Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Mesoamerica: Historical Perspectives on One Health Transmission
The objectives of our study were to highlight risk factors of importance from Central America and the Caribbean and to discuss outbreaks of public health concern as well as general disease expansion in these regions.Recent FindingsA number of recent discoveries ranging from epidemiology to ecology of leptospirosis have occurred recently. Of particular note were the recent discovery of a new pathogenic Leptospire along with documentation of opportunistic strain infections and several analyses of socio-demographic and occupational factors related to the disease.SummaryLeptospirosis has continued to exist and reports indicate...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - April 28, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
A Chronological Survey of Leptospirosis in Honduras
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe aim of this paper is to reflect on leptospirosis studies conducted in Honduras to determine the public health burden of leptospirosis in the country, as well as gain insight into the transmission dynamics of leptospirosis in Honduras.Recent FindingsLeptospirosis is a global disease affecting many Central American countries including Honduras. In the last two decades, Honduras has had numerous outbreaks of leptospirosis in both animals and humans. Leptospirosis appears to have nationwide endemic tendencies based on epidemiological surveillance and seroprevalence studies.SummaryIn Honduras, based...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - April 26, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Challenges to Diagnosing Leptospirosis in Endemic Regions Require Urgent Attention
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLeptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases, poses health and economic threats across the globe, yet little investment in tools to identify and eliminate disease have been made.Recent FindingsCurrent gold standard diagnostics are time-intensive, suffer sensitivity and specificity challenges, and are scarce in resource-limited settings, where the largest disease burden exists. Central American countries are at higher risk than most of the world, although challenges to surveillance limit our understanding of the true impact of leptospirosis on that region. One of the greatest challe...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - April 21, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Leptospira Infection in Animals in the Caribbean and Central America
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to describe the features of animal leptospirosis and to summarize the relevant literature available onLeptospira infection in animals in the Caribbean and the Central American countries.Recent FindingsAlthough estimates of leptospirosis-related human morbidity and mortality among the Caribbean and Central American countries are high, data from animal studies are scarce.SummaryLeptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis which affects human and animal health. This disease has a negative impact on the livelihood of subsistence farmers due to its effects on animal production and...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 24, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Surveillance of Arthropod-Borne Viruses and Their Vectors in the Mediterranean and Black Sea Regions Within the MediLabSecure Network
AbstractPurpose of ReviewArboviruses, viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, sandflies, and fleas are a significant threat to public health because of their epidemic and zoonotic potential. The geographical distribution of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile (WN), Rift Valley fever (RVF), Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika has expanded over the last decades. Countries of the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions are not spared. Outbreaks of WN are repeatedly reported in the Mediterranean basin. Human cases of RVF were reported at the southern borders of the Maghreb region. For this reason, establishing...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 16, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Leptospirosis in Central America: Techniques for Diagnosis and Molecular Characterization
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLeptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genusLeptospira. In Central America,Leptospira is endemic, and almost all countries experience frequent outbreaks. Diagnosis of leptospirosis is primarily based on serology. More technologically advanced methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are used in only a few laboratories, although it can identify genes specific to pathogenic species. New techniques, such as isothermal reactions and molecular typing could also contribute to disease surveillance in humans, animals, and the environment.Recent FindingsAdvanced...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 16, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Epidemiology of Leptospirosis in Costa Rica 2011 –2015
AbstractPurpose of ReviewLeptospirosis is a global spirochete causing chronic renal disease that is increasing in Costa Rica. This paper identifies the prevalence and risk factors of leptospirosis in Costa Rica between the years of 2011 –2015.Recent FindingsClinical cases of leptospirosis in Costa Rica demonstrated various symptoms: from asymptomatic diseases to severe cases of kidney and liver failure. A variety of diagnostic methods with varying specificities and sensitivities were employed. In Costa Rica, prevention methods such as protective clothing, decreased contact with animals, and prophylaxis of close contacts ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 13, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Leptospirosis in Tropical Regions of Southeast Mexico: A Clinical Case Series Review
The objective of our review was to describe the clinical manifestations ofLeptospira strains present in Southeastern Mexico, and identify distinguishing characteristics from other endemic regions.Recent FindingsWe performed a review of state-reported cases from two large hospitals in Southeastern Mexico, an area suspected to have the highest incidence of the infection. Of 98 state-reported probable cases of leptospirosis, a total of 19 cases were confirmed serologically and further described here in an effort to highlight examples of reported cases to increased physician awareness. Patients had an average age of 40 years...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 10, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Tuberculosis in the Mediterranean Region
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the global tuberculosis (TB) epidemiology, with a special focus on the situation in the countries of the Mediterranean region.Recent FindingsThe year 2015 was of crucial importance for the global strategy of TB control: the previous “Stop TB Strategy” came to the end, achieving remarkable results, and a new program, called “End TB Strategy”, was issued by the World Health Organization.SummaryMediterranean countries range from low- to intermediate TB-burden, but they present great variability in terms of healthcare access and pro...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 10, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Leptospirosis in Mesoamerica
This article aims to review the pertinent outbreaks in this region, in an effort to influence future public health campaigns targeted at eradication.Recent FindingsMesoamerica is a geographical and culture area of the western hemisphere which has a uniform subtropical and tropical climate that covers since the middle part of Mexico, from its high plains, to the southern forest, and jungles extending to Central America to what is now known as Costa Rica. Leptospirosis is an infectious disease present in the people and fauna of Mesoamerica since many centuries, and an emergent illness nowadays. It is caused by bacteria of th...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - March 10, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
A Complex but Exciting Future: New Options for Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewProtease inhibitors have been the bedrock of second and subsequent line HIV therapies for more than a decade, in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries.Recent FindingsWHO ’s recommendation for ‘blind’ sequencing from first- to second-line therapies, acknowledging that genotype testing would not be available in many resource-constrained settings, has recently been supported by large randomised studies. The availability of highly potent integrase inhibitors have transformed therapy in places where these combinations are used in first and subsequent line. The resistance barrier co...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 17, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Optimizing Treatment Monitoring in Resource Limited Settings in the Era of Routine Viral Load Monitoring
AbstractPurpose of reviewRoutine viral load monitoring (VLM) for patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) is being scaled up in resource limited settings.Recent findingsVLM potentially has several roles in improving HIV care and includes identifying patients with treatment failure and in need of second-line ART. VLM can also be used as a tool to improve adherence to ART, with 60% of the patients with detectable viral load achieving suppression following ART adherence counseling. VLM may play a role in optimizing differentiated care strategies, by identifying patients who need more close follow-up and adherence support an...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 15, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Entamoeba histolytica : an Overview
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis is to highlight the relationship between the morphologically identical pathogenic and nonpathogenic amoebae commonly recovered from human feces. Microscopy does not differentiate pathogenic from nonpathogenic strains. The problem of treat or do not treat infection depends on whether it is pathogenic or not, and whether reported in endemic or non-endemic country.Recent FindingsPrevalence of amoebiasis differs greatly in different areas of the world reaching up to 50%. Easy diagnosis of amoebiasis now depends on the use of immunochromatography and/or PCR. Multiplex PCR can differentiate the path...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 12, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
The Leishmaniases of the Mediterranean Region
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis paper wishes to provide updated information on different entities of leishmaniasis endemic in the Mediterranean region, concerning parasite taxonomy, disease burden and treatment options, and the status of vectors and reservoirs. Challenges associated with monitoring and surveillance of the leishmaniases are also highlighted.Recent findingsThe burden of the main human clinical forms, visceral (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), was recently estimated in each Mediterranean country. Significant VL emergence was reported in restricted areas or retrospectively recognized at country level. High ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - January 29, 2017 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Erratum to: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Leprosy
(Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 6, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
