Quantitative PCR as a marker for preemptive therapy and its role in therapeutic control in < i > Trypanosoma cruzi < /i > /HIV coinfection
ConclusionWe recommend qPCR prospective monitoring ofT.cruzi parasitemia in HIV+ coinfected patients and point out the value of pre-emptive therapy for those with high parasitemia. In parallel, early antiretroviral therapy introduction is advisable, aiming at viral load control, immune response restoration, and increasing survival. We also suggest an early antiparasitic treatment for all coinfected patients, followed by effectiveness analysis alongside antiretroviral therapy. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 26, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Vera L úcia Teixeira de Freitas Source Type: research
Benidipine impairs innate immunity converting sublethal to lethal infections in a murine model of spotted fever rickettsiosis
by Andr és F. Londoño, Jennifer M. Farner, Marlon Dillon, Dennis J. Grab, Yuri Kim, Diana G. Scorpio, J. Stephen Dumler
Spotted fever group rickettsiae are tick-borne obligate intracellular bacteria that infect microvascular endothelial cells. Humans and mammalian infection results in endothelial cell barrier dysfunction and increased vascular permeability. We previously demonstrated that treatment ofRickettsia parkeri-infected cells with the calcium channel blocker benidipine significantly delayed vascular barrier permeability. Thus, we hypothesized that benidipine, known to be safe and effective for other clinical pro...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 26, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Andr és F. Londoño Source Type: research
Needs assessment of a pythiosis continuing professional development program
ConclusionThe pythiosis CPD program should emphasize education regarding symptomatology, laboratory investigation, and epidemiology, all of which are critical for the early detection of pythiosis to decrease mortality from this devastating disease. Most respondents felt this program was necessary and should be implemented in a virtual blended format. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 26, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Surachai Leksuwankun Source Type: research
Validation of artificial intelligence-based digital microscopy for automated detection of < i > Schistosoma haematobium < /i > eggs in urine in Gabon
ConclusionOverall, the performance of the Schistoscope was non-inferior to conventional microscopy with a comparable sensitivity, although the specificity varied. The Schistoscope shows promising diagnostic accuracy, particularly for samples with moderate to higher infection intensities as well as for banked sample slides, highlighting the potential for retrospective analysis in resource-limited settings. Trial registrationNCT04505046 ClinicalTrials.gov. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 23, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Brice Meulah Source Type: research
The bloodstream form of < i > Trypanosoma brucei < /i > displays non-canonical gluconeogenesis
by Julie Kov ářová, Martin Moos, Michael P. Barrett, David Horn, Alena ZíkováTrypanosoma brucei is a causative agent of the Human and Animal African Trypanosomiases. The mammalian stage parasites infect various tissues and organs including the bloodstream, central nervous system, skin, adipose tissue and lungs. They rely on ATP produced in glycolysis, consuming large amounts of glucose, which is readily available in the mammalian host. In addition to glucose, glycerol can also be used as a source of carbon and ATP and as a substrate for gluconeogenesis. However, the physiological relevance of glycerol-fed gluconeogene...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 23, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Julie Kov ářová Source Type: research
Vector-borne pathogen surveillance in a metagenomic world
by Koray Ergunay, Brian P. Bourke, Nicole Achee, Le Jiang, John Grieco, Yvonne-Marie Linton (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Koray Ergunay Source Type: research
Correction: Ivermectin and doxycycline treatments against Onchocerciasis: Adaptations and impact among semi-nomadic population in Massangam Health District, Cameroon
by Rogers Nditanchou, Ruth Dixon, Alexandre Chailloux, Kareen Atekem, Benjamin Biholong, Aude Wilhelm, Richard Selby, Joseph Oye, Joseph Kamgno, Daniel Boakye, Elena Schmidt, Laura Senyonjo (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Rogers Nditanchou Source Type: research
Wait and watch: A trachoma surveillance strategy from Amhara region, Ethiopia
by Eshetu Sata, Fikre Seife, Zebene Ayele, Sarah A. Murray, Karana Wickens, Phong Le, Mulat Zerihun, Berhanu Melak, Ambahun Chernet, Kimberly A. Jensen, Demelash Gessese, Taye Zeru, Adisu Abebe Dawed, Hiwot Debebe, Zerihun Tadesse, E. Kelly Callahan, Diana L. Martin, Scott D. Nash
BackgroundTrachoma recrudescence after elimination as a public health problem has been reached is a concern for control programs globally. Programs typically conduct district-level trachoma surveillance surveys (TSS) ≥ 2 years after the elimination threshold is achieved to determine whether the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Eshetu Sata Source Type: research
Identification of trans-genus biomarkers for early diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis and progression of gut pathology in a mouse model using metabolomics
