Addressing the emerging threat of Oropouche virus: implications and public health responses for healthcare systems.

Oropouche fever is an increasingly significant health concern in tropical and subtropical areas of South and Central America, and is primarily spread by midge vectors. The Oropouche virus (OROV) was first identified in 1955 and has been responsible for numerous outbreaks, particularly in urban environments. Despite its prevalence, the disease is often under-reported, making it difficult to fully understand its impact.

Universal, untargeted detection of bacteria in tissues using metabolomics workflows.

Fast and reliable identification of bacteria directly in clinical samples is a critical factor in clinical microbiological diagnostics. Current approaches require time-consuming bacterial isolation and enrichment procedures, delaying stratified treatment. Here, we describe a biomarker-based strategy that utilises bacterial small molecular metabolites and lipids for direct detection of bacteria in complex samples using mass spectrometry (MS).

Machine learning derived retinal pigment score from ophthalmic imaging shows ethnicity is not biology.

Few metrics exist to describe phenotypic diversity within ophthalmic imaging datasets, with researchers often using ethnicity as a surrogate marker for biological variability. We derived a continuous, measured metric, the retinal pigment score (RPS), that quantifies the degree of pigmentation from a colour fundus photograph of the eye. RPS was validated using two large epidemiological studies with demographic and genetic data (UK Biobank and EPIC-Norfolk Study) and reproduced in a Tanzanian, an Australian, and a Chinese dataset.

Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine Trial.

Objective: To evaluate descriptive efficacy data, exploratory immunogenicity data, and safety follow-up through study completion from the global, phase 3 MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) maternal vaccination trial of bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVpreF).

Methods: MATISSE was a phase 3, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy pregnant participants aged 49 years or younger at 24-36 weeks of gestation were randomized (1:1) to receive a single RSVpreF 120 micrograms or placebo dose.

Preterm Birth Frequency and Associated Outcomes From the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) Maternal Trial of the Bivalent Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prefusion F Protein Vaccine.

Objective: To describe preterm birth frequency and newborn and infant outcomes overall and among preterm children in the MATISSE (Maternal Immunization Study for Safety and Efficacy) trial of maternal vaccination with bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein-based vaccine (RSVpreF) to protect infants against severe RSV-associated illness.

Methods: MATISSE was a global, phase 3, randomized, double-blind trial. Pregnant individuals received single injections of RSVpreF or placebo.

Conference 2024: Building an innovative scientific research ecosystem for microbiome and One Health.

The Conference 2024 provides a platform to promote the development of an innovative scientific research ecosystem for microbiome and One Health. The four key components - Technology, Research (Biology), Academic journals, and Social media - form a synergistic ecosystem. Advanced technologies drive biological research, which generates novel insights that are disseminated through academic journals.

How and why does mode of birth affect processes for routine data collection and use? A qualitative study in Bangladesh and Tanzania.

The World Health Organization recognises Routine Health Information System (RHIS) data as integral to data-driven health systems; needed to improve intrapartum outcomes for maternal and newborn health worldwide. However, research in Bangladesh and Tanzania suggests that mode of birth affects register data accuracy, but little is known about why. To address this gap, we undertook qualitative research in these two public-sector health systems.

Mainstreaming control interventions for neglected tropical diseases into the health system: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: The WHO neglected tropical diseases (NTD) roadmap (2021-2030) proposed a shift in approach to addressing NTDs through accountability for impact, implementing integration across NTDs, mainstreaming in national health systems and ensuring country ownership. However, a major challenge has been the dearth of evidence on how to implement this shift in a resource-limited setting. The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence on the mainstreaming or integration of programmes and/or interventions against NTDs into the national health system.

Effects of a liquefied petroleum gas stove and fuel intervention on head circumference and length at birth: A multi-country household air pollution intervention network (HAPIN) trial.

Background: Air pollution may impair child growth and cognitive development, with potential markers including birth length and head circumference.

Methods: The Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial was an open label multi-country-randomized controlled trial, with 3200 pregnant women aged 18-34 years (9-19 weeks of gestation) randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stove intervention compared to women continuing to cook with solid fuels for 18 months. Particulate matter ≤ 2.

Trachoma Impact Survey Results from 31 Woredas in Tigray Region, Ethiopia.

