Snakebite prevalence and risk factors in a nomadic population in Samburu County, Kenya: A community-based survey
ConclusionSamburu County has a high snakebite burden and the most victims are bitten while sleeping or walking outdoors at night. Snakebite prevention and health promotion programs in Samburu County, and other endemic regions, need to be contextualised and consider the geographic, seasonal, and temporal specificities found in our study. Our findings also have implications for health care delivery, especially identification of the need for night-time staffing with expertise in snakebite management and antivenom availability to better manage patients and thereby improve outcomes. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Frank-Leonel Tianyi Source Type: research
The nutritional status of mycetoma affected patients seen at the Mycetoma Research Center, Sudan
by Manal Hassan Gabani, Arwa Abdelraouf Ahmed, Alshaima Abdelelah Hassan, Mona Abdelrahim Abdalla, Samar Abdelmahmoud Mustafa, Tasneem Abdelmutalab Alobaid, Abrar Adam Khatir, Reell Mukhlis Mohammed, Nehal Ibrahim Awad, Tanzeel Alqurashi Abdellateef, Abeer Hassan, Eiman Siddig Ahmed, Mohammed Zain Ali, Ahmed Hassan Fahal
Nutrition plays a critical and crucial role in addressing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and their complications, as they often contribute to malnutrition, which can worsen the impact of these conditions. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the nutritional status of mycetoma patients, which has ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Manal Hassan Gabani Source Type: research
Low genetic diversity of < i > Treponema pallidum < /i > ssp. < i > pertenue < /i > (TPE) isolated from patients ’ ulcers in Namatanai District of Papua New Guinea: Local human population is infected by three TPE genotypes
by Monica Medappa, Petra Posp íšilová, Maria Paula M. Madruga, Lucy N. John, Camila G. Beiras, Linda Grillová, Jan Oppelt, Arka Banerjee, Marti Vall-Mayans, Oriol Mitjà, David Šmajs
Yaws is an endemic disease caused byTreponema pallidum subsp.pertenue (TPE) that primarily affects children in rural regions of the tropics. The endemic character of yaws infections and the expected exclusive reservoir of TPE in humans opened a new opportunity to start a yaws eradication campaign. We have developed a multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for TPE isolates combining the previously published (TP0548, TP0488) and new (TP...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Monica Medappa Source Type: research
The current status of neglected tropical diseases in Japan: A scoping review
by Yuriko Harada, Hanako Iwashita, Taeko Moriyasu, Sachiyo Nagi, Nobuo Saito, Mariko Sugawara-Mikami, Kota Yoshioka, Rie Yotsu, on behalf of Japan NTD Study Group
Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countries and no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping review aims to synthesize the latest evidence and information to understand epidemiology of and public health response to NTDs in Japan. Using three academic databases, we retrieved articles that mentioned NTDs in Japan, written in English or Japanese, and published between 2010 and 2020. Websites of ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Yuriko Harada Source Type: research
Identification of a critical role for ZIKV capsid α3 in virus assembly and its genetic interaction with M protein
This study provides the first experimental evidence of a genetic interaction between the C protein and the viral envelope protein M, providing a mechanistic understanding of the molecular interactions involved in the assembly and budding ofAedes-transmitted flaviviruses. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Anastazia Jablunovsky Source Type: research
A novel trypsin of < i > Trichinella spiralis < /i > mediates larval invasion of gut epithelium via binding to PAR2 and activating ERK1/2 pathway
ConclusionsTsTryp binding to PAR2 activated the ERK1/2 pathway, decreased the expression of gut TJs proteins, disrupted epithelial integrity and barrier function, and consequently mediated larval invasion of the gut mucosa. Therefore, rTsTryp could be regarded as a potential vaccine target for blockingT.spiralis invasion and infection. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Lu Lu Han Source Type: research
The role of naturally acquired intracellular < i > Pseudomonas aeruginosa < /i > in the development of < i > Acanthamoeba < /i > keratitis in an animal model
This study assessed the presence of intracellular bacteria inAcanthamoeba species recovered from domestic tap water and corneas of two different AK patients and examined the impact of naturally occurring intracellular bacteria withinAcanthamoeba on the severity of corneal infections in rats. Methodology/Principal findingsHousehold water and corneal swabs were collected from AK patients.Acanthamoeba strains and genotypes were confirmed by sequencing.Acanthamoeba isolates were assessed for the presence of intracellular bacteria using sequencing, fluorescencein situ hybridization (FISH), and electron microscopy. The viability...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Binod Rayamajhee Source Type: research
Five-year serological and clinical evolution of chronic Chagas disease patients in Cochabamba, Bolivia
