturation. An iterative, thematic qualitative framework was used for data analysis. RESULTS We invited 41 experts to the FGs, and 23 (56%) agreed to participate. Across all the FG sessions, 15 (65%) of the participants were female, 17 (74%) were White, and 5 (22%) were Black. Participants were described as molecular epidemiologists (MEs; n=9, 39%), clinician-researchers (n=3, 13%), infectious disease experts (IDs; n=4, 17%), and public health professionals at the local (PHs; n=4, 17%), state (n=2, 9%), and federal (n=1, 4%) levels. They represented multiple countries in Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean. Nine major themes arose from the discussions: (1) translational/implementation science, (2) precision public health, (3) fundamental unknowns, (4) proper scientific communication, (5) methods of epidemiological investigation, (6) sampling bias, (7) interoperability standards, (8) academic/public health partnerships, and (9) resources. Collectively, participants felt that successful uptake of phylodynamic tools to inform the public health response relies on the strength of academic and public health partnerships. They called for interoperability standards in sequence data sharing, urged careful reporting to prevent misinterpretations, imagined that public health responses could be tailored to specific variants, and cited resource issues that would need to be addressed by policy makers in future outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to detail the viewpoints of public health practitioners and molecular epidemiology experts on the use of viral genomic data to inform the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data gathered during this study provide important information from experts to help streamline the functionality and use of phylodynamic tools for pandemic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannan N Rich
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Veronica Richards
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Carla Mavian
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Brittany Rife Magalis
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Nathan Grubaugh
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sonja A Rasmussen
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Simon Dellicour
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Bram Vrancken
- Spatial Epidemiology Lab, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Christine Carrington
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Rebecca Fisk-Hoffman
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Demi Danso-Odei
- Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Daniel Chacreton
- Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Jerne Shapiro
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Florida Department of Health in Alachua County, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Marie Nancy Seraphin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Crystal Hepp
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
- Pathogen and Microbiome Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| | - Allison Black
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, CA, United States
| | - Ann Dennis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Nídia Sequeira Trovão
- Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Angela Rasmussen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Michael Lauzardo
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Natalie Dean
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Marco Salemi
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mattia Prosperi
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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3
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Garcia M, Devlin S, Kerman J, Fujimoto K, Hirschhorn LR, Phillips II G, Schneider J, McNulty MC. Ending the HIV Epidemic: Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Implement Molecular HIV Surveillance to Develop Real-Time Cluster Detection and Response Interventions for Local Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3269. [PMID: 36833963 PMCID: PMC9964218 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The rapid implementation of molecular HIV surveillance (MHS) has resulted in significant challenges for local health departments to develop real-time cluster detection and response (CDR) interventions for priority populations impacted by HIV. This study is among the first to explore professionals' strategies to implement MHS and develop CDR interventions in real-world public health settings. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were completed by 21 public health stakeholders in the United States' southern and midwestern regions throughout 2020-2022 to identify themes related to the implementation and development of MHS and CDR. Results for the thematic analysis revealed (1) strengths and limitations in utilizing HIV surveillance data for real-time CDR; (2) limitations of MHS data due to medical provider and staff concerns related to CDR; (3) divergent perspectives on the effectiveness of partner services; (4) optimism, but reluctance about the social network strategy; and (5) enhanced partnerships with community stakeholders to address MHS-related concerns. Conclusions: Enhancing MHS and CDR efforts requires a centralized system for staff to access public health data from multiple databases to develop CDR interventions; designating staff dedicated to CDR interventions; and establishing equitable meaningful partnerships with local community stakeholders to address MHS concerns and develop culturally informed CDR interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moctezuma Garcia
- Department of Social Work, College of Health & Sciences, San José State University, San Jose, CA 95112, USA
| | - Samantha Devlin
- The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Jared Kerman
- The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kayo Fujimoto
- Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lisa R. Hirschhorn
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Gregory Phillips II
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John Schneider
- The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Moira C. McNulty
