Article
Microbiology
Sanjaya Kumar Shrestha, Jasmin Shrestha, Ashild K. Andreassen, Tor A. Strand, Susanne Dudman, Jennifer L. Dembinski
Summary: The study identified a high diversity of circulating Astrovirus strains in young children in Nepal, with HAstV 5 and HAstV 1 being the most common genotypes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Andrea G. Buchwald, Jennifer R. Verani, Adama Mamby Keita, M. Jahangir Hossain, Anna Roose, Samba O. Sow, Richard Omore, Sanogo Doh, Joquina Chiquita M. Jones, Dilruba Nasrin, Syed M. A. Zaman, Catherine Okoi, Martin Antonio, John B. Ochieng, Jane Juma, Uma Onwuchekwa, Helen Powell, James A. Platts-Mills, Sharon M. Tennant, Karen L. Kotloff
Summary: This report provides an update on the risk factors and causes of persistent diarrhea and dysentery. The study shows that these conditions are significant issues among infants in sub-Saharan Africa, with different causes and outcomes.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongyu Wei, Pattara Khamrin, Kattareeya Kumthip, Arpaporn Yodmeeklin, Niwat Maneekarn
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of HAstV strains circulating in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Chiang Mai, Thailand during 2017-2020. The data revealed a high divergence of HAstV genotypes among pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis during this period, with both classic and novel genotypes detected.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Xiang Tang, Yue Hu, Xiaoni Zhong, Hongmei Xu
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of human adenovirus (HAdV), human astrovirus (HAstV), and sapovirus (SaV) in children with acute diarrhea in Chongqing, China from 2017 to 2019. The study found that these enteric viruses contribute to the overall burden of diarrhea, especially in children under 4 years of age. The results of the study will aid in the design and implementation of future enteric vaccines and diarrhea mitigation strategies.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Hongyu Wei, Kattareeya Kumthip, Pattara Khamrin, Arpaporn Yodmeeklin, Nutthawadee Jampanil, Phitchakorn Phengma, Zhenfeng Xie, Nuthapong Ukarapol, Hiroshi Ushijima, Niwat Maneekarn
Summary: This study identified three novel recombinant strains of HAstV, which underwent intergenotype recombination at the ORF1a-ORF1b-ORF2 regions of the HAstV genome. The study also found that recombination hotspots in the HAstV genome frequently occur near the ORF1a-ORF1b and ORF1b-ORF2 junctions. These findings indicate that intergenotype recombination of HAstV occurs frequently in nature. The emergence of a novel recombinant strain allows the new virus to adapt and successfully escape from the host immune system, eventually becoming the predominant genotype infecting populations lacking herd immunity against novel recombinant strains. The virus may cause outbreaks and needs to be continuously monitored.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Virology
Efthymia Stamelou, Ioannis A. Giantsis, Konstantinos Papageorgiou, Evanthia Petridou, Irit Davidson, Zoe S. Polizopoulou, Anna Papa, Spyridon K. Kritas
Summary: This study detected the circulation of Astrovirus and Sapovirus in dogs in Greece. SYBR-Green Real-time RT-PCR showed greater sensitivity in detecting these viruses. Phylogenetic analysis helped identify the strain of Astrovirus circulating in Greek dogs.
