Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study.

Background: Outbreaks of unexplained illness frequently remain under-investigated. In India, outbreaks of an acute neurological illness with high mortality among children occur annually in Muzaffarpur, the country's largest litchi cultivation region. In 2014, we aimed to investigate the cause and risk factors for this illness.

Outbreaks of unexplained neurologic illness - Muzaffarpur, India, 2013-2014.

Outbreaks of an unexplained acute neurologic illness affecting young children and associated with high case-fatality rates have been reported in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar state in India since 1995. The outbreaks generally peak in June and decline weeks later with the onset of monsoon rains. There have been multiple epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of this syndrome, leading to a wide spectrum of proposed causes for the illness, including infectious encephalitis and exposure to pesticides.

Virus isolations and high population density implicate Culex antennatus (Becker) (Diptera: Culicidae) as a vector of Rift Valley Fever virus during an outbreak in the Nile Delta of Egypt.

In June, 2003, Egypt's hospital-based electronic disease surveillance system began to record increased cases of acute febrile illness from governorates in the Nile Delta. In response to a request for assistance from the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S.

Capacity-building efforts by the AFHSC-GEIS program.

Capacity-building initiatives related to public health are defined as developing laboratory infrastructure, strengthening host-country disease surveillance initiatives, transferring technical expertise and training personnel. These initiatives represented a major piece of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC-GEIS) contributions to worldwide emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance and response. Capacity-building initiatives were undertaken with over 80 local and regional Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Defense, as well as other government entities and institutions worldwide.

Zoonotic transmission of avian influenza virus (H5N1), Egypt, 2006-2009.

During March 2006-March 2009, a total of 6,355 suspected cases of avian influenza (H5N1) were reported to the Ministry of Health in Egypt. Sixty-three (1%) patients had confirmed infections; 24 (38%) died. Risk factors for death included female sex, age > or = 15 years, and receiving the first dose of oseltamivir >2 days after illness onset.

Antigenic and genetic diversity of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses isolated in Egypt.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (H5N1) has diverged antigenically and genetically since its initial detection in Asia in 1997. Viruses belonging to clade 2.2 in particular have been reported in numerous countries with the majority occurring in Egypt.

Effects of duration of injection drug use and age at first injection on HCV among IDU in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence is high among injection drug users (IDUs) in Afghanistan. Duration of injection and young age at first injection are common risk factors for HCV in IDU populations. The association of HCV with these time factors was analyzed.

Isolation of cryptococcus, Candida, Aspergillus, Rhodotorula and nocardia from meningitis patients in egypt.

Meningitis occurs throughout Egypt and is largely attributed to bacterial pathogens, but there is little information on fungal etiologies of meningitis. We, therefore, investigated fungal infections among Egyptian patients with acute and subacute meningitis who tested negative for bacterial and viral agents. A total of 1000 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from nine governorates of Egypt during 1998-2002 were initially stained with Gram's, India ink, and lacto-phenol cotton-blue stains, and examined under light microscope to detect fungal elements.

Immunization of chickens with Newcastle disease virus expressing H5 hemagglutinin protects against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses.

Background: Highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) are the two most important poultry viruses in the world. Natural low-virulence NDV strains have been used as vaccines over the past 70 years with proven track records. We have previously developed a reverse genetics system to produce low-virulent NDV vaccine strain LaSota from cloned cDNA.

Oseltamivir resistance mutation N294S in human influenza A(H5N1) virus in Egypt.

In December 2006, three human specimens were received that were suspected positive for influenza A(H5N1). The specimens were tested using real time PCR. And the presence of A(H5N1) virus was confirmed in 2 patients (16F and 26M), The NA sequence from A(H5N1) positive specimens collected before and after antiviral therapy revealed a mutation (N294S) (N295S according to N1 numbering), previously associated with resistance to oseltamivir.

A cross-sectional assessment of utilization of addiction treatment among injection drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The purpose of this study was to describe prior use of detoxification and addiction-treatment programs among injection drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan. From 2005-2006, IDUs (n = 464) recruited into this cross-sectional study completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and whole blood rapid testing with fingerstick samples for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C antibody and B surface antigen testing. Participants were predominantly male (99.

HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B infections and associated risk behavior in injection drug users, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Limited prevalence data for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) exist for Afghanistan. We studied a cross-sectional sample of adult injection drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan, from June 2005 through June 2006. Study participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and underwent testing for HIV, antibody to HCV, and HBsAg.

Correlates of receptive and distributive needle sharing among injection drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan.

We describe receptive and distributive needle/syringe sharing among injection drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan. In this cross-sectional study, IDUs completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression identified correlates of needle sharing in the last six months.

Genetic characterization of HIV-1 strains circulating in Kazakhstan.

To determine the HIV-1 genetic diversity in Kazakhstan, 85 blood samples from HIV-seropositive donors were collected between 2001 and 2003. The study population consisted of 91.8% injecting drug users (IDUs); the remainder was infected sexually or iatrogenically.

Association between expatriation and HIV awareness and knowledge among injecting drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional comparison of former refugees to those remaining during conflict.

Background: Little is known about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) awareness among Afghan injecting drug users (IDUs), many of whom initiated injecting as refugees. We explored whether differences in HIV awareness and knowledge exist between Afghan IDUs who were refugees compared to those never having left Afghanistan.

Methods: A convenience sample of IDUs in Kabul, Afghanistan was recruited into a cross-sectional study through street outreach over a one year period beginning in 2005.

Short report: HIV infection among commercial sex workers and injecting drug users in the Czech Republic.

Since the first HIV case was diagnosed in the Czech Republic in 1985, there is a lack of information regarding the epidemiology of HIV infection in most high-risk groups. To determine the prevalence of, and risk factors for, HIV among female and male commercial sex workers (FCSW and MCSW, respectively) and injecting drug users (IDUs), cross-sectional studies were conducted in the cities of Cheb, Usti nad Labem, Ostrava, and Prague of the Czech Republic. A total of 1,277 subjects were enrolled, which included 585 FCSWs, 230 MCSWs, and 462 IDUs.

Utilization of contraception and abortion and its relationship to HIV infection among female sex workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Objective: This study aimed to describe reported contraceptive and abortion utilization and their relationship to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among female sex workers (FSW) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study, women were recruited through outreach workers affiliated with Istiqbolli Avlod. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent HIV testing.

Genetic forms of HIV Type 1 in the former Soviet Union dominate the epidemic in Azerbaijan.

A total of 125 strains collected in Azerbaijan between 1999 and 2002 from HIV seropositives were genetically classified. Of 84 strains classified using HMA, 91.6% were subtype A, 1.

Molecular epidemiology of HIV Type 1 in Ukraine: birthplace of an epidemic.

During the 1990s, HIV-1 spread rapidly through drug networks in Ukraine and from there throughout the former Soviet Union. To examine the origins of this epidemic, the genetics of HIV-1 in Ukraine were studied. Proviral DNA from PBMC was extracted and PCR amplified.

Prevalence and correlates of condom use and HIV testing among female sex workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan: implications for HIV transmission.

Little is known about sex work in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, despite rapid increases in HIV infection. Consistent client condom use and prior HIV testing are described among 448 female sex workers (FSW) completing a self-administered questionnaire, health provider interview, and HIV testing between April 2003 and March 2004. Participants were recruited through outreach workers using modified snowball sampling.

High HIV prevalence and risk factors among injection drug users in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2003-2004.

Objectives: To determine HIV prevalence and potential associations with sociodemographic and behavioral factors among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Methods: Subjects in this cross-sectional study provided sociodemographic and risk behavior data and were tested for HIV antibody with a saliva-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), followed by saliva-based Western blot confirmation.

Results: Among the 701 IDU subjects enrolled, 209 (29.

Prevalence and correlates of human immunodeficiency virus infection among female sex workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Objectives/goal: To assess prevalence of and correlates to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among female sex workers in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Study Design: Women participating in this cross-sectional study completed a questionnaire and HIV testing between April 2003 and March 2004. Logistic regression analyses determined correlation of variables to HIV infection.

HIV type 1 strains common in Europe, Africa, and Asia cocirculate in Yemen.

To determine the HIV-1 genetic diversity in Yemen, 19 strains collected from men and women were sequenced in pol and six of those were full genome sequenced; all were phylogenetically analyzed. Using the pol sequence data, nine (47.3%) were subtype B, six (31.