Climate-driven models of leptospirosis dynamics in tropical islands from three oceanic basins
Conclusions/SignificanceClimate appears as a strong determinant of leptospirosis seasonality in tropical islands regardless of the diversity of the considered environments and the different lifestyles across the islands. However, predictive and expandable abilities from climate indicators weaken when estimating inter-annual outbreaks and emphasize the importance of these local characteristics in the occurrence of outbreaks. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 25, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: L éa Douchet Source Type: research
Unravelling < i > Chlamydia trachomatis < /i > diversity in Amhara, Ethiopia: MLVA- < i > ompA < /i > sequencing as a molecular typing tool for trachoma
by Anna J. Harte, Ehsan Ghasemian, Harry Pickering, Joanna Houghton, Ambahun Chernet, Eshetu Sata, Gizachew Yismaw, Taye Zeru, Zerihun Tadesse, E. Kelly Callahan, Scott D. Nash, Martin Holland
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide and is now largely confined to around 40 low- and middle-income countries. It is caused byChlamydia trachomatis (Ct), a contagious intracellular bacterium. The World Health Organization recommends mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin for treatment and control of ocular Ct infections, alongside improving facial cleanliness and environmental conditions to redu...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 25, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Anna J. Harte Source Type: research
Sampling is decisive to determination of < i > Leishmania (Viannia) < /i > species
ConclusionsThe type of clinical sample can directly influence the detection and identification ofLeishmania (Viannia) species. Here, we demonstrated that lancet scraping samples consistently allowed the identification of more leishmaniasis cases compared to filter paper imprints or biopsies. This procedure is inexpensive, painless, and easy to implement at the point of care and avoids the need for anesthesia, surgery, and hospitalization and therefore could be used in resource limited settings for both military and civilian populations. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 25, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Maxy B. De los Santos Source Type: research
Spatio-temporal distribution of hospitalizations for chronic Chagas disease and risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality and surgical intervention in Chile
by Nicolhole Atero, Marisa Torres, Ang élica Domínguez, Benjamín Diethelm-Varela, Francisca Córdova-Bührle, Fernando O. Mardones
Chagas disease (CD) is a neglected parasitic zoonotic disease that affects over 6 million people worldwide. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the spatiotemporal trends and risk factors for hospitalization rates of CD with cardiac and digestive diagnoses in Chile. We used the Mann-Kendall analysis for temporal trends, Global Moran ’s Index, and Local Indicators of Spatial Association to identify spatial autocorrelation, and regression models to determine the risk factors associ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 25, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Nicolhole Atero Source Type: research
A point-of-care testing assay for clonorchiasis using a EuNPs-CsTR1 fluorescent probe-based immunoassay
In this study, Eu-(III) nanoparticles (EuNPs) were used as indicative probes, combined withC.sinensis tandem repeat sequence 1 (CSTR1) antigen to capture specific antibodies. Afterward, the complex binds to mouse anti-human IgG immobilized on the test line (T-line) producing a fluorescent signal under UV light. The EuNPs-fluorescent immunoassay (EuNPs-FIA) was successfully constructed, allowing sample detection within 10 min. It enabled both qualitative determination with the naked eye under UV light and quantitative detection by scanning the fluorescence intensity on the test line and control line (C-line). A total of 133...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 24, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Xiaoxiao Ma Source Type: research
Development of a non-infectious control for viral hemorrhagic fever PCR assays
by Matthew A. Knox, Collette Bromhead, David TS Hayman
Assay validation is an essential component of disease surveillance testing, but can be problematic in settings where access to positive control material is limited and a safety risk for handlers. Here we describe a single non-infectious synthetic control that can help develop and validate the PCR based detection of the viral causes of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease, Lassa fever, Marburg virus disease and Rift Valley fever. We designed non-infectious synthetic DNA oligonucleotide sequences incorporating primer binding sites suitable for five assay...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Matthew A. Knox Source Type: research
Live-attenuated CHIKV vaccine with rearranged genome replicates < i > in vitro < /i > and induces immune response in mice
by Irina Tretyakova, Joongho Joh, Mary Gearon, Jennifer Kraenzle, Sidney Goedeker, Ava Pignataro, Brian Alejandro, Igor S. Lukashevich, Donghoon Chung, Peter Pushko
Chikungunya fever virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that causes wide-spread human infections and epidemics in Asia, Africa and recently, in the Americas. CHIKV is considered a priority pathogen by CEPI and WHO. Despite recent approval of a live-attenuated CHIKV vaccine, development of additional vaccines is warranted due to the worldwide outbreaks of CHIKV. Previously, we developed immunization DNA (iDNA) plasmid capable of launching live-attenuated...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 22, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Irina Tretyakova Source Type: research
< i > Leishmania < /i > blood parasite dynamics during and after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Eastern Africa: A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model
ConclusionThis semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model adequately captured the blood parasite dynamics during and after treatment, and revealed that high blood parasite loads on Day 28 and Day 56 after start of treatment are an early indication for VL relapse, which could be a useful biomarker to assess treatment efficacy of a treatment regimen in a clinical trial setting. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 19, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Luka Verrest Source Type: research
Bayesian modeling of post-vaccination serological data suggests that yearly vaccination of dog aged < 2 years old is efficient to stop rabies circulation in Cambodia
The objective of this study was to assess the short and long-term vaccination-induced immunity in Cambodian dogs under field conditions, and to propose optimized vaccination strategies. A cohort of 351 dogs was followed at regular time points following primary vaccination only (PV) or PV plus single booster (BV). Fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) was implemented to determine the neutralizing antibody titer against rabies and an individual titer ≥0·5 IU/mL indicated protection. Bayesian modeling was used to evaluate the individual duration of protection against rabies and the efficacy of two differen...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 18, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Heidi Auerswald Source Type: research
Design, development, and validation of multi-epitope proteins for serological diagnosis of Zika virus infections and discrimination from dengue virus seropositivity
by Samille Henriques Pereira, Mateus S á Magalhães Serafim, Thaís de Fátima Silva Moraes, Nathalia Zini, Jônatas Santos Abrahão, Maurício Lacerda Nogueira, Jordana Grazziela Alves Coelho dos Reis, Flávia Fonseca Bagno, Flávio Guimarães da Fonseca
Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus from theFlaviviridae family, is the causative agent of Zika fever, a mild and frequent oligosymptomatic disease in humans. Nonetheless, on rare occasions, ZIKV infection can be associated with Guillain-Barr é Syndrome (GBS), and severe congenital complications, such as microcephaly. The oligosymptomatic disease, however, presents symptom...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 18, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Samille Henriques Pereira Source Type: research
Impact of conflict on the elimination targets of lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in Cabo Delgado province, Mozambique
ConclusionMost of the districts of Cabo Delgado were considered to be at risk of not meeting the neglected tropical diseases road map 2021 –2030 targets due to the humanitarian crisis ongoing. There is the need for practical strategies and funding to overcome these hostile challenges. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 18, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Xavier Badia-Rius Source Type: research
Perceived needs of disease vector control programs: A review and synthesis of (sub)national assessments from South Asia and the Middle East
by Henk van den Berg, Kabirul Bashar, Rajib Chowdhury, Rajendra M. Bhatt, Hardev Prasad Gupta, Ashwani Kumar, Shanmugavelu Sabesan, Ananganallur N. Shriram, Hari Kishan Raju Konuganti, Akhouri T. S. Sinha, Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat, Ahmadali Enayati, Hameeda Mohammed Hassan, Aishath Shaheen Najmee, Sana Saleem, Surendra Uranw, Pahalagedera H. D. Kusumawathie, Devika Perera, Mohammed A. Esmail, Lauren B. Carrington, Samira M. Al-Eryani, Roop Kumari, Bhupender N. Nagpal, Sabera Sultana, Raman Velayudhan, Rajpal S. Yadav
Systems for disease vector control should be effective, efficient, and flexible to be able to tackle contem...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 17, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Henk van den Berg Source Type: research
Global seroprevalence of Zika virus in asymptomatic individuals: A systematic review
Conclusions/SignificanceThe study highlights the high heterogeneity and gaps in the distribution of seroprevalence. The implementation of standardized protocols and the development of tests with high specificity are essential for ensuring a valid comparison between studies. Equally crucial are vector surveillance and control methods to reduce the risk of emerging and re-emerging ZIKV outbreaks, whether caused byAe.aegypti orAe.albopictus or by the Asian or African ZIKV. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 17, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Paola Mariela Saba Villarroel Source Type: research
Dengue vector control in high-income, city settings: A scoping review of approaches and methods
ConclusionsAs most studies reported reductions in vector densities, rather than any effects on human DENV incidence or prevalence, we can draw no clear conclusions on which interventions might be most effective in reducing dengue in high-income, city areas. More research is needed linking evidence on the effects of different DENV vector control methods with dengue incidence/prevalence or mosquito vector densities in high-income, city settings as this is likely to differ from low-income settings. This is a significant evidence gap as climate changes increase the global reach of DENV. The importance of community involvement ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 17, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Anna Durrance-Bagale Source Type: research
Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) for real-time automatic quantification of filariasis in mobile microscopy
by Lin Lin, Elena Dacal, Nuria D íez, Claudia Carmona, Alexandra Martin Ramirez, Lourdes Barón Argos, David Bermejo-Peláez, Carla Caballero, Daniel Cuadrado, Oscar Darias-Plasencia, Jaime García-Villena, Alexander Bakarjiev, Maria Postigo, Ethan Recalde-Jaramillo, Maria Flores-Chavez, Andrés Santos, María Jesús Ledesma-Carba yo, José M. Rubio, Miguel Luengo-Oroz
Filariasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by roundworms, is a significant public health concern in many tropical countries. Microscopic examination of blood samples can detect and differentiate parasite species, but it is time consuming and requires ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 17, 2024 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Lin Lin Source Type: research
