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Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2024Trichostasis spinulosa is a disorder of hair follicles characterized by the retention of vellus telogen club hair, leading to the formation of comedo-like lesions. It...
Trichostasis spinulosa is a disorder of hair follicles characterized by the retention of vellus telogen club hair, leading to the formation of comedo-like lesions. It usually presents over the face and is frequently asymptomatic. We report a 53-year-old female who presented with multiple itchy, discrete, bluish-black, 2-3 mm comedo-like follicular papules and pustules on her breast and lower abdomen for the past 2 years. dermoscopy showed keratotic plugs with a tuft of hair. Extraction dermoscopy yielded a cystic structure filled with keratin and multiple vellus telogen club hairs. Histology showed a cyst lined by squamous epithelium containing abundant laminated keratinous debris and a vellus hair shaft. Truncal or breast involvement, as seen in the present case, is relatively rare, and can be pruritic, causing significant morbidity due to itching and secondary bacterial infections. Dermoscopy, especially extraction dermoscopy, can show diagnostic features and obviate the need for abiopsy.
PubMed: 38845642
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_544_23 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Jun 2024Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, usually manifests as meningitis or septicemia and can be severe and...
Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), caused by infection with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, usually manifests as meningitis or septicemia and can be severe and life-threatening (1). Six serogroups (A, B, C, W, X, and Y) account for most cases (2). N. meningitidis is transmitted person-to-person via respiratory droplets and oropharyngeal secretions. Asymptomatic persons can carry N. meningitidis and transmit the bacteria to others, potentially causing illness among susceptible persons. Outbreaks can occur in conjunction with large gatherings (3,4). Vaccines are available to prevent meningococcal disease. Antibiotic prophylaxis for close contacts of infected persons is critical to preventing secondary cases (2).
Topics: Humans; Meningococcal Infections; United States; France; Saudi Arabia; Young Adult; Adult; Adolescent; Male; Female; Neisseria meningitidis; Child; Child, Preschool; United Kingdom; Middle Aged; Infant; Aged; Travel-Related Illness; Disease Outbreaks; Travel
PubMed: 38843099
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7322e1 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Recent studies indicate that human spleen contains over 95% of the total parasite biomass during chronic asymptomatic infections caused by . Previous studies have...
Recent studies indicate that human spleen contains over 95% of the total parasite biomass during chronic asymptomatic infections caused by . Previous studies have demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from infected reticulocytes facilitate binding to human spleen fibroblasts (hSFs) and identified parasite genes whose expression was dependent on an intact spleen. Here, we characterize the spleen-dependent hypothetical gene (PVX_114580). Using CRISPR/Cas9, PVX_114580 was integrated into 3D7 genome and expressed during asexual stages. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the protein, which we named (PvSDP1), was located at the surface of infected red blood cells in the transgenic line and this localization was later confirmed in natural infections. Plasma-derived EVs from -infected individuals (PvEVs) significantly increased cytoadherence of 3D7_PvSDP1 transgenic line to hSFs and this binding was inhibited by anti-PvSDP1 antibodies. Single-cell RNAseq of PvEVs-treated hSFs revealed increased expression of adhesion-related genes. These findings demonstrate the importance of parasite spleen-dependent genes and EVs from natural infections in the formation of intrasplenic niches in , a major challenge for malaria elimination.
Topics: Extracellular Vesicles; Plasmodium vivax; Humans; Spleen; Malaria, Vivax; Protozoan Proteins; Erythrocytes; Fibroblasts; Plasmodium falciparum; Cell Adhesion; Host-Parasite Interactions
PubMed: 38828264
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1408451 -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Aug 2024Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under...
