Thoughts of self-harm in early and late pregnancy in urban South Africa: Investigating prevalence, predictors and screening options.

BACKGROUND: Thoughts of self-harm (TSH) are an important marker of mental health risk, and risk for attempted and completed suicide. While there is increasing attention being paid to mental health problems in pregnancy in South Africa (SA), TSH have received less attention despite some cross-sectional studies suggesting that prevalence may be high (12 - 39%). There is a dearth of longitudinal research to inform prevention and treatment. OBJECTIVES: To examine the rates of TSH across pregnancy in a longitudinal SA cohort and to investigate factors associated with the onset and persistence of TSH, as well as the relationship between TSH, depression and/or anxiety. METHODS: Women were enrolled in a prospective pregnancy cohort (S1000) in Soweto, SA between 2014 and 2016, and assessed using validated screening measures (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State Trait Anxiety Index short form) in early and later pregnancy. Data were available for 649 women. TSH were determined using EPDS item 10. Logistic regression and bifactor models were used to determine factors associated with TSH across pregnancy. RESULTS:  Of the 649 women, 18% reported TSH at some stage during their pregnancy. Prevalence of TSH was slightly higher in early pregnancy (12.5%) than later in pregnancy (11.6%). TSH were associated with a history of mental illness (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.17; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3 - 13.7; p=0.020), concurrent depression (aOR 4.8; 95%CI 2.7 - 8.6; p<0.001); marital stress (aOR 1.74; 95% CI 1.0 - 3.0; p=0.040); and practical support (aOR 0.43; 95% CI 0.2 - 1.0; p=0.040) using a multivariate logistic regression. Bifactor analysis examining depression and anxiety scales showed that TSH contributed the highest variance to a shared depression and anxiety factor in early pregnancy. Logistic regressions showed that early depression was a strong predictor of later reports of TSH. CONCLUSIONS:  The present study shows that the risk of TSH during pregnancy is relatively common, and starts early during pregnancy. Screening approaches could be simplified to encourage healthcare practitioners working in busy and over-burdened public healthcare settings to engage in identifying at-risk women. Efforts in improving early identification of mental health risk in pregnancy should be matched with strengthening of current treatment and referral options. Since practical support and a good marital relationship reduce the risk of TSH, these may be important avenues of focus for designing interventions.

Maternal alcohol use and children's emotional and cognitive outcomes in rural South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use in South Africa (SA) is increasing. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that SA is the third-largest drinking population in Africa, with the highest rate of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world. Internationally, parental drinking during childhood is a risk factor for poor child mental health, behavioural problems and weaker educational outcomes in middle childhood. However, parental alcohol use in Africa is under-researched, and much of the literature on maternal alcohol consumption is restricted to clinical and pregnancy samples. OBJECTIVES: To investigate alcohol use and hazardous drinking (HD) among mothers/primary caregivers of children aged 7 - 11 years in a rural SA cohort. We explored risk factors for drinking and the association between HD and child behaviour/cognition. METHODS: The primary outcome measure was the WHO Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) using the standardised cut-off for HD (≥8). Secondary measures were the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9), Patient Health Questionnaire General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Parenting Stress Index, short form (PSI-36), Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL, parent reported), Kaufman Developmental Assessment Battery (KABC-II) for child cognition, and Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, 2nd edition, subtests (NEPSY-II) for executive function. We compared characteristics of those drinking/not drinking, using χ2 tests, and modelled outcomes on parenting stress, cognitive outcomes and CBCL scores for children using logistic regression analysis. We grouped mothers/caregivers engaged in HD to examine its effect on parent/child outcomes using t-tests to test for significant differences. RESULTS: Of 1 505 women (1 266 mothers and 239 caregivers) with 1 536 children, 12% reported consuming alcohol and 3% reported HD. Higher maternal/caregiver age (31 - 40 years, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.57 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.4 - 0.9); >41 years, aOR 0.30 (95% CI 0.2 - 0.5)), education (matriculation, aOR 0.49 (95% CI 0.3 - 0.9); post matriculation, aOR 0.30 (95% CI 0.1 - 0.6)), and a stable relationship with the father (aOR 0.6 (95% CI 0.4 - 1.0)) were associated with no alcohol use. Food insecurity increased the odds of alcohol use (aOR 1.52 (95% CI 1.1 - 2.1)), while parental mental health (parenting stress, anxiety) and child mental health problems were associated with approximately double the odds of consuming alcohol in univariate analysis. Children of HD mothers/caregivers had higher mean scores for psychological problems (CBCL total score: no HD (mean 45.0) v. HD (mean 48.9); p=0.029) and lower cognitive scores (KABC Learning Scale: no HD (mean 14.3) v. HD (mean 12.8); p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: While HD rates were low, maternal/caregiver alcohol use negatively impacted on parenting and children's behavioural/cognitive outcomes. International evidence suggests that integrated approaches engaging parents and families may be more effective for parent-child outcomes than individual psychiatric or medical care for the parent on their own.

