Plasmodium vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection in Venezuelan pregnant women: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Malaria-endemic areas are not spared from the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to co-infection scenarios where overlapping symptoms impose serious diagnostic challenges. Current knowledge on Plasmodium spp. and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-infection in pregnant women remains limited, especially in Latin America, where Plasmodium vivax infection is highly prevalent. METHODS: This is a case series of five pregnant women with P. vivax and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection hospitalized in two main malaria referral centers of the Capital District and Bolivar state, Venezuela between March 13, 2020 and December 31, 2021. RESULTS: Clinical and laboratory data from five pregnant women with a mean age of 22 years were analyzed; three of them were in the third trimester of pregnancy. Comorbidities included obesity in two cases, hypertension in one, and asthma in one. Three out of five patients had severe to critical COVID-19 disease. Dry cough, fever, chills, and headache were the most frequent symptoms reported. Laboratory analyses showed elevated aspartate/alanine aminotransferase and creatinine levels, thrombocytopenia, and severe anemia as the most relevant abnormalities. The mean period between symptom onset and a positive molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 infection or positive microscopy for Plasmodium spp. was 4.8 ± 2.5 days and 2.8 ± 1.6 days, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 5.4 ± 7 days. Three women recovered and were discharged from the hospital. Two women died, one from cerebral malaria and one from respiratory failure. Three adverse fetal outcomes were registered, two miscarriages and one stillbirth. CONCLUSION: This study documented a predominance of severe/critical COVID-19 disease and a high proportion of adverse maternal-fetal outcomes among pregnant women with malaria and COVID-19 co-infection. More comprehensive prospective cohort studies are warranted to explore the risk factors, management challenges, and clinical outcomes of pregnant women with this co-infection.

Nasal Skin Necrosis: An Unexpected New Finding in Severe Chikungunya Fever.

Three adult Venezuelan patients with virologically confirmed Chikungunya fever, who developed extensive acute nasal skin necrosis early in the course of a life-threatening illness characterized by shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, are discussed. One patient survived and fully recovered. Nasal necrosis has not previously been associated with the disease.

Improving Middle-Income Countries Access to Vaccines. A Blueprint to Overcome Current Challenges.

The Global Health Consortium at Florida International University developed an end-to-end solution framework based on the input of a diverse panel of experts from middle-income country (MIC) government agencies, public health think tanks, academia, and nonprofit organizations to identify mechanisms to help MIC governments and stakeholders increase access to novel vaccines for infectious diseases. The resultant layout can be deployed to improve vaccine discovery and development, strengthen regulatory processes, and boost vaccine production, access, and implementation. Mechanisms include policies and incentives MIC governments can use to stimulate vaccine investment and activity, as well as actions government agencies can take together with other stakeholders to coordinate efforts or build capabilities. Through a series of individual virtual interviews, we engaged diverse experts from MIC government agencies, public health think tanks, academia, and nonprofit organizations who understand the vaccine ecosystem, immunization policies, and population health financing at global, regional, and country levels. Responses were mapped, and in-depth questions were prepared for a group virtual discussion. This paper is the result of such a group discussion. The panel identified clear opportunities for MICs to improve locally-driven innovations and future access to novel vaccines. It proposes a solution framework for countries considering investing in vaccine research and development and innovation to use as a guide to evaluate the steps they could take to improve such an environment and incentivize innovation in vaccine development. It is hoped that this end-to-end solution framework will become a key resource to help MICs strengthen policies and take more actions to make such improvements.

Acute Chagas Disease Presenting as Preseptal Cellulitis.

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite transmitted by hematophagous triatomine insects (subfamily Triatominae) belonging to the Reduviidae family, order Hemiptera. Infection occurs through contact with the feces of the infected vector at the site of its bite or on intact mucosa. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(10):e394-e397.].

HTLV-1 uveitis in Colombia, an underrecognized complication of a hitherto neglected condition: a case series.

Three Colombian patients with chronic HTLV-1 infection and severe intermediate and/or posterior uveitis are described. In one case, retinal ablation was necessary due to extensive peripheral degeneration, while the other two were successfully managed with local anti-inflammatory therapy. Gradual resolution of ocular findings was observed in all three patients on follow-up. Uveitis is a rarely recognized late complication of this infection, which represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians in endemic countries. The real extension of HTLV-1 prevalence in Colombia and the frequency of its ophthalmologic complications remain to be determined.

Are the first 1,000 days of life a neglected vital period to prevent the impact on maternal and infant morbimortality of infectious diseases in Latin America? Proceedings of a workshop of experts from the Latin American Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, SLIPE.

