Dataset Information

Epidemiology and Transmission of Respiratory Infections in Thai Army Recruits: A Prospective Cohort Study.

ABSTRACT: Military recruits are at high risk of respiratory infections. However, limited data exist on military populations in tropical settings, where the epidemiology of respiratory infections differs substantially from temperate settings. We enrolled recruits undertaking a 10-week military training at two Royal Thai Army barracks between May 2014 and July 2015. We used a multiplex respiratory panel to analyze nose and throat swabs collected at the start and end of the training period, and from participants experiencing respiratory symptoms during follow-up. Paired sera were tested for influenza seroconversion using a hemagglutinin inhibition assay. Overall rates of upper respiratory illness and influenza-like illness were 3.1 and 2.0 episodes per 100 person-weeks, respectively. A pathogen was detected in 96% of samples. The most commonly detected microbes were Haemophilus influenzae type B (62.7%) or non-type B (58.2%) and rhinovirus (22.4%). At baseline, bacterial colonization was high and included H. influenzae type B (82.3%), H. influenzae non-type B (31.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.5%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (8.5%). At the end of follow-up, colonization with H. influenzae non-type B had increased to 74.1%, and S. pneumoniae to 33.6%. In the serology subset, the rate of influenza infection was 3.4 per 100 person-months; 58% of influenza infections resulted in clinical disease. Our study provides key data on the epidemiology and transmission of respiratory pathogens in tropical settings. Our results emphasize the need for improved infection prevention and control in military environments, given the high burden of illness and potential for intense transmission of respiratory pathogens.

SUBMITTER: Tam CC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6159564 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Epidemiology and Transmission of Respiratory Infections in Thai Army Recruits: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Tam Clarence C CC Anderson Kathryn B KB Offeddu Vittoria V Weg Alden A Macareo Louis R LR Ellison Damon W DW Rangsin Ram R Fernandez Stefan S Gibbons Robert V RV Yoon In-Kyu IK Simasathien Sriluck S

The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene 20181001 4

Military recruits are at high risk of respiratory infections. However, limited data exist on military populations in tropical settings, where the epidemiology of respiratory infections differs substantially from temperate settings. We enrolled recruits undertaking a 10-week military training at two Royal Thai Army barracks between May 2014 and July 2015. We used a multiplex respiratory panel to analyze nose and throat swabs collected at the start and end of the training period, and from particip ...[more]

PMID: 30182916

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Project description:The purpose of the study was to assess the patterns of global gene expression in peripheral blood cells and uncover the complex dynamics of host response to ARIs such as pandemic H1N1. To understand the molecular bases and network orchestration of host responses, we prospectively enrolled 1610 healthy adults in the fall of 2009 and 2010, followed the subjects with influenza-like illness (N=133) for 3 weeks, and examined changes in their peripheral blood gene expression. We discovered distinct phases of the host response spanning 6 days after infection, and identified genes that differentiate influenza from non-influenza virus infection. We examined pre- and post-infection anti-influenza antibody titers defining novel gene expression correlates. Healthy adults were invited to enroll to be followed for acute respiratory illness (ARI) through two consecutive influenza seasons 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. After subjects provided consent, baseline blood specimens were obtained during enrollment. Subjects were given thermometers and instructions to call and report for evaluation within 48 hours of ARI onset. Those persons who had a new ARI were seen within 48 hours of onset (day 0) and 2, 4, and 6 days later for repeat evaluation, blood specimen collections, and medical care (including the antiviral zanamivir if indicated) and 21 days later for collection of convalescent specimens. Nasal wash samples were collected for virus detection by RT-PCR on day 0 and day 2. Surveillance for influenza was terminated after 5.5 months; all subjects were asked to return for specimen collection and to provide a medical and ARI history in spring of next year. Serum specimens obtained at baseline, day 0 and day 21 visits for illnesses, and the terminal visit were tested simultaneously using hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) antibody assay for Influenza H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B strains. Peripheral blood RNA (PaxGene) obtained from blood specimens at each visit were analyzed using Illumina Human HT-12 v4. The study was repeated 2010-2011. A total of 880 arrays, corresponding to 133 individuals, passed quality control and are included in this data set.

