Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nasir Mohajel, Arash Arashkia
Summary: Surveying patenting activity can help coordinate R&D efforts in combating emerging infectious diseases.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Medicine, General & Internal
P. Mbala-Kingebeni
Summary: This article highlights that a misspelled surname of one of the authors has affected the content about Ebola virus transmission.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Emergency Medicine
Summer Chavez, Alex Koyfman, Michael Gottlieb, William J. Brady, Brandon M. Carius, Stephen Y. Liang, Brit Long
Summary: Ebolavirus, the causative agent of Ebola virus disease (EVD), has been responsible for sporadic outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa since 1976. EVD is highly transmissible, especially to healthcare workers. This review provides a concise overview of EVD presentation, diagnosis, and management for emergency clinicians. Treatment mainly involves supportive care and two approved monoclonal antibody treatments.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Catherine Pratt, Mbusa Mutafali-Ruffin, Matthias G. Pauthner, Faustin Bile, Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye, Allison Black, Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki, Martin Faye, Amuri Aziza, Moussa M. Diagne, Daniel Mukadi, Bailey White, James Hadfield, Karthik Gangavarapu, Nella Bisento, Donatien Kazadi, Bibiche Nsunda, Marceline Akonga, Olivier Tshiani, John Misasi, Aurelie Ploquin, Victor Epaso, Emilia Sana-Paka, Yannick Tutu Tshia N'kasar, Fabrice Mambu, Francois Edidi, Meris Matondo, Junior Bula Bula, Boubacar Diallo, Mory Keita, Marie R. D. Belizaire, Ibrahima S. Fall, Abdoulaye Yam, Sabue Mulangu, Anne W. Rimion, Elias Salfati, Ali Torkamani, Marc A. Suchard, Ian Crozier, Lisa Hensley, Andrew Rambaut, Ousmane Faye, Amadou Sall, Nancy J. Sullivan, Trevor Bedford, Kristian G. Andersen, Michael R. Wiley, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum
Summary: During the Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a young man developed EVD, recovered after receiving monoclonal antibody treatment, but later experienced a relapse, transmitted the virus, and ultimately died.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Oloma Tshomba, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Anja De Weggheleire, Olivier M. Tshiani, Charles T. Kayembe, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Faustin M. Chenge, Bart Karl M. Jacobs, Dieudonne N. Mumba, Desire D. Tshala-Katumbay, Sabue Mulangu
Summary: This study evaluates the efficiency of incorporating Ebola prediction scores and rapid diagnostic tests into the screening algorithm during an outbreak. The findings suggest that using the conditional test algorithm and the dual conditional test with the rapid diagnostic test can lower the number of confirmation tests and overall care costs during an Ebola epidemic.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John Koku Awoonor-Williams, Cheryl A. Moyer, Martin Nyaaba Adokiya
Summary: This study assessed the challenges of screening travelers for EVD at border entry in northern Ghana using epidemiological weekly reports and qualitative interviews with key informants. Despite facing difficulties such as inadequate personal protective equipment and supplies, insufficient space or isolation rooms, delays at border crossings, and too few trained staff, Ghana has not confirmed any Ebola cases through border screening.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Ishmeala Rigby, Melina Michelen, Andrew Dagens, Vincent Cheng, Dania Dahmash, Eli Harriss, Eika Webb, Erhui Cai, Samuel Lipworth, Alexandra Oti, Valeria Balan, Helen Piotrowski, Robert Nartowski, Amanda Rojek, Helen Groves, Peter Hart, Muge Cevik, Henry Kyobe Bosa, Lucille Blumberg, Tom E. Fletcher, Peter W. Horby, Shevin Jacob, Louise Sigfrid
Summary: The Sudan virus disease outbreak in Uganda in 2022 highlighted the lack of effective clinical management guidelines for viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). A systematic review identified 32 guidelines, with the majority being of low quality and lacking supporting evidence. The inconsistent and incomplete guidance on supportive care and therapeutics poses risks to patients and challenges for clinicians. It is recommended to establish a standard living guideline framework and invest in trials to improve the quality and applicability of guidelines, as well as identify optimal treatment strategies and affordable interventions for VHFs.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Philpott, Neil Rupani, Monique Gainey, Eta N. Mbong, Prince Imani Musimwa, Shiromi M. Perera, Razia Laghari, Mija Ververs, Adam C. Levine
Summary: This study investigates the outcomes of pregnant women, fetuses, and newborns during the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020. The results show that pregnancy was not associated with increased mortality among women with Ebola, but the outcomes of pregnancies were still poor.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Antoine Oloma Tshomba, Daniel-Ricky Mukadi-Bamuleka, Anja De Weggheleire, Olivier M. Tshiani, Richard O. Kitenge, Charles T. Kayembe, Bart K. M. Jacobs, Lutgarde Lynen, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Dieudonne N. Mumba, Desire D. Tshala-Katumbay, Sabue Mulangu
Summary: The study developed prediction scores to aid healthcare workers in improving decision-making for Ebola virus disease (EVD) suspect-cases during outbreaks. The extended clinical prediction score (ECPS) outperformed the clinical prediction score (CPS) in diagnosing EVD and reducing unnecessary isolation. These tools show promise in enhancing triage decisions during EVD outbreaks but require further validation and evaluation before widespread use.
