Yanxia Huang, Linxuan Xue, Longjiao Dou, Zhuoqi Liu, Xiaohui Lu, Zhihui Tu, Hongyi Chen, Xianglin Tu, Jianfeng Rao, Li Wang, Xuping Peng, Weihua Ju, Shumei Wang, Daya Luo
{"title":"Dengue with liver involvement is associated with serum soluble thrombomodulin and P-selectin levels.","authors":"Yanxia Huang, Linxuan Xue, Longjiao Dou, Zhuoqi Liu, Xiaohui Lu, Zhihui Tu, Hongyi Chen, Xianglin Tu, Jianfeng Rao, Li Wang, Xuping Peng, Weihua Ju, Shumei Wang, Daya Luo","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/traf034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traf034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The pathogenesis of liver damage in dengue patients has not been clarified. In this study, we sought to identify the factors that are associated with dengue-induced liver damage and evaluate the associations of cytokines/chemokines, including platelets, neutrophils, activated endothelial cells and other inflammatory factors, with liver damage.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We collected and analysed clinical data from 106 hospitalized dengue patients and evaluated the serum levels of platelet (soluble P-selectin [sP-selectin] and soluble CD40 ligand [sCD40L]), neutrophil (neutrophil elastase [NE] and neutrophil myeloperoxidase [MPO]) and endothelial cell (soluble thrombomodulin [sTM]) activation markers, as well as inflammatory mediators, including C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ (which are associated with liver damage), in 32 patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 106 dengue patients were included in this study. The patients were categorized into dengue with warning signs (DwWS), dengue without warning signs (DwoWS) and severe dengue (SD). Twenty-four patients (22%) had DwWS and 1 patient (1%) had SD. Compared with the DwoWS group, the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels in the DwWS/SD group were significantly greater (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). A long time to onset (odds ratio [OR] 1.495 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.063 to 2.101], p=0.021), thrombocytopenia (OR 4.166 [95% CI 1.11 to 15.629], p=0.034) and concomitant fatty liver (OR 6.326 [95% CI 1.57 to 25.493], p=0.009) were risk factors for dengue-related liver dysfunction. Compared with patients with normal liver enzyme levels, serum sP-selectin levels were significantly lower (p=0.012), sTM levels were higher (p=0.047), serum ALT and AST levels were positively correlated with sTM (r=0.411, p=0.02 and r=0.419, p=0.039; respectively) and AST levels were negatively correlated with sP-selectin levels (r=-0.441, p=0.011) in dengue patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Dengue fever with hepatic involvement is related to serum sTM and sP-selectin levels, thus suggesting that platelet and endothelial cell activation may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver damage and can be used as early predictors of dengue liver damage.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143804320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leily Trianty, Bunga Rana, Mercy Egrina Adiniko, Marsha Sinditia Santoso, Agatha Mia Puspitasari, Ristya Amalia, Pak Prayoga, Jeanne Rini Poespoprodjo, Enny Kenangalem, Dionisius Denis, Megan Angelita Salim, Edison Johar, Ida Yus Sriyani, Elisabeth Farah N Coutrier, Frilasita Aisyah Yudhaputri, Ari Winasti Satyagraha, Rintis Noviyanti, R Tedjo Sasmono
{"title":"Detection and molecular characterization of dengue among patients suspected of having malaria in Timika, Central Papua, Indonesia.","authors":"Leily Trianty, Bunga Rana, Mercy Egrina Adiniko, Marsha Sinditia Santoso, Agatha Mia Puspitasari, Ristya Amalia, Pak Prayoga, Jeanne Rini Poespoprodjo, Enny Kenangalem, Dionisius Denis, Megan Angelita Salim, Edison Johar, Ida Yus Sriyani, Elisabeth Farah N Coutrier, Frilasita Aisyah Yudhaputri, Ari Winasti Satyagraha, Rintis Noviyanti, R Tedjo Sasmono","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/traf030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traf030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dengue and malaria are major public health problems in Indonesia. Dengue is hyperendemic nationwide, while malaria remains endemic in specific regions, especially in eastern Indonesia. Timika in Central Papua province is a highly malaria-endemic area; however, this city is historically known as a low endemic area for dengue. With the increasing incidence of dengue in Papua, this study aimed to assess dengue prevalence, possible co-infection and to molecularly characterize the dengue virus (DENV) in patients suspected of having malaria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Archived samples of patients suspected of having malaria were screened for dengue using RT-PCR. Dengue serological and antigen detection was performed and whole genome sequencing was employed to determine the genetic characteristics of viruses. Detection of other arboviruses was also performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 119 patients, 30 (25.2%) were positive for dengue. Most samples (n=29) were infected by DENV-3, while one was positive for DENV-2. Dengue and malaria co-infections were found in six patients. Phylogenetic analysis classified DENV-2 as the Cosmopolitan genotype that is closely related to strains from the Indonesian city of Makassar, while DENV-3 was classified as Genotype I, which is closely related to a strain from Singapore.