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Journal articleHendier L, Soule H, Abbas M, et al., 2025,
Evaluation of bacterial survival on inert surfaces in a hyperbaric environment.
, Diving Hyperb Med, Vol: 55, Pages: 231-235, ISSN: 1833-3516INTRODUCTION: Surface cleaning and hand hygiene within hyperbaric chambers are challenging because of the risk of fire with currently used products containing alcohol or glycerine. This study aimed to investigate if hyperbaric conditions could have inhibitory effects on bacteria present on inert materials. METHODS: We deposited Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) on inert materials in an experimental chamber (Comex1200Alu) and compressed the chamber environment with air (253 kPa, 95 minutes) (referred to as indoor). The control was contaminated materials placed outside the chamber (referred to as outdoor). We chose inert materials including plastic, metal, and seat upholstery (imitation leather). We measured bacterial growth and survival and compared the groups using a Student's t-test. RESULTS: Regardless of the surface types tested, there were no significant differences in bacterial reduction between indoor and outdoor conditions for either E. coli or S. aureus and any of the materials (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that pressurised air (253 kPa for 95 minutes) has neither proliferative nor bactericidal action on S. aureus and E. coli colonies deposited on inert surfaces compared to those present outside a hyperbaric chamber in normobaric air conditions.
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Journal articleDjègbè NDC, Da DF, Somé BM, et al., 2025,
Exploring near-infrared spectroscopy ability to predict the age and species of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes from different environmental conditions in Burkina Faso
, Malaria Journal, Vol: 24, ISSN: 1475-2875BackgroundNear infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has shown ability in previous studies to predict age and species of laboratory-reared and wild mosquitoes with moderate to high accuracy. To validate the technique as a routine tool, it is necessary to assess NIRS accuracy on these variables under different environmental conditions susceptible to affect the mosquito cuticle and interfere with the machine accuracy. This study investigated the influence of environmental conditions on NIRS accuracy to determine the age and species of Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.).MethodsEnvironmental conditions of three important seasonal periods in Burkina Faso covering the onset, the peak and the end of the rainy season were mimicked in the laboratory using incubators. Emerged An. gambiae s.s. and An. coluzzii from laboratory colonies were reared in each period using temperature and relative humidity for predicting mosquito species by NIRS. Wild An. gambiae s.l. (n = 3788) were caught during the 3 different periods described above and analysed by NIRS to predict Anopheles species. Furthermore, first generation of wild Anopheles (n = 1014) was used to assess NIRS ability to classify mosquito age in each environmental condition. All data analysis were performed using a binomial logistic regression model.ResultsNIRS discriminated between laboratory-reared Anopheles with 83% of accuracy independently of any environmental condition. Similar trend was found in wild-caught Anopheles. NIRS accuracies varied slightly in laboratory Anopheles (77–85%) and more strongly in their field counterparts (67–84%). In both cases, models developed from the season of interest were more accurate than models trained with insectary conditions or from a different period of the year, indicating temperature and humidity can impact NIRS accuracy. Models derived from laboratory-mosquitoes reared under fluctuating environmental conditions predicted field-derived mosquito spec
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Journal articleMunsey A, Digre P, Hicks J, et al., 2025,
Antenatal care surveillance for monitoring malaria prevalence and intervention coverage: a multicountry analysis.
, BMJ Glob Health, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2059-7908Estimates of malaria prevalence and intervention coverage in Africa are primarily based on nationally representative household (HH) surveys. However, the expense and infrequency limit the utility of HH surveys for operational action by malaria programmes. We assessed whether data collected during first antenatal care (ANC1) visits, consisting of data on malaria prevalence using rapid diagnostic tests, ownership of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and treatment-seeking for children with fever, could provide relevant data to guide decision-makers. Malaria prevalence among ANC1 attendees in select areas of six countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zambia) was compared with prevalence data among children under 5 and school-aged children from cross-sectional HH surveys in the same areas. To examine the relationship between prevalence among ANC1 attendees and children, we fitted a linear trend to the log-OR of the risk of testing positive. The predictive performance of the model was assessed by leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV). District-level ANC1 prevalence and prevalence among children are correlated (Spearman's rank correlation, r=0.79, 95% CI=0.65 to 0.88, p<0.001) and ANC1 prevalence is predictive of prevalence among children (LOOCV mean absolute error=6.5%). To understand whether data on ITN ownership collected at ANC1 are representative of ownership in the underlying communities, we assessed the district-level proportion of HH ownership in five countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia) and fitted an ordinal regression model to the ranking of ownership by district. Reported rates of treatment-seeking for children under 5 with fever, testing for malaria and treatment for the HH and ANC1 settings were compared. Estimates of malaria prevalence and ITN coverage derived from ANC1 attendees correlate well with HH survey estimates and may be useful in monitoring malaria prevalence and prevention efforts. In contrast