Article
Emergency Medicine
Ana-Isabel Lopez-Amoros, Diego Torrus-Tendero, Esperanza Merino de Lucas, Sergio Reus Banuls, Vicente Boix Martinez, Pere Llorens Soriano, Isabel Escribano Canadas, Jose-Manuel Ramos-Rincon
Summary: This study aimed to identify predictors of malaria and arboviral disease in patients with febrile syndrome who seek care after traveling from tropical or subtropical locations. The results showed that patients from sub-Saharan Africa, immigrants who returned to visit friends and relatives, or those with platelet concentrations <150 000/mm(3) and headache were most likely to have malaria. Patients from Central or South America with exanthems or joint pain were more likely to have arboviral disease.
Article
Microbiology
Wenwu Yao, Zhangnv Yang, Xiuyu Lou, Haiyan Mao, Hao Yan, Yanjun Zhang
Summary: A cost-effective, multipathogen and high-throughput method was developed for simultaneous detection of Ebola virus and other pathogens associated with hemorrhagic fever, demonstrating excellent specificity, sensitivity, and concordance with real-time PCR analysis.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fatima Lasala, Alfonso Garcia-Rubia, Carlos Requena, Inmaculada Galindo, Miguel Angel Cuesta-Geijo, Isabel Garcia-Dorival, Paula Bueno, Nuria Labiod, Joanna Luczkowiak, Ana Martinez, Nuria E. Campillo, Covadonga Alonso, Rafael Delgado, Carmen Gil
Summary: Despite the lack of currently licensed antiviral drugs for treating Ebola virus disease, efforts are ongoing to identify new drugs to combat EBOV. Virtual screening has led to the discovery of small organic molecules with potent inhibitory action against EBOV infection, paving the way for hit to lead optimization programs toward successful candidates.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Virology
Ching-Hsuan Liu, Yee-Tung Hu, Shu Hui Wong, Liang-Tzung Lin
Summary: Since the 2014-2016 epidemic, Ebola virus has become a major threat to global health. Despite the approval of several anti-Ebola vaccines and therapeutics, the high fatality rate highlights the need for continuous development of antiviral strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shama Khan, Zeynab Fakhar, Aijaz Ahmad
Summary: Ebola filovirus (EBOV) is one of the deadliest infectious agents known, causing epidemics in Western Africa from 2013 to 2016. Despite efforts to find anti-EBOV therapeutics, no approved drugs are available yet. This study focused on molecular insights into EBOV VP40 protein inhibition, identifying Comp1 as a potential highly selective and potent inhibitor for EVD therapeutics, with favorable binding interactions and stability.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MODELING
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mosoka Fallah, Stephen Lavalah, Tina Gbelia, Myers Zondo, Morris Kromah, Lucy Tantum, Gartee Nallo, Joseph Boakai, Kemoh Sheriff, Laura Skrip, S. Harris Ali
Summary: Based on research conducted in Liberia, we found that individuals traveled during the Ebola outbreak for various reasons, such as avoiding stigmatization, fear of the disease, and attending burial rites. Improvements in infectious disease response could be made through personalizing public health messaging, activating community surveillance systems, and involving local leaders and community members.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Colleen Kraft, Nirja Mehta
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Aaron Kofman, Jeannette Guarner
Summary: Infections caused by Naegleria fowled, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia mandrillaris have various clinical manifestations in humans. These amoebae are widely present in water and soil worldwide. Naegleria fowleri causes primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), while Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Acanthamoeba spp. can also cause keratitis, and both Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris can cause skin and respiratory mucosa lesions. Clinical diagnosis of these infections can be difficult due to their rarity, and they can be misdiagnosed if not suspected. Microscopy is the key first step in diagnosis, but expertise in infectious disease pathology or clinical microbiology is required to distinguish the amoebae from macrophages or other infectious agents. Molecular methods can be helpful but are only available in referral centers. Treatment involves a combination of antibiotics and antifungals, but even with prompt diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate for neurological disease is extremely high.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Charles E. Marvil, Ahmed Babiker, Aaron Preston, Andrew S. Webster, Jeannette Guarner, Kari Love, Elham Ghonim, Paulina A. Rebolledo, Yun F. Wang, Robert A. Arthur, H. Richard Johnston, Jesse J. Waggoner, Anne Piantadosi, Jesse T. Jacob
Summary: In this study, an epidemiological investigation and genome sequencing were performed to determine the source and scope of an outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a cluster of hospitalized patients. Lack of appropriate respiratory hygiene during a single hemodialysis session resulted in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to patients and healthcare workers, highlighting the importance of infection prevention precautions.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica R. Howard-Anderson, Michelle Earley, Lauren Komarow, Lilian Abbo, Deverick J. Anderson, Jason C. Gallagher, Matthew Grant, Angela Kim, Robert A. Bonomo, David van Duin, L. Silvia Munoz-Price, Jesse T. Jacob
