Journal of travel medicine
-
Ensuring vaccination coverage reaches established herd immunity thresholds (HITs) is the cornerstone of any vaccination programme. Diverse migrant populations in European countries have been associated with cases of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and outbreaks, yet it is not clear to what extent they are an under-immunized group. ⋯ Migrants in Europe are an under-immunized group for a range of important VPDs, with this study reinforcing the importance of engaging children, adolescents and adults in 'catch-up' vaccination initiatives on arrival for vaccines, doses and boosters they may have missed in their home countries. Co-designing strategies to strengthen catch-up vaccination across the life course in under-immunized groups is an important next step if we are to meet European and global targets for VPD elimination and control and ensure vaccine equity.
-
Multicenter Study Observational Study
Tuberculosis among children visiting friends & relatives.
Most paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases in low-TB-incidence countries involve children born to migrant families. This may be partially explained by trips to their countries of origin for visiting friends and relatives (VFR). We aimed to estimate the risk of latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB in children VFR. ⋯ The risk of LTBI in children VFR in high-TB-incidence countries may equal, or perhaps even exceed, the infection risk of the native population. The primary associated risk factor was the presence of smokers in the household. Furthermore, the incidence rate of active TB largely surpassed that of the countries visited. Children VFR in high-TB-incidence countries should be targeted for diagnostic and preventive interventions.
-
The involvement of genital women tract of chronic schistosomiasis among African migrant women in non-endemic countries might be more prevalent than expected. A gold standard diagnostic is most needed to determine the true prevalence of this condition and characterize the clinical presentation of female genital schistosomiasis among this particular population.
-
Case Reports
Think TB! A rare case of influenza and rapid progressive Neurotuberculosis coinfection.
An Indian migrant presented with increasing neurological symptoms after an acute influenza B infection. We diagnosed progressive neurotuberculosis—a rare and difficult case of tuberculosis and influenza co-infection. It highlights the importance of broad-based diagnostics in people from low- and middle-income countries, taking into account unusual manifestations of tuberculosis.
-
The risk of developing strongyloidiasis hyperinfection syndrome appears to be elevated among individuals who initiate corticosteroid treatment. Presumptive treatment or treatment after screening for populations from Strongyloides stercoralis-endemic areas has been suggested before initiating corticosteroids. However, potential clinical and economic impacts of preventative strategies have not been evaluated. ⋯ The findings support decision-making for interventions for populations from S. stercoralis-endemic areas before initiating corticosteroid treatment. Although some input parameters are highly uncertain and prevalence varies across endemic countries, 'Presumptively Treat' would likely be preferred across a range for many populations, given plausible parameters.