Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rebecca Dwyer, Wynand Goosen, Peter Buss, Simon Kedward, Tebogo Manamela, Guy Hausler, Josephine Chileshe, Leana Rossouw, James H. Fowler, Michele Miller, Carmel Witte
Summary: Mycobacterium bovis infection was found in African rhinoceros in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The estimated prevalence of M. bovis was 15.4%. The study revealed a correlation between the increasing number of African buffalo herds and the probability of M. bovis infection in white rhinoceros. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of M. bovis infection in black rhinoceros during periods of intense drought.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mary Ann D. Lansang, Marissa M. Alejandria, Irwin Law, Noel R. Juban, Maria Lourdes E. Amarillo, Olivia T. Sison, Jose Rene B. Cruz, Concepcion F. Ang, Joseph Adrian L. Buensalido, Johanna Patricia A. Canal, Nina T. Castillo-Carandang, Cynthia P. Cordero, Donna Mae G. Gaviola, Mary Ann J. Ladia, Jacinto Blas V. Mantaring, Myrna T. Mendoza, Maria Sonia S. Salamat, Hilton Y. Lam, Marina Tadolini, Anna Marie Celina G. Garfin
Summary: The 3rd national tuberculosis survey in the Philippines in 2007 showed a significant decline in TB prevalence, leading to increased investments for TB control. However, a survey conducted in 2016 found that the TB burden in the Philippines was higher than estimated from routine surveillance data, with no evidence of a decline in smear and culture positive TB cases despite significant investments in TB control. New strategies for case-finding and patient-centered care need to be intensified and expanded.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fadwa Salem Ahmed Al Kalali, Essam Mahyoub, Abdulbary Al-Hammadi, Labiba Anam, Yousef Khader
Summary: The study found that the tuberculosis surveillance system in Yemen had average performance in terms of usefulness (71%), flexibility (75%), acceptability (66%), data quality (67%), and positive predictive value (73%), but poor performance in simplicity (59%) and stability (15%). The system also had good sensitivity (96%). The main weaknesses identified were lack of governmental financial support, a paper-based system, and lack of regular staff training. Developing an electronic system, securing governmental finances, and training the staff on tuberculosis surveillance are strongly recommended to improve the system performance.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tushar Garg, Bareng Aletta Sanny Nonyane, Mbali Mohlamonyane, Limakatso Lebina, Neil A. A. Martinson, David W. W. Dowdy, Colleen F. F. Hanrahan
Summary: People diagnosed with TB in hospitals often disengage following referral to local clinics, resulting in potential morbidity and mortality. This study in South Africa found that 11% of TB patients did not link to care and an additional 5.5% died after being referred to local clinics. Patients with cough and microbiologically diagnosed TB had higher odds of linking to care and receiving treatment more quickly. Interventions to identify and re-engage patients who do not present to local clinics within days of referral could improve the TB treatment cascade.
Article
Nursing
Nicole Salazar-Austin, Minja Milovanovic, Nora S. West, Molefi Tladi, Grace Link Barnes, Ebrahim Variava, Neil Martinson, Richard E. Chaisson, Deanna Kerrigan
Summary: Healthcare providers and administrators had mixed opinions about symptom-based screening, but generally accepted the study implementation strategies. Supervision and training of community health workers were identified as key barriers to optimizing child contact screening and evaluation. New clinic-based child contact files were highly valued by providers for future interventions to improve child contact management.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sizulu Moyo, Farzana Ismail, Nkateko Mkhondo, Martie van der Walt, Sicelo S. Dlamini, Thuli Mthiyane, Inbarani Naidoo, Khangelani Zuma, Marina Tadolini, Irwin Law, Lindiwe Mvusi
Summary: This study investigates healthcare seeking behavior for TB symptoms in participants of a community-based survey. The results show that many patients do not pay attention to the symptoms or face barriers to seeking care. People with unknown HIV status are less likely to seek care. Strengthening community-based TB awareness and screening programs, as well as self-screening models, can increase awareness of the significance of TB symptoms and improve healthcare seeking.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Angela Salomon, Jody Boffa, Sizulu Moyo, Jeremiah Chikovore, Giorgia Sulis, Benjamin Daniels, Ada Kwan, Tsatsawani Mkhombo, Sarah Wu, Madhukar Pai, Amrita Daftary
Summary: There are concerns about inappropriate antimicrobial use, private healthcare costs, and TB diagnostic delay in the prescribing practices among private general practitioners for individuals with TB-like symptoms in South Africa.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nosivuyile Vanqa, Graeme Hoddinott, Baxolele Mbenyana, Muhammad Osman, Sue-Ann Meehan
Summary: Delayed linkage to TB treatment can lead to poor patient outcomes and increased transmission. Strengthening patient-centered care, clear communication on TB processes, and providing support for former TB patients is essential to improve linkage to care and treatment.
