Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Neonatal Hypothermia in Mogadishu, Somalia: Strengthening Thermal Care Beyond NICU Equipment.","authors":"Hanan Ahmed Hassan, Widad Mohamed Hassan","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S630937","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/RRTM.S630937","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neonatal hypothermia remains an important and preventable threat to newborn survival in low-resource settings. Somalia has a high neonatal mortality burden, while published evidence on admission hypothermia in Somali neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) remains limited. Regional evidence provides an important basis for understanding the problem. A systematic review of East African studies reported a pooled neonatal hypothermia prevalence of 57.2%, and a Kenyan tertiary hospital study found hypothermia in 73.7% of neonatal admissions. In Mogadishu, the challenge is shaped by home birth, gaps in thermal care during the period before referral, limited transport capacity, inconsistent temperature monitoring, workforce constraints, and unreliable infrastructure. This commentary examines how these factors interact and considers interventions that have shown benefit in comparable low-resource settings. The evidence supports a layered approach that combines immediate drying and skin-to-skin care, delayed bathing, early breastfeeding, reliable temperature measurement, kangaroo mother care for preterm and low-birth-weight newborns, thermal protection during referral, staff training, and sustainable maintenance of warming equipment. These measures should complement rather than replace incubators and radiant warmers. Somalia-specific prospective data are needed to quantify admission hypothermia, assess adherence to thermal-care practices, and evaluate implementation outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"630937"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13628162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149114443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced Topical Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Using Niosomal Gel of Tioxolone-Benzoxonium Chloride: In silico, in vitro, and in vivo Evaluation.","authors":"Maryam Hakimi Parizi, Iraj Sharifi, Elaheh Molaakbari, Ehsan Salarkia, Mahshid Mostafavi, Mohammad Hossein Daie Parizi, Abbas Pardakhty, Ali Khamesipour, Daryoush Ghaffari","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S594120","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S594120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that poses significant therapeutic challenges owing to its toxicity and low compliance with existing treatments. In this study, we formulated and evaluated niosomal gels containing tioxolone (NT), benzoxonium chloride (NB), and their combination (NTB) for topical application against CL.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Various in silico methods, including homology modeling and molecular docking, were used to assess pharmacological potential. In vitro anti-leishmanial activity was tested against <i>Leishmania major</i> promastigotes and amastigotes, whereas in vivo efficacy was evaluated in a BALB/c mouse model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Docking studies showed strong interactions between NT, NB, and NTB and the target proteins. The ADMET analysis indicated that NTB had favorable aqueous solubility (LogS = -3.71) and low toxicity (2.88 mol/kg). In vitro, NTB demonstrated the lowest IC₅ ₀ values (79.0±3.2 μg/mL for promastigotes and 44.4±0.8 μg/mL for amastigotes) against both parasite forms and the highest selectivity index (9.8), outperforming the standard drug meglumine antimoniate (MA). In vivo tests revealed that NTB significantly reduced lesion size and splenic parasite burden compared with placebo, drug-blank niosome, and MA (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, these findings suggest that the NTB formulation exhibits enhanced pharmacological properties and effective antileishmanial activity, indicating the potential for further clinical research.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"594120"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13618610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149075987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Supervision or Short Messages (SMS) on the Detection Rate of Diseases Under Surveillance in the Littoral Region of Cameroon: A Randomized Controlled Health Facility-Based Trial.","authors":"Ketina Hirma Tchio-Nighie, Augustin Murhabazi Bashombwa, Etienne Guenou, Jerome Ateudjieu","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S622004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/RRTM.S622004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy was adopted in Cameroon in the early 2000s. However, some limitations in terms of the detection rates of diseases under surveillance are still observed. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of supervision or Short Message Service (SMS) reminders on the detection rate of cholera and measles in health facilities in Douala.