Continuous detection of Chikungunya Virus in a passive surveillance system in southern Thailand, 2012-2019.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections are distributed across the globe, causing significant and, often, lasting morbidity. CHIKV vaccines are in development, but their evaluation is limited by the unpredictability of CHIKV transmission, which classically manifests as explosive epidemics separated by variable interepidemic periods. A passive surveillance study for undifferentiated febrile illness was established in southern Thailand in 2012 and is ongoing.

A Global Collaborative Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Antigenicity Across 15 Laboratories.

Setting up a global SARS-CoV-2 surveillance system requires an understanding of how virus isolation and propagation practices, use of animal or human sera, and different neutralisation assay platforms influence assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity. In this study, with the contribution of 15 independent laboratories across all WHO regions, we carried out a controlled analysis of neutralisation assay platforms using the first WHO International Standard for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (source: NIBSC). Live virus isolates (source: WHO BioHub or individual labs) or spike plasmids (individual labs) for pseudovirus production were used to perform neutralisation assays using the same serum panels.

Reconciling heterogeneous dengue virus infection risk estimates from different study designs.

Uncovering rates at which susceptible individuals become infected with a pathogen, i.e., the force of infection (FOI), is essential for assessing transmission risk and reconstructing distribution of immunity in a population.

Evidence for Significant Skew and Low Heritability of Competitive Male Mating Success in the Yellow Fever Mosquito .

mosquitoes are vectors of several viruses of major public health importance, and many new control strategies target mating behaviour. Mating in this species occurs in swarms characterised by male scramble competition and female choice. These mating swarms have a male-biased operational sex ratio, which is expected to generate intense competition among males for mating opportunities.

Risk Identification and Mitigation of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Military Training Environments.

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (SA), including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSAs), is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in military populations. This study investigated SSTI incidence and SA carriage in a military training site over 16 weeks using a prospective observational cohort design.

Methods: Two training cohorts provided pre- and post-training self-collected swabs for bacterial carriage, and environmental swabs from accommodations, personal items, and training facilities.

In silico prediction and experimental evaluation of LIP3228 of pathogenic Leptospira as a potential subunit vaccine target against leptospirosis.

A protein subunit vaccine comprising conserved surface-exposed outer membrane proteins (SE-OMPs) is considered a promising platform for leptospirosis vaccine. The search for novel vaccine candidates that confer high protective efficacy against leptospirosis is ongoing. The LIP3228 protein was previously identified as a conserved and abundant SE-OMP with the potential to serve as an effective vaccine candidate.

Predicting the infecting dengue serotype from antibody titre data using machine learning.

The development of a safe and efficacious vaccine that provides immunity against all four dengue virus serotypes is a priority, and a significant challenge for vaccine development has been defining and measuring serotype-specific outcomes and correlates of protection. The plaque reduction neutralisation test (PRNT) is the gold standard assay for measuring serotype-specific antibodies, but this test cannot differentiate homotypic and heterotypic antibodies and characterising the infection history is challenging. To address this, we present an analysis of pre- and post-infection antibody titres measured using the PRNT, collected from a prospective cohort of Thai children.

Linking multiple serological assays to infer dengue virus infections from paired samples using mixture models.

Dengue virus (DENV) is an increasingly important human pathogen, with already half of the globe's population living in environments with transmission potential. Since only a minority of cases are captured by direct detection methods (RT-PCR or antigen tests), serological assays play an important role in the diagnostic process. However, individual assays can suffer from low sensitivity and specificity and interpreting results from multiple assays remains challenging, particularly because interpretations from multiple assays may differ, creating uncertainty over how to generate finalized interpretations.

The effect of novel mosquito bite prevention tools on Anopheles minimus landing and key secondary endpoints: semi-field evaluations in Thailand.

Background: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) aims to eliminate all human malaria by 2030 and is making substantial progress toward this goal, with malaria increasingly confined to forest foci. These transmission foci are predominantly inhabited by ethnic minorities, local populations, and rural mobile and migrant populations working in mining and agriculture. The recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on malaria elimination states that small population groups which constitute a large proportion of the malaria transmission reservoir should benefit from targeted strategies to reduce transmission overall.