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Dengue significantly contributes to febrile illness among patients suspected of having malaria in Timika, Central Papua. Virus importation from surrounding regions is likely to contribute to the dispersion of DENV into eastern parts of Indonesia. Our findings reveal the underestimation of this viral disease in a highly malaria-endemic area.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143773424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Helen Mariel Biazussi, Fernanda do Carmo Magalhães, Diogo Tavares Cardoso, David Soeiro Barbosa, Mariângela Carneiro
{"title":"Spatiotemporal patterns and factors associated with mortality from visceral leishmaniasis in a northern state of Brazil.","authors":"Helen Mariel Biazussi, Fernanda do Carmo Magalhães, Diogo Tavares Cardoso, David Soeiro Barbosa, Mariângela Carneiro","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/traf035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traf035","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study analysed the spatiotemporal patterns of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) mortality and the prognostic factors associated with deaths in Tocantins, Brazil.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted an ecological and retrospective cohort study analysing deaths from VL (2010-2019). The univariate global and local Moran indexes were performed, Kulldorff scan statistics were investigated and multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 2437 confirmed cases, 156 patients died from VL, with mortality rates ranging from 0.4 to 1.9 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants. Spatial autocorrelation of VL mortality rates was observed between municipalities, distributed heterogeneously throughout the period. In the northern region of the state, a cluster with a high spatiotemporal risk of mortality from VL was detected. VL deaths were associated with age (≤1 y [odds ratio {OR} 9.4 {95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9 to 22.0}]; >10-≤20 y [OR 4.5 {95% CI 1.5 to 12.9}]; >20-≤40 y [OR 5.3 {95% CI 2.1 to 13.3}]; >40-≤60 y [OR 13.2 {95% CI 5.4 to 32.4}]; >60 y [OR 30.4 {95% CI 12.2 to 75.5}]), jaundice (OR 1.8 [95% CI 1.2 to 2.7]), haemorrhagic phenomena (OR 2.7 [95% CI 1.5 to 5.0]), splenomegaly (OR 1.7 [95% CI 1.1 to 2.5]) and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection (OR 2.0 [95% CI 1.1 to 3.8]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Knowing the spatiotemporal behaviour and factors associated with death from VL can contribute to the clinical management of patients and control of the disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143773445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kartika Saraswati, J Kevin Baird, Stuart D Blacksell, Marlous L Grijsen, Nicholas P J Day
{"title":"History of scrub typhus in Indonesia.","authors":"Kartika Saraswati, J Kevin Baird, Stuart D Blacksell, Marlous L Grijsen, Nicholas P J Day","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/traf017","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/traf017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scrub typhus is a common but underrecognized cause of fever in the Asia-Pacific region. This review is the first to examine the history of scrub typhus in the context of notable historical events in Indonesia. Scrub typhus was first observed in 1902 and has since been documented through colonial and modern times. However, the available evidence is sparse. This lack of data is influenced by wider factors, including geopolitical climate and socio-economic factors. During the colonial era and World War II, research focused on economic and military interests. There were research gaps during the unstable period following independence in 1945. More research commenced only in the 1970s, mainly under the auspices of the Ministry of Health. Since 2000, there have been sporadic attempts to study scrub typhus on several major islands (Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Borneo, Bali). We found 51 relevant articles documenting the presence of the pathogen and its vectors, with only a single case confirmed with standard laboratory testing. This lack of data, combined with low awareness and diagnostic capacity, makes it difficult for policymakers to appreciate the impact of scrub typhus. Indonesia needs sustainable and continuous surveillance systems, infrastructure and research funding to ensure diseases of public health importance are not neglected.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"338-345"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11960739/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143558177","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}
