[Newsdesk] Research brief
The 2002 –03 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is thought to have originated in horseshoe bats. However, because no strain in bats has been found that matches the one that infected people, uncertainty has existed about the exact origin of the outbreak. Now, genetic analysis of 11 newly d iscovered strains of SARS-related virus from bats in a cave in China shows all the essential building blocks needed to build the human SARS coronavirus, suggesting that recombination between precursor strains could have given rise to the 2002–03 strain of human SARS. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Dara Mohammadi Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Newsdesk] Infectious disease surveillance update
2348 cases of plague (including confirmed, suspected, and probable cases) were reported by the Ministry of Health of Madagascar between Aug 1, and Nov 22, 2017, with 202 deaths. 1791 patients had pneumonic plague, with 22% confirmed, 34% probable, and 44% suspected. All contacts identified during the outbreak so far (7289) have completed a course of antibiotics; 11 developed symptoms compatible with plague and were classified as suspected cases. Control measures are to remain in place until the plague season finishes in April, 2018. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ruth Zwizwai Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Newsdesk] Hepatitis A outbreak in the USA
An outbreak of hepatitis A virus infection focused in southern California has put the health of homeless people in the spotlight. Roxanne Nelson reports. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Roxanne Nelson Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Newsdesk] Highlights from the 66th annual ASTMH meeting
The 66th annual meeting of the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene was held in Baltimore, MD, USA, on Nov 5 –9. Marco De Ambrogi reports. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marco De Ambrogi Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Newsdesk] Priorities for Peter Sands and the Global Fund
As Peter Sands was announced as the new director of the Global Fund, five global health leaders gave their thoughts on what his priorities should be. Talha Burki reports. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Talha Burki Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Newsdesk] Tuberculosis on the political agenda
Tuberculosis is getting political attention like never before. But new approaches to control are needed to end the disease. Ed Holt reports. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Ed Holt Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Initiation and publication time-lags of treatment trials for Ebola virus disease
The 2014 –16 Ebola virus disease outbreak in west Africa was an unprecedented crisis that exposed weaknesses in health systems, outbreak response, and research. Poor preparedness caused delays in initiating research and publishing results. It is important to examine what happened and to learn lessons to im prove in the future. Amanda Rojek and colleagues1 examined clinical research done during the epidemic and found 11 treatment trials registered with ClinicalTrials.gov or the ISRCTN registry, of which six are now published (one soon after the Review by Rojek and colleagues was published). (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Piero L Olliaro Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Yellow fever vaccination coverage in French Guiana
We read the Article by Freya M Shearer and colleagues1 about global yellow fever vaccination coverage and the associated Comment by Annelies Wilder-Smith2 with great interest. We acknowledge the authors' effort to update the current situation on this important issue. However, we cannot agree that most of the French Guianan population need to be vaccinated against this disease (ie, 200 000 people of a total population of 262 527, according to official estimates).3 (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Benoit Vallet, Denise Antona, Fabrice Quet, Magid Herida, Thierry Comolet Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Interferonopathies in laboratory-negative suspected congenital infection
We read Delan Devakumar and colleagues' Review1 of infectious causes of microcephaly with interest. This Review describes the major congenital infections that cause microcephaly and substantial neurological impairment worldwide, focusing on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management. As the Review discusses congenital infection (with reference to pitfalls in diagnosis), it is also worth noting the interferonopathies, also called Aicardi-Gouti ères syndrome. The interferonopathies are a spectrum of disorders that should be considered in infants with suspected congenital infection and negative results in laboratory tests, incl...
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Eva B Forman, Mary D King, Nicholas M Allen Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Correspondence] The imperative of vaccination put into practice
In an Editorial,1 The Lancet Infectious Diseases importantly addressed the topic of mandatory vaccination. Previously, Tony Kirby2 and Jonathan Kennedy and colleagues3 reported and commented on policy approaches adopted by Australia, Germany, and France in response to growing hesitancy around vaccination. Italy is among the several countries that have opted for mandatory vaccination. Italy's law 119/2017 makes ten vaccines mandatory for infants. These compulsory vaccinations are those against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitis B virus (all of which were already compulsory) plus pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae ...
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Carlo Signorelli, Stefania Iannazzo, Anna Odone Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis with invasive pulmonary sampling
We read the Article by Nathan Bahr and colleagues1 on the use of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis with interest. The findings of improved detection with this test compared with culture are encouraging given the low reported sensitivity of CSF diagnostics, even where advanced laboratory facilities are available.2 (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Michael Riste, David Hobden, Christopher Pollard, James E Scriven Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Corrections] Corrections
TenoRes Study Group. Global epidemiology of drug resistance after failure of WHO recommended first-line regimens for adult HIV-1 infection: a multicentre retrospective cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis 2016; 16: 565 –75—In this Article, the online appendix for this Article has been updated to include details of the TenoRes Study Group. This correction has been made to the online version as of Dec 20. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Corrections Source Type: research
[Corrections] Corrections
Yang Z-Q, Huang Y-L, Zhou H-W, Zhang R, Zhu Kl. Persistent carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: a Trojan horse. Lancet Infect Dis 2017; 18: 22. A typographical error meant that the phrase “low virulence”, to describe CRKP strains, was misspelt. This correction has been made to the online version as of Dec 20, and the printed letter is correct. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Corrections Source Type: research
[Comment] The cover artist for this year
The 2018 cover artist for The Lancet Infectious Diseases is Kouzou Sakai, who replaces Andrew Lyons. We thank Andrew for his colourful and striking covers that have helped The Lancet Infectious Diseases to be easily recognisable among the medical journals throughout 2017. Personally, it has been a great pleasure working with Andrew, and the arrival of the sketches for the new cover was always an eagerly awaited moment each month. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marco De Ambrogi Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Comment] Classifying antibiotics in the WHO Essential Medicines List for optimal use —be AWaRe
Optimising the use of antimicrobials is a key priority of the global strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.1 Antibiotic usage guidance should be developed to meet the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 3: achieving universal access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines.2 Improving global prescribing is a complex issue that requires pragmatic short-term targets, ambitious long-term goals, and realistic expectations. In low-income and middle-income countries, it is difficult to identify specific targets for intervention. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - December 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Mike Sharland, Celine Pulcini, Stephan Harbarth, Mei Zeng, Sumanth Gandra, Shrey Mathur, Nicola Magrini, 21st WHO Expert Committee on Selection and Use of Essential Medicines Tags: Comment Source Type: research
