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â¢The use of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) as disinfectants has increased exponentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.â¢There is, thus, a corresponding increase in human exposure to these compounds.â¢New studies reveal important human health concerns.â¢A re-evaluation of the use of these compounds is in order.â¢A change over to newer and safer products may bode well for the future.
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BACKGROUND: Social media may provide a tool, when coupled with a patient-included™ conference, to enhance the engagement among the general public. We describe authors and potential readers of Twitter content surrounding a patient-included™ scientific congress, the International Consortium for Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) 2019. METHODS: Retrospective observational analysis of Twitter users posting with the #ICPIC2019 hashtag during the conference. Tweet authors, overall followers, and active followers were categorized according to their Twitter biographies using unsupervised learning. Diversity of professional backgrounds of Tweet authors and their followers was explored. Network analysis explored connectedness between the reach of authors. RESULTS: In total, 1264 participants attended ICPIC 2019, of which 28 were patients. From September 7 to 16, 2019, we were able to categorize 235'620 (41%) followers linked to 474 (76%) authors. Among authors and followers, respectively 34% and 14% were healthcare workers, 11% and 15% were from industry representatives, 8% and 7% were academic researchers. On average, 23% (range 9-39%) followers belonged to the same categories as authors. Among all followers categorized, only 582/235 620 (0.25%) interacted with original messages, including healthcare workers (37%), global and public health (12%), academic research (11%) and those from industry (11%). Though the similarity between Tweet authors and followers was supported by network analysis, we also observed that non-healthcare workers (including patients) appeared to have more diverse followers. CONCLUSIONS: We observed the participation of numerous Tweet authors and followers from diverse professional backgrounds potentially supporting the benefit of including patients in conferences to reach a more general, non-specialized public.
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Congresos como Asunto , Control de Infecciones , Medios de Comunicación Sociales , Humanos , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
One of the most perplexing questions regarding the current COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic is the discrepancy between the severity of cases observed in the Hubei province of China and those occurring elsewhere in the world. One possible answer is antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) of SARS-CoV-2 due to prior exposure to other coronaviruses. ADE modulates the immune response and can elicit sustained inflammation, lymphopenia, and/or cytokine storm, one or all of which have been documented in severe cases and deaths. ADE also requires prior exposure to similar antigenic epitopes, presumably circulating in local viruses, making it a possible explanation for the observed geographic limitation of severe cases and deaths.
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Acrecentamiento Dependiente de Anticuerpo , Betacoronavirus/inmunología , Betacoronavirus/patogenicidad , Infecciones por Coronavirus/patología , Neumonía Viral/patología , COVID-19 , China/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/mortalidad , Geografía Médica , Humanos , Pandemias , Neumonía Viral/mortalidad , SARS-CoV-2Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/prevención & control , Enterovirus Humano D/inmunología , Infecciones por Enterovirus/prevención & control , Sarampión/prevención & control , Mielitis/prevención & control , Enfermedades Neuromusculares/prevención & control , Vacunas Virales/uso terapéutico , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/epidemiología , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/terapia , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/transmisión , Desarrollo de Medicamentos , Infecciones por Enterovirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Enterovirus/terapia , Infecciones por Enterovirus/transmisión , Humanos , Sarampión/epidemiología , Sarampión/terapia , Sarampión/transmisión , Mielitis/epidemiología , Mielitis/terapia , Enfermedades Neuromusculares/epidemiología , Enfermedades Neuromusculares/terapiaRESUMEN
Not all infectious disease outbreaks undergo full epidemiological investigations. In certain situations, the resultant lack of knowledge has led to the development of epidemics and public health emergencies. This review will examine six emerging pathogens including their history, present status, and potential to expand to epidemics. Recommendations to improve our understanding of these hidden outbreaks and others also will be provided in the context of health systems policy.