- The Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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Lamkiewicz K, Esquivel Gomez LR, Kühnert D, Marz M. Genome Structure, Life Cycle, and Taxonomy of Coronaviruses and the Evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 439:305-339. [PMID: 36592250 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-15640-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses have a broad host range and exhibit high zoonotic potential. In this chapter, we describe their genomic organization in terms of encoded proteins and provide an introduction to the peculiar discontinuous transcription mechanism. Further, we present evolutionary conserved genomic RNA secondary structure features, which are involved in the complex replication mechanism. With a focus on computational methods, we review the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 starting with the 2019 strains. In that context, we also discuss the debated hypothesis of whether SARS-CoV-2 was created in a laboratory. We focus on the molecular evolution and the epidemiological dynamics of this recently emerged pathogen and we explain how variants of concern are detected and characterised. COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, can spread through different transmission routes and also depends on a number of risk factors. We describe how current computational models of viral epidemiology, or more specifically, phylodynamics, have facilitated and will continue to enable a better understanding of the epidemic dynamics of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lamkiewicz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Luis Roger Esquivel Gomez
- Transmission, Infection, Diversification and Evolution Group, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Kahlaische Straße 10, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Denise Kühnert
- Transmission, Infection, Diversification and Evolution Group, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Kahlaische Straße 10, 07745, Jena, Germany
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Manja Marz
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, Leutragraben 1, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- FLI Leibniz Institute for Age Research, Beutenbergstraße 11, 07745, Jena, Germany.
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Xu J, Guo Y, Wang F, Xu H, Lucero R, Bian J, Prosperi M. Protocol for the development of a reporting guideline for causal and counterfactual prediction models in biomedicine. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059715. [PMID: 35725267 PMCID: PMC9214357 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059715] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While there are guidelines for reporting on observational studies (eg, Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology, Reporting of Studies Conducted Using Observational Routinely Collected Health Data Statement), estimation of causal effects from both observational data and randomised experiments (eg, A Guideline for Reporting Mediation Analyses of Randomised Trials and Observational Studies, Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials, PATH) and on prediction modelling (eg, Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis), none is purposely made for deriving and validating models from observational data to predict counterfactuals for individuals on one or more possible interventions, on the basis of given (or inferred) causal structures. This paper describes methods and processes that will be used to develop a Reporting Guideline for Causal and Counterfactual Prediction Models (PRECOG). METHODS AND ANALYSIS PRECOG will be developed following published guidance from the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) network and will comprise five stages. Stage 1 will be meetings of a working group every other week with rotating external advisors (active until stage 5). Stage 2 will comprise a systematic review of literature on counterfactual prediction modelling for biomedical sciences (registered in Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews). In stage 3, a computer-based, real-time Delphi survey will be performed to consolidate the PRECOG checklist, involving experts in causal inference, epidemiology, statistics, machine learning, informatics and protocols/standards. Stage 4 will involve the write-up of the PRECOG guideline based on the results from the prior stages. Stage 5 will seek the peer-reviewed publication of the guideline, the scoping/systematic review and dissemination. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study will follow the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study has been registered in EQUATOR and approved by the University of Florida's Institutional Review Board (#202200495). Informed consent will be obtained from the working groups and the Delphi survey participants. The dissemination of PRECOG and its products will be done through journal publications, conferences, websites and social media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Yi Guo
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Hua Xu
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Robert Lucero
- School of Nursing, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jiang Bian
- Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Mattia Prosperi
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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Cella E, Ali S, Schmedes SE, Rife Magalis B, Marini S, Salemi M, Blanton J, Azarian T. Early Emergence Phase of SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in Florida, US. Viruses 2022; 14:766. [PMID: 35458495 PMCID: PMC9028683 DOI: 10.3390/v14040766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in late 2019. The highly contagious B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of concern (VOC) was first identified in October 2020 in India and subsequently disseminated worldwide, later becoming the dominant lineage in the US. Understanding the local transmission dynamics of early SARS-CoV-2 introductions may inform actionable mitigation efforts during subsequent pandemic waves. Yet, despite considerable genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in the US, several gaps remain. Here, we explore the early emergence of the Delta variant in Florida, US using phylogenetic analysis of representative Florida and globally sampled genomes. We find multiple independent introductions into Florida primarily from North America and Europe, with a minority originating from Asia. These introductions led to three distinct clades that demonstrated varying relative rates of transmission and possessed five distinct substitutions that were 3-21 times more prevalent in the Florida sample as compared to the global sample. Our results underscore the benefits of routine viral genomic surveillance to monitor epidemic spread and support the need for more comprehensive genomic epidemiology studies of emerging variants. In addition, we provide a model of epidemic spread of newly emerging VOCs that can inform future public health responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Cella
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (E.C.); (S.A.)
