Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato control measures: a specific focus on vaccines for both definitive and intermediate hosts.

Echinococcosis, a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus tapeworms, presents significant public health challenges worldwide. Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis has substantial health and economic impacts, necessitating effective prevention and control strategies. The present review provides a framework to expand our knowledge regarding key components of echinococcosis prevention and control, including phases, options, targets and available tools as well as current gaps and challenges in the field.

Automated surveillance for surgical site infections (SSI) in hospitals and surveillance networks-expert perspectives for implementation.

Background: This work aims at providing practical recommendations for implementing automated surveillance (AS) of surgical site infections (SSI) in hospitals and surveillance networks. It also provides an overview of the steps, choices, and obstacles that need to be taken into consideration when implementing such surveillance. Hands-on experience with existing automated surveillance systems of SSI (AS SSI systems) in Denmark, France, the Netherlands and Spain is described regarding trend monitoring, benchmarking, quality control, and research for surveillance purposes.

The profound impact of COVID-19 on the control and care of diabetic patients: a comprehensive retrospective cohort study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant shift in healthcare services, focusing on pandemic response and emergency preparedness. The Oman Ministry of Health implemented various measures to combat and control COVID-19. However, this shift disrupted routine outpatient appointments, particularly for chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN).

SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes across mental disorders and the role of sex: A register-based study from Catalonia.

Introduction: This study investigated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes among different mental health diagnoses and the role of sex in these associations.

Methods: Using electronic records from Catalonia, we identified adults receiving mental health care from 2017-2019 with diagnoses of non-affective psychosis (NAP), bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DEP), stress-related disorders, neurotic/somatoform disorders (NSD), and substance misuse (SUB) (exposed). The outcomes assessed were SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19-related death, compared to matched individuals without these mental disorders (unexposed).

Assessment of compliance and therapeutic efficacy of albendazole treatment in Chinese patients with echinococcosis.

Background: Echinococcosis is an infectious parasitic disease that is extremely harmful to human health. Albendazole is provided free of charge to patients requiring medication under the central government finance transfer payment scheme for echinococcosis control and prevention in China. Our aim is to monitor the state of patient medication and its therapeutic impact, which will help improve medication compliance and the therapeutic effect.

Effectiveness and acceptability of a 24-h interval versus a 48-h interval between mifepristone intake and misoprostol administration for in-hospital abortion at 9-20 gestational weeks: an international, open-label, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial.

Background: Optimising management of second-trimester medical abortion is important, as complications increase with gestational age. We aimed to compare a 24-h interval with a 48-h interval between mifepristone intake and misoprostol administration in in-hospital, second-trimester medical abortion for effectiveness and acceptability.

Methods: This open-label, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial was conducted at nine hospitals in India, Sweden, Thailand, and Viet Nam among adults undergoing medical abortion for a singleton viable pregnancy at a gestation of between 9 weeks and 20 weeks.

Global impact of ten-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on invasive pneumococcal disease in all ages (the PSERENADE project): a global surveillance analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) that are ten-valent (PCV10) and 13-valent (PCV13) became available in 2010. We evaluated their global impact on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence in all ages.

Methods: Serotype-specific IPD cases and population denominators were obtained directly from surveillance sites using PCV10 or PCV13 in their national immunisation programmes and with a primary series uptake of at least 50%.

Acceptability of a resource-oriented approach (DIALOG+) among patients with chronic physical illnesses in primary health care-Uganda, a qualitative study.

Background: Chronic physical illnesses are often associated with significant psychological distress and chronic mental illnesses are often co-morbid with physical illnesses. Efforts to integrate mental health into primary health care in Uganda are underway. However, there are enormous logistical challenges.

Creation and Validation of an Educational Booklet on Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objectives: To develop and validate an educational booklet that contributes to alleviating the difficulties experienced by family members of children diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum.

Methods: A descriptive exploratory study with a quali-quantitative approach. Ten families of children on the autism spectrum and twelve judges participated in the validation.

Nurses' job embeddedness and turnover intention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to review the relationship between job embeddedness and turnover intentions among nurses and explore the effects of the Job Embeddedness Scale, number of years in the career, education, and marital status on this relationship.

Methods: The review was conducted by searching the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), Weipu Database (CQVIP), China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wanfang Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and APA-PsycNet for articles on nurses' job embeddedness and turnover from intention up to March 2024. The research quality was evaluated using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) assessment criteria.

[Rabies and mobility: 2025 update].

Switzerland has been considered free of terrestrial rabies for more than 20 years. Nevertheless, the topics of rabies and rabies vaccination are more relevant than ever. On the one hand, this is because the demand for vaccines is increasing due to the increasing mobility of humans and animals, and on the other hand, there are frequent vaccine supply shortages.

EGHRIN conclusions on pandemic preparedness: no whole-of-society approach without society.

Pandemic preparedness necessitates a multifaceted approach that emphasizes societal factors, such as building trust and acknowledges cultural and societal differences, with a focus on protecting vulnerable groups. To support these goals, the European Global Health Research Institutes Network has outlined a comprehensive transdisciplinary approach through a set of multilevel recommendations.

Impact of different antiretroviral therapy regimens on bone mineral density in people living with HIV: a retrospective and longitudinal study in China.

Background: HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) are associated with bone loss of people living with HIV (PLWH), but limited studies exist on the impacts of ART regimens on bone mineral density (BMD) in China. This study evaluated BMD changes with three common ART regimens: tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) + lamivudine (3TC) + efavirenz (EFV), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-containing, and dolutegravir (DTG)-containing (non-TDF/non-TAF) therapies.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the prevalence of low BMD was analyzed in PLWH who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) before ART initiation.

Protektem pikinini blong yu trial: protocol for a single arm field trial to assess the effectiveness of treating-all pregnant women with hepatitis B infection with tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Vanuatu, 2024-2025.

Background: Hepatitis B infection is a major public health concern in Vanuatu, with approximately 9% of the general population estimated to be living with chronic hepatitis B. Most new infections are due to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Hepatitis B vaccination is available in Vanuatu, but coverage rates for first dose within 24 h of birth and third dose are suboptimal.

A Meta-Analysis of Levofloxacin for Contacts of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Background: Data from randomized trials evaluating the effectiveness of tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment for contacts of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB are lacking. Two recently published randomized trials that did not achieve statistical significance provide the opportunity for a meta-analysis.

Methods: We conducted combined analyses of two phase 3 trials of levofloxacin MDR-TB preventive treatment - Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (VQUIN) trial and the Levofloxacin preventive treatment in children exposed to MDR-TB (TB-CHAMP) trial.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Chest X-ray Computer-Aided Detection Software for Detection of Prevalent and Incident Tuberculosis in Household Contacts.

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) tuberculosis (TB) screening guidelines recommend computer-aided detection (CAD) software for chest radiograph (CXR) interpretation. However, studies evaluating their diagnostic and prognostic accuracy are limited.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of household contacts of rifampicin-resistant TB in South Africa.

Stereotactic body radiotherapy as metastasis-directed therapy in oligometastatic prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: The use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to definitively treat oligometastases in prostate cancer has drawn large clinical and research interests within radiation oncology. However, the evidence is considered in its early stages and there is currently no systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this field. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SBRT as metastasis-directed therapy (MDT) in oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) compared to no MDT reported in RCTs.

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychosocial interventions for PTSD, depression, and anxiety in asylum seekers, refugees, and other migrant populations: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled studies.

Background: Migrant populations are at increased risk of developing mental health problems. We aimed to compare the efficacy and acceptability of psychosocial interventions in this population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA).

Recommendations for the optimal introduction of novel antibiotics to treat uncomplicated gonorrhoea in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance: a case study with zoliflodacin.

New, first-in-class oral antibiotics like zoliflodacin, developed in a public-private partnership, require an optimal introduction strategy while ensuring antibiotic stewardship. Zoliflodacin, given as a single dose for uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhoea, recently demonstrated non-inferiority to ceftriaxone plus azithromycin and safety in a phase 3 randomised controlled trial. Following regulatory approval, zoliflodacin could improve sexually transmitted infection (STI) management and help address the threat of untreatable gonorrhoea, as levels of resistance to current first-line treatments increase.

Finding the missed millions: innovations to bring tuberculosis diagnosis closer to key populations.

Current strategies to promptly, effectively, and equitably screen people with tuberculosis (TB) and link them to diagnosis and care are insufficient; new approaches are required to find the millions of people around the world with TB who are missed each year. Interventions also need to be designed considering how people interact with health care facilities and where appropriate should be suitable for use in the community. Here, the historical, new, and reemerging technologies that are being utilised for TB diagnosis globally are discussed, whilst highlighting that how we use and evaluate tests is just as important as the tests themselves.

Patterns and drivers of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in 13 Western European countries.

Background: Important differences in excess mortality between European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported. Understanding the drivers of these differences is essential to pandemic preparedness.

Methods: We examined patterns in age- and sex-standardized cumulative excess mortality in 13 Western European countries during the first 30 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and the correlation of country-level characteristics of interest with excess mortality.