Multiscale modelling of hepatitis B virus at cell level of organization.

Multiscale modelling is a promising quantitative approach for studying infectious disease dynamics. This approach garners attention from both individuals who model diseases and those who plan for public health because it has great potential to contribute in expanding the understanding necessary for managing, reducing, and potentially exterminating infectious diseases. In this article, we developed a nested multiscale model of hepatitis B virus (HBV) that integrates the within-cell scale and the between-cell scale at cell level of organization of this disease system.

Microorganisms Detected in Intussusception Cases and Controls in Children <3 Years in South Africa From 2013 to 2017.

A matched case-control evaluated infectious etiologies in children <3 years in post-rotavirus vaccine intussusception surveillance. Adenovirus and adenovirus types C, A, and B were detected more frequently in cases versus controls at statistically significant values. Wild-type rotavirus, rotavirus vaccine strains, and human herpesvirus were not associated with intussusception.

An Embedded Multiscale Modelling to Guide Control and Elimination of Paratuberculosis in Ruminants.

In recent years, multiscale modelling approach has begun to receive an overwhelming appreciation as an appropriate technique to characterize the complexity of infectious disease systems. In this study, we develop an embedded multiscale model of paratuberculosis in ruminants at host level that integrates the within-host scale and the between-host. A key feature of embedded multiscale models developed at host level of organization of an infectious disease system is that the within-host scale and the between-host scale influence each other in a reciprocal (i.

Molecular epidemiology of human bocavirus infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Africa, 2009-2015.

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is known to be associated with a variety of clinical manifestation including acute gastroenteritis (AGE). Despite their global prevalence, no data is available on the epidemiology of HBoV associated with AGE in South Africa (SA). Between April 2009 and April 2015, 3765 stool specimens were collected from children less than 5 years of age hospitalized with diarrhea.

A Multiscale Model for the World's First Parasitic Disease Targeted for Eradication: Guinea Worm Disease.

Guinea worm disease (GWD) is both a neglected tropical disease and an environmentally driven infectious disease. Environmentally driven infectious diseases remain one of the biggest health threats for human welfare in developing countries and the threat is increased by the looming danger of climate change. In this paper we present a multiscale model of GWD that integrates the within-host scale and the between-host scale.

Norovirus epidemiology in South African children <5 years hospitalised for diarrhoeal illness between 2009 and 2013.

Public health interest in norovirus (NoV) has increased in recent years following improved diagnostics, global burden estimates and the development of NoV vaccine candidates. This study aimed to describe the detection rate, clinical characteristics and environmental features associated with NoV detection in hospitalized children <5 years with diarrhoea in South Africa (SA). Between 2009 and 2013, prospective diarrhoeal surveillance was conducted at four sites in SA.

Sapovirus prevalence in children less than five years of age hospitalised for diarrhoeal disease in South Africa, 2009-2013.

Background: Although sapovirus (SaV) has been detected in 2.2-12.7% of gastroenteritis cases globally, there are limited data on SaV epidemiology.

Norovirus diversity in children with gastroenteritis in South Africa from 2009 to 2013: GII.4 variants and recombinant strains predominate.

From 2009 to 2013 the diversity of noroviruses (NoVs) in children (⩽5 years) hospitalized with gastroenteritis in South Africa was investigated. NoVs were genotyped based on nucleotide sequence analyses of partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and capsid genes. Seventeen RdRp genotypes (GI.

A mathematical modelling framework for linked within-host and between-host dynamics for infections with free-living pathogens in the environment.

In this study we develop a mathematical modelling framework for linking the within-host and between-host dynamics of infections with free-living pathogens in the environment. The resulting linked models are sometimes called immuno-epidemiological models. However, there is still no generalised framework for linking the within-host and between-host dynamics of infectious diseases.

Diverse norovirus genotypes identified in sewage-polluted river water in South Africa.

This study aimed to assess norovirus (NoV) contamination and genotype diversity in surface water in Gauteng, South Africa. Between January 2008 and December 2010, three rivers, namely Klip, Suikerbosrant, and Rietspruit were monitored for NoV genogroup (G)I and GII. Viruses were recovered using the glass wool adsorption-elution technique and detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

The detection of enteric viruses in selected urban and rural river water and sewage in Kenya, with special reference to rotaviruses.

Aim: To determine the occurrence of eight human enteric viruses in surface water and sewage samples from different geographical areas in Kenya.

Methods And Results: Enteric viruses were recovered from the water and sewage sources by glass-wool adsorption elution and/or polyethylene glycol/NaCl precipitation and detected by singleplex real-time and conventional PCR and reverse transcriptase-PCR assays. One or more enteric viruses were detected in nearly all sewage and river water samples except the urban Mbagathi River.