Correction: Efficacy and safety of polymyxin B sulfate versus colistin sulfate in ICU patients with nosocomial pneumonia caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: a multicenter, propensity score-matched, real-world cohort study
Changes in gut microbiome following anti-tuberculosis treatment: a prospective cohort from eastern China
The treatment of people with tuberculosis necessitates the administration of both broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum antibiotics for a minimum duration of six months. Prolonged antibiotic therapy may result in dysregulation of the gut microbiota, potentially influencing the onset and progression of tuberculosis. There is a paucity of studies focus on the characteristics of gut microbiota changes at various time points during tuberculosis treatment. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the composition of gut microbiota and their stage within anti-tuberculosis therapy.
Incidence and risk factors of surgical site infection following cesarean section: a prospective cohort study at Jimma university medical center
Surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean section (CS) is one of the contributors for high maternal mortality and morbidity rates.
Epidemiology of arboviruses in humans and livestock in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Arbovirus infections are a global public health threat, accounting for approximately 73% of the total emerging and re-emerging human infections, where the burden is worsened in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. However, the surveillance system has been still challenged, and their burden and magnitude are not well estimated due to underestimates of true arbovirus burdens by passive case detections. To support targeted evidence-based public health decision-making, comprehensive evidence of arbovirus prevalence is crucial. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of arboviruses in humans and livestock in Ethiopia.
Economic burden of infective endocarditis in Zhejiang region from 2007 to 2016
Infective endocarditis (IE) has attracted widespread public attention. However, studies on its economic burden remain scarce.
Lung and gut microbiota profiling in intensive care unit patients: a prospective pilot study
The gut and lung microbiomes play crucial roles in host defense and mayserve as predictive markersfor clinical outcomes in critically ill patients. Despite this, the simultaneous dynamics of lung and gut microbiomes during critical illness remain unclear. This study aims to assess the longitudinal changes in lung and gut microbiota among mechanically ventilated ICU patients with and without infection and to identify microbial features predictive of clinical outcomes, including the development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).
Leptin and Iinterlukin-6 relationship and influence of mortality in sepsis
Sepsis is a severe and life-threatening disease involving multiple risk factors. Leptin has been suggested to play a role in modulating the inflammatory response in sepsis and improving outcomes; however, there are conflicting results regarding the outcome of sepsis. The present study aims to clarify the expression of leptin in patients with sepsis, and its association with other cytokines.
Intensive care unit-based mortality risk model construction for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients: a retrospective study
This study develops a predictive model to evaluate mortality risk in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients in intensive care units (ICU) to improve the accuracy of prognosis and guide the optimization of treatment strategies.
Higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis revealed by Xpert MTB/RIF ultra among drug users in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the eight countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. The public health system is inadequate and the screening for TB in the key and vulnerable population (KVP), including drug users (DU) is not currently done. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary TB among DU in Kinshasa by comparing molecular tests with microscopic techniques.
Correction: Comparative analysis of clinical features of brucellosis in Kashi and Guangzhou: a retrospective multicentre study
Overcoming HPV vaccine hesitancy: insights from a successful school-based vaccination campaign in the Saa health district of Cameroon
Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) represents a critical strategy in the global effort to eradicate cervical cancer. Nonetheless, the uptake of HPV vaccination in Cameroon has been slow, resulting in vaccine wastage during a period of constrained global supply. In the Saa health district, factors such as concerns about infertility, fears of COVID-19 infection, and restrictions on HPV awareness initiatives in Catholic churches and schools have been identified as contributors to vaccine hesitancy. This report outlines the observations from a successful impromptu HPV vaccination campaign conducted in the context of this hesitancy within the Saa health district.
Clinical efficacy of linezolid in the treatment of tuberculous meningitis: a retrospective analysis and literature review
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis, with high morbidity and mortality. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of linezolid in patients with TBM.
Characterization of urinary tract infections among females at a tertiary hospital in Malawi: a retrospective study
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in females, with many experiencing at least one episode in their lifetime. About 150 million cases of UTIs occur each year. Lately, the prognosis of UTIs has been poor, largely due to a rise in antimicrobial resistance among common uropathogens. The present study was conducted to describe UTIs in female clients at Zomba Central Hospital in Malawi.
