ABSTRACT Leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira spp. poses significant public health and economic challenges. Its transmission is favored in interface environments where wild and synanthropic rodents acting as maintenance hosts contaminate surroundings with urine. Additionally, water sources can harbor leptospires, serving as an infection risk for humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Leptospira spp. in surface and underground water resources, detect leptospiras in wild and synanthropic rodents, and identify/genotype isolation in rural environments from Tandil county, Argentina. Thirty-five water samples and kidney samples from 30 rodents were collected. Leptospira spp. Isolation was attempted via culture in a selective EMJH-STAFF medium with observations made through fluorescence microscopy. Growth of leptospires was observed in one rodent kidney tissue sample. The presence of a pathogenic Leptospira strain was confirmed by 16S rRNA PCR and subsequently genotyped by MLST. Notably, this represents the first isolation of Leptospira interrogans serogroup Canicola allelic profile ST3 from Akodon Azarae in Argentina, making a significant epidemiological finding for the region. While Leptospira spp. was not detected in the analyzed water samples, the isolation of L. interrogans highlights the role of wild rodents as persistent reservoirs in the rural–urban interface. This finding suggests that the transmission dynamics may involve a more complex network of wild reservoirs, highlighting the potential public health risk to local inhabitants and domestic animals.

ABSTRACT Background With increased Chinese enterprises involvement in Sierra Leone under the Belt and Road Initiative, understanding the prevalence of infectious diseases among local populations, particularly employees of Chinese firms, is crucial for enterprise management and public health interventions. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis, malaria, and tuberculosis among the local population, including co-infection prevalence and associated risk factors. Methods A serological survey was conducted among 342 local employees from six Chinese enterprises and 165 community residents (controls). Blood samples were tested using rapid immunological kits. Demographic data, occupational details, body temperature, and blood pressure were collected. Seroprevalence rates and risk factors were analyzed, with a focus on co-infections. Results The seroprevalence rates, in descending order, were as follows: malaria parasites (14.6%, 95% CI: 11.64%–17.97%), HBV (10.1%, 95% CI: 7.58%–13.01%), HIV (6.1%, 95% CI: 4.20%–8.57%), tuberculosis (4.3%, 95% CI: 2.74%–6.50%), syphilis (3.7%, 95% CI: 2.27%–5.79%), and HCV (0.0%, NA) for both the company employees and community residents. For mono-infection, there is a significantly lower seroprevalence in HIV and syphilis among company employees than in community controls (4.4% vs 9.7%, p = 0.019; 2.3% vs 6.7%, p = 0.016). Both the co-infection rate (3.5% vs 8.5%, p = 0.017) and the overall infection rate (29.8% vs 39.4%, p = 0.032) are also significantly lower among company employees compared to community controls. Conclusion This study provides insights into the prevalence of infectious diseases and co-infection levels among local employees of Chinese enterprises and community residents in Sierra Leone. It highlights the importance of pre-employment screenings and post-employment health evaluations. The findings underscore the need for broader epidemiological investigations and surveillance to combat infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa effectively.

ABSTRACT Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant contributor to healthcare-associated infections worldwide, with an increasing incidence in Europe. It has significant morbidity in high-risk, hospitalized patients. Despite previous studies in Spain, there have been no updates to nationwide data since 2015. Aim To provide an updated epidemiological overview of CDI in Spain, focusing on incidence, recurrence, mortality, and regional variability in hospitalized patients between 2016 and 2022. Methods A nationwide, retrospective study was carried out using a Spanish national health system registry including data from hospitalization discharge reports. Data from 66,864 hospitalizations with a CDI diagnosis were analyzed and descriptive analyses and Poisson regression models were performed to assess trends in CDI incidence, recurrence, and mortality over time. Results CDI incidence increased from 30 to 43 cases per 100,000 hospitalizations between 2016 and 2022. Recurrence was observed in 15–16% of cases from 2020 to 2022. All-cause, in-hospital mortality remained steady at 11–13% over the observation period. There was regional variability, with some regions showing the highest incidences and other regions having the lowest. The median age of patients was 75 years, and women accounted for 53% of cases. Conclusion The results highlight a steady increase in CDI incidence in Spain over the last two decades, particularly since 2020, probably influenced by the widespread antibiotic use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recurrence and mortality rates remain significant challenges. These findings highlight the need for national surveillance programs, improved diagnostic protocols, and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact of CDI.