Summary: Patients with nonintestinal CRE colonization had similar clinical outcomes to those with CRE infection, and clinical outcomes may be influenced more by culture site than classification as colonized or infected.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica R. Howard-Anderson, Carly Adams, William C. Dube, Teresa C. Smith, Amy C. Sherman, Neena Edupuganti, Minerva Mendez, Nora Chea, Shelley S. Magill, Daniel O. Espinoza, Yerun Zhu, Varun K. Phadke, Srilatha Edupuganti, James P. Steinberg, Benjamin A. Lopman, Jesse T. Jacob, Scott K. Fridkin, Matthew H. Collins
Summary: In a large academic healthcare system in Georgia, less than 10% of healthcare personnel working for over 6 months had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. No specific occupational activities were identified as increasing the risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jessica Howard-Anderson, Michelle Davis, Alexander M. Page, Chris W. Bower, Gillian Smith, Jesse T. Jacob, Dan Andersson, David S. Weiss, Sarah W. Satola
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of colistin heteroresistance in carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) and its association with clinical outcomes. The results showed that colistin heteroresistance was present in up to 26% of CRPA patients, but it did not have a significant impact on 90-day mortality.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Max W. Adelman, Chris W. Bower, Julian E. Grass, Uzma A. Ansari, Elizabeth A. Soda, Isaac See, Joseph D. Lutgring, Jesse T. Jacob
Summary: Ertapenem-mono-resistant CRE have distinct clinical and microbiologic characteristics from other CRE, and they rarely have carbapenemase genes.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sandra N. Bulens, Hannah E. Reses, Uzma A. Ansari, Julian E. Grass, Clayton Carmon, Valerie Albrecht, Adrian Lawsin, Gillian McAllister, Jonathan Daniels, Yeon-Kyeng Lee, Sarah Yi, Isaac See, Jesse T. Jacob, Chris W. Bower, Lucy Wilson, Elisabeth Vaeth, Ruth Lynfield, Paula Snippes Vagnone, Kristin M. Shaw, Ghinwa Dumyati, Rebecca Tsay, Erin C. Phipps, Wendy Bamberg, Sarah J. Janelle, Zintars G. Beldavs, P. Maureen Cassidy, Marion Kainer, Daniel Muleta, Jacquelyn T. Mounsey, Alison Laufer-Halpin, Maria Karlsson, Joseph D. Lutgring, Maroya Spalding Walters
Summary: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are increasingly being detected in the community, with 10% of cases being community-associated (CA). Some CA cases were found to carry carbapenemase genes. Therefore, continued surveillance of CRE in the community is crucial to monitor the emergence of the disease outside traditional healthcare settings.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Soya S. Sam, Ralph Rogers, Jessica Ingersoll, Colleen S. Kraft, Angela M. Caliendo
Summary: This study evaluated the performance characteristics of the Aptima CMV Quant assay compared to other FDA-approved CMV assays including Abbott RealTime CMV assay, Qiagen Artus CMV RGQ MDx assay, and Roche cobas CMV test using plasma samples. The Aptima assay showed sensitivity and accuracy in quantifying CMV in plasma specimens and yielded comparable results to other FDA-approved CMV assays.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Kartik Viswanathan, Katrina M. Mansmann, Kimberly Workowski, Jeannette Guarner, Kimberly M. Heiman, Daniel J. Lubin
Summary: This article presents the cytology findings of swabs taken from mucocutaneous monkeypox lesions in 3 different patients. The cytopathic changes observed include enlarged nuclei, multinucleated keratinocytes, and potential Guarnieri bodies. These cytologic changes in monkeypox differ from those of herpesviruses.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pathology
Jeannette Guarner, Martin John Hale, Danny A. Milner, Ann Marie Nelson
Summary: Through the first African Pathology Assembly, a needs assessment and knowledge quizzes were conducted to provide quality management training in anatomic pathology, aiming to improve the quality of slides and interpretation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eli P. P. Wilber, Ahmed Babiker, Jessica Howard-Anderson, Jill E. E. Holdsworth, Eileen M. M. Burd, M. Jeremy Eldridge, Jesse T. T. Jacob
Summary: Initial specimen diversion devices (ISDDs) are effective in reducing blood-culture contamination rates, as shown by sustained reduction for over 18 months. However, no clinically significant reduction in inpatient vancomycin usage was observed.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica A. Tarabay, Jill S. Morgan, Colleen S. Kraft, Mary Elizabeth Sexton
Summary: Hospitals dealing with high-consequence pathogens must handle a large amount of category A waste safely. They identified and validated autoclave cycle parameters that would effectively sterilize 4 categories of waste by using biological indicators and the STERIS Amsco 630LS Steam Sterilizer.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pathology
Jeannette Guarner, Sherrie Jean
Summary: Pathologists are essential in One Health as they diagnose zoonotic diseases and discover emerging pathogens. They can identify clusters or trends caused by infectious agents and have a repository of tissue samples for research. Pathologists play a crucial role in diagnosing zoonoses and providing data on diseases.
Letter
Pathology
Jeannette Guarner, Kartik Viswanathan, Daniel J. Lubin
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2023)