Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

193-203

Authors: Harish Kumar Shah, Fathima P A, N Pradeep Kumar, Ashwani Kumar, Prasanta Saini

This review aims to fill the voids and to update the checklist of sandfly fauna along with its spatial distribution in India. Resource databases i.e. either online or offline were searched to deduce the information to systematize the Indian sandfly fauna. Articles/data retrieved were screened and analysed to further update the available latest checklist. The species name and authorship were given in accord with the International Code for Zoological Nomenclature. We compiled an updated checklist of reported Indian sandfly species along with their state-wise distribution till 2022 as per published literature. Kerala has maximum number of species reports when compared to other endemic states and states with pockets of transmission. Phlebotomus argentipes is the most widely distributed, recorded so far, followed by other Sergentomiya and Phlebotomus species in India. In this review, we have also described the vector and non-vector species of sandfly prevalent in different parts of the country. Phlebotoiella eoindianensis, an amber fossil sandfly species recorded from Gujarat might be older than other records of Indian sandfly fauna. So far 69 species (4 genera and 15 subgenera/groups) of Phlebotomine sandflies have been recorded in India. Proper knowledge of species diversity and its distribution is a prerequisite for planning a systematic vector control strategy and disease management.

213-219

Authors: Binh Thanh Nguyen, Lan Y Vo, Tap Van Nguyen, Minh Cong Vo, Tinh Dang Pham, Han Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Lynda Boyer-Chu, Giao Huynh

Objective: To evaluate hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine coverage and its associated factors among health science students in Vietnam. Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 459 health science students at Tra Vinh University was conducted between April and June 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with items on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude about HBV, and vaccination status. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore the factors associated with vaccination status. Results: The majority of participants were female (65.8%) and enrolled at the medical school (56.2%). A total of 30.3% participants received the full dose of the HBV vaccine. The percentages of participants with sufficient knowledge and positive attitudes toward HBV infection were 75.2% and 43.4%, respectively. Vaccination was 11.8 times higher in sixth-year medical students than any healthcare student in their first-year [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 11.8, 95% CI 3.1-45.1, P<0.001], and the coverage was also significant higher in those who had sufficient knowledge (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.9, P<0.05) and positive attitudes (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9-4.8, P<0.05) than in their counterparts. Conclusions: The majority of students were not fully vaccinated against HBV, indicating they were vulnerable to the disease. Administrators and authorities should reinforce health education messages aimed at encouraging all students to get vaccinated with the HBV vaccine, enhance their awareness and knowledge of HBV, and improve attitudes toward HBV infection prevention.

232-238

Authors: Gül Demet Kaya Özçora, Elif Söbü, Türkan Uygur Şahin, Enes Salı, Gonca Bektaş

Objective: To report the neurologic prognosis and autoimmune complications of 16 cases of childhood herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Methods: The study was conducted at Şanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital, Turkey from June 2017 to August 2019. The study included 16 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 17 years (median age 77.7 months) who were diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis by pediatric infectious disease and pediatric neurology clinics. Patients were followed using patient records, and interviews at the pediatric neurology clinic or via the telephone. Clinical and demographic data, received therapies, neurologic prognosis and complications were evaluated. Results: Patients with and without autoimmune encephalitis were compared in terms of age, sex, symptom duration before treatment, initial cerebrospinal fluid protein, glucose, red blood count and white blood count but no significant difference was found. Autoimmune complications were seen in four patients. N-methyl-D-aspartate encephalitis was observed in three patients and choreoathetosis was seen in one patient. The average follow-up period was 48.3 months. Twenty-five percent of the patients were receiving multiple antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment, 43.8% were receiving single AED treatment and 31.3% were not receiving AED treatment at the end of the follow-up. Motor disability was observed in 12.5% and drug-resistant epilepsy was observed in 6.3% who had autoimmune complications. Conclusions: Seizures and movement disorders were controlled with immunotherapy and autoantibodies should be studied routinely. Treatment should be started early upon recognition of autoimmune complications through follow-up by measuring autoantibody levels and clinical examination results. Effective prevention and curative treatment modalities are needed to avoid herpes simplex virus encephalitis complications.