Review
Immunology
Mohammad Farahmand, Pegah Khales, Zahra Salavatiha, Milad Sabaei, Malihe Hamidzade, Danesh Aminpanah, Ahmad Tavakoli
Summary: The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the prevalence of human astrovirus (HAstV) infection in patients with gastroenteritis and to explore the connection between HAstV infection and gastroenteritis. The results showed that the overall pooled prevalence of HAstV infection among 302,423 gastroenteritis patients from 69 different countries was 3.48%. The study also found a positive association between HAstV infection and gastroenteritis.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michiyo Yamakawa, Toshihide Tsuda, Keiko Wada, Chisato Nagata, Etsuji Suzuki
Summary: This study examined diarrhea and related personal characteristics among Japanese students studying abroad. The findings showed that teenagers, males, and those with overseas travel experience were at an elevated risk for diarrhea, particularly in intermediate-risk countries. Therefore, caution should be taken by these students while studying abroad.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Zhu, Mingpu Qi, Chuanwen Jiang, Yongchong Peng, Qingjie Peng, Yingyu Chen, Changmin Hu, Jianguo Chen, Xi Chen, Huanchun Chen, Aizhen Guo
Summary: This study found an association between BoAstV infection and calf diarrhoea, especially in co-infections with other viruses. Co-infection of BoAstV and bovine rotavirus significantly increased the risk of calf diarrhoea. Nearly complete genomic sequences of BoAstV strains obtained through next-generation sequencing showed high genetic diversity and confirmed possible inter-genotype and cross-species recombination events.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Lena Meyer, Kevin Delgado-Cunningham, Nicholas Lorig-Roach, Jordan Ford, Rebecca M. DuBois
Summary: This study used a new technique to measure the IgG antibodies against human astrovirus serotypes 1-8 in a sample of U.S. adults, revealing different seroprevalence rates for each serotype. The findings provide important information for the immunology research of human astroviruses.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lijuan Lu, Huaqing Zhong, Menghua Xu, Liyun Su, Lingfeng Cao, Ran Jia, Jin Xu
Summary: The study revealed that the detection rate of HAdV and classic HAstV in children with acute diarrhea in Shanghai was 8.58%, with the predominant viral subtypes being HAdV-F41 and HAstV-1. Over half of the infections occurred in children under 36 months. HAdV infections were more prevalent in summer, while classic HAstV infections were more common in winter.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Harshad Ingle, Ebrahim Hassan, Jana Gawron, Belgacem Mihi, Yuhao Li, Elizabeth A. Kennedy, Gowri Kalugotla, Heyde Makimaa, Sanghyun Lee, Pritesh Desai, Keely G. McDonald, Michael S. Diamond, Rodney D. Newberry, Misty Good, Megan T. Baldridge
Summary: Astroviruses, which cause viral gastroenteritis in children globally, have been understudied due to the lack of well-defined animal models. This study establishes a platform to cultivate muAstV using mouse enteroid-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures, providing insights into chronic infection characteristics and the correlation with interferon-lambda expression in the small intestine.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Su-Beom Chae, Chang-Gi Jeong, Jun-Soo Park, Eun-Jee Na, Jae-Ku Oem
Summary: A novel AstV associated with neurological symptoms has been detected in the intestines and brains of wild raccoon dogs in South Korea. These AstVs showed a high similarity to canine AstVs, suggesting possible interspecies transmission between raccoon dogs and dogs. Further research and surveillance are needed to understand the pathogenicity and transmission routes of these AstVs in raccoon dogs.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Hanako Morita, Masahiko Yasuda, Masafumi Yamamoto, Yurina Tomiyama, Ritsuki Uchida, Yuyo Ka, Tomoyuki Ogura, Kenji Kawai, Hiroshi Suemizu, Nobuhito Hayashimoto
Summary: Astroviruses, including Murine astrovirus, are often linked to gastrointestinal diseases in mammals and birds. This study infected immunodeficient mice with MuAstV and found that the virus proliferated in the villous epithelial cells of the lower small intestine with weak pathogenicity. No abnormalities were detected in histopathological examination.
EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Adama Mamby Keita, Sanogo Doh, Samba O. Sow, Helen Powell, Richard Omore, M. Jahangir Hossain, Billy Ogwel, John B. Ochieng, Joquina Chiquita M. Jones, Syed M. A. Zaman, Alex O. Awuor, Jane Juma, Dilruba Nasrin, Jie Liu, Awa Traore, Uma Onwuchekwa, Henry Badji, Golam Sarwar, Martin Antonio, Eric R. Houpt, Sharon M. Tennant, Irene N. Kasumba, Leslie P. Jamka, Anna Roose, James A. Platts-Mills, Jennifer R. Verani, Jacqueline E. Tate, Umesh D. Parashar, Kathleen M. Neuzil, Karen L. Kotloff
Summary: Among children <5 years, rotavirus, adenovirus 40/41, and astrovirus cause moderate to severe diarrhea (MSD) in Kenya, Mali, and The Gambia, and sapovirus causes MSD in Kenya. Rotavirus and adenovirus 40/41 MSD have the highest severity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Samilly Albuquerque Ribeiro, Francisco Adelvane de Paula Rodrigues, Marco Antonio de Freitas Clementino, Herlice do Nascimento Veras, Rommulo Celly Lima Siqueira, Pedro Henrique Quintela Soares de Medeiros, Jeanine Morais Pereira, Marcio Flavio Araujo Guanabara Junior, Jose Kleybson de Sousa, Ana Karolina Silva Santos, Armenio Aguiar dos Santos, Bruna Leal Lima Maciel, Alexandre Havt, Aldo Angelo Moreira Lima
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of a nutrient-deficient diet on physical development and intestinal barrier function in mice. The results showed that the nutrient-deficient diet reduced weight and weight gain, and led to changes in intestinal barrier function and increased intestinal permeability.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Zahra A. Padhani, Jai K. Das, Faareha A. Siddiqui, Rehana A. Salam, Zohra S. Lassi, Durray Shahwar A. Khan, Ammaar M. A. Abbasi, Emily C. Keats, Sajid Soofi, Robert E. Black, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: This systematic review evaluates the impact of the timing of complementary feeding introduction on health, nutrition, and developmental outcomes among normal-term infants. The findings suggest that early introduction of complementary feeding may increase the risk of higher body mass index, overweight/obesity, and respiratory tract infections. Late introduction of complementary feeding may lead to lower height, body mass index, blood pressure, and increased risk of intestinal helminth infection. However, more robust studies are needed to support these findings and potentially change current recommendations.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Veeraraghavan Balaji, Duy M. M. Dinh, Anne V. V. Kane, Sajid Soofi, Imran Ahmed, Arjumand Rizvi, Meera Chatterjee, Sudhir Babji, Joanne Duara, Joy Moy, Elena N. N. Naumova, Christine A. A. Wanke, Honorine D. D. Ward, Zulfiqar A. A. Bhutta
Summary: This longitudinal study in Sindh, Pakistan found that age, residential location, and intervention had significant effects on the composition, relative abundance, and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in children under 24 months of age. The study highlights the importance of longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes to fully understand the intestinal microbiota of children in resource-limited settings.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bernardette Cichon, Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Zahra A. Padhani, Heather C. Stobaugh, Muzna Mughal, Patrizia Pajak, Alexandra Rutishauser-Perera, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Robert E. Black
Summary: Currently, there are no WHO guidelines for the management of moderately wasted children worldwide. This review aimed to synthesize evidence on the best type, quantity, and duration of dietary treatment for moderate wasting. The study found that fortified blended foods (FBFs) with improved micronutrient and/or milk content (enhanced FBFs) and lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) had similar recovery rates, while children treated with non-enhanced FBFs had lower recovery rates than those treated with LNS. There was no significant difference in recovery when ready-to-use therapeutic and ready-to-use supplementary food were compared.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Nadia Amin Somani, Keiko Marshall, Hammad Durrani, Kun Tang, Roman Mogilevskii, Zulfiqar Bhutta
Summary: This study conducts a systematic review of existing frameworks to understand the roles of the for-profit private sector in non-communicable disease control and management. The findings suggest that the private sector can contribute to effectively manage and control NCDs globally through various functions, such as healthcare provision, innovation, knowledge education, investment and financing, public-private partnerships, and governance and policy.