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a randomised controlled health facility-based trial that involved assigning health facilities to either monthly supervision of personnel in charge of surveillance, SMS reminders, or a control group. The effect of the interventions was assessed by comparing the detection rates of cholera and measles by personnel with respect to the number of expected suspected cases in consultation records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 271 health facilities were assessed for eligibility and 159 were included in the trial (53 per study group). The health facilities were assigned to either supervision, SMS or control group using stratified randomisation by health district. The detection rates of suspected cholera and measles cases were 11.05% and 35.19% in the control group, respectively. Health facilities in the supervision group demonstrated significantly higher detection rates of cholera cases [IRR (Incidence Rate Ratio) =1.87 (1.09-3.19); p = 0.022] and measles cases [IRR=1.78 (1.01-3.15); p=0.046], while there was no detected difference in the SMS group compared to the control group for both cholera and measles. The combined detection rate of both cholera and measles was significantly higher in the supervision group than in the control group; however, exposure to SMS did not produce a significant effect. After adjustment, results were consistent, except for detection of cholera cases, where the effect of supervision was attenuated and no longer statistically significant (adjusted IRR=1.39 (0.80-2.42); p=0.243).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Supervision significantly improved the detection of suspected cholera and measles cases, whereas SMS reminders showed no significant effect. Strengthening routine supportive supervision should be prioritised to improve IDSR performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"622004"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477155/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148764461","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Schistosomiasis in Yemen: Focal Persistence, Possible Resurgence, and Challenges to Elimination.","authors":"Rashad Abdul-Ghani, Ahmed A Azazy, Abdullah Abdu Al-Mikhlafy, Sami A Al-Haidari","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S630948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/RRTM.S630948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Schistosomiasis in Yemen, caused by <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and <i>S. haematobium</i>, persists as a focal public health problem despite decades of control based largely on repeated praziquantel (PZQ)-based mass drug administration (MDA). This review synthesizes epidemiological, malacological, clinical, and programmatic evidence to examine why substantial national prevalence reductions have not culminated in sustained progress toward elimination. The evidence indicates a shift from broad endemicity toward geographically uneven persistence and possible resurgence, particularly where unsafe freshwater exposure, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), receptive snail habitats, population movement, and surveillance gaps coincide. By 2017, MDA impact evaluation showed that overall prevalence had fallen below the 10% treatment threshold, but recent school-based surveys show persistent or resurgent district-level transmission. PZQ-based MDA has achieved important gains in morbidity control, but elimination will require geographically targeted preventive chemotherapy, supported by updated micro-mapping, species-specific sentinel surveillance, improved diagnostics, WASH strengthening, health education, focal snail surveillance and control, and rapid response to residual or re-emerging hotspots. Integrating these measures within primary healthcare, school health, and humanitarian platforms will be essential for preserving previous gains and preventing localized transmission from expanding.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"630948"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13475550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148761270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Entomo-Molecular and Epidemiological Survey of Arboviruses in <i>Aedes</i> (<i>Stegomyia</i>) <i>aegypti</i> Mosquito Populations and Dengue Seroprevalence Among Migrants in Reynosa, a City on the US-Mexico Border.","authors":"Nadia A Fernández-Santos, Adebiyi Abdulhakeem Adeniran, Oluwadamilare Ganiu Dauda, Luis Román Ramírez-Palacios, Lihua Wei, Mario A Rodríguez-Pérez","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S608746","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S608746","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Border regions such as the US-Mexico border may be particularly vulnerable to dengue emergence and re-emergence due to high human mobility, cross-border movement, and favorable conditions for <i>Aedes</i> mosquitoes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We investigated dengue and other arboviruses in mosquito vectors, and dengue seroprevalence among migrants residing in camps in Reynosa, Mexico, between October 2019 and November 2022. Entomological surveillance was conducted in two phases using BG-Sentinel traps, CDC backpack aspirators, Autocidal Gravid Ovitraps, and resting boxes. Mosquito trapping was done twice a week with an interval of 3 days between each trapping. Mosquito samples were tested by RT-PCR for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses, while migrant blood samples were screened for anti-dengue IgM antibodies using ELISA.