Thuan Q Le, Linh T H Le, Hoang H Nguyen, Hung T Ha, Nguyen T Nguyen, Truong Q Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler, Tung T Do, Tao T Nguyen
{"title":"Profile of snakebite cases admitted to the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital in northern Vietnam from 2008 to 2020.","authors":"Thuan Q Le, Linh T H Le, Hoang H Nguyen, Hung T Ha, Nguyen T Nguyen, Truong Q Nguyen, Thomas Ziegler, Tung T Do, Tao T Nguyen","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae118","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vietnam harbours a high species richness of venomous snakes with >60 recognised species but snakebite pathology and treatment are still understudied, particularly in northern Vietnam.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective study from 2008 to 2020 was conducted, focusing on snakebite cases at the Poison Control Center of Bach Mai Hospital, a major centre in northern Vietnam for treating envenoming incidents.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 5805 snakebite cases were reported over 12 y. The demography of patients was predominantly male snakebite victims (70%), middle-aged (30-59 y) and mostly from rural districts. Cobra (Naja spp.) attacks were the main culprit, accounting for 39% of cases, and most snakebites occurred in the rainy season. The majority of patients were from Hanoi, but the percentage of cases from other provinces increased over the years up to 75% in 2020. The highest number of snakebites were recorded from communes with snake farms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Male gender, rainy season, rural residency and snake farming were identified as major risk factors for contracting snakebites. Multicentre hospital studies, cross-sectional community surveys and a central snakebite database are needed to better understand and deal with snakebites in Vietnam.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"432-442"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142923197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scrub typhus outbreak during the Battles of Imphal and Kohima, 1944-45.","authors":"Nitin Gupta, Carl Boodman, Tirlangi Praveen Kumar","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae098","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae098","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"396-397"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142648896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P A Fathima, Harish Kumar Shah, R S Aiswarya, P M Ajithlal, T V Shailaja, C Shubin, K J Reena, Prasanta Saini
{"title":"Cutaneous leishmaniasis: a neglected clinical manifestation among the tribal population in Nilambur, Kerala, India.","authors":"P A Fathima, Harish Kumar Shah, R S Aiswarya, P M Ajithlal, T V Shailaja, C Shubin, K J Reena, Prasanta Saini","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae102","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis (cutaneous and visceral) caused by Leishmania donovani have been reported from Kerala, India. Leishmania donovani causing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) (also called atypical CL [ACL]) is one of the major health concerns in the Western Ghats belt of the state.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Skin biopsies of 20 patients with suspected CL from Nilambur, Kerala, were processed for CL diagnosis during the period 2022-2023. Parasite species were characterized using Leishmania-specific Internal Transcribed Spacer-Ⅰ (ITS-Ⅰ) PCR and ITS-Ⅰ RFLP analysis.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>A total of 18 cases were confirmed to be CL and the parasite was identified as L. donovani.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These indigenous ACL (CL due to L. donovani) reports from the small foci of Nilambur reveal an emerging endemic zone of leishmaniasis in the Western Ghats.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"393-395"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142668037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Wilma da Silva Lima, Glória Isabel Lisboa da Silva, Laryssa Oliveira Silva, João Paulo Vieira Machado, Pedro Dantas Lima, Rosália Elen Santos Ramos, Leticia Pereira Bezerra, Israel Gomes de Amorim Santos
