PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Oral Chagas disease outbreak by bacaba juice ingestion: A century after Carlos Chagas’ discovery, the disease is still hard to manage","authors":"Eudes Alves Simões-Neto, Daniel Wagner de Castro Lima Santos, Maria Rosa Quaresma Bomfim, Jackson Maurício Lopes Costa, Amanda Ferreira Simões, Lucas Dias Vasconcelos, Domingos Carvalho Sodré, Ana Cleide Mineu Costa, Samuel Vieira Rodrigues Dumont, Bruna de Oliveira de Melo, Conceição de Maria Pedrozo e Silva de Azevedo","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012225","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012225","url":null,"abstract":"Background Orally transmitted acute Chagas disease (ACD) primarily affects low-visibility and low-income individuals in tropical and subtropical zones. Managing ACD remains challenging even after more than 100 years of its discovery. Its spread to non-endemic areas has made it a global health issue. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the difficulties encountered in handling a real-life situation. Methodology and findings This report examines an outbreak of 39 cases of ACD due to oral transmission by bacaba juice ingestion that occurred in Pedro do Rosário, Maranhão, Brazil. A clinical and epidemiological investigation, including an entomological search, was conducted. Diagnosis criteria included positive peripheral blood smear (PBS), seroconversion of IgG, and a two-fold increase in IgG titer (laboratory criteria); and clinical findings, epidemiological exposure, and at least one positive IgG test (clinical-epidemiological criteria). In-house conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on 33 samples. All patients were treated with benznidazole. After 4.5 years, IgG levels were reassessed in 26 individuals. The mean age was 33.6 years, with no gender difference. The mean incubation period was 13.8 days, and the mean between symptom onset and treatment was 16.6 days. The most common symptoms were fever and lymphadenopathy (90%). Diagnostic success rates were 66.6% (laboratory criteria), 23% (clinical-epidemiological criteria), and 10.2% (high clinical suspicion despite negative tests). Test positivity rates were 69.7% (PBS), 91.4% (serology), and 100% (PCR). There were no deaths. Serological cure was achieved in 34.6% of cases, and IgG titers decreased in 15.3%. Conclusions and significance We encountered several barriers in managing ACD, including population vulnerability, reliance on outdated diagnostic techniques, lack of standardized molecular biology methods, and limited therapeutic options. This report underscores the importance of rapid surveillance and early treatment to prevent fatalities. We recommend the standardization of conventional PCR in diagnostic routines.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of plasma biomarkers of Schistosoma haematobium infection in endemic populations from Burkina Faso","authors":"Mireille Ouedraogo, Jana Christina Hey, Stan Hilt, Veronica Rodriguez Fernandez, Doris Winter, Ravo Razafindrakoto, Pytsje T. Hoekstra, Youssouf Kabore, Marco Fornili, Laura Baglietto, Issa Nebie, Govert J. van Dam, Paul L. A. M. Corstjens, Daniela Fusco, David Modiano, Fabrizio Bruschi, Valentina D. Mangano","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012104","url":null,"abstract":"Infection with <jats:italic>Schistosoma haematobium</jats:italic> causes urogenital disease associated with organ disfunction, bleeding, pain, and higher susceptibility to infections and cancer. Timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for prompt and appropriate treatment as well as surveillance efforts, and the use of plasma biomarkers offers important advantages over parasitological examination of urine, including increased sensitivity and the possibility to use the same specimen for multiple investigations. The present study aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of different plasma biomarkers in endemic populations from Burkina Faso, West Africa. <jats:italic>Schistosoma</jats:italic> spp. Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA), cell free <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>haematobium</jats:italic> DNA (cfDNA), class M and G antibodies against <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>haematobium</jats:italic> Soluble Worm Antigen Preparation (SWAP) and Soluble Egg Antigen (SEA) were measured in 406 plasma samples. Results of each biomarker test were compared to those of CAA, a Composite Reference Standard (CRS) and Latent Class Analysis (LCA). An identical proportion of positive samples (29%) was observed as a result of CAA and cfDNA testing, with a substantial agreement (84%, Cohen k = 0.62) between the results of the two tests, and a comparable agreement with the results of CRS and LCA. A higher positivity was observed, as expected, as a result of specific antibody testing (47%-72%), with IgG showing a higher agreement than IgM with the three references. Also, higher IgG levels were observed in current vs past infection, and ROC analysis identified optimal cutoff values for improved testing accuracy. This study provides compelling evidence that can inform the choice of the most appropriate diagnostic plasma biomarker for urogenital schistosomiasis in endemic areas, depending on the purpose, context, and available resources for testing. Either CAA or cfDNA testing can be used for the diagnosis of patients and for epidemiological investigations, even in absence of urine filtration microscopy, whereas anti-SWAP or anti-SEA IgG can be employed for surveillance and integrated monitoring of control interventions against poverty-associated diseases.