1
|
Olum R, Ahaisibwe B, Atuhairwe I, Balizzakiwa T, Kizito P, Apiyo M, Kalanzi J, Nabawanuka A, Bahatungire R, Kerry V. Readiness To Manage Ebola Virus Disease Among Emergency Healthcare Workers in Uganda: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4212996. [PMID: 38659914 PMCID: PMC11042437 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4212996/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background Emerging infectious diseases like the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) pose significant global public health threats. Uganda has experienced multiple EVD outbreaks, the latest occurring in 2022. Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk, yet there isn't sufficient evidence of existing knowledge of EVD of these health workers. We aimed to assess the readiness of Uganda's emergency healthcare workers to manage Ebola virus disease (EVD) and identify their training needs to inform targeted capacity-building interventions for future outbreaks. Methods This multicentre nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2023 among 691 HCWs providing emergency care in 14 secondary and tertiary hospitals across Uganda. Participants were consecutively recruited using the probability-proportional-to-size sampling technique, and data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Factors associated with EVD knowledge were identified through a mixed-effect linear model. Results Data from 691 eligible HCWs with a median age of 32 (IQR: 28-38) was analyzed (response rate: 92%). Only one-third (34.4%, n = 238) had received EVD training in the past year. The median EVD knowledge score was 77.4% (IQR: 71.2% - 83.4%). EVD knowledge was associated with longer professional experience in years (β: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.39, p = 0.024) and higher level of education: diploma (β: 3.37, 95% CI: 1.49 to 5.25, p < 0.001), undergraduate degree (β: 6.45, 95% CI: 4.11 to 8.79) and postgraduate degree (β: 7.13, 95% CI: 4.01 to 10.25, p < 0.001). Being a doctor (β: 2.55, 95% CI: 0.35 to 4.74, p = 0.023), providing care in the obstetrics/gynecology department (β: -1.90, 95% CI: -3.47 to - 0.32, p = 0.018), previous EVD training (β: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.96 to 3.59, p = 0.001) and accessing EVD information through social media (β: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.88, p < 0.001) were also significantly associated with EVD knowledge. Conclusion Our study reveals that Ugandan HCWs' EVD response readiness varies by individual factors and information sources. We recommend targeted training and suggest future research on educational innovations and social media's potential to fill knowledge gaps.
Collapse
|
2
|
Yamani LN, Juniastuti, Megasari NLA, Utsumi T, Sahila N, Pangestika AS, Putri SMD, Li CY, Martini S, Isfandiari MA, Lusida MI. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody status in unvaccinated and 2-dose vaccinated Indonesians by AstraZeneca. J Public Health Afr 2023; 14:2697. [PMID: 38204804 PMCID: PMC10774846 DOI: 10.4081/jphia.2023.2697] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Indonesia began deploying a COVID-19 vaccine in January 2021, prioritising vaccination for high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities, and ending with the general public due to limited vaccine availability. Our study aimed to evaluate antibody response in Indonesians who had received two doses of the vaccine vs. those who had not. The study design was a cohort study involving 46 unvaccinated people and 23 people who had received the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in three months. Methods used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of IgG antibodies included rapid RI-GHA and ELISA tests. Findings showed that positive IgG antibodies qualitatively detected by the rapid RI-GHA test were significantly higher in those vaccinated (60.9%) than in unvaccinated people (26.1%). Using the ELISA assay, all vaccinated individuals qualitatively showed positive antibodies (cut-off ≥4.33 BAU/ml), and the average quantitative titer of anti-SARS-CoV-2 s-RBD IgG was significantly higher in vaccinated (157.06±238.68 BAU/ml) than in unvaccinated (51.90±87.60 BAU/ml) individuals. Some unvaccinated individuals with no history of infection were found to have anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that may have been previously asymptomatic, although their mean antibody titers were certainly lower than those in the 2-dose group. Approximately 56% of vaccinated individuals had antibody titers above 60 BAU/ml as a cut-off for protective threshold, a significantly higher proportion than unvaccinated individuals. In conclusion, vaccination with two doses AstraZeneca increased anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies which resulted in enhanced immunity against symptomatic COVID-19.
