Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aatreyee M. Das, Manuel W. Hetzel, Joshua O. Yukich, Logan Stuck, Bakar S. Fakih, Abdul-Wahid H. Al-mafazy, Abdullah Ali, Nakul Chitnis
Summary: This study used a stochastic metapopulation model to test the impact of new interventions on malaria transmission in Zanzibar. They found that despite high case importation rates, the majority of new cases were indigenous. Increasing the coverage of interventions such as reactive case detection can lead to substantial decreases in malaria incidence, but transmission reduction in both Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania is necessary for elimination within the next 40 years.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Werissaw Haileselassie, Daniel M. Parker, Behailu Taye, Randy E. David, Endalew Zemene, Ming-Chieh Lee, Daibin Zhong, Guofa Zhou, Tesfahun Alemu, Getnet Tadele, James W. Kazura, Cristian Koepfli, Wakgari Deressa, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, Guiyun Yan
Summary: This study examines the impact of land use change on the occurrence and prevention of malaria. It shows that malaria remains a major public health issue in the area and highlights the importance of scaling up effective interventions and continuous monitoring of vector control tools.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Achla Marathe, Ruoding Shi, Ana Mendez-Lopez, Zhihao Hu, Bryan Lewis, Regina Rabinovich, Carlos J. Chaccour, Cassidy Rist
Summary: This study examines the potential impact of ivermectin mass drug administration (iMDA) in nine high burden sub-Saharan African countries to reverse the increasing malaria cases. The results suggest that iMDA has the potential to avert millions of cases and thousands of deaths, with estimated net cost per case averted between US$2 and US$7.
Article
Immunology
Makhtar Niang, Mirco Sandfort, Adja Fatou Mbodj, Babacar Diouf, Cheikh Talla, Joseph Faye, Rokhaya Sane, Laty Gaye Thiam, Alassane Thiam, Abdoulaye Badiane, Ines Vigan-Womas, Nafissatou Diagne, Fatoumata Diene Sarr, Ivo Mueller, Cheikh Sokhna, Michael White, Aissatou Toure-Balde
Summary: The study found a significant association between asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum carriers in households and subsequent clinical malaria episodes in Dielmo and Ndiop villages in Senegal, providing important epidemiological evidence for the elimination of malaria.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Soka J. Moses, Ian Wachekwa, Collin Van Ryn, Greg Grandits, Alice Pau, Moses Badio, Stephen B. Kennedy, Michael C. Sneller, Elizabeth S. Higgs, H. Clifford Lane, Mosoka Fallah, Stephen A. Migueles, Cavan Reilly
Summary: Two cohorts in Liberia showed higher HIV prevalence and incidence rates compared to national estimates in 2018, highlighting the need for further research to address knowledge gaps and improve care for HIV-positive individuals in the country.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Emma H. Wilcox, Mahdi Sarmady, Bryan Wulf, Matt W. Wright, Heidi L. Rehm, Leslie G. Biesecker, Ahmad N. Abou Tayoun
Summary: According to the ACMG/AMP guidelines, in silico evidence plays a significant role in the strength level of pathogenic and benign evidence. The study found that these criteria are commonly used and can impact variant classification outcomes. When appropriate thresholds are established, these criteria can be used effectively at a moderate strength level.
GENETICS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
G. Mancia, F. P. Cappuccio, M. Burnier, A. Coca, A. Persu, C. Borghi, R. Kreutz, B. Sanner
Summary: The clinical and economic burden of hypertension is high and continues to increase globally. Despite clear guidelines, a large proportion of patients remain undiagnosed or undertreated, and there are barriers to implementation at multiple levels. Improving health education, BP measurement, individualized treatment, and nationwide strategies for screening and management are essential to achieve better blood pressure control.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jordache Ramjith, Manon Alkema, John Bradley, Alassane Dicko, Chris Drakeley, Will Stone, Teun Bousema
Summary: Malaria transmission depends on the presence of mature Plasmodium transmission stages. Transmission-blocking antimalarial drugs and vaccines can prevent transmission by reducing gametocyte densities or infectivity to mosquitos. This online tool helps researchers calculate the sample size to detect reductions in mosquito infection rate or infection burden.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Dragomir Svetozarov Stoyanov, Nikolay Vladimirov Conev, Ivan Shterev Donev, Ivan Dimitrov Tonev, Teodorika Vitalinova Panayotova, Eleonora Georgieva Dimitrova-Gospodinova
Summary: This study found that travel distance and travel time have a significant impact on the overall survival of lung cancer patients, with patients with a higher travel burden having lower survival rates.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Khalid Abdelmutalab Elmardi, Ishag Adam, Elfatih Mohamed Malik, Hmooda Toto Kafy, Mogahid Sheikheldien Abdin, Immo Kleinschmidt, Stef Kremers, Jessica Sophia Gubbels
