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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Infectious Disease Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 August 2020) | Viewed by 19889

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Prof. Dr. Andrea Piana

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Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: HPV epidemiology; diagnosis of HPV-related cancers; prevention; public health
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue entitled “Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems” in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, which is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal in the area of public health. More information about the journal can be found at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

We welcome the submission of reviews, original research articles, short communications, editorial letters,systematic reviews, case studies, and other kinds of articles targeting any of these core research questions and beyond.

We are launching this Special Issue to address some of the core research questions related to this Issue, such as

Global infectious diseases;
Community infections;
Hospital infections;
Outbreak;
Surveillance and control;
Vaccines.

Prof. Andrea Piana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

Community infections
Hospital infections
Outbreak investigation
Infections and cancer
Diagnosis and prevention of infectious diseases
Surveillance and control systems

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 472 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunization Coverage of Inmates in Spanish Prisons

by Nancy Vicente-Alcalde, Jose Tuells, Cecilia M. Egoavil, Esther Ruescas-Escolano, Cesare Altavilla and Pablo Caballero

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 8045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218045 - 31 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2563

Abstract

The correct immunization of the inmate population minimizes the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in prisons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vaccine coverage of long-term prisoners in the Spanish penitentiary system through a retrospective longitudinal study. One-thousand and five prisoners were selected, who were imprisoned from 2008 and 2018 in three Spanish prisons. Their degree of immunization was evaluated as related to hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), tetanus, diphtheria, pneumococcus and seasonal flu. The state of vaccination of the prisoners with a serological diagnosis of HBV, hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was also evaluated. The vaccination coverage obtained for hepatitis B was 52.3%, and for tetanus–diphtheria, it was 71.9%. However, for hepatitis A and pneumococcus infection, it was insignificant (<2% of the prisoners). Vaccination against seasonal flu was lower than 16%. The HCV and HIV-positive inmates were not correctly vaccinated either. The insufficient level of immunization obtained reflects the lack of interest and marginalization of this population by the penitentiary system and the health authorities. The lack of reliable records is combined with the lack of planned strategies that promote stable and well-defined programs of active vaccination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems)

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23 pages, 1195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) Reports: A Basis for Environmental/Epidemiological Surveillance and Infection Control Amongst Environmental Vibrio cholerae

by Bright E. Igere, Anthony I. Okoh and Uchechukwu U. Nwodo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(16), 5685; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165685 - 6 Aug 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4366

Abstract

Distribution, investigation, surveillance and control (DISC) of cholera outbreaks in endemic/non-endemic regions has been a concerted approach towards the management of the causal pathogen. Relevant organization, government, health systems and the public have implemented several steps towards controlling the menace, yet pathogen continues to occur with diverse phenotypes/genotypes of high clinical and epidemiological relevance. The study determines antibiotic susceptibility/resistance pattern of Vibrio cholerae isolates retrieved from six domestic water sources between March and August 2018. Serological and molecular typing methods (polymerase chain reaction or PCR) were used to confirm the isolates identity. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted using six commonly employed antibiotics of V. cholerae according to the recommendation of Clinical Laboratory Standard and European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing with other relevant antibiotics of investigative epidemiology and infection control, employing both disc diffusion test and PCR gene detection. Samples presumptive counts ranged between 1.10 to 7.91 log10 CFU/mL. Amongst the 759 presumptive isolates retrieved, sixty-one were confirmed as V. cholerae which were further serogrouped as Non-O1/Non-O139 V. cholerae. Various V. cholerae resistant phenotypes/genoytypes were detected vis: carbapenemase (CR-Vc; 31.1%/5.3%). New Delhi Metallobetalactamase (NDM-1-Vc; 23.0%/42.5%), extended spectrum betalactamase (ESBL-Vc; 42.6%/blaTEM:86,7%), chloramphenicol resistance (62.3%/Flor: 46.2%}, tetracycline resistance (70.5%/46.7%), AmpC resistance (21.0 (34.4%/56.7%)) and various other resistant genotypes/phenotypes. It was observed that more than 50% of the confirmed V. cholerae isolates possess resistance to two or more antibiotic classes/groups with multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) ranging from 0.031 to 0.5. This observation provides necessary information and updates for surveillance, planning and implementation of control strategies for cholera. It would also encourage decision making, formulation of policy by the government and cholera control authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems)