Collapse
|
3
|
Kaushik N, Mitra S, Baek EJ, Nguyen LN, Bhartiya P, Kim JH, Choi EH, Kaushik NK. The inactivation and destruction of viruses by reactive oxygen species generated through physical and cold atmospheric plasma techniques: Current status and perspectives. J Adv Res 2023; 43:59-71. [PMID: 36585115 PMCID: PMC8905887 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outbreaks of airborne viral infections, such as COVID-19, can cause panic regarding other severe respiratory syndrome diseases that may develop and affect public health. It is therefore necessary to develop control methods that offer protection against such viruses. AIM OF REVIEW To identify a feasible solution for virus deactivation, we critically reviewed methods of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can attack a wide range of molecular targets to induce antiviral activity, accounting for their flexibility in facilitating host defense mechanisms against a comprehensive range of pathogens. Recently, the role of ROS in microbial decontamination has been critically investigated as a major topic in infectious diseases. ROS can eradicate pathogens directly by inducing oxidative stress or indirectly by promoting pathogen removal through numerous non-oxidative mechanisms, including autophagy, T-cell responses, and pattern recognition receptor signaling. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW In this article, we reviewed possible methods for the in vitro generation of ROS with antiviral activity. Furthermore, we discuss, in detail, the novel and environmentally friendly cold plasma delivery system in the destruction of viruses. This review highlights the potential of ROS as therapeutic mediators to modernize current techniques and improvement on the efficiency of inactivating SARS-CoV2 and other viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Kaushik
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong 18323, Korea
| | - Sarmistha Mitra
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Baek
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Linh Nhat Nguyen
- Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea,Laboratory of Plasma Technology, Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Viet Nam
| | - Pradeep Bhartiya
- Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea
| | - June Hyun Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Engineering, The University of Suwon, Hwaseong 18323, Korea
| | - Eun Ha Choi
- Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea,Corresponding author
| | - Nagendra Kumar Kaushik
- Department of Electrical and Biological Physics, Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Kwangwoon University, Seoul 01897, Korea,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nyaruaba R, Okoye CO, Akan OD, Mwaliko C, Ebido CC, Ayoola A, Ayeni EA, Odoh CK, Abi ME, Adebanjo O, Oyejobi GK. Socio-economic impacts of emerging infectious diseases in Africa. Infect Dis (Lond) 2022; 54:315-324. [PMID: 35007473 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2021.2022195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Nyaruaba
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles Obinwanne Okoye
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Otobong Donald Akan
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Microbiology, Akwa-Ibom State University, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria
| | - Caroline Mwaliko
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Chike Chukwuenyem Ebido
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
| | - Adeola Ayoola
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Emmanuel Ayodeji Ayeni
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,The Research Unit, New Being Foundation, Abuja, FCT-Nigeria
| | - Chuks Kenneth Odoh
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, CAS, Dalian, China
| | - Manzama-Esso Abi
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Yunnan Provincial Cancer Biotherapy and Chemotherapy Center, The third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province), Kunming, China
| | - Omosalewa Adebanjo
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,MOE Laboratory of Biosystem Homeostasis and Protection, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Greater Kayode Oyejobi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Organization of African Academic Doctors, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Osun State University, Osogbo, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Allam Z, Jones DS, Roös PB, Herron M, Nasirzadeh F, Sidiqui P, Rostemnezhad Cherati M. “Quarantined within a quarantine”. DATA SCIENCE FOR COVID-19 2022. [PMCID: PMC8989023 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-90769-9.00006-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
When the Australian state and lone isle of Tasmania went into coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine lockdown in March, within a quarantine-imposed Australian continent, thinking it was being very prudent, unforeseen was the lurking virus. Australia across January had been watching the global northern hemisphere scenario occurring and by February was preparing to quarantine itself, echoing its existing and long-term biosecurity exclusion regime. On a much grander scale, following through on a previously trialed national pandemic training exercise, no one had factored in the Ruby Princess variable and its major consequences that would require unprecedented pandemic response. The concentrated impact of cruise ship virus dissemination and escalation has been palpable across the world, but the Ruby Princess will remain a disaster in Australia's history. For Tasmania, several elderly passengers retraveled from Sydney to Tasmania, and a minor cluster has occurred. This chapter contextualizes what has been transpiring in Australia with the pandemic, with particular attention upon Tasmania, including discussion about the new COVIDSafe.App, and then explains the potential application of a Systems Dynamics Modeling exercise of the COVID-19 spread, in collaboration with a custom-built 2D/3D geographic information system (GIS) Dynamic Scenario Planning Model to spatially visualize potential “what-if” scenarios of COVID-19 spread (and other future pandemics) to identify high-risk areas and vulnerable communities in the northern areas of Tasmania that is aiding real-time pattern mapping and preparation work and to further consider and enable the most effective emergency response and recovery scenarios.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bitanihirwe B, Ssewanyana D, Ddumba-Nyanzi I. Pacing Forward in the Face of Fragility: Lessons From African Institutions and Governments' Response to Public Health Emergencies. Front Public Health 2021; 9:714812. [PMID: 34900886 PMCID: PMC8655676 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.714812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Africa is home to 54 United Nation member states, each possessing a wealth of ethno-cultural, physiographic, and economic diversity. While Africa is credited as having the youngest population in the world, it also exhibits a unique set of “unfortunate realties” ranging from famine and poverty to volatile politics, conflicts, and diseases. These unfortunate realities all converge around social inequalities in health, that are compounded by fragile healthcare systems and a lack of political will by the continent's leaders to improve smart investment and infrastructure planning for the benefit of its people. Noteworthy are the disparities in responsive approaches to crises and emergencies that exist across African governments and institutions. In this context, the present article draws attention to 3 distinct public health emergencies (PHEs) that have occurred in Africa since 2010. We focus on the 2013–2016 Ebola outbreak in Western Africa, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which continues to spread throughout the continent, and the destructive locust swarms that ravaged crops across East Africa in 2020. Our aim is to provide an integrated perspective on how governments and institutions handled these PHEs and how scientific and technological innovation, along with educational response played a role in the decision-making process. We conclude by touching on public health policies and strategies to address the development of sustainable health care systems with the potential to improve the health and well-being of the African people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Byron Bitanihirwe
- Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Derrick Ssewanyana
- Alliance for Health Development, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
The antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects of Ionophores for the treatment of human infection. J Inorg Biochem 2021; 227:111661. [PMID: 34896767 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ionophores are a diverse class of synthetic and naturally occurring ion transporter compounds which demonstrate both direct and in-direct antimicrobial properties against a broad panel of bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens. In addition, ionophores can regulate the host-immune response during communicable and non-communicable disease states. Although the clinical use of ionophores such as Amphotericin B, Bedaquiline and Ivermectin highlight the utility of ionophores in modern medicine, for many other ionophore compounds issues surrounding toxicity, bioavailability or lack of in vivo efficacy studies have hindered clinical development. The antimicrobial and immunomodulating properties of a range of compounds with characteristics of ionophores remain largely unexplored. As such, ionophores remain a latent therapeutic avenue to address both the global burden of antimicrobial resistance, and the unmet clinical need for new antimicrobial therapies. This review will provide an overview of the broad-spectrum antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of ionophores, and their potential uses in clinical medicine for combatting infection.
