scholarly journals Epidemiological consequences of enduring strain-specific immunity requiring repeated episodes of infection

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca H. Chisholm ◽  
Nikki Sonenberg ◽  
Jake A. Lacey ◽  
Malcolm I. McDonald ◽  
Manisha Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Skin Infection ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
Immune Development ◽  
Specific Immunity ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact

AbstractGroup AStreptococcus(GAS) skin infections are caused by a diverse array of strain types and are highly prevalent in Indigenous and other disadvantaged populations. The role of strain-specific immunity in preventing GAS infections is poorly understood, representing a critical knowledge gap in vaccine development. A recent GAS murine challenge study showed evidence that sterilising strain-specific and enduring immunity required two skin infections by the same GAS strain within three weeks. This mechanism of developing enduring immunity may be a significant impediment to the accumulation of immunity in populations.We used a mathematical model of GAS transmission to investigate the epidemiological consequences of enduring strain-specific immunity developing only after two infections with the same strain within a specified interval. Accounting for uncertainty when correlating murine timeframes to humans, we varied this maximum inter-infection interval from 3 to 420 weeks to assess its impact on prevalence and strain diversity. Model outputs were compared with longitudinal GAS surveillance observations from northern Australia, a region with endemic infection. We also assessed the likely impact of a targeted strain-specific multivalent vaccine in this context.Our model produced patterns of transmission consistent with observations when the maximum inter-infection interval for developing enduring immunity was 19 weeks. Our vaccine analysis suggests that the leading multivalent GAS vaccine may have limited impact on the prevalence of GAS in populations in northern Australia if strain-specific immunity requires repeated episodes of infection.Our results suggest that observed GAS epidemiology from disease endemic settings is consistent with enduring strain-specific immunity being dependent on repeated infections with the same strain, and provide additional motivation for relevant human studies to confirm the human immune response to GAS skin infection.Author summaryGroup AStreptococcus(GAS) is a ubiquitous bacterial pathogen that exists in many distinct strains, and is a major cause of death and disability globally. Vaccines against GAS are under development, but their effective use will require better understanding of how immunity develops following infection. Evidence from an animal model of skin infection suggests that the generation of enduring strain-specific immunity requires two infections by the same strain within a short time frame. It is not clear if this mechanism of immune development operates in humans, nor how it would contribute to the persistence of GAS in populations and affect vaccine impact. We used a mathematical model of GAS transmission, calibrated to data collected in an Indigenous Australian community, to assess whether this mechanism of immune development is consistent with epidemiological observations, and to explore its implications for the impact of a vaccine. We found that it is plausible that repeat infections are required for the development of immunity in humans, and illustrate the difficulties associated with achieving sustained reductions in disease prevalence with a vaccine.

scholarly journals Group A streptococcal skin infection outbreak in an abattoir: lessons for prevention

2006 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. HUMPHREYS ◽  
S. J. MORGAN ◽  
M. WALAPU ◽  
G. A. J. HARRISON ◽  
A. P. KEEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Infection ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Multivariate Model ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Outbreak Strain ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Abattoir Workers

During a group A streptococcus (GAS) outbreak 21 abattoir workers developed skin infections. The unusual outbreak strain (emm 108.1) was cultured from five workers and four persons in the community with links to the abattoir. The attack rate was 26% in the lamb line. Communal nailbrushes were neither routinely disinfected nor changed, and had high bacterial counts. A cohort study found a higher risk from working in the gutting area and getting cuts on hands more than weekly. Despite high bacterial counts daily nailbrush use had a lower risk, as did always wearing disposable gloves. Working in the gutting area (OR 11·44) and nailbrush use at least once a day (OR 0·04) were significant in the multivariate model. Transmission of infection is likely to have occurred on carcasses. GAS infection among abattoir workers was once common. Simple hygiene measures, such as nailbrush use, may reduce the impact of future outbreaks.

scholarly journals A brief review on Group A Streptococcus pathogenesis and vaccine development

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sowmya Ajay Castro ◽  
Helge C. Dorfmueller
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Group A Streptococcus ◽  
Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Impact