Project description:INTRODUCTION:The aetiology of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains incompletely understood and strategies for treatment and prevention have not altered significantly for many years. Improved understanding of the role of respiratory pathogens in acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) is required and the use of molecular microbiological techniques may lead to insights into host-pathogen interactions and the development of more targeted therapeutic approaches. METHODS AND ANALYSES:Acute Exacerbation and Respiratory InfectionS in COPD (AERIS) is a longitudinal epidemiological study to assess how changes in the COPD airway microbiome contribute to the incidence and severity of AECOPD. Patients with COPD aged 40-85 are followed monthly for 2 years, and reviewed within 72 h of onset of symptoms of AECOPD. Exacerbations are detected using daily electronic diary cards. Blood, sputum, nasopharyngeal and urine samples are collected at prespecified timepoints. Molecular diagnostic and typing techniques are used to describe the dynamics of airway infection during AECOPD and stable disease, and associations with clinical outcome. This study aims to refine the case definition of AECOPD to reflect the possible microbiological aetiology. AERIS will assess the impact of AECOPD on health-related quality of life and healthcare resource utilisation, and the possible interactions between nutritional status, infection and immune responses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:AERIS is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practice, and has been approved by the institutional ethics and review board. All participants must provide written informed consent. The results obtained will be disseminated at international medical conferences and in peer-reviewed publications. DISCUSSION:Few other studies have addressed the complexity of the microbiological and systemic components of COPD or employed real-time electronic tracking of symptoms to identify AECOPD and potential aetiological triggers. RESULTS:Results of AERIS will increase our understanding of the contribution of pathogens to AECOPD, potentially leading to new targeted therapeutic and preventative interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01360398.

Project description:Objective To assess the impact on adverse outcomes of different antibiotic prescribing strategies for lower respiratory tract infections in people aged 16 years or more.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting UK general practice.Participants 28?883 patients with lower respiratory tract infection; symptoms, signs, and antibiotic prescribing strategies were recorded at the index consultation.Main outcome measures The main outcomes were reconsultation with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection in the 30 days after the index consultation, hospital admission, or death. Multivariable analysis controlled for an extensive list of variables related to the propensity to prescribe antibiotics and for clustering by doctor.Results Of the 28?883 participants, 104 (0.4%) were referred to hospital for radiographic investigation or admission, or both on the day of the index consultation, or were admitted with cancer. Of the remaining 28?779, subsequent hospital admission or death occurred in 26/7332 (0.3%) after no antibiotic prescription, 156/17?628 (0.9%) after prescription for immediate antibiotics, and 14/3819 (0.4%) after a prescription for delayed antibiotics. Multivariable analysis documented no reduction in hospital admission and death after immediate antibiotics (multivariable risk ratio 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.63 to 1.81, P=0.84) and a non-significant reduction with delayed antibiotics (0.81, 0.41 to 1.64, P=0.61). Reconsultation for new, worsening, or non-resolving symptoms was common (1443/7332 (19.7%), 4455/17?628 (25.3%), and 538/3819 (14.1%), respectively) and was significantly reduced by delayed antibiotics (multivariable risk ratio 0.64, 0.57 to 0.72, P<0.001) but not by immediate antibiotics (0.98, 0.90 to 1.07, P=0.66).Conclusion Prescribing immediate antibiotics may not reduce subsequent hospital admission or death for young people and adults with uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection, and such events are uncommon. If clinicians are considering antibiotics, a delayed prescription may be preferable since it is associated with a reduced number of reconsultations for worsening illness.

Dataset Information

Epidemiology and Transmission of Respiratory Infections in Thai Army Recruits: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Publications

Epidemiology and Transmission of Respiratory Infections in Thai Army Recruits: A Prospective Cohort Study.

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