Collapse
|
8
|
Arifin B, Anas T. Lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccination in Indonesia: experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 17:3898-3906. [PMID: 34613879 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1975450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines as well as their delivery to people's arms are the best hope for ending the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the implementation of vaccination varies greatly across countries, with the developing countries lagging behind. This study investigates Indonesia's vaccination experiences, challenges, and acceleration over the course of implementation period. This study provides simulations to estimate the vaccination rate using time-series forecasting machine learning. We use Administrative data and Survey results in our analysis. Our findings suggest limited vaccine availability had caused low-coverage vaccination implementation in the early stage of vaccination implementation period. However, following the increased availability of vaccine, the vaccination rate accelerates up to 600% times. The government of Indonesia utilized strategic public places, public and private offices, and engaging private sectors in the phase two implementation to accelerate the vaccination implementation. Indonesia might reach 63.1 million individuals vaccinated at the end of March 2022, or 35% of the targeted population with up to April 2021 vaccination rate. To accelerate, government introduced a number of new strategies including door-to-door persuasion through neighborhood association (RT), educating individuals, and providing transportation from their home to the vaccination facility. We expect new strategies could further improve vaccination speed by around 1.4 million to 3.5 million individuals per day.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bondi Arifin
- Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia.,Prasetiya Mulya University
| | - Titik Anas
- Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia.,Padjajaran University
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Warnes CM, Santacruz-Sanmartín E, Bustos Carrillo F, Vélez ID. Surveillance and Epidemiology of Dengue in Medellín, Colombia from 2009 to 2017. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1719-1728. [PMID: 33755586 PMCID: PMC8103481 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral disease in humans, primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. We conducted a descriptive analysis of dengue cases from 2009 to 2017 in Medellín, Colombia, using data available from the Secretariat of Health. We analyzed the burden of outbreak years on the healthcare system, risk of cases exhibiting severe illness, potential disease surveillance problems, gender and age as risk factors, and spatiotemporal patterns of disease occurrence. Our data consisted of 50,083 cases, separated based on whether they were diagnostic test negative, diagnostic test positive (primarily IgM ELISA), clinically confirmed, epidemiologically linked, or probable. We used dengue incidence to analyze epidemiological trends between our study years, related to human movement patterns, between gender and age-groups, and spatiotemporally. We used risk to analyze the severity of dengue cases between the study years. We identified human movement could contributed to dengue spread, and male individuals (incidence rate: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.76-0.96) and individuals younger than 15 years (incidence rate: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.13-1.34) have higher incidence of dengue and located critical parts of the city where dengue incidence was high. Analysis was limited by participant diagnostic information, data concerning circulating strains, and a lack of phylogenetic information. Understanding the characteristics of dengue is a fundamental part of improving the health outcomes of at-risk populations. This analysis will be useful to support studies and initiatives to counteract dengue and provide context to the surveillance data collected by the health authorities in Medellín.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. Warnes
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Eduardo Santacruz-Sanmartín
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | | | - Iván Darío Vélez
- Programa de Estudio y Control de Enfermedades Tropicales (PECET), Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Calina D, Docea AO, Petrakis D, Egorov AM, Ishmukhametov AA, Gabibov AG, Shtilman MI, Kostoff R, Carvalho F, Vinceti M, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. Towards effective COVID‑19 vaccines: Updates, perspectives and challenges (Review). Int J Mol Med 2020; 46:3-16. [PMID: 32377694 PMCID: PMC7255458 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current context of the pandemic triggered by SARS-COV-2, the immunization of the population through vaccination is recognized as a public health priority. In the case of SARS-COV-2, the genetic sequencing was done quickly, in one month. Since then, worldwide research has focused on obtaining a vaccine. This has a major economic impact because new technological platforms and advanced genetic engineering procedures are required to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. The most difficult scientific challenge for this future vaccine obtained in the laboratory is the proof of clinical safety and efficacy. The biggest challenge of manufacturing is the construction and validation of production platforms capable of making the vaccine on a large scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Demetrios Petrakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Alex M Egorov
- FSBSI 'Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune‑ and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences', 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Aydar A Ishmukhametov
- FSBSI 'Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune‑ and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences', 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Michael I Shtilman
- D.I. Mendeleyev University of Chemical Technology, 125047 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ronald Kostoff
- School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Gainesville, VA 20155, USA
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050‑313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, I-41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Demetrios A Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Stawicki SP, Jeanmonod R, Miller AC, Paladino L, Gaieski DF, Yaffee AQ, De Wulf A, Grover J, Papadimos TJ, Bloem C, Galwankar SC, Chauhan V, Firstenberg MS, Di Somma S, Jeanmonod D, Garg SM, Tucci V, Anderson HL, Fatimah L, Worlton TJ, Dubhashi SP, Glaze KS, Sinha S, Opara IN, Yellapu V, Kelkar D, El-Menyar A, Krishnan V, Venkataramanaiah S, Leyfman Y, Saoud Al Thani HA, WB Nanayakkara P, Nanda S, Cioè-Peña E, Sardesai I, Chandra S, Munasinghe A, Dutta V, Dal Ponte ST, Izurieta R, Asensio JA, Garg M. The 2019-2020 Novel Coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) Pandemic: A Joint American College of Academic International Medicine-World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine Multidisciplinary COVID-19 Working Group Consensus Paper. J Glob Infect Dis 2020; 12:47-93. [PMID: 32773996 PMCID: PMC7384689 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_86_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
