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Jan 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-4044
This paper attempts to present the dissemination and transmission dynamics of emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and the underlying features of gain-of-function research and geopolitics in the ambient within and across borders. Research and publication are relevant from perspectives in the management of local and global health because disease is perspicuously a geopolitical issue ostensibly linked to gain-of-function research where health diplomacy undergirds present and future global functionalities regarding the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. These have generated vehement reactions with propensity for extreme geopolitics and gain-of-function natural and anthropogenic activities. Geopolitical parameters and gain-of-function issues impact on the social determinants of health and vice versa. The convening and convergence of countries for unprecented epidemic or pandemic treaty settings or other formulations to confront emerging and reemerging infectious diseases will afford considerable opportunities concerning challenges in action, preparedness and response. Provisions are pertinent for legal instruments, effective and efficient systems to curb future threats and outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Jul 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-19-2966
Big infectious diseases do harm to the whole society and it is highly crucial to control them on time. China has successful experience of launching reimbursement policy to control big infectious diseases, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes (SARS), efficiently. By evolution model, this article illustrates the efficiency of big infectious disease reimbursement policy in China. On one hand, the number of infected persons decreases under big infectious disease reimbursement policy in China. On the other hand, the total expenditures to cure also under control. In summary, big infectious disease reimbursement policy in China can support as an efficient example to cope with big infectious diseases.
Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2572-3030.jcgb-18-2527
As remarkable advances have been made in immunotherapies, the overall goal of immunotherapy has become the selection of patients and evaluating the benefits of treatment. One of the major obstacles to develop immunotherapies is the lack of effective immune monitoring. Monitoring of key changes in the immune system during immunotherapy (immunomonitoring) provides important insights into efficacy as well as the immune mechanisms of response at the molecular and cellular levels. Immunomonitoring techniques include traditional immunoassays that use specific antibodies to recognize the analytes of interest, new high-throughput immunoassays that target immune cells and nucleic acids, and less classical immunogenomic approaches that rely on genome-wide profiling and computational analysis on various types of clinical samples. Substantial progress has been made in the application of immunomonitoring strategies to pre-clinical and clinical studies, especially for patients with cancer and infectious diseases. Current and emerging immunoassays performed in clinical practice will be examined herein, and immunogenomic approaches that complement these techniques will be highlighted and compared with traditional methods. Finally, we will discuss several new computational methods for analyzing gene signatures for immunomonitoring, including gene expression data profiling by microarray, the nCounter technique, regular RNA-seq, and single-cell RNA-seq. Novel immunomonitoring techniques, especially immunogenomic approaches, will continue to be developed to facilitate assessment of immunotherapeutic response and predict patient outcomes in cancer and infectious disease.
Nov 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2326-0793.jpgr-25-5573
Advancements in proteomic and genomic technologies have transformed molecular biology by enabling comprehensive analysis of biological systems at the molecular level. This literature review explores the evolution, methodologies, and practical applications of key proteomic and genomic techniques. In proteomics, tools such as two-dimensional electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, Western blotting, Edman degradation, and functional protein microarrays have facilitated high-throughput protein identification, post-translational modification analysis, and biomarker discovery. Similarly, genomic methodologies like PCR, recombinant DNA technology, gel electrophoresis, and Southern blotting have revolutionized gene detection, manipulation, and expression profiling. The review also highlights the interdisciplinary impact of these technologies across clinical diagnostics, oncology, autoimmune disorders, infectious disease surveillance, cardiovascular research, and personalized nutrition. Integrative approaches combining proteomics and genomics are enabling the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, improving disease classification, and advancing precision medicine. Despite current limitations, such as the absence of amplification techniques for proteins and challenges in data interpretation, ongoing innovations promise to bridge these gaps. This synthesis underscores the pivotal role of molecular techniques in deepening our understanding of human biology and accelerating biomedical advancements for improved healthcare outcomes.
Jul 2025 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-869X.jfd-25-3841
Soil is a natural habitat and ecosystem for microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. Mostly keratinophilic fungi are found in soil, use keratin as a growth substrate, and are essential to the natural degradation of keratin waste. These fungi include dermatophytes, a potential source of infectious diseases in humans and animals and cause dermatophytosis. One hundred thirty-six soil samples were collected from several sites including animal habitats in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, India. The soil samples were used for the study of keratinophilic fungi related to species richness, abundance, and diversity. The Physio-chemical properties of collected soil samples were analyzed and examined in soil microflora for temperature, pH, and macronutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Ninety-eight soil samples (72%) showed positive results for the keratinophilic fungal isolates. The isolated fungal species belonging to eight genera and seventeen species included Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Chrysosporium tropicum, Microsporum gypseum, M. canis, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, F. verticilloides, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. terrestre, T. equinum, Penicillium, Mucor circinelloides, and Blastomyces. The temperature recorded for keratinophilic fungi ranged between 25℃ and 37℃ and pH was found in the range of 7.0 to 8.5. The fungal community was dominated by the order Onygenales followed by Eurotiales and Hypocreales belonging to the phylum Ascomycota.
