ORCID Profile
0000-0002-4963-1028
Current Organisations
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
,
The Royal College of Pathologists
,
Christ's College, University of Cambridge
,
University of Aberdeen
,
Royal College of Physicians
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Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 22-06-2011
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JINF.2019.09.013
Abstract: To elucidate the effects of meteorological variations on the activity of influenza A and B in 11 sites across different climate regions. Daily numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza A and B cases from 2011-2015 were collected from study sites where the corresponding daily mean temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and daily precipitation amount were used for boosted regression trees analysis on the marginal associations and the interaction effects. Cold temperature was a major determinant that favored both influenza A and B in temperate and subtropical sites. Temperature-to-influenza A, but not influenza B, exhibited a U-shape association in subtropical and tropical sites. High relative humidity was also associated with influenza activities but was less consistent with influenza B activity. Compared with relative humidity, absolute humidity had a stronger association - it was negatively associated with influenza B activity in temperate zones, but was positively associated with both influenza A and B in subtropical and tropical zones. The association between meteorological factors and with influenza activity is virus type specific and climate dependent. The heavy influence of temperature on influenza activity across climate zones implies that global warming is likely to have an impact on the influenza burden.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2019
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 02-2007
DOI: 10.1111/J.1600-0668.2006.00445.X
Abstract: There have been few recent studies demonstrating a definitive association between the transmission of airborne infections and the ventilation of buildings. The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 and current concerns about the risk of an avian influenza (H5N1) pandemic, have made a review of this area timely. We searched the major literature databases between 1960 and 2005, and then screened titles and abstracts, and finally selected 40 original studies based on a set of criteria. We established a review panel comprising medical and engineering experts in the fields of microbiology, medicine, epidemiology, indoor air quality, building ventilation, etc. Most panel members had experience with research into the 2003 SARS epidemic. The panel systematically assessed 40 original studies through both in idual assessment and a 2-day face-to-face consensus meeting. Ten of 40 studies reviewed were considered to be conclusive with regard to the association between building ventilation and the transmission of airborne infection. There is strong and sufficient evidence to demonstrate the association between ventilation, air movements in buildings and the transmission/spread of infectious diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, chickenpox, influenza, smallpox and SARS. There is insufficient data to specify and quantify the minimum ventilation requirements in hospitals, schools, offices, homes and isolation rooms in relation to spread of infectious diseases via the airborne route. PRACTICAL IMPLICATION: The strong and sufficient evidence of the association between ventilation, the control of airflow direction in buildings, and the transmission and spread of infectious diseases supports the use of negatively pressurized isolation rooms for patients with these diseases in hospitals, in addition to the use of other engineering control methods. However, the lack of sufficient data on the specification and quantification of the minimum ventilation requirements in hospitals, schools and offices in relation to the spread of airborne infectious diseases, suggest the existence of a knowledge gap. Our study reveals a strong need for a multidisciplinary study in investigating disease outbreaks, and the impact of indoor air environments on the spread of airborne infectious diseases.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 20-04-2012
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-04-2021
DOI: 10.1002/JMV.26964
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 15-09-2007
DOI: 10.1086/520981
Abstract: We postulate that hypercytokinemia plays a role in immunopathogenesis of severe human influenza. We prospectively studied 39 consecutive patients who were hospitalized with severe influenza A virus infection. On laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis, paired acute-phase (obtained at hospital admission) and convalescent-phase (obtained >10 days after hospital admission) plasma s les were collected for assay of 11 cytokines and chemokines (interleukin [IL] 1 beta IL-6 IL-10 IL-12p70 tumor necrosis factor alpha IL-8 monokine induced by interferon [IFN]-gamma IFN-inducible protein 10 monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 regulated upon activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted and IFN-gamma) using cytometric bead-array analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Simultaneously, virus concentration in the acute-phase nasopharyngeal aspirate was determined using real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Intracellular signaling molecules regulating lymphocyte activation, phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes were studied in the acute-phase s les using flow cytometric analysis and were compared with results for s les from healthy control subjects. Statistically significant increases in plasma IL-6 (3.7-fold increase), IL-8 (2.6-fold increase), IFN-induced protein 10 (4.9-fold increase), and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (2.3-fold increase) concentrations were detected during acute illness (P < .01 for all, by Wilcoxon signed-rank test) the highest concentrations were observed on symptom days 3 and 4. Corresponding plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations and nasopharyngeal viral loads showed statistically significant correlations (rho = 0.41, 0.49, 0.54, and 0.46, respectively P < or = .01). Phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase expression in CD4+ lymphocytes was increased, correlating with cytokine concentrations (e.g., for IFN-induced protein 10, rho = 0.78 P < .01) phospho-extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase was suppressed. Advanced age and comorbidity were associated with aberrant IL-6, IL-8, and monokine induced by IFN-gamma responses (P 5 days P = .02), adjusted for age, comorbidity, and virus load. Hypercytokinemia (of proinflammatory and T helper 1 cytokines) is detected in severe influenza, correlating with clinical illness and virus concentration. Hyperactivation of phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (in T helper cells) is possibly involved. Early viral suppression may attenuate these potentially deleterious cytokine responses.
