Serosurvey for Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies following an outbreak in an immunologically naïve population, Victoria, 2022: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution and prevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) antibody (as evidence of past infection) in northern Victoria following the 2022 Japanese encephalitis outbreak, seeking to identify groups of people at particular risk of infection; to investigate the distribution and prevalence of antibodies to two related flaviviruses, Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) and West Nile virus Kunjin subtype (KUNV). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional serosurvey (part of a national JEV serosurveillance program). SETTING: Three northern Victorian local public health units (Ovens Murray, Goulburn Valley, Loddon Mallee), 8 August - 1 December 2022. PARTICIPANTS: People opportunistically recruited at pathology collection centres and by targeted recruitment through community outreach and advertisements. People vaccinated against or who had been diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis were ineligible for participation, as were those born in countries where JEV is endemic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seroprevalence of JEV IgG antibody, overall and by selected factors of interest (occupations, water body exposure, recreational activities and locations, exposure to animals, protective measures). RESULTS: 813 participants were recruited (median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 42-69 years]; 496 female [61%]); 27 were JEV IgG-seropositive (3.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-4.8%) (median age, 73 years [interquartile range, 63-78 years]; 13 female [48%]); none were IgM-seropositive. JEV IgG-seropositive participants were identified at all recruitment locations, including those without identified cases of Japanese encephalitis. The only risk factors associated with JEV IgG-seropositivity were age (per year: prevalence odds ratio [POR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10) and exposure to feral pigs (POR, 21; 95% CI, 1.7-190). The seroprevalence of antibody to MVEV was 3.0% (95% CI, 1.9-4.5%; 23 of 760 participants), and of KUNV antibody 3.3% (95% CI, 2.1-4.8%; 25 of 761). CONCLUSIONS: People living in northern Victoria are vulnerable to future JEV infection, but few risk factors are consistently associated with infection. Additional prevention strategies, including expanding vaccine eligibility, may be required to protect people in this region from Japanese encephalitis.

The seroprevalence of antibodies to Japanese encephalitis virus in five New South Wales towns at high risk of infection, 2022: a cross-sectional serosurvey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of people in New South Wales towns at high risk of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infections during the 2022 outbreak; to identify risk factors for JEV infection. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional serosurvey study of the seroprevalence of JEV-specific antibodies in NSW. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of people (all ages) from five regional NSW towns deemed to be at high risk of JEV infections after first outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in southeastern Australia in early 2022 (Balranald, Corowa, Dubbo, Griffith, Temora), 21 June - 22 July 2022. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of people seropositive for JEV total antibody, assayed by defined epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; prevalence odds ratios for exposure risk factors and protective behaviours. RESULTS: Eighty of 917 eligible participants (559 girls or women, 61%; 42 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, 4.6%; median age, 52 years [IQR, 37-62 years]) were seropositive for JEV-specific total antibody (8.7%); the median age of seropositive people was 61 years (IQR, 48-70 years). The seropositivity proportion was largest for people aged 65 years or more (30 of 192; weighted proportion, 13.7%) and larger for male than female participants (30 of 358, 10.6% v 50 of 559, 7.5%). Five of 42 samples from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants were seropositive (12%). We found mixed associations with a range of potential risk factors. CONCLUSION: We found evidence for a substantial number of JEV infections in five regional NSW towns during a single arbovirus season in 2022. Public health responses, including effective surveillance, vaccination against JEV, and mosquito management, are critical for controlling outbreaks. Promoting behaviours that reduce exposure to mosquitoes is a core component of prevention, particularly when the vaccine supply is limited.

Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infections in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review.