Oct 2024
Both the human body and the natural world are governed by multiple complex systems. These systems have feedback loops which is a process in which the outputs of a system are circled back and used as inputs. Where there are multiple systems, there is always the potential for a catastrophic system failure. If a system fails in the human body, this can lead to a number of life-threatening and debilitating diseases such as cancer. Diseases such as cancer is in effect, the result of a catastrophic system failure. There are cancer cases in which the root cause of the disease is unknown. System failure in the human reproductive system can lead to congenital birth defects. In cases of a system failure leading to congenital birth defects, some of the causal factors are known but in 65% of these cases, the reasons for this reproductive system failure are unexplained. There are neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s where again, the root causes are unknown. Then there are a number of infectious diseases where the root cause is unknown. The initial causative factors for most of these human diseases are well known. What has yet to be fully understood is the primary root cause that triggers and underpins these system failures in the first place. Nature also has devastating system failures such as in earthquakes and hurricanes. Humans and nature are a close partnership and nature can influence human health. Nature’s systems are deeply interconnected and often exhibit complex behaviours due to positive and negative feedback loops present in both nature and human body systems. Using systems methodology and systems thinking and philosophical insights, the objective is to try to ascertain the answer as to why there are these unknown root causes of diseases; questions that presently, science alone cannot explain. It will be argued that as man and nature are as one, the answers as to why human body systems fail leading to disease may lie not in science but in nature.
Oct 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2575-1212.jvhc-23-4532
Camels are a significant source of income for nomadic populations in many developing countries, including Ethiopia. Camels are well adapted to dry and semi-dry regions, providing income, food security, and transportation. However, camel production and productivity are constrained by infectious diseases, such as brucellosis, which is a highly infectious bacterial disease that affects camels and humans worldwide. Brucellosis causes significant economic losses due to abortion, low herd fertility, and decreased milk production. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of camel brucellosis varies depending on factors related to the host, agent, climate, and management system, with a reported prevalence ranging from 0.5% to 11.9%. Accurate diagnosis of camel Brucellosis is essential for herd-based screening of animals. Although culturing the pathogen is the preferred method for diagnosis, serological tests such as Rose-Bengal plate test (RBPT), Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Complement fixation test (CFT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays have been developed. Implementing effective diagnosis and surveillance systems to control the spread of brucellosis in animals and humans is very important, on top of awareness campaigns, vaccination programs, and suitable laboratory establishment recommended. Continued research is essential to maintain the health and productivity of camel populations, particularly in pastoral areas where camels play a significant role in the livelihood of communities. Therefore, the present paper views the seropositive prevalence and potential risk factors associated with camel brucellosis in Ethiopia.
Mar 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-0904.ijoe-21-3884
Background and Purpose Public health problems are caused by the emergence of environmental pollution and infectious diseases, which have caused concern around the world. The public health threat affects the relationship between people. Population growth and associated pressures increase difficulties associated with effective means of maintaining public health. The diseases transmitted from human and livestock communication, water pollution, air pollution, and environmental pollutants urge us to find new solutions to address these problems. Understanding the environmental and environmental health is a prerequisite for protecting public health. In Iran, like other countries in the world, the issue of environmental protection and its compliance with the first program of economic, social and cultural development of the Islamic Republic has begun and expanded in the future. In this regard, new perspectives are being introduced that will bring about dramatic changes at various levels of planning, processes and specialized sectors such as civil, industrial and educational sectors. The training of engineers in this regard can play a very important role in refining the attitudes of young engineers and using these bases in their specialized activities. One of the important tasks of universities is to provide a suitable platform for such training. In this regard, it is essential that the major industrial universities of the country develop various programs in this field. Materials and Methods The present study is a review of the type of validity that is performed through search of authoritative scientific databases such as PubMed and Scopus, Google scholar, PubMed using the key words of building safety and health, HSE, and prevention methods are the latest information. Results Implementing the principles of HSE in various construction, industrial and other projects requires time, because any change that is considered in the system requires a change of attitude, which in turn requires time to adapt and adapt to the new conditions. The conditions for the projects in this research are their current conditions, and the next research, after a while, can determine the percentage of project progress in terms of HSE. Conclusion In order to comply with the principle of HSE cases, there is a need for training. These trainings should be executed at different levels and levels of contracting and monitoring so that the level of awareness of the risks involved in the development of civil operations between the personnel reaches a common frontier.
