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A review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines and economic impact of human monkeypox (Mpox) outbreaks

1Musa-Booth, T. O., 2Medugu, N., *2Adegboro, B., and 3Babazhitsu, M.

11928 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, Maryland 21207, United States of America

2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria

3Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: boazadegboro@gmail.com; boaz.adegboro@nileuniversity.edu.ng

Abstract:

The current monkeypox outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern and is coming in the wake of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Human monkeypox is a viral zoonotic infection caused by monkeypox virus, an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus and family Poxviridae that also contain smallpox, cowpox, Orf, and vaccinia viruses. Online databases including PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science were searched to obtain relevant publications on the epidemiology, treatment, vaccines and the economic impacts of the current monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak. Continue reading “A review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, vaccines and economic impact of human monkeypox (Mpox) outbreaks”

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Indentifying and modeling the distribution of cryptic reservoirs of Ebola virus using artificial intelligence

T.M. Kollars Jr., C. Senessie, G. Sunderland

 

Abstract

Fruit bats (Megachiroptera) have been found to be the principal reservoirs  of Ebola virus (EBOV) to humans. However, bats do not appear to be the primary reservoir in the environment and between outbreaks. The cryptic reservoir species of EBOV and its distribution have not been identified. The purpose of the study was to identify the most likely cryptic reservoir species of EBOV and the probable distribution of cryptic reservoir species where  EBOV could be maintained in Sierra Leone. The Bioagent Transport and Environmental Modeling System (BioTEMS) was used to analyze mammals, arthropods, plants and protists in order to identify the most likely species to be the cryptic reservoir for EBOV. ArcGIS and BioTEMS were used to  determine the probable distribution of cryptic reservoir species. BioTEMS identified free-living pathogenic amoebae (FLPA) as the probable cryptic reservoir species (Test Performance = 93.3). Diptera in the order Chrysops were also identified as possible secondary reservoirs and mechanical vectors of EBOV. Distribution of likely hot spots for FLPA and  phytotelmata/tree-holes were identified in several regions of Sierra Leone, primarily in the southeast and are similar to those predicted by other  authors, but at a much higher resolution (15 m for BioTEMS verses up to 5 km in other studies). Water-filled cavities (phytotelmata), specifically  tree-holes, were identified as the most likely sites for the cycle of  transmission to occur among FLPA and susceptible secondary reservoirs. Free-living pathogenic amoebae are not only pathogenic to humans and animals but they serve as reservoirs and Trojan horses of infection as well. Identifying what and where cryptic reservoirs of EBOV persist between  outbreaks provides an opportunity for the first time to conduct  environmental epidemiologic surveillance to mitigate outbreaks and to test anti-microbial delivery systems such as the ProVector® to reduce EBOV
and FLPA.

Keywords: Filovirus, Amoeba, Epidemiology, Machine Learning, Vector, Disaster Management

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Indentifying and modeling the distribution of cryptic reservoirs of Ebola virus using artificial intelligence

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Epidemiological Significance of the Colonization of Streptococcus Agalactiae in the Anorectum and Endocervix of Non-Parturients in Jos, Nigeria

DS Nsagha, HLF Kamga, JCN Assob, AL Njunda, CSS Bello, YT Kandakai-Olukemi

 

Abstract

Knowledge of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage and infections in Africa is very scanty but few cases have been reported in Nigeria in particular. Streptococcus agalactiae has been reported to cause infections and diseases in non-parturients and adults ranging from bacteremia, osteomylitis, arthritis, and endocarditis to breast abscess among others, hence the necessity for this study. Fifty six non-pregnant women of different age groups and social status were screened for GBS in Plateau State Specialist Hospital using the Christie, Atkins and Munch-Petersen (CAMP) and hippurate hydrolysis tests. Two (3.6 %) of the 56 women were positive for GBS. The 2 isolates were all from the anorectum. The endocervix yielded no culture. The antibiogram showed that ampicillin is the drug of choice with all isolates (100%) sensitive to the drug. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the patients and GBS carriage (P>0.05). This survey shows a much lower carriage proportion than that reported in Ibadan, Nigeria from non-parturients.

