Hepatitis B virus infection on Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands: a seroprevalence, knowledge and attitudes study

@#Objective: A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among children and their mothers on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands two decades after routine vaccination was introduced in the 1990s. Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes towards HBV disease and vaccination were also assessed. Methods: Results of a national seroprevalence survey conducted in 2016–2017 and antenatal records were used to determine the prevalence of HBV seropositivity in children aged 6–8 years and their biological mothers. The associations between demographic, social and vaccination-related factors and seropositivity were explored using Fisher’s exact tests. Results: HBV seroprevalence was 0.3% in children and 6.8% in their mothers (during pregnancy). Coverage of timely HBV vaccination was 90.3% for the birth dose and was significantly associated with factors related to place of residence (P < 0.001), place of birth (P < 0.001) and number of antenatal visits (P < 0.001). Maternal attitudes towards infant vaccination and antenatal screening were largely positive (95.8% and 96.7%, respectively) despite low vaccination rates (20.9%) among mothers. Knowledge levels were low for disease complications, treatment and transmission. Discussion: Prevalence of HBV in children and mothers residing on Kwajalein Atoll in 2016–2017 was lower than the national average for the Marshall Islands. Timely birth dose administration appears to have been effective in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HBV in this setting and should be promoted in remote settings where antiviral therapy is not available. Provision of out-of-cold-chain HBV vaccines should be considered to improve access in remote settings.

Seroprevalence of the specific antibody against Toxoplasma gondii among patients with hematological diseases / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with hematological diseases, so as to provide insights into improving the prognosis and quality of life among patients with hematological diseases. Methods A total of 240 patients with hematological diseases (including 170 patients with hematological tumors and 70 patients with non-tumor hematological diseases) admitted to The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University during the period from January 1, 2021 through October 10, 2023 and 500 healthy volunteers in the hospital during the same period were enrolled. Subjects’ demographics and serum samples were collected, and serum specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were detected using the chemiluminescence assay, with any of a positive IgG or IgM antibody defined as a positive T. gondii infection. The seroprevalence of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii was compared between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers. Results The mean age (F = 2.034, P > 0.05) and gender distribution (χ2 = 0.462, P > 0.05) were comparable among patients with hematological tumors, patients with non-tumor hematological diseases and healthy volunteers, and there was no significant difference in the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts between patients with hematological diseases and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 0, P > 0.05). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (15.8% vs. 0.6%; χ2 = 71.902, P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody among patients with hematological tumors (18.2%), patients with non-tumor hematological diseases (10.0%) and healthy volunteers (χ2 = 78.327, P < 0.01). The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was significantly higher among patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases than among healthy volunteers (both P values < 0.05), while no significant difference was seen in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody between patients with hematological tumors and non-tumor hematological diseases (P > 0.05). In addition, the proportion of history of cat or dog contacts was significantly higher among patients with hematological diseases that were positive for serum anti-T. gondii anti-body than among those negative for serum anti-T. gondii antibody (21.1% vs. 5.4%; χ2 = 8.653, P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a high seroprevalene rate of T. gondii infections among hematological diseases, which is significantly greater than that among healthy volunteers.

Impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV in Madagascar: a SARS-COV2 seroprevalence survey

Background: In Madagascar, no study has reported the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV (PLHIV). The present work aimed to analyze the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Malagasy PLHIV before and during the three waves of COVID-19 pandemic. This is a retrospective study. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective serological survey in PLHIV followed up for HIV viral load (VL) monitoring at the Centre d'Infectiologie Charles Mérieux Madagascar (CICM) between June 2019 and April 2022. The presence of IgM and/or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein was detected using a rapid diagnostic test (COVID-PRESTO®). Results: A seroprevalence of 2.5% was found in the 877 patients tested before March 2020, compared to 25.4% (512/2,011) between March 2020 and April 2022. This seroprevalence was 21.7%, 22.3% and 60.1% after the first, second and third waves of COVID-19, respectively. We observed a marginally significant difference (p = 0.043) inSARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence between patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (27.5%) and those who were not (23.7%). No statistically significant difference was observed between PLHIV with undetectable HIV VL (27.4%) and the different detectable VL categories (p>0.05). Conclusions: Our data show the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among PLHIV as early as December 2019 in Madagascar. At least 25.4% (512/2,011) of Malagasy PLHIV have been in contact with SARS-CoV-2 since March 2020. There is no significant relation between HIV-1 VL and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Additional studies with more robust assays in the general population are needed for a detailed knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 impact in Madagascar.