Sep 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4837.ijip-20-3944
Background Infection prevention and control system in healthcare facilities is essential in dealing with the spread of infectious diseases, especially during an outbreak period such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives The study assessed the infection prevention and control (IPC) situation in selected healthcare facilities in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods This was a multi-facility based cross-sectional study that used a monitoring tool of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) of Ghana to collect information on the IPC practices at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Data was gathered from 501 healthcare facilities in the Greater Accra (335) and Ashanti (151) Regions. Descriptive, Chi-square, and multiple logistic regression were performed. All statistical analyses were considered significant at an alpha level of 0.05. Results 50.6% of health facilities were assessed as having good IPC systems in the overall assessment. The majority of the health facilities were evaluated as good on governance/leadership. Similarly, the majority (54.3 %)of the facilities had effective infectious waste management. The assessment levels of governance/leadership, management, quality assurance system, human resource, IPC equipment, and water management were all significantly associated with the adherence to good IPC systems. Conclusion IPC systems in most facilities were assessed as good, but some areas require critical attention to help prevent the spread of infections in healthcare facilities in Ghana. Support systems such as revised policy on IPC, governance/leadership, and infectious waste management infrastructure are needed to strengthen facilities with weak or poor IPC systems.
Aug 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-3924
This study measures the impact of chloroquine (CQ) therapy in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load in infected individuals and hence its transmissibility by describing changes in nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RNA kinetics in patients receiving standard of care (SOC) or CQ +/- ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r). The nasopharyngeal (NP) samples were collected from mild COVID-19 patients admitted at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute between March and April of 2020. These patients either received SOC, or a high dose of CQ with loading dose, or high dose of CQ plus LPV/r. The samples were tested at AFRIMS using a quantitative RT-PCR assay. Levels of CQ in the plasma were measured 6 days post initiation of their treatment. In some instances, viral isolation was attempted to determine SARS-CoV-2 viability. Analyses of the clinical outcomes showed that CQ +/- lopinavir did not contribute significantly to decreasing the number of days with detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Viral NP GEs declined faster in the CQ group, but benefits diminished rapidly with delays in treatment initiation. Funding Global Emerging Infections Surveillance, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Branch (GEIS-AFHSB) for all research-related activities at the AFRIMS
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-21-3862
COVID-19 is a new infectious disease, which needs to explore the clinical value of white blood cell count and lymphocyte to provide help for diagnosis and treatment.COVID-19 cases were Selected that admitted to 2 hospitals in Guizhou, China. WBC and LYM in the 1st day, in the 4th day and in the 7th day after onset were collected. There were not any differences in The WBC and LYM in the 4th day and the 7th day between the two groups.WBC and LYM in the 1st day in the moderate group were lesser than in the mild group. WBC and LYM were no dynamic changes in the mild group. In moderate group, WBC and LYM in the 1st day were lesser than in the 4th day. The levels in the 4th day and the 7th day were no differences. The conclusion was In the early stage of COVID-19, the WBC and LYM in moderate patients were significantly decreased within 4 days after onset, and could be restored to normal level after 4-7 days. However, no dynamic changes were observed in mild patients within 7 days.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-21-3851
Background The rapid and ongoing spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms threatens the ability to successfully prevent, control, or treat a growing number of infectious diseases in developed and developing countries. This study was designed to convey more insight on the profile of antimicrobial resistance and the capacity of laboratories conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Cameroon. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in the Deido Health District. Laboratories that carry out culture and sensitivity testing within the Deido Health District were identified and assessed to determine their capacity as well as the quality of results from microbiological investigations. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility of various isolates was collected using tablet phones in which the study questionnaires had been incorporated. Results Gaps identified in antimicrobial susceptibility testing that cut across laboratories included; insufficient standard operating procedures, inadequate records on personnel training and competency assessment, lack of safety equipment such as biosafety cabinet, stock out and non-participation in external quality assurance program. The turnaround time for antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 3 – 7 days. Out of the 1797 samples cultured, 437(24.3%) had at least one isolate. A total of 15 different isolates were identified with Candida albicans being the most frequent 178 (40.7%), followed by Escherichia coli 80(18.3%). Among the 15 classes of antimicrobial drugs used in this study, the overall resistance of the isolates showed that five classes had class median resistance above 40% (Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Beta-lactam, Macrolides, and Polyenes). Conclusion This study has shown the need to develop a coordinated national approach to fight antimicrobial resistance. Scaling-up of antimicrobial susceptibility testing will, therefore, require strengthening the microbiology units of laboratory systems as well as ensuring the use of laboratory data for decision making.
