Last data update: Jun 03, 2024. (Total: 46935 publications since 2009)
Records 1-9 (of 9 Records) |
Query Trace: Cadena L [original query] |
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Seroprevalence of high incidence congenital infections among pregnant women in Coatepeque, Guatemala and surrounding areas, 2017-2018
Hicks VJ , Sánchez C , López MR , Gottschlich A , Grajeda LM , Balish A , Gómez A , Nuñez N , Juárez J , López B , Freitas-Ning M , Cordón-Rosales C , Sagastume M , McCracken JP , Espinosa-Bode A , Cadena L , Lo TQ . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023 17 (4) e0011248 Maternal infections during pregnancy can potentially cause birth defects and severe adverse effects in infants. From 2017 to 2018, we investigated the seroprevalence of five antibodies among 436 mother-infant pairs enrolled in a pregnancy cohort study in Coatepeque, Guatemala. Upon enrollment (< 20 weeks gestational age) and shortly after delivery, we measured the prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), rubella, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in mothers and newborns and used rapid tests to detect HIV and syphilis (Treponema pallidum) in mothers. The mean cohort age was 24.5 years. Maternal T. gondii IgM and IgG seropositivity was 1.9% and 69.7%, respectively. No women were positive for HIV, syphilis, or rubella IgM. Maternal rubella IgG seropositivity was 80.8% and significantly increased with age. Maternal CMV IgM and IgG seropositivity were 2.3% and 99.5%, respectively. Of the 323 women tested at both timepoints, IgM reactivation occurred in one woman for T. gondii infection and in eight for CMV. No newborn was seropositive for CMV IgM or rubella IgM. One newborn was seropositive for T. gondii IgM. Congenital T. gondii and CMV infections are important public health issues for pregnant women, newborns, and healthcare providers in Coatepeque and Guatemala. |
Heterogeneity in dog population characteristics contributes to chronic under-vaccination against rabies in Guatemala
Moran D , Alvarez D , Cadena L , Cleaton J , Salyer SJ , Pieracci EG , Camposeco LR , Bernal S , Wallace RM . PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 16 (7) e0010522 Guatemala has held dog rabies mass vaccination campaigns countrywide since 1984, yet the virus remains endemic. To eliminate dog-mediated human rabies, dog vaccination coverage must reach at least 70%. The Guatemala rabies program uses a 5:1 human:dog ratio (HDR) to estimate the vaccination coverage; however, this method may not accurately reflect the heterogeneity of dog ownership practices in Guatemalan communities. We conducted 16 field-based dog population estimates in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Guatemala to determine HDR and evaluate the standard 5:1. Our study-derived HDR estimates varied from 1.7-11.4:1 (average 4.0:1), being higher in densely populated sites and lowest in rural communities. The community-to-community heterogeneity observed in dog populations could explain the persistence of rabies in certain communities. To date, this is the most extensive dog-population evaluation conducted in Guatemala, and can be used to inform future rabies vaccination campaigns needed to meet the global 2030 rabies elimination targets. |
Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Acute Dengue Virus Infections Detected through Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance, Belize 2020.
Ly AN , Manzanero R , Maliga A , Gunter SM , Ronca SE , Zielinski-Gutierrez E , Morey F , Bautista K , Espinosa-Bode A , López B , Cadena L , Fuentes RC , Erickson TA , Munoz FM , Mackey J , Morazán G , Murray KO . Viruses 2022 14 (4) The Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) Surveillance Network in Belize is a country-wide active surveillance program aimed at diagnosing vector-borne, respiratory, and enteric pathogens among patients presenting to 11 participating hospitals and clinics with new onset fever. This study describes the epidemiology of dengue virus (DENV) infections in Belize diagnosed through AFI surveillance in 2020. Of the 894 patients enrolled and PCR-tested for DENV in this period, 44 DENV-positive cases (5%) were identified. All four DENV serotypes were detected, with two cases testing positive for DENV serotype 4, which is the first report of this serotype in Belize since 2004. The majority of DENV cases (66%) were diagnosed in the Belize District, which contains the largest urban center in the country (Belize City). Positive cases were detected between January 2020 and September 2020, with the majority (89%) diagnosed during the dry season between January and April, unlike years prior when cases were more often diagnosed during the wet season. Clinical signs and symptoms varied slightly between DENV serotypes. Active surveillance of DENV among AFI cases provides insight into the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of DENV in Belize. This information is important for informing public health interventions to mitigate DENV transmission. |
