Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Relationship Between Congenital Heart Disease And Infant Mortality In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Helen Nneoma Odo

Capstone Experience

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of an infant’s heart and the way it works. Millions of children are born each year with congenital heart disease yet screening for CHD is not practiced in Low- and Middle-income countries (LMICs). Studies on access to healthcare for infants with congenital heart disease have not kept pace. This literature review centers on the role of congenital heart disease in infant mortality, its burden, incidence and prevalence in LMICs. The databases of PubMed, Google Scholar and Embase were searched and the selected articles for …

Utility Of Repeat Testing For Covid-19: Laboratory Stewardship When The Stakes Are High, Lindsey M. Rearigh, Angela L. Hewlett, Paul D. Fey, M. Jana Broadhurst, David Brett-Major, Mark Rupp, Trevor Van Schooneveld

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to circulate, testing strategies are of the utmost importance. Given national shortages of testing supplies, personal protective equipment, and other hospital resources, diagnostic stewardship is necessary to aid in resource management. We report the low utility of serial testing in a low-prevalence setting.

Lying In Wait: The Resurgence Of Dengue Virus After The Zika Epidemic In Brazil, Anderson Fernandes Brito, Lais Ceschini Machado, Rachel J. Oidtman, Márcio Junio Lima Siconelli, Quan Minh Tran, Joseph R. Fauver, Rodrigo Dias De Oliveira Carvalho, Filipe Zimmer Dezordi, Mylena Ribeiro Pereira, Luiza Antunes De Castro-Jorge, Elaine Cristina Manini Minto, Luzia Márcia Romanholi Passos, Chaney C. Kalinich, Mary E. Petrone, Emma Allen, Guido Camargo España, Angkana T. Huang, Derek A. T. Cummings, Guy Baele, Rafael Freitas Oliveira Franca, Benedito Antônio Lopes Da Fonseca, T. Alex Perkins, Gabriel Luz Wallau, Nathan D. Grubaugh

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

After the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas in 2016, both Zika and dengue incidence declined to record lows in many countries in 2017-2018, but in 2019 dengue resurged in Brazil, causing ~2.1 million cases. In this study we use epidemiological, climatological and genomic data to investigate dengue dynamics in recent years in Brazil. First, we estimate dengue virus force of infection (FOI) and model mosquito-borne transmission suitability since the early 2000s. Our estimates reveal that DENV transmission was low in 2017-2018, despite conditions being suitable for viral spread. Our study also shows a marked decline in dengue susceptibility …

The Impact Of Body Mass Index And Sociodemographic Factors On Moderate-To-Vigorous Physical Activity And Sedentary Behaviors Of Women With Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Examination, Danae M. Dinkel, Nicholas Hein, Kailey Snyder, Mohammad Siahpush, Shannon I. Maloney, Lynette M. Smith, Evi A. Farazi, Corrine K. Hanson

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

OBJECTIVES: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity provides multiple benefits to women after childbirth. To achieve these benefits, the recommendation that adults obtain, 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week and reduce sedentary behaviors, also applies to women in the post-partum phase of the life span. However, research examining the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of women with young children (0-2 years) is limited. A greater understanding of these behaviors from a nationally representative sample is needed. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to determine the levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of a nationally representative sample …

Temporal And Geospatial Trends Of Pediatric Cancer Incidence In Nebraska Over A 24-Year Period, Evi A. Farazi, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, L. Westman, B. Rettig, P. Hunt, R. Cammack, John W. Sparks, Don W. Coulter

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) revealed that the incidence of pediatric cancer in Nebraska exceeded the national average during 2009-2013. Further investigation could help understand these patterns.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study investigated pediatric cancer (0-19 years old) age adjusted incidence rates (AAR) in Nebraska using the Nebraska Cancer Registry. SEER AARs were also calculated as a proxy for pediatric cancer incidence in the United States (1990-2013) and compared to the Nebraska data. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping was also used to display the spatial distribution of cancer in Nebraska at the county level. Finally, …

Plasmodium Falciparum Infection Status Among Children With Schistosoma In Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Abraham Degarege, Dawit Degarege, Emir Veledar, Berhanu Erko, Mathieu Nacher, Consuelo M. Beck-Sague, Purnima Madhivanan

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Schistosoma infection may be associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection or related reduction in haemoglobin level, but the nature of this interaction remains unclear. This systematic review synthesized evidence on the relationship of S. haematobium or S. mansoni infection with the occurrence of P. falciparum malaria, Plasmodium density and related reduction in haemoglobin level among children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A systematic review in according with PRISMA guidelines was conducted. All published articles available in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and CINAHL databases before May 20, 2015 were searched without any limits. Two reviewers …

Age-Related Factors Influencing The Occurrence Of Undernutrition In Northeastern Ethiopia, Abraham Degarege, Elifaged Hailemeskel, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition is a major public health problem on the globe particularly in the developing regions. The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of undernutrition in different age groups and examine the relationship of the disease to parasitic and socioeconomic factors among communities in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia.