May 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2689-4602.jes-21-3837
The coronavirus infectious disease (20)19 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a newly identified virus (2019) SARS-CoV-2, a beta coronavirus that shares similarities with other human-infecting coronaviruses. Genomic analysis suggests that SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to SARS-CoV, a bat-related coronavirus, RaTG13, and to other pangolin-associated coronaviruses. The spike protein of coronaviruses are glycoproteins and are responsible for attaching the virus to the host cell and entering. Amino acid changes within the spike protein-encoding gene from SARS-CoV to SARS-CoV-2 enable SARS-CoV-2 to form a stable spike protein, to form a stable complex between the S protein and the receptor ACE2, to increase binding points between the S protein and ACE2, and to survive at higher temperatures. SARS-CoV-2 is zoonotic, with genomic analysis implicating bats as the original host and pangolins as the most likely intermediate host to infect humans. As SARS-CoV-2 infects humans, viral point mutations will continually occur and cause the emergence of new competitive SARS-CoV-2 strains. Two major strains include D614G and N501Y and have increased infectivity and transmission, further complicating the scope of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Vigilant monitoring of viral development and evolution is necessary for developing proper treatment methods and vaccine targets.
Apr 2021
Background COVID-19 as an infectious disease, and deadly biological crisis, threatens the bio-psycho-social- spiritual health of the people. Spiritual health from the perspective of Islam, means having a sound heart, living in the present time with sense of peace, security, patience and gratitude, safe from the fear and anxiety of future, grief and regret for the past events. It affects other dimension of health. This study was conducted to investigate the spiritual health services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in a Muslim society. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from March 1, 2020 to the end of May 2020 in Tehran by using the Schwartz and Kim's hybrid model concept analysis with a deductive / inductive analysis approach, in three stages: 1- Theoretical review of religious and scientific evidence, 2- Field research 3- Final analysis. Data collection was done in hospitals and hospices by semi-structured interviews, taking notes, websites and social networks search. Data were analyzed by "Contractual Content Analysis Method". Results Despite the fact that spiritual health services (spiritual care and counseling) are not taught in Iranian universities, but in this biological crisis, spiritual health services, based on religious beliefs of health system employees were implemented. The Muslims’ belief in divine test, healing power of God, helping the people as highest worship, aroused spiritual awakening and enthusiasm in the health care team. Spiritual health services at prevention levels were provided with the aim of helping the patient, family and clients, in an inter-professional model based on the jurisprudential rules derived from the religious evidences (Verses and Hadiths), in line with holistic approach, community-based care, spiritual self-care, home-care, family participation. The involvement of non-specialists in the provision of medical services was prevented. According to, preserving the human dignity in Islam, Islamic rituals were performed by the treatment team and volunteer clerics for dying and dead people. Conclusion Considering the impact of religious spirituality on Muslims’ lifestyle and health behaviors, it seems that the use of Islamic health guidelines can improve the quality of health care services and help improve the spiritual health of people in biological crises.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-8681.jcsr-21-3701
Background The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) suddenly appeared in Wuhan, Hubei since December 2019, and quickly swept across China, then the whole world. Today, after more than 100 days of fighting against the virus, China's epidemic has been effectively controlled, but when we looking at the entire world, the novel coronavirus has rampaged globally, especially in the United States and many European countries. This paper mainly studies the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks at Hubei Province and the United States, fits the given data and predicts future trends. Methods Based on the theoretical basis of traditional differential equations and SIR infectious disease model1, and combined with the actual situation to improve the model. Hubei Province is modeled in different time periods, and the effects of birth rate and natural mortality on the model are analyzed. Since the birth rate and natural mortality in the United States in recent years cannot be found, the epidemic situation in the United States can only be analyzed based on the absence of births and natural deaths. Finally, we used Netlogo2 to establish a closed environment (Small World), and combined with known data to conduct simulation experiments on COVID-19 infection. Findings Through the analysis of given data through the SIR model, it is found that before the Chinese government has taken comprehensive measures to cure patients (before 10 February), the number of patients in Hubei Province will reach the peak at the end of February, and will gradually decline thereafter, and on 20 March, the epidemic will be effectively controlled in the future, which coincides with the fact that Wuhan closed the last mobile cabin hospital on 10 March. On the other hand, after the Chinese government tried its best to cure the patients (after 21 February), the number of patients continued to decline over time and will reach 0 in mid-April, which is also consistent with the actual data. According to the factors of birth and natural death, the sensitivity analysis of the above model found that when the epidemic situation is at its peak, it has little effect on the curve, but when the epidemic situation gradually flattens, it still has a certain effect on the trend of the curve. Finally, looking at the situation in the United States, due to the high transmission rate, the number of patients in the United States continues to rise and is expected to reach its maximum in mid-June. We also use Netlogo to simulate the environment in which the virus spread, and find that the general trend of the curves is also consistent with the actual curves. Interpretation The Chinese government has taken various measures to deal with the novel coronavirus pneumonia, including the establishment of two temporary hospitals and dozens of sheltered hospitals, the temporary transformation of university dormitories into isolation rooms345, the closure of Wuhan, the ban on the movement of people and so on. These measures have helped to reduce the spread of the virus and greatly increased the patient's cure rate. But the US government ’s actions are not as effective as China’s, not only because the government ’s actions are inappropriate and untimely, and the people’s opposition to isolation has not subsided. As a result, the virus has spread widely in the United States. More than one million people have been infected with the virus, and tens of thousands of people have died from COVID-196.
