Intravenous Liposomal Amphotericin B Efficacy and Safety for Cutaneous and Mucosal Leishmaniasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Tegumentary leishmaniasis is often subject to limited funding, underpowered studies, and a paucity of high-quality interventional studies. Intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) has been increasingly used to treat cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis (CL and ML, respectively) despite the lack of well-conducted interventional studies. We conducted a systematic review to consolidate the descriptive evidence on the efficacy and safety of L-AmB in treating CL and ML.

Rapid diagnostic testing for syphilis in Arctic communities (the STAR study): a multisite prospective field diagnostic accuracy study in an intended-use setting.

Objectives: We evaluated the field diagnostic accuracy of a syphilis rapid test (RDT), using serum and whole blood by non-laboratorians in two Canadian Arctic communities.

Methods: We implemented a multisite prospective field evaluation wherein patients were screened by an RDT containing treponemal and non-treponemal components (Chembio DPP® Syphilis Screen & Confirm) between January 2020 and December 2021. Venous whole blood and serum were collected for rapid testing and compared with laboratory-based serology reference testing using a reverse sequence algorithm of treponemal and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing.

Dengue outbreak amongst travellers returning from Cuba-GeoSentinel surveillance network, January-September 2022.

Increasing numbers of travellers returning from Cuba with dengue virus infection were reported to the GeoSentinel Network from June to September 2022, reflecting an ongoing local outbreak. This report demonstrates the importance of travellers as sentinels of arboviral outbreaks and highlights the need for early identification of travel-related dengue.

Monkeypox in Montréal: Epidemiology, Phylogenomics, and Public Health Response to a Large North American Outbreak.

Background: Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic disease, is causing a global outbreak outside of endemic areas.

Objective: To characterize the outbreak of monkeypox in Montréal, the first large outbreak in North America.

Design: Epidemiologic and laboratory surveillance data and a phylogenomic analysis were used to describe and place the outbreak in a global context.

Laboratory Features of Trichinellosis and Eosinophilia Threshold for Testing, Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, 2009-2019.

Prolonged eosinophilia is characteristic of trichinellosis. To determine the optimal eosinophil threshold for reflex Trichinella testing, we examined all 43 cases in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada, during 2009-2019. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, we determined that eosinophil counts >0.

Evaluation of Strongyloides Awareness and Knowledge among Canadian Physicians Caring for Patients At Risk for Severe Strongyloidiasis: A National Cross-sectional Survey.

In Canada, a substantial proportion of migrants come from strongyloidiasis-endemic regions. Systematic screening for Strongyloides is not performed in immunocompromised patients in whom this infection could be potentially fatal. We aim to assess the level of Strongyloides awareness and knowledge among Canadian physicians caring for immunocompromised patients and identify factors currently associated with screening.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in travellers and migrants: a 10-year case series in a Canadian reference centre for tropical diseases.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is increasingly encountered in returned travellers and migrants to nonendemic countries. We sought to describe the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed at our reference centre over a 10-year period.

Methods: This case series included all laboratory-confirmed cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in travellers and migrants for whom complete clinical data were available, diagnosed between January 2008 and October 2018 at the J.

Strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised migrants to non-endemic countries in the era of COVID-19: what is the role for presumptive ivermectin?

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread use of dexamethasone. Corticosteroid therapy is an important risk factor for hyperinfection. Challenges associated with the performance of tests, and the poor availability of high quality and timely diagnostic testing, makes the use of presumptive ivermectin reasonable in selected situations.

Prolonged empirical antibiotic therapy is correlated with bloodstream infections and increased mortality in a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia: bacteriology testing matters.

Background: Hospital-associated infection (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are major health threats in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Because diagnostic capacity is lacking throughout most of Africa, patients are commonly managed with prolonged empirical antibiotic therapy. Our goal was to assess mortality in relation to HAI and empirical therapy in Ethiopia's largest referral hospital.

Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of a plant-derived, quadrivalent, virus-like particle influenza vaccine in adults (18-64 years) and older adults (≥65 years): two multicentre, randomised phase 3 trials.