Enhancing brown dog tick rearing (Rhipicephalus sanguineus): In vivo feeding using mice (Mus musculus) as blood sources.

Ticks vector a large number of significant pathogens, yet remain understudied due to the challenges in laboratory colonization. This study introduces innovative techniques for rearing Rhipicephalus sanguineus, focusing on in vivo tick feeding using ICR mice (Mus musculus) as a blood source. The research, conducted at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research - Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), outlines the successful utilization of mice to support all stages of tick development.

Combination Therapy for Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis: A Literature Review of Current Evidence.

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a neglected skin disease that has tremendous epidemiological significance as a reservoir of Leishmania parasites. Relapse, drug resistance, non-compliance to prolonged treatment, poor health-seeking behaviour, along with limited therapeutic options pose a significant impact on the management of PKDL. In this study, we aimed to review the efficacy, safety and tolerability data of combination therapies for PKDL in the published literature.

Tracing the Trajectory of and Research: Eight Decades of Bibliometric Retrospect.

The global burden of mosquito-borne diseases transmitted by and mosquitoes has become a pressing public health concern. This study sought to quantify and evaluate about eight decades of publication data on the global epidemiological trend of the diseases transmitted by and . A comprehensive bibliographic review of literature was performed on and transmitted diseases, focusing on disease transmission, epidemiological trends, vector control strategies, surveillance and monitoring, and international collaborations and initiatives.

Alterations in Adipose Tissue and Adipokines in Heterozygous APE1/Ref-1 Deficient Mice.

Backgruound: The role of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) in adipose tissue remains poorly understood. This study investigates adipose tissue dysfunction in heterozygous APE1/Ref-1 deficiency (APE1/Ref-1+/-) mice, focusing on changes in adipocyte physiology, oxidative stress, adipokine regulation, and adipose tissue distribution.

Methods: APE1/Ref-1 mRNA and protein levels in white adipose tissue (WAT) were measured in APE1/Ref-1+/- mice, compared to their wild-type (APE1/Ref-1+/+) controls.

Nationwide cross-sectional surveillance of Leishmania donovani in phlebotomine sand flies and its impact on national kala-azar elimination in India.

India is accelerating efforts to eliminate kala-azar by aligning its National Kala-Azar Elimination Program with the World Health Organization's (WHO) roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2021-2030. Elimination relies on comprehensive vector surveillance and integrated vector management. This study aimed to conduct nationwide entomological surveillance to detect Leishmania donovani in phlebotomine sand flies.

Safety and Efficacy of Chyawanprash as a Prophylaxis Treatment for COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials.

Amidst the multifaceted challenges posed by COVID-19, interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has risen. Chyawanprash (CP), an Ayurvedic formulation, is recognized for its multifunctional properties. This systematic review aims to evaluate its safety and effectiveness as a COVID-19 prophylactic.

Prospective longitudinal study of men who have sex with men and transgender women to determine HIV incidence in two provinces in Thailand.

Background: In Thailand, HIV transmission is well characterized in large urban centers such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai but less so outside of these areas. The main purpose of this study was to assess HIV incidence and associated risk factors in Nakhon Ratchasima and Ratchaburi.

Methods: Participants assigned male sex at birth were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study between November 2017 and July 2018.

Trends of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use in Drug Targets, Discovery and Development: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmaceutical sectors have advanced drug discovery and development methods. AI has been applied in virtual drug design, molecule synthesis, advanced research, various screening methods, and decision-making processes. In the fourth industrial revolution, when medical discoveries are happening swiftly, AI technology is essential to reduce the costs, effort, and time in the pharmaceutical industry.

The added value of serologic testing: A comparison of influenza incidence among pregnant persons based on molecular-based surveillance versus serologic testing.

Background: We examined the added value of serologic testing for estimating influenza virus infection incidence based on illness surveillance with molecular testing versus periodic serologic testing.

Methods: Pregnant persons unvaccinated against influenza at <28 weeks gestation were enrolled before the 2017 and 2018 influenza seasons in Peru and Thailand. Blood specimens were collected at enrollment and ≤14 days postpartum for testing by hemagglutination inhibition assay for antibodies against influenza reference viruses.