Come Fly With Me : Integration of travel medicine and arbovirus surveillance

The goal of this thesis was to study how existing medical information and health structures can be used for arbovirus surveillance in the Netherlands. To achieve this, we combined and analysed all routine diagnostic data for Dutch travellers for suitability in arbovirus surveillance. We developed diagnostic algorithms to identify possible underdiagnosis of arbovirus infections in travellers. Based on these algorithms, we developed, validated, and applied a multiplex serological protein microarray in a retrospective study in travellers and outbreaks in equines to evaluate its added value in public healt

Analysis of iron-containing compounds in different compartments of the rat liver after iron loading

The livers of iron-loaded rats were fractionated and a cytosolic fraction, a lysosomal fraction, a siderosomal fraction and haemosiderin were obtained. All iron-containing compounds from these fractions were isolated and their morphology, Fe/P ratios, iron core diameter and peptide content were compared. The cytosolic fraction contained ferritin (CF) and a slower sedimenting, light ferritin (CLF). The lysosomal fraction also contained ferritin (LF) and a slower sedimenting light ferritin (LLF). The siderosomal fraction contained ferritin (SF), a faster sedimenting non-ferritin iron compound (SIC) and haemosiderin (HS). SIC and HS did not resemble ferritin as much as the other products did, but were found to be water-insoluble aggregates. The Fe/P ratios of CF and CLF were lower than the Fe/P ratios of LF and LLF and these in turn had lower Fe/P ratios than SF, SIC and HS. The iron core diameter of the cytosolic ferritin was increased after lysosomal uptake. The iron core diameters of the siderosomal products were smaller. CLF, CF, LF, LLF and SF contained one kind of subunit of approximately 20.5 kDa. SIC and HS contained other peptides in addition to the 20.5-kDa subunit. The results indicate that storage of ferritin molecules is not limited to the cytosolic compartment, but is also the case in the lysosomes. Extensive degradation of the ferritin molecule seems to be confined to the siderosomes

Urban Chikungunya in the Middle East and North Africa: A systematic review

Background: The epidemiology of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is not well characterized despite increasing recognition of its expanding infection and disease burden in recent years. Methodology / Principal findings: Following Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and reporting our findings following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed records describing the human prevalence and incidence, CHIKV prevalence/infection rates in vectors, outbreaks, and reported cases for CHIKV across the MENA region. We identified 29 human seroprevalence measures, one human incidence study, one study reporting CHIKV infection rates in Aedes, and nine outbreaks and case reports/series reported in the MENA from 1970–2015. Overall, anti-CHIKV antibody or reports of autochthonous transmission were identified from 10 of 23 countries in the MENA region (Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen), with seroprevalence measures among general populations (median 1.0%, range 0–43%) and acute febrile illness populations (median 9.8%, range 0–30%). Sudan reported the highest number of studies (n = 11) and the highest seroprevalence among general populations (median 12%, range 0–43%) and undifferentiated acute febrile illness populations (median 18%, range 10–23%). CHIKV outbreaks were reported from Djibouti, Pakistan, Sudan, and Yemen. Conclusions / Significance: Seroprevalence studies and outbreak reports suggest endemic transmission of urban cycle CHIKV in at least the Red Sea region and Pakistan. However, indications of seroprevalence despite a low quantity of CHIKV epidemiologic research from the region suggests that CHIKV transmission is currently underrecognized

Ross River virus disease in two Dutch travellers returning from Australia, February to April 2015

We report two cases of Ross River virus (RRV) infection in Dutch travellers who visited Australia during February to April 2015. These cases coincided with the largest recorded outbreak of RRV disease in Australia since 1996. This report serves to create awareness among physicians to consider travel-related RRV disease in differential diagnosis of patients with fever, arthralgia and/or rash returning from the South Pacific area, and to promote awareness among professionals advising travellers to this region