Article
Virology
Marina Beretta Duarte, Tatiana Schaffer Gregianini, Leticia G. Martins, Ana Beatriz G. Veiga
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of IBV infection in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil over 17 years, and found that IBV infection is associated with age and seasonality, with a high risk of severe infection. The research also highlighted that cardiopathy, metabolic disease, and smoking are risk factors for fatality in IBV infection.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ching-Hao Hsu, Hsin-Pai Chen, Po-Liang Chen, Yu-Jiun Chan
Summary: This study described the characteristics and outcomes of lower respiratory tract infections associated with respiratory viruses in adults, finding that both influenza and non-influenza respiratory viruses were associated with increased mortality rates, with shock and acute kidney injury independently predicting a higher mortality rate.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Amar Aganovic
Summary: Research on the response of highly contagious enveloped viruses to alterations in their microenvironment has increased due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and influenza epidemics. This review analyzes the pH-dependent viral structural changes during the endocytosis process for influenza A (IAV) and SARS coronaviruses. While there are similarities in the pH-regulated patterns leading to fusion, the mechanisms and pH activation differ.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kieran Dee, Verena Schultz, Joanne Haney, Laura A. Bissett, Callum Magill, Pablo R. Murcia
Summary: Virus-virus interactions can impact the infection dynamics of respiratory viruses. In this study, 3-dimensional cultures of airway epithelium were used to show that SARS-CoV-2 replication is impaired in coinfections with influenza A or respiratory syncytial virus.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rhiannon R. Penkert, Amanda P. Smith, Eike R. Hrincius, Jonathan A. McCullers, Peter Vogel, Amber M. Smith, Julia L. Hurwitz
Summary: The study demonstrated that vitamin A deficiency dysregulates the immune response, leading to a 100% mortality rate in influenza-infected VAD mice when exposed to secondary bacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Genta Ito, Takahiro Takazono, Naoki Hosogaya, Naoki Iwanaga, Shogo Miyazawa, Satoki Fujita, Hideaki Watanabe, Hiroshi Mukae
Summary: This retrospective observational study evaluated the factors influencing the start date of the influenza epidemic season and the total number of infected persons per 1,000,000 population in 47 prefectures of Japan. Using a Japanese health insurance claims database, single and multiple regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between the start time of the epidemic and various factors such as absolute humidity, total visitors, and total population. The study found that the earlier the climate became suitable for virus transmission and the higher the human mobility, the earlier the epidemic season tended to begin.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Gareth R. Hardisty, Johanna A. Knipper, Alison Fulton, John Hopkins, Bernadette M. Dutia, Matthew D. Taylor
Summary: Pre-existing filarial infection can either ameliorate or worsen concurrent influenza infection, depending on the stage of filarial infection. Larval stage filarial infection can alleviate clinical symptoms of influenza infection, while patent infection reverses age-related resistance to influenza, resulting in more severe symptoms.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ji Yoon Han, Seung Beom Han
Summary: Although febrile seizures are the most common neurological complication of influenza, studies comparing seizure characteristics and outcomes between patients with influenza and other respiratory virus (RV) infections are limited. This study found that patients with influenza were older than those with other RV infections and showed a higher percentage of patients aged >= 5 years. Complex febrile seizure characteristics were more frequent in patients with other RV infections, but the frequency of epilepsy was comparable between the two groups.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Hatice Bolek, Lale Ozisik, Zafer Caliskan, Mine Durusu Tanriover
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and cost of illness due to respiratory virus infections in hospitalized adult patients. The results showed that patients infected with influenza had higher rates of clinical support, intensive care unit admission, and mortality, as well as higher average hospitalization costs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jingyi Xiao, Jacob Bueno de Mesquita, Nancy H. L. Leung, Oluwasanmi Adenaiye, Sheldon Tai, Matthew B. Frieman, Filbert Hong, Daniel K. W. Chu, Dennis K. M. Ip, Benjamin J. Cowling, Donald K. Milton
Summary: The research found that the presence of influenza viral RNA on mobile phones is positively correlated with the upper respiratory tract viral load of patients and negatively correlated with the age of the patients.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Menucha Jurkowicz, Ital Nemet, Nofar Atari, Ilana S. Fratty, Limor Kliker, Hilda Sherbany, Nathan Keller, Eugene Leibovitz, Ella Mendelson, Michal Mandelboim, Michal Stein
Summary: The 2019-2020 influenza season in Israel was characterized by a high-intensity and early morbidity peak. A cohort of hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza was analyzed to further understand disease severity. The study revealed vaccine delays, shortages, and a disproportionate targeting of children and young adults by A(H3N2) and B/Victoria strains, emphasizing the vulnerability of infants and young children and the importance of influenza prevention measures in this population.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Katherine M. Begley, Arnold S. Monto, Lois E. Lamerato, Anurag N. Malani, Adam S. Lauring, H. Keipp Talbot, Manjusha Gaglani, Tresa McNeal, Fernanda P. Silveira, Richard K. Zimmerman, Donald B. Middleton, Shekhar Ghamande, Kempapura Murthy, Lindsay Kim, Jill M. Ferdinands, Manish M. Patel, Emily T. Martin