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13 pages, 628 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Patients with Helicobacter Pylori Infection: A Nationwide Population-Based Study Cohort Study in Taiwan

by Chia-Ming Liang, Chih-Hsiung Hsu, Chi-Hsiang Chung, Chao-Yang Chen, Lin-Yin Wang, Sheng-Der Hsu, Pi-Kai Chang, Zhi-Jie Hong, Wu-Chien Chien and Je-Ming Hu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(10), 3737; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103737 - 25 May 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3780

Abstract

Background: The association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has yet to be investigated; thus, we conducted this nationwide cohort study to examine the association in patients from Taiwan. Methods: A total of approximately 2669 individuals with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection and 10,676 age- and sex-matched patients without a diagnosis of H. pylori infection from 2000 to 2013 were identified from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to determine the cumulative incidence of H. pylori infection in each cohort. Whether the patient underwent H. pylori eradication therapy was also determined. Results: The cumulative incidence of IBS was higher in the H. pylori-infected cohort than in the comparison cohort (log-rank test, p < 0.001). After adjustment for potential confounders, H. pylori infection was associated with a significantly increased risk of IBS (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.108, p < 0.001). In addition, the H. pylori-infected cohort who did not receive eradication therapy had a higher risk of IBS than the non-H. pylori-infected cohort (adjusted HR 4.16, p < 0.001). The H. pylori-infected cohort who received eradication therapy had a lower risk of IBS than the comparison cohort (adjusted HR 0.464, p = 0.037). Conclusions: Based on a retrospective follow-up, nationwide study in Taiwan, H. pylori infection was associated with an increased risk of IBS; however, aggressive H. pylori infection eradication therapy can also reduce the risk of IBS. Further underlying biological mechanistic research is needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems)

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15 pages, 692 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Epidemiological Features and Risk Factors for Acquiring Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China

by Chao Zhang, Qiang Ren and Wenhui Chang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(6), 1990; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17061990 - 18 Mar 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3946

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are at a higher risk for co-infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum (TP; the agent causing syphilis) than the general population. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and syphilis has geographic differences and varies from region to region among HIV-positive individuals. A retrospective study was carried out on HIV-positive individuals between June 2011 and June 2016 in Shaanxi Province. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using stepwise regression analysis regarding risk factors for HIV–HBV, HIV–HCV, and HIV–syphilis co-infection. HBV–HCV, HCV–syphilis, HBV–syphilis, and HBV–HCV–syphilis co-infection rates were 1.7%, 2.2%, 2.6%, and 0.1%, respectively. The rate of ineffective hepatitis B vaccine immunization was as high as 30.2% among HIV-positive individuals. Ethnicity (OR = 31.030, 95% CI: 11.643–82.694) and HIV transmission routes (OR = 134.024, 95% CI: 14.328–1253.653) were the risk factors for HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals. Among the HIV-positive individuals with the antibodies of TP, the rate of homosexual transmission was also higher, but heterosexual transmission was lower (OR = 0.549 95% CI: 0.382–0.789) The HIV-infected patients in Shaanxi Province had the characteristics of low active detection rate and late diagnosis. The high rate of ineffective vaccination against HBV suggests a need for improved vaccination services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems)

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Review

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11 pages, 491 KiB

Open AccessReview

Vaccination Coverage among Prisoners: A Systematic Review

by Nancy Vicente-Alcalde, Esther Ruescas-Escolano, Zitta Barrella Harboe and José Tuells

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(20), 7589; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17207589 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 4428

Abstract

Prison inmates are highly susceptible for several infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases. We conducted a systematic international literature review on vaccination coverage against hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV), combined HAV/HBV, tetanus-diphtheria, influenza, pneumococcal, and combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in prison inmates, according to the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic databases were used Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cinhal. No language or time limit were applied to the search. We defined vaccination coverage as the proportion of vaccinated prisoners. There were no limitations in the search strategy regarding time period or language. Of 1079 identified studies, 28 studies were included in the review. In total, 21 reported on HBV vaccine coverage (range between 16–82%); three on HAV (range between 91–96%); two studies on combined HAV/HBV (77% in the second dose and 58% in the third); three studies on influenza vaccine (range between 36–46%), one of pneumococcal vaccine coverage (12%), and one on MMR coverage (74%). We found that data on vaccination coverage in prison inmates are scarce, heterogeneous, and do not include all relevant vaccines for this group. Current published literature indicate that prison inmates are under-immunized, particularly against HBV, influenza, MMR, and pneumococci. Strengthen immunization programs specifically for this population at risk and improvement of data record systems may contribute to better health care in prisoners. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Infectious Diseases and Surveillance and Control Systems)

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