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the first phase, 2263 mosquitoes were collected, including 456 females <i>Aedes aegypti</i> grouped into 42 pools; three pools were positive for DENV-2 while none were positive for DENV-1, DENV-3, DENV-4, chikungunya virus, or Zika virus. During the second phase, 1713 mosquitoes were collected, including 179 female <i>A. aegypti</i> grouped into 14 pools, with one pool positive for dengue virus and none positive for chikungunya or Zika viruses. Among the 95 migrant serum samples analyzed, four were positive for anti-DENV IgM, yielding a seroprevalence of 4.2% (95% CI: 1.2-10.4%). Participants reported frequent mosquito exposure and general awareness of mosquitoes, although knowledge of mosquito-borne arboviruses and preventive practices remained limited. IgM-seropositive participants were less likely to report mosquito contact in their country of origin than seronegative individuals (0% vs. 67.8%; p = 0.013), which may suggest local exposure, though IgM serology cannot determine the timing or location of infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the need for strengthened vector control and arboviral surveillance in Reynosa, both to reduce local transmission and to mitigate the risk of cross-border spread.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"608746"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13401930/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148593264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distinct Genetic Footprint of Adaptation Observed Within <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> Taxa from The Gambia.","authors":"Trizah Koyi Milugo, Eniyou Cheryll Oriero, Majidah Hamid-Adiamoh, Abdoulaye Sadio, Musa S Jawara, Balla Gibba, Mamadou Ousmane Ndiath, Chris S Clarkson, Alistair Miles, Shavanthi Rajatileka, Nuredin I Mohammed, Annette Erhart, Umberto D'Alessandro, Benoit Sessinou Assogba, Alfred Amambua-Ngwa","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S605379","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S605379","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Emerging evidence suggests presence of novel or unclassified taxa within the <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> s.l. species complex, the principal vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The response of these new lineages to standard vector control tools and/or adaptation to selection pressure is currently unknown, underscoring the need for further characterization. We performed a genome-wide selective scan (GWSS) analysis to gain genomic insights into the local adaptation of <i>An. gambiae Bissau</i> molecular form (hereafter \"Bissau\"), a recently described taxon from The Gambia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Genomic regions under selection in <i>Bissau</i> primarily code for clusters of gene families associated with metabolic resistance mechanisms against insecticides, specifically <i>Cyp6aa/Cyp6p, Cyp9K</i>, and <i>Gste</i>. Notably, a distinct signal of selection for the Choline acetyltransferase gene (ChAT) was detected in the chromosome arm 2R of <i>Bissau</i>. In the sibling taxa <i>An. coluzzii</i>, two distinctive signals of selection overlapping E-ubiquitin protein and N-acetyltransferase genes were evident. These unique genes warrant further functional validation and monitoring to confirm their potential role as molecular markers for target site resistance. A selective sweep spanning clusters of odorant receptor (OR) genes, usually associated with chemosensory, was also unique to <i>Bissau</i>. Diplotype clustering of OR regions revealed six groups with low heterozygosity and non-synonymous mutations, suggesting local adaptation to fundamental biological traits such as host seeking and habitat selection. Haplotype clustering analysis ruled out adaptive sharing of OR alleles, depicting ongoing independent evolution of chemosensory perception in <i>Bissau</i> population. Contrastingly, the sharing of adaptive alleles was evident between <i>An. gambiae</i> s.s and <i>Bissau</i> in regions coding metabolic resistance genes, potentially facilitating the spread of insecticide resistance across taxa.