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Timely identification and treatment of malaria transmission "hot spots" is essential to achieve malaria elimination. Here we investigate the relevance of using an Anopheles salivary biomarker to estimate Plasmodium falciparum malaria exposure risk along the Thailand-Myanmar border to guide malaria control. Between May 2013 and December 2014, > 9,000 blood samples collected in a cluster randomized control trial were screened with serological assays to measure the antibody responses to Anopheles salivary antigen (gSG6-P1) and P. falciparum malaria antigens (circumsporozoite protein, merozoite surface protein 119 [MSP-119]). Plasmodium falciparum infections were monitored through passive and active case detection. Seroprevalence to gSG6-P1, MSP-119, and CSP were 71.8% (95% Confidence interval [CI]: 70.9, 72.7), 68.6% (95% CI: 67.7, 69.5), and 8.6% (95% CI: 8.0, 9.2), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that individuals with the highest Ab response to gSG6-P1 had six times the odds of being positive to CSP antigens (P < 0.001) and two times the odds of P. falciparum infection compared with low gSG6-P1 responders (P = 0.004). Spatial scan statistics revealed the presence of clusters of gSG6-P1 that partially overlapped P. falciparum infections. The gSG6-P1 salivary biomarker represents a good proxy for estimating P. falciparum malaria risk and could serve to implement hot spot-targeted vector control interventions to achieve malaria elimination.

Antibodies are unique among biomarkers in their ability to identify persons with protective immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases and to measure past exposure to diverse pathogens. Most infectious disease surveillance maintains a single-disease focus, but broader testing of existing serologic surveys with multiplex antibody assays would create new opportunities for integrated surveillance. In this perspective, we highlight multiple areas for potential synergy where integrated surveillance could add more value to public health efforts than the current trend of independent disease monitoring through vertical programs. We describe innovations in laboratory and data science that should accelerate integration and identify remaining challenges with respect to specimen collection, testing, and analysis. Throughout, we illustrate how information generated through integrated surveillance platforms can create new opportunities to more quickly and precisely identify global health program gaps that range from undervaccination to emerging pathogens to multilayered health disparities that span diverse communicable diseases.

BACKGROUND:To understand risk factors for HPV exposure in Puerto Rican women, we evaluated HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 serology in women aged living in the San Juan metropolitan area. METHODS:As part of a cross-sectional study, a population-based sample of 524 HPV unvaccinated Hispanic women ages 16-64 years completed face-to-face and computer assisted interviews and provided blood and self-collected anal and cervical specimens. Serology used multiplex virus-like particle based-IgG ELISA and HPV DNA was detected with L1-consensus PCR. RESULTS:32% and 47% were seropositive to HPV types included in the bivalent (16/18) and quadrivalent (6/11/16/18) vaccines, respectively. Type-specific seroprevalence was HPV6 - 29%, HPV11 - 18%, HPV16 - 23%, and HPV18 - 17%; seroprevalence was high in the youngest age-group (16-19: 26-37%). HPV seropositivity was associated with having ≥ 3 lifetime sexual partners (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7-3.9) and detection of anogenital HPV DNA (OR=1.8, 95% CI=1.2-2.6). CONCLUSIONS:The high cumulative exposure of HPV vaccine types 6/11/16/18 in this Hispanic population was influenced by factors related to HPV exposure through sexual behavior. High seroprevalence in the youngest age-group indicates early age of exposure to HPV in Puerto Rico, highlighting the need for HPV vaccination starting prior to age 16.

Studies have yet to include minimally symptomatic Ebola virus (EBOV) infections and unrecognized Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Ebola-related transmission chains and epidemiologic risk estimates. We conducted a cross-sectional, sero-epidemiological survey from October 2015 to January 2016 among 221 individuals living in quarantined households from November 2014 to February 2015 during the Ebola outbreak in the village of Sukudu, Sierra Leone. Of 48 EBOV-infected persons, 25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14%-40%) had minimally symptomatic EBOV infections and 4% (95% CI, 1%-14%) were unrecognized EVD cases. The pattern of minimally symptomatic EBOV infections in the transmission chain was nonrandom (P < .001, permutation test). Not having lived in the same house as an EVD case was significantly associated with minimally symptomatic infection. This is the first study to investigate a chain of EBOV transmission inclusive of minimally symptomatic EBOV infections and unrecognized EVD. Our findings provide new insights into Ebola transmission dynamics and quarantine practices.

Borrelia burgdorferi infection is common in horses living in Lyme endemic areas and the geographic range for exposure is increasing. Morbidity after B. burgdorferi infection in horses is unknown. Documented, naturally occurring syndromes attributed to B. burgdorferi infection in horses include neuroborreliosis, uveitis, and cutaneous pseudolymphoma. Although other clinical signs such as lameness and stiffness are reported in horses, these are often not well documented. Diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on exposure to B. burgdorferi, cytology or histopathology of infected fluid or tissue and antigen detection. Treatment of Lyme disease in horses is similar to treatment of humans or small animals but treatment success might not be the same because of species differences in antimicrobial bioavailability and duration of infection before initiation of treatment. There are no approved equine label Lyme vaccines but there is strong evidence that proper vaccination could prevent infection in horses.

ObjectiveIt is unknown if human papillomavirus (HPV) serum antibody responses vary by anatomic site of infection. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence for HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 in association with HPV DNA detection in different anatomic sites among women.MethodsThis cross sectional population-based study analyzed data from 524 women aged 16-64 years living in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico (PR). Questionnaires were used to assess demographic and lifestyle variables, while anogenital and blood samples were collected for HPV analysis. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted prevalence odds ratio (POR) in order to determine the association between HPV DNA infection status in the cervix and anus and serum antibody status, controlling for different potential confounders.ResultsOverall, 46.9% of women had detectable antibodies to one or more types whereas 8.7% had HPV DNA for one or more of these types detected in cervix (4.0%) or anus (6.5%). Women with cervical HPV detection tended to be more HPV seropositive than women without cervical detection (adjusted POR (95%CI): 2.41 (0.90, 6.47), p=0.078); however the type-specific association between cervical DNA and serum antibodies was only significant for HPV 18 (adjusted POR (95% CI): 5.9 (1.03, 33.98)). No significant association was detected between anal HPV and seropositivity (p>0.10).ConclusionDifferences in the anatomic site of infection could influence seroconversion, however, longitudinal studies will be required for further evaluation. This information will be instrumental in advancing knowledge of immune mechanisms involved in anatomic site response.