Summary: In this study, adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) were found to have worse outcomes compared with influenza. They were more likely to have cardiopulmonary comorbidities, experience a longer stay, and require mechanical ventilation. This study highlights the importance of RSV surveillance and informs future vaccination strategies.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Meghan E. Rebuli, Ellen Glista-Baker, Jessica R. Hoffman, Parker F. Duffney, Carole Robinette, Adam M. Speen, Erica A. Pawlak, Radhika Dhingra, Terry L. Noah, Ilona Jaspers
Summary: Inhalation of electronic-cigarette aerosol may cause immune suppression in the respiratory tract, altering immune responses and potentially impacting antiviral host defense functions.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Loukas Kakoullis, Robert Steffen, Albert Osterhaus, Marco Goeijenbier, Sowmya R. Rao, Satoshi Koiso, Emily P. Hyle, Edward T. Ryan, Regina C. LaRocque, Lin H. Chen
Summary: This review summarizes the transmission patterns and seasonality of influenza, as well as air travel- and cruise ship-related infections. It highlights the importance of influenza vaccination for travelers and the need for healthcare providers to be aware of influenza activity and provide appropriate recommendations. Interventions to reduce travel-related influenza include antivirals, self-tests, extending the shelf life of vaccines, and access to vaccines used in the opposite hemisphere.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alaa Atamna, Tanya Babich, Dafi Froimovici, Dafna Yahav, Nadav Sorek, Haim Ben-Zvi, Leonard Leibovici, Jihad Bishara, Tomer Avni
Summary: This study compared the clinical outcomes of patients with laboratory-confirmed RSV and patients with influenza infection, finding that RSV patients had higher rates of complications and were more prone to pneumonia. Hypoalbuminemia, reduced room-air saturation, and RSV infection were identified as predictors of complications.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
R. Green, J. S. P. Tulloch, C. Tunnah, E. Coffey, K. Lawrenson, A. Fox, J. Mason, R. Barnett, A. Constantine, W. Shepherd, M. Ashton, M. B. J. Beadsworth, R. Vivancos, I Hall, N. Walker, S. Ghebrehewet
Summary: The study found that in care homes without outbreaks of COVID-19, there were no symptomatic residents and no evidence of disease transmission. Nursing care facilities and those employing agency staff were more likely to have residents testing positive. Closing shared spaces in care homes did not impact residents testing positive.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Management
Richard M. Wood, Ian M. Hall
Summary: Francisella tularensis is a virulent bacterium that can multiply rapidly by hijacking the host immune response. This study models the biological mechanisms of host infection using CTMC and DES, investigating the efficacy of various medication strategies. Results suggest that timely administration of antibiotics can reduce mortality rates.
JOURNAL OF THE OPERATIONAL RESEARCH SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Ergonomics
Antti Karjalainen, Maija Leppanen, Joonas Ruokolainen, Marko Hyttinen, Mirella Miettinen, Arto Saamanen, Pertti Pasanen
Summary: The study examined the effectiveness of intervention strategies in controlling flour dust concentrations in two Finnish bakeries, finding reductions in stationary locations post-intervention while exposure levels increased in the breathing zone. Further studies are needed to plan more effective intervention measures in both bakeries.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND ERGONOMICS
(2022)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Daniel Miller, Marco-Felipe King, James Nally, Joseph R. Drodge, Gary Reeves, Andrew M. Bate, Henry Cooper, Ursula Dalrymple, Ian Hall, Martin Lopez-Garcia, Simon T. Parker, Catherine J. Noakes
Summary: The Transmission of Virus in Carriages (TVC) model is proposed to simulate the potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 for subway train passengers. The model considers exposure through three routes: fomites, close-range exposure, and airborne exposure. Results show that social distancing, mask-wearing, and ventilation rate can effectively reduce exposure. Close-range exposure and fomite routes have higher risks, while exposure through the airborne route is lower and more uniform.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Margaux M. Mesle, Roberto Vivancos, Ian M. Hall, Robert M. Christley, Steve Leach, Jonathan M. Read
Summary: This study compares the healthcare system quality and global airline connectivity of countries to identify the potential risk of pandemic dissemination. The analysis reveals a positive relationship between connectivity and healthcare metrics, with countries such as Dominican Republic, India, Pakistan, China, and Mexico posing the greatest risk. Lower-middle and upper-middle income countries represent the highest risk, while high income countries represent the lowest risk.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karan Pattni, Daniel Hungerford, Sarah Adams, Iain Buchan, Christopher P. Cheyne, Marta Garcia-Finana, Ian Hall, David M. Hughes, Christopher E. Overton, Xingna Zhang, Kieran J. Sharkey
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of vaccines against the Delta variant, and found that receiving two doses significantly reduced the risk of infection. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provided the optimal protection against Delta variant infection.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hua Wei, Sarah Daniels, Carl A. Whitfield, Yang Han, David W. Denning, Ian Hall, Martyn Regan, Arpana Verma, Martie van Tongeren
