Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Concurrent emergencies

Overlapping Salmonella and Covid-19 concerns in public health strategies and preparedness

Bibliographic Data

ID22078347
AuthorsWindra Prayoga (0000-0002-0983-8905, University of Surabaya, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1331052-1331052
Publication date2024-04-29
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1331052
PMID38741915
OpenAlexW4396238091
LanguageEN
References cited55

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a significant scholarly investigation into its ramifications, yet there is a further menace from Salmonella (Ürkmez and Atalay 2022).Salmonella is a prominent public health concern worldwide, particularly in countries with limited resources (Popa and Ioan Popa 2021a). The remarkable adaptability of this organism to various conditions demonstrates genetic and phenotypic changes that enhance its ability to survive and reproduce (D. Pradhan and Devi Negi 2019), allowing it to thrive under diverse environmental conditions. Salmonella survives in different habitats and overcomes barriers that affect how the disease develops, its severity, and how it interacts with the host. It leads to the emergence of Salmonella strains with the remarkable capacity to induce a range of health problems (Onyeaka et al. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare has redirected its focus towards detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus, primarily in clinical settings. These alterations in clinical diagnostic emphasis, therefore, exclude the possibility of diagnosing other infectious disorders, such as those caused by Salmonella (Abdul Aziz et al. 2022). The widespread enforcement of strict lockdown measures worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic restricted individual and societal activities. Moreover, it also impacted the distribution of agricultural commodities, livestock, and food products, ultimately causing disruptions in food supply chains (Aday and Aday 2020;Barman, Das, and De 2021).While the lockdown may have contributed to a decrease in the likelihood of Salmonella infection, it is important to note that Salmonella still persists (Salehi et al. 2022). Although Salmonella infection and COVID-19 have different modes of transmission, they exhibit comparable symptoms (Lin et al. 2020). The misreading of this circumstance, along with the shift in diagnostic focus, amplifies the bias in estimating the incidence of Salmonella infections (Abdul Aziz et al. 2022). Additionally, it is essential to note that the immunological response that SARS-CoV-2 elicits may have affected the severity of bacterial infections like Salmonella (Bengoechea and Bamford 2020). These factors were later identified to have severe implications for the occurrence and management of Salmonella infections (Mughini-Gras et al. 2021;Davis et al. 2022;Onyeaka et al. 2023).The interplay between these pathogens exhibits a multifaceted nature. The persistence of Salmonella during the COVID-19 pandemic (Haqqi et al. 2021;Salehi et al. 2022) necessitates the attention of individuals in academia, healthcare professions, and policy-making positions. Despite the inherent disparities between these pathogens, they exhibit a notable interconnection (Yogo et al. 2022;Salehi et al. 2022). There have been documented instances of co-infection between Salmonella and COVID-19 in the nine studies worldwide (Rawson et al. 2020), some of them were found in patients from Pakistan (Haqqi et al. 2021), Turkey (Ürkmez and Atalay 2022), and Japan (Yogo et al. 2022). Patients who have a co-infection face more severe repercussions and increase the complexity of therapy solutions needed to address this issue. Furthermore, incorrect therapeutic intervention might exacerbate the problem and perhaps result in greater mortality rates (Ürkmez and Atalay 2022c).This article examines the dynamic relationship between Salmonella and COVID-19, employing an evaluation of empirical evidence to analyze their intersections across clinical and social domains. The primary objective of this initiative is to offer a complete comprehension of the further framework of infectious diseases, therefore providing valuable insights into the development of methods for effectively addressing different health emergencies. In extraordinary circumstances, it is imperative to recognize the necessity of adopting a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by contagious diseases. Understanding the interplay between infections such as Salmonella and SARS-CoV-2 enables the advancement of more effective strategies.The many serotypes of Salmonella, all of which are regarded as pathogens, can be attributed to variations in their virulence mechanisms, the intensity of the resulting sickness, and their ability to adapt to different hosts (Cheng et al. 2019;Ray et al. 2021). Consequently, this bacterium causes a diverse array of infections (Uzzau et al. 2000b;Kozytska et al. 2023), ranging from mild gastroenteritis to more severe systemic disorders including bacteremia and typhoid fever (Verma et al. 2020;Onyeaka et al. 2023). A Salmonella infection commonly manifests gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. At times, the condition may present itself in a more severe form, leading to issues such as dehydration and imbalances in electrolyte levels (D. Pradhan and Devi Negi 2019).Occasionally, infection with non-typhoidal Salmonella can lead to septicemia, arthralgia, and other complications. Nevertheless, in the event of typhoid fever, symptoms often manifest within a span of 1 to 3 weeks following exposure to the bacteria. Initial symptoms include a low-grade fever that progressively intensifies over the day, perhaps peaking at 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) (Popa and Ioan Popa 2021b;Ngogo et al. 2020). Other indications, such as chills, headaches, debilitation, muscular discomfort, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea or constipation, still exist (Cheng et al. 2019). Individuals afflicted with typhoid fever may further experience symptoms such as a respiratory cough, diminished desire for food, and perspiration (Popa and Ioan Popa 2021;Bassey et al. 2021). Salmonella is commonly spread by the fecal-oral route, which implies that infection with this bacterium occurs when contaminated foods or beverages are consumed. The extent of Salmonella transmission is influenced by the particular serovar and the circumstances of transmission (Chirwa et al. 2023).On the other hand, COVID-19 is predominantly transmitted by respiratory droplets and aerosols, which can be inhaled or encounter mucosal membranes. Its transmission typically varies based on factors such as the existence of asymptomatic persons, the efficacy of public health efforts, and the population density (Rahman et al. 2020). The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the cause of COVID-19 disease, exhibits a wide range of symptoms that can vary in intensity. The typical symptoms include a high body temperature, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Tiredness and physical discomfort are frequently present as well. Additionally, certain individuals may have symptoms such as headaches, an aching throat, a diminished sense of