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Journal articleDabira ED, Natama HM, Jaiteh F, et al., 2025,
Seasonal mass vaccination with R21/Matrix-M for malaria elimination (SERVAL): protocol of the cluster randomised trial
, Trials, Vol: 26, ISSN: 1745-6215IntroductionProgress in malaria control has stalled since 2015, highlighting the need for new control tools. The R21/Matrix-M (R21) malaria vaccine, a pre-erythrocytic vaccine recently approved by WHO for small children, may be one of these tools. This trial aims to assess whether seasonal mass vaccination with R21 reduces malaria transmission in The Gambia and Burkina Faso, two countries at the extreme of the transmission spectrum.MethodsThis is a multi-centre open cluster-randomised controlled trial to assess the impact of mass vaccination with R21 on malaria transmission and morbidity. The trial will be implemented in eastern Gambia (low to moderate transmission) and Central Burkina Faso (intense transmission). Thirty medium-sized villages in The Gambia and 24 in Burkina Faso will be randomised (1:1) to either intervention or control arm. All eligible residents in intervention villages will receive R21 vaccinations in three-monthly rounds, from May to July 2024, prior to the malaria transmission season. A booster vaccine dose will be administered the following year, in June 2025. The primary outcome is malaria prevalence at peak transmission (November 2024). Secondary outcomes include safety and tolerability, incidence of clinical malaria, vaccination coverage and community acceptability, cost and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.DiscussionThis is the first trial on seasonal mass vaccination aiming at reducing malaria transmission. Strengths of the study include its design as an adequately powered cluster-randomised trial and the inclusion of study sites with differing transmission intensity which will also provide safety and efficacy data for different age groups. Key challenges remain vaccine hesitancy and vaccination coverage. If successful, R21 seasonal mass vaccination will be an innovative intervention to accelerate malaria elimination efforts and reach the goal set in the Global Technical Strategy for malaria 2016–2030.Trial registrationClinica
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Journal articleGalué J, de Souza WM, Torres-Cosme R, et al., 2025,
Contrasting Ecological Patterns of Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis and Madariaga Viruses in Small Mammal and Mosquito Populations from Two Enzootic Regions of Panama.
, Vector Borne Zoonotic DisBackground: Understanding enzootic cycles is key to arbovirus control. Rodents are primary reservoirs of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), whereas the vertebrate host of Madariaga virus (MADV) remains unknown. Culex (Melanoconion) mosquitoes are considered primary vectors. We studied small mammals and mosquito ecology in the Darién province and Panamá Oeste province, two enzootic regions of Panama. Additional alphavirus seroprevalence was assessed in small mammals. Methods: Small mammals were trapped using Sherman and Tomahawk traps, and blood samples were tested for MADV and VEEV neutralizing antibodies using plaque reduction neutralization test and attempt viral isolation and generic alphavirus RT-PCR from small mammal tissues. Mosquitoes were collected concurrently using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light, Trinidad, and resting traps. Diversity and similarity were analyzed using standard ecological indices. Results: We sampled 599 small mammals (16 species). MADV seroprevalence was highest in Los Pavitos (9.0%) and restricted to Darién; VEEV was more widespread, peaking in El Cacao (27.3%) and El Real (20.4%). Oryzomys couesi and Transandinomys bolivaris showed elevated MADV seroprevalence; T. bolivaris and Proechimys semispinosus had higher VEEV seroprevalence. Among 4118 mosquitoes, Coquillettidia venezuelensis was most abundant. El Real had the highest species richness and diversity. Geographic proximity influenced community similarity. Conclusions: Spatial differences in host and vector communities may reflect distinct transmission patterns of MADV and VEE. These findings could contribute to better understanding of alphavirus ecology and potentially inform public health strategies in endemic regions.
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Journal articlede Souza Santos AA, Ribeiro Pessanha Leal JG, Sabino EC, et al., 2025,
Dataset on Brazilian Municipal Health Policies During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
, Sci Data, Vol: 12Brazil was severely affected by COVID-19, in terms of both the number of infections and deaths. Part of the complexity and mismanagement of health measures in Brazil stemmed from the lack of nationwide policies, leaving local governments to play the key role in implementing pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. This fragmented response, with different health policies across 5,568 municipalities, posed significant challenges for researchers analysing dispersed data. This study consolidates information from 37 surveys conducted between 23 March 2021 and 24 March 2022 with mayors and health secretaries of Brazilian municipalities. The surveys, conducted by the Brazilian Confederation of Municipalities, achieved response rates ranging from 23.8% to 64.49%. Questions varied to address key epidemiological issues, including vaccination efforts, ICU bed availability, oxygen supplies, and restrictive measures. Disparities in response rates highlight Brazil's regional and municipal size inequalities. This dataset, with 235 questions, provides essential insights into local governance, contributing to the study of outbreak management in contexts of inequality and political asymmetry.
