Article
Ecology
Maya L. Nadimpalli, Marc Stegger, Roberto Viau, Vuthy Yith, Agathe de Lauzanne, Nita Sem, Laurence Borand, Bich-tram Huynh, Sylvain Brisse, Virginie Passet, Soren Overballe-Petersen, Maliha Aziz, Malika Gouali, Jan Jacobs, Thong Phe, Bruce A. Hungate, Victor O. Leshyk, Amy J. Pickering, Francois Gravey, Cindy M. Liu, Timothy J. Johnson, Simon Le Hello, Lance B. Price
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a major public health challenge, and efforts to address it have mainly focused on drug development and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. However, in areas with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, bacterial transmission between humans and animals can worsen the emergence and spread of resistant pathogens. In Cambodia, a middle-income country with high human-animal connectivity and unregulated antibiotic use, identical mobile resistance elements were found in both humans and animals, which is rare in high-income settings. The study suggests that controlling the transmission of resistant bacteria at the human-animal interface is crucial in addressing antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income countries.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Hendrik Koliwer-Brandl, Ahmed Nil, Jana Birri, Maike Sachs, Roland Zimmermann, Reinhard Zbinden, Dalia Balsyte
Summary: This study evaluated the applicability of two rapid real-time PCRs compared to standard culture in detecting GBS vaginal colonization in pregnant women. The GenomEra PCR showed higher sensitivity than the Xpert PCR, but the Xpert PCR required less hands-on-time and fewer repetitions. Therefore, the Xpert PCR can be used as a rapid intrapartum point-of-care test, although higher sensitivity is desirable. Standard culture remains the gold standard for detecting vaginal colonization.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shadi Aghamohammad, Vajihe Sadat Nikbin, Farzad Badmasti, Fereshteh Shahcheraghi
Summary: The study revealed a high rate of resistance against ceftazidime and cefepime among carriers of ESBL-EC. Molecular typing techniques showed a high heterogeneity in the clonal relatedness of ESBL-EC isolates.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Karis Maria de Pinho Rodrigues, Danielle Ferreira de Rezende, Michelle Pessanha Pinto, Samantha dos Santos Tufic-Garutti, Joao Vitor Almeida Ramalho, Luis Guilherme de Araujo Longo, Valeria Brigido de Carvalho Girao, Gabriela Caramano de Oliveira, Lucas Cecilio Vilar, Beatriz Meurer Moreira
Summary: The prevalence and risk factors for gut carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in the community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were determined in this study. It was found that the carriage rate of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli, including ESBL-producing and PMQR gene carrying isolates, was high in this community. Previous use of antimicrobial agents was identified as a risk factor for colonization with resistant strains.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mohammed Rohi Khalil, Poul Bak Thorsen, Jens Kjolseth Moller, Niels Uldbjerg
Summary: The study explored factors associated with a high vaginal GBS load during labor, comparing recto-vaginal GBS load at 35-37 weeks' gestation and vaginal GBS colonization during labor. Results showed that PCR at labor had a higher detection rate and positive predictive value for identifying laboring women with a high load of vaginal GBS compared to recto-vaginal culture at 36 weeks' gestation.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jitendra Kumar Singh, Dilaram Acharya, Divya Rani, Salila Gautam, Kalpana Thapa Bajgain, Bishnu Bahadur Bajgain, Ji-Hyuk Park, Seok-Ju Yoo, Thomas G. Poder, Antoine Lewin, Kwan Lee
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of underweight among teenage adolescent girls in Indian urban slums, and found that sociodemographic factors and dietary behavior-related factors were associated with underweight.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND HEALTHCARE POLICY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Golden Apuleni, Choolwe Jacobs, Patrick Musonda
Summary: The study indicated that health care seeking behaviors for common childhood illnesses in poor resource settings in Zambia were relatively high and could be predicted by mother's education level and marital status. Integrating interventions focused on increasing maternal and child health service utilization with basic education for women and support counseling for families may help maximize health seeking behaviors in marginalized communities.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Charity Wiafe Akenten, Neyaz Ahmed Khan, Joyce Mbwana, Ralf Krumkamp, Dennis Fosu, Ellis Kobina Paintsil, Kennedy Gyau Boahen, James Osei-Mensa, Oumou Maiga-Ascofare, Juergen May, Kwasi Obiri-Danso, Richard Odame Phillips, Linda Aurelia Ofori, Denise Dekker
Summary: We provide data on the faecal carriage, phenotypic resistance patterns, and gene variation of ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP among children in the Agogo region of Ghana. The results showed a high carriage rate of ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP, with no significant difference in prevalence between children with and without diarrhoea. Both ESBL-EC and ESBL-KP isolates showed over 70% resistance to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yasabe Leykun, Chalachew Genet, Wondemagegn Mulu
Summary: This study revealed a high prevalence of Group B Streptococcus colonization in pregnant women and newborns, with a concerning proportion showing multi-drug resistance. Factors such as preterm delivery and history of stillbirth were significantly associated with GBS colonization. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is essential for guiding treatment strategies against non-susceptible GBS isolates.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sonia Qureshi, Noshi Maria, Mohammad Zeeshan, Seema Irfan, Farah Naz Qamar
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the carriage of Multi-drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs) in pediatric patients at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, revealing a high prevalence of MDRO carriers among admitted children. However, no significant association was found between the identified risk factors and MDRO carriage.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Inge Van Damme, Chiara Trevisan, Kabemba E. Mwape, Veronika Schmidt, Pascal Magnussen, Gideon Zulu, Chishimba Mubanga, Dominik Stelzle, Emmanuel Bottieau, Emmanuel Abatih, Isaac K. Phiri, Maria Johansen, Chishala Chabala, Andrea S. Winkler, Pierre Dorny, Sarah Gabriel
Summary: This study describes the design, challenges, and rationale of a diagnostic accuracy study for Taenia solium in low-resource community settings in Zambia. The two-stage design aimed to increase efficiency by reducing the number of samples, clinical examinations, and CT scans, considering the difficulties of conducting clinical trials in limited research and neuroimaging infrastructure settings.