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Common and taxon-specific signatures of selection are evolving in <i>An. gambiae</i> s.l. needing further studies and monitoring to guide targeted vector control efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"605379"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13384102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148607051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward Eliminating Leishmaniasis as a Public Health Problem in Yemen: Advocating for a One Health Approach.","authors":"Rashad Abdul-Ghani, Ahmed A Azazy","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S584775","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S584775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leishmaniasis is among the most neglected tropical diseases in Yemen, where both cutaneous and visceral clinical forms represent a public health challenge. <i>Leishmania tropica</i> is the main cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis, whereas <i>L. donovani and L. infantum</i> cause visceral leishmaniasis in the country. Although leishmaniasis has been recognized for decades, its actual burden in Yemen remains poorly defined, largely due to weak surveillance, constraints in diagnostic services, and the lack of a national control program. Conflict-related disruptions in healthcare, poverty, poor housing, and malnutrition further contribute to continued transmission. Surveillance of potential vectors and reservoirs is extremely limited, and access to effective diagnosis and treatment remains inadequate, particularly in rural areas. In the absence of integrated vector management and intersectoral coordination, disease control primarily relies on case management. This paper reviews the historical, epidemiological, clinical, and ecological aspects of leishmaniasis in Yemen, with attention to the diversity of <i>Leishmania</i> species, as well as their vectors and potential animal reservoirs that sustain transmission. Because there are no reliable baseline estimates on the national or subnational incidence of leishmaniasis, its elimination as a public health problem has been defined operationally in line with World Health Organization guidance as achieving a reduction in reported cases exceeding 90%, along with no mortality from visceral leishmaniasis, following implementation of strengthened active surveillance and systematic risk mapping. To advance such elimination, this paper also proposes a \"One Health\" approach integrating human, animal, and environmental health sectors through coordinating surveillance, mapping national risks, engaging communities, and strengthening diagnostic and treatment strategies. This collaborative framework is essential for informing targeted interventions, mobilizing resources, and ultimately eliminating the disease as a public health problem.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"584775"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12967507/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147390849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of Transfusion Transmissible Infections Among Voluntary Blood Donors at a Regional Blood Bank in Western Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Moses Asiimwe, Brenda Nabawanuka, David Francis Olebo, Mubaraka Kayiira, Conrad Lubwama, Laban Turyamuhika, Archbald Bahizi, John Rubaihayo","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S539585","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S539585","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although blood and blood components are well established as medical therapies, they are not without risk and they have the potential for transmission of infectious diseases from donors to recipients. The study aim was to assess the seroprevalence and predictors of blood transfusion transmissible infections among blood donors at Fort Portal Regional Blood Bank.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of donor data from 3211 blood donors who donated blood between January and September, 2021, at Fort Portal Regional Blood Bank. The seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) was determined by tabulating the proportion of donors who tested for at least one TTI. A bivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between the prevalence of TTIs and sociodemographic characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Majority of the blood donors were below 27 years (41.9%) with a mean age of 30.64 (SD:10.75) years, and males accounted for 86.9% of the donors, while more than half (53.8%) were repeat donors. The overall seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections was at 7.4%. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV and Syphilis was 1.96%, 0.4%, 1.68% and 3.39%, respectively, of the total units tested. Syphilis was the most prevalent of all TTIs, accounting for 109 (45.6%) of all positive TTIs in the study. Blood donors between 39 and 49 and 50-60 years of age had significantly higher odds of HBV infection (COR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-0.98, P = 0.04) and HIV infection (COR 0.42 95% CI 0.15-1.12, P = 0.05) respectively, and males were more likely to test for HIV (COR 1.91, 95% CI 0.99-3.66, P = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendation: </strong>The study found substantial levels of Transfusion Transmissible Infections among blood donors. Strict donor recruitment strategies should be maintained to minimize potential transmission and reduce blood discard.