Streptococcus pyogenes , also known as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is a Gram-positive human-exclusive pathogen, responsible for more than 500 000 deaths annually worldwide. Upon infection, GAS commonly triggers mild symptoms such as pharyngitis, pyoderma and fever. However, recurrent infections or prolonged exposure to GAS might lead to life-threatening conditions. Necrotizing fasciitis, streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and post-immune mediated diseases, such as poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, contribute to very high mortality rates in non-industrialized countries. Though an initial reduction in GAS infections was observed in high-income countries, global outbreaks of GAS, causing rheumatic fever and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, have been reported over the last decade. At the same time, our understanding of GAS pathogenesis and transmission has vastly increased, with detailed insight into the various stages of infection, beginning with adhesion, colonization and evasion of the host immune system. Despite deeper knowledge of the impact of GAS on the human body, the development of a successful vaccine for prophylaxis of GAS remains outstanding. In this review, we discuss the challenges involved in identifying a universal GAS vaccine and describe several potential vaccine candidates that we believe warrant pursuit.

The Impact of Light Polarisation on Light Field of Scenes with Multiple Reflections

2020 ◽  
pp. 108-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir P. Budak ◽  
Anton V. Grimaylo
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Light Field ◽  
Global Illumination ◽  
Multiple Reflections ◽  
Software Environment ◽  
The Monte Carlo Method ◽  
Mueller Matrices ◽  
Volume Integration ◽  
The Impact

The article describes the role of polarisation in calculation of multiple reflections. A mathematical model of multiple reflections based on the Stokes vector for beam description and Mueller matrices for description of surface properties is presented. On the basis of this model, the global illumination equation is generalised for the polarisation case and is resolved into volume integration. This allows us to obtain an expression for the Monte Carlo method local estimates and to use them for evaluation of light distribution in the scene with consideration of polarisation. The obtained mathematical model was implemented in the software environment using the example of a scene with its surfaces having both diffuse and regular components of reflection. The results presented in the article show that the calculation difference may reach 30 % when polarisation is taken into consideration as compared to standard modelling.

Association of staphylococcal skin infections and swimming

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 11-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Charoenca ◽  
R. S. Fujioka
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Skin Infection ◽  
Antibiotic Sensitivity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Skin Infections ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
History Of ◽  
Staphylococcal Skin Infections ◽  
Recreational Use

An association between using coastal waters for recreation and staphylococcal skin infections has been reported by canoe paddlers and several physicians in Hawaii. A retrospective epidemiological/microbiological monitoring study was undertaken to determine the association between S aureus skin infections in youngsters (4 months to 16 years of age) and their exposure to recreational use of coastal waters. Telephone interviews were conducted of 53 patients with such skin infections and 53 similar (controlled for age and sex) patients with no infection. A significant association between skin infection and water exposure was found, the odds showing that those developing skin infection caused by S aureus were 4 times more likely to have had a history of seawater contact than the control group. Moreover, the antibiotic sensitivity patterns and phage types of S aureus isolated from patients were similar to those isolated from seawater at bathing beaches.

Analyzing the Impact of Healthy Behavior on Weight Change with a Provable Mathematical Model (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayan Chatterjee ◽  
Ram Bajpai ◽  
Pankaj Khatiwada
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Negative Behavior ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Healthy Habits ◽  
Lifestyle Diseases ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Lifestyle diseases are the primary cause of death worldwide. The gradual growth of negative behavior in humans due to physical inactivity, unhealthy habit, and improper nutrition expedites lifestyle diseases. In this study, we develop a mathematical model to analyze the impact of regular physical activity, healthy habits, and a proper diet on weight change, targeting obesity as a case study. Followed by, we design an algorithm for the verification of the proposed mathematical model with simulated data of artificial participants. OBJECTIVE This study intends to analyze the effect of healthy behavior (physical activity, healthy habits, and proper dietary pattern) on weight change with a proposed mathematical model and its verification with an algorithm where personalized habits are designed to change dynamically based on the rule. METHODS We developed a weight-change mathematical model as a function of activity, habit, and nutrition with the first law of thermodynamics, basal metabolic rate (BMR), total daily energy expenditure (TDEE), and body-mass-index (BMI) to establish a relationship between health behavior and weight change. Followed by, we verified the model with simulated data. RESULTS The proposed provable mathematical model showed a strong relationship between health behavior and weight change. We verified the mathematical model with the proposed algorithm using simulated data following the necessary constraints. The adoption of BMR and TDEE calculation following Harris-Benedict’s equation has increased the model's accuracy under defined settings. CONCLUSIONS This study helped us understand the impact of healthy behavior on obesity and overweight with numeric implications and the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle abstaining from negative behavior change.

scholarly journals Nanofluid flow containing carbon nanotubes with quartic autocatalytic chemical reaction and Thompson and Troian slip at the boundary

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ramzan ◽  
Jae Dong Chung ◽  
Seifedine Kadry ◽  
Yu-Ming Chu ◽  
Muhammad Akhtar
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Drag Force ◽  
Chemical Reaction ◽  
Slip Velocity ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Surface Drag ◽  
Nanofluid Flow ◽  
Velocity Parameter ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A mathematical model is envisioned to discourse the impact of Thompson and Troian slip boundary in the carbon nanotubes suspended nanofluid flow near a stagnation point along an expanding/contracting surface. The water is considered as a base fluid and both types of carbon nanotubes i.e., single-wall (SWCNTs) and multi-wall (MWCNTs) are considered. The flow is taken in a Dacry-Forchheimer porous media amalgamated with quartic autocatalysis chemical reaction. Additional impacts added to the novelty of the mathematical model are the heat generation/absorption and buoyancy effect. The dimensionless variables led the envisaged mathematical model to a physical problem. The numerical solution is then found by engaging MATLAB built-in bvp4c function for non-dimensional velocity, temperature, and homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions. The validation of the proposed mathematical model is ascertained by comparing it with a published article in limiting case. An excellent consensus is accomplished in this regard. The behavior of numerous dimensionless flow variables including solid volume fraction, inertia coefficient, velocity ratio parameter, porosity parameter, slip velocity parameter, magnetic parameter, Schmidt number, and strength of homogeneous/heterogeneous reaction parameters are portrayed via graphical illustrations. Computational iterations for surface drag force are tabulated to analyze the impacts at the stretched surface. It is witnessed that the slip velocity parameter enhances the fluid stream velocity and diminishes the surface drag force. Furthermore, the concentration of the nanofluid flow is augmented for higher estimates of quartic autocatalysis chemical.

scholarly journals Modelling the impact of delaying vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 assuming unlimited vaccine supply

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Amaku ◽  
Dimas Tadeu Covas ◽  
Francisco Antonio Bezerra Coutinho ◽  
Raymundo Soares Azevedo ◽  
Eduardo Massad
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Vaccination Rate ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
The State ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
The World ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background At the moment we have more than 177 million cases and 3.8 million deaths (as of June 2021) around the world and vaccination represents the only hope to control the pandemic. Imperfections in planning vaccine acquisition and difficulties in implementing distribution among the population, however, have hampered the control of the virus so far. Methods We propose a new mathematical model to estimate the impact of vaccination delay against the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the number of cases and deaths due to the disease in Brazil. We apply the model to Brazil as a whole and to the State of Sao Paulo, the most affected by COVID-19 in Brazil. We simulated the model for the populations of the State of Sao Paulo and Brazil as a whole, varying the scenarios related to vaccine efficacy and compliance from the populations. Results The model projects that, in the absence of vaccination, almost 170 thousand deaths and more than 350 thousand deaths will occur by the end of 2021 for Sao Paulo and Brazil, respectively. If in contrast, Sao Paulo and Brazil had enough vaccine supply and so started a vaccination campaign in January with the maximum vaccination rate, compliance and efficacy, they could have averted more than 112 thousand deaths and 127 thousand deaths, respectively. In addition, for each month of delay the number of deaths increases monotonically in a logarithmic fashion, for both the State of Sao Paulo and Brazil as a whole. Conclusions Our model shows that the current delay in the vaccination schedules that is observed in many countries has serious consequences in terms of mortality by the disease and should serve as an alert to health authorities to speed the process up such that the highest number of people to be immunized is reached in the shortest period of time.