Jan 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3383
With the spread of the new coronavirus around the world, governments of various countries have begun to use the mathematical modeling method to construct some virus transmission models assessing the risks of spatial spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19, while carrying out epidemic prevention work, and then calculate the inflection point for better prevention and control of epidemic transmission. This work analyzes the spread of the new coronavirus in China, Italy, Germany, Spain, and France, and explores the quantitative relationship between the growth rate of the number of new coronavirus infections and time. In investigating the dynamics of a disease such as COVID-19, its mathematical representation can be constructed at many levels of details, guided by the questions the model tries to help answer. Mathematical sophistication may have to yield to a more pragmatic approach closer to the ability to make predictions that inform public health policies. Background In December 2019 , the first Chinese patients with pneumonia of unknown cause is China admitted to hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Jinyintan , since then, COVID-19 in the rapid expansion of China Wuhan, Hubei, in a few months time, COVID-19 is Soon it spread to a total of 34 provincial-level administrative regions in China and neighboring countries, and Hubei Province immediately became the hardest hit by the new coronavirus. In an emergency situation, we strive to establish an accurate infectious disease retardation growth model to predict the development and propagation of COVID-19, and on this basis, make some short-term effective predictions. The construction of this model has Relevant departments are helpful for the prevention and monitoring of the new coronavirus, and also strive for more time for the clinical trials of Chinese researchers and the research on vaccines against the virus to eliminate the new corona virus as soon as possible. Methods According to the original data change law, Establish a Logistic growth model, we collect and compare and integrate the spread of COVID-19 in China, Italy, France, Spain and Germany, record the virus transmission trend among people in each country and the protest measures of relevant government departments. Findings Based on the analysis results of the Logistic model model, the Logistic model has a good fitting effect on the actual cumulative number of confirmed cases, which can bring a better effect to the prediction of the epidemic situation and the prevention and control of the epidemic situation. Interpretation In the early stage of the epidemic, due to inadequate anti-epidemic measures in various countries, the epidemic situation in various countries spread rapidly. However, with the gradual understanding of COVI D -19, the epidemic situation began to be gradually controlled, thereby retarding growth
Dec 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-7785.jarh-20-3682
Background to the Issue Many older adults, including those already suffering from chronically painful disabling osteoarthritis of one or more joints remain more susceptible than healthy age and gender matched adults to the COVID-19 corona virus. Aims This report sought to examine what has been published in 2020 on this health condition from the perspective of the variable of widely imposed social isolation strategies designed to mitigate the spread of this highly infectious disease, and to especially keep older community dwelling adults ‘safe’ from infection. Methods Reviewed were all articles published in 2020 in PUBMED from January 1-December 24, 2020 on osteoarthritis and COVID-19 isolation impacts, plus relevant past osteoarthritis and isolation literature among older adults. The focus was on ascertaining how social isolation and distancing strategies might impact current community-dwelling adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis and whether more should be done specifically to mitigate any potentially preventable ‘socially’ induced negative health impact among this group, in spite of the laudable goals of this public health strategy. Results Older adults with osteoarthritis living in the community who are asked to self-isolate, may incur more osteoarthritis pain and disability than would otherwise be encountered if actions taken to counter this possibility are not forthcoming. Advocated over and above basic care approaches are several psychosocial strategies including the role of mobilizing various forms of social support. Conclusion Data indicate a need for concerted thoughtful and immediate attention to offset isolation, fear, and anxiety and depression effects as part of a carefully devised integrated plan of management to reduce excess osteoarthritis disability, as well as excess COVID-19 risk among otherwise free living older adults already compromised by osteoarthritis.