Purpose: Baseline surveys were conducted in Tigray region, Ethiopia, in 2013. Since then, rounds of azithromycin mass drug administration (MDA) have been delivered in-line with international guidance. The purpose of these surveys was to assess trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) prevalence following those treatments to enable the region to plan the next steps towards elimination of trachoma.

The Trend of Tuberculosis Case Notification Rates from 1995 to 2022 by Country Income and World Health Organization Region.

Over the past 27 years, three major global TB control strategies have been implemented, and it is important at this stage to evaluate their impact on tuberculosis (TB) case notification rates (CNRs). This study, therefore, analyzed TB CNR trends from 1995 to 2022 across 208 countries and islands, using data from the WHO Global TB Programme database. Countries were classified by income level and population size based on World Bank criteria.

Delays to Revascularisation and Outcomes of Non-elective Admissions for Chronic Limb Threatening Ischaemia: a UK Population Based Cohort Study.

Objective: Major amputation and death are significant outcomes after lower limb revascularisation for chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI), but there is limited evidence on their association with the timing of revascularisation. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between time from non-elective admission to revascularisation and one year outcomes for patients with CLTI.

Methods: This was an observational, population based cohort study of patients aged ≥ 50 years with CLTI admitted non-electively for infra-inguinal revascularisation procedures in English NHS hospitals from January 2017 to December 2019 recorded in the Hospital Episode Statistics database.

Kidney Function Decline After COVID-19 Infection.

Importance: COVID-19 infection has been associated with acute kidney injury. However, its possible association with long-term kidney function is not well understood.

Objective: To investigate whether kidney function decline accelerated after COVID-19 compared with after other respiratory tract infections.

Comparative Effectiveness of Antivirals and Monoclonal Antibodies for Treating COVID-19 Patients Infected With Omicron Variant: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Antiviral drugs likely remain effective against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, while monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies have experienced drops in neutralizing ability. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to estimate the comparative effectiveness of antivirals and mAb therapies for treating COVID-19 patients infected with Omicron, capturing primarily acute outcomes. We searched multiple databases from July 4 to July 19, 2022, with updates through November 4, 2022.

Gender and geographical bias in the editorial decision-making process of biomedical journals: a case-control study.

Objectives: To assess whether the gender (primary) and geographical affiliation (post-hoc) of the first and/or last authors are associated with publication decisions after peer review.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Biomedical journals.

Cluster randomised controlled trial of double-dose azithromycin mass drug administration, facial cleanliness and fly control measures for trachoma control in Oromia, Ethiopia: the stronger SAFE trial protocol.

Introduction: Trachoma is caused by the bacterium (). The WHO recommends the SAFE strategy for trachoma elimination: Surgery for trichiasis, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement. Multiple rounds of SAFE implementation have proven insufficient to eliminate trachoma in Ethiopia, where over 50% of the global trachoma burden remains.

Short-term effect of temperature and precipitation on the incidence of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease in Europe: a multi-country case-crossover analysis.

Background: In recent years, Europe has experienced several outbreaks of West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne pathogen. This study aims to quantify the impact of weekly mean temperature and cumulative precipitation on human cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND), to assess the feasibility of climate-informed early warning systems for severe forms of WNV infection.

Methods: Using a space-time-stratified case-crossover design, the short-term effects of meteorological factors on WNND cases reported in Europe from 2014 to 2022 were examined.

Risk of mortality between warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants: population-based cohort studies.

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been reported to be associated with a higher risk of mortality compared with an older alternative, warfarin using primary care data in the United Kingdom (UK). However, other studies observed contradictory findings. We therefore aimed to investigate the association between mortality and warfarin, compared with DOACs.

Effectiveness of the primary Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine against the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis disease: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

Background: Tuberculosis vaccine trials using disease as the primary endpoint are large, time consuming, and expensive. An earlier immunological measure of the protection against disease would accelerate tuberculosis vaccine development. We aimed to assess whether the effectiveness of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine for prevention of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection was consistent with that for prevention of tuberculosis disease.

The importance of microbiology reference laboratories and adequate funding for infectious disease surveillance.

Microbiology reference laboratories perform a crucial role within public health systems. This role was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Viewpoint, we emphasise the importance of microbiology reference laboratories and highlight the types of digital data and expertise they provide, which benefit national and international public health.