Background: Seasonal influenza remains a substantial public health threat despite the availability of egg-derived and other vaccines. Plant-based manufacturing might address some of the limitations of current vaccines. We describe two phase 3 efficacy studies of a recombinant quadrivalent virus-like particle (QVLP) influenza vaccine manufactured in plants, one in adults aged 18-64 years (the 18-64 study) and one in older people aged 65 years and older (the 65-plus study).

Decision Tool for Herpes B Virus Antiviral Prophylaxis after Macaque-Related Injuries in Research Laboratory Workers.

Macaque-related injuries among primate workers can lead to a potentially fatal B virus encephalomyelitis. We describe a decision tool for evaluating the need for antiviral postexposure prophylaxis and provide a retrospective review of the injuries assessed in our center after its implementation in 2010. Among the injuries studied (n = 251), 40.

First Human Case of Metacestode Infection Caused by Versteria sp. in a Kidney Transplant Recipient.

Cestodes are emerging agents of severe opportunistic infections among immunocompromised patients. We describe the first case of human infection, with the recently-proposed genus Versteria causing an invasive, tumor-like hepatic infection with regional and distant extension in a 53-year-old female kidney transplant recipient from Atlantic Canada.

Travel-Related Infections Among Pregnant Travellers to the Tropics: An Overview.

Infectious diseases acquired during travel pose a significant health risk to pregnant travellers, who are more susceptible to both acquiring certain infections and developing severe complications. A review of the literature focusing on recent evidence-based guidelines was conducted with attention to tropical infections in the pregnant patient. A summary meant to serve as a succinct reference for health care professionals caring for pregnant women is presented.

Randomized Trials Comparing Inactivated Vaccine After Medium- or High-titer Measles Vaccine With Standard Titer Measles Vaccine After Inactivated Vaccine: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Observational studies have suggested that girls have higher mortality if their most recent immunization is an inactivated vaccine rather than a live vaccine. We therefore reanalyzed 5 randomized trials of early measles vaccine (MV) in which it was possible to compare an inactivated vaccines [after medium-titer MV (MTMV) or high-titer MV (HTMV)] and a live standard titer MV (after an initial inactivated vaccine).

Methods: The trials were conducted in Sudan, Senegal, The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau.

Recent advances in clinical parasitology diagnostics.

Microscopy has several limitations in the diagnosis of parasitic infection. New technologies have emerged to address some of these limitations. We review recent advances in three key areas.

Development of a rapid serological assay for the diagnosis of strongyloidiasis using a novel diffraction-based biosensor technology.

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a persistent human parasitic infection caused by the intestinal nematode, Strongyloides stercoralis. The parasite has a world-wide distribution, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitary conditions. Since individuals with strongyloidiasis are typically asymptomatic, the infection can persist for decades without detection.

Zoonotic infections in communities of the James Bay Cree territory: An overview of seroprevalence.

The Cree communities of James Bay are at risk for contracting infectious diseases transmitted by wildlife. Data from serological testing for a range of zoonotic infections performed in the general population (six communities), or trappers and their spouses (one community), were abstracted from four population-based studies conducted in Cree territory (Quebec) between 2005 and 2009. Evidence of exposure to Trichinella species, Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Leptospira species, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis was verified in all communities, whereas antibodies against Sin Nombre virus and California serogroup viruses (Jamestown Canyon and snowshoe hare viruses) were evaluated in three and six communities, respectively.

GeoSentinel surveillance of illness in returned travelers, 2007-2011.

Background: International travel continues to increase, particularly to Asia and Africa. Clinicians are increasingly likely to be consulted for advice before travel or by ill returned travelers.

Objective: To describe typical diseases in returned travelers according to region, travel reason, and patient demographic characteristics; describe the pattern of low-frequency travel-associated diseases; and refine key messages for care before and after travel.

Zoonotic infections in native communities of James Bay, Canada.

The Cree communities of James Bay might be at risk of contracting zoonoses from their contacts with wildlife. Evidence of exposure to seven zoonotic infections, namely Trichinella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus granulosus, Leptospira spp.

Patterns of illness in travelers visiting Mexico and Central America: the GeoSentinel experience.

Background: Mexico and Central America are important travel destinations for North American and European travelers. There is limited information on regional differences in travel related morbidity.

Methods: We describe the morbidity among 4779 ill travelers returned from Mexico and Central America who were evaluated at GeoSentinel network clinics during December 1996 to February 2010.