Background: Based on routine surveillance data, Japan has been affected much less by COVID‐19 compared with other countries. To validate this, we aimed to estimate SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence and examine sociodemographic factors associated with cumulative infection in Japan. Methods: A population‐based serial cross‐sectional seroepidemiological investigation was conducted in five prefectures in December 2021 (pre‐Omicron) and February–March 2022 (Omicron [BA.1/BA.2]‐peak). Anti‐nucleocapsid and anti‐spike antibodies were measured to detect infection‐induced and vaccine/infection‐induced antibodies, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify associations between various factors and past infection. Results: Among 16 296 participants (median age: 53 [43–64] years), overall prevalence of infection‐induced antibodies was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.9–2.5%) in December 2021 and 3.5% (95% CI: 3.1–3.9%) in February–March 2022. Factors associated with past infection included those residing in urban prefectures (Tokyo: aOR 3.37 [95% CI: 2.31–4.91], Osaka: aOR 3.23 [95% CI: 2.17–4.80]), older age groups (60s: aOR 0.47 [95% CI 0.29–0.74], 70s: aOR 0.41 [95% CI 0.24–0.70]), being vaccinated (twice: aOR 0.41 [95% CI: 0.28–0.61], three times: aOR 0.21 [95% CI: 0.12–0.36]), individuals engaged in occupations such as long‐term care workers (aOR: 3.13 [95% CI: 1.47–6.66]), childcare workers (aOR: 3.63 [95% CI: 1.60–8.24]), food service workers (aOR: 3.09 [95% CI: 1.50–6.35]), and history of household contact (aOR: 26.4 [95% CI: 20.0–34.8]) or non‐household contact (aOR: 5.21 [95% CI:3.80–7.14]) in February–March 2022. Almost all vaccinated individuals (15 670/15 681) acquired binding antibodies with higher titers among booster dose recipients. Conclusions: Before Omicron, the cumulative burden was >10 times lower in Japan (2.2%) compared with the US (33%), the UK (25%), or global estimates (45%), but most developed antibodies owing to vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV) among forestry workers in northern France, and to explore sociodemographic risk factors. We conducted a random cross-sectional seroprevalence survey among 1777 forestry workers in 2019–2020. The presence of immunoglobulin G against PUUV antigens in serum was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed using immunofluorescence assay. Poisson regression models were used to explore factors associated with seropositivity. Weighted seroprevalence was 5% (3–6) in northeastern France, 4% (2–6) in north central France, and 1% in two regions located in the center of the country (Auvergne and Limousin). There were no seropositive workers detected in northwestern France. Seropositivity was associated with age, sex, and cumulative seniority in the forestry sector. Seroprevalence was highest in known endemic areas of the northeast and lowest in the northwest. Nevertheless, we found serological evidence of PUUV infection in two regions located in the center of the country, suggesting circulation of the virus in these regions, previously thought to be non-endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren aged 4 to 14 years living in the city of São Paulo, according to clinical, demographic, epidemiological, and social variables, during the school closure period as a measure against covid-19 spread. METHODS: A serological survey was made in September 2020 with a random sample stratified by school system (municipal public, state public and private) type. A venous blood sample was collected using the Wondfo SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test (lateral flow method) for detection of total SARS-CoV-2 virus antibodies. Semi-structured questionnaires were applied to collect clinical, demographic, social, and epidemiological data. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in schoolchildren was of 16.6% (95%CI 15.4-17.8). The study found higher seroprevalence in the municipal (18.5%; 95%CI 16.6-20.6) and state (16.2%; 95%CI 14.4-18.2) public school systems compared to the private school system (11.7; 95%CI 10.0-13.7), among black and brown students (18.4%; 95%CI 16.8-20.2) and in the most vulnerable social stratum (18.5 %;95%CI 16.9-20.2). Lower seroprevalence was identified in schoolchildren who reported following the recommended protective measures against covid-19. CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is found mainly in the most socially vulnerable schoolchildren. This study can contribute to support public policies that reinforce the importance of suspending face-to-face classes and developing strategies aimed at protective measures and monitoring of the serological status of those who have not yet been included in the vaccination schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few prospective studies have documented the seropositivity among those children infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. From 2 April 2021 to 24 June 2021, we prospectively enrolled children between the ages of 2 and 17 years at three North Carolina healthcare systems. Participants received at least four at-home serological tests detecting the presence of antibodies against, but not differentiating between, the nucleocapsid or spike antigen. A total of 1,058 participants were enrolled in the study, completing 2,709 tests between 1 May 2021 and 31 October 2021. Using multilevel regression with poststratification techniques and considering our assay sensitivity and sensitivity, we estimated that the seroprevalence of infection-induced antibodies among unvaccinated children and adolescents aged 2–17 years in North Carolina increased from 15.2% (95% credible interval, CrI 9.0–22.0) in May 2021 to 54.1% (95% CrI 46.7–61.1) by October 2021, indicating an average infection-to-reported-case ratio of 5. A rapid rise in seropositivity was most pronounced in those unvaccinated children aged 12–17 years, based on our estimates. This study underlines the utility of serial, serological testing to inform a broader understanding of the regional immune landscape and spread of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Updated seroprevalence estimates are important to describe the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) landscape and to guide public health decisions. The aims are to describe longitudinal changes in seroprevalence in children in a region in Northern Spain and to analyze factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity. Methods: Prospective multicenter longitudinal study with subjects recruited from July to September 2020. Children (up to 14 years old) were included and followed up until September 2021. Venous blood samples were collected every six months during three testing rounds and were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The data regarding epidemiological features, contact tracing, symptoms, and virological tests were collected. The evolution of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the study and the differences between children with positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests were analyzed. Results: Two hundred children were recruited (50.5% girls, median age 9.7 years). The overall seroprevalence increased from round 1 [1.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3%–4.3%] to round 2 (9.1%, 95% CI 4.6%–12.7%) and round 3 (16.6%, 95% CI 9.5%–19.6%) (P < 0.001). Main changes occurred in children aged zero to four years (P = 0.001) who lived in urban areas (P < 0.001). None of the children who were previously positive became seronegative. Following multivariable analysis, three variables independently associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity were identified: close contact with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed or suspected cases [odds ratio (OR) = 3.9, 95% CI 1.2–12.5], previous positive virological test (OR = 17.1, 95% CI 3.7–78.3) and fatigue (OR = 18.1, 95% CI 1.7–193.4). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in children has remarkably increased during the time of our study. Fatigue was the only COVID-19-compatible symptom that was more frequent in seropositive than in seronegative children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its initial identification in 1986, Lyme disease has been clinically diagnosed in 29 provinces in China; however, national incidence data are lacking. To summarize Lyme disease seropositivity data among persons across China, we conducted a systematic literature review of Chinese- and English-language journal articles published during 2005‒2020. According to 72 estimates that measured IgG by using a diagnostic enzyme-linked assay (EIA) alone, the seropositivity point prevalence with a fixed-effects model was 9.1%. A more conservative 2-tier testing approach of EIA plus a confirmatory Western immunoblot (16 estimates) yielded seropositivity 1.8%. Seropositivity by EIA for high-risk exposure populations was 10.0% and for low-risk exposure populations was 4.5%; seropositivity was highest in the northeastern and western provinces. Our analysis confirms Lyme disease prevalence, measured by seropositivity, in many Chinese provinces and populations at risk. This information can be used to focus prevention measures in provinces where seropositivity is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and its cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) have been associated with myocardial infarction (MI), but existing data are conflicting possibly due to limitations in study designs and lack of data on important confounders. The aim of this study was to determine whether H. pylori or CagA seropositivity is associated with incident MI, including MI phenotypes, and to describe temporal trends., Methods: We used the Northern Sweden Health and Disease study, a prospective biobank with data from residents enrolled in a population-based cohort from health examinations between 1986 and 2006. A total of 826 first time MI cases with available blood samples from their index health examination were identified up to 2006. Each case was 1:2 matched with controls by age, sex, sample date and geographical area. Blood samples were analysed using ELISA to determine seroprevalence of H. pylori and CagA, which were then used to study the association with incident MI., Results: The median age at baseline was 50 years, and 71% of participants were male. Seroprevalence of H. pylori and CagA was 46.5% and 32.1% in cases, respectively, compared to 43.7% and 30.6% in controls. Overall, H. pylori prevalence decreased over the study period. After multivariable adjustments, no significant association was observed between H. pylori seropositivity and incident MI (odds ratio: 1.15, 95% CI 0.94-1.42) nor between CagA-positive H. pylori and incident MI., Conclusion: In a Swedish population-based cohort, no significant association was observed between H. pylori or CagA seropositivity and incidence of MI., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest RH reports lecture fees and advisory board fees to institution from MSD, Pfizer and AstraZenenca, (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a critical public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly among pregnant women in Nigeria. Routine screening using rapid diagnostic kits is common in antenatal care, yet the accuracy of these tests can vary. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalencwe of HBV among pregnant women who had previously undergone screening using rapid diagnostic kits at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, to assess the effectiveness of initial screening and identify any missed cases. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 263 pregnant women. Blood samples were tested for HBV markers (HBsAg, HBsAb, and HBcAb) using ELISA. Sociodemographic data and potential risk factors were also analysed. The study found that 7.6% of women were HBsAg positive, indicating active HBV infection, and 49.6% were susceptible to HBV. There was a significant association between higher education levels and HBV seropositivity. Employment status also correlated with HBV prevalence, with self-employed women showing higher seroprevalence. Additionally, a history of blood transfusions was linked to higher HBV seropositivity. The findings highlight the limitations of rapid diagnostic kits in detecting HBV and underscore the need for enhanced infection prevention and control measures, including confirmatory testing, robust vaccination programmes and safe delivery practices to reduce HBV transmission in high-burden regions like Nigeria., (© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Viral Hepatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: Backyard production systems (BPS) represent an interface of contact between people, domestic and wild animals. Studies conducted in Chile during the last decade have provided extensive evidence of influenza A virus (IAV) circulation in backyard poultry and swine. The aim of this study was to investigate exposure practices of humans to animal-origin IAV within backyards., Methods and Results: Backyard farmers and household members of a total of 101 BPS in the proximity of wetlands located throughout Chile were interviewed between 2021 and 2022. Data were collected on the nature of human-animal contacts through participation in productive activities conducted within backyards, which was used to estimate participants' exposure risk to animal-origin IAV. Additionally, RT-qPCR and serologic IAV active surveillance was carried out in backyard animals. Multilinear regression was used to identify factors associated with exposure risk. Overall, IAV prevalence was 10.1% (95% CI: 4.7%-15.5%) and seroprevalence was 43.5% (95% CI: 29.7%-54.2%), both at the BPS level. Of 180 interviewees, 86% reported participating regularly in poultry or swine exposure activities within the backyard. A greater participation of male participants was observed when evaluating swine exposure activities, while female participation was greater for some activities related to poultry handling. Handwashing was a very extended hygiene practice; however, the use of personal protective equipment was uncommon. Different factors related to participants, households and backyards were associated with an increased exposure risk of participants to animal-origin IAV: (i) older age, (ii) less years of education, (iii) no off-farm work, (iv) greater backyard production value and (v) greater household consumption of backyard products., Conclusion: These results indicate the circulation of IAV in BPS and the frequent human-animal contact at this interface, highlighting the need for awareness campaigns and educational programmes aimed at backyard farmers on prevention and biosecurity measures in the management of backyard animals., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Caprine brucellosis, mainly caused by Brucella melitensis, remains a significant zoonotic threat worldwide, affecting animal productivity, welfare, and public health. This study aimed to estimate the true prevalence (TP) and spatial distribution of antibodies to Brucella spp. among goat populations in Hubei Province, China. In 2021, approximately 1.4 million serum samples were collected from 23,126 goat flocks across 82 counties of 16 municipal regions of Hubei Province. A combination of the Rose Bengal Test and Serum Agglutination Test in series was used to detect antibodies against Brucella spp. A hierarchical Bayesian Latent Class Model was used to account for imperfect diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the tests, conditional dependence between the two tests, and hierarchical data structure to estimate the TP and the probability of achieving a 95 % probability of having a TP below 0.1 % for each county and municipal region. Apparent prevalence was 0.051 % and 0.536 % at the animal and flock level, respectively. The median animal level TP in the 82 counties was 0.0088 % (Range: 0.0008 %, 9.3730 %), with 76.8 % of counties showing a median TP estimate below 0.1 %. Counties containing positive goats were mainly clustered in Huanggang and Huangshi, and counties bordering positive counties had a higher risk of seropositivity. Notably, 52.4 % of counties achieved a 95 % probability with a TP below 0.1 %. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings across prior distributions. It was concluded that Hubei Province has achieved remarkable progress in caprine brucellosis elimination programs, and priority interventions should be given to positive counties and their bordering counties., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All co-Authors declare that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: There is a paucity of literature on the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pediatric patients with underlying kidney disorders; few serosurveys among healthy children have shown seropositivity of 20-65% after different waves of infections., Methods: The study had a cross-sectional design and was conducted between January 2023 and July 2023; 163 children and adolescents (1-18 years) with nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) were screened for Anti-Spike SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies as detected by a quantitative chemiluminescence immunoassay. Children with nephrotic syndrome, both steroid sensitive (SSNS) and steroid resistant (SRNS) were enrolled during disease remission. Correlation of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity status was done with age, gender, disease type, treatment duration, immunosuppressants, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and immunization status., Results: Of 163 children (63.8% boys) with median age of 9 years; 101 (62%) had underlying nephrotic syndrome (61 SSNS and 40 SRNS), and 62 (38%) children had CKD. Seroprotective titers for SARS-COV2 antibodies were present in 100 (61.3%) children. The median titers for all patients were 37.1 BAU/mL; for nephrotic syndrome they were 27.1 BAU/mL and for CKD they were 76.7 BAU/mL (p = 0.0033). A total of 43 (26.4%) children had high positive antibody levels (> 200 BAU/ml). Among those with nephrotic syndrome 60.7% with SSNS and 43.5% SRNS had seropositive titers. Only 4 (2.5%) children had a history of previous COVID infection and 6 (3.7%) were vaccinated., Conclusions: In a largely unvaccinated population of children with nephrotic syndrome and CKD, 61.3% were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody indicating a past asymptomatic infection; titers were significantly higher in CKD compared to nephrotic syndrome., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical clearance: Obtained before start of the study from Institutional Ethics Committee, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi F.1/IEC/MAMC/MD/MS (92/04/2022/No. 367] dated 26/08/2022. Conflict of interest: None., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Pediatric Nephrology Association.)

