Development of a risk assessment tool for contact tracing people after contact with infectious patients while travelling by bus or other public ground transport: a Delphi consensus approach

Background: Tracing persons who have been in contact with an infectious patient may be very effective in preventing the spread of communicable diseases. However, criteria to decide when to conduct contact tracing are not well established. We have investigated the available evidence for contact tracing with a focus on public ground transport aiming to give guidance in what situations contact tracing should be considered. Methods: Relevant infectious diseases suitable for contact tracing in ground transport and a set of disease-specific epidemiological criteria were defined through literature search and structured multistep expert consultations. We developed continuous scales for each criterion to be rated for its relevance to contact tracing in ground transport. We used the Delphi method with an international expert panel to position the values of criteria on the respective scales. Results: The study led to the development of the ‘Contact Tracing-Risk Assessment Profile’ (CT-RAP), a decision-making instrument, taking into account pathogen-specific as well as situation-specific criteria. This report describes the methodology of this instrument and presents two examples of ready-to-use CT-RAP for tuberculosis and for meningococcal disease in public ground transport. Discussion: The systematic and transparent use of the CT-RAP for tuberculosis and meningococcal disease is likely to facilitate reasonable, efficient and user-friendly decisions with respect to contact tracing. New CT-RAPs for additional pathogens and different settings such as schools and kindergartens are being planned

Surveillance and Outbreak Response Management System (SORMAS) to support the control of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa

In the context of controlling the current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), the World Health Organization claimed that ‘critical determinant of epidemic size appears to be the speed of implementation of rigorous control measures’, i.e. immediate follow-up of contact persons during 21 days after exposure, isolation and treatment of cases, decontamination, and safe burials. We developed the Surveillance and Outbreak Response Management System (SORMAS) to improve efficiency and timeliness of these measures. We used the Design Thinking methodology to systematically analyse experiences from field workers and the Ebola Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) after successful control of the EVD outbreak in Nigeria. We developed a process model with seven personas representing the procedures of EVD outbreak control. The SORMAS system architecture combines latest In-Memory Database (IMDB) technology via SAP HANA (in-memory, relational database management system), enabling interactive data analyses, and established SAP cloud tools, such as SAP Afaria (a mobile device management software). The user interface consists of specific front-ends for smartphones and tablet devices, which are independent from physical configurations. SORMAS allows real-time, bidirectional information exchange between field workers and the EOC, ensures supervision of contact follow-up, automated status reports, and GPS tracking. SORMAS may become a platform for outbreak management and improved routine surveillance of any infectious disease. Furthermore, the SORMAS process model may serve as framework for EVD outbreak modelling

Increased Vascularity in Cervicovaginal Mucosa with Schistosoma haematobium Infection

Schistosomiasis is a fresh water parasite infection that affects millions of people, especially in Africa. Recent knowledge about the genital manifestations of schistosomiasis; especially its possible association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, has led to increased focus on this neglected tropical disease. Millions of women remain undiagnosed for genital schistosomiasis, and may suffer from abnormal mucosal blood vessels, contact bleeding and lesions named sandy patches. This study analyses a unique selection of female genital biopsies containing parasite eggs. Protein detection and standard histopathological assessment are combined to quantify and study the characteristics of the mucosal blood vessels surrounding the eggs. Our results show that the genital mucosa with parasite eggs is more vascularised compared to healthy tissue, and that viable eggs tend to be surrounded by proliferating blood vessels. These findings have not yet been correlated directly to clinical manifestations. Further studies are needed in order to provide clinical advice on the risks and consequences of mucosal lesions particular to female genital schistosomiasis

The first wave of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in Germany: From initiation to acceleration

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The first imported case of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 in Germany was confirmed in April 2009. However, the first wave with measurable burden of disease started only in October 2009. The basic epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the pandemic were analysed in order to understand the course of the pandemic in Germany.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The analysis was based on data from the case-based, mandatory German surveillance system for infectious diseases. Cases notified between 27 April and 11 November 2009 and fulfilling the case definition were included in the study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two time periods with distinct epidemiologic characteristics could be determined: 23,789 cases (44.1%) occurred during the initiation period (IP, week 18 to 41), and 30,179 (55.9%) during the acceleration period (AP, week 42 to 45). During IP, coinciding with school summer holidays, 61.1% of cases were travel-related and one death occurred. Strict containment efforts were performed until week 32. During AP the majority of cases (94.3%) was autochthonous, 12 deaths were reported. The main affected age group shifted from 15 to 19 years in IP to 10 to 14 years in AP (median age 19 versus 15 years; p < 0.001). The proportion of cases with underlying medical conditions increased from 4.7% to 6.9% (p < 0.001). Irrespective of the period, these cases were more likely to be hospitalised (OR = 3.6 [95% CI: 3.1; 4.3]) and to develop pneumonia (OR = 8.1 [95% CI: 6.1; 10.7]). Furthermore, young children (0 to 2 years) (OR = 2.8 [95% CI: 1.5; 5.2]) and persons with influenza-like illness (ILI, OR = 1.4 [95% CI: 1.0; 2.1]) had a higher risk to develop pneumonia compared to other age groups and individuals without ILI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The epidemiological differences we could show between summer and autumn 2009 might have been influenced by the school summer holidays and containment efforts. The spread of disease did not result in change of risk groups or severity. Our results show that analyses of case-based information can advise future public health measures.</p