Identification of a Novel Elastin-Degrading Enzyme from the Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium psychrophilum.

Hydrolytic extracellular enzymes degrading host tissues potentially play a role in bacterial pathogenesis. Flavobacterium psychrophilum is an important bacterial pathogen of salmonid fish reared in freshwater throughout the world. Diversity among isolates has been described at the phenotypic, serological, and genomic levels, but the links between these various traits remain poorly understood. Using a genome-wide association study, we identified a gene encoding a novel elastinolytic enzyme in F. psychrophilum To formally demonstrate enzymatic activity, this gene (FP0506 from strain JIP 02/86) was expressed in the elastinolysis-deficient strain OSU THCO2-90, resulting in proficient elastin-degrading cells. The encoded protein is predicted to be a cell-surface-exposed lipoprotein with no homology to previously reported elastases. FP0506 might belong to the zincin tribe and gluzincin clan of metalloproteases, and this new elastase-encoding gene seems to be present only in some members of the family FlavobacteriaceaeIMPORTANCE Elastin is an important proteinaceous component of vertebrate connective tissues (e.g., blood vessels, lung, and skin), to which it confers elasticity. Elastases have been identified in a number of pathogenic bacteria. They are thought to be required for tissue penetration and dissemination, acting as "spreading factors." Flavobacterium psychrophilum is a devastating bacterial pathogen of salmonid fish (salmon and trout) that is responsible for severe economic losses worldwide. This pathogen displays strong proteolytic activities. Using a variety of techniques, including genome comparisons, we identified a gene encoding a novel elastase in F. psychrophilum The encoded protein is predicted to be a cell-surface-exposed lipoprotein with no homology to previously reported elastases. In addition, this elastase likely belongs to a new family of proteases that seems to be present only in some members of this important group of bacteria.

First trimester antenatal depression and anxiety: prevalence and associated factors in an urban population in Soweto, South Africa.

Depression and anxiety in the antenatal period are of public health concern given potential adverse effects for both mother and infant. Both are under-researched in the first trimester of pregnancy, especially in Africa. We examine the prevalence of first trimester antenatal depression and anxiety in a cohort of South African women and investigate associated risk factors. Data were collected from 946 women (2014-2016) in the Soweto First 1000 Days Cohort, a prospective pregnancy cohort in Soweto, South Africa. Antenatal depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with a score of ⩾13 indicating probable depression. Anxiety was assessed using the short form of the State-Trait Anxiety Index with a score ⩾12 indicating probable anxiety. Prevalence of antenatal depression was 27% [95% confidence interval (CI) 24.2-29.8] and anxiety 15.2% (95% CI 12.9-17.5). Factors associated with antenatal depression and anxiety were predominantly relationship- and family-centred. Women who perceived that their partner made life harder for them had three-fold increased odds for depression [(odds ratio (OR) 3.33 [2.28-4.85] P<0.001], whereas those with family stressors had almost double the odds for depression (OR 1.78 [1.22-2.59] P=0.003) and anxiety (OR 1.75 [1.44-2.69] P=0.0011). Antenatal depression and anxiety are common in the first trimester of pregnancy, and partner and family relationship stressors are central. Longitudinal analysis is needed to determine if this is a phase of adjustment to pregnancy or onset of persistent symptomology. Early intervention may have secondary preventative effects and should involve the partner and family.

