National long COVID impact and risk factors Baruch, J.; Zahra, C.; Cardona, T. ...
Public health (London),
December 2022, 2022-Dec, 2022-12-00, 20221201, Letnik:
213
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Our objective was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for long COVID symptoms among polymerase chain reaction–confirmed COVID-19 patients (hospitalised and community) in Malta.
This was a ...national cross-sectional survey among COVID-19 patients in Malta during 2020.
Patients were sent a questionnaire 3–6 months after testing positive. Data were analysed descriptively to estimate symptom prevalence, and multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine the risk factors for long COVID symptoms. Age, sex, initial symptoms, hospitalisation, and healthcare worker status were used as risk factors and symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, anxiety, sadness, and memory loss) 2.5 months or more after COVID-19 onset were used as outcomes.
Of 8446 eligible participants, 2665 (31.55%) responded with a median age of 37 years. Initial symptoms were reported in 82% of responders, and 7.73% were hospitalised. Among the long COVID symptoms, fatigue persisted among most non-hospitalised responders, whereas anxiety, shortness of breath, and sadness were the most common symptoms. Female sex, hospitalisation, and initial symptoms were associated with higher odds of fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, anxiety, sadness, and memory loss as long COVID symptoms.
Our study is the first to highlight long COVID symptoms and risk factors in Malta, showing that long COVID is common among hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients. These data should increase awareness of long COVID and facilitate support to those affected nationally.
This article presents and compares coronavirus disease 2019 attack rates for infection, hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death in healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in ...nine European countries from 31st January 2020 to 13th January 2021. Adjusted attack rate ratios in HCWs (compared with non-HCWs) were 3.0 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2–4.0 for infection, 1.8 (95% CI 1.2–2.7) for hospitalization, 1.9 (95% CI 1.1–3.2) for ICU admission and 0.9 (95% CI 0.4–2.0) for death. Among hospitalized cases, the case-fatality ratio was 1.8% in HCWs and 8.2% in non-HCWs. Differences may be due to better/earlier access to treatment, differential underascertainment and the healthy worker effect.
Background In the last few years, Malta has witnessed increasing immigration flows from the Libyan coasts. Public health policies are focused on screening migrants for tuberculosis, whereas no ...systematic actions against STIs are implemented. The aim of this study is to define the epidemiological profile of asylum seekers in Malta as regards syphilis, hepatitis B, C and latent tuberculosis, thus supporting screening policies. Methods Five hundred migrants living in open centres were screened between December 2010 and June 2011. Results 83.2% of people was from Somalia, 81.2% males, average age 26.5 years. The tuberculin skin test (TST) was positive in 225 migrants (45%). Latent syphilis was diagnosed in 11 migrants, hepatitis C in 3 and 31 migrants were HBsAg positive. Conclusion Systematic screening for asymptomatic migrants in Malta is not recommended for hepatitis C and syphilis, given the low prevalence observed. On the contrary, it should be considered for hepatitis B. TST could be indicated as the first step of a two step screening for migrants from countries with high TB incidence. Efficacy and cost-effectiveness could be achieved by further targeting screening to specific subgroups at higher risk of reactivation, such as people living with HIV and subjects affected by chronic diseases.
Salmonella Give is a rare serotype across Europe. In October 2016, a national outbreak of S. Give occurred in Malta. We describe the epidemiological, environmental, microbiological and veterinary ...investigations. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on human, food, environmental and veterinary isolates. Thirty-six human cases were reported between October and November 2016, 10 (28%) of whom required hospitalisation. Twenty-six (72%) cases were linked to four restaurants. S. Give was isolated from ready-to-eat antipasti served by three restaurants which were all supplied by the same local food manufacturer. Food-trace-back investigations identified S. Give in packaged bean dips, ham, pork and an asymptomatic food handler at the manufacturer; inspections found inadequate separation between raw and ready-to-eat food during processing. WGS indicated two genetically distinguishable strains of S. Give with two distinct clusters identified; one cluster linked to the local food manufacturer and a second linked to veterinary samples. Epidemiological, environmental and WGS evidence pointed towards cross-contamination of raw and ready-to-eat foods at the local manufacturer as the likely source of one cluster. Severity of illness indicates a high virulence of this specific serotype. To prevent future cases and outbreaks, adherence to food safety practices at manufacturing level need to be reinforced.
Plant parasitic nematodes (PPN) are important pests of numerous agricultural crops especially vegetables, able to cause remarkable yield losses correlated to soil nematode population densities at ...sowing or transplant. The concern on environmental risks, stemming from the use of chemical pesticides acting as nematicides, compels to their replacement with more sustainable pest control strategies. To verify the effect of aqueous extracts of the agro-industry waste coffee silverskin (CS) and brewers’ spent grain (BSG) on the widespread root-knot nematode
, and on the physiology of tomato plants, a pot experiment was carried out in a glasshouse at 25 ± 2 °C. The possible phytotoxicity of CS and BSG extracts was assessed on garden cress seeds. Tomato plants (landrace of Apulia Region) were transplanted in an artificial nematode infested soil with an initial population density of 3.17 eggs and juveniles/mL soil. CS and BSG were applied at rates of 50 and 100 % (1L/pot). Untreated and Fenamiphos EC 240 (nematicide) (0.01 μL a.i./mL soil) treated plants were used as controls. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and chlorophyll content of tomato plants were estimated during the experiment. CS extract, at both doses, significantly reduced nematode population in comparison to the untreated control, although it was less effective than Fenamiphos. BSG extract did not reduce final nematode population compared to the control. Ten days after the first treatment, CS 100 %, BSG 50 % and BSG 100% elicited the highest ROS values, which considerably affected the growth of tomato plants in comparison to the untreated plants. The control of these pests is meeting with difficulties because of the current national and international regulations in force, which are limiting the use of synthetic nematicides. Therefore, CS extracts could assume economic relevance, as alternative products to be used in sustainable strategies for nematode management.