Nov 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-869X.jfd-20-3603
Plant products have been used as medicines against fungal infectious diseases. In this research antimycotic activity of the leaf extracts of five medicinal plants (Nerium indicum, Catheranthus roseus, Lantana camera, Ziziphus mauritiana) were tested against three dermatophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum. gypseum). Development of more effective and less toxic antimycotic agents is required for the treatment of dermatophytosis. The plant materials were extracted with methanol, ethanol and diethyl ether solvent to investigate their antimycotic activities in Vitro. Ethanol and methanol extracts of all selected medicinal plants were showed the positive activity against all tested dermatophytes. Diethyl ether extract was showed lowest activity against T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum and showed moderate activity against M. gypseum. The three dermatophytes differed with regard to their susceptibility to plant extracts.
Apr 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3296
Preventable factors such as infectious diseases (pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria), malnutrition and neonatal complications are still the leading cause of child mortality worldwide 1 In 2013, it is estimated that 6.3 million babies born worldwide died before the age of 5, and approximately 9.2% of these deaths were due to diarrheal diseases 23 in simple, accessible ways, and effective treatment can reduce diarrhea-related mortality and make hospital admissions unnecessary, and the role of mothers is the most important 4. Since the presentation of Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) in 1979, mortality has reduced. Diarrhea has had a steady downward trend 5. If mothers who have children under 5 years of age, used correctly ORS, they could easily resolve the problem of dehydration in acute diarrhea 6. Mothers didn’t use correctly ORS because of their Low literacy and lack of knowledge and wrong attitude about ORT7. Some health care workers provide mothers’ required equipments, regardless of their educational needs, and mothers may not use ORS. In this study, health workers identified mothers' educational needs and subsequently they trained them about using ORS at home in acute diarrhea in children under 5 years of age.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2766-8681.jcsr-21-3719
Background Since receiving unexplained pneumonia patients at the Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has rapidly spread in Wuhan, China and spread to the entire China and some neighboring countries. We establish the dynamics model of infectious diseases and time series model to predict the trend and short-term prediction of the transmission of COVID-19, which will be conducive to the intervention and prevention of COVID-19 by departments at all levels in mainland China and buy more time for clinical trials. Methods Based on the transmission mechanism of COVID-19 in the population and the implemented prevention and control measures, we establish the dynamic models of the six chambers, and establish the time series models based on different mathematical formulas according to the variation law of the original data. Findings The results based on time series analysis and kinetic model analysis show that the cumulative diagnosis of pneumonia of COVID-19 in mainland China can reach 36,343 after one week (February 8, 2020), and the number of basic regenerations can reach 4.01. The cumulative number of confirmed diagnoses will reach a peak of 87,701 on March 15, 2020; the number of basic regenerations in Wuhan will reach 4.3, and the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Wuhan will reach peak at 76,982 on March 20. Whether in Mainland China or Wuhan, both the infection rate and the basic regeneration number of COVID-19 continue to decline, and the results of the sensitivity analysis show that the time it takes for a suspected population to be diagnosed as a confirmed population can have a significant impact on the peak size and duration of the cumulative number of diagnoses. Increased mortality leads to additional cases of pneumonia, while increased cure rates are not sensitive to the cumulative number of confirmed cases. Interpretation Chinese governments at various levels have intervened in many ways to control the epidemic. According to the results of the model analysis, we believe that the emergency intervention measures adopted in the early stage of the epidemic, such as blocking Wuhan, restricting the flow of people in Hubei province, and increasing the support to Wuhan, had a crucial restraining effect on the original spread of the epidemic. It is a very effective prevention and treatment method to continue to increase investment in various medical resources to ensure that suspected patients can be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Based on the results of the sensitivity analysis, we believe that enhanced treatment of the bodies of deceased patients can be effective in ensuring that the bodies themselves and the process do not result in additional viral infections, and once the pneumonia patients with the COVID-19 are cured, the antibodies left in their bodies may prevent them from reinfection COVID-19 for a longer period of time.
Mar 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-4538.jphi-20-3264
Chinese people have a very good mask-wearing culture; it is normal to wear masks to protect their faces from wind and pollution. Thus, they easily accept the wearing of masks to prevent infectious diseases, as seen with the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China today. However, Chinese people have a dangerous eating culture: they share foods or soups from the same bowls and pots using their personal chopsticks/spoons and emphasize loud talking when eating at banquets or at homes. We think this eating culture has raised the infection risk of COVID-19 from person to person by contamination. Therefore, in this paper, we propose models to elucidate how people are infected with COVID-19 through droplet transmission when eating with Chinese cultural context to address the urgent need to change Chinese eating culture; we believe these study models can help not only the Chinese people, but also other national people, to raise mindfulness of public health, prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, at the present pandemic and in the future.