What started as a cluster of patients with a mysterious respiratory illness in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, was later determined to be coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel Betacoronavirus, was subsequently isolated as the causative agent. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted by respiratory droplets and fomites and presents clinically with fever, fatigue, myalgias, conjunctivitis, anosmia, dysgeusia, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. In most critical cases, symptoms can escalate into acute respiratory distress syndrome accompanied by a runaway inflammatory cytokine response and multiorgan failure. As of this article's publication date, COVID-19 has spread to approximately 200 countries and territories, with over 4.3 million infections and more than 290,000 deaths as it has escalated into a global pandemic. Public health concerns mount as the situation evolves with an increasing number of infection hotspots around the globe. New information about the virus is emerging just as rapidly. This has led to the prompt development of clinical patient risk stratification tools to aid in determining the need for testing, isolation, monitoring, ventilator support, and disposition. COVID-19 spread is rapid, including imported cases in travelers, cases among close contacts of known infected individuals, and community-acquired cases without a readily identifiable source of infection. Critical shortages of personal protective equipment and ventilators are compounding the stress on overburdened healthcare systems. The continued challenges of social distancing, containment, isolation, and surge capacity in already stressed hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments have led to a swell in technologically-assisted care delivery strategies, such as telemedicine and web-based triage. As the race to develop an effective vaccine intensifies, several clinical trials of antivirals and immune modulators are underway, though no reliable COVID-19-specific therapeutics (inclusive of some potentially effective single and multi-drug regimens) have been identified as of yet. With many nations and regions declaring a state of emergency, unprecedented quarantine, social distancing, and border closing efforts are underway. Implementation of social and physical isolation measures has caused sudden and profound economic hardship, with marked decreases in global trade and local small business activity alike, and full ramifications likely yet to be felt. Current state-of-science, mitigation strategies, possible therapies, ethical considerations for healthcare workers and policymakers, as well as lessons learned for this evolving global threat and the eventual return to a "new normal" are discussed in this article.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislaw P Stawicki
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Rebecca Jeanmonod
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Andrew C Miller
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Lorenzo Paladino
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - David F Gaieski
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Anna Q Yaffee
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Annelies De Wulf
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Joydeep Grover
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Thomas J. Papadimos
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Christina Bloem
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Sagar C Galwankar
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Vivek Chauhan
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Michael S. Firstenberg
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Salvatore Di Somma
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Donald Jeanmonod
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Sona M Garg
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Veronica Tucci
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Harry L Anderson
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Lateef Fatimah
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Tamara J Worlton
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | | | - Krystal S Glaze
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Sagar Sinha
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Ijeoma Nnodim Opara
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Vikas Yellapu
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Dhanashree Kelkar
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Ayman El-Menyar
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Vimal Krishnan
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - S Venkataramanaiah
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Yan Leyfman
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | | | | | - Sudip Nanda
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Eric Cioè-Peña
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Indrani Sardesai
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Shruti Chandra
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Aruna Munasinghe
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Vibha Dutta
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Silvana Teixeira Dal Ponte
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Ricardo Izurieta
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
| | - Juan A Asensio
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| | - Manish Garg
- Working Group on International Health Security, The American College of Academic International Academic Medicine, USA
- COVID-19 Pandemic Taskforce, World Academic Council of Emergency Medicine, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Allam Z. Actualizing Big Data Through Revised Data Protocols to Render More Accurate Infectious Disease Monitoring and Modeling. SURVEYING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS 2020. [PMCID: PMC7378537 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-824313-8.00004-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
13
|
Allam Z. The Emergence of Voluntary Citizen Networks to Circumvent Urban Health Data Sharing Restrictions During Pandemics. SURVEYING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS 2020. [PMCID: PMC7378496 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-824313-8.00005-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has impacted the global landscape well beyond initial estimates, impacting on both societal and economic fronts. Immediate responses by corporations and governments were geared toward building knowledge so that accurate and efficient programs could be devised toward curbing the impacts of the pandemic on society. However, one aspect to this was noted as to the limited availability of data sharing across platforms, systems, and jurisdictions, leading to limited datasets, hence, rendering inaccurate predictions that can be used to contain and limit the virus outbreak. In view of required immediate actions, volunteered geographic information (VGI) and citizen science concept have emerged, where people voluntarily share location and health status data to circumvent data sharing restrictions imposed upon corporations and governments. This is leading to more accurate predictions and supporting an emergence of alternative tools. This chapter explores this dimension and outlines how people, previously aggressively resisting data sharing, do so willingly in times of emergencies.
