Evaluation of potential rabies exposure among Japanese international travelers: A retrospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: Although Japan has been a rabies-free country for >50 years, a few cases have been reported among people traveling abroad. This study aimed to investigate animal exposure among Japanese travelers using the Japanese Registry for Infectious Diseases from Abroad (J-RIDA). METHOD: In this retrospective analysis, we examined Japanese overseas travelers with animal exposure, as included the J-RIDA database, reported from October 1, 2017, to October 31, 2019, with a focus on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) administration and the animals to which the patients were exposed. RESULTS: Among the 322 cases included in the analysis, 19 (5.9%) patients received PrEP and 303 did not. The most common purpose of travel was a non-package tour (n = 175, 54.3%). Most trips (n = 213, 66.1%) were to a single country for <2 weeks. Most patients (n = 286, 87.9%) traveled to countries with a rabies risk. The majority of patients with and without PrEP were injured in rabies-risk countries [n = 270 (89.1%) for non-PrEP and n = 16 (84.2%) for PrEP]. Animals associated with injuries included dogs (55.0%), cats (25.5%), and monkeys (15.5%). Most patients were classified as World Health Organization Category II/III for contact with suspected rabid animals (39.5% and 44.1% for categories II and III, respectively) and had exposure within 5 days of travel. Southeast Asia (n = 180, 55.9%) was the most common region in which travelers were exposed to animals. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese overseas travelers had contact with animals that could possibly transmit the rabies virus, even on short trips. Promoting pre-travel consultation and increasing awareness of the potential for rabies exposure are important for prevention of rabies among Japanese international travelers.

Characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with other respiratory pathogens identified by rapid diagnostic test.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) significantly impact disease treatment strategy. In Japan, information on the use of RDTs for patients with COVID-19 is limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the RDT implementation rate, pathogen detection rate, and clinical characteristics of patients positive for other pathogens by using COVIREGI-JP, a national registry of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. A total of 42,309 COVID-19 patients were included. For immunochromatographic testing, influenza was the most common (n = 2881 [6.8%]), followed by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 2129 [5%]) and group A streptococcus (GAS) (n = 372 [0.9%]). Urine antigen testing was performed for 5524 (13.1%) patients for S. pneumoniae and for 5326 patients (12.6%) for L. pneumophila. The completion rate of M. pneumonia loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) testing was low (n = 97 [0.2%]). FilmArray RP was performed in 372 (0.9%) patients; 1.2% (36/2881) of patients were positive for influenza, 0.9% (2/223) for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 9.6% (205/2129) for M. pneumoniae, and 7.3% (27/372) for GAS. The positivity rate for urine antigen testing was 3.3% (183/5524) for S. pneumoniae and 0.2% (13/5326) for L. pneumophila. The positivity rate for LAMP test was 5.2% (5/97) for M. pneumoniae. Five of 372 patients (1.3%) had positive FilmArray RP, with human enterovirus being the most frequently detected (1.3%, 5/372). The characteristics of patients with and without RDTs submission and positive and negative results differed for each pathogen. RDTs remain an important diagnostic tool in patients with COVID-19 in whom coinfection with other pathogens needs to be tested based on clinical evaluation.

Pre-transfusion testing for Ebola virus disease patients in serious communicable infectious diseases hospitals in Tokyo: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Ebola virus disease (EVD) was endemic to Africa in 2014-2016. Supportive therapies have been shown to improve the outcome of EVD, and additional supportive therapy including blood transfusion therapy and external circulation could be needed in the event of a future global outbreak. However, pre-transfusion testing policies and guidelines have not yet been established in Japan. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of blood transfusion therapy for EVD patients at three designated hospitals for serious communicable diseases in Tokyo. In each hospital, we surveyed blood transfusion therapy policy, blood transfusion protocol, presence of a specialist in the department of transfusion medicine, facility capacity for pre-transfusion compatibility testing, and types of personal protective equipment available. RESULTS: One hospital had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy, one had a cross-matched compatible blood transfusion policy only when the patient's ABO and RhD type is previously known, and the third had not created a policy. Two hospitals had a department of transfusion medicine. These two hospitals had a special testing unit for serious communicable diseases, while the other had a portable unit for testing. There were no major differences noted in available personal protective equipment. CONCLUSION: Policies and protocols differ among hospitals. The choice of blood transfusion policy and pre-transfusion testing is largely dependent on equipment and human resources. Further discussion is required to develop national guidelines for blood transfusion therapy in patients with serious communicable diseases, including countermeasures against complications and ethical issues related to the safety of patients and healthcare workers.

Antibody Response to Live Attenuated Vaccines in Adults in Japan.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy rendered with a single dose of live attenuated measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella containing vaccine. We inoculated healthcare workers (HCWs) with a single dose of vaccine to a disease lacking in antibody titer for those not meeting the criteria of our hospital (measles: <16.0 (IgG enzyme immunoassay (EIA)), rubella: ≤1:32 (hemagglutination-inhibition), mumps: <4.0 (IgG EIA), and varicella: <4.0 (IgG EIA)). At 28-60 days after vaccination, the antibody titer was tested again. We included 48 HCWs. A total of 32, 15, 31, and 10 individuals were inoculated with a single dose of measles-containing, rubella-containing, mumps, or varicella vaccine, respectively, and showed significant antibody elevation (9.2 ± 12.3 to 27.6 ± 215.6, p<0.001; 8 ± 1.2 to 32 ± 65.5, p<0.001; 3.0 ± 1.0 to 13.1 ± 8.6, p<0.05; and 2.6 ± 1.3 to 11.8 ± 8.1, p<0.001, respectively). Major side effects were not observed. In a limited population, a single dose of live attenuated vaccine showed elevation of antibody titer without any severe adverse reactions. However, whether the post-vaccination response rate criteria of our university was fulfilled could not be determined owing to limited sample size.

