Journal of Tropical Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Helminth Infection, Gut Microbiome Alterations, and Their Impact on Pulmonary Tuberculosis Susceptibility.","authors":"Afiat Berbudi, Silvita Fitri Riswari, Alexander Kwarteng","doi":"10.1155/jotm/3767562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/3767562","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Helminth infections and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) frequently coexist in low- and middle-income countries and interact through immune-mediated mechanisms that influence host susceptibility to <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (<i>Mtb</i>). Beyond direct immunomodulation, increasing evidence indicates that helminth infections alter gut microbiome composition and microbial metabolite production, thereby shaping systemic and pulmonary immune responses through the gut-lung axis. Given the central role of the gut microbiome in regulating T-cell polarization, macrophage function, and inflammatory balance, microbiome-mediated pathways have emerged as a potential link between helminth infection and impaired host defense against pulmonary TB.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This narrative review examines current evidence on how helminth-induced immunological changes and gut microbiome alterations, within the context of the gut-lung axis, may influence susceptibility to pulmonary TB.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A narrative review approach was used to synthesize findings from experimental, observational, and clinical studies addressing helminth infection, gut microbiome dynamics, immune regulation, and TB.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Helminth infections are associated with Th2-skewed immune responses characterized by increased regulatory T-cell activity and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, which may attenuate Th1-mediated immunity essential for <i>Mtb</i> control. Helminths also modulate gut microbiome composition, with effects ranging from increased microbial diversity to dysbiosis, depending on helminth species and host context. These microbiome alterations may influence systemic immunity through microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Importantly, SCFAs exhibit context-dependent effects, potentially supporting immune homeostasis while, under certain conditions, promoting regulatory pathways that may dampen protective antimycobacterial responses.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Current evidence suggests that helminth-associated immune modulation and gut microbiome alterations may influence pulmonary TB susceptibility, although most findings remain associative rather than causal. Further mechanistic and clinical studies are needed to clarify the role of the gut-lung axis in helminth-TB coinfection and to inform integrated disease management strategies in endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3767562"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13126085/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147817074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediatric Rotavirus A Infection Among 337,019 Participants Within Asia: A Pan-Asian Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Ali A Rabaan, Bello E Kizito, Abdulsalam Alawfi, Amer Alshengeti, Amal H Alfaraj, Wadha A Alfouzan, Haya Altawalah, Dalal Meshal Bashah, Alya Aali Almatrafi, Amal Abdulqadir Mujahed, Bandar Alwan Albaradi, Mohammed Garout, Heba A Alsaffar, Mona A Al-Zaher, Noor M Al Sheef, Esraa Z Al-Nass, Leia Kamal Mohammed AlKhathlan, Hayam A Alrasheed, Nawal A AlKaabi, Zainab H Almansour, Huseyin Tombuloglu","doi":"10.1155/jotm/6627946","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/6627946","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Rotavirus A remains a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children under 5 years of age across Asia, despite expanding vaccination programs. This study systematically synthesizes available evidence on rotavirus A detection among pediatric populations in Asian countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting laboratory-confirmed rotavirus A infection among children aged ≤ 5 years in Asia. A total of 111 studies comprising 337,019 tested children were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled proportions of rotavirus A positivity among tested children. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using the <i>I</i> ² statistic.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The pooled proportion of rotavirus A-positive cases among tested children in Asia was 24.7% (95% CI: 22.4%-27.1%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies (<i>I</i> ² = 99.42%, <i>p</i> < 0.001), reflecting wide variation in study populations, diagnostic methods, and healthcare settings. Higher test positivity rates were reported in studies from Saudi Arabia (49.3%), Iran (35.2%), Malaysia (33.0%), and India (29.4%), whereas lower proportions were observed in China (13.0%) and Pakistan (18.8%). Diagnostic modality and study design significantly influenced detection rates, with ELISA-based and cross-sectional studies reporting higher positivity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Approximately one-quarter of children tested for rotavirus A across Asia were laboratory-positive, although estimates varied markedly across settings and thus stress the need for a routine vaccination program.