Lipoxygenase Involvement in Ripening Strawberry Leone, Antonella; Bleve-Zacheo, Teresa; Gerardi, Carmela ...
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry,
09/2006, Letnik:
54, Številka:
18
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The enzymatic activity, subcellular localization, and immunolocalization of plant lipoxygenase (LOX) in strawberry fruits (Fragaria × ananassa, Duch) were investigated. Chemical and enzymatic ...properties of LOX have been characterized, and the LOX capability of oxygenating free and esterified unsaturated fatty acids into C6 volatile aldehydes has been confirmed. Fruits at unripe, turning, and ripe stages were analyzed for LOX activity and protein localization by Western blots, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and immunolocalization analyses. The ability of strawberry tissues to in vivo metabolize linolenic acid or linoleic acid into C6 volatile aldehydes and the LOX products was also analyzed. Analysis of strawberry proteins showed that a number of LOX forms, corresponding to at least two mobility groups of approximately 100 and 98 kDa and pI values ranging between 4.4 and 6.5, were present. Confocal and electron microscopy analyses support the idea that LOX proteins are associated to lipid−protein aggregates. Both exogenously supplied linoleate and linolenate were converted into hexanal and trans-2-hexenal at the three fruit-ripening stages. Our experiments suggest the presence of different LOX isoforms in strawberry fruits and that the lipoxygenase−hydroperoxide lyase pathway plays a role in converting lipids to C6 volatiles during ripening. Keywords: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, Duch); C6 aldehydes; polyunsaturated fatty acids; lipoxygenase (LOX); hydroperoxide lyase (HPL); hydroperoxides (HPO)
Abstract
Issue
In the last 10 years, the migrant population residing in Malta has increased exponentially. The COVID-19 epidemic impacted disproportionally migrants which are often in disadvantaged ...positions due to the lower socioeconomic status, communication barriers and lower education levels.
Description of the Problem
During the COVID-19 epidemic migrants were particularly affected due to multiple factors including communication barriers, restriction measures imposed, loss of employment, challenges accessing the healthcare system, travel ban and mental health issues. Ports were closed preventing disembarkation of migrant boats and asylum request applications were put on hold.
Results
As of the 16th of June, a total of 30.2% (n = 198) confirmed COVID-19 cases were migrants. A strategy to support migrants was designed and implemented. The COVID-19 outbreak in a migrant centre resulted in all the 800 residents being placed in lock-down for 38 days (5th April till 13th May) and a total of 50 COVID-19 cases. Migrant boats that arrived before ports were closed were placed under quarantine. Migrants reported difficulties seeking healthcare, using the helpline, and higher exposure risk due to overcrowded living conditions.
Lessons
Migrants faced additional challenges due to the impact of the pandemic. The public health response measures implemented for the general population were not always feasible or accessible for the migrant population including hygiene recommendations, access to testing, isolation and quarantine and access to accurate scientific information. The mental health impact of COVID-19 among migrant populations was enhanced due to loneliness, lack of communication with their families and financial instability. Challenges accessing the healthcare system, understanding the restriction measures and the evolving public health recommendations were highlighted. Future strategies to control epidemics should always include specific plans to support migrant populations.
Key messages
The public health strategy must incorporate specific plans to support migrants in order to control and reduce the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Transdisciplinary policy needs to be developed considering the ethical, socio-economical, psychological and human right aspects of the migrant population.
The increasing incidence of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in healthcare settings in Europe since 2003 has affected both patients and healthcare systems. The implementation of effective CDI ...surveillance is key to enable monitoring of the occurrence and spread of C. difficile in healthcare and the timely detection of outbreaks.
The aim of this review is to provide a summary of key components of effective CDI surveillance and to provide some practical recommendations. We also summarize the recent and current national CDI surveillance activities, to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of CDI surveillance in Europe.
For the definition of key components of CDI surveillance, we consulted the current European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) CDI-related guidance documents and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) protocol for CDI surveillance in acute care hospitals. To summarize the recent and current national CDI surveillance activities, we discussed international multicentre CDI surveillance studies performed in 2005–13. In 2017, we also performed a new survey of existing CDI surveillance systems in 33 European countries.
Key components for CDI surveillance are appropriate case definitions of CDI, standardized CDI diagnostics, agreement on CDI case origin definition, and the presentation of CDI rates with well-defined numerators and denominators. Incorporation of microbiological data is required to provide information on prevailing PCR ribotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility to first-line CDI treatment drugs. In 2017, 20 European countries had a national CDI surveillance system and 21 countries participated in ECDC-coordinated CDI surveillance. Since 2014, the number of centres with capacity for C. difficile typing has increased to 35 reference or central laboratories in 26 European countries.
Incidence rates of CDI, obtained from a standardized CDI surveillance system, can be used as an important quality indicator of healthcare at hospital as well as country level.
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