taste or smell, and gastrointestinal issues, including nausea or diarrhea. It is crucial to acknowledge that the manifestation of COVID-19 symptoms can vary significantly across individuals, with some being asymptomatic carriers and others experiencing severe respiratory distress (Aiyegbusi et al. 2021).Identifying patients based on their symptoms is a prevalent diagnostic strategy in most clinical settings. Nevertheless, the symptoms associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as fever, headache, reduced appetite, muscular discomfort, and gastroenteritis (nausea and diarrhea), have a remarkable resemblance to those observed in Salmonella infections, including both typhoid and nontyphoid strains (Lin et al. 2020). This recurring overlap of symptoms between these pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic made it challenging to accurately identify Salmonella, giving rise to diagnostic bias in clinical settings (Abdul Aziz et al., 2022). Additionally, according to Ürkmez and Atalay (2022) as well as Haqqi et al. (2021), the simultaneous occurrence of COVID-19 and Salmonella infections presents significant challenges in the planning of clinical treatment (Saeed et al., 2021;Salehi et al., 2022). It is crucial to acknowledge that although these symptoms may be similar, COVID-19 is mostly a pulmonary disease, while Salmonella infection usually manifests with gastrointestinal infections. Therefore, these medical conditions require specific therapeutic interventions that are efficient against their pathogens (Lin et al. 2020).Given the above concerns, it is essential to utilize diagnostic approaches that exhibit both adaptability and accuracy in addressing these problems. Utilizing precise and reliable diagnostic techniques is crucial for making succinct decisions while dealing with these overlapping symptoms. Accurate identification of pathogens implicated in illnesses is crucial for effective treatment (Abdul Aziz et al. 2022;Yogo et al. 2022). Conversely, inadequate treatment might exacerbate the condition for both the patient and the whole scenario. The implementation of comprehensive solutions is essential for the efficient management of both COVID-19 pandemics and Salmonella threats (Salehi et al. 2022b).Thus, a clinical diagnosis based on symptoms should be supplemented with a prompt laboratory diagnosis, particularly using simple and rapid molecular methods to provide more precise results. Due to its high efficiency and accuracy, molecular approaches are strongly recommended over serology techniques for identifying Salmonella and SARS-CoV-2, as the latter has been found to provide misleading findings (Singh, Chakraborty, and Tyagi 2023). Several well-established molecular approaches for Salmonella and SARS-CoV-2 identification are extremely specific and precise. However, the use of Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) for detection is particularly effective and suitable for routine diagnosis (Bogdan et al. 2022). Although Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) can serve as a more thorough method for identification due to its ability to provide a full genomic study, it is much more costly compared to qPCR (Carpenter et al. 2022). Once the specific infectious microorganisms, such as Salmonella or SARS-CoV-2, have been definitively identified, the proper therapeutic measures may be taken. This includes administering antibiotics to treat Salmonella and antiviral medications to treat SARS-CoV-2 (Bogdan et al. 2022).The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial restructuring of healthcare priorities and the distribution of resources (Leite, Lindsay, and Kumar 2021;Pujolar et al. 2022). The healthcare system had significant difficulty in properly treating numerous health concerns due to the new coronavirus, resulting in a temporary halt of regular healthcare services. In Pakistan, several crucial primary health care services were discontinued during the COVID-19 epidemic, resulting in millions of children being deprived of polio vaccination (N. A. Pradhan et al. 2023). Uganda and Sierra Leone had similar reductions in vaccination rates, with decreases ranging from 21% to 66% and 18% to 29%, respectively. These implications extend beyond vaccination programs and also include a drop in other healthcare services, such as a fall of 17-34% in family planning and HIV services in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kasonia et al. 2023).The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on healthcare systems, not just in low-and middle-income nations but also in higher-income regions like as Europe and the United States (N. A. Pradhan et al. 2023;Leite, Lindsay, and Kumar 2021). European countries showed considerable diversity in their approaches to healthcare practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, but overall, they successfully implemented appropriate measures to tackle this problem (Panteli et al. 2022;Wanat et al. 2021). Smolić et al. (2022) discovered that 44.6% of the participants in their study saw disruptions on healthcare services during the pandemic. The interruptions varied from instances of delays to complete refusal of access to healthcare services. Like Europe, the healthcare management in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic has varied throughout states and towns, with specific locations encountering significant challenges in managing the epidemic (O'Reilly-Shah et al. 2020). While there were no notable changes in some parts of healthcare services, such as emergency care and maternity health, there was a decline in the consumption of several preventative treatments, elective operations, and in-person office visits (Omer, Malani, and Del Rio 2020). After implementing widespread COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, which effectively decreased the number of infected individuals and the mortality rate, the strained circumstances in healthcare institutions progressively improved. This circumstance was linked to a decrease in the workload for healthcare personnel and a subsequent resumption of regular healthcare services (Mohammed et al. 2022).Moreover, the distribution of research and development resources has exhibited an imbalanced focus on COVID-19, while certain illnesses, such as recurrent Salmonella infections, received much less emphasis and scrutiny (Abdul Aziz et al. 2022). It was leading to a postponement in progress related to other infectious diseases (AlNaamani, AlSinani, and Barkun 2020;Fanning et al. 2021). The limited availability of resources might unintentionally impact the identification and management of Salmonella infections, particularly within healthcare systems already under significant strain. Hence, it serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency of healthcare systems to adapt and address both acute and persistent health challenges. The association between increasing healthcare objectives and the prevalence of Salmonella infections is crucial to be recognized for the advancement of comprehensive healthcare systems.The pandemic has not only disrupted PHC services, but also exposed vulnerabilities in other public sectors, including infrastructures, supply chains, government preparation and actions, human capital, and public health systems. The pandemic had a substantial impact on people's behavior connected to food and the adoption of safety protocols (Davis et al. 2022;Onyeaka et al. 2023). The implementation of improved sanitation practices, such as regular hand washing, maintaining social distance as well as face mask and hand gloves, has had a substantial impact in reducing the spread of foodborne illnesses, including Salmonella infections. The resurgence of home cooking has provided individuals with an increased level of control over the safety of their food (Mughini-Gras et al. 2021).Subsequently, there has been a rise in the use of food delivery services (Poon and Tung 2022). It requires more attentiveness to guarantee compliance with food safety regulations throughout food production and delivery.Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has also shown weaknesses within global food supply networks (Swinnen and Vos 2021), emphasizing the imperative of establishing robust systems around food safety, traceability systems, and contingency plans (Barman, Das, and De 2021;Kakaei et al. 2022). Salmonella, a proficient bacterium in capitalizing on vulnerabilities within supply chains, enables contamination through these interruptions (Rajan, Shi, and Ricke 2017;Sohail et al. 2021). Humans have exhibited their ability to adapt their habits and employ safety measures considering the global pandemic (Megahed and Ghoneim 2020;Kafi et al. 2023) and persistent issues such as Salmonella infection (Mkangara 2023). An in-depth awareness of the inherent fluidity in the production and consumption of food is essential for successfully addressing new challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and for guaranteeing the long-term stability and resilience of the food system.The COVID-19 pandemic and the persistence of Salmonella pose substantial challenges to public health (Haqqi et al. 2021a;Yogo et al. 2022a). Upon further contemplation, it becomes evident that the pandemic has imparted several valuable lessons, including the urgency of crisis management, the indispensability of resilient healthcare systems, and the imperative nature of international collaboration among nations (Megahed and Ghoneim 2020). The preceding lessons have contributed to enhancing the effectiveness of public health systems, reinforcing monitoring efforts, and promoting collaboration in the fight against pathogens such as persistent Salmonella. Moreover, it is necessary to emphasize the value of effective communication. The efficient transmission of public health communication plays a pivotal role in promoting preventive behaviors, disseminating accurate details, and countering disinformation (Porat et al. 2020). Integrating these measures for addressing Salmonella might reduce the risk associated with foodborne diseases. For example, the development of telemedicine has become a prominent method of delivering healthcare (Haleem et al. 2021a), which is particularly advantageous for infectious diseases. This strategy has demonstrated its ability to enhance healthcare accessibility, particularly in places that lack adequate medical services (Barbosa et al. 2021a).Telemedicine has been extensively utilized, particularly in the United States, with its usage significantly expanding during the COVID-19 epidemic (Barbosa et al. 2021). This method is particularly beneficial since it allows for the real-time monitoring of patients, which is essential during a pandemic to reduce the danger of pathogens transmission. It also facilitates the provision of remote healthcare assistance and home care services for patients who are in quarantine or isolation. This strategy not only safeguards healthcare practitioners, but also protects patients themselves. Telemedicine is anticipated to have the advantage of reducing hospital admissions and lowering costs for patients. Furthermore, telemedicine facilitates contact between different medical specialties and allows for the efficient collection of data, leading to improved access to healthcare information (Haleem et al. 2021).In addition to its use in pandemics, telemedicine has the potential to be applied to combating endemic illnesses, as pathogens, including Salmonella, may quickly spread across international borders. An all-encompassing and flexible approach is required to address the overlap between COVID-19 and Salmonella infections. Sharing information promptly through telemedicine can enhance preparedness for efficiently handling simultaneous health crises. In an era of interrelated risks, understanding the connections between various health conditions is essential for adopting a comprehensive strategy to protect public health.The simultaneous presence of Salmonella and SARS-CoV-2 infections emphasizes the urgent need for a significant transformation in worldwide health readiness (Mughini-Gras et al., 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need to carefully assess and examine strategies for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including Salmonella infections (Todd 2020). Thoroughly examining several important conversations and carrying out planned actions is needed. It effectively deals with future health issues, including temporary pandemics and ongoing endemic risks. In addition, the presence of comorbidities of COVID-19 with other infectious disease might also heighten an individual's vulnerability to severe sickness or the acquisition of new microbial illnesses, including the possibility of developing a infection with like Salmonella et al. et al. pandemic has to the the vulnerabilities in healthcare systems the necessity for resilience et al., 2021). The in the ability to in in essential medical and the workload on healthcare have emphasized the need for a and healthcare system et al. Lindsay, and Kumar 2021). systems are essential in pandemics since they prompt response measures and efficient of resources et al., 2022). The from the monitoring out during the COVID-19 pandemic has the capacity to comprehensive systems for other diagnostic challenges by the pandemic require the development of methods that are and and telemedicine might enhance diagnostic in settings (Barbosa et al. et al. 2021a). The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the of global collaboration (Megahed and Ghoneim 2020), which serve as a for addressing future health emergencies. It prompt research efforts, and access to and are essential for public health, particularly in enhancing understanding and and appropriate food handling The COVID-19 pandemic has attention to the of implementing and food safety establishing resilient supply chains, thorough and to the of foodborne infections, such as and addition, appropriate treatment protocols to effectively address the infections were of the monitoring of and the of to treat infections are all necessary to issues such as which has also in several strains of Salmonella, is recognized as a It is imperative for healthcare systems to in planning and readiness to identify in appropriate response and a approach for handling future the between Salmonella and COVID-19 the imperative need for a and for global health The acquisition of valuable lessons from and the adoption of strategies are the most important in healthcare systems, and global health in an era by health risks