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges in rescuing snakes to protect human lives and promote snake conservation in Tamil Nadu, India","authors":"Anika Salim, Jarred Williams, Jose R. Almeida, Gnaneswar Chandrasekharuni, Harry F. Williams, Rajendran Vaiyapuri, Mohanraj Vaiyapuri, Rajan Viswanath, Thanigaivel Annamalai, Ketan Patel, Ponniah Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, Subaramanian Senthilkumaran, Romulus Whitaker, Sakthivel Vaiyapuri","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012516","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012516","url":null,"abstract":"Background Human-snake conflicts are common worldwide, often resulting in snakebites. Snakebite envenoming causes over 125,000 deaths and 400,000 permanent disabilities worldwide every year. India alone accounts for an average of ~58,000 annual snakebite-induced deaths. As human developments rapidly expand into suburban and rural areas, snakes are being displaced and incidences of residents finding snakes within their dwellings are increasing. Most people have an innate fear of snakes, compounded by centuries of negative influence from culture and mythology manifesting in people often attempting to kill snakes. Snake rescuers are volunteers who remove and relocate snakes to safe areas. This is a risky job that poses potentially fatal implications if bitten. These volunteers mostly receive no financial compensation for their time or transportation costs, but they choose to do it for their love of snakes, conservation, and for the altruistic nature of helping others. Snake rescuers often receive no formal training and are unfunded resulting in removing snakes improperly without adequate safety equipment or the required skill set to safely complete the task. Therefore, it is critical to determine their challenges and requirements to promote the safe rescue of snakes while protecting human lives. Methodology/Principal findings In this study, we developed an online questionnaire and interviewed 152 snake rescuers in Tamil Nadu, India following written informed consent to determine their challenges and needs for rescuing snakes safely. The results demonstrate that most rescuers are males, and they conduct snake rescues for varying lengths of time. They mostly receive no formal training and are bitten by snakes. They spend their own money on the purchase of snake-handling equipment and on treatments if bitten or injured during a rescue. Conclusions/Significance The rescuers highlighted the urgent need for formal training, safety equipment and standard protocols for rescuing snakes in Tamil Nadu. Overall, this study demonstrates that snake rescuing should be appropriately regulated by the authorities, in particular the Wildlife Division of State Forest Departments in India, and formal training along with necessary equipment, medical insurance and appropriate recognition should be provided to them to safely remove snakes from human dwellings and manage the safety of both snakes and humans. They can also act as educators to disseminate information about the preventive and first aid measures for snakebites as well as the ecological importance of snakes.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exposure patterns and the risk factors of Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever virus amongst humans, livestock and selected wild animals at the human/livestock/wildlife interface in Isiolo County, upper eastern Kenya","authors":"Eugine Mukhaye, James M. Akoko, Richard Nyamota, Athman Mwatondo, Mathew Muturi, Daniel Nthiwa, Lynn J. Kirwa, Joel L. Bargul, Hussein M. Abkallo, Bernard Bett","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012083","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012083","url":null,"abstract":"Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV). The disease has a complex transmission cycle that involves a wide range of hosts including mammalian and some species of birds. We implemented a sero-epidemiological study in Isiolo County, Kenya, to determine relative seroprevalences of CCHFV in humans, livestock and in wild animals. A seropositive herd was defined as having at least one seropositive animal. In addition, we identified subject and environment level factors that could promote exposure to CCHFV. Humans (n = 580) and livestock species (n = 2,137) were recruited into the study through a multistage random sampling technique, and in addition, various species of wild animals (n = 87) were also sampled conveniently. Serum samples from all recruited humans and animals were collected and screened for CCHFV antibodies using ID Screen multispecies, double-antigen IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall anti-CCHFV IgG seroprevalences in humans, cattle, goats, sheep and camels were 7.2% [95% CI: 3.1–15.8%], 53.9% [95% CI: 30.7–50.9%], 11.6% [95% CI: 7.2–22.5%], 8.6% [95% CI: 3–14%] and 89.7% [95% CI: 78–94%], respectively. On average, the sampled wild animals had CCHFV seroprevalence of 41.0% [95% CI: 29.1–49.4%]; giraffes had the highest mean CCHF seroprevalence followed by buffaloes, while impala had very low exposure levels. Statistical analyses using mixed effects logistic regression models showed that CCHFV exposure in humans was significantly associated with male gender, being over 30 years of age and belonging to a household with a seropositive herd. In livestock, a combination of animal- and environment level factors including older animals, high normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI) and high vapour pressure deficit were significantly associated with CCHFV infection. Age, sex and species of wild animals were considered the key risk factors in the analysis, but none of these variables was significant (P-value = 0.891, 0.401 and 0.664, respectively). Additionally, RT-qPCR analysis revealed the presence of CCHFV RNA in camels (30%), cattle (14.3%), and goats (3.8%), but not in humans, sheep, or wild animals. This study demonstrates that environmental factors, such as NDVI and vapor pressure deficit, affect CCHFV exposure in livestock, while the presence of infected livestock is the key determinant of human exposure at the household level. These findings underscore the importance of using One Health approaches to control the disease in human-livestock-wildlife interfaces. For instance, the existing CCHF surveillance measures could be enhanced by incorporating algorithms that simulate disease risk based on the environmental factors identified in the study. Additionally, tick control in livestock, such as the use of acaricides, could reduce CCHFV exposure in livestock and, consequently, in humans.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dissimilar Trypanosoma cruzi genotype-specific serological profile assessed by Chagas-Flow ATE IgG1 upon benznidazole etiological treatment of chronic Chagas disease","authors":"Glaucia Diniz Alessio, Carolina Malheiros Araújo Silvestrini, Silvana Maria Elói-Santos, Eliane Dias Gontijo, Policarpo Ademar Sales Júnior, Danielle Marchetti Vitelli-Avelar, Renato Sathler-Avelar, Ana Paula Barbosa Wendling, Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho, Marta de Lana, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012487","url":null,"abstract":"The present study aimed to verify the impact of etiological treatment on the genotype-specific serological diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease patients (CH), using the Chagas-Flow ATE IgG1 methodology. For this purpose, a total of 92 serum samples from CH, categorized as Not Treated (NT, n = 32) and Benznidazole-Treated (Bz-T, n = 60), were tested at Study Baseline and 5<jats:sup>Years</jats:sup> Follow-up. At Study Baseline, all patients have the diagnosis of Chagas disease confirmed by Chagas-Flow ATE IgG1, using the set of attributes (“antigen/serum dilution/cut-off”; “EVI/250/30%”). The genotype-specific serodiagnosis at Study Baseline demonstrated that 96% of patients (44/46) presented a serological profile compatible with TcII genotype infection. At 5<jats:sup>Years</jats:sup> Follow-up monitoring, NT and Bz-T presented no changes in anti-EVI IgG1 reactivity. However, significant differences were detected in the genotype-specific IgG1 reactivity for Bz-T. The most outstanding shift comprised the anti-amastigote TcVI/(AVI), anti-amastigote TcII/(AII) and anti-epimastigote TcVI/(EVI) reactivities. Regardless no changes in the genotype-specific serology of NT (TcI = 6%; TcII = 94%), distinct <jats:italic>T</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>cruzi</jats:italic> genotype-specific sero-classification was detected for Bz-T samples at 5<jats:sup>Years</jats:sup> Follow-up (TcII = 100%) as compared to Baseline (TcII = 97%; TcVI = 3%). The anti-trypomastigote TcI/(TI) was the attribute accountable for the change in genotype-specific sero-classification. In conclusion, our findings of dissimilar <jats:italic>T</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>cruzi</jats:italic> genotype-specific serology upon Bz-treatment re-emphasize the relevance of accomplishing the genotype-specific serodiagnosis during clinical pos-therapeutic management of chronic Chagas disease patients.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142268908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Repelling Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with electric fields using insulated conductor wires","authors":"Ndey Bassin Jobe, Michael Erickson, Sarah E. Rydberg, Silvie Huijben, Krijn P. Paaijmans","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012493","url":null,"abstract":"Background The control and prevention of mosquito-borne diseases is mostly achieved with insecticides. However, their use has led to the rapid development and spread of insecticide resistance worldwide. Health experts have called for intensified efforts to find new approaches to reduce mosquito populations and human-mosquito contact. A promising new tool is the use of electrical fields (EFs), whereby mosquitoes are repelled by charged particles in their flight path. Such particles move between two or more conductors, and the use of uninsulated copper or aluminum plates as conductors has been proven to be effective at repelling mosquitoes. Here, for the first time, we assess if EFs generated using a single row of insulated conductor wires (ICWs) can also successfully repel mosquitoes, and whether mosquitoes are equally repelled at the same EF strength when the electrodes are a) orientated differently (horizontal vs. vertical placement), and b) spaced more apart. Methodology/Principal findings Over a period of 23 hours, the number of host-seeking female <jats:italic>Aedes aegypti</jats:italic> mosquitoes that were successfully repelled by EFs, using ICWs, at EF strengths ranging from 0 kV/cm (control) to 9.15 kV/cm were quantified. Mosquitoes were released inside a 220×220×180 cm room and lured into a BG-Pro trap that was equipped with a BG-counter and baited with CO<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> using dry ice. Mosquitoes had to pass through an EF window, that contained a single row of ICWs with alternating polarity, to reach the bait. The baseline interaction between EF strength and repellency was assessed first, after which the impact of different ICW orientations and ICW distances on repellency were determined. Over 50% of mosquitoes were repelled at EF strengths of ≥ 3.66 kV/cm. A linear regression model showed that a vertical ICW