Key words: Streptococcus agalactiae, epidemiology, anorectum, endocervix, non-parturients

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Epidemiological Significance of the Colonization of Streptococcus Agalactiae in the Anorectum and Endocervix of Non-Parturients in Jos, Nigeria

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Campylobacter Spp. Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in a Developing Country, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

L Sangaré, AK Nikiéma, S Zimmermann, I Sanou, M Congo-Ouédraogo, A Diabaté, S Diandé, PI Guissou

 

Abstract

Data on campylobacteriosis are almost nonexistent in Burkina Faso. In this study conducted from 2006 to 2008 in Ouagadougou, stool specimens and sociodemographic data were collected from 1 246 patients attending the university teaching hospital for enteritis. Stool samples were analyzed for the presence of Campylobacter by the direct culture method on selective mCCDA agar followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing on the isolated strains. The isolation rate of Campylobacter was 2.3%,comprising of the following species C. jejuni (51.8%), C. coli(13.8%), and C. upsaliensis (3.5%). However, 30.9% of the isolates were unidentified. No resistant strain was found to gentamicin. The resistance to amoxicillin+clavulanic acid (3.4%) was lower than those (10.3-34.5%) to the other antibiotics: erythromycin (10.3%), tetracycline (10.3%), ciprofloxacin (13.8%), amoxicillin (24.1%) and ceftriaxone (34.5%), nalidixic acid (34.5%). Significant associations were found betweenCampylobacter enteritis and contact with animals (P=0.03), and HIV infection (P<0.0001), in contrast to other sociodemographic and seasonal factors. From the data obtained Amoxicillin+clavulanic acid appear to be the first choice for treatment. The implementation of a national program may be helpful in controlling the spread of the disease and the increase of resistance to antibiotics.

Keywords: Campylobacter, epidemiology, HIV, drug resistance, Burkina Faso

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Campylobacter Spp. Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in a Developing Country, Burkina Faso (West Africa)

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Review Article: Epidemiology of Malaria in Africa

TM Akande, IO Musa

 

Abstract

Malaria is a life threatening parasitic disease transmitted by female anopheles mosquitoes. There are four types of human parasites; Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae, P ovale and P. falciparum. P. falciparum and P. vivax are the most common and P. falciparum, the most deadly type of infection, is most common in sub-Saharan Africa. A large number of environmental factors affect the distribution, seasonality and transmission intensity of malaria. Rainfall provides breeding sites for mosquitoes and increases the humidity, which enhances their survival. While malaria is largely endemic in Africa, varying proportion of countries in the continent are at risk of endemic malaria. Today, approximately 40% of the world population, mostly those living in the world’s poorest countries, is at risk of malaria. This is mostly in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. There are at least 300 million acute cases of malaria each year globally resulting in more than a million deaths, around 90% of these occur in Africa, mostly young children. In areas of stable malaria transmission, very young children and pregnant women are the population at highest risk for malaria morbidity and mortality. The populations most at risk of epidemics are those living in highlands, arid and desert-fringe zones and those living in areas where successful control measures have not been consolidated or maintained.
Key words: Epidemiology, Malaria, Africa

Afr. J. Clin. Exper. Microbiol. 2005; 6(2): 107 – 111

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EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

O Ariyo, LK Olofintoye, RA Adeleke, O Famurewa

 

Abstract

The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection was investigated among primary school pupils in Ekiti State by questionnaire survey in 601 schools between 1997 and 1998. A total of 9,551 (24.4%) were positive by the survey. 3483 (22.4%) of the girls and 6,069 (25.7%) of the boys were infected. The prevalence of this infection between girls and boys shows a significant difference (x215 = 59.5; p<0.05). Ekiti South West local government had the highest prevalence of S. haematobium infection of 69.0% while Ikole local government had the lowest prevalence of infection of 2.0%. Out of 1,049 pupils with clinical and laboratory examination, 280 (50.9%) of the 550 boys and 184 (36.9%) of the 499 girls were infected. Chi-square analysis shows a significant difference of S. haematobium infection between the girls and boys (X211 = 86.2; p<0.05). Chi square analysis also showed that questionnaire survey could be used to predict the laboratory epidemiological data (X21= 3.84; p<0.05).

Key Words: Schistosomiasis, Epidemiology, Infection, Bulinus globosus

African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 20-29

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