Perspectives of public health laboratories in emerging infectious diseases

Chua, Kaw Bing; Gubler, Duane J

Examples of past emerging infectious diseases under this category are antimicrobial resistant microorganisms (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Plasmodium falciparum, Staphylococcus aureus) and pandemic influenza due to a new subtype or strain of influenza A virus (e.g., influenza virus A/California/04/2009(H1N1)). 9,32-35 Factors that contribute to the emergence of these novel phenotype pathogens are the abuse of antimicrobial drugs, ecological and host-driven microbial mixing, microbial mutations, genetic drift or re-assortment and environmental selection. Accidental or potentially intentional release of laboratory manipulated strains resulting in epidemics is included in this category. Factors that lead to the spillovers and emergence of these novel pathogens are human population expansion, economic development, changes in land use patterns, modifications to natural habitats, and changes in agricultural practices and animal husbandry. Human behavior, such as wildlife trade and translocations, live animal and bush meat markets, consumption of exotic foods, development of ecotourism, access to petting zoos and ownership of exotic pets, also plays a significant role in the transfer of pathogens between species. 19 [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] Examples of infectious diseases under category 4b are gastritis and peptic ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori, Kaposi sarcoma due to human herpesvirus 8 and chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis virus C and G. [47] [48] [49] [50] Advances in scientific knowledge and technology have contributed substantially to the discovery of these infectious etiological agents.