Pulmonary infections in the returning traveler Norman, Francesca F; Gonzalez-Sanz, Marta
Current opinion in pulmonary medicine,
2024-May-01, 2024-05-00, 20240501, Letnik:
30, Številka:
3
Journal Article
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has shaped the epidemiology of other infectious diseases globally. International tourist arrivals are increasing and recovering to prepandemic levels. This review focuses ...on respiratory infections in travelers, highlighting the characteristics of the main imported viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections with pulmonary involvement.
A recent systematic review estimated a prevalence of respiratory symptoms in travelers of around 35%, increasing to nearly 65% in the context of mass gatherings. Common viral and bacterial pathogens account for the majority of respiratory infections with an identified cause; however, recent data focus on the need for surveillance of emerging infections such as MERS-CoV, henipaviruses and multidrug resistant bacteria, which may be spread through travel. Fungal and parasitic respiratory infections are less common, and acquisition is usually associated with specific risk factors or exposure in endemic areas. Special risk groups, such as immunocompromised travelers, may be particularly vulnerable, presenting with severe disease or reactivation of latent infections.
The next significant international epidemic could involve another new infectious agent causing respiratory disease and spreading via mobile populations. Official protocols should be adhered to, and public health interventions implemented for effective control. Continued and globally coordinated investments in research for new vaccines, therapeutic agents, disease modeling, and digital tracking strategies are essential.
Visceral leishmaniasis is hypoendemic in Mediterranean countries, where it is caused by the flagellate protozoan Leishmania infantum. VL cases in this area account for 5%-6% of the global burden. ...Cases of Leishmania/HIV coinfection have been reported in the Mediterranean region, mainly in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Since highly active antiretroviral therapy was introduced in 1997, a marked decrease in the number of coinfected cases in this region has been reported. The development of new diagnostic methods to accurately identify level of parasitemia and the risk of relapse is one of the main challenges in improving the treatment of coinfected patients. Clinical trials in the Mediterranean region are needed to determine the most adequate therapeutic options for Leishmania/HIV patients as well as the indications and regimes for secondary prophylaxis. This article reviews the epidemiological, diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of Leishmania/HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Purpose of Review
The objective of this review was to provide an update on recent malaria epidemiology, both globally and in non-endemic areas, to identify the current distribution and repercussions ...of genetically diverse Plasmodium species and summarize recently implemented intervention and prevention tools.
Recent Findings
Notable changes in malaria epidemiology have occurred in recent years, with an increase in the number of total cases and deaths globally during 2020–2021, in part attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergence of artemisinin-resistant species in new areas and the expanding distribution of parasites harbouring deletions of the pfhrp2/3 genes have been concerning. New strategies to curb the burden of this infection, such as vaccination, have been implemented in certain endemic areas and their performance is currently being evaluated.
Summary
Inadequate control of malaria in endemic regions may have an effect on imported malaria and measures to prevent re-establishment of transmission in malaria-free areas are essential. Enhanced surveillance and investigation of Plasmodium spp. genetic variations will contribute to the successful diagnosis and treatment of malaria in future. Novel strategies for an integrated One Health approach to malaria control should also be strengthened.
Old and new challenges in Chagas disease Pérez-Molina, Jose A, Dr; Perez, Angela Martinez, MD; Norman, Francesca F, MBBS ...
The Lancet infectious diseases,
11/2015, Letnik:
15, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Summary Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi , is a neglected disease, which can lead to cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, megaviscera, and more rarely, polyneuropathy in up to 30–40% ...of patients around 20 to 30 years after acute infection. Although it is endemic in the Americas, global population movements mean that it can be located wherever migrants from endemic areas settle. The disease was first described 100 years ago and still challenges clinicians worldwide, since diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic methods remain insufficient. Furthermore, factors such as HIV co-infection, immunosuppressive drugs, transplantation, and neoplastic disease can alter the natural course of the infection. We present the case of a Bolivian woman with chronic T cruzi infection diagnosed at our clinic in Madrid, Spain, who subsequently developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Our report illustrates the challenges of an increasingly common infection seen in non-endemic countries, and highlights both daily management dilemmas and associated difficulties that arise.
