Long-term Memory Response After a Single Intramuscular Rabies Booster Vaccination 10-24 Years After Primary Immunization.

Background: Published data regarding long-lasting immunological rabies memory after pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are scarce. We tested the hypothesis that rabies booster immunization elicits rapid anamnestic responses.

Methods: For this observational study, we included participants who had received PrEP 10-24 years before inclusion.

Pharmacogenetic considerations in the treatment of co-infections with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Congolese populations of Central Africa.

Background: HIV-infection, tuberculosis and malaria are the big three communicable diseases that plague sub-Saharan Africa. If these diseases occur as co-morbidities they require polypharmacy, which may lead to severe drug-drug-gene interactions and variation in adverse drug reactions, but also in treatment outcomes. Polymorphisms in genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes are the major cause of these variations, but such polymorphisms may support the prediction of drug efficacy and toxicity.

The early preclinical and clinical development of cipargamin (KAE609), a novel antimalarial compound.

Background: Cipargamin (KAE609) is a novel spiroindolone class drug for the treatment of malaria, currently undergoing phase 2 clinical development. This review provides an overview and interpretation of the pre-clinical and clinical data of this possible next-generation antimalarial drug published to date.

Methods: We systematically searched the literature for studies on the preclinical and clinical development of cipargamin.

Zika among international travellers presenting to GeoSentinel sites, 2012-2019: implications for clinical practice.

Introduction: International travellers contribute to the rapid spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) and its sentinel identification globally. We describe ZIKV infections among international travellers seen at GeoSentinel sites with a focus on ZIKV acquired in the Americas and the Caribbean, describe countries of exposure and traveller characteristics, and assess ZIKV diagnostic testing by site.

Methods: Records with an international travel-related diagnosis of confirmed or probable ZIKV from January 2012 through December 2019 reported to GeoSentinel with a recorded illness onset date were included to show reported cases over time.

Improving Lives in Three Dimensions: The Feasibility of 3D Printing for Creating Personalized Medical Aids in a Rural Area of Sierra Leone.

The aim of this feasibility study was to investigate how a 3D printer could be put to its best use in a resource-limited healthcare setting. We have examined whether a 3D printer can contribute to making prostheses, braces, or splints for patients who underwent major limb amputation because of complex wounds, for example, due to burns and subsequent scarring, accidents, conflicts, or congenital abnormalities. During a 3-month period, we investigated the benefits of customized, 3D-printed arm prostheses, splints, and braces in Sierra Leone.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Invasive Pneumococcal Disease and Community-acquired Pneumonia in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals in a High-income Setting.

Background: Although people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), it is unclear whether this remains the case in the setting of early initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), at high CD4 cell counts. This is important, as pneumococcal vaccination coverage in PLWH is low in Europe and the United States, despite longstanding international recommendations.

Methods: We identified all CAP and IPD cases between 2008 and 2017 in a cohort of PLWH in a Dutch HIV referral center.

A Prospective Study on the Impact and Out-of-Pocket Costs of Dengue Illness in International Travelers.

Although the costs of dengue illness to patients and households have been extensively studied in endemic populations, international travelers have not been the focus of costing studies. As globalization and human travel activities intensify, travelers are increasingly at risk for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, such as dengue. This exploratory study aims to investigate the impact and out-of-pocket costs of dengue illness among travelers.

Rabies Antibody Response After Booster Immunization: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Although fatal once symptomatic, rabies is preventable by administration of pre- and post-exposure vaccines. International guidelines suggest lifelong protection by a pre-exposure vaccination scheme followed by timely post-exposure vaccines. Rapidity and magnitude of the antibody recall response after booster inoculation are essential, as many people have been previously immunized a long time ago.

Leptospirosis among Returned Travelers: A GeoSentinel Site Survey and Multicenter Analysis-1997-2016.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal emerging zoonosis with worldwide distribution and a broad range of clinical presentations and exposure risks. It typically affects vulnerable populations in (sub)tropical countries but is increasingly reported in travelers as well. Diagnostic methods are cumbersome and require further improvement.

Rabies antibody response after two intradermal pre-exposure prophylaxis immunizations: An observational cohort study.

Background: Rabies is a lethal, but vaccine preventable disease. Vaccination uptake is however hampered by the time-consuming three-dose, 21/28-day schedule. The aim of this study was to examine whether adequate rabies antibody titers are reached after two intradermal (ID) doses of rabies vaccine, with a seven-day window.

Differences in Inflammation Patterns Induced by African and Asian Isolates in Mice.

Abstract is the causative agent of melioidosis, an emerging tropical disease of high mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa represents potential melioidosis "hotspots"; however, to date, only a few cases have been reported. Here in, we compared the inflammatory patterns induced by a strain recently isolated from a fatal Gabonese case with the Thai reference strain -1026b and -E264.

Serodiagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections by a novel NS1-based ELISA devoid of cross-reactivity with dengue virus antibodies: a multicohort study of assay performance, 2015 to 2016.

Serological diagnosis of Zika virus (ZIKV) infections is challenging due to high cross-reactivity between flaviviruses. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a novel anti-ZIKV ELISA based on recombinant ZIKV non-structural protein 1 (NS1). Assay sensitivity was examined using sera from 27 patients with reverse transcription (RT)-PCR-confirmed and 85 with suspected ZIKV infection.

Development and evaluation of real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid detection of cystic echinococcosis.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (EG)-complex, is a neglected parasitic disease of public health importance. The disease is endemic in many African and Mediterranean countries including the Sudan. The objective of the present study was to develop and evaluate a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for simple and rapid detection of CE in humans and domestic live stock in Sudan.

Dengue and chikungunya seroprevalence in Gabonese infants prior to major outbreaks in 2007 and 2010: A sero-epidemiological study.

Background: Apart from outbreak reports, little is known about the endemicity of dengue and chikungunya virus in African countries. We investigated serum samples collected in Gabon before major outbreaks in 2007 and 2010 in order to identify pre-outbreak-circulation of both viruses.

Methods: Serum samples from Gabonese infants (162) were analyzed at 3, 9, 15 and 30 months of age by commercial ELISA for dengue and chikungunya IgG-antibodies.

Hemozoin Detection for Human Malaria Diagnosis Investigated in Rodent Models: How Similar Is Similar?

New malaria diagnostic methods based on hemozoin (Hz) detection have been reported recently and were investigated in rodent models. These models are likely to produce unduly favorable results compared to the reality of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Thus, for malaria diagnostics, results from rodent malaria experiments must be interpreted with caution.

The Second Zambian National Tuberculosis Drug Resistance survey - a comparison of conventional and molecular methods.

Objective: The prevalence of MDR-TB in Zambia was estimated to be 1.8% in 2001. A second drug resistance survey was conducted in 2008 to determine trends; the use of the Genotype MTBDRplus assay was applied to compare results to the gold standard.

Influenza A and Parvovirus B19 Seropositivity Rates in Gabonese Infants.

Clinical and epidemiological data from Central Africa on influenza A and parvovirus B19 infections are limited. We analyzed 162 blood samples of infants 3, 9, 15, and 30 months of age for IgG antibodies against both pathogens. Antibody responses were 0, 3.

Impact of Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis on Helminth Infections in HIV-Infected Patients in Lambaréné, Gabon.

Background: Foci of the HIV epidemic and helminthic infections largely overlap geographically. Treatment options for helminth infections are limited, and there is a paucity of drug-development research in this area. Limited evidence suggests that antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces prevalence of helminth infections in HIV-infected individuals.