Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Faith T. T. Hungwe, Katherine M. Laycock, Tlhalefo D. Ntereke, Rorisang Mabaka, Giacomo M. Paganotti
Summary: Arboviruses pose an existing and expanding threat globally, with potential devastating impacts on health and socioeconomic conditions. A One Health approach that integrates vector surveillance, rapid disease detection, and innovative prevention and control measures is essential for mitigating this threat. In Southern Africa, limited data and knowledge on arboviral epidemiology, vectors, and hosts hinder an effective response. Further research is needed to fill in the gaps in understanding arboviral distribution, transmission dynamics, and public health impact in the region.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tamsin Phillips, Yolanda Gomba, Landon Myer
Summary: In this study, researchers found that TFV levels in urine were more consistent with viral load than self-reported adherence, making it a better predictor of viremia on two out of three self-report measures. When used in combination with viral load, the point-of-care urine TFV lateral flow assay could identify patients with viremia in the presence of antiretroviral therapy.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yulan Shi, Zhoupeng Wu
Summary: Hydroxyurea is a commonly used medication for blood system diseases, but ulcers in the lower limbs caused by this medication are rare and often overlooked. We reported a case of an elderly patient who developed lower limb ulcers due to hydroxyurea treatment for primary thrombocytosis, highlighting the importance of closely observing skin lesions and promptly managing any skin disruptions to prevent ulcers.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ahmet Ozkeklikci
Summary: Cases of genitourinary myiasis caused by larvae of flies in humans are occasionally reported. However, in this study, 11 patients who claimed to have worms in their urine and brought these worms to the laboratory were found not to actually have myiasis. The larvae were identified as belonging to the subfamily Psychodinae. This study aims to highlight the pitfalls in diagnosing genitourinary myiasis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abeba Gebretsadik Reda, Tiffany Huwe, Cristian Koepfli, Ashenafi Assefa, Sofonias Kifle Tessema, Alebachew Messele, Lemu Golassa, Hassen Mamo
Summary: The high level of parasite genetic diversity and moderate population structure in this study suggests frequent gene flow of parasites among sites.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Yangmu Huang, Yang Yang, Guangqi Liu, Ming Xu, Dan Hu
Summary: This study aimed to review clinical research on artemisinin and its derivatives except anti-malaria and explore possible priority areas for future development. The results showed that artemisinin and its derivatives may have therapeutic effects on parasites, tumors, inflammation, and skin diseases. However, the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies for non-malarial parasitic diseases is still controversial. More phase II/III clinical trials on the antiviral effects of artemisinin and its derivatives are needed in the future.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yuchen Shen, Sipin Hu, Shuhua Bao, Mengyun Tu
Summary: This study investigated the clinical characteristics of snakebite patients in a tertiary hospital in Hangzhou, China. The results showed that Hangzhou is a region with a high incidence of snakebites, mostly occurring in rural areas. Gloydius brevicaudus was the most common venomous snake species, and hands were the most vulnerable site to snakebites. Patients commonly presented with symptoms such as pain and swelling, and most received antivenom treatment without any deaths occurring.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Krishna Divyashree, Ashok Kumar Pannu, Atul Saroch, Archana Angrup, Navneet Sharma
Summary: Recent data revealed the changing epidemiology of primary pyomyositis worldwide. A retrospective study conducted at PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh, India between 2013 and 2021 investigated the clinical and microbiological spectrum of primary pyomyositis. The study found that diabetes mellitus and immunosuppressive therapy were the main predisposing conditions, and the common symptoms included fever, muscle pain, local swelling, and breathlessness. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant causative pathogen, with approximately 50% being methicillin-resistant strains. Nearly two-thirds of the patients presented with metastatic infection, often accompanied by septic lung emboli. The in-hospital mortality rate was around 10% and was strongly associated with a high international normalized ratio.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hachumlo M. Kithan, Vernika Tyagi, Nupur Singh, Bhanu Kiran Bhakhri, Dharmendra Kumar Singh
Summary: Enteric fever remains a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries. The paradigm shift in antimicrobial sensitivity pattern should be considered, with the possibility of introducing older antibiotics.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zeinab Pourhashem, Leila Nourani, Jafar J. Sani, Hemn Yousefi, Sakineh Pirahmadi, Mobina Sabouri, Abbasali Raz, Navid Dinparast Djadid, Sedigheh Zakeri, Akram Abouie Mehrizi
Summary: This study evaluated a new synthetic fusion antigen, cd-HAP, as a transmission-blocking vaccine candidate for malaria. The results showed that cd-HAP antigen formulated with CMQ adjuvants induced strong immune responses, reducing oocyst intensity and infection prevalence, and held significant implications for future malaria vaccine development.