Lemierre syndrome: a Japanese patient returning from Thailand.

After returning from Thailand, a 23-year-old Japanese man was admitted because of fever, sore throat, neck pain, and chest pain. Contrasted-enhanced CT scanning of his neck revealed an absence of flow through the right internal jugular vein representing thrombosis, and moreover, an increase in wall thickness of the right internal jugular vein and enhancement of the surrounding tissue representing thrombophlebitis. Lung abscesses were also identified by a chest CT scan. Fusobacterium nucleatum was cultured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. He was diagnosed with Lemierre syndrome, and a good result was obtained by the administration of antibiotics. Physicians are encouraged to be aware of this syndrome when they manage patients complaining of neck pain and fever.

Diagnostic problems in a patient with amicrofilaremic Loa loa.

We report a Japanese patient with loiasis who became infected in Cameroon. Despite the clinical history and laboratory data providing adequate evidence for suspecting loiasis, microfilariae were not detected in the blood. It is important to note that most infected travelers whose home countries are in nonendemic regions are amicrofilaremic.

[Paragonimiasis westermani with repeated pleural effusion and diagnosed by detecting parasite eggs in pleural effusion].

A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of left chest pain, left pleural effusion and peripheral blood eosinophilia. After three months, left pleural effusion resolved without treatment and the etiology remained unclarified. Three years later, he was admitted for evaluation of right pleural effusion. Peripheral blood eosinophil count and serum IgE value were elevated. Eosinophilia was also observed in the pleural effusion. The diagnosis of paragonimiasis westermani was confirmed by immunoserological examination of the serum and by detection of Paragonimius eggs in the pleural effusion. Two cycles of treatment with praziquantel were effective in this case. When a patient has repeated pleural effusion, paragonimiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

[A case of toxocariasis with eosinophilic pleural effusion].

A 76-year-old man admitted for general malaise with fever was found in clinical examination on admission to have eosinophilic pleural effusion, peripheral eosinophilia, and a slightly elevated inflammatory reaction. Immunological examination, including microplate ELISA, showed a high titer of specific antibody against Toxocara canis in both the serum and pleural effusion. We started treatment using albendazole, and found inflammatory findings and serum IgE were ameliorated. Parasitic disease is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic pleural effusion, and serology is useful in screening for this.

[A case of secondary retinal detachment caused by ocular toxocariasis].

PURPOSE: We report a case with bullous retinal detachment secondary to ocular toxocariasis. CASE: A 68-year-old man, who was a professional dog breeder, visited an ophthalmologist because of visual field defect in the left eye, and was referred to our clinic. The patient had bilateral cataract and bullous retinal detachment in the left eye. Fundus examinations after cataract surgery revealed no break but a white mass in the temporal lower peripheral retina of the left eye. Initial treatment with systemic corticosteroids was ineffective. Retinal detachment was treated by retinal cryocoagulation, scleral buckling, and subretinal fluid drainage. Subretinal fluid obtained during the operation showed high antibody titer for Toxocara canis. CONCLUSION: Ocular toxocariasis can cause bullous retinal detachment. To confirm the diagnosis, examination of the antibody titer of Toxocara canis in the subretinal fluid is useful.

[A case of chronic pleuritis by Paragonimus Westermani infection resistant to standard chemotherapy and cured by three additional cycles of chemotherapy].

A 16-year-old boy had eaten Chinese freshwater crabs soaked in liquor in October 2000, and the left pleural effusion was pointed out on chest X-ray films at a regular medical checkup at school in June 2002. Since his father and friends had suffered from Paragonimiasis Westermani and had been treated in January 2001, the patient agreed to immunoserological examination, and Paragonimiasis Westermani was diagnosed. After drainage of pleural effusion, the patient was treated with praziquantel for three days at a daily dosage of 75 mg/kg, but without effect. The patient received drainage of pleural effusion again, and was treated with praziquantel for 3 days at a daily dosage of 75 mg/kg in a series of three treatments at three week interval. After that, improvement of the disease was achieved.

[A case of paragonimiasis westermani with a worm migration track on chest CT].

A 59-year-old man with rusty-colored sputum was admitted for evaluation of a nodular shadow on his chest radiograph. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed nodules and nodular opacities with a cavity in the right S3. Chest CT also showed clearly a double linear shadow other than the bronchovascular bundle, with a different course from that of the bronchovascular bundle, suggesting a worm migration track. The diagnosis of paragonimiasis westermani was confirmed by detection of Paragonimus eggs in a bronchoscopic aspirate smear and by immunoserological examination. The linear lesion on the chest CT is uncommon in paragonimiasis, but the finding is thought to be useful for the diagnosis of this disease.