Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laura E. Adams, Matt D. T. Hitchings, Freddy A. Medina, Dania M. Rodriguez, Liliana Sanchez-Gonzalez, Hannah Moore, Stephen S. Whitehead, Jorge L. Munoz-Jordan, Vanessa Rivera-Amill, Gabriela Paz-Bailey
Summary: Limited seroprevalence estimates of dengue virus (DENV) are available for Puerto Rico, and it is crucial for informing the use and cost-effectiveness of DENV vaccines. The Communities Organized to Prevent Arboviruses (COPA) cohort study was initiated in 2018 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to assess arboviral disease risk and evaluate interventions. Seroprevalence of DENV and Zika virus (ZIKV) was assessed among children aged 1 to 16 years, with DENV seroprevalence exceeding the threshold for cost-effective vaccination.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yun-Yuan Chen, Chi-Te Lu, Mei-Hua Tsai, Cheng-Fen Yang, Pei-Yun Shu, Chia-Wen Wu, Jen-Wei Chen, Chi-Ming Hung, Sheng-Tang Wei, Sheng-Mou Hou, Pei-Jer Chen
Summary: This study evaluated the risk of positive dengue viral (DENV) RNA from blood transfusions during a large outbreak in Taiwan. Approximately 0.5%-1% of blood donations were DENV RNA positive in epidemic districts, and the correlation of DENV RNA rates with dengue incidence may inform the design of effective control measures. The detection rate of DENV RNA increased with rising local incidence in a nonendemic country, suggesting the need for mitigation polices and active surveillance during serious outbreaks.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Guido Espana, Andrew J. Leidner, Stephen H. Waterman, T. Alex Perkins
Summary: The study estimated the impact of implementing dengue vaccine screening and vaccination intervention in Puerto Rico, finding that the vaccine could reduce severe dengue hospitalizations to a certain extent, but may also increase hospitalization risk for vaccinated individuals without prior exposure to dengue virus, with a cost-effectiveness ratio of 382 USD.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Joffrey Mons, Dominique Mahe-Poiron, Jean-Michel Mansuy, Helene Lheureux, Delphine Nigon, Nathalie Moinard, Safouane Hamdi, Christophe Pasquier, Nathalie Dejucq-Rainsford, Louis Bujan
Summary: The study investigated the effects of dengue virus (DENV) on semen and found that DENV has a shorter duration in semen than in blood. The findings support the possibilities of short-term sexual transmission of DENV after acute dengue illness and reversible alterations in sperm during acute dengue.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Doua Abdelrahman, Duaa W. Al-Sadeq, Maria K. Smatti, Sara A. Taleb, Raed O. AbuOdeh, Enas S. Al-Absi, Asmaa A. Al-Thani, Peter. V. Coyle, Nader Al-Dewik, Ahmed A. Al Qahtani, Hadi M. Yassine, Gheyath K. Nasrallah
Summary: This study in Qatar focused on the seroprevalence and genotyping of B19V in blood donors, revealing a relatively high seroprevalence of B19V and predominance of Genotype 1. Detection of B19 DNA among both Qatari and non-Qatari blood donors highlights the importance of screening for B19V in blood banks, especially for transfusions to high-risk populations.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sascha R. Ellington, Regina M. Simeone, Ruby A. Serrano-Rodriguez, Jeanne Bertolli, Andrea Swartzendruber, Howard I. Goldberg, Amilcar Soto Mercado, Denise J. Jamieson, Margaret A. Honein, Jose F. Cordero, Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza
Summary: The study found that receiving counseling from healthcare providers was more effective in promoting Zika virus prevention behaviors among women aged 18-49 than pregnancy status. This included actions such as using mosquito repellent, sleeping under bed nets, professional spraying, and wearing long sleeves and pants.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Devin Rowe, Catherine McDermott, Ysla Veliz, Alison Kerr, Mark Whiteside, Mikki Coss, Chad Huff, Andrea Leal, Edgar Kopp, Alexis LaCrue, Lea A. Heberlein, Laura E. Adams, Gilberto A. Santiago, Jorge L. Munoz-Jordan, Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Andrea M. Morrison, Florida Department of Health Dengue Investigation Team Florida Dept Hlth Dengue Invest Team
Summary: We present a dengue outbreak in Key Largo, Florida, USA, from February to August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. By actively involving the community, 61% of cases were self-reported by the patients. We also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the investigation of the dengue outbreak and emphasize the importance of raising clinician awareness regarding dengue testing recommendations.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Dania M. Rodriguez, Chelsea G. Major, Liliana Sanchez-Gonzalez, Emma Jones, Mark J. Delorey, Claudia Alonso, Vanessa Rivera-Amill, Gabriela Paz-Bailey, Laura E. Adams