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Computer security · Disaster planning · Disease · Environmental health · Medical emergency · Outbreak · Pandemic · Poison control · Political science · Preparedness · Public health · Suicide prevention · Antibiotic Use and Resistance · Computer Science · Disaster Response and Management · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Medicine · Nursing · Virology

  • Symptoms, complications and management of long Covid

    Open Access•Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi, Sarah E Hughes et al.•Proceedings of the Royal Society…•2021

  • Impact of Covid-19 on the food supply chain

    Open Access•Serpil Aday, Mehmet Seckin Aday•Food Quality and Safety•2020

  • Health systems resilience in managing the Covid-19 pandemic

    Open Access•Viscount Haldane, Chuan De Foo et al.•Nature Medicine•2021

  • Public Health and Risk Communication During Covid-19—Enhancing Psychological Needs to Promote Sustainable Behavior Change

    Open Access•Talya Porat, Rune Nyrup et al.•Frontiers in Public Health•2020

  • Antivirus-built environment

    Open Access•Naglaa A Megahed, Ehab Mahmoud Ghoneim•Sustainable Cities and Society•2020

  • Global infectious disease research collaborations in crises

    Open Access•Jonathon P Fanning, Srinivas Murthy et al.•Globalization and Health•2021

Highly citedNo

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae