Absence of Serological Evidence of Exposure to Treponema pallidum among Children Suggests Yaws Is No Longer Endemic in Kiribati.
This study tested antibody responses to Treponema pallidum to determine if transmission of yaws is taking place among children in Kiribati. Using a commercially available T. pallidum particle agglutination kit (Serodia®, MAST Diagnostics), we tested dried blood spots, collected during population-based trachoma prevalence surveys on Tarawa Atoll and Kiritimati Island, for long-lived treponemal antibodies. Dried blood spots from 1,420 children aged 1-9 years were tested. Only two were positive, suggesting T. pallidum is not being widely transmitted among children in the settings sampled. These data require support from addi...
Source: Am J Trop Med Hyg - February 4, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Handley BL, Butcher R, Taoaba R, Roberts CH, Cama A, Müller A, Solomon AW, Tekeraoi R, Marks M Tags: Am J Trop Med Hyg Source Type: research
Topical treatment with gallium maltolate reduces < i > Treponema pallidum < /i > subsp. < i > pertenue < /i > burden in primary experimental lesions in a rabbit model of yaws
ConclusionEarly administration of GaM to yaws lesions could reduce the infectivity of the lesions and thus yaws transmission, potentially contributing to current and future yaws control campaigns. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - January 2, 2019 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Lorenzo Giacani Source Type: research
Prioritizing surveillance activities for certification of yaws eradication based on a review and model of historical case reporting
DiscussionCountries with a history of yaws need to be prioritized so that international resources for global yaws eradication may be deployed efficiently. Heretofore, the focus has been on mass treatment in countries currently reporting cases. It is also important to undertake surveillance in the 86 previously endemic countries for which the current status is unknown. Within this large and diverse group, we have identified a group of 20 countries with more than a 50% probability of reporting cases in the absence of active surveillance. For the other 66 countries, international support for active surveillance will likely be...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - December 4, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Christopher Fitzpatrick Source Type: research
Spatial-temporal clustering analysis of yaws on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea to enhance planning and implementation of eradication programs
by Eric Q. Mooring, Oriol Mitj à, Megan B. Murray
BackgroundIn the global program for the eradication of yaws, assessments of the prevalence of the disease are used to decide where to initiate mass treatment. However, the smallest administrative unit that should be used as the basis for making decisions is not clear. We investigated spatial and temporal clustering of yaws to help inform the choice of implementation unit. Methodology/Principal findingsWe analyzed 11 years of passive surveillance data on incident yaws cases (n = 1448) from Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea. After adjusting for age, sex, and trends in health-se...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - October 29, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Eric Q. Mooring Source Type: research
Simple leg ulcers: difficult diagnosis.
Abstract
Chronic leg ulcers in children in tropical developing countries are common. They are difficult to diagnose clinically and to manage. Our case illustrates that even in areas where yaws is endemic and point of care testing is available, the diagnosis remains difficult.
PMID: 30322350 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Tropical Doctor)
Source: Tropical Doctor - October 15, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: David F, Mary Jacqueline G Tags: Trop Doct Source Type: research
Complete genome sequences of two strains of < i > Treponema pallidum < /i > subsp. < i > pertenue < /i > from Indonesia: Modular structure of several treponemal genes
Conclusions/significanceComparisons of genome sequences of TPE Kampung Dalan K363 and Sei Geringging K403 with other TPE strains revealed a modular structure of several genomic loci including the TP0136, TP0856, and TP0858 genes. Diversification of TPE genomes appears to be facilitated by intra-strain genome recombination events. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - October 10, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Michal Strouhal Source Type: research
Integrated approach in the control and management of skin neglected tropical diseases in Lalo, Benin
ConclusionThe integrated approach of skin NTD allows optimal use of resources and surveillance of these diseases. Sustaining this skin NTD integrated control will require the training of peripheral health workers not only on skin NTD but also on basic dermatology. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - June 25, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Yves Thierry Barogui Source Type: research
Historic < i > Treponema pallidum < /i > genomes from Colonial Mexico retrieved from archaeological remains