orientation (vertical vs. horizontal) had a small but insignificant increased impact on mosquito repellency (p = 0.059), and increasing ICW distance (while maintaining the same EF strength) significantly reduced repellency (p = 0.01). Conclusions/Significance ICWs can be used to generate EFs that partially repel host-seeking mosquitoes, which will reduce human-mosquito contact. While future studies need to assess if (i) increased repellency can be achieved, and (ii) a repellency of 50–60% is sufficient to impact disease transmission, it is encouraging that EF repellency using ICWs is higher compared to that of some spatial repellent technologies currently in development. This technology can be used in the housing improvement toolkit (i.e. preventing mosquito entry through eaves, windows, and doors). Moreover, the use of cheap, over-the-counter ICWs will mean that the technology is more accessible worldwide, and easier to manufacture and implement locally.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142255278","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wolbachia and mosquitoes: Exploring transmission modes and coevolutionary dynamics in Shandong Province, China","authors":"Chuanhui Zang, Xuejun Wang, Yan Liu, Haifang Wang, Qintong Sun, Peng Cheng, Ye Zhang, Maoqing Gong, Hongmei Liu","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0011944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011944","url":null,"abstract":"Vector-borne diseases leave a large footprint on global health. Notable culprits include West Nile virus (WNV), St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), all transmitted by &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex&lt;/jats:italic&gt; mosquitoes. Chemical insecticides have been widely used to reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Still, mosquitoes are becoming more and more resistant to most chemical insecticides which cause particular harm to the ecology. &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; belongs to the family Ehrlichiaceae in the order Rickettsiales and is a matrilineally inherited endosymbiont present in 60% of insects in nature. &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; is capable of inducing a wide range of reproductive abnormalities in its hosts, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and can alter mosquito resistance to pathogen infection. &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; has been proposed as a biological alternative to chemical vector control, and specific research progress and effectiveness have been achieved. Despite the importance of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt;, this strategy has not been tested in &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt;, the most prevalent mosquito species in Shandong Province, China. Little is known about how the mass release of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt;-infected mosquitoes may impact the genetic structure of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt;, and how the symbiotic bacterium &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; interacts with mitochondria during host mosquito transmission. Based on the population genetic structure of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; in Shandong Province, this study investigated the infection rate and infection type of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; in Shandong Province and jointly analysed the evolutionary relationship between the host mosquito and the symbiotic bacterium &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt;. Our study showed that &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; naturally infected by &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; in Shandong Province was less homologous to &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; infected by &lt;jats:italic&gt;Aedes albopictus&lt;/jats:italic&gt; released from mosquito factory in Guangzhou. Our results also show that &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; is undergoing demographic expansion in Shandong Province. The overall &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; infection rate of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; was 92.8%, and a total of 15 WSP haplotypes were detected. We found that the genetic diversity of &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; was low in &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; from Shandong Province, and the mosquitoes were infected only with type B &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt;. Visualizing the relationship between &lt;jats:italic&gt;Culex pipiens pallens&lt;/jats:italic&gt; and &lt;jats:italic&gt;Wolbachia&lt;/jats:italic&gt; using a tanglegram revealed patterns ","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142221098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The discovery of novel variants reveals the genetic diversity and potential origin of Seoul orthohantavirus","authors":"Guopeng Kuang, Jing Wang, Yun Feng, Weichen Wu, Xi Han, Genyang Xin, Weihong Yang, Hong Pan, Lifen Yang, Juan Wang, Mang Shi, Zihou Gao","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012478","url":null,"abstract":"Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) has been identified as one of the main causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China. The virus was found circulating in rodent populations in almost all provinces of the country, reflecting the wide distribution of HFRS. Here, using the direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA) and real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) approach, we performed screening in 1784 small