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Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Epidemias/prevención & control , Salud Pública/normas , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/prevención & control , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/transmisión , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Urgencias Médicas , Humanos , Vigilancia de la Población , Salud Pública/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud Pública/tendencias , Medición de RiesgoRESUMEN
For effective science communication, three general objectives should be taken into consideration: 1) accurate conveyance of the scientific evidence; 2) warm public reception of the communicator; and 3) alignment of the information with social values. An examination of both successful and failed science communication efforts over the course of history can reveal strategies to better meet these objectives. This article looks back at influential moments of science communication over the past two millennia in the context of the objectives and, using lessons learned from these events as a guide, introduces a five-element approach to improve the potential for attaining the objectives.
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Although considered a neglected tropical disease, the mosquito-borne Usutu virus has demonstrated signs of emergence from Africa to Europe. While human cases are infrequent, the potential for neuroinvasive infection, even in immunocompetent individuals, suggests a need for increased research into virus biology and pathogenesis, as well as rapid measures for diagnosis and environmental surveillance.
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Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/virología , Infecciones por Flavivirus/virología , Flavivirus/aislamiento & purificación , África/epidemiología , Investigación Biomédica/tendencias , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/diagnóstico , Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes/epidemiología , Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Flavivirus/patogenicidad , Infecciones por Flavivirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Flavivirus/epidemiología , HumanosRESUMEN
DNA aptamers were developed against murine norovirus (MNV) using SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). Nine rounds of SELEX led to the discovery of AG3, a promising aptamer with very high affinity for MNV as well as for lab-synthesized capsids of a common human norovirus (HuNoV) outbreak strain (GII.3). Using fluorescence anisotropy, AG3 was found to bind with MNV with affinity in the low picomolar range. The aptamer could cross-react with HuNoV though it was selected against MNV. As compared to a non-specific DNA control sequence, the norovirus-binding affinity of AG3 was about a million-fold higher. In further tests, the aptamer also showed nearly a million-fold higher affinity for the noroviruses than for the feline calicivirus (FCV), a virus similar in size and structure to noroviruses. AG3 was incorporated into a simple electrochemical sensor using a gold nanoparticle-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (GNPs-SPCE). The aptasensor could detect MNV with a limit of detection of approximately 180 virus particles, for possible on-site applications. The lead aptamer candidate and the aptasensor platform show promise for the rapid detection and identification of noroviruses in environmental and clinical samples.
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Aptámeros de Nucleótidos/química , ADN Viral/química , Técnicas Electroquímicas , Oro/química , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Norovirus/química , Animales , Gatos , Técnicas Electroquímicas/instrumentación , Técnicas Electroquímicas/métodos , Polarización de Fluorescencia , Humanos , Ratones , Norovirus/genética , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
In vitro and animal studies report that some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) trigger the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Whether POP exposure is associated with a dysregulation of cytokine response remains to be investigated in humans. We studied the strength of association between plasma POP levels and circulating cytokines as immune activation markers. Plasma levels of fourteen POPs and thirteen cytokines were measured in 39 Caucasians from a comparator sample in Québec City (Canada) and 72 First Nations individuals from two northern communities of Ontario (Canada). Caucasians showed significantly higher levels of organochlorine insecticides (ß-HCH, p,p'-DDE and HCB) compared to First Nations. Conversely, First Nations showed higher levels of Mirex, Aroclor 1260, PCB 153, PCB 170, PCB 180 and PCB 187 compared to Caucasians. While there was no difference in cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-22 between groups, First Nations had significantly greater average levels of IFNγ, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-5, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-17A, TNFα and TNFß levels compared to Caucasians. Among candidate predictor variables (age, body mass index, insulin resistance and POP levels), high levels of PCBs were the only predictor accounting for a small but significant effect of observed variance (â¼7%) in cytokine levels. Overall, a weak but significant association is detected between persistent organochlorine pollutant exposure and elevated cytokine levels. This finding augments the already existing information that environmental pollution is related to inflammation, a common feature of several metabolic disorders that are known to be especially prevalent in Canada's remote First Nations communities.