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6627946"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13126254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147817100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimalarial Potency of <i>Tinospora crispa</i> Stem Extract and Artesunate Against <i>Plasmodium berghei</i>: A Study on Combination Therapy.","authors":"Sakaewan Ounjaijean, Voravuth Somsak","doi":"10.1155/jotm/6681227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/6681227","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria continues to be a significant global health burden, with over 249 million cases and 619,000 deaths reported in 2022, primarily affecting tropical and subtropical regions. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> has reduced the efficacy of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), necessitating the exploration of alternative treatment strategies. This study investigates the antimalarial efficacy of <i>Tinospora crispa</i> extract (TCE) and artesunate (ART) against <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> ANKA infection in ICR mice. Both ART and TCE demonstrated dose-dependent antimalarial activity, with effective doses (ED₅₀) of 200.31 mg/kg and 1.96 mg/kg, respectively. The combination of ART and TCE exhibited synergistic effects, achieving significantly higher parasitemia inhibition compared to monotherapy, with combination index (CI) values < 1 at ED₅₀, ED_50/2, and ED_50/4. Furthermore, combination therapy provided enhanced protection against packed cell volume (PCV) reduction and body weight (BW) loss, along with prolonged mean survival time (MST) compared to untreated and single-treatment groups. These findings highlight the potential of combining TCE with ART as a novel antimalarial strategy, offering synergistic benefits that may mitigate drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes. Further studies are warranted to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions and to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6681227"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13108589/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147775220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Formulation and Evaluation of Capsules From <i>Azadirachta indica</i> and <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> for Malaria Treatment.","authors":"Winifred Naa Adoley, Raphael Johnson, Mariam El Boakye-Gyasi, Frederick William Akuffo Owusu, Lawrence Michael Obeng, Antwi Osei-Asibey, Kofi Acheampong Asamoa Mensa, Felix Kwame Zoiku","doi":"10.1155/jotm/8366410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/8366410","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria is a major public health problem, prevalent in Africa and endemic in Ghana. Besides the use of artemisinin combination therapy, plant medicine is well-recognised and accepted in Ghana. Decoctions of <i>Azadirachta indica</i> (AI) leaves and <i>Khaya senegalensis</i> (KS) stem bark are traditionally used for treating malaria. However, these decoctions are bitter, bulky and unstable compared to solid dosage forms. This study sought to formulate decoctions from these plants into capsules to tackle these setbacks. The maximum wavelength of absorption and the amount per dose of both plants' decoctions (120 mL) were determined. Four absorbents (bentonite, magnesium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose and kaolin) at four concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/dose) were used to formulate the decoctions into granules. The granules were assessed to select the best extract-absorbent granules for encapsulation and quality assessment. Antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of the formulated capsules were also determined. AI containing 35 mg/dose of kaolin with a percentage release of 97.31 ± 0.74% and good flow properties was encapsulated. KS containing 50 mg/dose of bentonite with a percentage release of 97.54 ± 0.88% and good flow properties was encapsulated. Formulated capsules from both plants passed all quality control tests performed, with disintegration times of 10.01 ± 0.34 and 4.48 ± 0.23 min, and cumulative drug release of 78.13 ± 0.37% and 95.63 ± 1.00%, for AI and KS, respectively. AI (IC₅₀, 2.74 ± 0.70 μg/mL) and KS (IC₅₀, 24.37 ± 4.19 μg/mL) had good to moderate antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ ≤ 50 μg/mL) using the SYBR green assay. Cytotoxicity studies also indicated that both AI and KS were selective for the <i>Plasmodium</i> parasite. The formulated capsules could therefore be used as an alternative to their bitter decoctions.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8366410"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13094358/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147775166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seroprevalence, Associated Factors, and Molecular Detection of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Infection in Brazilian Gold Miners Working Informally in French Guiana.","authors":"Lucas Almeida Zangirolami, Igor Falco Arruda, Raíssa Cristina Ferreira Ramos, Fernanda da Silva Lopes, Caroline Martins da Costa, Maylis Douine, Amanda Figueira da Silva, Alice Sanna, Muriel Galindo, Yann Lambert, Martha Cecília Suárez-Mutis, Maria Regina Reis Amendoeira","doi":"10.1155/jotm/5932796","DOIUrl":"10.1155/jotm/5932796","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a widely distributed zoonosis with relevance