mammals belonging to 14 species of three orders captured in the main areas of HFRS endemicity in Yunnan province (southwestern China) and identified 37 SEOV-positive rats (36 <jats:italic>Rattus norvegicus</jats:italic> and 1 <jats:italic>Rattus tanezumi</jats:italic>). A 3-year surveillance of HFRS epidemics and dynamics of rodent reservoir density and virus prevalence implied a potential correlation between them. The subsequent meta-transcriptomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed three SEOV variants, among which two are completely novel. The ancestral character state reconstruction (ACSR) analysis based on both novel variants and documented strains from 5 continents demonstrated that SEOV appeared to originate near the southwestern area (Yunnan-Kweichow Plateau) of China, then could spread to other regions and countries by their rodent carriers, resulting in a global distribution today. In summary, these data furthered the understanding regards genetic diversity and the potential origin for SEOV. However, the expanding endemic foci in the province suggest that the virus is spreading over a wider region and is much more diverse than previous depicted, which means that increased sampling is necessary.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142221099","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Self-healing in leprosy: A systematic review","authors":"Sophie C. W. Stuetzle, Ann-Kristin Bonkass, Wim H. van Brakel, Anne Schoenmakers, Anil Fastenau","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012434","url":null,"abstract":"Background Leprosy, caused by <jats:italic>Mycobacterium leprae</jats:italic>, affects multiple body systems and can lead to preventable disability if untreated. While multidrug therapy (MDT) has been available since 1982, historical evidence suggests that untreated leprosy can resolve spontaneously. Nevertheless, the prevalence of self-healing worldwide, as well as factors determining self-healing, remain unclear. Methods A systematic review was conducted in 2023 with data from PubMed, Infolep, and Web of Sciences data bases, along with a google search. Data extraction and analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and were summarized in a separate Excel sheet. Included were English-language studies on self-healing in leprosy, regardless the year of publication. Results We included six studies spanning from 1938 to 1978 exploring the incidence of self-healing in different countries and continents. Children, paucibacillary (PB) cases, and possibly males showed a higher probability of self-healing with an average healing time of two years. Discussion/Conclusion Recent research on self-healing in leprosy is scarce and evidence limited. This is primarily due to ethical concerns regarding withholding effective treatment of diagnosed patients, and because of the absence of an agreed definition of self-healing. Nevertheless, self-healing appears to be a plausible phenomenon influenced by geographic and demographic factors, and the type of leprosy. We recommend further research on self-healing in leprosy, as it provides insight into the human immune system and the determinants of this phenomenon. More insight could help adapt clinical practices and public health strategies, thereby contributing to an effective management and control of this disease.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142221086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a Lipid-encapsulated TGFβRI-siRNA Drug for Liver Fibrosis Induced by Schistosoma mansoni","authors":"Ying-Chou Chen, Yueh-Lun Lee, Ching-An Lee, Tzu-Yuan Lin, Edwin En-Te Hwu, Po-Ching Cheng","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012502","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012502","url":null,"abstract":"<jats:italic>Schistosoma mansoni</jats:italic> infection leads to chronic schistosomiasis and severe hepatic fibrosis. We designed a liver-targeted lipid nanoparticle (LNP) carrying siRNA against type I TGF-β receptor (TGFβRI) mRNA to treat schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis in BALB/c mice. Knockdown of TGFβRI by LNP-siTGFβRI reduced LX-2 cell activation <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic> and alleviated liver fibrosis in <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>mansoni</jats:italic>-infected mice. <jats:italic>αSMA</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Col1a1</jats:italic> fibrotic markers in the liver tissues of infected mice were significantly suppressed in the treatment groups. In the serum of the LNP-siTGFβRI-treated groups, cytokines IFNγ, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-12, RANTES (CCL5), and TNFα increased, while GM-CSF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and KC (CXCL1) decreased compared to the control. Cell proportions were significantly altered in <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>. <jats:italic>mansoni</jats:italic>-infected mice, with increased CD56d NK cells and decreased CD19<jats:sup>+</jats:sup> B cells and CD4<jats:sup>+</jats:sup> T cells compared to naïve mice. Following LNP-siTGFβRI treatment, CD56d NK cells were downregulated, while B and memory Th cell populations were upregulated. The density of fibrotic regions significantly decreased with LNP-siTGFβRI treatment in a dose-dependent manner, and no systemic toxicity was observed in the major organs. This targeted siRNA delivery strategy effectively reduced granulomatous lesions in schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis without detectable side effects.","PeriodicalId":20260,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142227277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}