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Citocinas/sangre , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Sustancias Peligrosas/efectos adversos , Insecticidas/efectos adversos , Enfermedades Metabólicas/sangre , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Inflamación/sangre , Inflamación/inducido químicamente , Masculino , Enfermedades Metabólicas/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Metabólicas/epidemiología , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ontario/epidemiología , Población BlancaRESUMEN
Immunological approaches to gender selection have been contemplated since the discovery of the family of male-specific H-Y antigens found only on the surface of male cells. H-Y antigens are able to elicit an immune reaction when cells or tissues from a male donor are grafted to a female recipient. We describe here the development and testing of an inexpensive approach using polyclonal antibodies against four specific H-Y outer membrane proteins male enhanced antigen 1 (MEA 1), male enhanced antigen 2 (MEA 2), sex determining region Y (SRY) and testis determining factor (TDF). Epitopes based on hydrophilic primary sequences of the proteins were synthesized, N-terminal biotin-labeled, linked to streptavidin and mixed with a Ribi adjuvant prior to immunization in rabbits. The antiserum was tested to determine affinity to swine spermatozoa using anti-motility, flow cytometry and motility and sedimentation chambers. Fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to identify the percentage of motile spermatozoa that contained the Y chromosome. We found that the polyclonal antibodies had high affinity to the spermatozoa leading to a cessation of motility. Furthermore, the majority of these non-motile spermatozoa contained the Y chromosome. We conclude that the use of polyclonal antiserum against synthetic H-Y peptide antigens may be an inexpensive and simple means to inhibit the motility of swine spermatozoa bearing the Y chromosome.
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Anticuerpos/farmacología , Epítopos/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Péptidos/administración & dosificación , Preselección del Sexo , Espermatozoides/metabolismo , Animales , Afinidad de Anticuerpos , Movimiento Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Esqueleto de la Pared Celular/administración & dosificación , Células Cultivadas , Factores Cordón/administración & dosificación , Mapeo Epitopo , Epítopos/química , Hibridación Fluorescente in Situ , Lípido A/administración & dosificación , Lípido A/análogos & derivados , Masculino , Neoplasia Endocrina Múltiple Tipo 1/inmunología , Neoplasia Endocrina Múltiple Tipo 1/metabolismo , Neoplasia Endocrina Múltiple Tipo 2a/inmunología , Neoplasia Endocrina Múltiple Tipo 2a/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Péptidos/síntesis química , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Preselección del Sexo/métodos , Proteína de la Región Y Determinante del Sexo/inmunología , Proteína de la Región Y Determinante del Sexo/metabolismo , Espermatozoides/inmunología , Espermatozoides/patología , PorcinosRESUMEN
Human noroviruses (HuNoV), a major cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, cannot be readily cultured in the lab. Therefore, a feline calicivirus (FCV) is often used as its surrogate to, among other things, test alcohol-based handrubs (ABHR). The more recent laboratory culture of a mouse norovirus (MNV) provides an alternative. While MNV is closer to HuNoV in several respects, to date, no comparative testing of FCV and MNV survival and inactivation on human hands has been performed. This study was designed to address the knowledge gap. The rates of loss in viability during drying on hands were -1.91 and -1.65% per minute for FCV and MNV, respectively. When the contaminated skin was exposed for 20 s to either a commercial ABHR with 62% (v/v) ethanol or to 75% (v/v) ethanol in water, FCV infectivity was reduced by <1 log10 while that of MNV by nearly 2.8 log10. Extending the contact time to 30 s reduced the FCV titer by almost 2 log10 by both test substances and that of MNV by >3.5 log10 by the commercial ABHR while 75% ethanol did not show any noticeable improvement in activity as compared to the 20 s contact. An 80% (v/v) aqueous solution of ethanol gave only a 1.75 log10 reduction in MNV activity after 20 s. The results show significant differences in the ethanol susceptibility of FCV and MNV in contact times relevant to field use of ABHR and also that 62% ethanol was a more effective virucide than either 75% or 80% ethanol. These findings indicate the need for a review of the continuing use of FCV as a surrogate for HuNoV.