Summary: This research evaluates the non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented in the UK logistics sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies various risk mitigation measures adopted by the sector and highlights the drivers and barriers of rapid responses. The research recommends the development of a rapid response model to inform effective and sustainable infection prevention and control policies.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joseph Aylett-Bullock, Robert Tucker Gilman, Ian Hall, David Kennedy, Egmond Samir Evers, Anjali Katta, Hussien Ahmed, Kevin Fong, Keyrellous Adib, Lubna Al Ariqi, Ali Ardalan, Pierre Nabeth, Kai von Harbou, Katherine Hoffmann Pham, Carolina Cuesta-Lazaro, Arnau Quera-Bofarull, Allen Gidraf Kahindo Maina, Tinka Valentijn, Sandra Harlass, Frank Krauss, Chao Huang, Rebeca Moreno Jimenez, Tina Comes, Mariken Gaanderse, Leonardo Milano, Miguel Luengo-Oroz
Summary: The spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 poses challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, particularly impacting vulnerable populations such as refugees and internally displaced people. Epidemiological modelling in these contexts faces difficulties such as data availability, cultural differences, and the alignment of strategic goals. This paper reviews the limited epidemiological modelling work in refugee and IDP settlements and highlights the need for more approaches and models specifically designed for these populations. To strengthen collaboration between modelling and humanitarian public health communities, a roadmap is proposed for sharing needs, building tools, and coordinating responses effectively and efficiently.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
D. I. Wilson, G. Christie, P. J. Fryer, I. M. Hall, J. R. Landel, K. A. Whitehead
Summary: The UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council supported a series of meetings in 2021 to develop a roadmap for future research in Quantitative Modelling in Cleaning and Decontamination. This activity involved identifying past and current activities on this topic across different fields and confirmed the common needs and challenges across sectors.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christopher E. Overton, Luke Webb, Uma Datta, Mike Fursman, Jo Hardstaff, Iina Hiironen, Karthik Paranthaman, Heather Riley, James Sedgwick, Julia Verne, Steve Willner, Lorenzo Pellis, Ian Hall
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the elderly and frail population, particularly in care homes. Calculating the case fatality risk (CFR) is crucial for understanding the mortality risk posed by the disease. This study applies various methods to estimate the CFR among care home residents in England, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. The research contributes to monitoring the epidemic and informing public health responses.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christopher E. Overton, Lorenzo Pellis, Helena B. Stage, Francesca Scarabel, Joshua Burton, Christophe Fraser, Ian Hall, Thomas A. House, Chris Jewell, Anel Nurtay, Filippo Pagani, Katrina A. Lythgoe
Summary: During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EpiBeds model was used in England to predict hospital bed demand and estimate the proportion of individuals following different clinical pathways, providing valuable forecasts for healthcare systems.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods
Lorenzo Pellis, Paul J. Birrell, Joshua Blake, Christopher E. Overton, Francesca Scarabel, Helena B. Stage, Ellen Brooks-Pollock, Leon Danon, Ian Hall, Thomas A. House, Matt J. Keeling, Jonathan M. Read, Daniela JUNIPER Consortium, Daniela De Angelis
Summary: The reproduction number R has been an important metric in the COVID-19 pandemic response, but its estimation is complex and model-dependent. Limited data and challenges in communication further complicate its use.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY SERIES A-STATISTICS IN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Social Sciences, Mathematical Methods
Lorenzo Pellis, Paul J. J. Birrell, Joshua Blake, Ian Hall, Thomas A. A. House, Christopher E. E. Overton, Francesca Scarabel, Helena B. B. Stage, Daniela De Angelis
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY SERIES A-STATISTICS IN SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Jingsi Xu, Jonathan Carruthers, Thomas Finnie, Ian Hall
Summary: Understanding the dynamics of transmission is crucial for controlling infectious diseases. We compared different within-host models and identified a simplified model that allows inference and overcomes identifiability issues. Non-dimensionalised models were developed to address the uncertainty in estimating susceptible cell population size. We discuss these models and their fit to SARS-CoV-2 data, as well as the variability of the infection window for COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jessica R. E. Bridgen, Hua Wei, Carl Whitfield, Yang Han, Ian Hall, Chris P. Jewell, Martie J. A. van Tongeren, Jonathan M. Read
Summary: This study investigated the contact patterns and protective measures adopted by UK delivery drivers during the pandemic. The results showed that delivery drivers had an average of 71.6 customer contacts and 15.0 depot contacts per shift. Most drivers were able to maintain physical distancing with customers, but less so at depots. Prolonged contact with customers was reported by 5.4% of drivers on their last shift. The usage of protective items such as face masks and hand sanitiser was widespread among the drivers.
OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)