Objective: To access the level of knowledge, perceptions, and practice towards adverse events following immunization (AEFI) surveillance among vaccination workers in Zhejiang province, China. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 768 vaccination workers. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed by using SAS 9.3 software. Knowledge, perceptions, and practice on AEFI surveillance were summarized using frequency tables. The mean±SD value was used as the cut-off for defining good (values⩾mean) and poor (values<mean) knowledge, perceptions or practice. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine sociodemographic variables associated with knowledge, perceptions, and practice towards AEFI. Results: The proportions of good knowledge, perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance were 78.13%, 57.81% and 66.15%, respectively. Having a higher education background, longer years of experience, previous training on AEFI and ⩾30 years of age were factors associated with good knowledge, perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance among vaccination workers. Conclusions: Over half of the respondents had good knowledge, perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance work. Interventions on improving the vaccination workers’ knowledge, perceptions and practice on AEFI surveillance should be considered in order to develop a more effective surveillance system.

Objective: To evaluate the COVID-19 vaccination status and related characteristics of Turkish healthcare workers practicing chest medicine. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among the Turkish Thoracic Society members. The survey was started on May 17, 2021, and kept open for seven weeks. The 39-item survey included the COVID-19 vaccination status and demographic, clinical, and occupational characteristics. Results: Of 378 healthcare workers participated in the survey, 354 (93.7%) reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 323 (91.2%) healthcare workers received CoronaVac vs. BioNTech/Pfizer in 31 (8.8%). In the CoronaVac group, 77 (23.8%) contracted COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, and 13 (4.0%) when fully vaccinated; however, 16 (51.6%) healthcare workers in the BioNTech/Pfizer group got COVID-19 when not fully vaccinated, but any fully vaccinated participants did not contract COVID-19 (P=0.003). Regarding vaccine dosing, 328 (86.8%) were fully vaccinated, while 50 (13.2%) were not. Multiple regression analysis for being a non-fully vaccinated healthcare worker demonstrated a significant relationship with having any SARS-CoV-2 infection history (adjusted OR 9.57, 95% CI 3.93-23.26, P<0.001) and being a non-physician healthcare worker (adjusted OR 5.86, 95% CI 2.11-16.26, P=0.001), but a significant negative relationship with full-time working at the time of survey (adjusted OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03-0.56, P=0.006). Conclusions: Although a majority of healthcare workers were fully vaccinated, occupational and non-occupational characteristics were related to being non-fully vaccinated. Active surveillance regarding the COVID-19 vaccination in healthcare workers is necessary to address specific parameters as barriers to vaccination.

Objective: To establish a DNA detection platform based on a tapered optical fiber to detect Leptospira DNA by targeting the leptospiral secY gene. Methods: The biosensor works on the principle of light propagating in the special geometry of the optical fiber tapered from a waist diameter of 125 to 12 µm. The fiber surface was functionalized through a cascade of chemical treatments and the immobilization of a DNA capture probe targeting the secY gene. The presence of the target DNA was determined from the wavelength shift in the optical transmission spectrum. Results: The biosensor demonstrated good sensitivity, detecting Leptospira DNA at 0.001 ng/µL, and was selective for Leptospira DNA without cross-reactivity with non-leptospiral microorganisms. The biosensor specifically detected DNA that was specifically amplified through the loop-mediated isothermal amplification approach. Conclusions: These findings warrant the potential of this platform to be developed as a novel alternative approach to diagnose leptospirosis.

Objective: To assess the clinical anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial efficacy of Nigella sativa oil compared with chlorhexidine in patients with gingivitis. Methods: A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted in patients having chronic generalized gingivitis. Patients were randomly assigned to receive Nigella sativa oil (n=18) or chlorhexidine (n=19). The following assessments were made on day 0 and day 15: plaque index, gingival index, gingival IL-6 and IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA, plaque colony-forming units, and alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus strains. Data were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests and Fisher's exact test. Results: Both interventions reduced plaque index and gingival index scores (P<0.000 1). The Nigella sativa oil group was better at lowering IL-6 (P=0.0076) than the chlorhexidine group (P=0.145), although there was no change in IL-18 levels (P>0.05). The post-intervention plaque index and gingival index scores and inflammatory cytokine levels between the two groups were not significantly different. Both interventions caused a significant reduction in the plaque colony-forming units (P<0.0001), reducing pathogenic bacteria: Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus parasanguinis in the chlorhexidine group (50%) (P=0.103 1), and the Nigella sativa oil group (20%) (P=0.739 5). Conclusions: Nigella sativa oil had anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, reducing biofilm formation and disrupting the colonization of pathogenic bacteria essential for the progression of periodontal disease. Nigella sativa oil could offer an alternative therapy for treating gingivitis and may prevent associated systemic diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

Rationale: Malaria and dengue are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in tropical countries. Plasmodium parasite and dengue virus (DENV) concurrent infection is possible and often under-recognized in geographical areas where these infections are both endemic. Patients concern and diagnosis: We describe the first two cases of Plasmodium falciparum and DENV-3 co-infection in travelers returning to northeastern Italy from Burkina Faso during 2013-2014. Interventions: Malaria infection in both patients was treated with mefloquine. Due to the persistence of symptoms despite of the antimalaria treatment, dengue was also investigated; the treatment of dengue was symptomatic. Outcomes: The patients were discharged in good general condition. Lessons: The need for surveillance of potential malaria and dengue co-infection in travelers returning to Europe from endemic areas is highlighted, as infection with Plasmodium does not exclude arboviral co-infection.