in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> infection in Brazilian miners working informally in French Guiana. To this end, 480 individuals were recruited from resting places in the municipality of Oiapoque, Amapá, Brazil. Whole blood samples on filter paper were analyzed for IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA. Nested PCR of the GRA7 gene was used to detect parasite DNA. Sociodemographic information, characteristics of the mining sites, and lifestyle data were collected using epidemiological questionnaires analyzed using univariate and multivariable models. The results showed that 79.3% of the individuals were IgG seropositive, while 0.8% were IgM seropositive. These were also IgG seropositive. In addition, <i>T. gondii</i> DNA was detected in 2% of the samples analyzed by nPCR, all of which were IgG seropositive and none of which were IgM seropositive. The high seropositivity observed, without association with sociodemographic or occupational variables, suggests that <i>T. gondii</i> exposure may be driven by environmental conditions related to Amazonian mining. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of environmental transmission sources and support targeted public health interventions, including improved water safety, sanitation, surveillance, and health education tailored to mining communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"5932796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13084137/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147723084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prepandemic Risk Factors for Disabling Long COVID: A Prospective Cohort Analysis.","authors":"Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi","doi":"10.1155/jotm/9396282","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/9396282","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Disabling long COVID, characterised by persistent symptoms that limit daily functioning, has emerged as an important public health concern. However, prospective evidence on predisposing risk factors remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study used prospective data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study, linking prepandemic baseline information collected in Wave 10 (2018-19) with follow-up data from Wave 14 (2022-23). The analytic sample comprised 12,033 adults aged ≥ 16 years who participated in both waves and self-reported a positive COVID-19 test at follow-up. The primary outcome, disabling long COVID, was defined as symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks that impaired day-to-day activities. Prepandemic sociodemographic, health and psychosocial factors assessed at baseline were included as predictors. Associations were estimated using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to calculate adjusted relative risks (RRs).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Disabling long COVID was reported by 690 individuals (5.7%). Higher risk was observed among women (RR 1.26; 95% CI 1.08-1.48) and adults aged 30-49 (RR 1.38; 95% CI 1.10-1.73) or 50-69 (RR 1.28; 95% CI 1.01-1.62) years, compared with those aged 16-29 years. Additional risk factors included pre-existing health conditions (RR 1.31; 95% CI 1.10-1.56), poor self-rated health (RR 1.78; 95% CI 1.40-2.25), psychological distress (RR 1.44; 95% CI 1.21-1.72) and poorer sleep quality (fairly bad: RR 1.92; 95% CI 1.45-2.56; very bad: RR 1.96; 95% CI 1.37-2.81), compared with very good sleep quality. Compared with non-White participants, White participants had lower risk (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61-0.92), while moderate (RR 0.76; 95% CI 0.62-0.93) and high (RR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67-0.98) income satisfaction, compared with low-income satisfaction, were protective. Stratified analyses showed that the effects of rural residence (<i>p</i> for interaction = 0.011) and income satisfaction (<i>p</i> = 0.009) differed significantly by sex, with weaker evidence for age (<i>p</i> = 0.095) and self-rated health (<i>p</i> = 0.061).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Prepandemic health, socioeconomic and psychological vulnerabilities were independently associated with disabling long COVID, with distinct sex-specific patterns of risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9396282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13069177/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147674511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping the Insecticide Resistance Landscape of Malaria Vectors in Odisha, India (1993-2024): A Scoping Review.","authors":"Tapan Kumar Barik, Poonam Sharma Velamuri, Kiran Bala Bhuyan, Sadai Sabar, Pruthiraj Mohapatra, Bijayalaxmi Sahu, Manoj Kumar Das, Sanghamitra Pati, Aditya Prasad Dash, Kamaraju Raghavendra","doi":"10.1155/jotm/8879127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/8879127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vector-borne​ diseases (VBDs) are a serious threat to public health, globally. Different genera of mosquitoes, acting as disease vectors, transmit diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue, chikungunya, Zika fever, and others. Malaria in humans is caused by <i>Plasmodium</i> species transmitted by <i>Anopheles</i> mosquitoes. Odisha is one of the malaria-endemic states in the country contributing to about 25% of the total (1.5-2.0 million) reported malaria cases and 30% deaths annually. Chemical insecticides and interventions have been effective in controlling vectors, and their continued usage resulted in widespread insecticide resistance in mosquito disease vectors, limiting their efficacy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Insecticide resistance data in malaria vector species in Odisha were compiled from the published peer-reviewed literature and other validated sources by search using keywords Anopheles, anopheles species, insecticide, susceptibility, mortality, survival, insecticide resistance, Odisha, Orissa, etc. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed to ensure the selection of quality data published between 1993 and 2024. Data from 28 published sources were collated for compilation and adapted for this scoping review. In adult susceptibility tests, mortality rates were categorized as susceptible/resistant to the specific insecticide following the World Health Organization (WHO) criterion: susceptible: > 98% mortality; possible resistance: between 90% and 97% mortality; and confirmed resistance: < 90% mortality. Intensity bioassay data from 10 southern districts were presented for the major vector <i>Anopheles culicifacies</i>.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Odisha with 30 administrative districts has five defined ecotypes, coastal plains, central plateaus, central mountainous and highlands region, and western rolling and main flood plains. <i>An. culicifacies,</i> a major malaria vector, is reportedly prevalent in all 30 districts of Odisha, <i>An. fluviatilis</i> in 24 districts, <i>An. annularis</i> in 22, and <i>An</i>. <i>minimus</i> in two districts. <i>An. culicifacies</i> was the most resistant species to DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) (26 districts), malathion (17), and deltamethrin (10 districts). Limited data were available for other <i>Anopheles</i> species. Analyzed data on the status of resistance to different insecticides in anopheles vector species are provided.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The emergence of multiple insecticide resistance in <i>An</i>. <i>culicifacies</i> signifies the urgency for effective management strategies. Insecticide resistance management requires regular monitoring and implementation of innovative approaches for vector control, emphasizing the need for insecticides with a novel mode of action and integrated vector management methods. Gaps in the data and ways to address them and issues on insecticide resistance management are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8879127"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13051908/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147632718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing a Conventional Multiplex PCR for Simultaneous Detection of Granulomatous Skin Infection Agents: <i>Leishmania aethiopica</i>, <i>Mycobacterium leprae</i>, and <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>.","authors":"Selfu Girma, Mesfin Gemeda, Adugna Woldesemayat, Dawit Alemayehu, Dinksira Deneke, Semira Mekonen, Shimelis Doni, Hanna Beliye, Feleke Tilahun Zewdu, Tsegaye Kumssa, Tizita Kidane, Menberework Chanyalew, Almeseged Abdissa, Markos Alemayehu, Kidist Bobosha, Endalamaw Gadisa","doi":"10.1155/jotm/1456781","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/1456781","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are well-established molecular techniques that can be integrated as standard diagnostic tools, especially in referral settings. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic potential of a multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay for the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), skin tuberculosis, and leprosy.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 62 patients in the study group, comprising 45 with CL, 9 with leprosy, 4 with skin tuberculosis, and 4 with coinfections. Additionally, 112 positive control DNA samples were analyzed, including 37 of <i>M. tuberculosis</i>, 46 of <i>M. leprae</i>, and 29 of <i>L. aethiopica</i>. The study assessed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and detection limits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sensitivity and specificity of the mPCR on positive and negative control samples were 100% (95% CI: 96.8%-100%) and 100% (95% CI: 94.9%-100%), respectively. Its sensitivity and specificity among the study group were 75.8% (95% CI: 63.3%-85.8%) and 100% (95% CI: 94.9%-100.0%), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>With further validation on more clinical suspects, mPCR has the potential to facilitate diagnosis in settings with coendemic CL, leprosy, and skin tuberculosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1456781"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12976814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147444099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnitude and Associated Factors of Podoconiosis and its Comorbidity With Tungiasis Among Residents in Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Yared Nigusu, Sisay Teferi, Eshetu Chilo, Teshome Bekana, Kassahun Demelash Alemu, Samuel Ejeta Chibsa, Geleta Nenko Dube, Dereje Oljira Donacho","doi":"10.1155/jotm/6163215","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/6163215","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nonfilarial elephantiasis, also known as podoconiosis, is a completely preventable, neglected tropical disease characterized by prominent swelling of the lower extremities. The disease is common in sub-Saharan Africa. However, its epidemiology varies from region to region. Its comorbidity with other diseases is also rarely studied in Ethiopia. A better understanding of podoconiosis and its comorbidity with tungiasis is crucial for the utmost consideration of the management and prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The study aimed to assess the magnitude and associated factors of podoconiosis and its comorbidity with tungiasis among residents of southwest Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in selected districts of southwest Ethiopia from February to May 2023. After appropriate data collection and processing, the descriptive statistics were computed to determine the magnitude of podoconiosis and its comorbidity with tungiasis. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was computed to identify the factors associated with podoconiosis in the frame of Hosmer-Lemeshow's goodness of fit.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>A total of 554 study participants were enrolled in the study. Podoconiosis was identified among 34 study participants, with a magnitude of 6.14% (95% CI: 4.21, 8.4%). Of the total podoconiosis-affected study participants, about 11.8% (<i>n</i> = 4) were simultaneously infected with tungiasis. The disease was found to be associated with occupation, time not wearing shoes, usage of soap for leg/foot washing, and family history of leg swelling in the study participants.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study indicates a significant prevalence of podoconiosis and a notable comorbidity with tungiasis. The findings of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions on improved footwear practices and hygiene education in the study area. Moreover, potential genetic screening of the population in podoconiosis endemic areas can contribute to the early prevention of the disease, thus reducing its burden and alleviating the torment of the population.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6163215"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12968319/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147433873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the Antimalarial Potential of Leaf Extracts of <i>Mussaenda erythrophylla</i> Schum. & Thonn. and <i>Mussaenda philippica Dona Luz</i> x <i>M. flava</i> in Mice.","authors":"Prapaporn Chaniad, Arisara Phuwajaroanpong, Walaiporn Plirat, Atthaphon Konyanee, Parnpen Viriyavejakul, Abdi Wira Septama, Chuchard Punsawad","doi":"10.1155/jotm/4178099","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/jotm/4178099","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Malaria remains a major global public health concern, particularly in tropical regions. The increasing resistance to the current antimalarial drugs highlights the urgent need for new and effective therapies. Medicinal plants offer a promising source of novel and affordable antimalarial compounds for drug development. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial potential and acute oral toxicity of ethanolic leaf extract of <i>Mussaenda erythrophylla</i> Schum. & Thonn. (<i>M. erythrophylla</i> or Dona Trining) and <i>Mussaenda philippica Dona Luz</i> x <i>M. flava</i> (<i>M. philippica</i> or Dona Marmalade). Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were treated with crude extracts at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight, and the antimalarial activity was assessed using a 4-day suppressive test against <i>Plasmodium berghei</i> ANKA strain. The ethanolic leaf extract of <i>M. erythrophylla</i> exhibited a parasite suppression of 12.31%, 39.59%, and 59.76% at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, <i>M. philippica</i> leaf extract suppressed parasitemia by 36.18%, 36.40%, and 71.02% at the corresponding doses. All extract concentrations, except for the 200 mg/kg dose of <i>M. erythrophylla</i>, exhibited higher effects compared to the negative controls (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At a dose of 2000 mg/kg, acute oral toxicity testing revealed no changes in ALT, ALP, BUN, or creatinine levels compared to controls, although AST levels were elevated. This increase was considered a possible mild adaptive response rather than a sign of overt toxicity. No alterations were observed in the physical activity or behavior of the mice, including piloerection, lacrimation, feeding activity, abnormal secretions, sleep patterns, or unusual excitement. Additionally, neither crude extract induced histological alterations in liver or kidney tissues. In conclusion, ethanolic leaf extracts of <i>M. erythrophylla</i> and <i>M. philippica</i> demonstrated promising antimalarial activity and were deemed safe at the tested doses, demonstrating safety up to 2000 mg/kg with only mild AST elevation and no observable histopathological damage. Extending the previous in vitro results of potent antimalarial activity and low cytotoxicity, our in vivo findings strongly support the efficacy and safety of these extracts. Further research is recommended to isolate and identify the active compounds responsible for the observed effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":17527,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"2026 ","pages":"4178099"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12930100/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147307354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}