| | - Sobur Ali
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (E.C.); (S.A.)
| | - Sarah E. Schmedes
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA; (S.E.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Brittany Rife Magalis
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (B.R.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Simone Marini
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA;
| | - Marco Salemi
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA; (B.R.M.); (M.S.)
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Jason Blanton
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories, Florida Department of Health, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA; (S.E.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Taj Azarian
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA; (E.C.); (S.A.)
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Daw MA, El-Bouzedi AH, Ahmed MO. The Impact of Armed Conflict on the Prevalence and Transmission Dynamics of HIV Infection in Libya. Front Public Health 2022; 10:779778. [PMID: 35433583 PMCID: PMC9009867 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.779778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The interrelationships between HIV/AIDS and armed conflict are a complex phenomenon, and studies are rarely devoted to this area of research. Libya is the second-largest country in Africa that has been evoked with war since the NATO intervention in 2011. The country has also experienced one of the largest HIV outbreaks associated with the Bulgarian nurse's saga. The effect of the armed conflict on the dynamic spread of HIV is not yet well-known. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of armed conflict on the epidemiological situation of HIV infection in Libya and to analyze the transmission dynamics of HIV strains during the conflict. We investigated the movement of people with HIV during the Libyan armed conflict, analyzed the HIV subtypes reported from 2011 to 2020, and followed up the infected cases all over the country. The patterns of HIV spread within the Libyan regions were traced, and the risk factors were determined during the conflict period. A total of 4,539 patients with HIV/AIDS were studied from the four regions during the Libyan conflict. Our data analysis indicated that Benghazi, the biggest city in the Eastern region, was the significant exporter of the virus to the rest of the country. The viral dissemination changes were observed within the country, particularly after 2015. A major virus flows from the Eastern region during the armed conflict associated with internally displaced people. This resulted in the dissemination of new HIV strains and accumulations of HIV cases in western and middle regions. Although, there were no significant changes in the national prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Our data highlight the factors that complicated the spread and dissemination of HIV during the armed conflict, which provide a better understanding of the interaction between them. This could be used to plan for effective preventive measures in tackling the spread of HIV in conflict and post-conflict settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ali Daw
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
| | | | - Mohamed Omar Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
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Bousali M, Dimadi A, Kostaki EG, Tsiodras S, Nikolopoulos GK, Sgouras DN, Magiorkinis G, Papatheodoridis G, Pogka V, Lourida G, Argyraki A, Angelakis E, Sourvinos G, Beloukas A, Paraskevis D, Karamitros T. SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Transmission Clusters and Containment Measures in Ten European Regions during the First Pandemic Wave. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11030219. [PMID: 33803490 PMCID: PMC8001481 DOI: 10.3390/life11030219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The spatiotemporal profiling of molecular transmission clusters (MTCs) using viral genomic data can effectively identify transmission networks in order to inform public health actions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spread. Methods: We used whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences derived from ten European regions belonging to eight countries to perform phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis. We developed dedicated bioinformatics pipelines to identify regional MTCs and to assess demographic factors potentially associated with their formation. Results: The total number and the scale of MTCs varied from small household clusters identified in all regions, to a super-spreading event found in Uusimaa-FI. Specific age groups were more likely to belong to MTCs in different regions. The clustered sequences referring to the age groups 50–100 years old (y.o.) were increased in all regions two weeks after the establishment of the lockdown, while those referring to the age group 0–19 y.o. decreased only in those regions where schools’ closure was combined with a lockdown. Conclusions: The spatiotemporal profiling of the SARS-CoV-2 MTCs can be a useful tool to monitor the effectiveness of the interventions and to reveal cryptic transmissions that have not been identified through contact tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Bousali
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (M.B.); (A.D.); (V.P.)
| | - Aristea Dimadi
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (M.B.); (A.D.); (V.P.)
| | - Evangelia-Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.-G.K.); (G.M.)