ABSTRACT Introduction After an absence of more than four decades, dengue reemerged in Mauritius in 2009, with seven outbreaks being recorded to date. Aim This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the Mauritian population on dengue. Methods A questionnaire was designed, and a survey was carried out among 405 participants. The KAP scores of respondents were calculated and categorized as excellent, adequate or poor. Result The correlation between knowledge and practice was very weak (τ = 0.088; p = 0.022) while that between attitude and practice was moderate (τ = 0.198; p = 0.001). It was noted that 47.2 % respondents had excellent scores on general knowledge on dengue, 96.5% obtained excellent scores on the knowledge of preventive practices and 17.5% had excellent scores on implementation of the preventive measures. Poor knowledge was noted on the cure for dengue (4.2%), re-infections could lead to health complications (22.5 %), and dengue vector biting in the early mornings and evenings (36.8 %). Furthermore, only 20.0% used mosquito repellent creams, 21.0% used mosquito nets on windows, 33.8% wore protective clothes and 36.8% checked their yards for water accumulation weekly. Elderly, those with lower education background, of lower socio-economic class and residing in rural areas obtained significantly lower KAP scores within their respective sub-group. Females were more likely to wear mosquito repellent cream (p = 0.028) and long-sleeved clothes (p = 0.015). Conclusion This study revealed high knowledge of dengue preventive practices but poor prevention practices among respondents. This calls for additional sensitization programs in specific identified groups.

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacterium that has emerged as a significant nosocomial pathogen globally and renowned for its ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. However, understanding of its resistance mechanisms to certain drug classes remains limited. This study focused on four bacterial strains (AB863, AB889, AB930, and AB960) exhibiting carbapenem resistance. They demonstrated high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (128 mg/L) to meropenem and were categorized as extensively drug-resistant strains. Subsequently, they were identified as A. baumannii through 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and species-specific PCR targeting the bla OXA51-like gene. Three strains were sequenced for their genomes to study the genetic determinants and functional relevance of carbapenem resistance. The draft genome length of the strains ranged from 3.8 to 4.0 Mbp. A total of 16 antibiotic resistance genes including the genes bla OXA-23 and bla OXA-66 which mediate carbapenem resistance were identified in the genomes. A comprehensive multilocus sequence typing analysis involving 95 A. baumannii strains from different Asian countries assigned the four strains to sequence type 2 (ST2), the most predominant ST circulating in Asia. Comparative genome analysis also revealed bla OXA-66 as the most dominant variant of bla OXA-51-like gene and also a widespread distribution of bla OXA-23 gene. In addition, various mobile genetic elements associated with AMR genes and three efflux pumps families were detected in the genomes of the strains. Transformation of bla OXA-23 and bla OXA-66 genes resulted in meropenem resistance in the transformant which exhibited a MIC of 2 mg/L, thus confirming direct involvement of both genes in carbapenem resistance.

ABSTRACT Hepatic schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitosis that affects millions of people each year worldwide and leads to high healthcare costs and increased morbidity and mortality in infected humans. It is a disease that has been widely studied in terms of its pathophysiology; therefore, the signaling pathways that lead to liver damage, with the consequent development of liver fibrosis, are now better understood. Research has elucidated the role of soluble egg antigen in the development of hepatic granulomas and liver fibrosis, the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and its participation in liver damage, the role of heat shock protein 47 and its involvement in liver fibrosis, the anti-inflammatory effects caused by interleukin-37, and the role of natural killer and natural killer T cells in the development of the disease. Hepatic schistosomiasis can range from simple hepatomegaly to the development of portal hypertension combined with hepatic fibrosis. For diagnostic purposes, a microscopic examination of excreta remains the gold standard; however, abdominal ultrasound has recently taken on an important role in the assessment of liver lesions produced by the parasite. Praziquantel is considered the management drug of choice, and has been associated with a potential preventive antifibrotic effect.