While the first 1,000 days of life are a critical period in child's development, limited information on the main determinants affecting this period in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is available. Therefore, the Latin American Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (SLIPE) held an ad hoc workshop in May 2022 with an expert panel designed to analyze the main factors impacting the development of childhood in the region during this period and the main causes of maternal infant morbimortality. The aim was to identify priorities, generate recommendations, and advise practical actions to improve this situation. Considerations were made about the challenges involved in bridging the gap that separates the region from more developed countries regarding an optimal early childhood and maternal care. Extensive discussion was conducted to reach consensus recommendations on general strategies intended to reduce maternal and infant mortality associated with infections and immune-preventable diseases during the first 1,000 days of life in LAC.

Rapid detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in human serum by use of an immunochromatographic dipstick test.

We evaluated a commercially available immunochromatographic dipstick test to detect Trypanosoma cruzi infection in 366 human serum samples with known serological results from Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, and Venezuela. One hundred forty-nine of 366 (40.7%) and 171/366 (46.7%) samples tested positive by dipstick and serology, respectively. Dipstick sensitivity was calculated to be 84.8% (range between countries, 77.5 to 95%), and specificity was 97.9% (95.9 to 100%).

Current regional consensus recommendations on infant vaccination of the Latin American pediatric infectious diseases society (SLIPE).

INTRODUCTION: The 1st Regional Experts on Infant Vaccination (REIV) meeting generated updated consensus recommendations to improve the control of various major vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in Latin America. AREAS COVERED: Workshops highlighted recent changes in immunization schedules within the region, experience of countries incorporating combined acellular pertussis vaccines schedules and parenteral inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The need to definitively replace oral polio vaccine (OPV) by IPV, and potential benefits of introducing new combined vaccines, were extensively discussed. EXPERT OPINION: REIV strongly advised immediate adoption of either complete IPV schedules for all Latin America or schedules including at least two initial doses of IPV. Use of fractional doses of intradermally administered IPV (fIPV ID) was not recommended due to lower immunogenicity, lack of evidence on long-term protection, and technical difficulty to implement. Routine pertussis vaccination of pregnant women in addition to health workers of neonatology units and any previously unimmunized parent was encouraged. Administration of HBV vaccine to newborns within the first 24 hours of life, and then at 2, 4, and 6 months, and of a booster dose of conjugate Hib vaccine at age 12 through 15 months, was also recommended. Incorporation of combined vaccines (CV) was considered potentially advantageous.

The health and economic impact of dengue in Latin America.

In the last two decades, all countries in the tropical regions of Latin America have experienced marked increases in the incidence of both classic dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Major risk factors for the occurrence of dengue in the region, as well as some regional peculiarities in its clinical expression, such as the extensive involvement of older age groups, have been defined. While little information exists on the economic impact of dengue in the region in terms of disease burden, the estimated loss associated with the disease is on the same order of magnitude as tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases (excluding HIV/AIDS), Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, or intestinal helminths. Therefore, similar priority should be given in the allocation of resources for dengue research and control. Data on cost-efficacy and cost-benefit analysis of dengue control programs in Latin America are scarce; however, the cost per DALY averted by control programs during endemic periods appears low, as compared to other mosquito-borne diseases like yellow fever, leishmaniasis, or malaria. Additionally, the cost-benefit ratio of the control programs has proven to be positive.

Google dengue trends: An indicator of epidemic behavior. The Venezuelan Case.

INTRODUCTION: Dengue Fever is a neglected increasing public health thread. Developing countries are facing surveillance system problems like delay and data loss. Lately, the access and the availability of health-related information on the internet have changed what people seek on the web. In 2004 Google developed Google Dengue Trends (GDT) based on the number of search terms related with the disease in a determined time and place. The goal of this review is to evaluate the accuracy of GDT in comparison with traditional surveillance systems in Venezuela. METHODS: Weekly epidemic data from GDT, Official Reported Cases (ORC) and Expected Cases (EC) according the Ministry of Health (MH) was obtained Monthly and yearly correlation between GDT and ORC from 2004 until 2014 was obtained. Linear regressions taking the reported cases as dependent variable were calculated. RESULTS: The overall Pearson correlation between GDT and ORC was r=0.87 (p <0.001), while between ORC and EC according the Ministry of Health (MH) was r=0.33 (p<0.001). After clustering data in epidemic and non-epidemic weeks in comparison with GDT correlation were r=0.86 (p<0.001) and r=0.65 (p <0.001) respectively. Important interannual variation of the epidemic was observed. The model shows a high accuracy in comparison with the EC, particularly when the incidence of the disease is higher. CONCLUSIONS: This early warning tool can be used as an indicator for other communicable diseases in order to apply effective and timely public health measures especially in the setting of weak surveillance systems.