Collapse
|
14
|
Allam Z. The Rise of Machine Intelligence in the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Health Policy. SURVEYING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS 2020. [PMCID: PMC7378493 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-824313-8.00006-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The use of advanced technologies, especially predictive computing in the health sector, is on the rise in this era, and they have successfully transformed the sector with quality insights, better decision-making, and quality policies. Even though notable benefits have been achieved through the uptake of the technologies, adoption is still slow, as most of them are still new, hence facing some hurdles in their applications especially in national and international policy levels. But the recent case of COVID-19 outbreak has given an opportunity to showcase that these technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), have the capacity to produce accurate, real-time, and reliable predictions on issues as serious as pandemic outbreak. A case in point is how companies such as BlueDot and Metabiota managed to correctly predict the spread route of the virus days before such events happened and officially announced by the World Health Organization. In this chapter, an increase in the use of AI-based technologies to detect infectious diseases is underlined and how such uses have led to early detections of infectious diseases. Nevertheless, there is evidence that there is need to enhance data sharing activities, especially by rethinking how to improve the efficiency of data protocols. The chapter further proposes the need for enhanced use of technologies and data sharing to ensure that future outbreaks are detected even earlier, thus accelerating early preventive measures.
Collapse
|
15
|
Allam Z. Underlining the Role of Data Science and Technology in Supporting Supply Chains, Political Stability and Health Networks During Pandemics. SURVEYING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPLICATIONS 2020. [PMCID: PMC7378536 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-824313-8.00010-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This concluding chapter explores how data science and technology has been key in fighting COVID-19 through early detection and in the devising of tools for containing the spread. Interestingly, two precedence constraints are seen to emerge. First, data-driven modeling is the leading policy at an urban and national level, and second, legislations, which are being passed at record speed, will remain as a legacy postvirus. It is expected that those will accelerate the digital transition of communities for decades to come and lead to a resurgence of the smart cities concept which peaked in 2015. This chapter thus outlines the increasing role of data science in health sciences, the need for more robust digital infrastructures, and the role of technology in supporting livability of communities and world order.
Collapse
|
16
|
Walker A, Kennedy C, Taylor H, Paul A. Rethinking resistance: public health professionals on empathy and ethics in the 2014-2015 Ebola response in Sierra Leone and Liberia. CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/09581596.2019.1648763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Walker
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caitlin Kennedy
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Holly Taylor
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amy Paul
- Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Mahajan P, Visclosky T, Bhoi S, Galwankar S, Kuppermann N, Neumar R. The importance of developing global emergency medicine research network. Am J Emerg Med 2018; 37:744-745. [PMID: 30527916 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that emergency care can impact health of populations, the global epidemiology of emergencies in children and adults is unknown and substantial variation exists in emergency infrastructure among different nations, especially among the low and middle income countries. Various research networks which are etiology specific or subspecialty specific, including emergency care based networks have positively impacted the health of populations. However, emergency departments (ED) in low and middle income counties are underrepresented in most international networks. Creation of a global ED based research network will help generate generalizable evidence that can then be translated into locally relevant evidence-based guidelines, nurture future researchers in emergency medicine, standardize training/education and improve patient outcomes by reducing variation in clinical care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Mahajan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Timothy Visclosky
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Sanjeev Bhoi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
| | - Sagar Galwankar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Nathan Kuppermann
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Robert Neumar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Leiva-Suero LE, Morales JM, Villacís-Valencia SE, Escalona-Rabaza M, Quishpe-Jara GDLM, Hernández-Navarro EV, Fernández-Nieto M. Ébola, abordaje clínico integral. REVISTA DE LA FACULTAD DE MEDICINA 2018. [DOI: 10.15446/revfacmed.v66n3.64545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducción. El virus del Ébola, antes llamado fiebre hemorrágica del Ébola, es una enfermedad altamente contagiosa con mortalidad entre 50% y 90%, para la cual existen prometedoras opciones de tratamiento que se encuentran en fase de evaluación y uso compasional.Objetivos. Revisar la mejor evidencia médica publicada y analizar el comportamiento de las epidemias por virus del Ébola, sus manifestaciones clínicas, sus complicaciones, los elementos más significativos para su diagnóstico y las nuevas opciones terapéuticas disponibles, para así aprender y aplicar estas experiencias en nuevos brotes.Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, Redalyc, Ovid, Medline, DynaMed y ClinicalKey durante el periodo 2009-2017 en el contexto internacional, regional y local.Resultados. La revisión sistemática de artículos aportó un total de 51 430 registros, de los cuales 772 eran elegibles; de estos, 722 no eran relevantes, por lo que quedaron incluidos 50. A punto de partida se pudieron precisar los aspectos objeto de esta revisión.Conclusión. La enfermedad causada por el virus del Ébola, a pesar de su alta mortalidad, puede ser prevenida, diagnosticada oportunamente y tratada con efectividad, lo cual permite evaluar su impacto epidemiológico en las áreas endémicas y a nivel mundial. Existe un potencial arsenal terapéutico en fase de experimentación con resultados prometedores.
