Do Antenatal Parasite Infections Devalue Childhood Vaccination?

On a global basis, both potent vaccine efficacy and high vaccine coverage are necessary to control and eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases. Emerging evidence from animal and human studies suggest that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impair response to standard childhood immunizations. A review of efficacy and effectiveness studies of vaccination among individuals with chronic parasitic infections was conducted, using PUBMED database searches and analysis of data from the authors' published and unpublished studies. Both animal models and human studies suggest that chronic trematode, nematode, and protozoan infections can result in decreased vaccine efficacy. Among pregnant women, who in developing countries are often infected with multiple parasites, soluble parasite antigens have been shown to cross the placenta and prime or tolerize fetal immune responses. As a result, antenatal infections can have a significant impact on later vaccine responses. Acquired childhood parasitic infections, most commonly malaria, can also affect subsequent immune response to vaccination. Additional data suggest that antiparasite therapy can improve the effectiveness of several human vaccines. Emerging evidence demonstrates that both antenatal and childhood parasitic infections alter levels of protective immune response to routine vaccinations. Successful antiparasite treatment may prevent immunomodulation caused by parasitic antigens during pregnancy and early childhood and may improve vaccine efficacy. Future research should highlight the varied effects that different parasites (alone and in combination) can have on human vaccine-related immunity. To optimize vaccine effectiveness in developing countries, better control of chronic NTDs may prove imperative

Risks and Challenges of Arboviral Diseases in Sudan: The Urgent Need for Actions

The risk of emergence and/or re-emergence of arthropod-borne viral (arboviral) infections is rapidly growing worldwide, particularly in Africa. The burden of arboviral infections and diseases is not well scrutinized because of the inefficient surveillance systems in endemic countries. Furthermore, the health systems are fully occupied by the burden of other co-existing febrile illnesses, especially malaria. In this review we summarize the epidemiology and risk factors associated with the major human arboviral diseases and highlight the gap in knowledge, research, and control in Sudan. Published data in English up to March 2019 were reviewed and are discussed to identify the risks and challenges for the control of arboviruses in the country. In addition, the lack of suitable diagnostic tools such as viral genome sequencing, and the urgent need for establishing a genomic database of the circulating viruses and potential sources of entry are discussed. Moreover, the research and healthcare gaps and global health threats are analyzed, and suggestions for developing strategic health policy for the prevention and control of arboviruses with focus on building the local diagnostic and research capacity and establishing an early warning surveillance system for the early detection and containment of arboviral epidemics are offered

Clinical, Serological, and Molecular Observations from a Case Series Study during the Asian Lineage Zika Virus Outbreak in Grenada during 2016

This paper describes the spatial and temporal distribution of cases, demographic characteristics of patients, and clinical manifestations of Zika virus (ZIKV) during the 2016 outbreak in Grenada. The first reported case was recorded in St. Andrew Parish in April, and the last reported case was seen in November, with peak transmission occurring in the last week of June, based on test results. Data were collected from a total of 514 patients, of whom 207 (40%) tested positive for ZIKV. No evidence was found that testing positive for ZIKV infection was related to age, gender, or pregnancy status. Clinical presentation with rash (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5 to 3.7) or with lymphadenopathy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.9) were the only reported symptoms consistent with testing positive for ZIKV infection. During the Zika outbreak, the infection rate was 20 clinical cases per 10,000 in the population compared to 41 cases per 10,000 during the chikungunya outbreak in Grenada in 2014 and 17 cases per 10,000 during the dengue outbreak in 2001-2002. Even though the country has employed vector control programs, with no apparent decrease in infection rates, it appears that new abatement approaches are needed to minimize morbidity in future arbovirus outbreaks

Interepidemic Rift Valley Fever Virus Seropositivity, Northeastern Kenya

Exposure is associated with long-term retinal disease and is most common in rural settings among older men who have contact with aborting animals