Psychological morbidity and parenting stress in mothers of primary school children by timing of acquisition of HIV infection: a longitudinal cohort study in rural South Africa.

Longitudinal maternal mental health data are needed from high HIV prevalence settings. The Siyakhula Cohort (SC) is a population-based cohort of HIV-positive and negative mothers (n=1506) with HIV-negative children (n=1536) from rural South Africa. SC includes 767 HIV-negative mothers; 465 HIV-positive in pregnancy; 272 HIV-positive since pregnancy (n=2 missing HIV status). A subgroup (n=890) participated in a non-randomized breastfeeding intervention [Vertical Transmission Study (VTS)]; the remaining (n=616) were resident in the same area and received antenatal care at the time of the VTS, but were not part of the VTS, instead receiving the standard of care Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Programme. In secondary analysis we investigated the prevalence of, and factors associated with, psychological morbidity amongst mothers who were still the primary caregiver of the child (1265 out of 1506) at follow-up (7-11 years post-birth). We measured maternal depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder Scale-7) and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index-36), using standardized cut-offs and algorithms. In total, 75 (5.9%) mothers met criteria for depression, 37 (2.9%) anxiety and 134 (10.6%) parenting stress. Using complete case logistic regression (n=1206 out of 1265 mothers) as compared to being HIV-negative, testing HIV-positive in pregnancy doubled odds of depression [adjusted odd ratios (aOR)=1.96 [1.0-3.7] P=0.039]. Parenting stress was positively associated with acquisition of HIV after pregnancy (aOR=3.11 [1.9-5.2] P<0.001) and exposure to household crime (aOR=2.02 [1.3-3.2] P=0.003); negatively associated with higher maternal education (aOR=0.29 [0.1-0.8] P=0.014), maternal employment (aOR=0.55 [0.3-0.9] P=0.024). Compared with the standard of care PMTCT, VTS mothers had reduced odds of parenting stress (aOR=0.61 [0.4-0.9] P=0.016). Integrating parental support into mostly bio-medical treatment programmes, during and beyond pregnancy, is important.

The effect of maternal and child early life factors on grade repetition among HIV exposed and unexposed children in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Receiving an education is essential for children living in poverty to fulfil their potential. Success in the early years of schooling is important as children who repeat grade one are particularly at risk for future dropout. We examined early life factors associated with grade repetition through logistic regression and explored reasons for repeating a grade through parent report. In 2012-2014 we re-enrolled children aged 7-11 years in rural KwaZulu-Natal who had been part of an early life intervention. Of the 894 children included, 43.1% had repeated a grade, of which 62.9% were boys. Higher maternal education (aOR 0.44; 95% CI 0.2-0.9) and being further along in the birth order (aOR 0.46; 95% CI 0.3-0.9) reduced the odds of grade repetition. In addition, maternal HIV status had the strongest effect on grade repetition for girls (aOR 2.17; 95% CI 1.3-3.8), whereas for boys, it was a fridge in the household (aOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.4-1.0). Issues with school readiness was the most common reason for repeating a grade according to parental report (126/385, 32.7%), while school disruptions was an important reason among HIV-exposed boys. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathways through which HIV affects girls' educational outcomes and potentially impacts on disrupted schooling for boys. Our results also highlight the importance of preparation for schooling in the early years of life; future research could focus on gaining a better understanding of mechanisms by which to improve early school success, including increased quality of reception year and investigating the protective effect of older siblings.

[New therapeutic approaches in 2014 in pulmonary medicine: COPD, asthma and lung fibrosis]. / Pneumotogie. BPCO, asthme et fibrose pulmonaire.