Varicella vaccination coverage of children under two years of age in Germany

Background: Since July 2004, routine varicella vaccination is recommended by the German Standing Vaccination Committee in Germany. Health Insurance Funds started to cover vaccination costs at different time points between 2004 and 2006 in the Federal States. Nationwide representative data on vaccination coverage against varicella of children under two years of age are not available. We aimed to determine varicella vaccination coverage in statutory health insured children under two years of age in twelve German Federal States using data from associations of statutory health insurance physicians (ASHIPs), in order to investigate the acceptance of the recommended routine varicella vaccination programme. Methods: We analysed data on varicella vaccination from 13 of 17 ASHIPs of the years 2004 to 2007. The study population consisted of all statutory health insured children under two years of age born in 2004 (cohort 2004) or 2005 (cohort 2005) in one of the studied regions. Vaccination coverage was determined by the number of children vaccinated under 2 years of age within the study population. Results: Varicella vaccination coverage of children under two years of age with either one dose of the monovalent varicella vaccine or two doses of the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine increased from 34% (cohort 2004) to 51% (cohort 2005) in the studied regions (p < 0.001). More than half of the vaccinated children of cohort 2004 and two third of cohort 2005 were immunised at the recommended age 11 to 14 months. The level of vaccination coverage of cohort 2004 was significantly associated with the delay in introduction of cost coverage since the recommendation of varicella vaccination (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study shows increasing varicella vaccination coverage of young children, indicating a growing acceptance of the routine varicella vaccination programme by the parents and physicians. We recommend further monitoring of vaccination coverage using data from ASHIPs to investigate acceptance of the routine vaccination programmes over time

Female genital schistosomiasis as an evidence of a neglected cause for reproductive ill-health: a retrospective histopathological study from Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis affects the reproductive health of women. Described sequelae are ectopic pregnancy, infertility, abortion, and cervical lesions and symptoms mimicking cervical cancer and STIs. There are indications that cervical schistosomiasis lesions could become co-factors for viral infection such as HIV and HPV. METHODS: In a retrospective descriptive histopathological study clinical specimens sent between 1999 and 2005 to the pathology department of a consultant hospital in Tanzania were reviewed to analyse the occurrence and features of schistosomiasis in female genital organs. RESULTS: During the study period, schistosomiasis was histopathologically diagnosed in 423 specimens from different organs (0.7% of all specimens examined in the study period), out of those 40% were specimens from female and male organs. The specimens were sent from 24 hospitals in 13 regions of mainland Tanzania. Female genital schistosomiasis was diagnosed in 125 specimens from 111 patients. The main symptoms reported were bleeding disorders (48%), ulcer (17%), tumor (20%), lower abdominal pain (11%) and infertility (7%). The majority of cases with genital schistosomiasis were diagnosed in cervical tissue (71 cases). The confirmation of cervical cancer was specifically requested for 53 women, but the diagnosis could only be verified for 13 patients (25%), in 40 cases only severe cervical schistosomiasis was diagnosed. Vulval/labial schistosomiasis was seen in specimens from young women. Infertility was reported in four patients with schistosomiasis of the Fallopian tubes. CONCLUSION: Genital schistosomiasis adds to the disease burden of women in all age groups. Pathological consequences due to the involvement of different genital organs can be damaging for the affected women. Clinical unawareness of genital schistosomiasis can lead to misdiagnosis and therefore false and ineffective therapy. In endemic areas cervical schistosomiasis should be considered as differential diagnosis of cancer

Influenza A(H1N1)v in Germany: the first 10,000 cases

The analysis of the first 10,000 cases of influenza A(H1N1)v in Germany confirms findings from other sources that the virus is currently mainly causing mild diseases, affecting mostly adolescents and young adults. Overall hospitalisation rate for influenza A(H1N1)v was low (7%). Only 3% of the cases had underlying conditions and pneumonia was rare (0.4%). Both reporting and testing requirements have been adapted recently, taking into consideration the additional information available on influenza A(H1N1)v infections