Summary: In low transmission areas, this study found that community-level utilization of malaria diagnosis significantly reduced malaria infection. However, no protective effect was seen for the community utilization of ACTs or LLINs against malaria infection. The study did not establish an association between any of the interventions and overall anaemia or moderate-to-severe anaemia.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Celine Audibert, Andre-Marie Tchouatieu
Summary: Preventive chemotherapy interventions are crucial for malaria prevention, but acceptance and coverage remain challenges due to reasons such as children's absenteeism and lack of staff. While seasonal malaria chemoprevention is largely accepted, intermittent preventive treatment of infants faces challenges like access to water and high staff turnover. The study identifies key elements for expanding these interventions to different populations.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Lara Marleen Fricke, Stephan Glockner, Maren Dreier, Berit Lange
Summary: The study found that non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 have an impact on global influenza burden, leading to lower estimates of influenza. However, there is high heterogeneity in some indicators, such as unclear results for syndromic indicators.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rosemonde M. Guissou, Chanaki Amaratunga, Freek de Haan, Fatoumata Tou, Phaik Yeong Cheah, R. Serge Yerbanga, Ellen H. M. Moors, Mehul Dhorda, Paulina Tindana, Wouter P. C. Boon, Arjen M. Dondorp, Jean Bosco Ouedraogo
Summary: The study reveals that the current operational mode of anti-malarial drug markets in Burkina Faso promotes arteminisin resistance emergence and spread. The factors are mainly related to the artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) supply chain, to ACT quality, ACT prescription monitoring and to ACT access and misuse by patients.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ransford Oduro Kumi, Belinda Oti, Nader E. Abo-Dya, Mohamed Issa Alahmdi, Mahmoud E. S. Soliman
Summary: In the past decade, most antimalarial drugs have lost their clinical potency due to parasite resistance. The current preferred malaria chemotherapy, artemisinin-based combination therapy, is also facing the challenge of parasite resistance. Computer-aided drug design techniques have been employed to discover novel drug targets and develop small molecule inhibitors, providing an intriguing alternative for malaria treatment.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Barikissou Georgia Damien, Akoeugnigan Idelphonse Sode, Daniel Bocossa, Emmanuel Elanga-Ndille, Badirou Aguemon, Vincent Corbel, Marie-Claire Henry, Romain Lucas Glele Kakai, Franck Remoue
Summary: This study analyzed the spatial distribution of Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection and disease among children under five years in Benin, West Africa. The prevalence of P. falciparum infection was moderate in the south but high in the north, with infants in the north having lower infection rates compared to other age groups. The spatial model predicted more heterogeneity in the south, but a higher risk of malaria infection and clinical cases in the north.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alice Kamau, Robert S. Paton, Samuel Akech, Arthur Mpimbaza, Cynthia Khazenzi, Morris Ogero, Eda Mumo, Victor A. Alegana, Ambrose Agweyu, Neema Mturi, Shebe Mohammed, Godfrey Bigogo, Allan Audi, James Kapisi, Asadu Sserwanga, Jane F. Namuganga, Simon Kariuki, Nancy A. Otieno, Bryan O. Nyawanda, Ally Olotu, Nahya Salim, Thabit Athuman, Salim Abdulla, Amina F. Mohamed, George Mtove, Hugh Reyburn, Sunetra Gupta, Jose Lourenco, Philip Bejon, Robert W. Snow
Summary: This study explores the relationship between age patterns of malaria hospitalization and malaria transmission intensity. The results indicate that the majority of malaria admissions occur in children under 5 years old, and in areas with higher transmission intensity, the average age of malaria hospitalization is younger. In moderate and high transmission settings, chemoprevention and vaccines can target a significant proportion of the children in the target age range.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
M. G. M. Gomes
Article
Biology
Jose Lourenco, Silvia C. Barros, Libia Ze-ze, Daniel S. C. Damineli, Marta Giovanetti, Hugo C. Osorio, Fatima Amaro, Ana M. Henriques, Fernanda Ramos, Tiago Luis, Margarida D. Duarte, Teresa Fagulha, Maria J. Alves, Uri Obolski
Summary: Lourenco et al. reviewed historical data and quantified the transmission potential of West Nile virus in Portugal. Their study found a North-South divide in infection patterns, with higher ecological capacity in the south, and an increasing positive effect of climate change over the past 40 years. Despite the suitable climate for transmission, Portugal has only reported four human cases of West Nile virus so far.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Caitlin Pley, Jose Lourenco, Anna L. McNaughton, Philippa C. Matthews