Objectives: To characterize the distribution profile of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus infections in Latin America and the Caribbean and to identify possible factors associated with the risk of dissemination and severity of these arboviruses. Methods: The protocol of this review was registered on the PROSPERO platform. Searches were carried out in the following databases: Virtual Health Library, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Embase. The search terms were: Zika virus, Zika virus infection, dengue, dengue virus, chikungunya virus, chikungunya fever, epidemiology, observational study, Latin America, and Caribbean region. Studies that addressed the distribution of these arboviruses and the risk factors associated with dengue, Zika virus disease, and chikungunya, published between January 2000 and August 2020 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, were included. Results: Of 95 studies included, 70 identified risk factors, clinical manifestations, and outcomes for arbovirus infections and 25 described complications and/or deaths. The highest frequency of confirmed cases was for dengue. Brazil reported most cases of the three arboviruses in the period analyzed. Environmental and socioeconomic factors facilitated the proliferation and adaptation of vectors, and host-related factors were reported to aggravate dengue. Most deaths were due to chikungunya, Zika virus disease caused most neurological alterations, and dengue resulted in greater morbidity leading to more frequent hospitalization. Conclusions: The review provides a broad view of the three arboviruses and the intrinsic aspects of infections, and highlights the factors that influence the spread of these viruses in the populations studied.

Neglected tropical diseases in Australia: a narrative review.

•Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) represent a threat to the health, wellbeing and economic prosperity of billions of people worldwide, often causing serious disease or death. •Commonly considered diseases of low and middle-income nations, the presence of NTDs in high income countries such as Australia is often overlooked. •Seven of the 20 recognised NTDs are endemic in Australia: scabies, soil-transmitted helminths and strongyloidiasis, echinococcosis, Buruli ulcer, leprosy, trachoma, and snakebite envenoming. •Dengue, while not currently endemic, poses a risk of establishment in Australia. There are occasional outbreaks of dengue fever, with local transmission, due to introductions in travellers from endemic regions. •Similarly, the risk of introduction of other NTDs from neighbouring countries is a concern. Many NTDs are only seen in Australia in individuals travelling from endemic areas, but they need to be recognised in health settings as the potential consequences of infection can be severe. •In this review, we consider the status of NTDs in Australia, explore the risk of introducing and contracting these infections, and emphasise the negative impact they have on the health of Australians, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Severe dengue associated with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis in pediatric patients: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus co-infection is seldom reported in children with severe dengue. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective study, we reported five children with severe dengue and S. aureus co-infection admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during July-December 2021. RESULTS: All children had prolonged fever, persistence of bilateral pleural effusion beyond the critical phase, thrombocytopenia and raised inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin]. S. aureus was isolated from pleural fluid (n = 2, 40%), blood (n = 2, 40%) and endotracheal aspirate (n = 1, 20%). Four children (80%) grew methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, while 1 (20%) had methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Two children (40%) had septic thromboemboli in skin, and 1 (20%) had limb cellulitis. One child required anterior thoracotomy, pericardiectomy and bilateral pleural decortication, while all other children required intercostal chest tube drainage. All children required prolonged targeted antibiotics, invasive mechanical ventilation and had prolong stay in PICU and all of them survived. CONCLUSION: In children with severe dengue, persistence of fever, persistence of pleural effusion beyond critical phase and raised CRP and procalcitonin should raise suspicion of bacterial/S. aureus co-infection.

[Evidence synthesis: guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of dengue, chikungunya, and zika in the Region of the AmericasSíntese de evidências: diretrizes para o diagnóstico e o tratamento da dengue, chikungunya e zika na Região das Américas]. / Síntesis de evidencia: Directrices para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento del dengue, el chikunguña y el zika en la Región de las Américas.

Introduction: Dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are viral diseases that pose a constant threat to public health. These three arboviruses can produce very similar clinical pictures, which represents a challenge to achieving an accurate clinical diagnosis and can lead to inadequate management and even fatal outcomes. Guidelines for the Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika is part of the effort by the Pan American Health Organization and the countries of the Region of the Americas to prevent severe cases and death from these diseases, in a complex epidemiological context in which multiple factors favor transmission dynamics and lead to outbreaks and epidemics in the countries of the Region. Objectives: Synthesize the recommendations in the PAHO guidelines, published in 2022, in order to present appropriate diagnosis and treatment of these arboviruses, and to address aspects of implementation of the recommendations. Methods: The guidelines and their recommendations were synthesized. In addition, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Lilacs, Health Systems Evidence, Epistemonikos, and gray literature for studies done in the Region of the Americas, in order to identify barriers, facilitators, and implementation strategies. Process and outcome indicators for implementation of the recommendations were identified and formulated. Results: We present 12 recommendations applicable to adult and pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed dengue, chikungunya, or Zika, along with barriers, facilitators, and strategies for their implementation. Conclusions: The recommendations provide strategies for timely diagnosis and treatment of acute cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, as well as considerations for implementation of the strategies.