Summary: Dengue vaccine intention in Puerto Rico increased after the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, likely due to increased awareness of vaccine importance. However, concerns over side effects and vaccine skepticism remain barriers to vaccine acceptance.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Talia M. Quandelacy, Jessica M. Healy, Bradford Greening, Dania M. Rodriguez, Koo-Whang Chung, Matthew J. Kuehnert, Brad J. Biggerstaff, Emilio Dirlikov, Luis Mier-y-Teran-Romero, Tyler M. Sharp, Stephen Waterman, Michael A. Johansson
Summary: This study examines the estimation of Zika virus epidemic incidence using multiple indicators and models to account for reporting biases. By combining surveillance data and assumptions about reporting biases, it was estimated that approximately 890,000 individuals in Puerto Rico were infected with Zika in 2016, highlighting the importance of using multiple indicators for accurate estimation of epidemic incidence.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Beatriz Salvesen von Essen, Denise D'Angelo, Holly B. Shulman, Wanda Hernandez Virella, Katherine Kortsmit, Beatriz Rios Herrera, Patricia Garcia Diaz, Aspy Taraporewalla, Leslie Harrison, Lee Warner, Manuel Vargas Bernal
Summary: The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-Zika Postpartum Emergency Response study collected pregnancy-related data using postpartum hospital-based surveys and telephone follow-up surveys during the Zika virus outbreak and hurricanes in Puerto Rico. It informed programs, increased the capacity of the Puerto Rico Department of Health to conduct maternal-infant health surveillance, and demonstrated the effectiveness of this methodology for collecting data during public health emergencies.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Chandana Wijesinghe, Jagath Gunatilake, P. H. D. Kusumawathie, P. D. N. N. Sirisena, S. W. P. L. Daulagala, Bushran N. Iqbal, Faseeha Noordeen
Summary: A study conducted in a high-risk dengue area in Sri Lanka detected comparatively high rates of VT of DENV in Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti larvae, with a shift in the predominant DENV serotype observed from December 2015 to March 2017.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Stacy Soh, Soon Hoe Ho, Annabel Seah, Janet Ong, Daniel R. Richards, Leon Yan-Feng Gaw, Borame Sue Dickens, Ken Wei Tan, Joel Ruihan Koo, Alex R. R. Cook, Jue Tao Lim
Summary: This study investigated the spatial distribution of dengue fever outbreak risk in Singapore from 2007 to 2020. The findings indicated higher outbreak risk in the eastern region, with many areas expected to exceed 51 weekly dengue cases at least once in 30 years. The age of public apartments and the percentage of impervious surfaces were identified as the main factors influencing outbreak risk, with a 3-year and 10% increase in these characteristics resulting in a 3.8% and 3.3% increase in risk, respectively. The study suggests prioritizing vector control efforts in older residential areas and places with large contiguous built-up environments.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Darunee Buddhari, Kathryn B. Anderson, Gregory D. Gromowski, Richard G. Jarman, Sopon Iamsirithaworn, Butsaya Thaisomboonsuk, Taweewun Hunsawong, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Alan L. Rothman, Anthony R. Jones, Stefan Fernandez, Stephen J. Thomas, Timothy P. Endy
Summary: The study conducted in a dengue-endemic area in Thailand found that self-reported dengue illness history had low sensitivity and limited specificity compared to serological testing. This highlights the importance of a highly sensitive and specific test prior to Dengvaxia vaccination.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Md. Imam Hossain, Nur E. Alam, Sumaiya Akter, Umme Suriea, Salma Aktar, Siratul Kubra Shifat, Md. Muzahidul Islam, Ihsan Aziz, Md. Muzahidul Islam, Md. Shariful Islam, A. K. M. Mohiuddin
Summary: The study found that while the majority of respondents have heard of dengue, misconceptions regarding Aedes breeding habitats still exist. Education level was identified as an independent predictor for knowledge and awareness of dengue, and there was a significant association between knowledge and preventive practices. The study also highlighted the importance of TV/Radio as a predominant source of information about dengue fever in Bangladesh.
Article
Immunology
Edward Thommes, Laurent Coudeville, Riyadh Muhammad, Maria Martin, Christopher B. Nelson, Ayman Chit
Summary: Implementing a 'pre-vaccination screening' strategy in Puerto Rico can significantly reduce the number of dengue cases and disability-adjusted life years. Regardless of the testing strategy, it is cost saving from a societal perspective.