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd.
Date: 17-01-2006
DOI: 10.1042/CS20050188
Abstract: SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) appeared as the first emerging infectious disease of this century. It is fortunate that the culprit virus can be grown without much difficulty from a commonly used cell line, allowing an unlimited supply of isolates for further molecular studies and leading to the development of sensitive diagnostic assays. How the virus has successfully jumped the species barrier is still a mystery. The superspreading events that occurred within hospital, hotel and high-density housing estate opens a new chapter in the mechanisms and routes of virus transmission. The old practice of quarantine proved to be still useful in controlling the global outbreak. Despite all the available sophisticated tests, alertness with early recognition by healthcare workers and prompt isolation of suspected cases is still the most important step for containing the spread of the infection. Although the rapidly evolving outbreak did not allow the conducting of systematic clinical trails to evaluate treatment options, the accumulated experience on managing SARS patients will improve the clinical outcome should SARS return. Although SARS led to more than 700 deaths worldwide, the lessons learnt have prepared healthcare systems worldwide to face future emerging and re-emerging infections.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-09-2005
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1111/INA.13070
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1002/JMV.20873
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2006
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-06-2018
DOI: 10.1136/ARCHDISCHILD-2017-314281
Abstract: Human parechovirus (HPeV), like enteroviruses, usually causes mild self-limiting respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. In infants, HPeV can occasionally cause serious illnesses, including sepsis-like syndrome and encephalitis. In summer 2016, Public Health England (PHE) received increasing reports of severe HPeV infections nationally. We, therefore, reviewed all infants with confirmed HPeV across England during 2016. HPeV cases in infants aged <12 months reported to PHE during 2016 were followed up using a clinical questionnaire. Additional cases identified by clinicians completing the questionnaire were also included. We identified 106 infants with confirmed HPeV infection during 2016. The disease peaked during early summer. Most infants (98/106, 92%) were aged <90 days, and 43% (46/106) were neonates. Fever was the most commonly reported symptom (92%) and signs of circulatory shock were present in 53%. Eighteen infants (18%) required paediatric intensive care admission. Most infants had normal or low C reactive protein concentrations (<10 mg/dL in 75%, <50 mg/dL in 98%). A lumbar puncture was performed in 98% of cases 92% (33/36) of neonates and 93% (53/57) of older infants had normal white cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nearly all reported cases (98%) were confirmed by CSF PCR. All infants survived, but five had ongoing seizures after hospital discharge. HPeV is an important cause of febrile illness in infants and can have severe clinical presentations. Early diagnosis may help reduce antimicrobial use, unnecessary investigations and prolonged hospitalisation. While prognosis remains favourable, some infants will develop long-term complications-paediatricians should ensure appropriate follow-up after discharge.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 04-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2007
Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 05-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2007
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-06-2013
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-09-2014
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 12-2007
DOI: 10.1128/CVI.00100-07
Abstract: To investigate whether genetic factors of innate immunity might influence susceptibility and/or progression in in iduals infected with SARS, we evaluated the CD14 gene polymorphism in 198 Hong Kong blood donors and 152 Hong Kong severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients who were previously genotyped for FcγRIIA polymorphisms. The prevalence of the CD14-159CC polymorphism was significantly higher in the patients with severe SARS than in the those with mild SARS or controls (31% versus 15% [mild SARS] or 20% [controls] mild SARS: P = 0.029 odds ratio, 2.74 95% confidence interval, 1.15 to 6.57 controls, P = 0.04 odds ratio, 2.41 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 5.54), and both CD14-159CC and FcγRIIA-RR131 are risk genotypes for severe SARS-CoV infection.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Julian Tang.