Evaluation of the multiplex PCR combined with capillary electrophoresis technique for detecting pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes in bone infections
Orthopedic wound infection is a difficult problem in the clinic. Accurate and rapid microbiological test results are essential for case management, antibiotic therapy, and infection control.
After the program ends: HIV testing behavior among men who have sex when men after the conclusion of a program providing regular home delivery of HIV self-testing kits
Testing for HIV continues to play a key role in prevention, especially among at-risk populations such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). Incorporating HIV self-testing (HIVST) into testing programs encourages more frequent screening and likely facilitates earlier diagnosis, but little is known about how testing behavior changes after self-testing programs end. In this study, a subset of MSM in the eTest trial who were randomized to receive regular HIVST or clinic testing every three months for 12 months were followed for an additional 12 months. We compared testing rates during the intervention period to this 12-month post-intervention period. Results of a Poisson mixed model showed a significant condition by time interaction (IRR=0.91, SE=0.04, p=.019, %95CI=0.84-0.98). The average marginal predicted probability of testing in a given follow-up among controls was 30.4% during the intervention period and 28.2% post-intervention, versus 70.0% among HIVST condition participants during the intervention period but 23.6% by the end of the post-intervention period. Although regular mail delivery of HIVST increased HIV testing considerably while tests are actively being delivered, testing rates declined to a level similar to those who had not received HIVST after regular delivery stops. These results suggest that regularly delivering HIVST does not encourage longer-term regular testing habits in MSM who typically test infrequently.
Application of type-2 heptagonal fuzzy sets with multiple operators in multi-criteria decision-making for identifying risk factors of Zika virus
This study aims to identify and rank the key risk factors associated with the Zika virus by leveraging a novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework based on type-2 heptagonal fuzzy sets. By integrating advanced aggregation operators, the framework effectively addresses uncertainties in expert assessments and enhances decision-making reliability.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in critical care: understanding incidence, and risk factors in Palestine
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) represent a major source of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Central venous catheters (CVCs) are an essential part of managing critically ill patients. This study seeks to describe the epidemiology of central line-associated bloodstream infections CLABSI among ICU patients in Palestine and to identify the specific organism involved.
A patient-centered view of symptoms, functional impact, and priorities in post-COVID-19 syndrome: cross-sectional results from the Québec Action Post-COVID cohort
Health services planning and mechanism-focused research would benefit from a clearer picture of symptoms, impact, and personal priorities in post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS). This study aimed to provide estimates of the symptom, function, and quality of life (QOL) impact of PCS.
Acceptability of an online peer support group as a strategy to improve antiretroviral therapy adherence among young people in Kampala district, Uganda: qualitative findings
Peer support groups may contribute to adherence and play a role in decreasing the stigma of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). However, peer support activities usually occur face-to-face in Uganda and elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa and thus have structural limitations and may not be readily available when young people need them. Online peer support has the potential to help YPLHIV access regular psychosocial support without significant effort or cost. We assessed the acceptability of a WhatsApp peer support group as a strategy to improve ART adherence among Ugandan YPLHIV.
Sex differences in systematic screening for tuberculosis among antiretroviral therapy naïve people with HIV in Kampala, Uganda
Systematic tuberculosis (TB) screening is recommended for all people with HIV (PWH) because of its potential to improve TB outcomes through earlier diagnosis and treatment initiation. As such, systematic screening may be particularly important for men, who experience excess TB prevalence and mortality compared to women. We assessed sex differences among PWH undergoing systematic TB screening, including TB prevalence and severity, diagnostic accuracy of screening tools, and TB outcomes.
Clinical spectrum and risk factors of severe dengue infection: findings from the 2023 dengue outbreak in Bangladesh
Since the first detection of dengue in 2000, Bangladesh has been facing an increasing number of dengue patients and related deaths every year. This situation warrants the importance of quickly identifying severe dengue patients to expedite necessary medical interventions which could potentially reduce the adverse consequences. The aim of this study was to identify clinical features and laboratory parameters of the severe dengue patients in the 2023 dengue outbreak in Bangladesh.