Lack of evidence of acute HEV infections as a sexually transmitted disease: Data from a German cohort of PrEP users

Abstract Background While the sexual transmissibility of HAV in MSM has been extensively described, the potential for sexual transmission of HEV has not been definitively established. Although HEV has been detected in the ejaculate of chronically infected men, studies among MSM PrEP users in France did not observe an elevated anti-HEV seroprevalence as an indicator of increased exposure risk by sexual intercourse. Patients and methods A total of 111 unselected PrEP users and 111 age- and sex-matched blood donors were tested for anti-HEV IgG, IgM and HEV (PCR). Of the participants 79/111 (71 %) responded to a questionnaire covering topics as sexual preferences, previous sexually transmitted diseases, profession, food consumption, and pet ownership. Results The anti-HEV IgG seroprevalence in PrEP users (22 %) did not differ significantly from the rate in controls (17 %). While one PrEP user and three controls tested positive for anti-HEV IgM, all PrEP users and controls tested PCR negative. Conclusion In immunocompetent individuals with frequent changes of sexual partners, the epidemiology of Hepatitis E Virus does not significantly involve the sexual transmission route.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with hepatitis B and C: a pre-vaccination study

Abstract The serological markers for the diagnosis of COVID-19 plays an important role in the epidemiological investigation of the pandemic. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in hepatitis B and C patients in a pre-vaccination of COVID-19 period. Between March 2020 and January 2021, 199 serum samples from individuals with HBsAg/HBV DNA or anti-HCV/HCV RNA positivity were tested for antibodies (IgM and IgG) against SARS-CoV-2 using Electrochemiluminescent Immunoassay (ECLIA). Among these, 50.3 % (100/199) tested positive for hepatitis C virus infection and 49.7 % (99/199) for hepatitis B virus, confirmed through molecular and serological diagnosis. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 24.1 % (48/199) in this population, with 23.23 % (23/99) hepatitis B and 25 % (25/100) hepatitis C patients tested positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2. The higher seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 (16.58 %, 33/199) was detected among those over-40 years of age and the month of November 2020 had the highest number of detections 9 % (18/199) with the majority living in impoverished and neglected neighborhoods in the city of Rio de Janeiro. We found a high prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in patients with viral hepatitis before COVID-19 vaccination. This demonstrates the high exposure of this population during the period of social isolation.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in dairy cattle from São Paulo State, Brazil / Soroprevalência e fatores de risco para Neospora caninum e Toxoplasma gondii em bovinos leiteiros do Estado de São Paulo

Abstract Neospora caninum is a major cause of reproductive loss in cattle worldwide as it leads to abortion and animal repositioning. Although Toxoplasma gondii does not cause a reproductive problem in cattle, consuming raw or uncooked beef poses the risk of transmission. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies in dairy cattle in the West and Northwest regions of São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 653 serum samples from dairy cows were analyzed using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Epidemiological data from the farms were associated with the serological results of the animals by logistic regression based on the presence of antibodies. The frequencies of the antibodies against N. caninum and T. gondii were 41.6% (272/653) and 11.5% (75/653), respectively. A statistically significant association was observed between: the serum anti-N. caninum antibodies and breed, history of food supplementation for calves, introduction of outside animals that later presented reproductive problems, and history of reproductive problems by the trimester of gestation. The present study highlights the importance of neosporosis in dairy cattle in the study regions and that the inclusion of this parasite in the investigation of animals with reproductive disorders is important.

Resumo Neospora caninum é uma das principais causas de perda reprodutiva em bovinos em todo o mundo, pois leva ao aborto e ao reposicionamento animal. Embora o Toxoplasma gondii não cause problemas reprodutivos em bovinos, o consumo de carne bovina crua ou não cozida apresenta risco de transmissão. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum e anti-T. gondii em bovinos leiteiros nas regiões Oeste e Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Um total de 653 amostras de soro de bovinos leiteiros, foi analisado utilizando-se o ensaio de imunofluorescência indireta (IFI). Os dados epidemiológicos das propriedades foram associados aos resultados sorológicos dos animais por meio de regressão logística. As frequências dos anticorpos contra N. caninum e T. gondii foram 41,6% (272/653) e 11,5% (75/653), respectivamente. Foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa entre: soropositividade para N. caninum e raça, histórico de suplementação alimentar para bezerros, introdução de animais externos que, posteriormente, apresentaram problemas reprodutivos e histórico de problemas reprodutivos no segundo trimestre de gestação. O presente estudo destaca a importância da neosporose em bovinos leiteiros, nas regiões de estudo, e a inclusão deste parasita na investigação de animais com distúrbios reprodutivos é fundamental.

Estudio de seroprevalencia de HVS 1-2 en gestantes y recién nacidos de 2017 a 2021

El virus herpes simple (VHS) pertenece a la subfamilia alfa virus, miembro de la familia Herpes viridae. Existen dos tipos de VHS íntimamente relacionados, el VHS tipo 1 (VHS1) y el VHS tipo 2 (VHS2), que causan enfermedades de diversa gravedad. El VHS1 se transmite principalmente por contacto de boca a boca y el VHS2 se transmite por vía sexual; ambos pueden causar herpes genital. La carga de morbimortalidad a nivel mundial derivada de patógenos de transmisión sexual compromete la vida, así como la salud sexual y reproductiva, y la salud del recién nacido. Objetivos: Determinar la seroprevalencia IgG e IgM por VHS1 y VHS2 de los recién nacidos y madres en el periodo de enero 2017 a julio 2021 en un hospital de tercer nivel. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de corte transversal de enero 2017 a julio 2021. Se midió anticuerpos IgG e IgM en recién nacidos y gestantes de ultimo trimestre, utilizando el método de ELISA. Resultados: De un total de 4712 serologías IgG e IgM de madres y RN analizados la seroprevalencia de IgG en gestantes fue cercana al 100% con valor similar en los RN (87%), la seroprevalencia de IgM en las madres fue 0,23% y de los RN 0,36% con tendencia ascendente. Conclusión: la seroprevalencia de IgG para VHS es elevada, en cambio la seroprevalencia de IgM en gestantes y recién nacidos en el periodo de estudio es significativamente baja.