Conclusions/SignificanceThe study confirms that follow-up of benznidazole-treatedT.cruzi-infected patients should be longer than five years to determine, with current tools, if they are cured. In terms of serological evolution, the single use of a total antigen ELISA might be a more reliable measure and suffice to address infection status, at least in the region of Bolivia where the study was done. Additional work is needed to develop a test-of-cure for an early assessment of drugs ´ efficacy with the aim of improving case management protocols. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 29, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Jimy Pinto Source Type: research
< i > Taenia solium < /i > excretory secretory proteins (ESPs) suppresses TLR4/AKT mediated ROS formation in human macrophages via hsa-miR-125
ConclusionWe found thatT.solium cyst ESPs treatment to human macrophages leads to activation of Th2 immune response. A complex cytokine expression by macrophages was also observed with both Th1 and Th2 cytokines in milieu. But, at the same time ESPs modulated the macrophage function by altering the host miR expression as seen with altered ROS activity, apoptosis and phagocytosis. This leads to activated yet compromised functional macrophages, which provides a niche to support parasite survival. ThusT.solium secretome induces Th2 phenomenon in macrophages which may promote parasite ’s survival and delay their recognition ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 29, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Naina Arora Source Type: research
Expression of Concern: A Potential Role for the Interaction of < i > Wolbachia < /i > Surface Proteins with the < i > Brugia malayi < /i > Glycolytic Enzymes and Cytoskeleton in Maintenance of Endosymbiosis
by The PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 29, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: The PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors Source Type: research
Conducting epidemiological studies on snakebite in nomadic populations: A methodological paper
ConclusionHighly mobile populations require specific considerations in selecting or creating sampling frames and sampling units for epidemiological research. Snakebite risk has a strong spatial component and using census-based sampling frames would be inappropriate in nomadic populations. We propose using open-source satellite imaging and geographic information systems to improve the conduct of epidemiological research in these populations. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 28, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: George O. Oluoch Source Type: research
Stigma associated with cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: A systematic review
ConclusionsThere are various manifestations of stigma associated with CL and MCL. This review highlights the lack of knowledge on the structural stigma associated with CL, the lack of stigma interventions and the need for a unique stigma tool to measure stigma associated with CL and MCL. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 28, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Hasara Nuwangi Source Type: research
Prevalence and risk factors associated with < i > Haemophilus ducreyi < /i > cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence ofHD as cause of cutaneous ulcers, investigate its presence in asymptomatic individuals and identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in yaws endemic districts of Cameroon. Participants included people presenting yaws-like ulcers and asymptomatic individuals. Swab samples were collected from each participant and tested forHD andTreponema pallidum (TP) using an established qPCR method. Additionally, demographic, habitat, proximity, and hygiene characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. A total of 443 individuals p...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 27, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Philippe Ndzomo Source Type: research
Non-linear associations between meteorological factors, ambient air pollutants and major mosquito-borne diseases in Thailand
ConclusionsThis study found protective and enhancing effects of meteorological and ambient air pollutant factors on mosquito-borne diseases burdens in Thailand. Further studies should employ these factors to understand and predict risk factors associated with mosquito-borne disease transmission. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 27, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Pranav Tewari Source Type: research
Design of the Global Health chemical diversity library v2 for screening against infectious diseases
by Caroline Wilson, J. Mark F. Gardner, David W. Gray, Beatriz Baragana, Paul G. Wyatt, Alex Cookson, Stephen Thompson, Cesar Mendoza-Martinez, Michael J. Bodkin, Ian H. Gilbert, Gary J. Tarver
There is a need for novel chemical matter for phenotypic and target-based screens to find starting points for drug discovery programmes in neglected infectious diseases and non-hormonal contraceptives that disproportionately affect Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). In some disease areas multiple screens of corporate and other libraries have been carried out, giving rise to some valuable starting points and leading to precli...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 27, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Caroline Wilson Source Type: research