Introdução: Dengue, chikungunya e zika são doenças virais que representam uma ameaça constante à saúde pública. As três arboviroses podem produzir um quadro clínico muito semelhante, o que representa um desafio para se obter um diagnóstico clínico adequado, podendo levar a um manejo inadequado e eventos fatais. O documento Diretrizes para o diagnóstico e o tratamento da dengue, chikungunya e zika faz parte do esforço da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde e dos países da Região das Américas para prevenir casos graves e mortes por essas doenças, em meio a um complexo panorama epidemiológico onde a presença de múltiplos fatores favorece a dinâmica de transmissão e causa surtos e epidemias nos países da Região. Objetivos: Sintetizar as recomendações do documento mencionado, publicado pela OPAS em 2022, a fim de apresentar o diagnóstico e o tratamento adequados dessas arboviroses e abordar aspectos da implementação das recomendações. Métodos: Foi realizada uma síntese do documento e suas recomendações. Além disso, foi feita uma busca sistemática nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, Health Systems Evidence, Epistemonikos e na literatura cinzenta de estudos realizados na América Latina e no Caribe para identificar barreiras, facilitadores e estratégias de implementação. Foram identificados e construídos indicadores de processo e de resultado da implementação das recomendações. Resultados: Apresentam-se 12 recomendações aplicáveis a pacientes adultos e pediátricos com suspeita ou confirmação de dengue, chikungunya ou zika. Apresentam-se, ainda, barreiras, facilitadores e estratégias para sua implementação. Conclusões: As recomendações fornecem estratégias para o diagnóstico e o tratamento oportunos de casos agudos de dengue, chikungunya e zika, bem como considerações para sua implementação.

Autochthonous Cases of Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Belgium, 2020.

We report 3 confirmed autochthonous tick-borne encephalitis cases in Belgium diagnosed during summer 2020. Clinicians should include this viral infection in the differential diagnosis for patients with etiologically unexplained neurologic manifestations, even for persons without recent travel history.

Yellow Fever as Cause of Death of Titi Monkeys (Callicebus Spp.).

From 2016 to 2018, an epidemic wave of yellow fever (YF) occurred in Brazil, affecting a large number of Platyrrhini monkeys. Titi monkeys (Callicebus spp.) were severely affected yet pathological characterizations are lacking. This study characterized epizootic YF in 43 titi monkeys (Callicebus spp.) with respect to the microscopic lesions in liver, kidney, spleen, heart, brain, and lung, as well as the distribution of immunolabeling for YF virus antigen, and the flaviviral load in the liver. Of 43 titi monkeys examined, 18 (42%) were positive for yellow fever virus (YFV) by immunohistochemistry or reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Affected livers had consistent marked panlobular necrotizing hepatitis, lipidosis, and mild inflammation, with intense immunolabeling for YFV mainly in centrilobular hepatocytes (zone 1; P = .05). In the spleen, consistent findings were variable lymphoid depletion (10/11), lymphoid necrosis (lymphocytolysis; 4/11), and immunolabeling for YFV in histiocytic cells (3/16). The main finding in the kidney was multifocal acute necrosis of tubular epithelium (5/7) that was occasionally associated with intracytoplasmic immunolabeling for YFV (6/15). These data indicate that titi monkeys are susceptible to YFV infection, developing severe hepatic lesions and high viral loads, comparable to humans and Alouatta spp. Thus, Callicebus spp. may be reliable sentinels for YF surveillance.

Current state of chikungunya fever laboratory diagnosis (review of literature).

The article is about methods of chikungunya fever laboratory diagnosis. An algorithm for the study of biological material for the presence of antibodies against chikungunya virus and virus antigens is presented. The overview describes the information about commercial immunodiagnostic and genodiagnostic kits and their detailed specifications. The information presented in the review will be useful for doctors of clinical laboratory diagnostics to choose a method and an acceptable test system for laboratory confirmation of Chikungunya fever diagnosis, as well as differential diagnosis with other fevers, which have similar symptoms, common geographical distribution and carriers of infection.