Article
Parasitology
Marlhand Hemilembolo, Jeremy Campillo, Ange Clauvel Niama, Sebastien Pion, Francois Missamou, Michel Boussinesq, Richard Bileckot, Cedric Chesnais
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of loiasis in the Lekoumou Department of the Republic of Congo, and found that the infection rates remained generally stable over the past few decades.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ceilan Apaza, Washington Cuna, Froilan Branez, Roberto Passera, Celeste Rodriguez
Summary: The study revealed that children in the rural regions of Bolivia, particularly in the highlands, are more susceptible to gastrointestinal parasite infections and anemia. Parasitic infections such as Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia are more prevalent in the highlands, while the risk of wasting is lower. Efforts to control parasites and improve nutrition will greatly enhance the health of children in the highlands.
JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tooran Nayeri, Mahmood Moosazadeh, Abdolhossein Dalimi Asl, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Shahabeddin Sarvi, Ahmad Daryani
Summary: The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in ABO blood groups and found no significant relationship between the prevalence of T. gondii infection and ABO blood groups.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Susan F. Wilson, Jessica Alway, Emily Hotchkiss, Carolyne Aluku, Debra Matityahu, Hillary Mabeya, Alison M. El Ayadi
Summary: The reproductive desire of women following genital fistula repair surgery is complex and often overlooked. A study conducted in Kenya found that many women recovering from this surgery do not desire pregnancy but are sexually active without using contraception.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shahira Abdelaziz Ali Ahmed, Annalisa Quattrocchi, Panagiotis Karanis
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) and found it to be a significant complication. The overall prevalence was 15% in OTRs, with higher rates in developed countries, symptomatic individuals, and adults.
PATHOGENS AND GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dawit Hawaria, Solomon Kibret, Daibin Zhong, Ming-Chieh Lee, Kidane Lelisa, Belayneh Bekele, Muntasha Birhanu, Mathe Mengesha, Hiwot Solomon, Delenesaw Yewhalaw, Guiyun Yan
Summary: This study confirmed the invasion of An. stephensi in southern Ethiopia by identifying larvae and adult mosquitoes in the area. The presence of both stages of this mosquito species raises concerns about its potential impact on local malaria transmission and the need for further investigation on its ecology, behavior, and role in disease transmission.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hallie Dau, Chuanlin Zhou, Esther Nankya, Priscilla Naguti, Miriam Basemera, Beth A. Payne, Marianne Vidler, Joel Singer, Avery Mcnair, Maryam Abomoslim, Nadia Mithani, Laurie Smith, Jackson Orem, Carolyn Nakisige, Gina Ogilvie
Summary: This study examines how the distance to cervical cancer treatment locations affects women in Uganda. The findings highlight the significant burden women face when traveling for treatment and the need to explore ways to reduce this burden.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Shuying Wang, Donghui Jiang, Feifei Huang, Yayun Qian, Meitao Qi, Huihui Li, Xiaoli Wang, Zhi Wang, Kaigui Wang, Yin Wang, Pengfei Du, Bin Zhan, Rui Zhou, Liang Chu, Xiaodi Yang
Summary: EgCF demonstrates therapeutic effects on sepsis by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production and inducing regulatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effect of EgCF is possibly achieved through macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to regulatory M2 phenotype to reduce excessive inflammation and subsequent multi-organ damage of sepsis. The role of EgCF in regulating macrophage polarization may be carried out by inhibiting the TLR2/MyD88 signaling pathway.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Tropical Medicine
Katherine-Sofia Candray-Medina, Yu Nakagama, Masamichi Ito, Shun Nakagama, Evariste Tshibangu-Kabamba, Norihiko Takeda, Yuki Sugiura, Yuko Nitahara, Yu Michimuko-Nagahara, Natsuko Kaku, Yoko Onizuka, Carmen-Elena Arias, Maricela Mejia, Karla Alas, Susana Pena, Yasuhiro Maejima, Issei Komuro, Junko Nakajima-Shimada, Yasutoshi Kido
Summary: The upregulation of oxidative stress-related and hypertrophic pathways is a universal hallmark of cardiomyocyte response to T. cruzi infection. The upregulation of nitrogen metabolism and imbalance of glutathione metabolism may be implicated in the unique pathophysiology of Chagas cardiomyopathy.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
David Alonso, Xavier Valles
Summary: The study used data from Madagascar to explore the impact of commercial and transactional sex on HIV transmission using a compartmental dynamic model. The model predicts an "S"-shaped prevalence curve with turning points between 2020-2022, and estimates HIV prevalence reaching stabilization between 9% to 24% in 10 out of 11 cities by 2033, similar to high-prevalence regions in Southern Africa.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2023)