Article
Social Work
Gcotyiswa Mtiya-Thimla, Mariette van der Merwe
Summary: This paper reports on the experiences of abused older persons in resource-poor settings in Bloemfontein, South Africa, revealing the raw pain and distress they experience. The study recommends consistent and coordinated social work services for abused older persons due to the serious multidimensional reactions described in the article.
SOCIAL WORK-MAATSKAPLIKE WERK
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nguyen Thao Thi Nguyen, Long Hoang Nguyen, Tham Thi Nguyen, Linh Gia Vu, Thuc Minh Thi Vu, Minh Ngoc Le Vu, Giang Thu Vu, Carl A. Latkin, Cyrus S. H. Ho, Roger C. M. Ho
Summary: This study examines the willingness to pay for reproductive health services in a rural district of Hanoi, Vietnam. It finds that the willingness to pay is relatively low compared to the current prices. Factors such as occupation, number of sex partners, perception towards the necessity of services, and prior use of services are associated with the willingness to pay.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Vicky Jespers, Sabine Stordeur, Wim Vanden Berghe, Saphia Mokrane, Agnes Libois, Chris Kenyon, Clare Jones, Nicole Dekker, Anne-Sophie De Canniere, Irith De Baetselier, Tania Crucitti
Summary: The development of the gonorrhoea treatment guideline in Belgium aims to rectify the issue of non-adapted suboptimal care for Belgian patients and provides diagnostic, treatment, and management recommendations for primary care professionals in Belgium, utilizing a risk group approach. By implementing this guideline, the diagnosis of infections can be improved, eventually addressing the emerging multi-drug resistance issue.
ACTA CLINICA BELGICA
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Vicky Jespers, Sabine Stordeur, Serena Carville, Tania Crucitti, Els Dufraimont, Chris Kenyon, Agnes Libois, Saphia Mokrane, Wim Vanden Berghe
Summary: In the last 10 years, there has been an increasing trend in syphilis diagnoses in Belgium and other high-income countries, particularly among men who have sex with men. This guideline addresses the diagnosis and treatment of syphilis and provides recommendations for healthcare professionals in Belgium.
ACTA CLINICA BELGICA
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marijn C. Verwijs, Stephen Agaba, Marie-Michele Umulisa, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert
Summary: Frequent longitudinal vaginal sampling at home is feasible and acceptable to participants, even in the context of a low-resource setting, as long as adequate counselling is provided. Participants reported feeling very comfortable during self-sampling and mentioned reduced travel time and travel costs as advantages of self-sampling at home.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Solohery L. Razafimahatratra, Arthur Menezes, Amy Wesolowski, Lala Rafetrarivony, Simon Cauchemez, Richter Razafindratsimandresy, Aina Harimanana, Tania Crucitti, Jean Marc Collard, C. J. E. Metcalf
Summary: This study assessed the immunity of children in Madagascar to diphtheria and pertussis vaccines using serology. The results showed variations in diphtheria antibody levels among different age groups and districts, and surprisingly elevated levels of individuals seropositive to diphtheria but not pertussis in the 6-11 month old age group.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Irith De Baetselier, Bea Vuylsteke, Thijs Reyniers, Hilde Smet, Dorien Van den Bossche, Chris Kenyon, Tania Crucitti
Summary: The study found that MSM who were recurrently infected with STIs were more likely to have Mycoplasma genitalium infections and were more resistant to macrolides and fluoroquinolones. These individuals play a crucial role in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in M. genitalium.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STD & AIDS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Floor Hugenholtz, Charlotte van der Veer, Matty L. Terpstra, Hanneke Borgdorff, Robin van Houdt, Sylvia Bruisten, Suzanne E. Geerlings, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert
Summary: Postmenopausal women and renal transplant recipients are at increased risk of recurrent urinary tract infections, with differences in urine and vaginal microbiota composition compared to premenopausal women. The presence of specific bacteria and their abundance differs between premenopausal and postmenopausal women, highlighting the need for further research to understand the microbial factors contributing to UTI in these populations.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Primary Health Care
Tamara N. Platteel, Marijn Beets, Hendrik A. Teeuwissen, Thijs ten Doesschate, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert, Roderick P. Venekamp, Alma C. van de Pol
Summary: Nitrofurantoin is the recommended antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in males according to the Dutch primary care UTI guideline. However, its effectiveness may be compromised by undetected prostate involvement. This study aimed to compare the failure rate of nitrofurantoin with that of other antibiotics and assess GP adherence to the guideline.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF GENERAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary S. Whitworth, Kathy J. Baisley, Soori Nnko, Julia Irani, Aura Aguirre-Beltran, John Changalucha, Tania Crucitti, Suzanna Francis, Ramadhan Hashim, Christian Holm Hansen, Richard J. Hayes, Anne Buve, Deborah Watson-Jones