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Journal articleGirón-Callejas A, Lorenzana R, Pickles M, et al., 2025,
High HIV viral suppression among adults receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of programmatic evidence
, AIDS Research and Therapy, Vol: 22, ISSN: 1742-6405BackgroundThis systematic review and meta-analysis assessed viral suppression among adults receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based ART in programmatic settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).MethodsA systematic search of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and major HIV conferences (IAS, AIDS, and CROI) from January 2019 to September 2024 identified cohort and cross-sectional studies reporting viral suppression among adults receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based ART in LMICs. Studies with follow-ups ≤ 4 months or using non-WHO-recommended regimens were excluded. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses excluded outliers. Subgroup analyses distinguished adults initiating versus transitioning to dolutegravir-based ART. Both on-treatment and intention-to-treat outcomes were assessed.ResultsTwenty-two studies (n = 47 to 50,742) from 13 countries were included. On-treatment pooled viral suppression was 95% (95% CI: 91–97%, I²= 96%) at six months, 96% (94–98%, I² = 97%) at 12 months, and 98% (96–99%, I² = 94%) at 24 months. Sensitivity analysis removing outliers decreased heterogeneity and slightly lowered the 6‑month estimate (to 94%), with negligible change at 12 months. At 6 months, viral suppression was higher in those transitioning than initiating ART (98% vs. 94%, p < 0.01), with similar rates at 12 months (97%, p = 0.67). The pooled intention-to-treat 12-month viral suppression rate was 89% (82–93%, I² = 95%), with no significant difference by ART status (initiating 86% vs. transitioning 91%, p = 0.44).ConclusionAdults retained in care receiving WHO-recommended first-line dolutegravir-based ART achieved viral suppression rates of ≥ 95% up to two years. These findings align with the UNAIDS 95% suppression target and reinforce the role of dolutegravir-based re
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Journal articleSherratt K, Carnegie AC, Kucharski A, et al., 2025,
Improving modelling for epidemic response: a progress update from a community of UK infectious disease modellers.
, Interface Focus, Vol: 15, ISSN: 2042-8898We reflect on the sustainability of modelling infectious disease outbreaks from the perspective of modelling as a field of practice. We formed a community of practice among UK infectious disease modellers who had contributed to the UK COVID-19 response. We previously used a participatory workshop approach to highlight issues in the infrastructure and incentives for outbreak modelling, and synthesized our experience into a set of 12 specific recommendations. Here, we track changes in the field of infectious disease modelling 1 year later, collecting the quantitative and qualitative views of change among 14 participants. We found participants continued to highlight a lack of ongoing, sufficient or appropriate action to develop outbreak modelling capacity in the UK, while positively noting collaborations among public health facing institutions. We emphasize the under-prioritization of funding for outbreak modelling outside of emergency response periods, and the continuation of unsustainable working practices. Correcting this is crucial to supporting evidence-based public health policy for outbreak preparedness and response.
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Journal articleWhittaker C, Barnsley G, Mesa DO, et al., 2025,
Quantifying the impact of a broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine in a future SARS-X pandemic.
, Nat Commun, Vol: 16COVID-19 has underscored the need for more timely access to vaccines during future pandemics. This has motivated development of broad-spectrum vaccines providing protection against entire viral families, which could be stockpiled and deployed rapidly following detection. Using mathematical modelling, we assess the utility of a broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine during a hypothetical SARS-X outbreak, for a range of implementation strategies including ring-vaccination, spatial-targeting and mass vaccination of high-risk groups. Broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine ring- or spatial strategies alone are insufficient to contain epidemics driven by a SARS-CoV-2-like virus, but when paired with rapid isolation and quarantine, can achieve containment of a SARS-CoV-1-like virus. Where suppression fails, broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine utilisation still reduces the effective reproduction number and slows epidemic growth - buying valuable time for health-system response and virus-specific vaccine development. Vaccination of high-risk populations with the broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine ahead of virus-specific vaccine availability could reduce mortality and enable shorter and less stringent non-pharmaceutical interventions to be imposed; results are sensitive to vaccine properties (e.g., efficacy), health system capabilities (e.g. rollout speed) and timeline to virus-specific vaccine availability. Our modelling suggests that broadly protective sarbecovirus vaccine delivery to those aged 60+ years could have averted 21-78 % of COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic's first year, depending on the size of the stockpile. Realising this potential impact will require investment in manufacturing, delivery capacity and equitable access ahead of future pandemics.
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Journal articleZucco AG, Drews HJ, Uleman JF, et al., 2025,
Exploring nationwide patterns of sleep problems from late adolescence to adulthood using machine learning.
, Sci Adv, Vol: 11Sleep problems among young adults pose a major public health challenge. Leveraging nationwide health surveys and registers from Denmark, we investigated patterns of sleep problems from late adolescence to adulthood and explored early life-course determinants. We generated life-course embeddings using unsupervised machine learning on data from 2.2 million individuals born from 1980 to 2015. We used this landscape to identify neighboring factors of sleep problems. We observed a substantial increase in self-reported sleep problems among individuals aged 15 to 45, from 34 to 49% between 2010 and 2021, and a 10-fold increase in melatonin use. We also found relevant clusters of sleep-related prescriptions, diagnoses, and procedures with age-specific incidence patterns. Specific childhood adversities, such as sibling psychiatric illness, foster care, and parental divorce, were shared factors across multiple sleep disorders such as insomnia and nightmares. These findings underscore the complex interplay between medical and psychosocial factors in sleep.
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.
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