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) belongs to the alpha virus subfamily, a member of the family Herpes viridae. There are two closely related types of HSV, HSV type 1 and HSV-2, which cause diseases of varying severity. HSV-1 is transmitted mainly by mouth-to-mouth contact and HSV-2 is transmitted sexually, both of which can cause genital herpes. The global burden of morbidity and mortality from sexually transmitted pathogens compromises life, as well as sexual and reproductive health, and the health of the newborn. Objective: To determine the IgG and IgM seroprevalence for HSV 1 - 2 of newborns and mothers in the period from January 2017 to July 2021 in a third level hospital. Materials and Methods: Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study of January 2017 to July 2021. IgG and IgM antibodies were measured in newborns and pregnant women in the last trimester, using the ELISA method. Results: Of a total of 4712 IgG and IgM serologies of mothers and newborns analyzed the seroprevalence of IgG in pregnant women was close to 100% with similar value in newborns (87%), IgM seroprevalence in mothers was 0.23% and the RN 0.36% with an upward trend. Conclusion: The IgG seroprevalence for HSV is high, while the IgM seroprevalence in pregnant women and newborns during the study period is significantly low.

Seroprevalencia del SARS-CoV-2 en los pacientes con enfermedades inmunomediadas en tratamiento con terapias biológicas y sintéticos dirigidos / Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases treated with biological and synthetic targeted therapies

INTRODUCCIÓN: La seroprevalencia del SARS-CoV-2 en las enfermedades inflamatorias inmunomediadas (IMID) sigue siendo fuente de controversia. OBJETIVO: Comparar la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos (Ac) anti SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con IMID en tratamientos con fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad biológicos (FAMEb) o sintéticos dirigidos (FAMEsd) frente a un grupo de personas sin IMID. MÉTODOS: Estudio de pacientes con IMID y tratamientos con FAMEb y FAMEsd y de individuos sin IMID. Mediante la técnica de inmunoensayo por quimioluminiscencia indirecta, se determinaron las serologías IgG frente al SARS-CoV-2 entre octubre/2020 y mayo/2021. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 1.100 sujetos, 550 pacientes con IMID y 550 personas sin IMID. Se observó una seroprevalencia de 16% (88/550) en los pacientes frente a 19,3% (106/550) en el grupo de personas sin IMID, sin significación estadística (OR 0,790 [IC 95% 0,558-1,118]). Comparando los tratamientos con FAMEb o FAMEsd, se observó una tendencia a una menor seroprevalencia con rituximab, en relación con los individuos sin IMID (OR 0,296 [IC 95% 0,0871,007]). Asimismo, se encontró menor seroprevalencia en los pacientes que además de su FAMEb recibían tratamiento con metotrexato, en comparación con el grupo de personas sin IMID (OR 0,432 [IC 95% 0,223-0,835]). CONCLUSIONES: Las IMID en tratamiento con FAMEb o FAMEsd no influyen en la seroprevalencia frente al SARS-CoV-2 de los pacientes. El tratamiento concomitante con metotrexato disminuye de forma significativa la seroprevalencia en estos pacientes.

BACKGROUND: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in immunemediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) remains controversial. AIM: To compare the seroprevalence of antibodies (Ab) to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with IMID receiving treatment with biological diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) or targeted synthetic (tsDMARD) versus a group of people without IMID. METHODS: Study of patients with IMID and treatments with bDMARD and tsDMARD and individuals without IMID. IgG serology against SARS-CoV-2 was measured using the two-step sandwich immunoassay technique by indirect chemiluminescence between October 2020 and May 2021. RESULTS: A total of 1100 subjects were studied, 550 patients with IMID and 550 persons without IMID. A seroprevalence of 16% (88/550) was observed in patients versus 19.3% (106/550) in the group of people without IMID, without statistical significance (OR 0.790 [95% CI 0.558-1.118]). Comparing the treatments with bD- MARD or tsDMARD, there was a tendency to lower seroprevalence with rituximab, in relation to individuals without IMID (OR 0.296 [95% CI 0.087-1.007]). In addition, lower seroprevalence was found in patients who received methotrexate treatment in addition to their bDMARD, compared to the group of individuals without IMID (OR 0.432 [95% CI 0.223-0.835]). CONCLUSIONS: IMIDs in treatment with bDMARDs or tsDMARDs do not influence the seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in patients. Concomitant treatment with methotrexate significantly decreased seroprevalence in these patients.

