Tuberculosis in the European Region
This article aims to review the data about TB in this area and the new findings about treatment and prevention strategies.Recent FindingsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, access to health facilities and retention in care were difficult for TB patients, with consequences on TB diagnosis and TB incidence. The ongoing conflict in Europe, in areas with high prevalence of TB and MDR-TB, has reduced the access to health services and the availability of anti-TB drugs and increased the migration of refugees. New data on short treatment regimens could change the length of therapy and adverse events.SummaryTB control programs are facing...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - May 27, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Schistosomiasis in Europe
AbstractPurposeof ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the burden of schistosomiasis in the European continent. It discusses three subjects: the endemic forms of non-human schistosomiasis in Europe; the introduction of transmission of human schistosomiasis into Europe; and the occurrence of imported cases of human schistosomiasis.Recent FindingsEurope is not endemic for human schistosomiasis; nevertheless, it is affected by the disease in multiple ways, although the magnitude of the burden remains elusive because of gaps in surveillance and reporting.SummarySchistosomiasis is a global neglected dis...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - April 24, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Intestinal and Extra-intestinal Complications of Typhoid Fever: an Update
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTyphoid fever is one of the commonest global health burdens and has various local and systemic complications. The clinical picture may be more complex in concealed, untreated, or partially treated patients, which form a significant proportion of total cases. So, in this study, we aimed to identify recent and unique intestinal and extra-intestinal complications associated with typhoid fever.Recent FindingsWe searched the terms “Typhoid/Enteric fever AND complication” and “Salmonella Typhi AND complication” in online libraries like PubMed, Scopus, and Embase and collected the recent studies. ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 20, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
What Do We Know About the Invasive Mosquitoes Aedes atropalpus and Aedes triseriatus?
This article aims to provide information about the current status and prospective of these species in Europe.Recent FindingsWhile the presence ofAe.atropalpus in the European continent is still debated,Ae. triseriatus is no longer present in the European continent, but accidental introductions have been recently reported. Nevertheless, the climatic changes and global market increase the possibility of introduction of North AmericanAedes species in Europe.SummaryThe present article contains a brief overview of the biology, ecology, and vector competence of these two mosquito vectors, outlining their potential to invade new ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - February 4, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Multisectoral Perspectives on Global Warming and Vector-borne Diseases: a Focus on Southern Europe
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe climate change (CC) or global warming (GW) modifies environment that favors vectors ’ abundance, growth, and reproduction, and consequently, the rate of development of pathogens within the vectors. This review highlights the threats of GW-induced vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in Southern Europe (SE) and the need for mitigation efforts to prevent potential global health catastrophe .Recent FindingsReports showed astronomical surges in the incidences of CC-induced VBDs in the SE. The recently (2022) reported first cases of African swine fever in Northern Italy and West Nile fever in SE are linke...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - January 28, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Rural Embodiment and Community Health: an Anthropological Case Study on Biocultural Determinants of Tropical Disease Infection and Immune System Development in the USA
AbstractPurpose of ReviewBiocultural methods are critically important for identifying environmental and socioeconomic factors linked with tropical disease risk and outcomes. For example, embodiment theory refers to the process by which lived experiences impact individual biology. Increased exposure to pathogens, chronic psychosocial stress, and unequal resource access are all outcomes linked with discrimination and poverty. Through lived experiences, race and socioeconomic inequality can literally become embodied —get under the skin and affect physiology—impacting immune responses and contributing to lifelong health di...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - January 23, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Chemical Communication of the Head Lice with the Human Host
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTransmission of head lice occurs primarily by direct host-to-host contact and via inanimate objects, called fomites. As for other hematophagous insects, chemical cues are likely involved in host detection, at least in the close range for the case of head lice.Recent FindingsThe revision of the literature on the effect of chemical cues from the host on head lice behavior showed that volatiles in a combination but also individually from the human scalp trigger an attraction response on head lice. Studies also show that both infested and non-infested individuals have similar chemical profiles and that...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 19, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Improving Diagnosis of Intestinal Parasites Towards a Migrant-Friendly Health System
This study describes the results obtained by the World Health Organization (WHO) collaborating centre (CC) for the diagnosis of intestinal helminths and protozoa (WHO CC ITA-116) during the first 2 years of its activity on (i) the prevalence of intestinal parasites in migrants in southern Italy and (ii) the development and application of new diagnostic tools for intestinal helminths (e.g. FLOTAC, Mini-FLOTAC Kit 200 tests, Kubic FLOTAC microscope (KFM)).Recent FindingsAlmost 23.3% of migrants examined were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the duration of...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 19, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Global Pattern of kdr-Type Alleles in Musca domestica (L.)
AbstractPurpose of ReviewHouseflies,Musca domestica L., are an important sanitary pest that affects human and domesticated animals. They are mechanical carriers of more than 100 human and animal diseases including protozoan, bacterial, helminthic, and viral infections. Recently, it was demonstrated that houseflies acquired, harbored, and transmitted SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for up to 1 day post-exposure. The most widely used control strategy relays on the application of pyrethroid insecticides due to their effectiveness, low mammalian toxicity, low cost, and environmental safety. The main mechanism of action of pyrethroids ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 19, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
COVID-19 Impact on Disparity in Childhood Immunization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Through the Lens of Historical Pandemics
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe COVID-19 pandemic, since 2020, has affected health care services and access globally. Although the entire impact of COVID-19 pandemic on existing global public health is yet to be fully seen, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on global childhood immunization programs is of particular importance.Recent FindingsDisruptions to service delivery due to lockdowns, challenges in vaccination programs, vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, and political and social economic inequalities all posed a threat to existing childhood immunization programs. These potential threats were especially critical in LMIC ...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 19, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
How Modulations of the Gut Microbiota May Help in Preventing or Treating Parasitic Diseases
AbstractDue to the combined effects of international travel, climate change, and globalization, clinicians in Southern Europe are seeing a re-emergence of parasitic infections once thought to have been eradicated, which can often result in chronic illness, and thus present new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Here, we comment on two such parasitic protozoa,Trypanosomacruzi andPlasmodium, and how modulation of the gut microbiota can provide exciting new possible therapeutic strategies in the treatment and prevention of Chagas disease and malaria. (Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports)
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - December 8, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
COVID-19 Ignited a Successful Growth Spurt in Pediatric HIV Differentiated Service Delivery Programming
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPediatric HIV differentiated service delivery (DSD) programming has historically lagged behind adult care despite WHO recommendations to include family-friendly alternatives for children and caregivers. This review explores the status of Pediatric DSD programming before the COVID-19 pandemic and then reviews published differentiated approaches that developed during the pandemic.Recent FindingsDifferentiated service delivery programming for adults living with HIV has increased worldwide, and patient outcomes from these programs have been positive. Pediatric DSD programming has lagged, with many chil...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 28, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic on Neonatal Nutrition: Focus on Low- and Middle-Income Countries
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review serves to account for the published literature regarding the changing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on neonatal nutrition in low- and middle-income countries.Recent FindingsInitial national and international guidelines regarding breastfeeding were often contradictory. Lack of clear guidelines resulted in separation of mother-neonate dyads and the reliance on non-human sources of milk at institutional levels. Mothers and families were less likely to initiate and/or continue breastfeed during the pandemic due to confusion regarding guidelines, lack of support for lactation,...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 18, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
A Review of the Use of Pyriproxyfen for Controlling Aedes aegypti in Argentina
AbstractPurpose of ReviewAedes aegypti (L.) is the main vector of dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya viruses in many parts of the world affecting millions of people worldwide each year. Its control is mostly aimed at the larval stages (removal of breeding sites, larviciding, and community education) to reduce the population of new adults. This review is a compilation of recent studies carried out in Argentina with the insect growth regulator (IGR) pyriproxyfen applied for controlling different life stages of the mosquitoAedes aegypti.Recent FindingsPyriproxyfen (PPF) is an increasingly used hormone analog that pre...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 12, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Parasites and Other Infectious Agents in Non-human Primates of Argentina
AbstractPurpose of ReviewIn Argentina, there are five non-human primate (NHP) species:Sapajus nigritus cucullatus,Sapajus cay,Alouatta caraya,Alouatta guariba clamitans, andAotus azarae. All of them inhabit protected and non-protected areas and face severe threats due anthropization. We aim to summarize the information available about parasites and infectious diseases of these NHPs and suggest further research on primate diseases in Argentina.Recent FindingsNHPs of Argentina are hosts of several parasites and pathogens important for conservation as well as public health.Alouatta species are lethally susceptible to yellow f...
Source: Current Tropical Medicine Reports - November 10, 2022 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