scholarly journals Innovations in anaerobic digestion: a model-based study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Postawa ◽  
Jerzy Szczygieł ◽  
Marek Kułażyński
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Anaerobic Digestion ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Biogas Plant ◽  
Methane Content ◽  
Pig Manure ◽  
Pig Slurry ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Increasing the efficiency of the biogas production process is possible by modifying the technological installations of the biogas plant. In this study, specific solutions based on a mathematical model that lead to favorable results were proposed. Three configurations were considered: classical anaerobic digestion (AD) and its two modifications, two-phase AD (TPAD) and autogenerative high-pressure digestion (AHPD). The model has been validated based on measurements from a biogas plant located in Poland. Afterward, the TPAD and AHPD concepts were numerically tested for the same volume and feeding conditions. Results The TPAD system increased the overall biogas production from 9.06 to 9.59%, depending on the feedstock composition, while the content of methane was slightly lower in the whole production chain. On the other hand, the AHPD provided the best purity of the produced fuel, in which a methane content value of 82.13% was reached. At the same time, the overpressure leads to a decrease of around 7.5% in the volumetric production efficiency. The study indicated that the dilution of maize silage with pig manure, instead of water, can have significant benefits in the selected configurations. The content of pig slurry strengthens the impact of the selected process modifications—in the first case, by increasing the production efficiency, and in the second, by improving the methane content in the biogas. Conclusions The proposed mathematical model of the AD process proved to be a valuable tool for the description and design of biogas plant. The analysis shows that the overall impact of the presented process modifications is mutually opposite. The feedstock composition has a moderate and unsteady impact on the production profile, in the tested modifications. The dilution with pig manure, instead of water, leads to a slightly better efficiency in the classical configuration. For the TPAD process, the trend is very similar, but the AHPD biogas plant indicates a reverse tendency. Overall, the recommendation from this article is to use the AHPD concept if the composition of the biogas is the most important. In the case in which the performance is the most important factor, it is favorable to use the TPAD configuration.

scholarly journals Simulation Tests of a Cow Milking Machine—Analysis of Design Parameters

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1358
Author(s):  
Ewa Golisz ◽  
Adam Kupczyk ◽  
Maria Majkowska ◽  
Jędrzej Trajer
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Simplified Model ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Degree Polynomial ◽  
Fourth Degree ◽  
Local Loss ◽  
Linear Drag ◽  
Milking Machine ◽  
Machine Analysis ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this paper was to create a mathematical model of vacuum drops in a form that enables the testing of the impact of design parameters of a milking cluster on the values of vacuum drops in the claw. Simulation tests of the milking cluster were conducted, with the use of a simplified model of vacuum drops in the form of a fourth-degree polynomial. Sensitivity analysis and a simulation of a model with a simplified structure of vacuum drops in the claw were carried out. As a result, the impact of the milking machine’s design parameters on the milking process could be analysed. The results showed that a change in the local loss and linear drag coefficient in the long milk duct will have a lower impact on vacuum drops if a smaller flux of inlet air, a higher head of the air/liquid mix, and a higher diameter of the long milk tube are used.

scholarly journals The Impact of Left Atrial Size in Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation Using Remote Magnetic Navigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Xiao-yu Liu ◽  
Hai-feng Shi ◽  
Jie Zheng ◽  
Ku-lin Li ◽  
Xiao-xi Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Catheter Ablation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Magnetic Navigation ◽  
Remote Magnetic Navigation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Impact

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of left atrial (LA) size for the ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using remote magnetic navigation (RMN). Methods. A total of 165 patients with AF who underwent catheter ablation using RMN were included. The patients were divided into two groups based on LA diameter. Eighty-three patients had small LA (diameter <40 mm; Group A), and 82 patients had a large LA (diameter ≥40 mm; Group B). Results. During mapping and ablation, X-ray time (37.0 (99.0) s vs. 12 (30.1) s, P<0.001) and X-ray dose (1.4 (2.7) gy·cm2 vs. 0.7 (2.1) gy·cm2, P=0.013) were significantly higher in Group A. No serious complications occurred in any of the patients. There was no statistical difference in the rate of first anatomical attempt of pulmonary vein isolation between the two groups (71.1% vs. 57.3%, P=0.065). However, compared with Group B, the rate of sinus rhythm was higher (77.1% vs. 58.5%, P<0.001) during the follow-up period. More patients in Group A required a sheath adjustment (47/83 vs. 21/82, P<0.001), presumably due to less magnets positioned outside of the sheath. In vitro experiments with the RMN catheter demonstrated that only one magnet exposed created the sheath affects which influenced the flexibility of the catheter. Conclusions. AF ablation using RMN is safe and effective in both small and large LA patients. Patients with small LA may pose a greater difficulty when using RMN which may be attributed to the fewer magnets beyond the sheath. As a result, the exposure of radiation was increased. This study found that having at least two magnets of the catheter positioned outside of the sheath can ensure an appropriate flexibility of the catheter.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document