Prevalencia de marcadores infecciosos en donantes de sangre. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Ruíz y Páez

Introducción: La infección transmitida por transfusión (ITT) es producto de la inoculación directa de un agente infeccioso específico desde la unidad de sangre al huésped susceptible. Los marcadores serológicos positivos responden a características epidemiológicas no detectadas en miembros de la población aparentemente saludable. Objetivo general: Determinar la prevalencia de marcadores infecciosos y las características sociodemográficas en unidades sanguíneas procesadas de donantes que asisten al banco de sangre del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario "Ruíz y Páez" de Ciudad Bolívar - Estado Bolívar, período junio 2019 - junio 2022. Metodología: Se trató de un estudio de tipo descriptivo, retrospectivo, no experimental. El universo estuvo conformado por 13 016 unidades sanguíneas, 414 muestras fueron reactivas, que reportaron un total de 434 serologías positivas. Resultados: Se apreció una prevalencia global de 3,34 % para cualquier ITT; el marcador infeccioso más frecuente fue sífilis con el 60,83 % y una prevalencia de 2,03 %. Tomando en cuenta las características sociodemográficas predominantes: género masculino, 65,94 %; grupo etario 38-47 años, 28,74 %; ocupación obrera, 24,88 %; provenientes de Ciudad Bolívar, 84,06 %. Las muestras con coinfección representaron un 4,58 %, siendo la combinación VIH+Sífilis la más frecuente 1,45 %. El año 2021 destacó con 35,25 % serologías positivas. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de marcadores infecciosos se considera no despreciable. Se debe reforzar la prevención y cura de las enfermedades infecciosas trasmisibles en miembros de la población aparentemente saludable, así como también redirigir las estrategias en el manejo de seguridad transfusional.

Introduction: Transfusion-transmitted infection (ITT) is the direct inoculation of a specific infectious agent from the blood unit to the susceptible host. Positive serological markers respond to epidemiological characteristics not detected in members of the apparently healthy population. General objective: Determine the prevalence of infection markers and sociodemographic characteristics in processed blood units of donors attending the blood bank of the "Ruíz y Páez" University Hospital Complex in Ciudad Bolívar - Bolivar State, period June 2019 - June 2022. Methodology: This was a descriptive, retrospective, nonexperimental study. The universe consisted of 13 016 blood units, 414 samples were reactive, which reported a total of 434 positive serologies. Results: An overall prevalence of 3.34 % was found for any ITT; the most frequent infection markers were syphilis with 60.83% and a prevalence of 2.03 %. Taking into account the predominant sociodemographic characteristics: male gender, 65.94 %; age group 38-47 years, 28.74 %; labor occupation, 24.88 %; from Ciudad Bolivar, 84.06 %. The samples with coinfection represented 4.58 %, being the combination HIV+Syphilis the most frequent 1.45 %. Year 2021 stood out with 35.25 % positive serologies. Conclusions: The prevalence of infection markers is considered not negligible. The prevention and cure of communicable infectious diseases in members of the apparently healthy population should be strengthened, as well as redirecting strategies in transfusion safety management.

CLINICO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND SEROPREVALENCE OF DENGUE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL - CENTRAL INDIA

Background: Dengue virus infection has been a major public health problem over the past decades. The disease is endemic in many parts of India. Mortality is high when dengue manifests as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Early diagnosis and treatment greatly help prevent complications. The study was aimed to determine the clinic-demographic, and seroprevalence of dengue infection among Aim: patients attending Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra during the period from January 2021 to December 2021. In a retrospective study from Jan 2021-December 2021 blood samples were withdrawn from patients Methods: with fever. Samples were tested with BeneSphera Dengue NS1 and Dengue IgG/IgM Rapid card test (Lateral ?ow). Results: Serodiagnosis of dengue at tertiary care hospitals was 23.44% (1062/4530). The most affected group was 21-30 years old. Men (64.08%) were more affected. Common features were fever 1062 (100%), headache 508 (52%), body aches 205 (21%), vomiting 205 (21%), itching 68 (7%), rash 29 (3%). Of the 1062 dengue-positive cases, 998 (93.97%) were NS-1 positive, 18 (1.69%) were IgM positive, 21 (1.97%) were IgG positive, and 25 (2.35%) were NS1+. was IgM positive. Dengue cases peaked in August. Conclusions: The dependability of Immunochromatographic test makes it an excellent tool for early diagnosis and treatment. Dengue cases were more during August, so it is useful to plan special preventive strategies to prevent the outbreaks

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus in hemophilia A patients: A descriptive study

Background: Hemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency) is a X-linked coagulopathy that affects approximately 1/10,000 male live births. In the past, the treatment of hemophilia A consisted of cryoprecipitated plasma and purified factor preparations. As a result, they experienced unusually high incidence of hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to find out the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV infection, among hemophiliacs attending a tertiary care center in Kerala, southern India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on hemophilia A patients who attended the departments of medicine and paediatrics. Demographic details and treatment history were obtained by questionnaire. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect HBV surface antigen, HCV antibodies, and HIV. The statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS software version. Results: Out of 90 hemophilia A patients who underwent testing for the seroprevalence of transfusion-transmitted viral infections, one (1.1%) patient tested positive for HIV, two (2.2%) for HCV, and one (1.1%) for HBV. Among patients with hemophilia A, the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted infection was 4.4%. Patients with HIV- and HCV-positive tests belonged to the severe hemophilia A group. Moreover, the HBV-positive patient belonged to moderate hemophilia A. Conclusion: The present paradigm of management of hemophilia A patients is with plasma-derived or recombinant Factor VIII concentrates, cryoprecipitates, and fresh frozen plasma. Due to the risk, however remote, of transfusion-transmitted viral infections, all hemophiliacs should receive the hepatitis B vaccine and undergo routine testing for HIV, HCV, and HBV viruses.