Yellow fever disease in a renal transplant recipient: Case report and literature review.

Yellow fever (YF) is a viral disease, with clinical presentation among immunosuppressed patients not fully understood. YF vaccination (YFV), a live vaccine, is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment due to the risk of developing the disease after vaccination. We report a case of a 50-year-old male recipient who presented wild-type YF five years after a deceased donor kidney transplant. He lived in a YF endemic area and inadvertently received YFV. One day after YFV, the patient presented nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, polyarthralgia, thrombocytopenia, and increased levels of liver function enzymes. The serological test was compatible with YF disease, and quantitative viral load confirmed the diagnosis of wild-type YF. The patient received supportive care for twelve days, with hospital discharge in good clinical condition and stable renal function. One month after discharge, the patient developed de novo donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) and histological evidence of endothelial lesion, with a diagnosis of acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), treated with plasmapheresis and human IVIg therapy. Six months after therapy, he presented normal renal function with a reduction of DSA MFI. In the reported case, we observed a clinical wild-type YF diagnosed even after YF vaccine administration, with good clinical outcome. De novo DSA and AMR occurred after the recovering of disease, with an adequate response to therapy and preserved allograft function. We reviewed the published literature on YF and YFV in solid organ transplantation.

Evaluation of serological test of Zika in an endemic area of flavivirus in the Colombian Caribbean.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emerging flavivirus transmitted primarily through arthropods, endemic in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and is considered a global threat by the World Health Organization. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a commercial Zika virus test (IgG/IgM catalog number B815C, Biocan, Canada. METHODS: We evaluated 30 sera of patients diagnosed with Dengue, Leptospira, Malaria, Hantavirus, and Chikungunya. To establish the sensitivity of the test, two groups of sera were analyzed, the first one was patients with Zika RT-qPCR positive, and the second were patients RT-qPCR negative but with clinical suspicion of Zika. RESULTS: The specificity was of 23.3% (7/30), the sensitivity in acute patients with positive RT-qPCR was of 63.6%, the patients with clinical suspicion of Zika the sensitivity (IgM) was of 80% (n = 8/10). Overall sensitivity (IgM) of both groups was of 71.4% (15/21). CONCLUSIONS: The test showed a low specificity to be used as a serological test in an endemic area of flavivirus infection.

Secondary lymphedema of limbs and chikungunya fever.

Certain systemic viral infections can be related to development of vascular complications, such as deep venous thrombosis and lymphedema of lower and upper limbs. These links have been well-established in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C, or influenza. Recently introduced into the American continent (2013), chikungunya virus is an arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus and is the etiologic agent of chikungunya fever (CF), but its relationship to these vascular complications has not yet been consolidated. However, the CF outbreak that occurred during 2015 and 2016 resulted in the first cases described in the medical literature of acute and chronic vascular complications secondary to infection by this arbovirus. In this report, we describe the case of a patient who developed lymphedema of upper and lower limbs after an episode of CF.

Virus RNA Load in Patients with Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Slovenia.

We determined levels of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus (TBEV) RNA in serum samples obtained from 80 patients during the initial phase of TBE in Slovenia. For most samples, levels were within the range of 3-6 log10 copies RNA/mL. Levels were higher in female patients than in male patients, but we found no association between virus load and several laboratory and clinical parameters, including severity of TBE. However, a weak humoral immune response was associated with a more severe disease course, suggesting that inefficient clearance of virus results in a more serious illness. To determine whether a certain genetic lineage of TBEV had a higher virulence potential, we obtained 56 partial envelope protein gene sequences by directly sequencing reverse transcription PCR products from clinical samples of patients. This method provided a large set of patient-derived TBEV sequences. We observed no association between phylogenetic clades and virus load or disease severity.

Community-acquired acute meningitis and encephalitis: a narrative review.