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"17 ","pages":"539585"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12967082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147378375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical Features and Outcomes of Scorpion Sting in Western Lowlands of Eritrea: A Prospective Study.","authors":"Okbu Frezgi, Araia Berhane, Adiam G Tewelde, Ghide Ghebrewelde, Henok Tekie, Tsegezab Kiflezgi, Abdulaziz Mohammedseid Aziz, Habtemichael M Teklemariam, Yonas Tekie, Abel Alem, Hagos Ahmed Wohabey","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S536683","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S536683","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scorpion envenomation is a global health problem that results in life-threatening medical emergencies in the tropical and subtropical regions. Pediatric victims are at a higher risk of severe envenomation than are adults.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to determine the clinical features and outcomes of patient's hospitalized for scorpion stings at Tesseney Community Hospital.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from 1^st June 2019 to 31^st May 2020 in patients hospitalized due to scorpion stings at the Tesseney Community Hospital.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>About 165 scorpion-sting patients were admitted during the study period. The majority of cases were older than 15 years (61.8%) with an approximately equal male-to-female sex ratio (0.94:1), and the scorpion sting cases largely occurred in urban areas (57%) compared to rural areas. The black scorpion (38.8%) was the predominant scorpion; however, in some cases, the scorpion color was undetermined (31.5%). The foot was the predominant sting site (64.8%), followed by the hand (31.5%). Single stings (91.5%) were more frequent than multiple stings (8.5%). The majority (94.8%) of scorpion sting cases occurred during summer, with the highest scorpion sting cases occurring in September and October. The main clinical manifestations upon presentation were localized pain (70.3%) and sweating (56.4%), with more severe symptoms exhibited among age groups less than 15 years. The fatality rate (4.8%) was largely associated with age groups less than 15 years and class three scorpion stings.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study found that children experienced more severe envenoming symptoms and related mortality than adults did. This study may be a tool to identify at-risk population groups and build measures to prevent scorpion stings within the western lowlands of Eritrea.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"16 ","pages":"125-135"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12719617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145820416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determining Etiology of Elephantiasis and Associated Factors in Hawella Tula, Sidama Region, Ethiopia.","authors":"Tigabu Daniel, Hunachew Beyene, Bereket A Tegene","doi":"10.2147/RRTM.S557987","DOIUrl":"10.2147/RRTM.S557987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis are the most frequent causes of elephantiasis.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study is to determine the etiology of Elephantiasis and associated factors in Hawella Tula, Sidama Region Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From February to May 2024, a community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out to determine etiologies of elephantiasis in selected kebeles (the lowest administrative units) in Hawella Tula district, Sidama region, Ethiopia. Seven kebeles were included in the study because elephantiasis cases were quite high, according to woreda's neglected tropical disease (NTD) information office report. Each respondent was interviewed and physically examined, a filariasis test strip (FTS) antibody test was performed for all elephantiasis cases diagnosed clinically, thick blood film was performed for only FTS-positive cases, and a soil study from selected kebeles (based on office's report) was conducted to identify the irritant soil mineral responsible.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 361 respondents, elephantiasis (Podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis) accounted for 100 (27.7%). Podoconiosis accounted for 94 (94%) of the 100 elephantiasis cases, whereas lymphatic filariasis accounted for 6(6%). Forty percent of those affected were men, while 60% were women. Walking barefoot raised the chance of developing elephantiasis (AOR=40.088, 95% CI = 8.198, 146.484, P<0.001). Spending the majority of time outdoor raised the risk of having elephantiasis (AOR=6.252, 95% CI= 3.507, 11.144, P<0.001) and staying in the district (mentioned kebeles) for prolonged time increased the chance of having elephantiasis (AOR=2.753, 95% CI=1.545, 4.903, P=0.001). Podoconiosis cases observed in Tulla geter (25), Finchawa (25) and Harenfama (16) kebeles were directly related to the greatest proportion of silicon mineral concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both Podoconiosis and lymphatic filariasis were observed as causes of elephantiasis in Hawella Tula district. Further study is recommended, and steps should be made to prevent and treat both causes of elephantiasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21138,"journal":{"name":"Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine","volume":"16 ","pages":"115-123"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12640099/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145588673","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}