Transmission routes of Mycobacterium ulcerans to humans are not clear, but the predominance of long-term travellers and migrants in imported cases reflect possible prolonged exposures to specific ...factors in rural environments. Buruli ulcer should always be considered in cases of non-healing ulcers, even if other infectious agents are identified initially.
Abstract
Background
Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, may be considered a neglected tropical disease that remains underdiagnosed in many geographical areas. Travellers can act as the ...sentinels of disease activity, and data from imported cases may help complete the global map of melioidosis.
Methods
A literature search for imported melioidosis for the period 2016–22 was performed in PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results
In total, 137 reports of melioidosis associated with travel were identified. The majority were males (71%) and associated with exposure in Asia (77%) (mainly Thailand, 41%, and India, 9%). A minority acquired the infection in the Americas–Caribbean area (6%), Africa (5%) and Oceania (2%). The most frequent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus (25%) followed by underlying pulmonary, liver or renal disease (8, 5 and 3%, respectively). Alcohol/tobacco use were noted for seven and six patients, respectively (5%). Five patients (4%) had associated non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related immunosuppression, and three patients (2%) had HIV infection. One patient (0.8%) had concomitant coronavirus disease 19. A proportion (27%) had no underlying diseases. The most frequent clinical presentations included pneumonia (35%), sepsis (30%) and skin/soft tissue infections (14%). Most developed symptoms <1 week after return (55%), and 29% developed symptoms >12 weeks after. Ceftazidime and meropenem were the main treatments used during the intensive intravenous phase (52 and 41% of patients, respectively) and the majority (82%) received co-trimoxazole alone/combination, for the eradication phase. Most patients had a favourable outcome/survived (87%). The search also retrieved cases in imported animals or cases secondary to imported commercial products.
Conclusions
As post-pandemic travel soars, health professionals should be aware of the possibility of imported melioidosis with its diverse presentations. Currently, no licensed vaccine is available, so prevention in travellers should focus on protective measures (avoiding contact with soil/stagnant water in endemic areas). Biological samples from suspected cases require processing in biosafety level 3 facilities.
COVID-19 and geographical area of origin Norman, Francesca F.; Crespillo-Andújar, Clara; Pérez-Molina, José Antonio ...
Clinical microbiology and infection,
04/2021, Letnik:
27, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
To describe and compare the main clinical characteristics and outcome measures in hospitalized patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) according to geographical area of origin.
A ...retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 at a referral centre in Madrid, Spain, during March–May 2020 was performed. Recorded variables (age, gender, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, outcome), and geographical area of origin were compared for Europeans and non-Europeans (Latin Americans, Asians and Africans).
In total, 2345 patients with confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized during the study period were included in the study. Of these, 1956 (83.4%) were European and 389 (16.6%) were non-European (of whom over 90%, 354/389, were Latin American). Non-Europeans were significantly younger than Europeans (mean 54 (SD 13.5) versus 70.4 (SD 15.1) years, p < 0.001); the majority were male (1420/2345, 60.6%), with no significant differences in gender between Europeans and non-Europeans (1197/1956 (61.2%) male in the European group versus 223/389 (57.3%) male in the non-European group, p 0.15). In-hospital mortality overall was higher in Europeans (443/1956, 22.7%) than in non-Europeans (40/389, 10.3%) (p < 0.001), but there were no significant differences when adjusted for age/gender (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.86–1.88). Non-Europeans were more frequently admitted to ICU (71/389, 18.3%) compared with Europeans (187/1956, 9.6%) (p < 0.001) and a difference in ICU admission rate was also found when adjusted for age/gender (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03–1.98).
No significant differences in mortality were observed between Europeans and non-Europeans (mainly Latin Americans), but an increase in ICU admission rate was found in non-Europeans.
