Non-tuberculous mycobacteria disease pre-lung transplantation: A systematic review of the treatment regimens and duration pre- and post-transplant.

Background: There is lack of consensus on non-tuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) treatment regimen and duration in patient listed for lung transplantation (LTx). We conducted a systematic review on treatment regimen and duration pre- and directly post-LTx, for patients with known NTM-PD pre-LTx. Additionally, we searched for risk factors for NTM disease development post-LTx and for mortality.

Community members and healthcare workers' priorities for the control and prevention of snakebite envenoming in Ghana.

Introduction: Snakebite is one of the most neglected tropical diseases. In Ghana, there has been a limited interest in snakebite envenoming research despite evidence of high human-snake conflicts. In an effort to meet the World Health Organisation's (WHO) 2030 snakebite targets, the need for research evidence to guide policy interventions is evident.

[A female patient with acute pain in the right flank].

This case concerns a 60-years-old female patient with recurrent urinary tract infections, who developed acute abdominal pain. CT scanning revealed a hydronephrosis based on obstruction caused by the indwelling catheter tip, which had advanced into the distal ureter. By pulling the catheter 2 cm outwards, the complaints were relieved instantaneously.

'The medicine is not for sale': Practices of traditional healers in snakebite envenoming in Ghana.

Background: Snakebite envenoming is a medical emergency which is common in many tropical lower- and middle-income countries. Traditional healers are frequently consulted as primary care-givers for snakebite victims in distress. Traditional healers therefore present a valuable source of information about how snakebite is perceived and handled at the community level, an understanding of which is critical to improve and extend snakebite-related healthcare.

A scabies outbreak in the North East Region of Ghana: The necessity for prompt intervention.

Background: There is a dearth of data on scabies from Ghana. In September 2019, local health authorities in the East Mamprusi district of northern Ghana received reports of scabies from many parts of the district. Due to on-going reports of more cases, an assessment team visited the communities to assess the effect of the earlier individual treatment on the outbreak.

Predominance of CTX-M-15-producing ST131 strains among ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from asylum seekers in the Netherlands.

Objectives: Numerous studies show increased prevalence of MDR bacteria amongst asylum seekers, but data on the molecular profiles of such strains are limited. We aimed to evaluate the molecular profiles of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) strains isolated from asylum seekers and investigate their phylogenetic relatedness.

Asylum seekers' perspectives on vaccination and screening policies after their arrival in Greece and The Netherlands.

Introduction: Europe has been dealing with an increasing number of refugees during the past 5 years. The timing of screening and vaccination of refugees is debated by many professionals, however refugees' perspectives on health issues are infrequently taken into account. In this study, we aimed to investigate asylum seekers' perspectives on infectious diseases screening and vaccination policies.

Proportion of asylum seekers carrying multi-drug resistant microorganisms is persistently increased after arrival in the Netherlands.

Background: Several studies have shown a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) amongst asylum seekers when compared to the general population. The aim of this study is to assess the duration of MDRO carriage in this population.

Methods: Data were retrospectively collected between January 1st 2014 through December 31st 2016.

National approaches to the vaccination of recently arrived migrants in Europe: A comparative policy analysis across 32 European countries.

Background: Migrants may be underimmunised and at higher risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, yet there has been no comprehensive examination of what policies are currently implemented across Europe targeting child and adult migrants. We analysed vaccination policies for migrants in 32 EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.

Methods: Using framework analysis, we did a comparative analysis of national policies and guidelines pertaining to vaccination in recently arrived migrants through a systematic guideline and literature review and by approaching national experts.

Divergent approaches in the vaccination of recently arrived migrants to Europe: a survey of national experts from 32 countries, 2017.

BackgroundMigrants within the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) may be underimmunised and lack documentation on previous vaccinations. We investigated approaches to vaccination in recently arrived adult and child migrants, and guideline availability and implementation. : Between March and May 2017, a national vaccination expert from every EU/EEA country and Switzerland completed an electronic questionnaire.

Efficacy of ivermectin mass-drug administration to control scabies in asylum seekers in the Netherlands: A retrospective cohort study between January 2014 - March 2016.

Scabies is a skin infestation with the mite Sarcoptes scabiei causing itch and rash and is a major risk factor for bacterial skin infections and severe complications. Here, we evaluated the treatment outcome of 2866 asylum seekers who received (preventive) scabies treatment before and during a scabies intervention programme (SIP) in the main reception centre in the Netherlands between January 2014 and March 2016. A SIP was introduced in the main national reception centre based on frequent observations of scabies and its complications amongst Eritrean and Ethiopian asylum seekers in the Netherlands.

Screening for infectious diseases of asylum seekers upon arrival: the necessity of the moral principle of reciprocity.

Background: With a large number of forcibly displaced people seeking safety, the EU is facing a challenge in maintaining solidarity. Europe has seen millions of asylum seekers crossing European borders, the largest number of asylum seekers since the second world war. Endemic diseases and often failing health systems in their countries of origin, and arduous conditions during transit, raise questions around how to meet the health needs of this vulnerable population on arrival in terms of screening, vaccination, and access to timely and appropriate statutory health services.

Case Report: Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in an Asylum Seeker with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

A Syrian asylum seeker with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) developed a bronchopleural fistula after pneumonectomy. Although screening tests were negative on admission, carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae were cultured after a few months of TB treatment. Prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms is reported to be increased in asylum seekers compared with the general Dutch population.

High prevalence of MRSA and ESBL among asylum seekers in the Netherlands.

Migration is one of the risk factors for the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). The increasing influx of migrants challenges local health care systems. To provide evidence for both hospital hygiene measure and empirical antibiotic therapy, we analysed all cultures performed in asylum seekers between January 1st 2014 and December 31st 2015 for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and for multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDRE).

High Prevalence of Infectious Diseases and Drug-Resistant Microorganisms in Asylum Seekers Admitted to Hospital; No Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae until September 2015.

Introduction: The current refugee crisis emphasizes the need for information on infectious diseases and resistant microorganisms in asylum seekers with possible consequences for public health and infection control.

Methods: We collected data from asylum seekers admitted to our university hospital or who presented at the Emergency Department (n = 273). We collected general and demographic characteristics including country of origin, the reason of presentation, and the screening results of multi-drug resistant organisms.