Brucellosis is a disease that poses a higher risk of transmission to animals and people who have close interactions with them, such as farmers. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors in Kasur, Punjab, Pakistan. One hundred pooled milk samples from 100 smallholder mixed herds of cows and buffaloes with a total study population of 425 animals (277 cattle and 148 buffalos) with a range of up to seven animals in each herd were collected and tested through a milk ring test (MRT). Blood samples were collected from the animals of MRT-positive herds and then subjected to an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA) for the presence of antibodies against Brucella abortus. Of the 100 herds, 16 % (n = 16) were MRT-positive. In MRT-positive herds, 77 animals (43 female cattle, three male cattle, 21 female buffaloes, and ten male buffaloes) were present; 32 (41.6 %) were i-ELISA seropositive, with the highest seropositivity (54.8 %) observed in buffaloes as compared to cows (32.6 %). Almost 38 % of the farmers were unaware of brucellosis. Herd-level risk factors indicated Brucella seropositivity increased in herds with recent abortion history and bull exchange during breeding. Conversely, herds with veterinary assistance exhibited a decreased Brucella seropositivity. The findings highlight the need for a government-led awareness campaign emphasizing routine screenings, especially for breeding bulls, to stop further disease spread. Early detection and management can enhance animal health, milk production, and livestock holders' economic well-being., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests, and this study was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Supervised machine-learning (SML) algorithms are potentially powerful tools that may be used for screening cows for infectious diseases such as bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection. Here, we compared six different SML algorithms to identify the most important risk factors for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle in Florida. We used a dataset of 1279 dairy blood sample records from the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory that were submitted for BLV antibody testing from 2012 to 2022. The SML algorithms that we used were logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), gradient boosting (GB), random forest (RF), neural network (NN), and support vector machine (SVM). A total of 312 serum samples were positive for BLV with corrected seroprevalence of 26.0 %. Subject to limitations of the analyzed retrospective data, the RF model was the best model for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle indicated by the highest Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) statistic of 0.75, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.93, gain of 2.6; and lowest misclassification rate of 0.10. The LR model was the worst. The RF model showed that the best predictors for BLV seropositivity were age (dairy cows of age ≥ 5 years) and geographic location (southern Florida). We concluded that the RF and other SML algorithms hold promise for predicting BLV seropositivity in dairy cattle and that dairy cattle 5 years of age or older raised in southern Florida have a higher likelihood of testing positive for BLV. This study makes an important methodological contribution to the needed development of predictive tools for effective screening for BLV infection and emphasizes the importance of collecting and using representative data in such predictive models., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Evidence indicates that people living with HIV (PLHIV) are more impacted by COVID-19. The burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PLHIV is unknown in Nigeria., Methods: We conducted repeated cross-sectional SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria among PLHIV who had an HIV viral load (VL) test during April 2022 to January 2023. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies was assessed using a multiplex bead assay to measure IgG to spike (S), receptor binding domain (RBD), and nucleocapsid (N) proteins to identify potential infection and/or vaccination status., Results: Between April 2022 and January 2023, 47,614 remnant VL samples were included and tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, defined as IgG antibodies to spike and RBD591 [S+] and nucleocapsid [N+], (S+N+), ranged between 21.1% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 11.4-31.8) in Ekiti State in January 2023 to 71.4% (95% CI 71.9-81.9) in Gombe State in November 2022, with overall steady trends within and between states over time, across age and sex., Conclusion: High rates of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among PLHIV in Nigeria were observed. This underscores the need to understand the association between HIV and SARS-CoV-2 to inform strategies to reduce the threat posed by COVID-19., Competing Interests: Declarations of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The poultry population is an integral part of Ethiopia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but, due to various infectious diseases such as infectious bursal disease (IBD), the expected economic impact in the country remains limited. The status of the disease in Ethiopia is obscured; thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis were employed to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of IBD in Ethiopia. Meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of each identified risk factor, while meta-regression and sub-group analysis were employed to assess the relationship between study-level covariates and effect size. The pooled prevalence of IBD in Ethiopia was 69.4% (95% CI 30.7-96.2), while the pooled logit prevalence was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.68-1.20) with significant inter-study variance ( Q test = 948.28, df = 43, P  < 0.001; τ 2  = 0.71, I 2  = 95.47%). A small-study effect was detected in the regression-based Egger test (Prob > | z | < 0.0001). Significant variation was observed among different groups such as sex, age, breed, and type of farm of the chickens. The effect size for the study period from 2018 to 2021 was significantly lower by -0.204 compared to the study period from 2009 to 2015 ( P  < 0.0001. In conclusion, the IBD pooled prevalence estimate is high, even though the number of studies in the country is insufficient. The high prevalence of the disease requires prompt attention from all stakeholders in the sector to bring it under control through comprehensive disease prevention and control intervention strategies.

Fascioliasis is a globally distributed zoonotic parasitic disease that affects ruminants, including sheep. This study conducted from January to December 2023, aimed to determine the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in sheep across three governorates in Egypt's Nile Delta and to assess associated risk factors. A total of 455 serum samples were analyzed using a commercial ELISA kit, revealing antibodies against F. hepatica in 22.2 % of the tested sheep. There was no significant association between locality or sex and the seroprevalence of F. hepatica in sheep; however, the highest prevalence was observed in Kafr ElSheikh and in female sheep. Concerning risk factors, poor conditioned sheep aged between 1 and 2 years showed 2.1 and 3.8 times higher of infection probability than others. In addition, the risk of F. hepatica infection in sheep increased significantly in winter season (OR = 6.6, 95 %CI: 2.6-16.8), in absence of prophylactic treatment (OR = 2.2, 95 %CI: 1.3-3.3) and in presence of snail (OR = 3, 95 %CI: 3-5.4). The existence of antibodies against F. hepatica in examined sheep raising in Nile Delta indicating that the disease is reported in the studied areas and needs to be managed on farms through control and preventative measures., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Racialized communities, including Black Canadians, have disproportionately higher COVID-19 cases. We examined the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection has affected the Black Canadian community and the factors associated with the infection., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an area of Ontario (northwest Toronto/Peel Region) with a high proportion of Black residents along with 2 areas that have lower proportions of Black residents (Oakville and London, Ontario). SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were determined using the EUROIMMUN assay. The study was conducted between August 15, 2020, and December 15, 2020., Results: Among 387 evaluable subjects, the majority, 273 (70.5%), were enrolled from northwest Toronto and adjoining suburban areas of Peel, Ontario. The seropositivity values for Oakville and London were comparable (3.3% (2/60; 95% CI 0.4-11.5) and 3.9% (2/51; 95% CI 0.5-13.5), respectively). Relative to these areas, the seropositivity was higher for the northwest Toronto/Peel area at 12.1% (33/273), relative risk (RR) 3.35 (1.22-9.25). Persons 19 years of age or less had the highest seropositivity (10/50; 20.0%, 95% CI 10.3-33.7%), RR 2.27 (1.23-3.59). There was a trend for an interaction effect between race and location of residence as this relates to the relative risk of seropositivity., Interpretation: During the early phases of the pandemic, the seropositivity within a COVID-19 high-prevalence zone was threefold greater than lower prevalence areas of Ontario. Black individuals were among those with the highest seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics Approval: Research Ethics approval was obtained from Clinical Trials Ontario, the Hospital for Sick Children, and the London Health Sciences Centre. Consent to Participate: Informed consent was obtained from participants. Consent for Publication: Participants were aware that the results of the study would be prepared for publication. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript for publication. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL), caused by Leishmania infantum, is a widespread vector-borne disease. In Italy, an endemic region for CanL, overlapping transmission of L. infantum and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) like Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia canis is increasingly reported. Dogs with clinical leishmaniosis often show higher co-infection rates and pronounced clinicopathological abnormalities. This study presents a systematic literature review and new findings from southern Italy, focusing on co-infections with E. canis and A. phagocytophilum in clinically healthy L. infantum seropositive and seronegative dogs. The systematic review identified two eligible studies. The first reported 34/488 (7%) dogs L. infantum seropositive, with 11.8% also seropositive for A. phagocytophilum. Among 454 seronegative dogs, 3% were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum and 2.4% for E. canis. The second study identified 154/1260 (12.2%) dogs L. infantum seropositive, with co-infection rates of 0.6% and 1.9% for A. phagocytophilum and E. canis, respectively. Among 1106 seronegative dogs, 1.3% were seropositive for A. phagocytophilum and 2.3% for E. canis. In the retrospective study from southern Italy, 90/154 (58.4%) dogs were L. infantum seropositive, with co-infection rates of 4.4% for A. phagocytophilum and 2.2% for A. phagocytophilum and E. canis. Among 64 seronegative dogs, 1.6% showed similar co-infections. This is the first systematic review in Italy, documenting low and comparable co-infection rates with A. phagocytophilum and E. canis in clinically healthy dogs, regardless of L. infantum serostatus. These findings suggest that co-infections may occur independently, offering insights into vector-borne disease dynamics in endemic areas., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: Not applicable. Clinical trial number: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Bluetongue virus (BTV) has emerged as a significant concern in Oman, affecting various animal species, including camels. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of BTV in camels and explore the associated risk factors within the northern region of Oman. Between October 2016 and March 2017, 439 serum samples and 100 blood samples were collected from camels in five governorates. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) was employed to screen the serum for BTV antibodies, and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect BTV genomic RNA in blood. The findings revealed an overall seroprevalence of BTV of 56.04% (246 out of 439), with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 51.3% to 60.7%. BTV seropositivity was significantly associated with various factors, including geographical location, camel age, sex, participation in events, and a history of previous outbreaks. However, no significant correlation was found with tick infestations on farms or a history of abortion. These results underscore the enzootic and widespread nature of BTV in northern Oman, with camels appearing to manifest BTV infection as an asymptomatic or subclinical condition. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, further investigations are essential to identify the specific BTV serotypes currently in circulation within the Sultanate of Oman. The implications of these findings extend to the development of targeted interventions to manage and control the spread of BTV in this region., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Purpose: Bovine anaplasmosis is a major tick-borne disease in ruminants, resulting in significant economic loss for the dairy sector. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) in buffaloes in three governorates in Nile Delta of Egypt., Method: A total of 400 serum samples from water buffaloes were examined using commercial cELISA kit., Results: The overall seroprevalence of A. marginale was 12.5% and Kafr ElSheikh governorate has the highest seroprevalence rate (15.28%). The seroprevalence was higher in females (13.33%) than males with non-significant difference. Moreover, adult animals older than 8 years exhibited a significant risk for A. marginale seropositivity (22.92%), particularly during the summer (22.52%) and autumn (13.73%). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in seroprevalence rates were observed between tick-infested animals (14.96%) and those not treated with acaricides (17.7%), highlighting the influence of tick infestation and lack of acaricidal intervention on infection rates., Conclusion: The present study revealed the existence of antibodies against A. marginale in water buffaloes reared in Nile Delta of Egypt. Thus, the proper policies and control program should be adopted to reduce spreading of infection., Competing Interests: Declarations. Consent for Publication: Not applicable. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is an infectious disease that often affects children under 5 years of age. Over the past 20 years, enterovirus 71 (EV71) has become a major concern among children, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, there are no data showing the seroprevalence of HMFDs in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to EV71 infection in rural and urban areas., Methods: This study was an observational analysis and cross-sectional seroprevalence survey of HFMD in children aged 6 to 71 months. The sampling locations were the Padalarang health centre, which is rural, and the Garuda health centre, which is urban. The total sample included 600 children aged 6-71 months from these two locations. Blood sample testing uses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to identify subjects who are positive for IgG EV71 and the risk factors that may influence it., Results: In total, 596 subjects (99.3%) were positive for the seroprevalence of EV71 IgG in rural and urban areas. Child age, sex, nutritional status, height/age, immunisation status, parental income, and father's and mother's educations were not statistically related in rural and urban areas (p > 0.05) because the rate of IgG EV71 seropositivity was very high., Conclusion: This study revealed that the rate of IgG EV71 HFMD seropositivity in Indonesia, especially in the Padalarang health centre and Garuda health centre, was very high. Further research is needed to investigate HFMD cases because of the lack of attention given to this disease and the need to consider whether immunisation is necessary to prevent HFMD., Trial Registration: This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, National Clinical Trial (NCT) No. NCT05637229., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved by The Research Ethics Committee, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia (ethical approval No. 100/UN6. KEP/EC/2022), which is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, National Clinical Trial (NCT) No. NCT05637229 05/12/2022. The investigator will be responsible for obtaining approval of the protocol from the Institutional Ethics Committee before starting the trial and approving all amendments in compliance with local law. After being informed about the nature of the study, written informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians of the subjects. Consent for publication: All of the participants signed a written informed consent agreement to publish their data for this research. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an important viral zoonotic disease that not only affects ruminants but causes serious morbidity and mortality in humans. In humans, its symptoms range from mild flu-like signs to a severe form such as retinal damage, meningoencephalitis to haemorrhagic fever. In this study, 202 human serum samples were collected from central and western parts of Zambia and tested for RVF-specific antibodies using a commercially available ELISA kit. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data for determining hypothesised risk factors for exposure to RVF. The participants enrolled in this study, were only those who are at high risk of RVF infection and were in close contact with animals and animal products. The study revealed an overall seropositivity of 9.90%, occupationally distributed as 16.67% among slaughter house workers, 14.41% among livestock farmers, and 0% among the others (i.e., students, butchery, and farm workers). The prevalence was highest (19.23%) in Sesheke district found in the western part of Zambia, while Chisamba district in central Zambia had the lowest prevalence (1.41). Movement of animals in search of greener pastures was identified as a risk factor to being RVF-seropositive. This suggests that there was silent circulation of the virus in the interepidemic period in the study areas. Therefore, this study recommends that public education of livestock farmers, public health workers, slaughterhouse workers, communities, livestock and veterinary staff needs to be enhanced to increase awareness and preparedness for RVF outbreak in Zambia., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Kasongamulilo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Pourpose: This study aimed to investigate the seroepidemiological status of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients compared to controls., Methods: The present study included 98 MS patients and 100 controls. Demographic and clinical information collected through interviews, electronic medical records, and clinical examinations. Serum samples analyzed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using ELISA., Results: A significant difference observed in the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG between 49 MS patients (50%) and 33 controls (33%). MS patients with seropositive anti-T. gondii IgG had significantly different age, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, MS phenotypes, age of diagnosis, and age of onset compared to seronegative patients. Serum levels of anti-T. gondii IgG significantly elevated in the case group compared to the control group (277.8 ± 28.61 vs. 137.1 ± 9.52, P < 0.0001). In controls, all subjects were seronegative for anti-T. gondii IgM; three MS cases were positive, showing no significant difference in anti-T. gondii IgM seroprevalence between groups., Conclusion: The study suggests a potential association between T. gondii infection and MS, indicating that anti-T. gondii IgG positivity may correlate with MS phenotypes and influence disease progression. This suggests that chronic toxoplasmosis may be risk factor for MS., Competing Interests: Declarations. Consent to Participate: This study included human participants. Therefore, written informed consents were obtained from all participants. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is primarily associated with non-human-primates (NHPs) in Africa, which also infect humans. Since its introduction to Brazil in 2014, CHIKV has predominantly thrived in urban cycles, involving Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Limited knowledge exists regarding CHIKV occurrence and implications in rural and sylvatic cycles where neotropical NHPs are potential hosts, from which we highlight Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Kuhl, 1820), the golden-headed lion tamarin (GHLT), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic Forest (AF) in Southern Bahia State, Brazil. The present study investigated wild GHLT groups across two municipalities, Ilhéus and Una, Bahia. Surveys were conducted in three groups within cocoa agroforests (cabrucas) in Ilhéus, and four groups in anthropized forest and agroforestry fragments in Una, between 2021 and 2022. Thirty-two GHLT specimens were captured and chemically immobilized, examined and submitted to blood sample collection; nine specimens were later recaptured in 2022, totaling 41 samples. CHIKV viremia was not detected in any specimens (as assayed by RT-qPCR). Plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT90) detected CHIKV antibodies in two (6.3%) GHLTs, with 10-20 antibody titers. Seroprevalence in 2021 was 5.6% and in 2022 was 8.7% with an incidence of 4.5%, whereas, a male adult tested seropositive in both years, suggesting either natural re-exposure and antibody maintenance over time. All samples tested seronegative for Mayaro Virus. Eight mosquito species from the Culicidae family were collected, identified and assayed for CHIKV genomes, showing negative results. This study provides the first evidence of natural CHIKV exposure among free-living GHLTs in Brazil, emphasizing their susceptibility and potential role as reservoirs. These findings underscore the possible consequences of anthropic disturbances in the Brazilian AF, without a seroprevalence difference between non-protected forest formations, agroforest fragments and various mosaic farming landscapes in South Bahia, and highlight the importance of conservation efforts for this endemic and endangered primate species., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Bernal-Valle et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Introduction: Co-infections of syphilis and HIV have been found to exacerbate the impact on sexual and reproductive health, especially among key population groups such as Female Sex Workers (FSWs) and Transgender Individuals (TGs). The data on the prevalence and determinants of syphilis and HIV in Pakistan, particularly in Sindh province, is limited. This prospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for HIV and syphilis infections among FSWs and TGs in different cities of Sindh, Pakistan., Methods: A total of 1120 participants (531 FSWs and 589 TGs) were recruited from Karachi, Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Larkana. Community-based serological testing for HIV and syphilis was performed using Abbot Bioline HIV/syphilis Duo test kits, and sociodemographic and risk factor data were collected through questionnaires. Chi-square and logic regression were applied to determine variables associated significantly with syphilis in TGs and FSWs., Results: TGs exhibited higher rates of syphilis (16.29%) and syphilis-HIV (6.79%) as compared to FSWs (syphilis: 15.63%; syphilis-HIV: 0.75%). Inconsistent condom use was more common among FSWs (75.32%), and over half reported STI symptoms. Regression analysis showed that for TGs, having five years (adjusted OR: 0.52, p = 0.04) and graduate-level education (adjusted OR: 0.40, p = 0.04) was associated with a lower risk of syphilis, while an income between 30,000 and 50,000 Pakistani rupees (OR: 1.93, p = 0.028) and more than three years in profession (adjusted OR: 2.20, p = 0.04) was associated with a higher risk. For FSWs, five (OR: 0.34, p = 0.03) and ten (OR: 0.02, p = 0.02) years of education were associated with a lower risk of syphilis, whereas an income between 30,000 and 50,000 PKR (OR: 3.05, p < 0.01) and self-reported HIV-negative status (OR: 3.08, p = 0.01) were associated with a higher risk of syphilis mono-infection., Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the study show higher rates of syphilis and HIV co-infection among TG compared to FSW from Sind. The study findings provide valuable insights for national health agencies and policymakers to devise data-driven strategies for preventing and controlling syphilis and HIV infections among FSW and TG populations in Sind., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 Shah et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

During the omicron wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines becoming available, seroprevalence rates rose in children and adolescents. This study investigated the impact of both SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccinations on the incidence of acute and prolonged symptoms in real-world conditions during the transition from the pandemic to the endemic phase. Participants from a pediatric population based seroprevalence study (CorKID study) were followed up at least two and for almost four years by survey of health status features and symptoms suggestive of post-COVID syndrome (PCS). In a subgroup (n = 259) SARS-CoV-2 antibody serology was further investigated. 789 participants of the original CorKID study cohort (n = 2.121; 37.2%) were included. 67.9% reported at least one SARS-CoV2 infection. 46.6% had received one or more SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. In the vast majority of serologically tested participants antibodies again SARS-CoV-2 spike (98.9%) or nucleocapsid (93.3%) antigen were detected following infection and/or vaccination. At least 30% experienced one unrecognized SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall health status was comparable between children, irrespective of SARS-CoV-2 infections and similar to pre-pandemic assessment. However, a subset of young adolescents exhibited a decline in physical performance compared to pre-pandemic conditions. After infection, PCS-like symptoms persisted in 7% of the respondents for more than three months and up to four years. SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated participants (47%) reported 12% less acute flu-like infections other than SARS-CoV-2. Nearly all participants developed SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in this longitudinal study through either vaccination or infection during the Omicron wave. About 7% of participants suffered from PCS symptoms, predominately fatigue and exhaustion. Furthermore, participants who received vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 reported a lower frequency of acute infections during follow-up., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Trial registration: German Registry for Clinical Trials Identifier Bochum: DRKS00022434 (registration:07.08.2020), Dresden: DRKS 00022455 (registration: 23.07.2020)., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in different island groups in Okinawa. A cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted over three periods between July 2020 and February 2021. A total of 2,683 serum samples were collected from six referral medical centers, each covering a separate region in Okinawa. In the main island, the seroprevalence was 0.0% (0/392; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0- 0.9%), 0.6% (8/1,448, 0.2-1.1%), and 1.4% (8/582, 0.6-2.7%) during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd serosurvey, respectively. In remote islands, the seroprevalence was 0.0% (0/144; 95% CI, 0.0-2.5%) and 1.6% (2/123, 0.2-5.8%) during the 2nd and 3rd survey, respectively. The case detection ratio was 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3-5.3) in the main island and 2.8 (0.7-11.1) in remote islands during the 3rd survey. The case detection ratio was the highest in individuals aged 20-29 years (8.3; 95% CI, 3.3-21.4) in the main island and in those aged 50-59 years (14.1; 2.1-92.7) in remote islands, suggesting underreporting of clinical cases by the surveillance system in these subgroups. A serosurvey conducted during an emerging infectious disease epidemic can be useful for validating the reliability of the surveillance system by providing case detection ratio.

Abstract: The detection of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in pigs, at four piggeries in the Murray region in February 2022, prompted a public health investigation (PHI) by the New South Wales Department of Health (NSW Health) to identify people at greatest risk of infection. The PHI included three components: a vaccination clinic and accompanying clinic questionnaire; a serological investigation; and a cross-sectional study for consenting Australian-born participants who completed an extended questionnaire after receiving their serological results. The goals were to vaccinate a presumably naïve population to reduce associated risk and to understand the seroprevalence among Australian-born piggery workers. A total of 322 farm workers and/or residents attended clinics organised by NSW Health; 311 received a JEV vaccine (96.6%); and 302 (94%) completed a clinic questionnaire. Of 178 people from whom serology was collected (55.3%), a total of 165 returned Defined Epitope Blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DEB ELISA) results; 153/165 of those returning DEB ELISA results were Australian born. The study's cross-sectional component involved 129 participants, ten of whom were seropositive. The overall seropositivity for 153 Australian-born participants across the identified piggeries was 6.5% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.4-12.0%), suggesting that JEV was circulating in piggeries, and plausibly more broadly, within the Murray region prior to serology collection. Male sex and working on, or visiting, a farm other than their regular workplace were both associated with JEV seropositivity (odds ratio [OR]: 5.4; 95% CI: 0.94-137.1 and OR: 37; 95% CI: 0.92-22.08 respectively). JEV vaccination uptake was high among piggery workers in the Murray region. Further studies are needed to determine if piggery workers have an increased risk of developing JEV compared to people who do not work or live on JEV-affected piggeries. The reasons for the emergence of JEV in pigs in the Murray region remain unclear., (© Commonwealth of Australia CC BY-NC-ND.)

Background: Human activities, such as urbanization and climate change, have facilitated the spread of arbovirus-carrying vectors, disproportionately affecting vulnerable traditional Indigenous communities., Objective: To explore the relationships between subclinical myocardial dysfunction, assessed by global longitudinal strain (GLS), and comprehensive arbovirus serology in an Indigenous population, while also describing the serological and epidemiological profile of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses., Methods: This ancillary study is part of the first phase (2016-2017) of the Project of Atherosclerosis among Indigenous Populations (PAI), a cross-sectional study involving participants from two Indigenous communities with different degrees of urbanization and a highly urbanized city in Northeast Brazil. We assessed the seroprevalence of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses in the Fulni-ô Indigenous community, the less urbanized and most traditional group. Additionally, we explored the relationship between these viruses and subclinical heart disease, assessed by speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived GLS., Results: One hundred seventy-four participants were included, with a median age of 45.0 years (interquartile range 38.0-55.0). The majority were female (58.6%; n = 102). The prevalence of anti-ZIKV IgG was 95.3%; anti-DENV IgG was 85.8%, and anti-CHIKV IgG was 70.9%. GLS abnormalities were detected in nearly half (48.3%) of the cohort. However, no significant association was found between arbovirus serology and GLS., Conclusions: The findings reveal a high prevalence of positive serology for arboviruses and a significant rate of subclinical cardiac dysfunction. There was no significant association between reduced left ventricular longitudinal strain and positive arbovirus serology, likely due to the limited number of participants with indications of acute contact with the viruses studied. However, the unprecedented and relevant results of this study are noteworthy, as they address critical public health issues, particularly in vulnerable populations. Further research is needed to explore these findings in more depth., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: The research was approved by the National Council on Research Ethics (CONEP number 1.488.268), the National Indigenous Foundation (Fundação Nacional do Indio [FUNAI]; procedure number 08620.028965/2015-66) and the Indigenous leaders of the participating groups approved. All participants provided written informed consent before participating in the study. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite that can cause significant complications when it infects pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. These complications include miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, and fatal cerebral toxoplasmosis. Despite its significance, the true burden of toxoplasmosis in Indonesia remains underexplored. Toxoplasmosis is usually diagnosed by detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, especially IgG. Therefore, we aim to assess the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG among the human population in Indonesia. In addition, we assessed whether the seroprevalence differed across geographical regions, populations, or population risk levels. Its correlation with annual precipitation was also assessed., Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of data retrieved from PubMed, Portal Garuda, Neliti, and Onesearch.id. Additionally, Google Scholar, government repositories, and the reference list of studies were searched for additional data. We pooled seroprevalence data using the inverse-variance method and a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2 statistics and Cochran's Q test. Risk-of-Bias (RoB) was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Publication bias was assessed using Doi plots and the Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index. We performed subgroup analysis, meta-regression, and sensitivity analysis to explore source heterogeneity and the robustness of the pooled estimates. We used Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to assess the correlation between seroprevalence and annual precipitation., Result: In total, 56 studies were included in this study. The adjusted seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG was 60.06% (95% CI: 52.22-67.65%). Study location and detection method were detected as significant sources of heterogeneity by subgroup analysis but not meta-regression. However, subgroup analysis and meta-regression identified the study population and population risk level as significant sources of heterogeneity. Publication year, sample size, and RoB were identified as non-significant moderators. Seroprevalence did not correlate with annual precipitation., Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis is highly prevalent among the human population in Indonesia; however, our study mainly relied on studies with small sample sizes. Furthermore, most of the studies were performed in Java; therefore, some high-quality population-based studies must be conducted in other regions of Indonesia to better estimate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis across the country., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Leptospira is a bacteria responsible for a widespread zoonosis that affects both humans and animals. Leptospirosis is a challenging pathology to diagnose and treat since its signs are unspecific and symptoms vary greatly. The disease seems to be highly prevalent in environments where reservoir animals such as rats and small mammals are common. Even though leptospirosis in humans in Lithuania is rare, it remains a disease of significance in Europe. Information on reservoir animals and prevalence of Leptospira in wild animals in Lithuania is lacking. The aim of this country-wide study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in wild boars in Lithuania. Hunted animals were collected from ten counties that represented the boar population of the country. The sera of 451 collected boars were evaluated for eight Leptospira serovars using the microscopic agglutination test. Seropositivity was observed in 102 (22.6%) boars. Overall, 194 positive reactions occurred. Boars older than 2 years were affected by more serovars and were more seropositive than younger boars ( p < 0.05). The highest number of positive reactions was observed in Panevėžys (87.9%) and Vilnius (69.1%) counties. The results of this study might indicate that the wild boar is a reservoir animal of Leptospira and plays a role in its transmission in Lithuania.

Background: Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a widely distributed and multifactorial syndrome, leading to significant economic losses to the cattle industry. Many viruses are considered causative agents of BRDC, including bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and parainfluenza virus 3 (PI-3). This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of BoHV-1, BRSV, and PI-3 in serum samples collected from cattle in Villavicencio, Colombia. A total of 725 animals from 29 herds were sampled and tested for BoHV-1 and BRSV using ELISA. For PI-3, 440 animals were selected from 24 herds and tested using ELISA. An epidemiological survey collected information on animal characteristics, management practices, health, and environmental factors. Seroprevalence rates for each disease were determined, and a bivariate analysis was performed using a contingency table with odds ratios and Pearson's Chi-square test., Results: The seroprevalence rates were 44.9% for BoHV-1, 94.3% for BRSV, and 85.9% for PI-3. At the herd level, the seroprevalence was above 95% for all tested viruses. Two simultaneous risk factors for all three diseases were identified: female sex and age over 3 years. The risk factors for BoHV-1 were the sale of animals, purchase of animals, history of abortions, and Brahman breed. Conversely, artificial insemination was a protective factor. For BRSV, the purchase of animals was a risk factor, and the history of abortions correlated to PI-3 seropositivity. No significant correlation between the three diseases was identified., Conclusions: This study confirms the high prevalence of BoHV-1, BRSV, and PI-3, underscoring the need for preventive measures against these non-officially notified diseases in Colombia., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study adhered to the guidelines for animal experimentation outlined in the International Guiding Principles for Veterinary Research and received approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Applied and Environmental Sciences (UDCA), No. 001–2017. The authors received written informed consent from owners to collect samples and epidemiological data from each studied farm. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Dengue remains the most rapidly advancing vector-borne disease in the world, and while the disease burden is predominantly in low-to-middle-income countries, the association with poverty remains in question. Consequently, a study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of anti-dengue antibodies among individuals residing in the People's Housing Program (PPR), a government-sponsored low-cost housing initiative targeting low-income earners. This type of public housing often faces challenges, including substandard housing facilities. Therefore this study took into consideration several social determinants of health, including the economic, environmental, and social conditions that contribute towards dengue transmission. The research was conducted over a period of 18 months across 14 PPRs in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Overall seroprevalence of anti-dengue immunoglobulin G (IgG) was 78.2% (CL: 72.5-83.1) among the 436 residents who participated in the study, while seroprevalence of anti-dengue IgM was 0.9% (CL: 0.2-3.2). Log-linear statistical models with the presence/absence of anti-dengue IgG and individual factors showed significant associations of anti-dengue IgG with age, income, location, and waste bin conditions, but ethnicity was just at the wrong side of the cut-off for significance. However, a multifactorial model, in which all relevant factors were taken into account, showed that location and ethnicity were the key risk factors. For anti-dengue IgM, the only significant association was with the presence of stagnant water bodies around the compounds. Findings from this study highlight an acute need for improvements in the environmental and societal health of those residing in PPRs in locations that are particularly at risk, and continuous community empowerment to ensure that the preventive measures taken to eradicate dengue are locally sustainable., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2025 AbuBakar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objective: Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. The primary objective of the study was to estimate IgG antibody titers against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in children with CKD and healthy controls who were previously immunized with measles/ MMR vaccine., Methods: This case control study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020. Children aged 2-18 years with CKD and healthy controls who had received at least one dose of measles/MMR were included. Children on dialysis were excluded. Clinical details of immunization were recorded, and antibody titers measured by ELISA based kits., Results: 120 children (60 cases and 60 controls) were enrolled; seroprotection rates for measles, mumps and rubella in the CKD group and control group were 90% vs 86.7%, P = 0.01; 71.7% vs 77.7%, P = 0.77; and 86.7% vs 88.3%; P = 0.05, respectively, with lower antibody titers for mumps and measles in late-stages (stage 4 or 5) CKD., Conclusion: Seroprotection amongst children with CKD for measles, rubella and mumps is not inferior to that in controls. However, children with late-stage CKD (stages 4 and 5) have lower seroprotection especially for mumps and measles compared to those with early-stage (1-3) CKD.

Background: Hepatitis A remains a public health concern, particularly in areas with suboptimal sanitation. Introduced in Turkey's immunization schedule in 2011, the vaccine has improved immunity; however, gaps persist, especially in older, unvaccinated children. This study examines the seropositivity rates and antibody levels in children across different vaccination statuses and age groups, and to identify gaps in immunity, particularly among children those born before the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine in Turkey., Methods: Data from 9,858 patients, collected between August 2019 and March 2024, were analyzed to evaluate the immunological response to the vaccine. Patients were categorized into four groups based on vaccination status: under-vaccinated (children 6-18 months old), single-dose vaccinated (children 18-24 months old), fully vaccinated (children over 24 months old born after March 1, 2011), and unvaccinated (born before March 1, 2011, when routine hepatitis A vaccination began). Seropositivity rates and antibody levels were measured and statistically analyzed., Results: In this study, a total of 9,858 pediatric patients were assessed, with 1.1% under-vaccinated, 3.4% single-dose vaccinated, 60.5% fully vaccinated, and 35% unvaccinated. Seropositivity rates reached 93% in the fully vaccinated group, compared to 83% in the single-dose group and 63% in the unvaccinated group. Antibody titers were significantly higher in the fully vaccinated group, with statistically significant differences in seropositivity between this group and the unvaccinated group (p < 0.001). Additionally, a notable decrease in antibody levels was observed in the unvaccinated group as age increased (r = -0.365, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to close vaccination gaps, especially among older, unvaccinated children who exhibit lower immunity levels. These insights are crucial for enhancing vaccination outreach and improving public health measures against hepatitis A., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital. In the present retrospective study, individual informed consent from participants was not required as patient data were anonymized and analyzed without direct identifiers. The need for informed consent was waived by the Ethics Committee of Ankara Bilkent City Hospital (Ethics Committee and Institutional Review Board approval number: E2211144). Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis. We examined HEV seroprevalence and associations of sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics with HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) seropositivity in the Arab population. A cross-sectional single-centre study was conducted among adults in the Nazareth area during 2022. Blood samples were tested using the Altona Real-Star HEV-RNA and the Wantai IgG assays. Data on sociodemographics, health status, and lifestyle were collected using structured questionnaires.Overall, 490 individuals (55.9% males) aged 18 - 96 (mean = 53.2, SD = 28.0) were enrolled. HEV IgG seropositivity was estimated at 21.4% (95% CI 17.9-25.3). No samples were HEV-RNA positive. The correlates of HEV IgG seropositivity were older age (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.07, 95% CI 1.04-1.09, P  < 0.001) and consuming beef frequently (PR 2.81, 95% CI 1.40-5.63, P  = 0.003). No associations were found between Arab religious groups (Muslim, Christian or Druze, representing different socioeconomic status and dietary habits) or pork consumption and HEV IgG seropositivity. In conclusion, HEV seropositivity was high in the Arab population, and assessing HEV in Ruminants, particularly cows, is warranted.

Background: The burden of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are increasing globally, fueled by urbanization and climate change, with some of the highest current rates of transmission in Asia. Local factors in the built environment have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate transmission., Methods: In 24 informal urban settlements in Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji, we tested children under 5 years old for evidence of prior infection with dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses by IgG serology. We used a catalytic model using seroprevalence and mean age to estimate annual incidence of dengue in each country. We also conducted detailed questionnaires to evaluate environmental risk factors for a positive serology result. Dengue risk factors were evaluated for children by univariate and multivariable logistic regression accounting for settlement as a fixed effect. Trash and flooding were additionally evaluated as dengue risk factors at the settlement level by univariate linear regression., Results: In Fiji and Indonesia respectively, 46% and 33% of children under 5 years old were seropositive for dengue, 3% and 3% for chikungunya, and 9% and 2% for Zika. In Indonesia, children living in a household where trash is routinely collected and removed were significantly less likely to be dengue seropositive in both unadjusted and adjusted models [adjusted model: OR 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1-0.8)]. In Indonesia, settlements with a higher proportion of households reporting flooding also had lower dengue rates (slope = 0.44; p-value: <0.05)., Conclusions: Household trash collection and community flood management are important targets for interventions to mitigate the increasing risk of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viruses., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: Ethics review and approval was provided by participating universities and local IRBs, including: Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Melbourne, Australia; project ID 35903), Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education Ethics Committee of Medical Research at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Hasanuddin (Makassar, Indonesia; protocol UH18020110), and Fiji National University College Human Health Research Ethics Committee (CHREC ID 137.19). Written informed consent was obtained from the parents/guardians of all child participants. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: None of the authors have any relevant conflict of interest or other financial disclosures relevant to the subject matter., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The rising global incidence of syphilis underscores the risk of transmission through blood transfusions. Treponema pallidum, the pathogen responsible for syphilis, represents a major public health challenge. Accurate detection is essential for controlling the disease, particularly in asymptomatic blood donors. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of specific antibodies against T. pallidum in blood donors, confirmed by DNA testing for seropositivity. The goal was to enhance our understanding of syphilis exposure and improve the safety of blood donations. A total of 1,260 HIV, HCV, and HBsAg-negative blood donors were screened for T. pallidum-specific antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Initially, reactive samples were re-evaluated, and those repeatedly reactive were classified as seropositive for syphilis. ELISA-positive samples were further tested for T. pallidum DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Data analysis was done using SPSS with a level of significance p< 0.05 Of 1,260 blood donors, the seroprevalence of anti-T. pallidum antibodies was 0.158%, with both positive cases confirmed by PCR. The prevalence was 0.2% in males and 0.00% in females, with no significant gender differences (P > 0.05). The highest prevalence was in the 31-40 age group (0.5%), but this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences by donation type or marital status. Significant associations were observed with educational level (P < 0.05), with higher prevalence among high school graduates Our results confirm syphilis in Iraqi blood donors, highlighting the need for routine T. pallidum ELISA screening at transfusion centers. Positive cases should be discarded and affected donors treated. ELISA is an effective primary screening method, consistent with WHO guidelines for low-prevalence settings, and is essential for preventing transfusion transmission.