In 2014, among new therapeutic approaches in pulmonary medicine, the role of inhaled corticosteroids has to be revaluated after the publication of the WISDOM and other studies. Their prescription should no longer be systematic even for "at risk" groups of patients, as defined by the GOLD consensus, but rather be considered on an individual basis. In the field of asthma, two major studies confirm the efficacy of mepoluzimab for the treatment of severe, eosinophilic asthma. Finally, for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 2014 has taught us that treatment with N-acetylcystein is of no proven benefit, while pirfenidone and nintedanib are two new drugs that may attenuate the downhill course of the disease.

[Bronchial thermoplasty in the treatment of severe adult asthma]. / La thermoplastie bronchique dans le traitement de l'asthme sévère de l'adulte.

Bronchial thermoplasty is a recent endoscopic technique for the treatment of severe asthma. It is an innovative treatment whose clinical efficacy and safety are beginning to be better understood. Since this is a device-based treatment, the evaluation procedure of risks and benefits is different that for pharmaceutical products; safety aspects, regulatory requirements, study design and the assessment of the magnitude of effects may all be different. The mechanism of action and optimal patient selection need to be assessed further in rigorous clinical and scientific studies. This technique is in harmony with the development of personalised medicine in the 21st century. It should be developed further in response to the numerous challenges and needs not yet met in the management of severe asthma.

[Non-infectious lung diseases after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]. / Pathologies pulmonaires non infectieuses après transplantation de cellules-souches hématopoïétiques.

Non-infectious pulmonary complications following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are entities occuring early or late, depending on whether they occur before or after 100 days post-transplantation. They have firstly to be differentiated from infectious complications, which is not always easy, as their clinical and radiological aspects can mimic a viral or bacterial pneumonia. Corticosteroids are the most given treatment but a significant subset of patients have a fatal outcome. This article will review the clinical, radiological, functionnal features and the therapeutic options of six entities (engraftment syndrome, diffuse alveolar hemorrage, idiopathic pneumonia syndrome, organizing pneumonia, bronchiolitis obliterans, post-transplantation lympho-proliferative disease).

[Interstitial lung disease in connective tissue diseases]. / Pneumopathies interstitielles liées aux connectivites.

Interstitial lung disease represents a major clinical aspect of the four major connective tissue diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, polymyositis/dermatomyositis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Early recognition in the course of the disease is essential, as interstitial lung disease will often determine the vital prognosis of these patients. Treatment is most frequently based on experts' opinion, because there are only few randomized controlled trials in this field.

Sleep fragmentation and sleep-disordered breathing in individuals living close to main roads: results from a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Nighttime traffic noise is associated with sleep disturbances, but sleep fragmentation and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) have not been demonstrated in individuals living near busy roads. METHODS: We asked 1383 participants to answer a health questionnaire and to undergo 24-h electrocardiogram (ECG). Nocturnal ECG records were used to calculate the very low frequency index (VLFI) interval, a surrogate marker of sleep fragmentation. Distances of participants' addresses to roadways were calculated using the VECTOR25© Swisstopo roads classification, a traffic noise proxy. Distances of homes within 100 or 50 m of major roads defined proximity to busy roads. Adjusted multivariate logistic regressions analyzed associations between the distance of home to main roads and VLFI or self-reported SDB. RESULTS: Distance of participants' homes to main roads was significantly associated with the VLFI in women (odds ratio [OR], 1.58 [confidence interval {CI}, 1.03-2.42]; P = .038) but not in men (OR, 1.35 [CI, 0.77-2.35]; P = .295). Women under hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) were at higher risk for increased VLFI when living close to main roads (OR, 2.10 [CI, 1.20-3.68]; P = .01) than untreated women (P = .584). Associations with self-reported SDB were not statistically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: In our large population, women living close to main roads were at significantly higher risk for sleep fragmentation than men. The 2-fold higher risk for menopausal women under HRT underscores the vulnerability of this group.

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis]. / Aspergillose pulmonaire invasive et aspergilttose pulmonaire chronique.