Article
Psychology, Biological
Emily Mendenhall, Andrew Wooyoung Kim, Anthony Panasci, Lindile Cele, Feziwe Mpondo, Edna N. Bosire, Shane A. Norris, Alexander C. Tsai
Summary: The study investigated a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa using a mixed-methods approach, finding that stress interacted with multiple morbidities to reduce quality of life, conditioned by illness experiences.
NATURE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
(2022)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Wei-Xi Jiang, Fei Huang, Sheng-Lan Tang, Ni Wang, Xin Du, Hui Zhang, Yan-Lin Zhao
Summary: The new TB surveillance system implemented in China has shown successful data exchange and improved data completeness, but faces challenges in licensing and infrastructure diversity. This pilot project has accumulated experiences for the roll-out of the National Health Information System (NHIS) and provided insights on technical solutions and training approaches for scaling up the system to cater better to the needs of healthcare workers.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tao Li, Lijia Yang, Sarah E. Smith-Jeffcoat, Alice Wang, Hui Guo, Wei Chen, Xin Du, Hui Zhang
Summary: The study found that 10.7% of TB patients were missing in IDRS and 30.9% were missing in TBIMS in China in 2016. The risk of under-reporting to both IDRS and TBIMS was greatest at tertiary health facilities and among non-residents; the risk of under-reporting to TBIMS was greatest with patients aged 65 or older and with extrapulmonary TB (EPTB). It is important to improve reporting and recording of TB patients, especially in high-burden hospitals, facilities catering to EPTB, and among migrant patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel DeSanto, Kavindhran Velen, Richard Lessells, Sewele Makgopa, Dumile Gumede, Katherine Fielding, Alison D. Grant, Salome Charalambous, Candice M. Chetty-Makkan
Summary: This qualitative analysis in South Africa reveals the presence of tuberculosis (TB) stigma in communities, which hinders active case finding and delivery of care. Stigma is driven by fear of the disease and the understanding of TB/HIV dual burden, leading to anticipated and internalized stigma. Combating stigma through education campaigns and training of healthcare workers is essential to improve case finding and care.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nada Abdelatif, Inbarani Naidoo, Shanaaz Dunn, Mikateko Mazinu, Zaynab Essack, Candice Groenewald, Pranitha Maharaj, Nokukhanya Msomi, Tarylee Reddy, Benjamin Roberts, Khangelani Zuma
Summary: This study tracked the COVID-19 epidemic among near-old and older persons in South Africa for 2 years. It found that people aged 50-59 and 80 years and above were more vulnerable to contracting the virus. Health promotion, epidemiological surveillance, and vaccine uptake should be emphasized, especially for high-risk older persons.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lieve Vanleeuw, Wanga Zembe-Mkabile, Salla Atkins, Andrew Medina-Marino
Summary: The role of social protection and other forms of support in relation to the burden of TB on patients and their households in South Africa was explored in this study. The findings revealed that patients faced a heavy physical burden, aggravated by a lack of nutritious food, and households were significantly affected by the burden of caring for the patients. Access to adequate nutritious food was identified as a key issue for many patients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Witness Mapanga, Shane A. Norris, Wenlong C. Chen, Charmaine Blanchard, Anita Graham, Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven, Tom Boyles, Bernard Donde, Linda Greef, Ken Huddle, Busisiwe Khumalo, Elizabeth Leepile, Buhle Lubuzo, Raynolda Makhutle, Yusuf Mayet, Merika Tsitsi, Preethi Mistri, Keletso Mmoledi, Mpho Ratshikana-Moloko, Rajen Morer, Lauren Pretorius, Jayshina Punwasi, Guy A. Richards, Paul Ruff, Dineo Shabalala, Maureen Sibadela, Nita Soma, Michelle Wong, Maureen Joffe