Summary: This cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the associations between age of menarche, early sexual debut, and high-risk sexual behavior among urban Tanzanian schoolgirls. The study found that an earlier age of menarche was associated with early sexual debut, and early sexual debut was associated with high-risk sexual behavior.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alessandra Natale, Saoussen Oueslati, Alice Rochard, Sien Ombelet, Daniel Lopez-Baez, Liselotte Hardy, Jane Cunningham, Celine Franquesa, Olivier Vandenberg, Jean-Baptiste Ronat, Thierry Naas
Summary: Culture media is essential for detecting and isolating bacterial pathogens in clinical bacteriology, but preparing media in low-resource settings can be challenging. InTray cassettes are convenient, ready-to-use media preparations that can serve as an alternative. This study evaluated the use of two InTray media for subculture alternative in diagnosing bloodstream infections. The InTray Muller-Hinton chocolate had a high sensitivity and specificity, and the InTray Colorex Screen was effective in detecting mixed flora.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Judith Brusselmans, An De Sutter, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Hans Verstraelen, Piet Cools
Summary: This review examines the association between symptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the emotional, sexual, and social health of women. The results suggest that symptomatic BV may have an impact on the emotional, sexual, and social well-being of women, but more evidence is needed to determine the extent of this association.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ines Devred, Lison Rambliere, Perlinot Herindrainy, Lovarivelo Andriamarohasina, Aina Harimanana, Frederique Randrianirina, Elisoa Hariniaina Ratsima, Delphine Hivernaud, Elsa Kermorvant-Duchemin, Zafitsara Zo Andrianirina, Armya Youssouf Abdou, Elisabeth Delarocque-Astagneau, Didier Guillemot, Tania Crucitti, Jean-Marc Collard, Bich-Tram Huynh
Summary: The incidence of severe bacterial infection is still high in the community of Madagascar, suggesting a need for stronger prevention, early diagnosis, and case management during the first 3 days of life. The existing neonatal sepsis treatment guidelines may no longer be appropriate in Madagascar.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anne J. Huiberts, Brechje de Gier, Christina E. Hoeve, Hester E. de Melker, Susan J. M. Hahne, Gerco den Hartog, Diederick E. Grobbee, Janneke H. H. M. van de Wijgert, Susan van den Hof, Mirjam J. Knol
Summary: This study estimated the effectiveness of primary and booster vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 infection during the Delta and Omicron BA.1/BA.2 periods. The results showed that vaccine protection decreased over time, but booster vaccinations provided additional protection, especially for individuals with medical risk conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Eline Meyers, Jeongho Park, Anja Coen, Leen Raman, Stefan Heytens, Joowon Rhee, Elizaveta Padalko, Piet Cools
Summary: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, rapid and sensitive detection of the virus is crucial. A new point-of-care test system based on LAMP technology was evaluated, and it showed high clinical sensitivity and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 detection. The system's easy operation and ready-to-use reagents make it suitable for various settings, contributing to more efficient outbreak control and quarantine policies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lala Fanomezantsoa Rafetrarivony, Mamitina Alain Noah Rabenandrasana, Elisoa Ratsima Hariniaina, Frederique Randrianirina, Anthony Marius Smith, Tania Crucitti
Summary: Our study reported the antimicrobial resistance data of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and highlighted the importance of implementing quality-assured gonococcal antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Madagascar.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Heidi Janssens, Stefan Heytens, Eline Meyers, Ellen De Schepper, An De Sutter, Brecht Devleesschauwer, Asangwing Formukong, Sara Keirse, Elizaveta Padalko, Tom Geens, Piet Cools
Summary: This study investigated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in residents and staff of 20 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium. The results showed that nursing homes had a higher seroprevalence compared to the general population. Among the staff with antibodies, 14% reported no typical COVID-19 symptoms, while 51% of the residents with antibodies had no symptoms. The study also found a weaker association between COVID-19 symptoms and positive serology in residents compared to staff.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)