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Background: Indian subcontinent being an important region in the fight to eliminate cholera needs better cholera surveillance. Current methods miss most infections, skewing disease burden estimates. Triangulating serosurvey data, clinical cases, and risk factors could reveal India's true cholera risk. Methods: We synthesized data from a nationally representative serosurvey, outbreak reports and risk factors like water, sanitation and the Multidimensional Poverty Index, to create a composite vulnerability index for assessing state-wise cholera risk in India. We tested 7,882 stored sera samples collected during 2017–18 from individuals aged 9–45 years, for vibriocidal antibodies to Vibrio cholerae O1 using a cut-off titre ≥320 defining as elevated titre. We also extracted data from the 2015–19 Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and published cholera reports. Results: Overall, 11.7% (CI: 10.4–13.3%) of the sampled population had an elevated titre of cholera vibriocidal antibodies (≥320). The Southern region experienced the highest incidence (16.8%, CI: 12.1–22.8), followed by the West (13.2%, CI: 10.0–17.3) and North (10.7%, CI: 9.3–12.3). Proportion of samples with an elevated vibriocidal titre (≥320) was significantly higher among individuals aged 18–45 years (13.0% CI: 11.2–15.1) compared to children 9–17 years (8.6%, CI 7.3–10.0, p<0.05); we found no differences between sex or urbanicity. Between 2015–2019, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) reported 29,400 cases of cholera across the country. Using the composite vulnerability index, we found Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal were the most vulnerable states in India in terms of risk of cholera. Conclusion: The present study showed that cholera infection is present in all five regions across India. The states with high cholera vulnerability could be prioritized for targeted prevention interventions. Author summary: Cholera remains a significant public health threat in areas with inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The World Health Organization's Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) launched "Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030" to reduce cholera deaths and eliminate the disease in 20 countries by 2030 through targeted interventions, including improved WASH practices and disease surveillance. cholera surveillance, especially in developing countries seldom poses difficulty in terms of the need for laboratory infrastructure, and other resource constraints. Thereby, in this study, we utilized a viable approach with serosurvey data from 2017, cholera outbreak data, WASH indicators, and the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to create a composite vulnerability index for cholera risk in India. Overall, 11.7% of the sampled population had detectable levels of cholera antibodies reflecting previous infection. The Southern region of India experienced the highest incidence, followed by the West and North. the study showed that cholera infection is present in all five regions across India. Further, the vulnerability index which we built could be utilized in other settings so that effective tailored interventions could be applied in identified priority areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-stratified path analyses modeled associations between enteric pathogen reservoirs, transmission pathways and height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) to identify determinants of childhood growth in the Kolkata, India site of the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS). Models tested direct associations of potential pathogen reservoirs with HAZ at 60-day follow-up in separate moderate and severe diarrhea (MSD) case and control cohorts or indirectly when mediated by enteric infections. In the MSD cohort, rotavirus and typical EPEC (tEPEC) infections among children 0–11 months of age and ST-ETEC infections among children 12–23 months of age were associated with lower HAZ. Handwashing after defecating and before cooking reduced impaired growth through reductions in rotavirus and tEPEC infections. Water storage increased rotavirus and ST-ETEC infection risks, resulting in increased impaired growth, but was reduced with reported child feces disposal. The GII norovirus variant was inversely associated with HAZ among children 12–59 months of age in the control cohort. Reported handwashing before the handling of children reduced GII infections and impaired growth. Boiling water and the disposal of children's feces mediated by stored water were positively associated with HAZ. The targeting of pathogen-specific reservoirs and transmission pathways may more effectively improve childhood linear growth in South Asian urban communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (Salmonella Typhi) causes severe and occasionally life-threatening disease, transmitted through contaminated food and water. Humans are the only reservoir, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure increases risk of typhoid. High-quality data to assess spatial and temporal relationships in disease dynamics are scarce. Methods: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort conducted in an urban slum area of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Passive surveillance at study centers identified typhoid cases by microbiological culture. Each incident case (index case) was matched to two randomly selected index controls, and we measured typhoid incidence in the population residing in a geographically defined region surrounding each case and control. Spatial clustering was evaluated by comparing the typhoid incidence in residents of geometric rings of increasing radii surrounding the index cases and controls over 28 days. Temporal clustering was evaluated by separately measuring incidence in the first and second 14-day periods following selection. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated using Poisson regression models. Results: We evaluated 141 typhoid index cases. The overall typhoid incidence was 0.44 per 100,000 person-days (PDs) (95% CI: 0.40, 0.49). In the 28 days following selection, the highest typhoid incidence (1.2 per 100,000 PDs [95% CI: 0.8, 1.6]) was in the innermost cluster surrounding index cases. The IRR in this innermost cluster was 4.9 (95% CI: 2.4, 10.3) relative to the innermost control clusters. Neither typhoid incidence rates nor relative IRR between index case and control populations showed substantive differences in the first and second 14-day periods after selection. Conclusion: In the absence of routine immunization programs, geographic clustering of typhoid cases suggests a higher intensity of typhoid risk in the population immediately surrounding identified cases. Further studies are needed to understand spatial and temporal trends and to evaluate the effectiveness of targeted vaccination in disrupting typhoid transmission. Author summary: New generation typhoid conjugate vaccines have been introduced in mass national campaigns and routine immunization programs in several typhoid-endemic countries. We evaluated evidence for spatial and temporal clustering of typhoid fever in an urban slum area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, where typhoid is highly endemic. We assessed 141 typhoid index cases and observed the highest incidence of typhoid in the 14-day period following case selection in the population residing closest (cluster of radii 0-50m) to the index case. Clustering of incident cases suggests a higher intensity of transmission, and the populations at highest risk of contracting typhoid are those living in close