METHODS: Stool samples of the study participants were examined for intestinal helminth infections using the Kato-Katz method. Blood specimens were diagnosed for Plasmodium infection using CareStartTM Malaria Pf/Pv Combo test. The blood type was determined from blood samples using antisera A and antisera B. In addition, the height …

Prevalence Of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Children Under Five Years Of Age With Emphasis On Schistosoma Mansoni In Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia, Yirgalem G/Hiwot, Abraham Degarege, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

Intestinal parasite infections are major public health problems of children in developing countries causing undernutrition, anemia, intestinal obstruction and mental and physical growth retardation. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among children under five years of age with emphasis on Schistosoma mansoni in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological survey was conducted in under-five children living in Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate Ethiopia, April, 2013. Stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using single Kato-Katz and single Sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution concentration methods. Out of 374 children examined using single …

Malaria And Related Outcomes In Patients With Intestinal Helminths: A Cross-Sectional Study, Abraham Degarege, Mengistu Legesse, Girmay Medhin, Abebe Animut, Berhanu Erko

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: The effects of helminth co-infection on malaria in humans remain uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the nature of association of intestinal helminths with prevalence and clinical outcomes of Plasmodium infection.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 1,065 malaria suspected febrile patients was conducted at Dore Bafeno Health Center, Southern Ethiopia, from December 2010 to February 2011. Plasmodium and intestinal helminth infections were diagnosed using Giemsa-stained blood films and Kato-Katz technique, respectively. Haemoglobin level was determined using a haemocue machine.

RESULTS: Among 1,065 malaria suspected febrile patients, 28.8% were positive for Plasmodium parasites (P. falciparum =13.0%, P. vivax =14.5%, P. …

Recent Diarrhea Is Associated With Elevated Salivary Igg Responses To Cryptosporidium In Residents Of An Eastern Massachusetts Community, A. I. Egorov, L. M. Montuori Trimble, L. Ascolillo, H. D. Ward, Deborah A. Levy, R. D. Morris, E. N. Naumova, J. K. Griffiths

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Serological data suggest that Cryptosporidium infections are common but underreported. The invasiveness of blood sampling limits the application of serology in epidemiological surveillance. We pilot-tested a non-invasive salivary anti-Cryptosporidium antibody assay in a community survey involving children and adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Families with children were recruited in a Massachusetts community in July; symptoms data were collected at 3 monthly follow-up mail surveys. One saliva sample per person (n = 349) was collected via mail, with the last survey in October. Samples were analyzed for IgG and IgA responses to a recombinant C. hominis gp15 sporozoite protein using a …

Sars Surveillance During Emergency Public Health Response, United States, March-July 2003, Stephanie J. Schrag, John T. Brooks, Chris Van Beneden, Umesh D. Parashar, Patricia M. Griffin, Larry J. Anderson, William J. Bellini, Robert F. Benson, Dean D. Erdman, Alexander Klimov, Thomas G. Ksiazek, Teresa C. T. Peret, Deborah F. Talkington, W. Lanier Thacker, Maria L. Tondella, Jacquelyn S. Sampson, Allen W. Hightower, Dale F. Nordenberg, Brian D. Plikaytis, Ali S. Khan, Nancy E. Rosenstein, Tracee A. Treadwell, Cynthia G. Whitney, Anthony E. Fiore, Tonji M. Durant, Joseph F. Perz, Annemarie Wasley, Daniel Feikin, Joy L. Herndon, William A. Bower, Barbara W. Klibourn, Deborah A. Levy, Victor G. Coronado, Joanna Buffington, Clare A. Dykewicz, Rima F. Khabbaz, Mary E. Chamberland

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

In response to the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the United States established national surveillance using a sensitive case definition incorporating clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory criteria. Of 1,460 unexplained respiratory illnesses reported by state and local health departments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from March 17 to July 30, 2003, a total of 398 (27%) met clinical and epidemiologic SARS case criteria. Of these, 72 (18%) were probable cases with radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Eight (2%) were laboratory-confirmed SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infections, 206 (52%) were SARS-CoV negative, and 184 (46%) had undetermined SARS-CoV status because of …

Epidemiologic And Environmental Investigation Of A Recreational Water Outbreak Caused By Two Genotypes Of Cryptosporidium Parvum In Ohio In 2000, Els Mathieu, Deborah A. Levy, Fran Veverka, Mary-Kay Parrish, John Sarisky, Nancy Shapiro, Stephanie Johnston, Thomas Handzel, Allen Hightower, Lihua Xiao, Yeuk-Mui Lee, Steve York, Michael Arrowood, Robin Lee, Jeffrey L. Jones

Journal Articles: Epidemiology

In August 2000, the Ohio Department of Health requested assistance to investigate a cryptosporidiosis outbreak with more than 700 clinical case-patients. An epidemiologic and environmental investigation was conducted. Stool specimens, pool water, and sand filter samples were analyzed. A community-based case-control study showed that the main risk factor was swimming in pool A (odds ratio [OR] = 42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.3-144.9). This was supported by results of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, which showed the presence of both the human and bovine genotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in case-patients and samples from the filter of pool A. A …