by Peerut Chienwichai, Phornpimon Tipthara, Joel Tarning, Yanin Limpanont, Phiraphol Chusongsang, Yupa Chusongsang, Nuttapohn Kiangkoo, Poom Adisakwattana, Onrapak Reamtong
Schistosomiasis is one of the most devastating human diseases worldwide. The disease is caused by six species ofSchistosoma blood fluke; five of which cause intestinal granulomatous inflammation and bleeding. The current diagnostic method is inaccurate and delayed, hence, biomarker identification using metabolomics has been applied. However, previous studies only investigated infection caused by oneSchistosoma spp., leaving a gap in the use of biomarke...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 21, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Peerut Chienwichai Source Type: research
Parasites and microorganisms associated with the snakes collected for the “ < i > festa Dei serpari < /i > ” in Cocullo, Italy
by Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan, Livia Perles, Ernesto Filippi, Nicole Szafranski, Gianpaolo Montinaro, Mariaelisa Carbonara, Riccardo Scalera, Pedro Paulo de Abreu Teles, Julia Walochnik, Domenico Otranto
While in much of the Western world snakes are feared, in the small, rural, mountainous town of Cocullo, in the middle of central Italy, snakes are annually collected and celebrated in a sacro-profane ritual. Every 1st of May,Serpari (snake catchers) capture and showcase dozens of non-venomous snakes to celebrate the ritual ofSan Domenico. In order to detect potential zoonotic pathogens within this unique epidemiological...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 21, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Jairo Alfonso Mendoza-Roldan Source Type: research
Involving patients in drug development for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): A qualitative study exploring and incorporating preferences of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis into Target Product Profile development
Conclusions/SignificanceNTDs affect disadvantaged populations, often with little access to health systems. Engaging patients in designing adapted therapies could significantly contribute to the suitability of an intervention to a specific context and to compliance, by tailoring the product to the end-users ’ needs. This exploratory study identified preferences in a broad international patient spectrum. It provides methodological guidance on how patients can be meaningfully involved as stakeholders in the construction of a TPP of therapeutics for NTDs. CL is used as an exemplar, but the approach can be adapted for other N...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 21, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Mar ía del Mar Castro Source Type: research
< i > Clonorchis sinensis < /i > on the prognosis of patients with spontaneous rupture of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis
ConclusionsTheC.sinensis infection has an adverse impact on os in srHCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 21, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Hang-Hang Ni Source Type: research
< i > Aedes aegypti < /i > CCEae3A carboxylase expression confers carbamate, organophosphate and limited pyrethroid resistance in a model transgenic mosquito
This study aimed to functionally characterise the carboxylesterase, CCEae3A, the elevated expression of which has been implicated in temephos resistance inAedes aegypti andAedes albopictus larvae. Using our GAL4/UAS expression system, already established in insecticide-sensitiveAnopheles gambiae mosquitoes, we produced transgenicAn.gambiae mosquitoes that express anAe.aegypti CCEae3A ubiquitously. This new transgenic line permits examination of CCEae3A expression in a background in which there is not a clear orthologue in Vectorbase and allows comparison with existingAn.gambiae GAL4-UAS lines. Insecticide resistance profil...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 20, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Beth C. Poulton Source Type: research
Identification of tungiasis infection hotspots with a low-cost, high-throughput method for extracting < i > Tunga penetrans < /i > (Siphonaptera) off-host stages from soil samples –An observational study
ConclusionThe indoor sleeping areas are the transmission hotspots for tungiasis in rural homes in Kenya and Uganda and can be targeted for disease control and prevention measures. The soil extraction methods can be used as a simple tool for monitoring direct impact of such interventions. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 20, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Abneel K. Matharu Source Type: research
Prevalence and changing antimicrobial resistance profiles of < i > Shigella < /i > spp. isolated from diarrheal patients in Kolkata during 2011 –2019
ConclusionThis comprehensive long-term surveillance report highlights the clonal diversity of clinicalShigella strains circulating in Kolkata, India, and shows alarming resistance trends towards recommended antibiotics. The elucidation of this study ’s outcome is helpful not only in identifying emerging antimicrobial resistance patterns ofShigella spp. but also in developing treatment guidelines appropriate for this region. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - February 20, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Puja Bose Source Type: research