Intestinal protozoa, which can be asymptomatic or cause diarrhea, dysentery and even death, are among the main agents that affect nonhuman primates (NHPs) kept under human care. Nevertheless, information on the molecular and morphometric profiles of parabasilids in the Neotropics is still scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to isolate the Parabasalia protozoa detected in the feces of NHPs and their keepers in Pavlova and TYSGM9 media and to characterize the isolates by molecular biology and morphometry. Fecal samples from NHPs from five Brazilian institutions were analyzed. Direct examination was performed immediately after obtaining the samples. A total of 511 fecal samples from NHPs were collected, and 10.6% contained parabasilids. Regarding the handlers, of the 74 samples analyzed, three were positive. In vitro-generated parabasilid isolates were successfully obtained from all positive samples, as identified via microscopy. Isolates of the parasite were obtained both from New World NHPs, including the genera , , , , , , and and from the Old World primate . Forty-nine NHP isolates were molecularly identified: (16), (14), (13) and (6). The human isolates were identified as sp. (2) and (1). Visualization and morphometric analysis revealed trophozoites with piriform or rounded shapes that presented variable measurements. The isolates previously characterized as had up to five free flagella, while and sp. had up to four free flagella, and had a maximum of three free flagella. These morphometric characteristics corroborated the molecular identification. In general, a variety of parabasilids were observed to infect NHPs, and was isolated from biological samples from both NHPs and their keepers, a finding that reinforces the susceptibility of these hosts to infections by parabasilids in Brazil.
PubMed: 38827824
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100946 -
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary... Apr 2024Irrespective of the availability of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and its success rate in adults, administering vaccines to children remains a challenge for...
BACKGROUND
Irrespective of the availability of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and its success rate in adults, administering vaccines to children remains a challenge for healthcare workers. Children's vaccine hesitancy among parents remains substantial and is exacerbated due to misleading information. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the hesitancy of parents and their concern about the vaccination and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in their children.
METHODS
A cross-sectional web-based and offline survey comprised of questions about the demographic of children, the status of COVID-19 infection, its severity, vaccination status, sources of information, willingness, concerns and attitude of parents to vaccinate their children against the COVID-19 virus, was conducted. Overall, 846 responses from parents fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analysed by GraphPad Prism 5.
RESULTS
Out of the 846 responses, 51.2% (n = 433) of children were vaccinated against COVID-19. Out of vaccinated children (51.2%), 60.3% (n = 261) had experienced adverse events. Around 21% (n = 98) of children had a history of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Among the infected children, 14.3% were asymptomatic and 85.7% had symptoms. Approximately 8% of children had comorbidities, with chronic lung diseases and asthma being the most common. Among the 846 participating parents, 59.5% were mothers and the remaining 40.5% were fathers. A total of 2.7% and 22.2% of parents were found hesitant to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to their children aged 15-18 years and below 15 years, respectively. Among hesitant parents, mothers were found slightly more hesitant as compared to fathers. Also, 35.5% of parents were found hesitant about their own COVID-19 vaccination. Furthermore, the concern for COVID-19 vaccine unwillingness among parents is that a child has already achieved natural immunity after COVID-19 infections (76.8%) followed by vaccine safety and its side effects. The motivating factors to convince parents for their children's COVID-19 vaccination were if their doctors recommend it, followed by detailed information on vaccine side effects and efficacy in children. The most trusted source of information for the parents was found to be the healthcare workers.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that data and reviews regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine readily available in the public domain could serve as a highly effective strategy for promoting and implementing widespread vaccination among children. By providing easily accessible and comprehensive information, public health authorities can address parental concerns, dispel misconceptions and foster a greater sense of trust in the vaccination process.
PubMed: 38827713
DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1485_23 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2024Despite its popularity for water activities, such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and rafting, inland and coastal bathing areas occasionally experience outbreaks of... (Review)
Review
Despite its popularity for water activities, such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and rafting, inland and coastal bathing areas occasionally experience outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI), including A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b. Asymptomatic infections and symptomatic outbreaks often impact many aquatic birds, which increase chances of spill-over events to mammals and pose concerns for public health. This review examined the existing literature to assess avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission risks to beachgoers and the general population. A comprehensive understanding of factors governing such crossing of the AIV host range is currently lacking. There is limited knowledge on key factors affecting risk, such as species-specific interactions with host cells (including binding, entry, and replication via viral proteins hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, nucleoprotein, and polymerase basic protein 2), overcoming host restrictions, and innate immune response. AIV efficiently transmits between birds and to some extent between marine scavenger mammals in aquatic environments via consumption of infected birds. However, the current literature lacks evidence of zoonotic AIV transmission via contact with the aquatic environment or consumption of contaminated water. The zoonotic transmission risk of the circulating A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus to the general population and beachgoers is currently low. Nevertheless, it is recommended to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and to refrain from bathing in locations where mass bird mortalities are reported. Increasing reports of AIVs spilling over to non-human mammals have raised valid concerns about possible virus mutations that lead to crossing the species barrier and subsequent risk of human infections and outbreaks.
Topics: Humans; Influenza in Birds; Animals; Influenza, Human; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype; Disease Outbreaks; Birds; Environmental Monitoring; Bathing Beaches; One Health
PubMed: 38825193
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173692 -
Antiviral Research Jul 2024Hepatitis E is an underestimated disease, leading to estimated 20 million infections and up to 70,000 deaths annually. Infections are mostly asymptomatic, but can reach...
Hepatitis E is an underestimated disease, leading to estimated 20 million infections and up to 70,000 deaths annually. Infections are mostly asymptomatic, but can reach mortality rates up to 25% in pregnant women or become chronic in immunocompromised patients. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection have been associated with a range of extrahepatic manifestations, including a spectrum of neurological symptoms. Current therapy options are limited to non-specific antivirals like ribavirin, but recently, repurposed viral polymerase inhibitors like sofosbuvir and NITD008 were described to inhibit HEV replication. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of these drugs in various neuronal-derived cell lines to determine their potency outside the liver. Our findings indicate that both drugs, especially sofosbuvir, exhibited reduced efficacy in neuronal cells compared to hepatic cells. These results should be taken into account in the development of direct-acting antivirals for HEV and their potency at extrahepatic replication sites.
Topics: Sofosbuvir; Antiviral Agents; Humans; Hepatitis E virus; Virus Replication; Neurons; Cell Line; Hepatitis E; Adenosine
PubMed: 38825018
DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.105922 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Jul 2024Current clinical care for common bacterial STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG)) involves empiric antimicrobial...
BACKGROUND
Current clinical care for common bacterial STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG)) involves empiric antimicrobial therapy when clients are symptomatic, or if asymptomatic, waiting for laboratory testing and recall if indicated. Near-to-patient testing (NPT) can improve pathogen-specific prescribing and reduce unnecessary or inappropriate antibiotic use in treating sexually transmitted infections (STI) by providing same-day delivery of results and treatment.
METHODS
We compared the economic cost of NPT to current clinic practice for managing clients with suspected proctitis, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU), or as an STI contact, from a health provider's perspective. With a microsimulation of 1000 clients, we calculated the cost per client tested and per STI- and pathogen- detected for each testing strategy. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the main outcomes. Costs are reported as Australian dollars (2023).
RESULTS
In the standard care arm, cost per client tested for proctitis, NGU in men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men were the highest at $247.96 (95% Prediction Interval (PI): 246.77-249.15), $204.23 (95% PI: 202.70-205.75) and $195.01 (95% PI: 193.81-196.21) respectively. Comparatively, in the NPT arm, it costs $162.36 (95% PI: 161.43-163.28), $158.39 (95% PI: 157.62-159.15) and $149.17 (95% PI: 148.62-149.73), respectively. Using NPT resulted in cost savings of 34.52%, 22.45% and 23.51%, respectively. Among all the testing strategies, substantial difference in cost per client tested between the standard care arm and the NPT arm was observed for contacts of CT or NG, varying from 27.37% to 35.28%.
CONCLUSION
We found that NPT is cost-saving compared with standard clinical care for individuals with STI symptoms and sexual contacts of CT, NG, and MG.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Gonorrhea; Australia; Adult; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Mycoplasma genitalium; Mass Screening; Mycoplasma Infections; Urethritis
PubMed: 38824739
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.05.004