Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in the COVID-19 Era: Perspective from Resource-Limited Settings

The dissemination of COVID-19 around the globe has been followed by an increased consumption of antibiotics. This is related to the concern for bacterial superinfection in COVID-19 patients. The identification of bacterial pathogens is challenging in low and middle income countries (LMIC), as there are no readily-available and cost-effective clinical or biological markers that can effectively discriminate between bacterial and viral infections. Fortunately, faced with the threat of COVID-19 spread, there has been a growing awareness of the importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs, as well as infection prevention and control measures that could help reduce the microbial load and hence circulation of pathogens, with a reduction in dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. These measures should be improved particularly in developing countries. Studies need to be conducted to evaluate the worldwide evolution of antimicrobial resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, because pathogens do not respect borders. This issue takes on even greater importance in developing countries, where data on resistance patterns are scarce, conditions for infectious pathogen transmission are optimal, and treatment resources are suboptimal

Malaria vector research and control in Haiti: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Haiti has a set a target of eliminating malaria by 2020. However, information on malaria vector research in Haiti is not well known. This paper presents results from a systematic review of the literature on malaria vector research, bionomics and control in Haiti. METHODS: A systematic search of literature published in French, Spanish and English languages was conducted in 2015 using Pubmed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, EMBASE, JSTOR WHOLIS and Web of Science databases as well other grey literature sources such as USAID, and PAHO. The following search terms were used: malaria, Haiti, Anopheles, and vector control. RESULTS: A total of 132 references were identified with 40 high quality references deemed relevant and included in this review. Six references dealt with mosquito distribution, seven with larval mosquito ecology, 16 with adult mosquito ecology, three with entomological indicators of malaria transmission, eight with insecticide resistance, one with sero-epidemiology and 16 with vector control. In the last 15 years (2000–2015), there have only been four published papers and three-scientific meeting abstracts on entomology for malaria in Haiti. Overall, the general literature on malaria vector research in Haiti is limited and dated. DISCUSSION: Entomological information generated from past studies in Haiti will contribute to the development of strategies to achieve malaria elimination on Hispaniola. However it is of paramount importance that malaria vector research in Haiti is updated to inform decision-making for vector control strategies in support of malaria elimination

Establishing and utilizing strategic partnerships for vaccine-preventable diseases: Best practices in Haiti

On March 10 to 11, 2016, the Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (Ministry of Health of Haiti) and the Global Health Initiative at Henry Ford Health System hosted their Second Annual Scientific Conference entitled, “Best Practices for Establishing and Utilizing Partnerships for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Haiti,” at the National Laboratory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The conference brought together Ministry of Health officials, researchers, clinicians, academics, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to discuss vaccine programs and policies in Haiti. This forum provides a learning and discussion space to fuel strategies and public health research responding to priority areas identified by the Ministry of Health, and consequently, this forum serves as counsel for the Ministry of Health in its decision making on strategies to prevent and control infectious diseases in Haiti. The following article summarizes the presentations and conclusions of the March 2016 conference and covers a variety of important issues relating to vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases in Haiti, including Haiti\u27s Expanded Program on Immunization, surveillance, logistical and funding challenges, and community approaches, as well as case studies detailing introduction of the pentavalent, rotavirus, oral cholera, and human papillomavirus vaccines in Haiti. Most importantly, this article highlights a model for effective partnerships for vaccines, a model that can transcend response to specific diseases and apply to all global health partnerships

Cholera outbreak in Haiti: Epidemiology, control, and prevention

In October 2010, a massive cholera outbreak struck Haiti, and subsequently, thousands of cholera cases have been documented throughout Haiti. After much controversy about its origin, scientific evidence demonstrated its importation from Nepalese United Nations Peacekeepers. Despite national and international efforts to combat this outbreak (such as oral cholera vaccine campaigns), challenges related to funding, water and sanitation infrastructure, and poverty make it difficult to eliminate cholera from Haiti. This article discusses the recent cholera epidemic in Haiti, its origin and spread throughout Haiti, the specific nature and microbiologic characteristics of the pathogen, and ongoing disease management and control efforts. Importantly, this article suggests a future research agenda identifying best strategies for eliminating cholera in Haiti

Establishing and utilizing strategic partnerships for vaccine-preventable diseases: Best practices in Haiti

On March 10 to 11, 2016, the Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population (Ministry of Health of Haiti) and the Global Health Initiative at Henry Ford Health System hosted their Second Annual Scientific Conference entitled, “Best Practices for Establishing and Utilizing Partnerships for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in Haiti,” at the National Laboratory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The conference brought together Ministry of Health officials, researchers, clinicians, academics, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to discuss vaccine programs and policies in Haiti. This forum provides a learning and discussion space to fuel strategies and public health research responding to priority areas identified by the Ministry of Health, and consequently, this forum serves as counsel for the Ministry of Health in its decision making on strategies to prevent and control infectious diseases in Haiti. The following article summarizes the presentations and conclusions of the March 2016 conference and covers a variety of important issues relating to vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases in Haiti, including Haiti\u27s Expanded Program on Immunization, surveillance, logistical and funding challenges, and community approaches, as well as case studies detailing introduction of the pentavalent, rotavirus, oral cholera, and human papillomavirus vaccines in Haiti. Most importantly, this article highlights a model for effective partnerships for vaccines, a model that can transcend response to specific diseases and apply to all global health partnerships

Malaria elimination in Haiti by the year 2020: an achievable goal?

Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which share the island of Hispaniola, are the last locations in the Caribbean where malaria still persists. Malaria is an important public health concern in Haiti with 17,094 reported cases in 2014. Further, on January 12, 2010, a record earthquake devastated densely populated areas in Haiti including many healthcare and laboratory facilities. Weakened infrastructure provided fertile reservoirs for uncontrolled transmission of infectious pathogens. This situation results in unique challenges for malaria epidemiology and elimination efforts. To help Haiti achieve its malaria elimination goals by year 2020, the Laboratoire National de Santé Publique and Henry Ford Health System, in close collaboration with the Direction d\u27Épidémiologie, de Laboratoire et de Recherches and the Programme National de Contrôle de la Malaria, hosted a scientific meeting on Elimination Strategies for Malaria in Haiti on January 29-30, 2015 at the National Laboratory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The meeting brought together laboratory personnel, researchers, clinicians, academics, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to discuss main stakes and perspectives on malaria elimination. Several themes and recommendations emerged during discussions at this meeting. First, more information and research on malaria transmission in Haiti are needed including information from active surveillance of cases and vectors. Second, many healthcare personnel need additional training and critical resources on how to properly identify malaria cases so as to improve accurate and timely case reporting. Third, it is necessary to continue studies genotyping strains of Plasmodium falciparum in different sites with active transmission to evaluate for drug resistance and impacts on health. Fourth, elimination strategies outlined in this report will continue to incorporate use of primaquine in addition to chloroquine and active surveillance of cases. Elimination of malaria in Haiti will require collaborative multidisciplinary approaches, sound strategic planning, and strong ownership of strategies by the Haiti Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population