Aspergillus pulmonary infection causes a spectrum of diverse diseases according to host immunity. The two major entities are invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. The later can be divided into aspergilloma, then into chronic cavitary, more or less fibrosing aspergillosis, and finally into chronic necrotizing aspergillosis, or semiinvasive aspergillosis. The present article reviews this complex classification, which is necessary to reflect the diverse clinical aspect of the disease. Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which is more a hypersensitivity reaction than an infectious process, will not be discussed here.

[Assessment and management of chronic cough in adults]. / Toux chronique de l'adulte: evaluation et prise en charge.

Chronic cough is one of the most common symptoms for which outpatient care is sought. The most frequent causes are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. It is often difficult to determine the origin of chronic cough based on the medical history and physical examination. Empirical treatment directed at the three aforementioned etiologies is thus of considerable value in the initial workup. Treatment failure is most commonly due to insufficient treatment (dosage or duration) or to the coexistence of several causes needing simultaneous use of different drugs.

Incidence and outcomes of respiratory viral infections in lung transplant recipients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and outcomes of respiratory viral infections in lung transplant recipients (LTR) are not well defined. The objective of this prospective study conducted from June 2008 to March 2011 was to characterise the incidence and outcomes of viral respiratory infections in LTR. METHODS: Patients were seen in three contexts: study-specific screenings covering all seasons; routine post-transplantation follow-up; and emergency visits. Nasopharyngeal specimens were collected systematically and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed when clinically indicated. All specimens underwent testing with a wide panel of molecular assays targeting respiratory viruses. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve LTR had 903 encounters: 570 (63%) were screening visits, 124 (14%) were routine post-transplantation follow-up and 209 (23%) were emergency visits. Respiratory viruses were identified in 174 encounters, 34 of these via BAL. The incidence of infection was 0.83 per patient-year (95% CI 0.45 to 1.52). The viral infection rates upon screening, routine and emergency visits were 14%, 15% and 34%, respectively (p<0.001). Picornavirus was identified most frequently in nasopharyngeal (85/140; 60.7%) and BAL specimens (20/34; 59%). Asymptomatic viral carriage, mainly of picornaviruses, was found at 10% of screening visits. Infections were associated with transient lung function loss and high calcineurin inhibitor blood levels. The hospitalisation rate was 50% (95% CI 30% to 70.9%) for influenza and parainfluenza and 16.9% (95% CI 11.2% to 23.9%) for other viruses. Acute rejection was not associated with viral infection (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.3). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of viral infection in LTR; asymptomatic carriage is rare. Viral infections contribute significantly to this population's respiratory symptomatology. No temporal association was observed between infection and acute rejection.

Interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, occupational exposure and lung function decline.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated interactions between SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, associated with intermediate α1-antitrysin deficiency, with outdoor particulate matter ≤10 µm (PM10), and occupational exposure to vapours, dusts, gases and fumes (VGDF), and their effects on annual change in lung function. METHODS: Pre-bronchodilator spirometry was performed in 3739 adults of the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung Disease in Adults (SAPALDIA) for whom SERPINA1 genotypes were available. At baseline in 1991, participants were aged 18-62 years; follow-up measurements were conducted from 2001 to 2003. In linear mixed regression models of annual change in lung function, multiplicative interactions were evaluated between PiMZ genotype (PiMM as reference) and change in PM10 (µg/m(3)), and VGDF exposure (high-level, low-level or no exposure as reference) during follow-up. RESULTS: Annual declines in forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75%) (-82 mL/s, 95% CI -125 to -39) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s over forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) (-0.3%, 95% CI -0.6% to 0.0%) in association with VGDF exposure were observed only in PiMZ carriers (Pinteraction<0.0001 and Pinteraction=0.03, respectively). A three-way interaction between PiMZ genotype, smoking and VGDF exposure was identified such that VGDF-associated FEF25-75% decline was observed only in ever smoking PiMZ carriers (Pinteraction=0.01). No interactions were identified between PiMZ genotype and outdoor PM10. CONCLUSIONS: SERPINA1 PiMZ genotype, in combination with smoking, modified the association between occupational VGDF exposure and longitudinal change in lung function, suggesting that interactions between these factors are relevant for lung function decline. These novel findings warrant replication in larger studies.