Epidemiological Profile of Children Infected with Bordetella pertussis at Varela Santiago Children’s Hospital: a Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Pertussis, also called whooping cough, is an acute infectious disease of high transmissibility transmitted through aerosol particles released during the catarrhal phase and paroxysmal cough. Since the 1990s its incidence has increased and atypical clinical forms have been identified, mainly in newborns and adults. We hypothesized that there is a relationship between the high incidence of pertussis infection in children up to 6 months of age and genetic changes in the circulating strains of B. pertussis leading to inefficacy of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine (DTP). Methods: Data were obtained from the medical records of hospitalized patients at the Varela Santiago Children’s Hospital in Brazil from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. Results: A total of 33 cases of pertussis hospitalizations were found, where 75.7% (25/33) of the patients were 6 months of age or younger (6 patients were 30 days old or younger while 19 ranged in age from 31 days to 6 months). Of these, 54.5% (14/25) were in exclusive breastfed children. Only 18.2% (6/33) of the patients had the appropriate administration of DTP doses according to their age. Signs and symptoms were: cough 100%, cyanosis 63.6%, fever 48.5% and inspiratory winch 33.3%. Azithromycin was used as monotherapy in 90% (30/33) of the cases and the mean time of hospitalization was 9.48 days ranging from 6 to 30 days. No patient died. Conclusion: We identified a high prevalence (75.7%) of B. pertussis infection in children up to 6 months of age. This is likely explained by the low vaccination rate (18.2%) and the low percentage of exclusive breastfeeding of the studied population. The low rate of vaccination is unexpected, given that there has been greater access to vaccination in recent decades in Brazil. In addition, the cases evolved with an atypical clinical presentation, since the classic symptoms of the catarrhal stage were absent or had a such short duration that such symptoms were no longer present at the time of hospitalization. Our study does not exclude the possibility that genetic changes are occurring in the circulating strains of B. pertussis and that DTP seems to have less efficacy on these new strains, but future studies will be needed to specifically test this hypothesis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures

Climate predicts geographic and temporal variation in mosquito-borne disease dynamics on two continents

Funding: J.M.C., A.D.L., E.F.L., and E.A.M. were supported by a Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment—Environmental Ventures Program grant (PIs: E.A.M., A.D.L., and E.F.L.). E.A.M. was also supported by a Hellman Faculty Fellowship and a Terman Award. A.D.L., B.A.N., F.M.M., E.N.G.S., M.S.S., A.R.K., R.D., A.A., and H.N.N. were supported by a National Institutes of Health R01 grant (AI102918; PI: A.D.L.). E.A.M., A.M.S.I., and S.J.R. were supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases (EEID) grant (DEB-1518681), and A.M.S.I. and S.J.R. were also supported by an NSF DEB RAPID grant (1641145). E.A.M. was also supported by a National Institute of General Medical Sciences Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award grant (R35GM133439) and an NSF and Fogarty International Center EEID grant (DEB-2011147).Climate drives population dynamics through multiple mechanisms, which can lead to seemingly context-dependent effects of climate on natural populations. For climate-sensitive diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, climate appears to have opposing effects in different contexts. Here we show that a model, parameterized with laboratory measured climate-driven mosquito physiology, captures three key epidemic characteristics across ecologically and culturally distinct settings in Ecuador and Kenya: the number, timing, and duration of outbreaks. The model generates a range of disease dynamics consistent with observed Aedes aegypti abundances and laboratory-confirmed arboviral incidence with variable accuracy (28-85% for vectors, 44-88% for incidence). The model predicted vector dynamics better in sites with a smaller proportion of young children in the population, lower mean temperature, and homes with piped water and made of cement. Models with limited calibration that robustly capture climate-virus relationships can help guide intervention efforts and climate change disease projections.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Perinatal Case Fatality Rate Related to Congenital Zika Syndrome in Brazil: a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Many studies have demonstrated a causal link between Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, microcephaly (MCP), and other congenital abnormalities (CA). This study aimed to determine perinatal case fatality rate in cases of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) in the Rio Grande do Norte State (RN), a Brazilian Northeast State highly impacted by the Zika virus outbreak. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data obtained through the State Health Department (SHD) for cases of MCP and CA in Rio Grande do Norte from April 2015 to February 5, 2016. Definition of perinatal period: commences at 22 completed weeks (154 days) of gestation and ends seven completed days after birth. Results: During the study period, there were 486 cases of MCP and others CA notified in RN, of which 142 were confirmed and 108 remain under investigation. The remaining 236 cases have been ruled out by presenting normal examinations or due to presenting microcephaly by noninfectious causes. Of the total confirmed cases, 26.7% (38/142) died after birth or during pregnancy. 15.78% (06/38) of confirmed deaths had ZIKV infection during pregnancy and 2.63% (01/38) had a positive TORCH blood test. The six cases related to ZIKV were confirmed by RT–PCR and/or IgM/IgG antibodies against ZIKV. The remaining cases of deaths remain either under investigation or have been ruled out. Conclusion: This study highlights a high rate of perinatal lethality (15.78%) in cases of CZS. Despite the growing number of CZS cases, the real incidence and prevalence might be higher due to the underreporting and lack of resources for confirmatory diagnostic tests (laboratory and imaging). Due to the high rate of lethality and the ongoing uncontrolled ZIKV outbreak, this study predicts an increase in the infant mortality rate in Brazil and highlights the need for developing public health programs to control the ZIKV outbreak. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures