Digital Transformation in the Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Scoping Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThere is an increasing interest in the role of digital health in the healthcare industry, focusing on enhancing patient care through technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health applications, telemedicine, and other advancements. The purpose of this review is to highlight the enormous potential of digital transformation tools in managing and mitigating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect millions of people worldwide, particularly in the Global South. To meet this purpose, we conducted a scoping review of existing literature and investigated the specific applicat...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - April 10, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Cryptosporidium Genomics — Current Understanding, Advances, and Applications
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHere we highlight the significant contribution that genomics-based approaches have had on the field ofCryptosporidium research and the insights these approaches have generated intoCryptosporidium biology and transmission.Recent FindingsThere are advances in genomics, genetic manipulation, gene expression, and single-cell technologies. New and better genome sequences have revealed variable sub-telomeric gene families and genes under selection. RNA expression data now include single-cell and post-infection time points. These data have provided insights into theCryptosporidium life cycle and host –p...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 23, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Triatoma infestans (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) Population Genetics: What Have We Learned from Microsatellites?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe genetic structure of insect vectors offers valuable insights for identifying panmictic units, reinfestation sources, and minimal intervention units in vector control programs. This review highlights key findings on the genetic structure ofTriatoma infestans populations using microsatellites across various geographic scales and landscapes.Recent FindingsMicrosatellites have been employed to explore the genetic structure ofT. infestans across Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, and Peru. Research has focused on understanding genetic structure, assessing the impacts of short and long-distance mi...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 24, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Epidemiology and Clinical Outcomes of Bacterial Meningitis in Children and Adults in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of ReviewDespite the availability of effective vaccines against the three primary pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenzae type b, andNeisseria meningitidis) that cause bacterial meningitis, this condition remains a significant cause of morbidity, neurologic sequelae, and mortality among children and adults living in low-income and middle-income countries.Recent FindingsBacterial meningitis represents a significant public health challenge for national and global health systems. Since vaccine-preventable meningitis remains highly prevalent in low-income and middle-income countries, the Worl...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Impact of Bio-geo-ecological Determinants on the Current and Future Mosquito Fauna in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Emerging Innovative Bio-computational Opportunities
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe emergence and resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases are poised to complicate ongoing mosquito control efforts worldwide. The world ’s most potent mosquito vectors are widely distributed and pose potential public health threats across Saudi Arabia. Understanding key entomological indices like mosquitos’ geospatial distribution, diversity, and species composition is critical in predicting mosquito-borne outbreak risks and des igning intervention measures. A systematic review was conducted to update the current mosquito fauna status in Saudi Arabia by adopting PRISMA guidelines. Data were scre...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 14, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Current Understanding of Giardia lamblia and Pathogenesis of Stunting and Cognitive Deficits in Children from Low- and Middle-Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGiardialamblia is a common intestinal parasite worldwide, mainly in children from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Also, it has been associated with increased intestinal permeability, stunting, and cognitive impairment. Nonetheless, the pathogenesis of long-term consequences is difficult to elucidate.Recent FindingsRecent studies try to understand the long-term consequences ofGiardia infections. First, well-characterized studies associateGiardia with intestinal damage and child growth. Second, infections appear not to be associated with inflammation, but “lack of inflammation” may not, ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - January 23, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Tuberculous Meningitis: an Update on the Pathogenesis and Neuroimmunology
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTuberculosis meningitis (TBM) carries the highest morbidity and mortality of any type of tuberculosis infection, yet the definitive mechanism(s) that result in TBM are largely unknown.Recent FindingsMicroglia as a bridge between the immune and nervous systems and its role in age related physiological changes that may lend some insight into why TBM is prevalent in pediatrics.SummaryThere are various hypotheses on howMycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, disseminates from the lungs to the central nervous system but these routes have been unobserved in existing animal mode...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - January 4, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Aliphatic Lactones of Natural Origin: Their Toxicological and Behavioral Effects as a Possible Control Strategy for Medical Importance Mosquitoes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLactones are cyclic esters found in many of different fruits and in other natural products for human consumption. When lactones are used at concentrations considered safe for humans, they do not represent a risk to the environment. In nature, lactones constitute a class of compounds that exhibit a range of diversity in their chemical structure through ring size and substituents, as well as stereochemistry. The purpose of this review was to gather the information available to date on the biological effects of naturally occurring γ and δ lactones on mosquitoes of sanitary importance in order to imp...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 13, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Correction to: Implications of Climate Change and Anopheles stephensi Liston in Africa: Knowledge Gaps and Lessons from History
(Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 8, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Clinical, Epidemiological, and Laboratory Features of Mayaro Virus Infection: a Systematic Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMayaro virus is an arbovirus that circulates in a wild cycle transmitted byHaemagogus janthinomys; however, case reports in urban areas suggest that other arthropods could be acting as vectors. It shares several similarities with Chikungunya virus, being highly probable that many cases are being misdiagnosed. The disease caused by this pathogen is known as Mayaro fever, which is restricted to regions of Central and South America, mainly the Amazon rainforest. Cases of Mayaro fever have continuously been increasing, suggesting that Mayaro virus would become another major epidemic arbovirus in Americ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 27, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Trypanosoma cruzi Central Nervous System Infection —Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment
AbstractPurpose of ReviewChagas disease (CD) is a neglected tropical disease from the American continent that commonly causes cardiovascular disease. Some patients develop neurological manifestations. We discuss and summarize the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of the central nervous system manifestations of CD.Recent FindingsCerebrospinal fluid quantitative polymerase chain reaction tests and next-generation sequencing in tissue samples have facilitated disease diagnosis and follow-up. Novel presentations, including retinitis, are now reported. A new MRI sign called “Bunch of açai berri...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 23, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Snakebites in the Americas: a Neglected Problem in Public Health
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWe explored the current priority given to snakebites in 26 countries of the Americas. To describe the epidemiological characteristics of the snakebites in the Americas and the Caribbean, we looked at information collected from epidemiological sources, publications, and available from PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS. In the case of Honduras, some gray literature (theses and conference abstracts) was obtained through local networks. We also aimed at obtaining any reference made in those reports with regard to the most common snake species in the region and their toxin and the physical and mental disabilit...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 21, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Zika Virus Outbreaks: a Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to comprehensively analyse recent Zika outbreaks and their implications on public health. It discusses the evolving dynamics of the Zika virus transmission, factors contributing to outbreaks, health consequences, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and challenges in controlling its spread. The goal is to provide a multidisciplinary understanding of Zika virus and guide public health strategies for effective outbreak prevention and management.Recent FindingsRecent findings reveal sporadic Zika cases with mild symptomatology. Major outbreaks occurred in the Yap Islands (20...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 17, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Neurologic Manifestations of Tick-Borne Diseases Transmitted by Deer Ticks (Ixodes scapularis) in the USA
This article aims to review the relevant updates in pathogenesis, diagnostics, clinical manifestations, and treatments of tick-borne diseases involving the nervous system, with special emphasis on emerging viral and bacterial infections transmitted by deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis).Recent Findings Neuroborreliosis includes a wide array of peripheral and/or central nervous system syndromes, of which diagnosis depends on a combination of clinical gestalt, serum serologic testing, and CSF cellular and serologic analysis. Powassan virus may cause life-threatening neuroinvasive disease and diagnosis that is based on CSF serolog...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 17, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
CNS Infections in Patients Living with HIV/AIDS
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide an overview of central nervous system (CNS) infections in patients living with HIV (PLWH) and to highlight their diverse etiologies, clinical presentations, and diagnostic approaches.Recent FindingsKey innovations in the field include new treatments for cryptococcal meningitis and tuberculous meningitis. Characterization of the clinical manifestations of neurosyphilis and prevention strategies in high-risk populations such as PLWH will be highlighted.SummaryCNS infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in PLWH, especially in patients with ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 11, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