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine & Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Dionyssios N. Sgouras
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (D.N.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.-G.K.); (G.M.)
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Laiko” General Hospital of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasiliki Pogka
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (M.B.); (A.D.); (V.P.)
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (D.N.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Giota Lourida
- Infectious Diseases Clinic A, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.L.); (A.A.)
| | - Aikaterini Argyraki
- Infectious Diseases Clinic A, Sotiria Chest Diseases Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.L.); (A.A.)
| | - Emmanouil Angelakis
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (D.N.S.); (E.A.)
- IRD, APHM, VITROME, IHU-Mediterranean Infections, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - George Sourvinos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Apostolos Beloukas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
- Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (D.P.); (T.K.); Tel.: +30-210-5385697 (A.B.); +30-210-7462114 (D.P.); +30-210-6478871 (T.K.)
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece; (E.-G.K.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (D.P.); (T.K.); Tel.: +30-210-5385697 (A.B.); +30-210-7462114 (D.P.); +30-210-6478871 (T.K.)
| | - Timokratis Karamitros
- Bioinformatics and Applied Genomics Unit, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (M.B.); (A.D.); (V.P.)
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece; (D.N.S.); (E.A.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.); (D.P.); (T.K.); Tel.: +30-210-5385697 (A.B.); +30-210-7462114 (D.P.); +30-210-6478871 (T.K.)
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9
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Alexiev I, Campbell EM, Knyazev S, Pan Y, Grigorova L, Dimitrova R, Partsuneva A, Gancheva A, Kostadinova A, Seguin-Devaux C, Elenkov I, Yancheva N, Switzer WM. Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of the Origin and Transmission Dynamics of the HIV-1 CRF01_AE Sub-Epidemic in Bulgaria. Viruses 2021; 13:116. [PMID: 33467166 PMCID: PMC7829743 DOI: 10.3390/v13010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE is the second most predominant strain in Bulgaria, yet little is known about the molecular epidemiology of its origin and transmissibility. We used a phylodynamics approach to better understand this sub-epidemic by analyzing 270 HIV-1 polymerase (pol) sequences collected from persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1995 and 2019. Using network analyses at a 1.5% genetic distance threshold (d), we found a large 154-member outbreak cluster composed mostly of persons who inject drugs (PWID) that were predominantly men. At d = 0.5%, which was used to identify more recent transmission, the large cluster dissociated into three clusters of 18, 12, and 7 members, respectively, five dyads, and 107 singletons. Phylogenetic analysis of the Bulgarian sequences with publicly available global sequences showed that CRF01_AE likely originated from multiple Asian countries, with Vietnam as the likely source of the outbreak cluster between 1988 and 1990. Our findings indicate that CRF01_AE was introduced into Bulgaria multiple times since 1988, and infections then rapidly spread among PWID locally with bridging to other risk groups and countries. CRF01_AE continues to spread in Bulgaria as evidenced by the more recent large clusters identified at d = 0.5%, highlighting the importance of public health prevention efforts in the PWID communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivailo Alexiev
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Ellsworth M. Campbell
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (E.M.C.); (S.K.); (Y.P.); (W.M.S.)
| | - Sergey Knyazev
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (E.M.C.); (S.K.); (Y.P.); (W.M.S.)
- Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA
| | - Yi Pan
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (E.M.C.); (S.K.); (Y.P.); (W.M.S.)
| | - Lyubomira Grigorova
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Reneta Dimitrova
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Aleksandra Partsuneva
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Gancheva
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Asya Kostadinova
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.G.); (R.D.); (A.P.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Carole Seguin-Devaux
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, 4354 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Ivaylo Elenkov
- Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious & Parasitic Diseases, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria; (I.E.); (N.Y.)
| | - Nina Yancheva
- Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment of Infectious & Parasitic Diseases, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria; (I.E.); (N.Y.)
| | - William M. Switzer
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA; (E.M.C.); (S.K.); (Y.P.); (W.M.S.)
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