ABSTRACT Dengue fever poses a significant global health threat, with symptoms including dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Each year, India experiences fatal dengue outbreaks with severe manifestations. The primary cause of severe inflammatory responses in dengue is a cytokine storm. Individuals with a secondary dengue infection of a different serotype face an increased risk of complications due to antibody-dependent enhancement. Therefore, it is crucial to identify potential risk factors and biomarkers for effective disease management. In the current study, we assessed the prevalence of dengue infection in and around Aligarh, India, and explored the role of cytokines, including CXCL5, CXCL9, and CCL17, in primary and secondary dengue infections, correlating them with various clinical indices. Among 1,500 suspected cases, 367 tested positive for dengue using Real-Time PCR and ELISA. In secondary dengue infections, the serum levels of CXCL5, CXCL9, and CCL17 were significantly higher than in primary infections (P < 0.05). Dengue virus (DENV)-2 showed the highest concentrations of CXCL5 and CCL17, whereas DENV-1 showed the highest concentrations of CXCL9. Early detection of these cytokines could serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing severe dengue, and downregulation of these cytokines may prove beneficial for the treatment of severe dengue infections.

ABSTRACT In the fourth year of the COVID-19 occurrence, a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1, has emerged and spread globally and become the dominant strain in several regions. It has some specific mutations in its spike proteins, empowering it with higher transmissibility. Regarding the significance of the issue, understanding the clinical and immunological traits of JN.1 is critical for enhancing health strategies and vaccination efforts globally, with the ultimate goal of bolstering our collective response to the pandemic. In this study, we take a look at the latest findings of JN.1 characteristics and mutations as well as its consequences on bypassing immune system. We demonstrate the importance of continual surveillance and strategic adaptation within healthcare frameworks along with the significance of wastewater sampling for the rapid identification of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis and anemia, are one of the leading global public health problem among children between age 5 and 14 years in marginalized settings. In this study, we provide prevalence and intensity data for both conditions in three southwestern states of Nigeria, where such are lacking. Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of urine and blood samples was conducted among 1783 consenting school-aged children in Ondo, Osun, Ekiti States of Nigeria. Participants’ age and sex data were obtained using field forms, and statistical analysis was performed in R software with a significance level of 95%. An overall prevalence of 26.8% and 29.5% was recorded for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively. Prevalence varied by location with (40.3% and 29.8%) in Ondo (34.4% and 37.5%) in Osun and (13.4% and 20.9%) in Ekiti for urinary schistosomiasis and anemia, respectively (p=0.00). Schistosoma infections were found among males (28.7%, p=0.05) and children between the age 9–11 years (30.0%, p=0.01). About 36% of children with anemia was also infected with schistosomiasis. Children who were positive for schistosomiasis (OR:1.51; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.93; p=0.001) and between the age category 15–16 years, (OR:1.86; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.09; p<0.05) were twice likely to become anemic. Our findings have shown that children infected with schistosomiasis are twice likely to become anemic than those without infection. It is important to complement ongoing MDA programmes targeted at schistosomiasis with nutrition intervention programs for example micronutrient supplementation for better impact and cost-effectiveness.

ABSTRACT Governing dual-use research of concern (DURC) in the life sciences has become difficult owing to the diversification of scientific domains, digitalization of potential threats, and the proliferation of actors. This paper proposes three approaches to realize bottom-up governance of DURC from laboratory operation to institutional decision-making levels. First, a technological approach can predict and monitor the dual-use nature of the research target pathogens and their information. Second, an interactive approach is proposed in which diverse stakeholders proactively discuss and examine dual-use issues through research practice. Third, a personnel approach can identify the right persons involved in DURC. These approaches suggest that, going beyond self-governance by researchers, collaborative and networked governance involving diverse actors should become essential. This mode of governance can also be seen in light of the management of research use. Therefore, program design by funding agencies and publication screening by journal publishers continuously contribute to governance at the meso-level. Bottom-up governance may be realized by using an appropriately integrated design of these three approaches at the micro-level, such as dual-use prediction and monitoring, stakeholder dialogue, and background checks. Given that the term ‘open science’ has been promoted to the research community as part of top-down governance, paying due attention on site to research subjects, research practices, and persons involved in research will provide an opportunity to develop a more socially conscious open science.