“…Our findings are similar to other studies that have also reported a decrease in the incidence and number of reported cases of chlamydia infection and other STIs in the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period ( 21 – 24 ). However, our results are contrary to a study that reported an increase in chlamydia infection cases and other STIs during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 25 , 26 ).…”
BackgroundPrior to COVID-19 pandemic, a yearly upward trajectory in the number of chlamydia infection cases was observed in South Korea. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea implemented several public health and social measures, which were shown to have an impact on the epidemiology of other infectious diseases. This study aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and number of reported chlamydia infections in South Korea.MethodsUsing the monthly number of reported chlamydia infection data between 2017 and 2022, we compared the trends in the reported numbers, and the incidence rates (IR) of chlamydia infection stratified by demographic characteristics (sex, age group, and region) in the pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic period (January 2017–December 2019 and January 2020–December 2022).ResultsWe observed an irregular downward trajectory in the number of chlamydia infection in the during-pandemic period. A 30% decrease in the total number of chlamydia infection was estimated in the during-pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, with the decrease greater among males (35%) than females (25%). In addition, there was a decrease in the cumulative incidence rate of the during COVID-19 pandemic period (IR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.42–0.44) compared to the pre-pandemic period (IR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.59–0.61).ConclusionsWe identified decrease in the number of chlamydia infection during COVID-19 pandemic which is likely due to underdiagnosis and underreporting for the infection. Therefore, strengthening surveillance for sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia is warranted for an effective and timely response in case of an unexpected rebound in the number of the infections.
“…Our findings are similar to other studies that have also reported a decrease in the incidence and number of reported cases of chlamydia infection and other STIs in the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period ( 21 – 24 ). However, our results are contrary to a study that reported an increase in chlamydia infection cases and other STIs during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 25 , 26 ).…”
BackgroundPrior to COVID-19 pandemic, a yearly upward trajectory in the number of chlamydia infection cases was observed in South Korea. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea implemented several public health and social measures, which were shown to have an impact on the epidemiology of other infectious diseases. This study aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and number of reported chlamydia infections in South Korea.MethodsUsing the monthly number of reported chlamydia infection data between 2017 and 2022, we compared the trends in the reported numbers, and the incidence rates (IR) of chlamydia infection stratified by demographic characteristics (sex, age group, and region) in the pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic period (January 2017–December 2019 and January 2020–December 2022).ResultsWe observed an irregular downward trajectory in the number of chlamydia infection in the during-pandemic period. A 30% decrease in the total number of chlamydia infection was estimated in the during-pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period, with the decrease greater among males (35%) than females (25%). In addition, there was a decrease in the cumulative incidence rate of the during COVID-19 pandemic period (IR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.42–0.44) compared to the pre-pandemic period (IR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.59–0.61).ConclusionsWe identified decrease in the number of chlamydia infection during COVID-19 pandemic which is likely due to underdiagnosis and underreporting for the infection. Therefore, strengthening surveillance for sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia is warranted for an effective and timely response in case of an unexpected rebound in the number of the infections.
“…These features were specific to the time under investigation, predating the emergence of less symptomatic viral variants and the development of vaccines that have mitigated symptomatology ( 60 – 62 ). This study also confirmed that the presence of multiple symptoms in the early stages of the pandemic was an important factor in suspecting the presence of the disease, as COVID-19 was the most common, symptomatic, and heterogeneous disease at the time of lockdown ( 63 – 66 ). However, stratification according to symptomatological priority was not significant, refuting both the hypothesis of predictive diagnostic patterns and the recognition of a primary symptomatology ( 67 , 68 ).…”
BackgroundDuring the first pandemic phase of COVID-19, an epidemiological study, named First survey, was conducted on the population of a small rural area in northern Italy. In spring 2020, the results showed how a prolonged lockdown slowed down the spread of the virus.MethodsAfter contacting positive First Survey subjects and their families, those who decided to join voluntarily underwent a blood test to assess the presence of qualitative lgG about 2 months after the previous one. This was to determine if IgG persisted in individuals who tested positive in the First Survey as well as to assess the antibody status of their close family members, to determine if they were unintentionally infected.ResultsBased on serological analysis, 35.1% of the samples contained blood IgG. In subjects who tested positive during the First Survey, 62.5% remained IgG positive more than 2 months later. Among family members who were exposed to a positive relative, 23.7% were infected. Linear regression analysis showed that the presence of an infected person within a household resulted in the infection spreading to the others, but not excessively. Induced isolation extinguished the infection regardless of the extent of the contagion (intra-family or extra-family). Micro-outbreaks of SARS-Cov-2 infection which arose in the same household from extra-familial infections played a decisive role on the statistical significance of IgG-positive subjects (p < 0.001).DiscussionThe study reveal 52.6% of the IgG-positive subjects in the Second Survey came from the First Survey and 47.4% were family members previously in contact with positive subjects. Data suggest that there have been undiagnosed patients feeding the spread of the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. In conclusion, for future pandemics, it will be necessary: i) to ensure the rapid isolation of symptomatic patients and the early identification of their close contacts, ii) to carry out the maximum number of tests in the shortest possible time, both on symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects, and iii) to implement information campaigns to make people aware of their risks, and implement clear, non-conflicting communication.
“…During the 2022 year, ‘the quasi-States of Emergency have been adopted. However, due to increased protection measures against the COVID-19 pandemic including physical distancing, hygiene measures, and lifestyles, the synergic incidence of non-COVID-19 infections significantly decreased in Japan prefectures including in Tokyo metropolitan area ( Yan et al, 2022 ; Kanda et al, 2023 ). Fig.…”
Section: Resultsmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Due to the increased protection measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of non-COVID-19 viral infections decreased significantly in the Tokyo metropolitan area ( Yan et al, 2022 ; Kanda et al, 2023 ; Yamamoto et al, 2023 ). Considering that the main factors which may favour increase and suppress COVID-19 disease are: strength of immunity system, epidemic variant, climate and seasonal variability and synergy response to SARS-CoV-2 pathogens and seasonal influenza.…”
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