proximity to an index case. The risk exists for a period of at least 28 days. Where strong surveillance exists, vaccination of localized geographic areas surrounding cases might be effective in controlling disease outbreaks in low- or no-coverage settings. This approach could offer a practical and efficient strategy for countries with limited data and resources to support mass typhoid vaccination. Additional evaluations of spatial and temporal trends of typhoid transmission are required in endemic and non-endemic settings, and studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of targeted vaccination are needed to refine prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited data exists regarding risk factors for adverse outcomes in older adults hospitalized with Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This multisite study aimed to assess outcomes and associated risk factors among adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized with pneumonia. Methods: Between December 2018 and March 2020, we enrolled ≥60-year-old adults admitted within 48 hours for CAP treatment across 16 public and private facilities in four sites. Clinical data and nasal/oropharyngeal specimens were collected by trained nurses and tested for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other respiratory viruses (ORV) using the qPCR. Participants were evaluated regularly until discharge, as well as on the 7th and 30th days post-discharge. Outcomes included ICU admission and in-hospital or 30-day post-discharge mortality. A hierarchical framework for multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models identified risk factors (e.g., demographics, clinical features, etiologic agents) associated with critical care or death. Findings: Of 1,090 CAP patients, the median age was 69 years; 38.4% were female. Influenza viruses were detected in 12.3%, RSV in 2.2%, and ORV in 6.3% of participants. Critical care was required for 39.4%, with 9.9% in-hospital mortality and 5% 30-day post-discharge mortality. Only 41% of influenza CAP patients received antiviral treatment. Admission factors independently associated with ICU admission included respiratory rate >30/min, blood urea nitrogen>19mg/dl, altered sensorium, anemia, oxygen saturation <90%, prior cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and private hospital admission. Diabetes, anemia, low oxygen saturation at admission, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation were associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusion: High ICU admission and 30-day mortality rates were observed among older adults with pneumonia, with a significant proportion linked to influenza and RSV infections. Comprehensive guidelines for CAP prevention and management in older adults are needed, especially with the co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background There is not much information on the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of diarrhea due to V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus from non-coastal areas. We investigated the differences in clinical, epidemiological and spatial characteristics of the two Vibrio species in the urban slums of Kolkata, India. Methods The data of a cluster randomized cholera vaccine trial were used. We restricted the analysis to clusters assigned to placebo. Survival analysis of the time to the first episode was used to analyze risk factors for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea or cholera. A spatial scan test was used to identify high risk areas for cholera and for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea. Results In total, 54,519 people from the placebo clusters were assembled. The incidence of cholera (1.30/1000/year) was significantly higher than that of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea (0.63/1000/year). Cholera incidence was inversely related to age, whereas the risk of V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was age-independent. The seasonality of diarrhea due to the two Vibrio species was similar. Cholera was distinguished by a higher frequency of severe dehydration, and V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea was by abdominal pain. Hindus and those who live in household not using boiled or treated water were more likely to have V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea. Young age, low socioeconomic status, and living closer to a project healthcare facility were associated with an increased risk for cholera. The high risk area for cholera differed from the high risk area for V. parahaemolyticus diarrhea. Conclusion We report coexistence of the two vibrios in the slums of Kolkata. The two etiologies of diarrhea had a similar seasonality but had distinguishing clinical features. The risk factors and the high risk areas for the two diseases differ from one another suggesting different modes of transmission of these two pathogens.

Background Oral cholera vaccine (OCV) and incremental improvements in household water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) within cholera-endemic areas can reduce cholera risk. However, we lack empiric evaluation of their combined impact. Methods We evaluated a cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled trial of OCV (Shanchol) in Kolkata, India. The study population included 108 777 individuals, and 106 879 nonpregnant individuals >1 year of age were eligible to receive 2 doses of OCV or placebo. We measured cholera risk in all household members assigned to OCV vs placebo and in all members of households with "Better" vs "Not Better" WASH, where WASH was classified according to validated criteria. Protection was measured by Cox proportional hazard models. Results Residence in an OCV household was associated with protective effectiveness (PE) of 54% (95% CI, 42%–64%; P <.001) and was similar regardless of Better (PE, 57%; 95% CI, 26%–75%; P =.002) or Not Better (PE, 53%; 95% CI, 40%–64%; P <.001) household WASH. Better WASH household residence was associated with PE of 30% (95% CI, 5%–48%; P =.023) and was similar in OCV (PE, 24%; 95% CI, −26% to 54%; P =.293) and placebo (PE, 29%; 95% CI, −3% to 51%; P =.069) households. When assessed conjointly, residence in OCV households with Better WASH was associated with the greatest PE against cholera at 69% (95% CI, 49%–81%; P <.001). Conclusions These findings suggest that the combination of a vaccine policy and improved WASH reduces cholera risk more than either would alone, although the magnitude of either intervention was not affected by the other. Future randomized trials investigating OCV and WASH interventions separately and together are recommended to further understand the interaction between OCV and WASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A resilient health system necessitates strong governance, political commitment, effective administrative entities and inter-organisational collaboration. This paper examines India's current health policy landscape and explores the analytical and operational capacities required to establish a robust post-pandemic health system using the policy capacity framework described by Wu et al. (2015). We emphasised the need for a coordinated policy response to strengthen health information systems, health service management, human resource management and healthcare financing. The role that the planned implementation of Indian public health management cadres would play in the coming era, the importance of a comprehensive health information management system and the need for operational coordination between government and non-governmental organisations has also been emphasised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]