Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Leprosy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this study is to provide an up-to-date review of the clinical presentation, classification system, and treatment of leprosy (also known as Hansen ’s disease).Recent FindingsLeprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused byMycobacterium leprae. Leprosy affects mainly the skin and peripheral nerves with serious clinical complications, including blindness and physical deformities of the hands and feet. Leprosy is a complex microbial disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and severity of disease progression and outcome. Disease classification based on bacterial indicato...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 17, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Molecular Pathogenesis of Leprosy
AbstractLeprosy is a chronic infectious granulomatous disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacteriaMycobacterium leprae. M. leprae causes symptoms in the skin, peripheral nerves, and other tissues. Type 1 (reversal reaction) and type 2 (erythema nodosum leprosum) lepra reactions are the main mechanisms of skin lesions, nerve damage, and other types of tissue damages. Susceptibility to mycobacterial infection and the clinical presentations of the disease are associated with aberrant host immune response, which forms the spectrum and pathologic manifestations of the disease. (Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 23, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
The Challenge of and Opportunities for Transitioning and Maintaining a Continuum of Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV in Resource Limited Settings
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAn unprecedented number of youth living with HIV (YLHIV) are aging into adolescence and young adulthood, increasing concerns about the possibility of these youth being lost in the transition from supported care (sometimes in pediatric settings) to more independent healthcare settings. This could further the emerging disparities in outcomes between YLHIV and adults (e.g., higher nonadherence to treatment and increased viral loads, which may result in increased transmission of resistant HIV strains and increased morbidity and mortality).Recent FindingsIn resource-rich settings where there is likely...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 12, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Epidemiology, Prognosis, and Prevention of Leprosy Worldwide
AbstractLeprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to man that has multidimensional consequences. Despite much progress in our knowledge of the disease and its demographics and epidemiology, significant gaps exist in our understanding of its transmission. The target of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem (prevalence of less than 1 per 10,000) was reached in 2000 at the global level. However, there was no decline in the numbers of new cases detected. Although leprosy is a curable disease, it is still associated with myths and misconceptions that lead to stigma and discrimination resulting in marginalization, soc...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 10, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Human Brucellosis and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBrucellosis is a neglected, zoonotic disease of nearly worldwide distribution. Despite brucellosis being recognized as a reproductive disease in animals, it has been historically known as a flu-like illness in humans with little or no significant role in maternal or newborn health. This review focuses on what is currently known relative to the epidemiology of brucellosis in human pregnancy as well as new insights of placental immunology.Recent FindingsNew evidence suggests that maternal infection poses a significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes including increased risk for miscarriage...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 9, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Brucellosis Prostatitis: A Neglected Diagnosis for a Tropical Disease
We report a case of FUO subsequently found to be acute prostatitis secondary to brucellosis in an immigrant from Mexico. A 74-year-old Mexican man who had immigrated to the USA 2 months prior presented to the emergency room with fever, dysuria, watery diarrhea, and tender prostate. Blood cultures collected during a febrile episode grewBrucella melitensis 9 days after collection. TheBrucella IgM antibody was also positive. He was started on treatment with intravenous gentamicin, oral rifampin, and oral doxycycline. The patient ’s fever, abdominal symptoms, and dysuria resolved. His case highlights the importance of in...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 9, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Report of Four Cases of Neotropical Polycystic Equinococcosis Caused by Echinococcus vogeli in Colombia
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose is to report and describe four cases ofEchinococcus vogeli hydatidosis in Colombia.Recent FindingsFourE. vogeli polycystic hydatidosis cases are presented, two males and two females, aged 18 to 68 years old, from four separate forest Colombian regions. The initial diagnosis of the cystic disease was radiologically obtained, and parasite presence was confirmed through study of the histological material. The locations of the cysts were hepatic in three cases and mesenteric in the other. Surgi cal resection was performed on all four patients, complemented by albendazole in two of them.Su...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 5, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Isolated Cryptococcal neoformans Pleuritis in a Lung Cancer Patient: Case Report and Review of the Literature
We report a case of a 79-year-old man with prior lung adenocarcinoma and isolatedC. neoformans pleuritis. A review of the available literature reveals that this finding is exceedingly rare. (Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 4, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
The E. histolytica Genome Structure and Virulence
AbstractThe outcome of anEntamoeba histolytica infection is variable, and the contribution of genetic diversity withinE. histolytica to human disease is not fully understood. The information provided by the whole genome sequence of theE. histolytica reference laboratory strain (HM-1:IMSS), and 13 additional laboratory strains have been made publically available. In this review, theories on the source of the unexpected level of structural diversity found inE. histolytica will be discussed. (Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - October 2, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Overview of the Histopathology and Other Laboratory Investigations in Leprosy
AbstractDespite the significant reduction in global leprosy prevalence in the advent of multidrug therapy, epidemiological evidence shows that new case detection rate in endemic countries is still substantial. In the past three decades, there has been much research effort into finding more sensitive and specific laboratory techniques for the early detection of leprosy infection to prevent the cutaneous eruptions and severe disabling neurological sequelae. Correct classification of leprosy subtypes for the purpose of instituting the appropriate drug regimen can only be achieved by including laboratory investigations with th...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - September 27, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Threat of Zika Virus to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games
Abstract
Purpose of Review
The emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Americas has been met with growing concern in the midst of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic games. This review aims to evaluate the precedence of other arboviruses epidemics in Brazil, historical precedence of large international events in the setting of mosquito-borne disease epidemics, and recent seasonal decrease in notified cases of ZIKV in Rio de Janeiro to determine the safety of proceeding with the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic games as scheduled.
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Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - July 15, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Erratum to: Current Treatment Options for Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis
(Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - July 11, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Vaccine Development Against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
Abstract
Various types of vaccines are under pre-clinical and clinical development to address the recent appearance of Middle East respiratory syndrome or MERS, an emerging infectious disease that has already caused over 600 deaths and remains a threat to world health. The causative agent for this respiratory disease is a member of the betacoronavirus genus, phylogenetically closely related to the SARS coronavirus that caused an international health emergency in 2002. With lessons learned from the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, and with undeniable technological advances, vaccine developmen...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - July 10, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Long-Term Consequences of Parasitic-Induced Diarrhea: a Critical Review of Issues
(Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - July 3, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Post-Infectious Sequelae of Travelers ’ Diarrhea: Reactive Arthritis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome
< h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Abstract < /h3 > < span class= " a-plus-plus abstract-section id-a-sec1 " > < h3 class= " a-plus-plus " > Purpose of review < /h3 > < p class= " a-plus-plus " > Although travelers ’ diarrhea is a self-limited illness in most persons, it can be associated with post-infectious sequelae, which can be prolonged and disabling. In some individuals, a bout of travelers’ diarrhea leads to persistent gastrointestinal symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, episodic abdominal pain and b loating, constipation or dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux. < /p > < /span > < span class= " a-plus-plus abstract-...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - June 29, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