Evaluation of the collaborative integrated surveillance system (ViCo) in Guatemala: a qualitative study on lessons learned and future perspectives
Jaramillo J , Ning MF , Cadena L , Park M , Lo T , Zielinski-Gutierrez E , Espinosa-Bode A , Reyes M , Del Rosario Polo M , Henao O . BMC Public Health 2022 22 (1) 350 BACKGROUND: The collaborative integrated surveillance system known as Vigilancia Integrada Comunitaria (ViCo) was implemented in 2007 to better understand and characterize the burden of diarrheal, respiratory and febrile illnesses in Guatemala. METHODS: To evaluate the usefulness of ViCo and inform a redesign of the system and new surveillance activities in the Central American region, personnel from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted thirty-nine in-depth interviews from June-December 2018 with key stakeholders responsible for the design and implementation of ViCo in Guatemala. A semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Updated CDC Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems was used for data collection. We used a grounded theory approach to explore stakeholder perceptions of ViCo and generate recommendations for improvement. Primary qualitative findings were organized based on thematic areas using ATLAS.ti version 8 software. RESULTS: Emergent themes relevant to the usefulness of ViCo were organized across strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations pertaining to the: (1) Size and Complexity of ViCo, (2) Stakeholder Expectations About the Objectives of ViCo, (3) Data Management and Structure of the Information System, (4) Local Control of Data, (5) Integration of ViCo within the Ministry of Health, and, (6) Improvement of the Operational and Design Aspects of ViCo across System, Process, and Output levels. CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders perceived ViCo to be useful. They recommended measures to improve system performance and quality, including simplifying the surveillance system, routine data analysis and feedback, and channeling efforts towards integrating surveillance data into the national health information system. To create a well-performing surveillance system and achieve the intended objective of surveillance for public health action, ongoing evaluation and assessment of surveillance activities are necessary. |
Portable Rabies Virus Sequencing in Canine Rabies Endemic Countries Using the Oxford Nanopore MinION.
Gigante CM , Yale G , Condori RE , Costa NC , Long NV , Minh PQ , Chuong VD , Tho ND , Thanh NT , Thin NX , Hanh NTH , Wambura G , Ade F , Mito O , Chuchu V , Muturi M , Mwatondo A , Hampson K , Thumbi SM , Thomae BG , de Paz VH , Meneses S , Munyua P , Moran D , Cadena L , Gibson A , Wallace RM , Pieracci EG , Li Y . Viruses 2020 12 (11) As countries with endemic canine rabies progress towards elimination by 2030, it will become necessary to employ techniques to help plan, monitor, and confirm canine rabies elimination. Sequencing can provide critical information to inform control and vaccination strategies by identifying genetically distinct virus variants that may have different host reservoir species or geographic distributions. However, many rabies testing laboratories lack the resources or expertise for sequencing, especially in remote or rural areas where human rabies deaths are highest. We developed a low-cost, high throughput rabies virus sequencing method using the Oxford Nanopore MinION portable sequencer. A total of 259 sequences were generated from diverse rabies virus isolates in public health laboratories lacking rabies virus sequencing capacity in Guatemala, India, Kenya, and Vietnam. Phylogenetic analysis provided valuable insight into rabies virus diversity and distribution in these countries and identified a new rabies virus lineage in Kenya, the first published canine rabies virus sequence from Guatemala, evidence of rabies spread across an international border in Vietnam, and importation of a rabid dog into a state working to become rabies-free in India. Taken together, our evaluation highlights the MinION's potential for low-cost, high volume sequencing of pathogens in locations with limited resources. |
Prevalence and genetic diversity of viral gastroenteritis viruses in children younger than 5 years of age in Guatemala, 2014-2015.
