First Prototype of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) Software for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases

Baldassi, F.; Cenciarelli, Orlando; Malizia, A.; Gaudio, P.

doi:10.2991/jegh.k.200714.001

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The key point of this first software prototype to be useful and workable in practice is the quality and reliability of the database on which the predictions are based. As recommended in previous studies [ 10 , 11 ], the database has been extended and populated with data from 60 pathogens and the infectious diseases they cause. The list of pathogens has been built up selecting different categories of agents (viruses, bacteria and parasites) in order to cover a wide range of infectious diseases.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, since the first prototype [ 10 , 11 ], the agent parameters (epidemiological parameters, other important disease features and relevant information) have been improved in order to define unequivocally with refined factors each pathogen, and consequently to help the software in its searching, prediction and analysis process.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 A). The MATLAB® code developed for regressive analysis (logistic regression analysis) determines if data loaded by the user in the “Disease profile” section are in the database datasets and then recognizes the associated correspondences and the related accuracy ratio [ 10 , 11 ]. Once the “Search” button, the results of the calculation can be consulted in the “Outcomes” subtab.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testing the identification effectiveness of an unknown outbreak of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) using and comparing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak with the past SARS and MERS epidemics

Baldassi

Cenciarelli

Malizia

et al. 2021

Journal of Infection and Public Health

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Background The aim of this research is to assess the predictive accuracy of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) – an innovative tool for prompt identification of the causative agent of infectious diseases during outbreaks – when field epidemiological data collected from a novel outbreak of unknown origin are analysed by the tool. For this reason, it has been taken into account the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, which began in China at the end of December 2019, has rapidly spread around the globe, and it has led to a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), declared to the 30th of January 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods The IDS takes advantage of an off-line database, built before the COVID-19 pandemic, which represents a pivotal characteristic for working without an internet connection. The software has been tested using the epidemiological data available in different and progressive stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a comparison, the results of the tests performed using the epidemiological data from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) epidemic in 2002 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemic in 2012, are shown. Results The overall outcomes provided by the software are comforting, as a matter of the fact that IDS has identified with a good accuracy the SARS and MERS epidemics (over 90%), while, as expected, it has not provided erroneous and equivocal readings after the elaboration COVID-19 epidemic data. Conclusions Even though IDS has not recognized the COVID-19 epidemic, it has not given to the end user a false result and wrong interpretation, as expected by the developers. For this reason, IDS reveals itself as useful software to identify a possible epidemic or outbreak. Thus, the intention of developers is to plan, once the software will be released, dedicated updates and upgrades of the database (e.g., SARS-CoV-2) in order to keep this tool increasingly useful and applicable to reality.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Testing the identification effectiveness of an unknown outbreak of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) using and comparing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak with the past SARS and MERS epidemics

Baldassi

Cenciarelli

Malizia

et al. 2021

Journal of Infection and Public Health

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“…The database of the first prototype, presented for the first time [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], has been developed based on the current landscape of publicly available data on infectious disease outbreaks. The database was built using data reported through several sources, namely: World Health Organization (WHO)/United Nations (UN), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Global Burden of Disease (GBD), Program for Monitoring Emerging Disease (ProMED), scientific literature [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The input loaded in this tab is summarized in the “Disease profile” section. IDS works with a regressive analysis (logistic regression analysis) that is able to determine whether data loaded by the user in the “Disease profile” section are in the database datasets and then recognize the associated correspondences and the related accuracy ratio [ 12 , 13 ]. The “Disease information” tab ( Figure 1 b) is an IDS function: Here, users can consult relevant and appropriate information for controlling, preventing, and contrasting the agents and related diseases identified.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS): An Innovative Tool for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases during Outbreaks

Baldassi

Carestia

Moramarco

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: Several technologies for rapid molecular identification of pathogens are currently available; jointly with monitoring tools (i.e., web-based surveillance tools, infectious diseases modelers, and epidemic intelligence methods), they represent important components for timely outbreak detection and identification of the involved pathogen. The application of these approaches is usually feasible and effective when performed by healthcare professionals with specific expertise and skills and when data and resources are easily accessible. Contrariwise, in the field situation where healthcare workers or first responders from heterogeneous competences can be asked to investigate an outbreak of unknown origin, a simple and suitable tool for rapid agent identification and appropriate outbreak management is highly needed. Most especially when time is limited, available data are incomplete, and accessible infrastructure and resources are inadequate. The use of a prompt, user-friendly, and accessible tool able to rapidly recognize an infectious disease outbreak and with high sensitivity and precision may be a game-changer to support emergency response and public health investigations. Methods: This paper presents the work performed to implement and test an innovative tool for prompt identification of infectious diseases during outbreaks, called Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS). IDS is a standalone software that runs on the most common operative systems. It has been built by integrating a database containing an interim set of 60 different disease causative agents and COVID-19 data and is able to work in an off-line mode without requiring a network connection. Results: IDS has been applied in a real and complex scenario in terms of concomitant infectious diseases (yellow fever, COVID-19, and Lassa fever), as can be in the second part of 2020 in Nigeria. The outcomes have allowed inferring that yellow fever (YF), and not Lassa fever, was affecting the area under investigation. Conclusions: Our result suggests that a tool like IDS could be valuable for the quick and easy identification and discrimination of infectious disease outbreaks even when concurrent outbreaks occur, like for the case study of YF and COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

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Gaps and Opportunities for Data Systems and Economics to Support Priority Setting for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Rapid Scoping Review

Delight,

Brunn,

Ruiz

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Climate change alters risks associated with climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) with pandemic potential. This poses additional threats to already vulnerable populations, further amplified by intersecting social factors, such as gender and socioeconomic status. Currently, critical evidence gaps and inadequate institutional and governance mechanisms impact on the ability for African States to prevent, detect and respond to CSIDs. The aim of this study was to explore the role of data systems and economics to support priority setting for CSID preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify existing knowledge and gaps relevant to economics and data systems. A literature search was performed across six bibliographic databases in November 2023. A list of 14 target pathogens, identified by the World Health Organization as Public Health Emergencies of International Concern or R&D Blueprint Pathogens, was adopted and compared to a database of CSIDs to determine relevant inclusion criteria. Extracted data were synthesised using bibliometric analysis, thematic topic categorisation, and narrative synthesis to identify research needs, evidence gaps, and opportunities for priority setting. We identified 68 relevant studies. While African author involvement has been increasing since 2010, few studies were led by senior authors from African institutions. Data system studies (n = 50) showed broad coverage across CSIDs and the WHO AFRO region but also a high degree of heterogeneity, indicating a lack of clearly defined standards for data systems related to pandemic preparedness. Economic studies (n = 18) primarily focused on COVID-19 and Ebola and mostly originated from South Africa. Both data system and economic studies identified limited data sharing across sectors and showed a notable absence of gender sensitivity analyses. These significant gaps highlight important opportunities to support priority setting and decision-making for pandemic preparedness, ultimately leading to more equitable health outcomes.

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First Prototype of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) Software for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases

Cited by 5 publications

References 45 publications

Testing the identification effectiveness of an unknown outbreak of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) using and comparing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak with the past SARS and MERS epidemics

Testing the identification effectiveness of an unknown outbreak of the Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS) using and comparing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak with the past SARS and MERS epidemics

Infectious Diseases Seeker (IDS): An Innovative Tool for Prompt Identification of Infectious Diseases during Outbreaks

Gaps and Opportunities for Data Systems and Economics to Support Priority Setting for Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Rapid Scoping Review

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