1
|
Yeboah R, Gorman R, Acheampong HK, Nyarko-Afriyie E, Aryeetey S, Tetteh HD, Owusu M, Yeboah ES, Adade T, Bonney J, Amoako YA, El-Duah P, Obiri-Danso K, Drosten C, Phillips RO, Sylverken AA. Clinical epidemiology, determinants, and outcomes of viral encephalitis in Ghana; a cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297277. [PMID: 38346087 PMCID: PMC10861038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Viral encephalitis is a rare, yet severe neurological disorder. It poses a significant public health threat due to its high morbidity and mortality. Despite the disproportionate burden of the disease in impoverished African countries, the true extent of the problem remains elusive due to the scarcity of accurate diagnostic methods. The absence of timely and effective diagnostic tools, particularly Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction, has led to misguided treatment, and an underestimation of the disease burden in Ghana. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study to determine the viral aetiologies of encephalitis among patients presenting to a major referral hospital in Ghana from May 2019 and August 2022. The study aimed at providing a comprehensive information on the clinical epidemiology, and outcomes of viral encephalitis in Ghana. Clinical samples were collected from patients presenting with signs and symptoms of encephalitis and tested for viral agents using real-time polymerase chain reaction. We assessed the clinical epidemiology, risk factors and outcome of individuals using descriptive and logistic regression analysis. Seventy-seven (77) patients were enrolled unto the study. The participants frequently presented with fever (85.7%), seizures (80.5%), lethargy (64.9%) and headache (50.6%). Viruses were detected in 40.3% of the study participants in either cerebrospinal fluid, rectal or oral swab samples. The most frequently detected viruses were cytomegalovirus (48.4%), enteroviruses (38.7%) and HSV (29.0%). Twenty-one (27.3%) of the patients died while on hospital admission. Gender (OR = 5.70 (1.536-1.172), p = 0.01), and negative polymerase chain reaction test results were identified as significant factors associated with death. Antiviral treatment increased the chance of survival of viral encephalitis patients by 21.8%. Our results validate the crucial role of molecular tools as essential for the rapid diagnosis of viral encephalitis, enabling effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. This study contributes valuable epidemiological and clinical insight into viral encephalitis in Ghana.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richmond Yeboah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Richmond Gorman
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | | | - Sherihane Aryeetey
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Titus Adade
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Bonney
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Emergency Medicine Directorate, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaw Ampem Amoako
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Philip El-Duah
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kwasi Obiri-Danso
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charite, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Odame Phillips
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Angelina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Granerod J, Huang Y, Davies NWS, Sequeira PC, Mwapasa V, Rupali P, Michael BD, Solomon T, Easton A. Global Landscape of Encephalitis: Key Priorities to Reduce Future Disease Burden. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:1552-1560. [PMID: 37436770 PMCID: PMC10686956 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Encephalitis affects people across the lifespan, has high rates of mortality and morbidity, and results in significant neurological sequelae with long-term consequences to quality of life and wider society. The true incidence is currently unknown due to inaccurate reporting systems. The disease burden of encephalitis is unequally distributed across the globe being highest in low- and middle-income countries where resources are limited. Here countries often lack diagnostic testing, with poor access to essential treatments and neurological services, and limited surveillance and vaccination programs. Many types of encephalitis are vaccine preventable, whereas others are treatable with early diagnosis and appropriate management. In this viewpoint, we provide a narrative review of key aspects of diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, and prevention of encephalitis and highlight priorities for public health, clinical management, and research, to reduce the disease burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Granerod
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Dr JGW Consulting Ltd., London, United Kingdom
| | - Yun Huang
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Victor Mwapasa
- University of Malawi, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Priscilla Rupali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Christian Medical College Vellore, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Benedict D Michael
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Solomon
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit for Emerging and Zoonotic Infection, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The Pandemic Institute, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Ava Easton
- Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- The Encephalitis Society, Malton, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Banko A, Miljanovic D, Cirkovic A. Systematic review with meta-analysis of active herpesvirus infections in patients with COVID-19: Old players on the new field. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 130:108-125. [PMID: 36736577 PMCID: PMC9889115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.01.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Herpesviruses are ubiquitous and after primary infection they establish lifelong latency. The impairment of maintaining latency with short-term or long-term consequences could be triggered by other infection. Therefore, reactivation of herpesviruses in COVID-19 patients represents an emerging issue. DESIGN AND METHODS This study provided the first systematic review with meta-analysis of studies that evaluated active human herpesvirus (HHV) infection (defined as the presence of IgM antibodies or HHV-DNA) in COVID-19 patients and included 36 publications collected by searching through PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science until November 2022. RESULTS The prevalence of active EBV, HHV6, HSV, CMV, HSV1, and VZV infection in COVID-19 population was 41% (95% CI =27%-57%),3% (95% CI=17%-54%),28% (95% CI=1%-85%),25% (95% CI=1%-63%),22% (95% CI=10%-35%),and 18% (95% CI=4%-34%),respectively. There was a 6 times higher chance for active EBV infection in patients with severe COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 controls (OR=6.45, 95% CI=1.09-38.13, p=0.040), although there was no difference in the prevalence of all evaluated active herpesvirus infections between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 controls. CONCLUSIONS Future research of herpesvirus and SARS-CoV-2 coinfections must be prioritized to define: who, when and how to be tested, as well as how to effectively treat HHVs reactivations in acute and long COVID-19 patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Banko
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Danijela Miljanovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Andja Cirkovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|