Dec 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-6759.jpar-19-3081
Malaria and typhoid fever are two endemic infectious diseases in developing tropical countries including Burkina Faso. There are two distinct infectious diseases with many similar clinical signs. In each sanitary area, it is important to describe the "typhomalaria" epidemiology to elaborate adequate diagnosis algorithm and efficient treatment protocol. A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to October 2014 in the lab department of University Hospital Souro SANOU, Bobo-Dioulasso. All microscopy positive malaria during the study period was included. Serodiagnosis of Widal and Felix was performed systematically in all Plasmodium spmalaria cases. Titers of antibodies anti-agglutinin O equal or higher than 1/400 and/or 1/800 for anti-agglutinin H antibodies were considered positive for Salmonella sp. A total of 283 malaria cases were included in this study, majority falciparum malaria. In this malaria cases, 91 patients were seropositive for Salmonella sp. "Typhomalaria" co-infection prevalence was 34.3% (CI 95% (28.8%; 40.1%)). The patient with the normal hemoglobin rate had the highest prevalence of co-infection (46.7% versus 30.9; p=0.02). Malaria and typhoid fever co-infection was high (approximately 1/3 of malaria cases) in University hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso. This study revealed the need to explore typhoid fever in malaria confirmed cases, especially in persistent fevers and non-anemic situation despite adapting antimalarial treatment.
Nov 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-19-3083
Background In November 2014, the World health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Food Programme, produced interim guidelines (iGL) on providing nutritional support to patients in Ebola treatment units (ETUs). They have been translated into French and issued by the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WHO in adapted versions to be used in the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This paper evaluates the use and usefulness of the 2014 iGL in the West Africa and current DRC Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks and identifies experiences and lessons learned from practitioners on the operational aspects of nutritional care and support in ETUs. Methods Key-informants (n=26), from 12 organizations (Non-Governmental Organizations, United Nations, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement) were interviewed who were actively engaged in the nutritional and/or clinical care of EVD patients. Results There was a consensus among key-informants that the 2014 iGL initially served a guiding purpose. However, the vast amount of learning from the 2014-2016 and current EVD outbreaks indicates that the interim guidelines need to be revised. Practitioners struggled to find operational solutions for nutritional care, and the challenges were plentiful, especially regarding 1) the different perceptions of the importance of nutritional care among ETU staff; 2) the difficulties around food preparation and distribution for EVD patients; 3) how to take into account the patients’ dietary preferences; 4) the nutritional care needed in relation to specific EVD symptoms; 5) who assumed roles in nutritional care in ETUs; 6) if and how feeding support was organized; 7) whether malnutrition needed to be addressed and how; and 8) whether the intake of specific nutrients could contribute to improved treatment outcomes. Information from the key-informants interviews resulted in numerous lessons learned and recommendations for nutritional support during current and future outbreaks. Conclusions This investigation underscored the importance of documenting experiences of practitioners on nutritional care in emerging infectious diseases for which limited scientific evidence exists and for which interim guidelines are produced to fill in knowledge gaps. It also emphasized the importance of nutritional care in ETUs during treatment.
Sep 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2578-2371.jslr-19-3028
Intestinal tuberculosis diagnosis is often difficult because of non-specific symptoms, miming many other conditions such as malignancy, infectious disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Free intestinal perforation is an uncommon but life-threatening complication of intestinal tuberculosis, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Nov 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2641-5526.jmid-17-1762
Despite widespread use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to strengthening health systems, the application of GIS to health systems strengthening in resource-poor Sub-Saharan Africa remains rare. Over the June 2012 to December 2013 period, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) conducted a pilot application of GIS to health systems development in one rural impoverished district of the Upper East Region (UER). Workers were deployed to gather coordinates of health care facilities throughout the UER. Coordinates were linked to routine health information data, and utilized to generate maps for guiding task prioritization. For example, geocoded Community-based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program data were used to target services in communities where the prevalence of childhood acute malnutrition was relatively high. GIS was pivotal in tracking and responding to infectious disease morbidity from causes such as diarrheal diseases and tuberculosis. UER Regional Health Administration (RHA) authorities are currently utilizing GIS to map antenatal care coverage, skilled birth deliveries, neonatal mortality, still births, family planning service caseloads as well as for targeting programmatic action. Experience emerging from this trial attests to the value of GIS in contributing to efforts to strengthen health systems in rural impoverished regions of Africa.