Brucella spp. is the bacterium responsible for brucellosis, a zoonotic infection that affects humans. This disease poses significant health challenges and contributes to poverty, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of human brucellosis within the general population of Multan and Muzaffargarh, Pakistan. A total of 307 blood samples were collected from patients visiting local hospitals in Multan and Muzaffargarh between August 2015 and January 2016. Demographic information, risk factors, and clinical outcomes were documented. Serum samples were initially screened for anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test, and positive cases were subsequently confirmed through RT-PCR. The chi-square test assessed the link between Brucella positivity and the identified risk factors. The study recorded an overall seroprevalence of 6.8%, with 8.9% in Multan and 4.3% in Muzaffargarh. Genus-specific Brucella detection through RT-PCR confirmed that 20 out of 21 samples were positive. Significant associations with human brucellosis were found for contact with aborted animals (p = 0.032) and consumption of raw milk (p = 0.031), while factors such as age, gender, occupation, urbanicity, and geographical region did not show a significant impact on seropositivity (p > 0.05). Non-specific clinical symptoms were commonly observed among seropositive patients. The findings highlight the significance of close human interaction with infected animals, especially concerning livestock practices and dairy product consumption. The results also emphasize the importance of focusing efforts on raising awareness in risky occupations and developing control programs by healthcare authorities., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Ethical approval: The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, for biomedical research under the approval number 068/IRC/BMR. The clinical investigation was performed following the Declaration of Helsinki, and all participants provided informed consent. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from all patients for the publication of. their clinical details, and preclinical data., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Goats are the one of the most susceptible domestic species to toxoplasmosis affecting animal health and production. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dairy goats from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as well as to evaluate associated risk factors, parasitic DNA detection in raw goat milk samples, and attempts to isolate the parasite from raw goat milk samples. Between October 2020 and December 2022, blood samples were collected from 460 goats, and 220 milk samples were taken from goats raised in the Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The serum samples were tested for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies using IFAT. The milk samples were tested for parasitic DNA detection using nPCR, and attempts were made to isolate the protozoan in mice. For risk factor analysis, the farmers answered a semi-structured questionnaire covering various epidemiological variables. Overall, 24.1% tested positive for anti-T. gondii IgG in serum samples. Risk factors included farm location, age group, rearing system, presence of cats, grazing, and access of cats to water sources. In nPCR, 38.6% were positive, but none were positive in the bioassay. However, 3.2% of the mice inoculated with goat milk seroconverted. This study found that the exposure of dairy goats in Rio de Janeiro to T. gondii is driven by ineffective management practices in preventing and controlling the parasite in these animals. Moreover, despite the detection of parasitic DNA in raw goat milk, the shedding of viable parasites in milk from naturally exposed goats appears to be low., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Statement of animal ethics: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee for the Use of Animals of the Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz under license number L-041/2019 and by the Ethics Committee for Research with Human Beings of the Antônio Pedro University Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of the Fluminense Federal University under CAAE number 29260919.1.0000.5243 and opinion 3.963.040., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Infection by human herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1/2) is common globally though with wide regional variability. Seroepidemiology of HSV-1/2 infections is of utmost importance in formulating control strategies, but there is a paucity of data from many regions of India. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-HSV-1/2 antibodies in Uttarakhand and adjoining areas and to study its pattern and distribution in different subgroups. Serum samples from 322 cases were subjected to ELISA test to check for the presence of anti-HSV-1/2 IgG and IgM antibodies. Sociodemographic and clinical information were extracted from medical records. The association of seropositivity and associated factors was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. The overall HSV-1/2 seropositivity was observed to be 46.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.5-51.4). Total IgM and IgG were found in 6.2% (95% CI: 3.6-8.8) and 45.3% (95% CI: 38.1-48.9) cases, respectively. No significant difference between seropositivity of males and females was observed (45.7% in males versus 46.2% in females; p value: 0.928). Seroprevalence increased with age in both genders but was more pronounced in males ( p value: <0.001), while 50.6% of women in the reproductive age group (18-30 years) were found to be seropositive. Females from Uttarakhand, compared to adjoining states ( p value: 0.041) and both men and women residing in hilly terrain compared to plains ( p value: 0.018; p value: 0.030), showed significantly lower prevalence, while urban-dwelling men showed higher seropositivity ( p value: 0.048). Thus, HSV-1/2 seroprevalence is lower in this region, especially in young, rural, and hill dwellers, indicating majority are vulnerable to acquiring new infections. More awareness among high-risk groups and implementation of targeted public health policies can help control the disease burden., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2025 Sangeeta Deka et al. The Scientific World Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) seroprevalence was high before the national vaccine policy was introduced in Taiwan, indicating significant HBV infection rates. The success of the HBV immunization program and other preventive measures likely led to decreased HBsAg prevalence among pregnant women. This study reports on the HBV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Taiwan from 2016 to 2021, including those potentially affected by the universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth., Methods: This claim-based cohort study included pregnant women with hospital-based prenatal HBV screening data: 162,662 for HBsAg and 161,729 for HBeAg, from 2016 to 2021. Patient medical records were reviewed to collect information on demographic characteristics and other health conditions. Logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors associated with HBsAg and HBV e antigen (HBeAg) positivity., Results: The seroprevalence for HBsAg and HBeAg during the study period was 4.0% and 0.6%, respectively. HBsAg positivity was highest among women born before July 1984 (pre-vaccination period; 8.6%), decreasing to 2.2% among those born between July 1986 and 1988 (national vaccination implementation) and further declining to 1.1% for those born after 1997. These data underscore the crucial role of large-scale immunization strategies in controlling HBV infections. Similarly, HBeAg positivity was highest among pregnant women born before the vaccination program (~ 1.0%), decreasing significantly to 0.4% for those born after 1989. The results showed geographic variations, potentially reflecting factors such as the mother's age and foreign nationality. However, the birth year was the most crucial factor associated with HBV marker positivity., Conclusions: The implementation of national vaccination programs has demonstrated significant success in reducing HBV seroprevalence among pregnant women, which is particularly evident in the substantial decrease in HBsAg seroprevalence in Taiwan post-July 1986. These findings emphasize the importance of continued and consistent vaccination efforts, supporting the need for ongoing public health strategies to combat HBV infections effectively., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved on 20 April 2022 by the Taipei Medical University—Joint Institutional Review Board, with project number N202204052. Given the retrospective nature of the study using anonymized data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, the requirement for informed consent was waived by the Taipei Medical University—Joint Institutional Review Board in accordance with local regulations and guidelines. Consent for publication: Not applicable. This manuscript does not contain any individual person’s data in any form, including individual details, images, or videos. Competing interests: Juan C. Vargas-Zambrano is an employee of Sanofi and declares no competing interests. Meng-Yun Ku and Li-Nien Chien have no competing interests to declare., (© 2025. The Author(s).)