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Infecciones por Caliciviridae/virología , Etanol/farmacología , Técnicas Microbiológicas/métodos , Norovirus/fisiología , Inactivación de Virus , Adulto , Animales , Biomarcadores/análisis , Calicivirus Felino/efectos de los fármacos , Calicivirus Felino/aislamiento & purificación , Gatos , Células Cultivadas , Desinfectantes/farmacología , Cadena Alimentaria , Desinfección de las Manos/métodos , Desinfección de las Manos/normas , Humanos , Metáfora , Ratones , Técnicas Microbiológicas/normas , Norovirus/efectos de los fármacos , Norovirus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Inactivación de Virus/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a high-level disinfection solution generated inside an endoscope processing system for decontaminating external and internal surfaces of experimentally contaminated heat-sensitive medical devices. METHODS: The American Society for Testing and Materials Simulated-Use Test protocol (E1837-02), which incorporates a soil load in each inoculum, was used to evaluate the efficacy of the system when processing 4 common types of endoscopes contaminated separately with 5 types of nosocomial pathogens: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), spores of Clostridium difficile (ATCC 9689), a glutaraldehyde-resistant strain of Mycobacterium chelonae, a vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococcus faecalis, and a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus. Rinse solution samples from channels and from surfaces of the processed endoscopes were tested for any microbicidal residues. RESULTS: For all organisms tested, the baseline level of contamination of the endoscopes ranged from 5 log(10) to greater than 7 log(10) at each external surface site and internal channel. All tests showed reductions in viability of the test organisms to undetectable levels. All rinse solution samples from external and internal sites of the endoscopes proved to be free of any residual microbicidal activity. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscope reprocessor, with its processor-generated high-level disinfection solution, successfully reduced the numbers of selected, clinically relevant pathogens to undetectable levels both in the channels and on the outside surfaces of the 4 representative endoscopes tested in this study.
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Desinfectantes/farmacología , Desinfección/instrumentación , Desinfección/métodos , Endoscopios/microbiología , Contaminación de Equipos/prevención & control , Ácido Peracético/farmacología , Infección Hospitalaria/prevención & control , Endoscopios/clasificación , Bacterias Gramnegativas/efectos de los fármacos , Bacterias Grampositivas/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Control de Infecciones/métodos , Esporas Bacterianas/efectos de los fármacosAsunto(s)
Mapeo Cromosómico/tendencias , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/virología , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo/genética , Brotes de Enfermedades/prevención & control , Humanos , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo/clasificación , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo/patogenicidad , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/epidemiología , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Enteric and respiratory viruses are among the most frequent causes of human infections, and hands play an important role in the spread of these and many other viral diseases. Regular and proper hand hygiene by caregivers and food handlers in particular is essential to decontaminate hands and potentially interrupt such spread. What would be considered a proper decontamination of hands? Handwashing with regular soap and water is often considered sufficient, but what of hygienic handwash and handrub antiseptic products? Are they more effective? The evidence suggests that some clearly are. Activity against bacteria may not reflect the ability of hygienic hand antiseptics to deal with viruses, especially those that are nonenveloped. In spite of the acknowledged importance of hands as vehicles for viruses, there is a lack of suitable regulatory mechanism for handwash or handrub products to make claims of efficacy against viruses. This is in contrast with the ability of general-purpose disinfectants to make antiviral claims, although transmission of viruses from surfaces other than those of reusable medical devices may play only a minor role in virus transmission. This review discusses the (1). recent information on the relative importance of viruses as human pathogens, particularly those causing enteric and respiratory infections; (2). the survival of relevant viruses on human hands in comparison with common gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria; (3). the potential of hands to transfer or receive such contamination on casual contact; (4). role of hands in the spread of viruses; (5). the potential of hygienic measures to eliminate viruses from contaminated hands; (6). relative merits of available protocols to assess the activity of hygienic hand antiseptics against viruses; and (7). factors considered crucial in any tests to assess the activity of hygienic hand antiseptics against viruses. In addition, this review proposes surrogate viruses in such testing and discusses issues for additional consideration by researchers, manufacturers, end-users, and regulators.