Summary: This study explores the role of the spacer sequence in HBV evolution and lineage, its associations with drug and immune evasion, and potential impacts on disease outcomes.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yuyang Chen, Naizhe Li, Jose Lourenco, Lin Wang, Bernard Cazelles, Lu Dong, Bingying Li, Yang Liu, Mark jit, Nikos Bosse, Sam Abbott, Raman Velayudhan, Annelies Wilder-Smith, Huaiyu Tian, Oliver J. Bradyt
Summary: COVID-19-related disruption has significantly reduced the incidence of dengue in southeast Asia and Latin America in 2020. Measures such as school closures and reduced time spent in non-residential areas are strongly associated with reduced dengue risk.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Anna L. McNaughton, Robert S. Paton, Matthew Edmans, Jonathan Youngs, Judith Wellens, Prabhjeet Phalora, Alex Fyfe, Sandra Belij-Rammerstorfer, Jai S. Bolton, Jonathan Ball, George W. Carnell, Wanwisa Dejnirattisai, Christina Dold, David W. Eyre, Philip Hopkins, Alison Howarth, Kreepa Kooblall, Hannah Klim, Susannah Leaver, Lian Ni Lee, Cesar Lopez-Camacho, Sheila F. Lumley, Derek C. Macallan, Alexander J. Mentzer, Nicholas M. Provine, Jeremy Ratcliff, Jose Slon-Compos, Donal Skelly, Lucas Stolle, Piyada Supasa, Nigel Temperton, Chris Walker, Beibei Wang, Duncan Wyncoll, Peter Simmonds, Teresa Lambe, John Kenneth Baillie, Malcolm G. Semple, Peter J. M. Openshaw, Uri Obolski, Marc Turner, Miles Carroll, Juthathip Mongkolsapaya, Gavin Screaton, Stephen H. Kennedy, Lisa Jarvis, Eleanor Barnes, Susanna Dunachie, Jose Lourenco, Philippa C. Matthews, Tihana Bicanic, Paul Klenerman, Sunetra Gupta, Craig P. Thompson
Summary: The immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in fatal COVID-19 cases is enriched for antibodies that target epitopes shared with other endemic coronaviruses, rather than the more protective regions of the virus. This response is correlated with the magnitude of antibody responses to the spike protein of both SARS-CoV-2 and other beta-coronaviruses in individuals admitted to the ICU with fatal outcomes. However, there is no significant difference in antibody responses to the less cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid between fatal and nonfatal cases.
Article
Biology
Antonio Montalban, Rodrigo M. Corder, M. Gabriela M. Gomes
Summary: This study examines a susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model with heterogeneity in susceptibility and exposure to infection. The research finds that epidemic growth can be effectively suppressed when the percentage of the population with acquired immunity surpasses the herd immunity threshold, taking into account the heterogeneity assumption.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Jose Lourenco, Anna L. McNaughton, Caitlin Pley, Uri Obolski, Sunetra Gupta, Philippa C. Matthews
Summary: A machine learning approach was used in this study to identify 10 informative amino acid sites in the HBV genome that can be used to distinguish between different genotypes. These sites were predominantly located in the spacer domain of the polymerase gene, rather than the core protein. These findings improve genotype prediction and provide insights into HBV evolution.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephane Tosta, Keldenn Moreno, Gabriel Schuab, Vagner Fonseca, Fatima Maria Cardozo Segovia, Simone Kashima, Maria Carolina Elias, Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio, Massimo Ciccozzi, Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara, Svetoslav Nanev Slavov, Jose Lourenco, Eleonora Cella, Marta Giovanetti
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges for genomic surveillance strategies worldwide. Genomic surveillance has played a crucial role in studying the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, improving diagnostic assays, and enhancing vaccine efficacy. The release of a large number of SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes highlights the importance of sustained investment in genomic surveillance for epidemic and pandemic preparedness.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Cynthia Vazquez, Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara, Vagner Fonseca, Mauricio Lima, Joilson Xavier, Talita Adelino, Hegger Fritsch, Emerson Castro, Carla de Oliveira, Gabriel Schuab, Alex Ranieri Jeronimo Lima, Shirley Villalba, Andrea Gomez de la Fuente, Analia Rojas, Cesar Cantero, Fatima Fleitas, Carolina Aquino, Andrea Ojeda, Guillermo Sequera, Juan Torales, Julio Barrios, Maria Carolina Elias, Felipe C. M. Iani, Maria Jose Ortega, Maria Liz Gamarra, Romeo Montoya, Evandra Strazza Rodrigues, Simone Kashima, Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio, Norma Coluchi, Juliana Leite, Lionel Gresh, Leticia Franco, Jose Lourenco, Jairo Mendez Rico, Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis, Marta Giovanetti