Die genitale Bilharziose der Frau

Die genitale Bilharziose ist eine Manifestation der Bilharziose, über deren Bedeutung für die reproduktive Gesundheit der Frau bisher wenig bekannt ist. Das klinische Bild der genitalen Bilharziose ist heterogen, da alle Genitalorgane betroffen sein können. Durch die Bilharziose verursachte gynäkologische Probleme wie z.B. Infertilität können für die betroffenen Frauen erhebliche Auswirkungen auf ihr soziales Leben haben (Scheidung wegen Kinderlosigkeit, verringerte Heiratsaussichten). In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden epidemiologische, parasitologische und klinische Untersuchungsergebnisse von Feldforschungsarbeiten zur genitalen Bilharziose der Zervix, die in Tansania durchgeführt wurden, vorgestellt. In den Studiendörfern war die Häufigkeit der genitalen Bilharziose der Zervix (38 %) bei Frauen im Alter zwischen 15 und 45 Jahren nahezu zahlengleich mit der Häufigkeit der Blasenbilharziose (42 %). Die genitale Bilharziose der Zervix ging einher mit "sandy patches", die als pathognomisch angesehen werden, Leukoplakien und Epithelläsionen. In den Biopsien von Frauen mit genitaler Bilharziose wurde im Vergleich zu nichtinfizierten Frauen eine erhöhte Anzahl von Entzündungszellen gesehen. Nach Therapie mit Praziquantel sank die Häufigkeit der genitalen Bilharziose um 70 %. Die Diagnose der genitalen Bilharziose der Zervix durch den direkten Nachweis mittels eines Quetschpräparats des Zervixgewebes ist der histologischen Untersuchung der Zervixbiopsie und der zytologischen Untersuchung des Zervixabstriches überlegen. Die diagnostische Wertigkeit indirekter Krankheitsmarker wurde untersucht. Frauen mit genitaler Bilharziose wiesen höhere Spiegel von eosinophilem kathodischen Protein (ECP) in der vaginalen Lavage auf als nichtinfizierte Frauen. Dies war aber auch bei Frauen mit sexuell übertragbaren Infektionen der Fall war. Es wurden bei Frauen mit genitaler Bilharziose - im Verhältnis zur Eiausscheidung im Urin - höhere Schistosomenantigenspiegel (CAA) festgestellt als bei Frauen mit ausschließlicher Blasenbilharziose. Dies kann durch die "ektopische" Lokalisation der adulten Würmer im Zervixgewebe erklärt werden. Die Forschungsergebnisse geben Hinweise, die die Hypothese einer möglichen Interaktion zwischen der genitalen Bilharziose und Infektionen mit HIV bzw. HPV unterstützen. Dazu gehören z.B. die Störung der Barrierefunktion des Zervixepithels bereits im jungen Alter und die Anwesenheit von HIV-empfänglichen Zellen im Zervixgewebe, die das Risiko einer Infektion mit HIV erhöhen könnten.Female genital schistosomiasis is a neglected manifestation of schistosomiasis and its public health importance is yet to be determined. Symptoms and signs induced by genital schistosomiasis are unspecific and depending on the localisation of the infection the clinical picture is heterogenous. Pathological consequences of female genital schistosomiasis such as infertility may have a considerable impact on the social life of the diseased woman resulting in divorce or reduced chances to marry. In this paper the results of epidemiological, parasitological and clinical investigations of female genital schistosomiasis, which have been carried out in two study villages in Northern Tanzania, are described. The frequency of schistosomiasis of the cervix in women aged 15 to 45 years (38%) was similar to the frequency of urinary schistosomiasis (42%). The main pathological lesions seen were sandy patches, which seem to be pathognomic, leucoplakia and epithelial lesions. In cervical biopsies of women with genital schistosomiasis a higher absolute number of inflammatory cells were seen compared to women without the infection. The standard therapy reduced the frequency of genital schistosomiasis by 70%. The diagnostic performance of the direct parasitological examination of cervical tissue was better compared to the histopathological examination of the biopsy or the cytological examination of the cervical smear. The diagnostic value of indirect disease markers were investigated. Women with diagnosed genital schistosomiasis and sexually transmitted diseases showed higher levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in the vaginal lavage compared to women without infections. In women with genital schistosomiasis higher levels of schistosome antigens (CAA) were detected compared to women with urinary schistosomiasis only. This might be explained by the "ectopic" localisation of adult schistosomes in the genital tract. The research results support the hypothesis of a possible interaction of genital schistosomiasis with sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and HPV, e.g. the disruption of the cervical epithelial barrier in young age and the presence of HIV-sensible cells due to genital schistosomiasis might increase the risk of HIV transmission