Summary: Lung cancer is a major health concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where barriers to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment impact patient outcomes. In South Africa, where public health priorities often prioritize HIV and tuberculosis, challenges in lung cancer management include lack of knowledge, stigma, delays in patient referral and inadequate diagnostic resources. Collaboration and improved healthcare systems are essential to address these barriers and improve early detection and treatment outcomes for lung cancer patients.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Steffanie Ann Strathdee, Claire C. Bristow, Tommi Gaines, Steven Shoptaw
Summary: This narrative review discusses the history of the public health crisis in the United States, the impact of opioids and specific stimulants on high-risk sexual behaviors, and the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections associated with these substances in the US. Opportunities for integrated interventions are also explored.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lisa J. Martin, Liza Bronner Murrison, Melinda Butsch Kovacic
Summary: The study recruited 1,020 children aged 3-18 in the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan region, with 84% non-Hispanic white, 15% non-Hispanic black participants. Participants showed marked demographic and disease burden differences by race, with the cohort broadly used in publications, grants, and patents.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Keely S. Paris, Brandon Font, Sanjay R. Mehta, Irvin Huerta, Claire C. Bristow
Summary: This study assessed the recovery of N. gonorrhoeae isolates using two different transport devices under various transport conditions. The results showed that the InTray GC system was capable of transporting clinical isolates for up to 72 hours with acceptable recovery rates.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kiersten J. Kugeler, Laura J. Podewils, Nisha B. Alden, Tori L. Burket, Breanna Kawasaki, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Holly M. Biggs, Rachael Zacks, Monique A. Foster, Travis Lim, Emily McDonald, Jacqueline E. Tate, Rachel K. Herlihy, Jan Drobeniuc, Margaret M. Cortese
Summary: Testing residual clinical specimens provided a similar seroprevalence estimate yet yielded limited insight into the local epidemiology of COVID-19 and might be less representative of the source population than a cluster-sampled community survey. Awareness of the limitations of various sampling strategies is necessary when interpreting findings from seroprevalence assessments.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laura Jean Podewils, Elizabeth F. Long, Tyler J. Fuller, David Mwakazanga, Kelvin Kapungu, Mathias Tembo, Sydney Mwanza, Kathryn G. Curran, Jonathan P. Smith, James L. Tobias, Webster Kasongo
Summary: Mineworkers in Zambia have a good understanding of TB, but face practical barriers to accessing healthcare due to the fear of job loss. The government is repealing the policy that prohibits individuals with TB from working in the mines.
Article
Immunology
Claire C. Bristow, Adiba Hassan, David J. Moore, Michael P. Dube, Katya Corado, Karen Chow, Eric Ellorin, Jill Blumenthal, Sheldon R. Morris
Summary: The study found no significant association between PrEP adherence and STI incidence. Further research is needed to assess the impact of PrEP use on STIs over time.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Mohammad Usama Toseef, Isaac Armistead, Emily Bacon, Ethan Hawkins, Brooke Bender, Laura Jean Podewils, Hermione Hurley
Summary: The study found that for individuals with substance use disorder, the probability of appointment no-show for telehealth encounters was significantly higher among persons experiencing homelessness compared to stably housed individuals. Therefore, housing status plays a significant role in influencing the effectiveness of telehealth as a modality of healthcare delivery for individuals with SUD.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Aziza Arifkhanova, Jose Tomas Prieto, Arthur J. Davidson, Alia Al-Tayyib, Ethan Hawkins, Emily Kraus, Dean McEwen, Laura Jean Podewils, Seth Foldy, Elizabeth Gillespie, Julie Taub, Judith C. Shlay
Summary: Measuring clinically relevant opioid-related problems is challenging due to lack of standard definitions and coding practices. Our study estimated the prevalence of opioid use disorder, misuse, and poisoning among inpatients using electronic health records. Solely using diagnostic codes missed most patients with opioid-related health problems.