PATTERNS OF SEROPREVALENCE FOR TRANSFUSION-TRANSMISSIBLE INFECTIONS AMONG BLOOD DONORS IN A BLOOD CENTRE OF NORTHEAST INDIA

PATTERNS OF SEROPREVALENCE FOR TRANSFUSION-TRANSMISSIBLE INFECTIONS AMONG BLOOD DONORS IN A BLOOD CENTRE OF NORTHEAST INDIA Original Research Paper Okram Geet- chandra Singh* Associate Professor, Blood Centre, JNIMS, Imphal *Corresponding Author Introduction: Transfusion– Transmissible Infections (TTIs) are the infections resulting from the introduction of a pathogen into a person through blood transfusion. In an attempt to mitigate the inherent risk of TTIs, the demographic information of blood donors including knowledge on local prevalence of infections and its pattern in the donor population is important for formulating recruitment strategies and planning other precautionary measures. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Blood Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal between January 2019 and December 2022. All donated blood units were tested for the mandatory TTI markers for HIV 1 & 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis and Malarial parasite. The prevalence and patterns of seropositivity for TTIs were studied based on the donor demographic characteristics such as donation type, gender and age group. The Results: overall seroprevalence among blood donors (n=31,563) was 1.79%. The seroprevalence was lower among voluntary donors (1.08%) than the replacement donors (2.10%). Seropositivities among female and male donors were 0.79% and 1.93% respectively. The lowest TTI seropositivity was seen among female voluntary donors (0.59%) and highest among male replacement donors (2.24%). The seroprevalence for speci?c TTI markers among the blood donors were 0.15% for HIV; 0.57% for HBV; 0.93% for HCV; 0.14% for Syphilis and no donor was found positive for Malaria. The frequency of TTI seropositivity was increased with increase in the age groups of donors in both sexes. There were 9 (0.029%) donors who had co-infection of TTIs. The patterns of TTI markers for co-infections were HCV+HIV=3; HCV+HBV=3; HCV+Syphilis=2 and HIV+ Syphilis=1. Conclusion: The measures to provide safe blood may include collection of blood from the targeted low risk donor population, using more sensitive testing methods, implementing pathogen reduction technologies and other public health measures

HIV-associated lipodystrophy: epidemiological analysis of a Plastic Surgery Service in Brazil / Lipodistrofia associada ao HIV: análise epidemiológica de um Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica no Brasil

Introduction: Lipodystrophy is an important complication of HIV and has different clinical manifestations, such as lipoatrophy of the face, buttocks, and limbs and accumulation of fat in the abdominal and cervical regions. Lipodystrophy has aesthetic and psychosocial consequences, stigmatizing and affecting patients' quality of life. The objective is to evaluate the epidemiology and treatments performed in patients treated at the HIV-related Lipodystrophy Outpatient Clinic at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Method: The study was conducted retrospectively, with port analysis of patients treated between June 2012 and December 2019, at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, in Botucatu, SP, Brazil. Results: The medical records of 153 individuals were analyzed, 79 male and 74 female patients. The mean age was 45.6 years. The referrals came from 48 cities in four states. Caucasian patients accounted for 74.5% of the consultations. The complaint of facial lipodystrophy was reported by 52.9% of the patients. The most common invasive procedure was facial filling with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) in 62 patients. Gluteal implants were the most common surgery on six occasions. Conclusion: The data found show a higher proportion of female patients with complaints of lipodystrophy when compared to general data of patients with HIV. The white race was predominant, and the main complaint of lipodystrophy was facial atrophy. Facial filling with PMMA was the most common procedure.

Introdução: A lipodistrofia é uma importante complicação do HIV e apresenta diferentes manifestações clínicas, como lipoatrofia de face, glúteos e membros, e acúmulo de gordura em região abdominal e cervical. A lipodistrofia apresenta consequências estéticas e psicossociais, que são estigmatizantes e afetam a qualidade de vida dos pacientes. O objetivo é avaliar a epidemiologia e os tratamentos realizados nos pacientes atendidos no Ambulatório de Lipodistrofia relacionada ao HIV do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu. Método: O estudo foi realizado de maneira retrospectiva, com análise de portuário dos pacientes atendidos entre junho de 2012 e dezembro de 2019, no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, em Botucatu, SP, Brasil. Resultados: Os prontuários de 153 indivíduos foram analisados, sendo 79 pacientes do sexo masculino e 74 do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi 45,6 anos. Os encaminhamentos tiveram origem de 48 cidades, de quatro estados. Pacientes da raça branca totalizaram 74,5% dos atendimentos. A queixa de lipodistrofia de face foi referida por 52,9% dos pacientes. O procedimento invasivo mais realizado foi o preenchimento facial com polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA), em 62 pacientes. A inclusão de implantes glúteos foi a cirurgia mais realizada, em seis ocasiões. Conclusão: Os dados encontrados mostram maior proporção de pacientes do sexo feminino com queixa de lipodistrofia, quando comparados a dados gerais de pacientes com HIV. A raça branca foi predominante e a principal queixa de lipodistrofia foi a atrofia facial. O preenchimento facial com PMMA foi o procedimento mais realizado