Meningitis and encephalitis are medical emergencies. Patients need prompt evaluation and immediate empiric therapy to reduce the likelihood of fatal outcomes and chronic neurological sequelae. Conjugate bacterial vaccines have significantly reduced the incidence of bacterial meningitis, especially in children. As the results of changes in patterns of bacterial drug sensitivity, ceftriaxone is now part of the recommended empiric treatment for bacterial meningitis and should be administered as early as possible. Neuroimaging delays the treatment of meningitis and is not needed in most cases. Adjunctive corticosteroid therapy is of benefit for many patients with meningitis and should be initiated in most adults before antibiotic therapy. Molecular testing can assist the specific diagnosis of encephalitis and should be based on the exposure history and geographic risk factors relevant to the patient, but non-infectious causes of encephalitis are also common. Empiric therapy for encephalitis should be directed at the most frequently identified infectious pathogen, herpes simplex virus type 1 (ie, intravenous aciclovir). Vaccines can protect against the major pathogens of childhood infections (measles, mumps, rubella, polio, varicella viruses), influenza viruses, and exotic pathogens that cause meningitis and encephalitis (rabies, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, yellow fever, tick-borne encephalitis viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

[Communication for arboviral disease prevention: tailoring PAHO initiatives to the Cuban contextComunicação para prevenção de arboviroses: adequação das iniciativas da OPAS ao contexto cubano]. / Comunicación para la prevención de arbovirosis: adecuación de iniciativas de la OPS al contexto cubano.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the opportunities and challenges of training processes in the coordination of regional and national communication initiatives for arboviral disease prevention, using the lessons learned in the Cuban context as an example. In February 2016 and December 2017, professional staff from the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine attended workshops for strengthening communication capacities for arboviral disease prevention in primary health care settings through gradual introduction of the most recent approaches promoted by the Pan American Health Organization in this regard. National, provincial, municipal, and health area specialists with diverse professional profiles were trained; multidisciplinary teams were strengthened at the different levels; specific tasks were assigned and coordinated at each level; and demonstration sites were established for the communication approaches promoted in the workshops. Learning needs in the field of mass communication were also identified, and activities for training technical staff and for monitoring and evaluation were introduced in the national strategy 2018-2021 to guarantee the implementation and sustainability of communication activities. Notwithstanding, participating institutions will have to address the challenges characteristic of communication for arboviral disease prevention, which include the rotation of trained personnel, the mobilization of resources for communication, and the identification of appropriate evaluation indicators.

O presente trabalho tem o objetivo de descrever as oportunidades e os desafios da capacitação em articulação de iniciativas regionais e nacionais de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses, a partir dos ensinamentos tirados com a experiência cubana. Em fevereiro de 2016 e em dezembro de 2017, profissionais do Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, em Cuba, participaram de um seminário sobre o fortalecimento da capacidade de comunicação para prevenção de arboviroses na atenção primária à saúde com a incorporação gradual dos enfoques mais recentes promovidos pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS). Especialistas com diferentes perfis profissionais foram capacitados ao nível nacional, de província, do município e de áreas de saúde. Equipes multidisciplinares foram formadas e consolidadas nos diferentes níveis e elas receberam a incumbência de tarefas concretas coordenadas em cada nível e participaram da demonstração dos enfoques de comunicação apresentados nos seminários. Além disso, as necessidades de aprendizagem em comunicação social foram identificadas e atividades de capacitação do pessoal técnico e atividades de monitoramento e avaliação foram incorporadas à estratégia nacional 2018­2021 com o objetivo de garantir a implementação e a sustentabilidade das ações de comunicação. Porém, as instituições participantes terão de enfrentar os próprios desafios de comunicação na prevenção das arboviroses, por exemplo, rotatividade do pessoal capacitado, captação de recursos para comunicação e identificação dos indicadores adequados de avaliação.

Zika in Puerto Rico, 2016-2017: II Perspectives on Epidemic Surveillance and Control, Health Communication, Outcomes and Lessons.

The social reaction to the Zika epidemic in Puerto Rico reached a confrontational climax regarding aerial fumigation with an organophosphate insecticide. The public drama has obscured multiple simultaneous controversies. This and a companion paper, based mostly on print and digital news reports, provide a context and description of the major controversies and examine the outcomes and their lessons for the protection of the public's health. Part II covers the questions on disease surveillance (what is going on?); health communication and epidemic control (what is an epidemic? is there a way to control an epidemic transmitted by Aedes aegypti?), and the outcomes and lessons from the debates.