Article
Immunology
Sajid Bashir Soofi, Khadija Vadsaria, Sara Mannan, Muhammad Atif Habib, Farhana Tabassum, Imtiaz Hussain, Sajid Muhammad, Khalid Feroz, Imran Ahmed, Muhammad Islam, Zulfiqar A. A. Bhutta
Summary: Pakistan has low childhood immunization rates and this study evaluated the social, behavioral, and cultural barriers to vaccine refusal. The results showed that education, knowledge of vaccines, and socioeconomic determinants influenced vaccine refusal among children.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gaige Hunter Kerr, Hamada S. Badr, Alisson F. Barbieri, Josh M. Colston, Lauren M. Gardner, Margaret N. Kosek, Benjamin F. Zaitchik
Summary: Brazil has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the country are complex and dynamic. This study analyzed the associations between meteorology, governmental policy, mobility, and the time-varying reproductive number of SARS-CoV-2 in Brazil. The findings demonstrate that transmission is influenced by various factors, including unmeasured sources of heterogeneity and the trajectory of the pandemic. While temperature and humidity have some impact on transmission, the effects of meteorology, policy, and mobility vary over time.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jai K. Das, Rehana A. Salam, Arjumand Rizvi, Sajid B. Soofi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Despite the decline in under-five mortality, communicable and infectious diseases remain the main causes of child mortality that can be prevented and treated. A study was conducted in rural Pakistan to evaluate the potential impact of a participatory community engagement and innovative community incentivization strategy for improving child health interventions. The evaluation involved a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of community mobilization and incentivization, community mobilization only, and a control group.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Zahid Ali Memon, Abeer Mian, Sophie Reale, Rachael Spencer, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Hora Soltani
Summary: Unmet need for family planning is high in Pakistan due to lack of access to modern contraception and sociocultural hindrances. This study aims to explore barriers and enablers to modern contraception uptake in order to reduce maternal and child mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anushka Ataullahjan, Amira Khan, Muhammad Islam, Rehman Tahir, Saeed Anwar, Imran Ahmed, Ahmed Nauman, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Improvements in the health of newborns, children, and women in Pakistan are crucial. Access to essential health strategies for maternal and child health, such as immunization and nutrition interventions, is limited. Therefore, it is important to deliver effective and feasible nutrition and immunization services, and increase demand and uptake of these services.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Sajid Bashir Soofi, Ahmad Khan, Sumra Kureishy, Imtiaz Hussain, Muhammad Atif Habib, Muhammad Umer, Shabina Ariff, Muhammad Sajid, Arjumand Rizvi, Imran Ahmed, Junaid Iqbal, Khawaja Masuood Ahmed, Abdul Baseer Khan Achakzai, Zulfiqar A. A. Bhutta
Summary: This study analyzed the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) 2018 data to examine the prevalence and determinants of child stunting in Pakistan. Among the 52,602 children under five surveyed, 40.0% were found to be stunted. Male children in rural areas, children with mothers who had no education or lower levels of education, and children from lower-income households with no access to improved sanitation facilities and experiencing severe food insecurity were more likely to be stunted. Younger children and children with older mothers had lower odds of stunting.
Article
Immunology
Muhammad Atif Habib, Farhana Tabassum, Imtiaz Hussain, Tooba Jawed Khan, Nazia Syed, Fariha Shaheen, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: Pakistan still faces challenges in eliminating poliovirus transmission despite extensive efforts. Misconceptions about polio vaccines have hindered vaccination efforts. A study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes towards polio and immunizations in high-risk areas of Pakistan. The findings reveal a high level of awareness about polio, but misconceptions about the vaccine persist. Addressing these gaps can contribute to the success of the polio eradication program in Pakistan.
Article
Immunology
Muhammad Atif Habib, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Imtiaz Hussain, Imran Ahmed, Zamir Hussain, Rehman Tahir, Saeed Anwar, Simon Cousens, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Summary: The oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) has been the main tool for polio eradication, but the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is safer. This study compared immune responses after different vaccine administrations and found that providing an IPV booster after two doses of OPV could bridge immunity gaps. However, IPV has limited effect on intestinal immunity.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jai K. Das, Amira Khan, Farhana Tabassum, Zahra Ali Padhani, Atif Habib, Mushtaq Mirani, Abdu R. Rahman, Zahid Ali Khan, Arjumand Rizvi, Imran Ahmed, Zulfiqar Bhutta
Summary: Poliomyelitis is a disease of concern that is endemic in only two countries. Community mobilization and incentives can help reduce vaccine refusals and improve immunization coverage. This study aims to decrease polio vaccine refusals by providing conditional-collective-community-based incentives.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Anam Shahil Feroz, Salima Nazim Meghani, Haleema Yasmin, Sarah Saleem, Zulfiqar Bhutta, Hajraa Arshad, Emily Seto
Summary: This study aims to explore the perspectives and perceived acceptability of a mobile phone-based telemonitoring program among caregivers for high-risk pregnant women in low-middle income countries. All caregivers embraced the program and perceived benefits such as reduced anxiety and workload, increased convenience, and cost-effectiveness. However, some caregivers raised concerns about the ability of certain individuals to use the program and the poor acceptance among less educated and non-tech savvy families.