Seroprevalence of human leptospirosis in a rural community from Tandil, Argentina. Assessment of risk factors and spatial analysis / Seroprevalencia de leptospirosis humana en una comunidad rural del partido de Tandil (Argentina). Identificación de los factores de riesgo y del análisis espacial

Abstract Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis that is widely distributed in the world. Although it is endemic in Argentina, prevalence remains unknown. The aims of the study were: (i) to determine the prevalence of leptospirosis in humans from a rural community in Tandil Argentina, (ii) to identify infecting Leptospira spp. serogroups, (iii) to identify factors associated with the infection, (iv) to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of the risk factors and (v) to determine the spatial patterns of disease presentation and related risk factors. Blood samples from 202 participants were collected. A survey was conducted to obtain clinical and epidemiological data. Serological testing was performed by the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Univariate and multivariate methods were applied to evaluate associations. Spatial clusters were investigated for seroprevalence and risk factors. Antibodies were found in 32.2% of participants (95% CI: 25.8-39.1). The most prevalent serogroup was Hebdomadis followed by Sejroe; Icterohaemorrhagiae; Tarassovi and Canicola. Living at lower altitudes (OR: 13.04; 95% CI: 2.60-65.32); not having access to water supply network (OR: 2.95; 95% CI: 1.30-6.69); living close to flooded streets (OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.14-7.69) and practicing water sports (OR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.12-8.33) were associated with seropositivity. Factors related with housing characteristics, services and infrastructure had the higher PAF (from 17% to 81%). A spatial cluster with higher rates of positivity and of the main risk factors was determined. This work contributes useful data for specific preventive measures that should be implemented for the control of the disease.

Resumen La leptospirosis es una enfermedad desatendida, ampliamente distribuida a nivel mundial. Aunque es endémica en Argentina, su prevalencia es desconocida. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron los siguientes: (i) determinar la prevalencia de leptospirosis humana en comunidades rurales del partido de Tandil (Argentina), (ii) identificar serogrupos infectantes de Leptospira spp., (iii) identificar factores de riesgo asociados, (iv) estimar la fracción atribuible poblacional (FAP) de los factores de riesgo y (v) determinar los patrones espaciales de la enfermedad y de los factores de riesgo. Se tomaron muestras de sangre a 202 personas, y se registró información clínica y epidemiológica. El diagnóstico se realizó por microaglutinación (MAT). Para evaluar asociaciones, se utilizaron métodos univariados y multivariados. Se estudiaron clusters espaciales de la seroprevalencia y de los factores de riesgo. El 32,2% de los participantes (IC 95%: 25,8-39,1) presentaron anticuerpos. Los serogrupos más prevalentes fueron Hebdomadis, Sejroe, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Tarassovi y Canicola. Vivir a menores altitudes (OR: 13,04; IC 95%: 2,60-65,32) y cerca de calles inundables (OR: 2,94; IC 95%: 1,14-7,69), la falta de acceso a agua de red (OR: 2,95; IC 95%: 1,30-6,69) y la práctica de deportes acuáticos (OR: 3,12; IC 95%: 1,12-8,33) estuvieron asociados con la seropositividad. Factores relacionados con las características de las viviendas, los servicios y la infraestructura tuvieron mayor proporción de FAP (17 al 81%). Se encontró un área de mayor riesgo de presentación de individuos seropositivos y de los principales factores de riesgo. Este trabajo provee información útil para generar medidas preventivas específicas que podrían ser aplicadas para controlar esta enfermedad.

The first serological detection of West Nile virus infection among residents living in northern Turkey

Background & objectives: West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by a mosquito-borne virus whose natural reservoir is birds. Humans and horses are considered accidental hosts. Even if the vast majority of WNV infections in humans have asymptomatic or mild disease settings, serious neurological disorders with lethal outcomes can also be observed in around 1% of the cases. We aimed to serologically investigate the presence of WNV in humans living in Black sea of Turkey, and to obtain epidemiological data that will contribute to the implementation of public health policies to control and prevent potentially other life-threatening arboviral infections. Methods: In the current study, a total of 416 human sera were collected from native patients of Samsun and its boroughs attending Samsun Training and Research Hospital; these sera were tested for WNV with pooling method, using anti-IgM and IgG ELISA commercial kits. All pools that were found positive for both IgM and IgG were individually retested for the detection of positive WNV sera. After that, all positive samples were tested using realtime PCR to detect the presence of WNV-RNA particles. Results: Total seropositivity rates of WNV in terms of IgM and IgG were found as 0.96% and 0.72%, respectively. No presence of WNV-RNA could be detected in positive samples. Interpretation & conclusion: According to the data, further studies should be conducted to better understand the epidemiological dynamics of WNV in Turkey. It is recommended that other antigenically related flaviviruses which can give cross-reaction with WNV should also be investigated.

Serological ineptitude in blood banks: is there an association with sexually transmitted infections? / Inaptidão sorológica em bancos de sangue: existe associação com infecções sexualmente transmissíveis?