Summary: Due to the significant threat of dengue virus in Paraguay, further prevention and control measures are necessary. Genomic surveillance reveals the co-circulation of multiple dengue virus serotypes in Paraguay and highlights the possible role of Brazil as a source for international dispersion of different viral strains. This emphasizes the need for increased surveillance across borders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taishi Nakase, Marta Giovanetti, Uri Obolski, Jose Lourenco
Summary: Mosquito-borne viruses pose an increasing threat to human populations due to climate changes, migration patterns, and land use. Dengue, in particular, has rapidly spread globally in the past three decades, causing significant health and economic problems. To address this, mapping the transmission potential of dengue is essential. Using the Index P measure, we have created maps of the climate-driven transmission potential of dengue virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from 1981 to 2019. These resources can aid public health professionals in identifying past, current, and future transmission hotspots and planning disease control strategies in areas with limited surveillance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John Harvey, Bryan Chan, Tarun Srivastava, Alexander E. Zarebski, Pawel Dlotko, Piotr Blaszczyk, Rachel H. Parkinson, Lisa J. White, Ricardo Aguas, Adam Mahdi
Summary: Discussing the waves of the COVID-19 epidemic in different countries is a common topic, but there is no clear method to define these waves in the available data and their relation to mathematical epidemiology is weak. This study presents an algorithm that can identify significant and sustained periods of increase in time series data, which can be described as "observed waves". The algorithm is applied to COVID-19 data and the results correspond to visual intuition and expert opinion. The study also analyzes the differences in consecutive observed waves among countries and the impact of government interventions on waves.
Article
Immunology
Marta Giovanetti, Cynthia Vazquez, Mauricio Lima, Emerson Castro, Analia Rojas, Andrea Gomez de la Fuente, Carolina Aquino, Cesar Cantero, Fatima Fleitas, Juan Torales, Julio Barrios, Maria J. Ortega, Maria L. Gamarra, Shirley Villalba, Tania Alfonzo, Joilson Xavier, Talita Adelino, Hegger Fritsch, Felipe C. M. Iani, Glauco C. Pereira, Carla de Oliveira, Gabriel Schuab, Evandra S. Rodrigues, Simone Kashima, Juliana Leite, Lionel Gresh, Leticia Franco, Houriiyah Tegally, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Richard Lessels, Ana Maria Bispo de Filippis, Andrea Ojeda, Guillermo Sequera, Romeo Montoya, Edward C. Holmes, Tulio de Oliveira, Jairo M. Rico, Jose Lourenco, Vagner Fonseca, Luiz C. J. Alcantara
Summary: This article describes the ongoing large chikungunya epidemic in Paraguay, characterized using a suite of genomic, phylodynamic, and epidemiologic techniques.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zengmiao Wang, Yonghong Liu, Yapin Li, Guangze Wang, Jose Lourenco, Moritz Kraemer, Qixin He, Bernard Cazeiles, Yidan Li, Ruixue Wang, Dongqi Gao, Yuchun Li, Wenjing Song, Dingwei Sun, Lu Dong, Oliver G. Pybus, Nils Chr Stenseth, Huaiyu Tian
Summary: This study investigates the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of malaria and the impact of climate change on malaria transmission in Hainan, China. The findings suggest that the timing of the peak incidence of malaria has changed in different regions of Hainan due to rising temperatures. The study provides empirical support for the opposing effects of increasing temperatures on malaria dynamics in lowland and highland regions. The results have important implications for malaria control and should be considered in future modeling and disease burden calculations.
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Virology
Marta Giovanetti, Vagner Fonseca, Eduan Wilkinson, Houriiyah Tegally, Emmanuel James San, Christian L. Althaus, Joilson Xavier, Svetoslav Nanev Slavov, Vincent Louis Viala, Alex Ranieri Jeronimo Lima, Gabriela Ribeiro, Jayme A. Souza-Neto, Heidge Fukumasu, Luiz Lehmann Coutinho, Rivaldo Venancio da Cunha, Carla Freitas, Carlos F. Campelo de A. e Melo, Wildo Navegantes de Araujo, Rodrigo Fabiano Do Carmo Said, Maria Almiron, Tulio de Oliveira, Sandra Coccuzzo Sampaio, Maria Carolina Elias, Dimas Tadeu Covas, Edward C. Holmes, Jose Lourenco, Simone Kashima, Luiz Carlos Junior de Alcantara
Summary: The COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil was initially driven by the Gamma variant, but was later replaced by the Delta variant. Unlike in other countries, the rapid spread of Delta in Brazil did not lead to a significant increase in cases and deaths, which may be attributed to the combination of early vaccination campaign and natural immunity from prior infection with the Gamma variant. The study highlights the importance of strengthening genomic monitoring on a national level to detect the emergence and spread of other variants of concern.