Declaración SLIPE: Aumento de la cobertura antipoliomielítica con vacunas más seguras: una urgencia inaplazable en Latinoamérica / SLIPE Declaration: Increasing anti-polio coverage with safer vaccines: an urgent need that cannot be postponed in Latin America

Ante el riesgo real de ocurrencia de brotes de parálisis fláccida aguda en la región debidos a poliovirus derivado de la vacuna Sabin o a la importación de poliovirus salvaje, la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica comisionó a un grupo ad hoc de expertos integrantes del Comité de Vacunas y Biológicos de la institución, para redactar un documento oficial de posición sobre la necesidad imperiosa de incrementar los niveles de inmunización contra la enfermedad en la región e incorporar definitivamente en forma exclusiva la vacuna de polio inactivada en todos los esquemas nacionales de vacunación. La presente publicación discute las principales conclusiones y recomendaciones generadas como resultado de esta actividad.

Given the actual risk of poliomyelitis outbreaks in the region due to poliovirus derived from the Sabin vaccine or the importation of wild poliovirus, the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases commissioned an ad hoc group of experts from the institution's Vaccines and Biologicals Committee, to draft an official position paper on the urgent need to increase immunization levels against the disease in the region and incorporate inactivated polio vaccine exclusive schedules in all national immunization programs. This publication discusses the main conclusions and recommendations generated as a result of such activity.

Increasing polio coverage with safer vaccines: a pressing need in Latin America

Given the actual risk of poliomyelitis outbreaks in the region due to poliovirus derived from the Sabin vaccine or the importation of wild poliovirus, the Latin American Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases commissioned an ad hoc group of experts from the institution's Vaccines and Biologicals Committee, to draft an official position paper on the urgent need to increase immunization levels against the disease in the region and incorporate inactivated polio vaccine exclusive schedules in all national immunization programs. This publication discusses the main conclusions and recommendations generated as a result of such activity.

Ante el riesgo real de ocurrencia de brotes de parálisis fláccida aguda en la región debidos a poliovirus derivado de la vacuna Sabin o a la importación de poliovirus salvaje, la Sociedad Latinoamericana de Infectología Pediátrica comisionó a un grupo ad hoc de expertos integrantes del Comité de Vacunas y Biológicos de la institución, para redactar un documento oficial de posición sobre la necesidad imperiosa de incrementar los niveles de inmunización contra la enfermedad en la región e incorporar definitivamente en forma exclusiva la vacuna de polio inactivada en todos los esquemas nacionales de vacunación. La presente publicación discute las principales conclusiones y recomendaciones generadas como resultado de esta actividad.

Congenital and perinatal complications of chikungunya fever: a Latin American experience.

BACKGROUND: During the years 2014 and 2015, the Region of the Americas underwent a devastating epidemic of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) of the Asian genotype, resulting in millions of affected individuals. However, epidemiological and clinical information on this experience is scarce. Prior knowledge of congenital and neonatal illness caused by CHIKV is limited and almost exclusively based on data obtained from a single outbreak of the East/Central/South African (ECSA) genotype. The effect of chikungunya fever (CHIKF) on pregnancy outcomes and its consequences for infants born to infected mothers at the peak of the epidemic wave in Latin America are reviewed herein. Epidemiological and clinical data on maternal and neonatal infections were collected prospectively and analyzed. METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine symptomatic newborns with CHIKF seen at four large regional maternity hospitals in three different Central and South American countries were evaluated prospectively. The outcomes of pregnancies in symptomatic infected mothers at two of these clinical centers were also analyzed. RESULTS: The observed vertical transmission rate ranged between 27.7% and 48.29%. The incidence of congenital disease was unrelated to the use of cesarean section or natural delivery. The case fatality rate (CFR) at the only center that reported deaths was 5.3%. The most common clinical manifestations included fever, irritability, rash, hyperalgesia syndrome, diffuse limb edema, meningoencephalitis, and bullous dermatitis. Severe complications included meningoencephalitis, myocarditis, seizures, and acute respiratory failure. Leukocytosis with neutrophilia and normal or increased platelets was a common finding, and in those with signs of meningeal involvement, moderate lymphocytic pleocytosis with normal glucose and protein levels was typical. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the largest number of symptomatic neonates with CHIKF analyzed so far in any region and is the first involving infection with the Asian genotype of CHIKV. Although the clinical manifestations found were similar to those reported previously, the percentage of neurological complications was lower. The CFR was comparatively high. Chikungunya represented a substantial risk for neonates born to symptomatic parturients during the chikungunya outbreak in the Americas Region, with important clinical and public health implications.

Congenital Chagas' disease transmission in the United States: Diagnosis in adulthood.

Two brothers with congenitally-acquired Chagas' disease (CD) diagnosed during adulthood are reported. The patients were born in the USA to a mother from Bolivia who on subsequent assessment was found to be serologically positive for Trypanosoma cruzi. Serologic screening of all pregnant women who migrated from countries with endemic CD is strongly recommended.