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious public health problem, and some of these infections are also transmitted through blood transfusions. Objective: To identify publications in scientific journals in Brazil and in the world showing if there is an important association between serological inadequacy due to sexually transmitted infections traced in blood and blood products used for medical use. Methods: Systematic review of articles published from 2018 to 2023, using the LILACS, SciELO and PubMed databases, with a concomitant approach to the issues of serological disability and STI. Original studies or review articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish with Brazilian and international data were included. Editorial publications, letter to the editor, letter from the editor or comments on the subject were excluded. Results: The search found 571 articles, of which 106 (18.40%) met the inclusion criteria, that is, Serological disability and STI. In studies with international data, the prevalence of donors with hepatitis C ranged from 0.12 to 4.8%; with hepatitis B, from 1.3 to 8.2%; with HIV, from 0.0021 to 2.5%; with syphilis, from 1.73 to 2.4%; with HTLV, 0.66%; and with Chagas disease, from 0.017 to 2.76%. Among articles with Brazilian data, the prevalence of donors with seroreactive tests for hepatitis C ranged from 0.18 to 1.76%; with hepatitis B, from 0.05 to 7.9%; with HIV, from 0.03 to 0.82%; with syphilis, from 0.37 to 3.51%; with HTLV, from 0.02 to 0.3%, and with Chagas disease, from 0.8 to 0.5%. Conclusion: STIs are rarely discussed in the scientific literature in studies on serological inadequacy. In addition, a minority of articles were with Brazilian data. However, results show that STIs, despite being little discussed in the scientific literature in studies on the subject of serological inadequacy, have statistically significant percentages of seropositivity for STIs. Moreover, hepatitis C and B have a relevant seroprevalence, reaching 8.2% and 4.8%, respectively, in the international scenario. In Brazil, hepatitis B continues to occupy a prominent place with a seroprevalence of up to 7.9%. However, syphilis now holds a very important role, with a maximum percentage of 3.51%. More studies are needed for further reflection: although STIs are little addressed in studies about serological inadequacy in human blood banks, would they contribute to the maintenance and non-reduction of the general frequency of infections transmitted by blood transfusion

Introdução: As infecções sexualmente transmissíveis (IST) são um grave problema de saúde pública e algumas dessas infecções, também, transmitidas por intermédio de transfusões de sangue. Objetivo: Identificar publicações em periódicos científicos no Brasil e no mundo sobre se existe importante associação entre inaptidão sorológica por infecções sexualmente transmissíveis rastreadas em sangue e hemoderivados usados para uso médico. Métodos:Revisão sistemática de artigos publicados no período de 2018 a 2023, usando as bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) e United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed) com abordagem concomitante para os assuntos de inaptidão sorológica e IST. Incluíram-se estudos originais ou artigos de revisão nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol com dados brasileiros e internacionais. Foram excluídas publicações do tipo editorial, carta ao editor, carta do editor ou comentários sobre o tema. Resultados:A busca localizou 571 artigos dos quais 106 (18,40%) se encaixavam nos critérios de inclusão, ou seja, inaptidão sorológica e IST. Em estudos com dados internacionais, a prevalência de doadores com hepatite C variou de 0,12 a 4,8%; com hepatite B de 1,3 a 8,2%; com HIV de 0,0021 a 2,5%; com sífilis de 1,73 a 2,4%; com HTLV 0,66%; e com doença de Chagas de 0,017 a 2,76 %. Já entre os artigos com dados brasileiros, a prevalência de doadores com exames soro-reatores para hepatite C variou de 0,18 a 1,76%; com hepatite B de 0,05 a 7,9%; com HIV de 0,03 a 0,82%; com sífilis de 0,37 a 3,51%; com HTLV 0,02 a 0,3%, e com doença de Chagas de 0,8 a 0,5%. Conclusão: As IST são pouco abordadas na literatura científica em estudos com o tema inaptidão sorológica. Além disso, uma minoria de artigos era com dados brasileiros. Entretanto, resultados demonstram que, apesar de pouco abordadas na literatura científica em estudos com o tema inaptidão sorológica, as IST possuem percentuais de soropositividade estatisticamente significativos. Além disso, as hepatites C e B possuem soroprevalência relevante, podendo chegar a 8,2 e 4,8%, respectivamente, no cenário internacional. Já no cenário nacional, brasileiro, a hepatite B continua ocupando um lugar de destaque, com soroprevalência de até 7,9%. Todavia, a sífilis passa a ocupar um papel de altíssima relevância, com percentual máximo de 3,51%. São necessários mais estudos para mais reflexão: apesar de as IST serem pouco abordadas em estudos acerca da inaptidão sorológica em bancos de sangue humano, seriam elas contribuintes para a manutenção e a não redução da frequência geral de infecções transmitidas por transfusão sanguínea?