Collapse
|
19
|
Ringel O, Vieillard V, Debré P, Eichler J, Büning H, Dietrich U. The Hard Way towards an Antibody-Based HIV-1 Env Vaccine: Lessons from Other Viruses. Viruses 2018; 10:v10040197. [PMID: 29662026 PMCID: PMC5923491 DOI: 10.3390/v10040197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although effective antibody-based vaccines have been developed against multiple viruses, such approaches have so far failed for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Despite the success of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) that has turned HIV-1 infection into a chronic disease and has reduced the number of new infections worldwide, a vaccine against HIV-1 is still urgently needed. We discuss here the major reasons for the failure of “classical” vaccine approaches, which are mostly due to the biological properties of the virus itself. HIV-1 has developed multiple mechanisms of immune escape, which also account for vaccine failure. So far, no vaccine candidate has been able to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against primary patient viruses from different clades. However, such antibodies were identified in a subset of patients during chronic infection and were shown to protect from infection in animal models and to reduce viremia in first clinical trials. Their detailed characterization has guided structure-based reverse vaccinology approaches to design better HIV-1 envelope (Env) immunogens. Furthermore, conserved Env epitopes have been identified, which are promising candidates in view of clinical applications. Together with new vector-based technologies, considerable progress has been achieved in recent years towards the development of an effective antibody-based HIV-1 vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Ringel
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Vincent Vieillard
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Patrice Debré
- Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Sorbonne Université, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL8255, 75013 Paris, France.
| | - Jutta Eichler
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Hildegard Büning
- Laboratory for Infection Biology & Gene Transfer, Institute of Experimental Hematology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Ursula Dietrich
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, 60596 Frankfurt, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chattu VK, Kumar R, Kumary S, Kajal F, David JK. Nipah virus epidemic in southern India and emphasizing "One Health" approach to ensure global health security. J Family Med Prim Care 2018; 7:275-283. [PMID: 30090764 PMCID: PMC6060941 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_137_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV) encephalitis first reported in "Sungai Nipah" in Malaysia in 1999 has emerged as a global public health threat in the Southeast Asia region. From 1998 to 2018, more than 630 cases of NiV human infections were reported. NiV is transmitted by zoonotic (from bats to humans, or from bats to pigs, and then to humans) as well as human-to-human routes. Deforestation and urbanization of some areas have contributed to greater overlap between human and bat habitats resulting in NiV outbreaks. Common symptoms of NiV infection in humans are similar to that of influenza such as fever and muscle pain and in some cases, the inflammation of the brain occurs leading to encephalitis. The recent epidemic in May 2018 in Kerala for the first time has killed over 17 people in 7 days with high case fatality and highlighted the importance of One Health approach. The diagnosis is often not suspected at the time of presentation and creates challenges in outbreak detection, timely control measures, and outbreak response activities. Currently, there are no drugs or vaccines specific for NiV infection although this is a priority disease on the World Health Organization's agenda. Antivirals (Ribavirin, HR2-based fusion inhibitor), biologicals (convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies), immunomodulators, and intensive supportive care are the mainstay to treat severe respiratory and neurologic complications. There is a great need for strengthening animal health surveillance system, using a One Health approach, to detect new cases and provide early warning for veterinary and human public health authorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vijay K Chattu
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad And Tobago
| | - Raman Kumar
- Academy of Family Physicians of India, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Fnu Kajal
- Global Health Researcher, University of San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Joseph K David
- Medical Laboratory Specialist, Etobicoke, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bragazzi NL, Alicino C, Trucchi C, Paganino C, Barberis I, Martini M, Sticchi L, Trinka E, Brigo F, Ansaldi F, Icardi G, Orsi A. Global reaction to the recent outbreaks of Zika virus: Insights from a Big Data analysis. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185263. [PMID: 28934352 PMCID: PMC5608413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The recent spreading of Zika virus represents an emerging global health threat. As such, it is attracting public interest worldwide, generating a great amount of related Internet searches and social media interactions. The aim of this research was to understand Zika-related digital behavior throughout the epidemic spreading and to assess its consistence with real-world epidemiological data, using a behavioral informatics and analytics approach. Methods In this study, the global web-interest and reaction to the recently occurred outbreaks of the Zika Virus were analyzed in terms of tweets and Google Trends (GT), Google News, YouTube, and Wikipedia search queries. These data streams were mined from 1st January 2004 to 31st October 2016, with a focus on the period November 2015—October 2016. This analysis was complemented with the use of epidemiological data. Spearman’s correlation was performed to correlate all Zika-related data. Moreover, a multivariate regression was performed using Zika-related search queries as a dependent variable, and epidemiological data, number of inhabitants in 2015 and Human Development Index as predictor variables. Results Overall 3,864,395 tweets, 284,903 accesses to Wikipedia pages dedicated to the Zika virus were analyzed during the study period. All web-data sources showed that the main spike of researches and interactions occurred in February 2016 with a second peak in August 2016. All novel data streams-related activities increased markedly during the epidemic period with respect to