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Ending lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Africa: Reasons for hope
This year's World Neglected Tropic Diseases (NTD) Day (30 January 2024) comes during a moment of renewed momentum to eliminate NTDs. Two of the NTDs targeted for elimination – lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis (River blindness) – are seeing renewed investment, innovation and importantly, support for local implementing partners. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)
Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases - January 25, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tsitsi Masiyiwa, Moses John Bockarie Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Association between arterial stiffness and Loa loa microfilaremia in a rural area of the Republic of Congo: A population-based cross-sectional study (the MorLo project)
ConclusionA potential link between highL.loa microfilaremia and cardiovascular health deterioration is suggested. Further studies are required to confirm and explore this association. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 19, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: J érémy T. Campillo Source Type: research

Treatment and prevention of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas is urgently needed
ConclusionsTo reduce OAE burden, enhanced collaboration between onchocerciasis and mental health programmes at community, national, and international levels is required. Urgent efforts are needed to ensure the uninterrupted provision of free ASMs in onchocerciasis-endemic areas. Furthermore, OAE should be included in the quantification of the onchocerciasis disease burden.Graphical Abstract (Source: Infectious Diseases of Poverty)
Source: Infectious Diseases of Poverty - January 12, 2024 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Cytotaxonomic characterization and estimation of migration patterns of onchocerciasis vectors ( Simulium damnosum sensu lato ) in northwestern Ethiopia based on RADSeq data
Conclusions/SignificanceOur results confirm that Metekel and Metema represent different transmission foci, but also indicate a northward movement of vectors between foci that may have epidemiological importance, although its significance requires further study. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 4, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Shannon M. Hedtke 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

Optimized strategy for real-time qPCR detection of Onchocerca volvulus DNA in pooled Simulium sp . blackfly vectors
Conclusions/SignificanceGiven the improved sensitivity, species-specificity and resistance to PCR inhibitors, we identified OvND5 as the optimal target for field sample detection. All reagents for this assay can be shipped at room temperature with no loss of activity. The qPCR protocol we propose is also simpler, faster, and more cost-effective than the current end-point molecular assays. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 14, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Mary Doherty Source Type: research

Synthesis of findings from the literature and a qualitative research study on the impacts of gender, disability, and ethnicity in Neglected Tropical Diseases programs
DiscussionPrograms to address NTDs can promote equity and improve programming by increasing women ’s participation as CDDs and providing financial compensation. Additionally, programs should prioritize inclusive training for CDDs, and inclusive messaging about MDA for communities. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 4, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Jennifer K. Arney Source Type: research

Genome-based tools for onchocerciasis elimination: utility of the mitochondrial genome for delineating Onchocerca volvulus transmission zones
Int J Parasitol. 2023 Nov 20:S0020-7519(23)00207-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2023.11.002. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTNational programs in Africa have expanded their objectives from control of onchocerciasis (river blindness) as a public health problem to elimination of parasite transmission, motivated by the reduction of Onchocerca volvulus infection prevalence in many African meso- and hyperendemic areas due to mass drug administration of ivermectin (MDAi). Given the large, contiguous hypo-, meso-, and hyperendemic areas, sustainable elimination of onchocerciasis in sub-Saharan Africa requires delineation of geographic bo...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology - November 22, 2023 Category: Parasitology Authors: Katie E Crawford Shannon M Hedtke Stephen R Doyle Annette C Kuesel Samuel Armoo Mike Y Osei-Atweneboana Warwick N Grant Source Type: research