Diez-Valcarce M , Lopez MR , Lopez B , Morales O , Sagastume M , Cadena L , Kaydos-Daniels S , Jarquin C , McCracken JP , Bryan JP , Vinje J . J Clin Virol 2019 114 6-11 BACKGROUND: Acute diarrhea is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and is associated with approximately 500,000 deaths/year globally. Rotavirus and norovirus are leading causes of acute diarrhea accounting for more than half of this burden. OBJECTIVE/STUDY DESIGN: To determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus, norovirus, sapovirus and astrovirus among children <5 years of age at two departments in Guatemala from January 2014 to December 2015, we tested 471 stool specimens (202 samples from hospitalized children and 269 samples from children in ambulatory clinics) by real-time reverse transcription-PCR and genotyped positive samples. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 20.4%, norovirus in 18.5%, sapovirus in 7% and astrovirus in 4.2% of the samples. Co-infection of rotavirus and norovirus was found in 2.6% of the samples. Most norovirus (87.4%) and rotavirus (81.3%) infections were detected in children in the 6-12 months age group. The proportion of patients with rotavirus (34%) and norovirus (23%) was higher in hospitalized patients compared to ambulatory patients, whereas the prevalence of sapovirus and astrovirus was similar in both settings. Of the 40 genotyped norovirus strains, 62.5% were GII.4 and 15% GII.3. Sapovirus genotypes included GI.1 (15.4%), GII.2 (15.4%), GII.5 (38.5%) and GIV.1 (30.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that in 2014-2015, gastroenteritis viruses account for 50% of acute diarrhea in children younger than 5 years of age in Guatemala, highlighting the importance of continuous surveillance to guide impact of the current rotavirus vaccine and formulation of future norovirus vaccines. |
Laboratory evaluation of commercially available platforms to detect West Nile and Zika viruses from honey cards
Burkhalter KL , Wiggins K , Burkett-Cadena N , Alto BW . J Med Entomol 2018 55 (3) 717-722 Commercially available assays utilizing antigen or nucleic acid detection chemistries provide options for mosquito control districts to screen their mosquito populations for arboviruses and make timely operational decisions regarding vector control. These assays may be utilized even more advantageously when combined with honey-soaked nucleic acid preservation substrate ('honey card') testing by reducing or replacing the time- and labor-intensive efforts of identifying and processing mosquito pools. We tested artificially inoculated honey cards and cards fed upon individually by West Nile virus (WNV) and Zika virus (ZIKV)-infected mosquitoes with three assays to compare detection rates and the limit of detection for each platform with respect to virus detection of a single infected mosquito and quantify the time interval of virus preservation on the cards. Assays evaluated included CDC protocols for real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for WNV and ZIKV, Pro-Lab Diagnostics ProAmpRT WNV loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) and ZIKV LAMP assays, and the Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) WNV assay. Real-time RT-PCR was the most sensitive assay and the most robust to viral RNA degradation over time. To maximize the detection of virus, honey cards should be left in the traps </=1 d if using LAMP assays and </=3 d if using real-time RT-PCR to detect viruses from field samples. The WNV RAMP assay, although effective for pool screening, lacks sensitivity required for honey card surveillance. Future studies may determine the minimum number of infectious mosquitoes required to feed on a honey card that would be reliably detected by the LAMP or RAMP assays. |
A comprehensive capacity assessment tool for non-communicable diseases in low- to middle-income countries: development and results of pilot testing
Garcia de Quevedo I , Lobelo F , Cadena L , Soares M , Pratt M . Glob Health Promot 2016 25 (1) 43-53 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death worldwide, with higher rates of premature mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This places a high economic burden on these countries, which usually have limited capacity to address this public health problem. We developed a guided self-assessment tool for describing national capacity for NCD prevention and control. The purpose of this tool was to assist countries in identifying key opportunities and gaps in NCD capacity. It was piloted in three countries between 2012 and 2013: Mozambique, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. The tool includes details about NCD burden; health system infrastructure and primary care services; workforce capacity; surveillance; planning, policy, and program management; and partnerships. In the three pilot countries, the tool helped to identify differences in capacity needs pertaining to staff, training, and surveillance, but similarities were also found related to NCD challenges and opportunities. The NCD tool increased our understanding of needs and critical capacity elements for addressing NCDs in the three pilot countries. This tool can be used by other LMICs to map their efforts toward addressing NCD goals and defining priorities. |
Lung function, airway inflammation, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure in Mexican schoolchildren: a pilot study
Barraza-Villarreal A , Escamilla-Nunez MC , Schilmann A , Hernandez-Cadena L , Li Z , Romanoff L , Sjodin A , Del Rio-Navarro BE , Diaz-Sanchez D , Diaz-Barriga F , Sly P , Romieu I . J Occup Environ Med 2014 56 (4) 415-9 OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with lung function and pH of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in Mexican schoolchildren. METHODS: A pilot study was performed in a subsample of 64 schoolchildren from Mexico City. Lung function and pH of EBC were measured and metabolites of PAHs in urine samples were determined. The association was analyzed using robust regression models. RESULTS: A 10% increase in the concentrations of 2-hydroxyfluorene was significantly negatively associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (-11.2 mL, 95% CI: -22.2 to -0.02), forced vital capacity (-11.6 mL, 95% CI: -22.9 to -0.2), and pH of EBC (-0.035, 95% CI: -0.066 to -0.005). CONCLUSION: Biomarkers of PAHs exposure were inversely associated with lung function and decrease of ph of EBC as a marker of airway inflammation in Mexican schoolchildren. |
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