pre-epidemic period when no web activity was detected. Correlations between data from all these web platforms resulted very high and statistically significant. The countries in which web searches were particularly concentrated are mainly from Central and South Americas. The majority of queries concerned the symptoms of the Zika virus, its vector of transmission, and its possible effect to babies, including microcephaly. No statistically significant correlation was found between novel data streams and global real-world epidemiological data. At country level, a correlation between the digital interest towards the Zika virus and Zika incidence rate or microcephaly cases has been detected. Conclusions An increasing public interest and reaction to the current Zika virus outbreak was documented by all web-data sources and a similar pattern of web reactions has been detected. The public opinion seems to be particularly worried by the alert of teratogenicity of the Zika virus. Stakeholders and health authorities could usefully exploited these internet tools for collecting the concerns of public opinion and reply to them, disseminating key information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cristiano Alicino
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Cecilia Trucchi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Paganino
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barberis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Mariano Martini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Laura Sticchi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Hygiene Unit,”Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS” teaching hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Public Health Technology Assessment, UMIT—University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall i.T., Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Franz Tappeiner Hospital, Merano, Italy
- Department of Neurological, Biomedical, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Filippo Ansaldi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Icardi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Hygiene Unit,”Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS” teaching hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Orsi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Hygiene Unit,”Ospedale Policlinico San Martino IRCCS” teaching hospital, Genoa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Rather IA, Kumar S, Bajpai VK, Lim J, Park YH. Prevention and Control Strategies to Counter ZIKA Epidemic. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:305. [PMID: 28293228 PMCID: PMC5328966 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
ZIKA virus (ZIKA) has now become a global phenomenon. Since 2007, evidence of ZIKA transmission has been reported over 72 countries and territories. The transmission of ZIKA has made World Health Organization to categorize the situation under the ambit of a health emergency. This situation is serious because there appears to be a highly tangible link between infection during pregnancy and the occurrence of microcephaly and Guillain–Barré syndrome. In the context of this emergency situation, this review article intends to discuss the prevention and control strategies such as avoiding travel to infected area, being careful from mosquito bites, take precautions to reduce the risk of sexual transmission, and seek medical care for any acute illness with rash or fever. This review is an attempt to analyze the results of those campaigns, keeping in view the variables and constants that affect any such measures. Furthermore, this article will suggest proactive measures that can be employed to effectively combat the epidemic transmission of the ZIKA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irfan A Rather
- Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Sanjay Kumar
- Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia Athens, GA, USA
| | - Vivek K Bajpai
- Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Jeongheui Lim
- National Science Museum, ICT and Future Planning Yuseong-gu, South Korea
| | - Yong-Ha Park
- Department of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, School of Biotechnology, Yeungnam University Gyeongsan, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
A New Source of Nonprofit Neurosurgical Funding. World Neurosurg 2017; 98:603-613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.10.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
24
|
Paladino L, Sharpe RP, Galwankar SC, Sholevar F, Marchionni C, Papadimos TJ, Paul E, Hansoti B, Firstenberg M, Garg M, Watson M, Baxter RA, Stawicki SP. Reflections on the Ebola Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Part 2: The Unseen Epidemic of Posttraumatic Stress among Health-care Personnel and Survivors of the 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak. J Glob Infect Dis 2017; 9:45-50. [PMID: 28584454 PMCID: PMC5452550 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_24_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Paladino
- Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Richard P Sharpe
- Department of Surgery, St. Luke's International Surgical Studies, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sagar C Galwankar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Farhad Sholevar
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christine Marchionni
- Department of Psychiatry, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas J Papadimos
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Elisabeth Paul
- Department of Medicine, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael Firstenberg
- Department of Surgery and Integrative Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Manish Garg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mindy Watson
- Department of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ric A Baxter
- Department of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stanislaw P Stawicki
- Department of Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Stawicki SP, Sharpe RP, Galwankar SC, Sweeney J, Martins N, Papadimos TJ, Jeanmonod D, Firstenberg MS, Paladino L, Hansoti B, Garg M. Reflections on the Ebola Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Part 1: Post-Ebola Syndrome: The Silent Outbreak. J Glob Infect Dis 2017; 9:41-44. [PMID: 28584453 PMCID: PMC5452549 DOI: 10.4103/jgid.jgid_20_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stanislaw P Stawicki
- Department of Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Richard P Sharpe
- St. Luke's International Surgical Studies, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sagar C Galwankar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Joan Sweeney