by Verena J. Schuenemann, Aditya Kumar Lankapalli, Rodrigo Barquera, Elizabeth A. Nelson, Diana Ira íz Hernández, Víctor Acuña Alonzo, Kirsten I. Bos, Lourdes Márquez Morfín, Alexander Herbig, Johannes KrauseTreponema pallidum infections occur worldwide causing, among other diseases, syphilis and yaws. In particular sexually transmitted syphilis is regarded as a re-emerging infectious disease with millions of new infections annually. Here we present three historicT.pallidum genomes (two fromT.pallidum ssp.pallidum and one fromT.pallidum ssp.pertenue) that have been reconstructed from skeletons recovered from the Conv...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - June 21, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Verena J. Schuenemann Source Type: research
Skin disease prevalence study in schoolchildren in rural C ôte d'Ivoire: Implications for integration of neglected skin diseases (skin NTDs)
ConclusionWe carried out the first large-scale integrated, two-phase pediatric multi-skin NTD survey in rural C ôte d’Ivoire, effectively reaching a large population. We found a high prevalence of skin diseases in children, but only limited number of skin NTDs. With the lessons learned, we plan to expand the project to a wider area to further explore its potential to better integrate skin NTD screening in the public health agenda. (Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases)
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - May 17, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Rie Roselyne Yotsu Source Type: research
Re-emergence of yaws after single mass azithromycin treatment followed by targeted treatment: a longitudinal study
Publication date: 21–27 April 2018 Source:The Lancet, Volume 391, Issue 10130 Author(s): Oriol Mitjà, Charmie Godornes, Wendy Houinei, August Kapa, Raymond Paru, Haina Abel, Camila González-Beiras, Sibauk V Bieb, James Wangi, Alyssa E Barry, Sergi Sanz, Quique Bassat, Sheila A Lukehart Background Yaws is a substantial cause of chronic disfiguring ulcers in children in at least 14 countries in the tropics. WHO's newly adopted strategy for yaws eradication uses a single round of mass azithromycin treatment followed by targeted treatment programmes, and data from pilot studies have shown a short-term signif...
Source: The Lancet - April 20, 2018 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research
Macrolide resistance in yaws
Publication date: 21–27 April 2018 Source:The Lancet, Volume 391, Issue 10130 Author(s): David Šmajs, Petra Pospíšilová (Source: The Lancet)
Source: The Lancet - April 20, 2018 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research
Point-of-care tests for syphilis and yaws in a low-income setting – A qualitative study of healthcare worker and patient experiences
by Michael Marks, Tommy Esau, Rowena Asugeni, Relmah Harrington, Jason Diau, Hilary Toloka, James Asugeni, Eimhin Ansbro, Anthony W. Solomon, David Maclaren, Michelle Redman-Maclaren, David C. W. Mabey
IntroductionThe human treponematoses comprise venereal syphilis and the three non-venereal or endemic treponematoses yaws, bejel, and pinta. Serological assays remain the most common diagnostic method for all treponemal infections.Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for syphilis and yaws allow testing without further development of infrastructure in populations where routine laboratory facilities are not available. Alongside the tes...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 19, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Michael Marks Source Type: research
Yaws Eradication Requires Improved Approach
More than 1 round of mass administration of azithromycin may be needed to eradicate yaws, an infectious disease caused by the bacteriumTreponema pallidum subspeciespertenue, according to areport published in theLancet. (Source: JAMA)
Source: JAMA - April 17, 2018 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research
Gene target selection for loop-mediated isothermal amplification for rapid discrimination of < i > Treponema pallidum < /i > subspecies
by Sascha Knauf, Simone L üert, David Šmajs, Michal Strouhal, Idrissa S. Chuma, Sieghard Frischmann, Mohammed Bakheit
We show proof of concept for gene targets (polA,tprL, and TP_0619) that can be used in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to rapidly differentiate infection with any of the threeTreponema pallidum subspecies (pallidum (TPA),pertenue (TPE), andendemicum (TEN)) and which are known to infect humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). FourTPA, six human, and two NHPTPE strains, as well as two humanTEN strains were used to establish and validate the LAMP assays. All three LAMP assays were highly s...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - April 12, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Sascha Knauf Source Type: research
Genetics of human and animal uncultivable treponemal pathogens.
Abstract
Treponema pallidum is an uncultivable bacterium and the causative agent of syphilis (subsp. pallidum [TPA]), human yaws (subsp. pertenue [TPE]), and bejel (subsp. endemicum). Several species of nonhuman primates in Africa are infected by treponemes genetically undistinguishable from known human TPE strains. Besides Treponema pallidum, the equally uncultivable Treponema carateum causes pinta in humans. In lagomorphs, Treponema paraluisleporidarum ecovar Cuniculus and ecovar Lepus are the causative agents of rabbit and hare syphilis, respectively. All uncultivable pathogenic treponemes harbor a rela...
Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - March 22, 2018 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Šmajs D, Strouhal M, Knauf S Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research