Chikungunya is an important travel-related disease because of its rapid geographical expansion and potential for prolonged morbidity. Improved understanding of the epidemiology of travel-related ...chikungunya infections may influence prevention strategies including education and vaccination.
We analysed data from travellers with confirmed or probable chikungunya reported to GeoSentinel sites from 2005 to 2020. Confirmed chikungunya was defined as a compatible clinical history plus either virus isolation, positive nucleic acid test or seroconversion/rising titre in paired sera. Probable chikungunya was defined as a compatible clinical history with a single positive serology result.
1202 travellers (896 confirmed and 306 probable) with chikungunya were included. The median age was 43 years (range 0-91; interquartile range IQR: 31-55); 707 (58.8%) travellers were female. Most infections were acquired in the Caribbean (28.8%), Southeast Asia (22.8%), South Central Asia (14.2%) and South America (14.2%). The highest numbers of chikungunya cases reported to GeoSentinel were in 2014 (28.3%), 2015 (14.3%) and 2019 (11.9%). The most frequent reasons for travel were tourism (n = 592; 49.3%) and visiting friends or relatives (n = 334; 27.7%). The median time to presentation to a GeoSentinel site was 23 days (IQR: 7-52) after symptom onset. In travellers with confirmed chikungunya and no other reported illnesses, the most frequently reported symptoms included musculoskeletal symptoms (98.8%), fever/chills/sweats (68.7%) and dermatologic symptoms (35.5%). Among 917 travellers with information available, 296 (32.3%) had a pretravel consultation.
Chikungunya was acquired by international travellers in almost 100 destinations globally. Vector precautions and vaccination where recommended should be integrated into pretravel visits for travellers going to areas with chikungunya or areas with the potential for transmission. Continued surveillance of travel-related chikungunya may help public health officials and clinicians limit the transmission of this potentially debilitating disease by defining regions where protective measures (e.g. pretravel vaccination) should be strongly considered.
Abstract
Background
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a protozoan infectious disease endemic throughout most of the Americas, caused by the trypanosome, Trypanosoma cruzi, and mainly ...transmitted to humans by reduviid or kissing bugs. Some progress has been achieved in control of the disease mainly in endemic areas, but migration flows have acted as drivers for the emergence of the disease mainly in non-endemic areas of Europe and North America. Most imported cases of Chagas disease in Europe are reported in migrants from highly endemic areas of countries such as Bolivia and Paraguay, and reports of Chagas disease in travellers are extremely rare.
Methods
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently updated their guidelines on the diagnosis and management of Chagas. These guidelines and their applicability to migrants and travellers are reviewed.
Results
PAHO recommends the use of two serological tests for diagnosis of chronic infection (allowing for the use of a single sensitive test followed by confirmation in special settings such as the screening of potential blood donors). The indication for specific trypanocidal treatment of acute infections, children and women of child-bearing age remains as before, with either benznidazole or nifurtimox being the treatment of choice. For chronic infection with/without organ damage, treatment recommendations are less well defined. Although treatment is generally not recommended in patients with visceral involvement, decisions regarding treatment need to be tailored to the individual. Either benznidazole or nifurtimox may be used for initial treatment.
Conclusions
The recent PAHO Guidelines provide a framework to aid the diagnosis and management of this infection, but several aspects such as the underdiagnosis of infections, the multidisciplinary approach to patient management, the investigation of novel biomarkers of disease progression/response to treatment and the development of new treatment strategies are areas which should be further strengthened.
Chagas disease (infection by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi) is a major parasitic disease of the Americas and one of the main neglected tropical diseases. Although various routes of transmission sre ...recognized, the risk for transmission of the infection through breast-feeding has not clearly been established. We reviewed the literature on transmission of T. cruzi through breast-feeding to provide breast-feeding mothers with Chagas disease with medical guidance. Although data from animal studies and human studies are scarce, we do not recommend that mothers with Chagas disease discontinue breast-feeding, unless they are experiencing the acute phase of the disease, reactivated disease resulting from immunosuppression, or bleeding nipples. In these cases, thermal treatment of milk before feeding the infant may be considered.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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