- Department of Neurology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Noel Martins
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas J Papadimos
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Donald Jeanmonod
- Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael S Firstenberg
- Department of Surgery and Integrative Medicine, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Akron, Ohio, USA
| | - Lorenzo Paladino
- Department of Emergency Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York, USA
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Manish Garg
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
The counter effects of the Ebola epidemic on control and treatment of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in West Africa. AIDS 2016; 30:2555-2559. [PMID: 27525552 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000001231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
27
|
Yusim K, Yoon H, Foley B, Feng S, Macke J, Dimitrijevic M, Abfalterer W, Szinger J, Fischer W, Kuiken C, Korber B. Integrated sequence and immunology filovirus database at Los Alamos. DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION 2016; 2016:baw047. [PMID: 27103629 PMCID: PMC4839628 DOI: 10.1093/database/baw047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The Ebola outbreak of 2013–15 infected more than 28 000 people and claimed more lives than all previous filovirus outbreaks combined. Governmental agencies, clinical teams, and the world scientific community pulled together in a multifaceted response ranging from prevention and disease control, to evaluating vaccines and therapeutics in human trials. As this epidemic is finally coming to a close, refocusing on long-term prevention strategies becomes paramount. Given the very real threat of future filovirus outbreaks, and the inherent uncertainty of the next outbreak virus and geographic location, it is prudent to consider the extent and implications of known natural diversity in advancing vaccines and therapeutic approaches. To facilitate such consideration, we have updated and enhanced the content of the filovirus portion of Los Alamos Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses Database. We have integrated and performed baseline analysis of all family Filoviridae sequences deposited into GenBank, with associated immune response data, and metadata, and we have added new computational tools with web-interfaces to assist users with analysis. Here, we (i) describe the main features of updated database, (ii) provide integrated views and some basic analyses summarizing evolutionary patterns as they relate to geo-temporal data captured in the database and (iii) highlight the most conserved regions in the proteome that may be useful for a T cell vaccine strategy. Database URL: www.hfv.lanl.gov
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karina Yusim
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Hyejin Yoon
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Brian Foley
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Shihai Feng
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Will Fischer
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Carla Kuiken
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| | - Bette Korber
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Sikka V, Chattu VK, Popli RK, Galwankar SC, Kelkar D, Sawicki SG, Stawicki SP, Papadimos TJ. The Emergence of Zika Virus as a Global Health Security Threat: A Review and a Consensus Statement of the INDUSEM Joint working Group (JWG). J Glob Infect Dis 2016; 8:3-15. [PMID: 27013839 PMCID: PMC4785754 DOI: 10.4103/0974-777x.176140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Zika virus (ZIKV), first discovered in 1947, has emerged as a global public health threat over the last decade, with the accelerated geographic spread of the virus noted during the last 5 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that millions of cases of ZIKV are likely to occur in the Americas during the next 12 months. These projections, in conjunction with suspected Zika-associated increase in newborn microcephaly cases, prompted WHO to declare public health emergency of international concern. ZIKV-associated illness is characterized by an incubation period of 3-12 days. Most patients remain asymptomatic (i.e., ~80%) after contracting the virus. When symptomatic, clinical presentation is usually mild and consists of a self-limiting febrile illness that lasts approximately 2-7 days. Among common clinical manifestations are fever, arthralgia, conjunctivitis, myalgia, headache, and maculopapular rash. Hospitalization and complication rates are low, with fatalities being extremely rare. Newborn microcephaly, the most devastating and insidious complication associated with the ZIKV, has been described in the offspring of women who became infected while pregnant. Much remains to be elucidated about the timing of ZIKV infection in the context of the temporal progression of pregnancy, the corresponding in utero fetal development stage(s), and the risk of microcephaly. Without further knowledge of the pathophysiology involved, the true risk of ZIKV to the unborn remains difficult to quantify and remediate. Accurate, portable, and inexpensive point-of-care testing is required to better identify cases and manage the current and future outbreaks of ZIKV, including optimization of preventive approaches and the identification of more effective risk reduction strategies. In addition, much more work needs to be done to produce an effective vaccine. Given the rapid geographic spread of ZIKV in recent years, a coordinated local, regional, and global effort is needed to generate sufficient resources and political traction to effectively halt and contain further expansion of the current outbreak.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Sikka
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Orlando, USA
| | - Vijay Kumar Chattu
- Institute for International Relations, The University of West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, USA
| | - Raaj K Popli
- Digestive Disease Consultants of Central Florida, Altamonte Springs, Florida, USA
| | - Sagar C Galwankar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Dhanashree Kelkar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Stanley G Sawicki
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine and the Life Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, USA
| | - Stanislaw P Stawicki
- Department of Research and Innovation, St. Luke's University Health Network, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas J Papadimos
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| |
Collapse
|