Aug 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-17-1676
Malaria is a mosquito-transmitted infectious disease caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. In the absence of prompt and appropriate treatment contraction of primary infection by a human being often represents a medical emergency since it may progress rapidly to life-threatening complications. Exposure to parasites activates the immune system resulting in, among other effects, the release of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). This has the potential to induce oxidative damage, thereby causing cellular destruction, and hence to have a severe effect on vital organs of the body. Overexpression of ROI leads to immunosuppression and is a causal factor in the development of malaria-related disease symptoms. However, the body possesses various defence mechanisms, notably including the production of antioxidants, which are capable of reducing the cellular effects of ROI. Antioxidants are either sourced exogenously from the diet or synthesized through different intracellular mechanisms. Antioxidants that include glutathione peroxidase, catalase, EDTA and vitamin C suppress the initial production of ROI. Others such as uric acid, superoxide dismutase and vitamin E may also inhibit potentially damaging products of ROI metabolism. Current anti-malarial drugs often have damaging side-effects, as exemplified by memory impairment following treatment for cerebral malaria. Recent studies have explored the potential use of antioxidants alone or in combination with anti-malarials as a therapeutic means to negate Plasmodium-induced oxidative stress and its associated metabolic complications. It is indicated that when utilized in an adjuvant capacity antioxidants of natural and synthetic origin may improve anti-malarial therapy by causing less damage to the host during malaria infection.
Feb 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2372-6601.jhor-16-1402
Background Blood donation is a common practice in many countries of the world and it benefits many of the people suffering from conditions which require blood transfusions. The blood donated should be appropriately screened for certain infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and Gonorrhea through serological tests. Materials and Methods This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2014 to August 2014, Data was collected from eight dental hospitals in four provinces of Pakistan. Attendants of the patients admitted in the surgical ward with age more than 16 years were included. Knowledge and practices of the participants were evaluated through a self-administered questionnaire. Ethical consent was obtained from the ethical committee or concerned authority of all eight hospitals. Results Response rate was 84 %. In total 55% male and 45 % female participated with 15.5% of the total sample population was under the age of 20 years. The age group with the maximum number of participant was between 20 to 39 years of age. 26% and 22.5% of the males and female participants respectively had knowledge. About blood donation, lesser percentage of attendants, 7.2% of the males and 4.6% declared that they had donated blood in the past. Based on education levels, it was highest among graduates (3.5%) and less in primary educated (2.2%) and uneducated respondents was 0.7%. 18% of the males and 17% females asserted that they hold some kind of fear of blood donation. Conclusion The population is not adequately knowledgeable regarding blood donation. There is a need for proper campaign to educate masses at national level within Pakistan to promote more people to become regular volunteers.
Nov 2016 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-16-1271
Introduction The cardiovascular complications have became the 3rd cause of death and the 4th reason for hospitalization of the patients infected by the HIV. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of asymptomatic myocardial ischemia among patients infected by the HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. Patients and Methods It was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted in November 2015. The patients infected by HIV1 receiving antiretroviral treatment, with asymptomatic myocardial ischemia were included in the study and they were followed up in the HIV clinic of the in Infectious diseases service of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso(CHUSS).. The includes patients benefited from a collection of cardiovascular risk factors, and of two measurements of the blood pressure in a sitting position after 10 minutes of rest and an electrocardiogram 12 derivations after rest. Results A total sample of 123 patients infected by HIV1 was selected, with a median age of 42 years (IQR: 36-50). It was composed of 79% of female. The cardiovascular risk factors found were distributed as follows: HTA (31.7%), obesity (33%), dyslipidemia (10.57%), active smoking (0.8%), diabetes (0.8%). All the known hypertensive cases (5.7%) were insufficiently treated. The median duration of exposure to the antiretroviral therapy was 5.3 years (IIQ: 3-7.7). The disorders of the repolarization were observed in 26 cases (21.13%). They were divided into under epicardic ischemia in 20 cases (16.26%), under endocardic lesion in 2 cases (1.63%) and after-effect of necrosis in 4 cases (3.25%). The Left ventricular hypertrophywas observed in 12 cases (9.76%) and all of them were hypertensive patients. QTc was lengthened among 7 patients (5.69%) independently of the class of antiretroviral therapy administrated. Conclusion In this study about patients infected by HIV1, it emerges that asymptomatic myocardial ischemia is frequent. It would be advisable to reinforce its tracking by using more powerful tests of ischemia, in order to better specify its gravity in this population with an increased cardiovascular risk.