JOURNAL OF ADDICTION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thresia Sebastian, Jesse J. Carlson, James Gaensbauer, Laura Jean Podewils
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed public health surveillance data of pediatric COVID-19 cases in Denver, Colorado, and found that older children and those identifying as Hispanic/Latino had a higher incidence rate of disease. Most children were symptomatic, but hospitalization and mortality rates were low. In household clusters, a majority of pediatric cases were secondary cases.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lilia Cervantes, Cynthia A. Hazel, Diana Mancini, Rocio Pereira, Laura J. Podewils, Sarah A. Stella, Joshua Durfee, Alana Barshney, John F. Steiner
Summary: This study found that Latinx individuals who were unvaccinated and subsequently hospitalized for COVID-19 were motivated to engage in advocacy to encourage vaccination in their communities. Supporting patient advocacy after hospital discharge and creating low-barrier, patient-informed public health strategies may increase vaccine uptake in Latinx communities.
Article
Immunology
Claire C. Bristow, Tatum D. Mortimer, Sheldon Morris, Yonatan H. Grad, Olusegun O. Soge, Erika Wakatake, Rushlenne Pascual, Sara McCurdy Murphy, Kyra E. Fryling, Paul C. Adamson, Jo-Anne Dillon, Nidhi R. Parmar, Hai Ha Long Le, Hung Van Le, Reyna Margarita Ovalles Urena, Nireshni Mitchev, Koleka Mlisana, Teodora Wi, Samuel P. Dickson, Jeffrey D. Klausner
Summary: By analyzing the genome sequencing and phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility data of global N. gonorrhoeae isolates, it was found that a single genetic marker, gyrA codon 91, can accurately predict susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. However, multiple genetic markers are needed to accurately predict susceptibility to other antimicrobials.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohammad Usama Toseef, Josh Durfee, Laura Jean Podewils, Joshua Blum, Dean McEwen, Rebecca Hanratty, Rachel Everhart
Summary: The opioid epidemic in the United States disproportionately affects Medicaid beneficiaries. A study has shown that Medicaid patients who initiate medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment and are linked to ongoing care have lower healthcare costs compared to those who do not receive MOUD or are not linked to ongoing care. This highlights the importance of improving access to and continuation of MOUD treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Kevin J. Yang, Noah Kojima, Claire C. Bristow, Jeffrey D. Klausner
Summary: Our meta-analysis found that cefixime is highly effective at treating urogenital infections and less effective at treating pharyngeal infections. We recommend more investigation into the effectiveness of cefixime in treating rectal infections and studying multidose therapy for the cefixime treatment of pharyngeal infection.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ikwo Kitefre Oboho, Heather Paulin, Carl Corcoran, Matt Hamilton, Alex Jordan, Hannah L. Kirking, Elfriede Agyemang, Laura Jean Podewils, Carel Pretorius, Greg Greene, Tom Chiller, Mitesh Desai, Roma Bhatkoti, Ray W. Shiraishi, N. Sarita Shah
Summary: Despite the scale-up of ART among PLHIV, those with AHD remain at high risk of death from opportunistic infections. The shift from CD4 testing towards viral load testing limits AHD identification. This study projected deaths from TB and CM among PLHIV with CD4 <200 cells/mm(3) and showed that CD4 testing can reduce deaths by 31% to 38% in the first year of ART. However, the number of CD4 tests required per death averted varies widely by country.
JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Infectious Diseases
Kevin J. Yang, Noah Kojima, Claire C. Bristow, Jeffrey D. Klausner
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2022)