Serosurvey for SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in Wuhan, China from September to December 2019

The emerging of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused COVID-19 pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 was reported at early December in 2019 in Wuhan City, China. To examine specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in biological samples before December 2019 would give clues when the epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 might start to circulate in populations. We obtained all 88,517 plasmas from 76,844 blood donors in Wuhan between 1 September and 31 December 2019. We first evaluated the pan-immunoglobin (pan-Ig) against SARS-CoV-2 in 43,850 samples from 32,484 blood donors with suitable sample quality and enough volume. Two hundred and sixty-four samples from 213 donors were pan-Ig reactive, then further tested IgG and IgM, and validated by neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Two hundred and thirteen samples (from 175 donors) were only pan-Ig reactive, 8 (from 4 donors) were pan-Ig and IgG reactive, and 43 (from 34 donors) were pan-Ig and IgM reactive. Microneutralization assay showed all negative results. In addition, 213 screened reactive donors were analyzed and did not show obviously temporal or regional tendency, but the distribution of age showed a difference compared with all tested donors. Then we reviewed SARS-CoV-2 antibody results from these donors who donated several times from September 2019 to June 2020, partly tested in a previous published study, no one was found a significant increase in S/CO of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Our findings showed no SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies existing among blood donors in Wuhan, China before 2020, indicating no evidence of transmission of COVID-19 before December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

Spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody, and to examine the correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into advanced schistosomiais control in the province.@*METHODS@#The epidemiological data of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province in 2020 were collected, including number of permanent residents in survey villages, number of advanced schistosomiasis patients, number of residents receiving serological tests and number of residents seropositive for anti-Schistosoma antibody, and the prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were descriptively analyzed. Village-based spatial distribution characteristics of prevalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody were identified in Hunan Province in 2020, and the correlation between the revalence advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was examined using Spearman correlation analysis.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis was 0 to 2.72% and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody was 0 to 20.25% in 1 153 schistosomiasis-endemic villages in Hunan Province in 2020. Spatial clusters were identified in both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis (global Moran's I = 0.416, P < 0.01) and the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (global Moran's I = 0.711, P < 0.01) in Hunan Province. Local spatial autocorrelation analysis identified 98 schistosomiasis-endemic villages with high-high clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis, 134 endemic villages with high-high clusters of the seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody and 36 endemic villages with high-high clusters of both the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province. In addition, spearman correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody (rs = 0.235, P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There were spatial clusters of the prevalence of advanced schistosomiasis and seroprevalence of anti-Schistosoma antibody in Hunan Province in 2020, which were predominantly located in areas neighboring the Dongting Lake. These clusters should be given a high priority in the schistosomiasis control programs.

Seroprevalence of neutralizing antibody among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the seroprevalence and influencing factors of serum neutralizing antibodies among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals, so as to provide the evidence for developing the health management and COVID-19 vaccination strategy among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals.@*Methods@#Recovered SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from January 1st, 2020 to February 10th, 2021 in Zhejiang Province were recruited in March 2021. Participants' demographics, underlying diseases, date of definitive diagnosis and severity of clinical symptoms were collected using questionnaire surveys, and serum neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 was detected using a fluorescent immunoassay. In addition, factors affecting the seropositivity of neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. @*Results@#A total of 559 SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals were enrolled, including 480 confirmed cases and 79 asymptomatic carriers, with an median (interquartile range) age of 47.00 (22.00) years, and all participants had never received COVID-19 vaccination. The median (interquartile range) duration from diagnosis to serum sampling was 387.00 (11.00) days, and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 was 83.90%. The serum neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 was all positive 9 months after diagnosis, and the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2 appeared no tendency towards a decline with time within 14 months after diagnosis (P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that women were 1.892 times (95%CI: 1.169-3.064) more likely to produce serum neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 than men, and mild, common and severe/critically ill SARS-CoV-2 infected cases were 2.438 (95%CI: 1.305-4.557), 4.481 (95%CI: 2.318-8.663), and 23.525 (95%CI: 2.990-185.068) times more likely to produce serum neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 than asymptomatic carrier, respectively.@*Conclusions@#The seroprevalence of neutralizing antibody was 100.00% among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals within 9 months after diagnosis. Individuals' gender and severity of clinical symptoms correlate with the seroprevalence of neutralizing antibody against SARS-CoV-2.

Hepatitis B chronic infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal care in Bor State Referral Hospital, South Sudan

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health problem affecting 400 million people worldwide, and is a common cause of chronic liver failure (cirrhosis) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Sixty-eight percent of infected people are from the African and Pacific regions. Vertical transmission from mother to newborn baby is one of the mechanisms by which chronic hepatitis virus infection spreads, besides infections from contaminated needles and syringes and sexual contact. Hepatitis B chronic infection is endemic in many poor countries, especially in Africa. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2021. Pregnant women attending the antenatal care (ANC) in Bor State referral hospital, South Sudan, were interviewed to collect information on their socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for hepatitis B infection. The objective was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B chronic infection through blood testing. Prevalence ratios for certain risk factors were calculated. Results: Two hundred pregnant women were enrolled. The Prevalence Rate for chronic infection with hepatitis B virus, diagnosed using the rapid immune-chromatographic assay for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was 8.5%. (95% CI; 4.7% - 12.3%). None of the suspected risk factors studied were found to be significantly associated with testing positive for HBV, except for a history of previous jaundice. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBV chronic infection among pregnant women in Bor, Jonglei State, is high hence there is a need for established public health interventions that can lead to a reduction of HBV vertical transmission. Treatment of pregnant women with HBV chronic infection using anti-viral medications during pregnancy might curb the vertical transmission rates.