{"title":"Snail vectors of Schistosoma mansoni in Alagoas, Northeast Brazil: spatial distribution in the hydrographic grid of the state.","authors":"Maria Wilma da Silva Lima, Glória Isabel Lisboa da Silva, Laryssa Oliveira Silva, João Paulo Vieira Machado, Pedro Dantas Lima, Rosália Elen Santos Ramos, Leticia Pereira Bezerra, Israel Gomes de Amorim Santos","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae117","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Schistosomiasis mansoni is a parasitic infectious disease of significant epidemiological importance caused by Schistosoma mansoni. The intermediate hosts are snails of the genus Biomphalaria spp. As gastropods are crucial for the spread of the disease, this study aimed to assess the influence of water bodies on the distribution of snails responsible for transmitting S. mansoni in the state of Alagoas. It is an ecological study with a spatial approach, carried out from 1997 to 2017. We considered all Biomphalaria snails captured and positive for S. mansoni in the state. Representative maps were created for better data visualization, having as unit of analysis the municipalities of Alagoas. We also calculated the natural infection rate of the snails (number of positives/number of captured). During the study period, 34 619 Biomphalaria snails were captured, consisting of Biomphalaria glabrata (30 132), Biomphalaria straminea (4445) and Biomphalaria tenagophila (42). The seventh Health Region (HR) of the state had the highest number of specimens collected (B. glabrata=15 676), while the sixth HR had the highest positivity rate (9.2%). Regarding hydrography, these snails were primarily found along the Jacuípe, Mundaú, Paraíba, São Miguel, Coruripe, Piauí, Perucaba and Boacica rivers. Our data reinforce the occurrence of the three medically significant snail species responsible for schistosomiasis transmission in Alagoas. Additionally, our findings can be used as a basis for malacological activities because we report the presence of these animals in the main rivers of the state.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"331-337"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142711134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"First report on the enzootic maintenance of Dirofilaria sp. hongkongensis in the canine hosts and mosquito vector Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillet) in Puducherry.","authors":"Jagatheesh Manikannan, Uma Sambath, Krishan Kumar Sihag, Waseema Arif, Srikanth Srirama, Abiramy Prabavathy A, Kumar Raja, Manju Rahi, Mathivanan Ashokkumar, Panneer Devaraju","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/traf037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/traf037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dirofilariasis is a re-emerging zoonosis caused by the nematode Dirofilaria spp., parasitizing canines, felines and humans and transmitted by mosquito vectors of the Culicidae family. Currently, reports of human dirofilariasis are increasing in India and thus we explored the occurrence of Dirofilaria infection among dogs and mosquitoes in Puducherry, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two millilitres of blood collected from 293 dogs from Puducherry was subjected to microscopy and Dirofilaria screening polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the ITS2 gene. Mosquitoes trapped from areas with filaria-positive dogs were also subjected to PCR and representative samples were dissected for microscopy. The partially amplified ITS1, COX1 and 12s recombinant RNA genes from positive samples were sequenced for phylogeny.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Only 4 among the 293 dogs tested positive for Dirofilaria by microscopy and PCR and the parasite was identified as Dirofilaria sp. hongkongensis. None of the mosquito pools (n=39) tested positive by PCR. However, the presence of microfilaria and larvae was evident in Armigeres subalbatus (n=2) mosquitoes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The abundance of the vectors, susceptible dog population and ecosystem in Puducherry confers a congenial niche for the parasite and poses a risk for human transmission. Implementation of one health-based control measure would help to curtail the infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed Fakhry Hussein, Assem Gebreal, Marina Saleeb, Eyerusalem Amossa Tessema, Debra Okeh, Gori Gaitano, Marc Nathanson, Nthabiseng Tsoeu, Eshun Gilbert, Khadija Swalehe Ally, Ahmed Elsayed Said Noureldin, Mai Hussein, Ramy Mohamed Ghazy
{"title":"Knowledge, attitudes and practices of the general population towards Marburg virus disease in sub-Saharan African countries: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Mohamed Fakhry Hussein, Assem Gebreal, Marina Saleeb, Eyerusalem Amossa Tessema, Debra Okeh, Gori Gaitano, Marc Nathanson, Nthabiseng Tsoeu, Eshun Gilbert, Khadija Swalehe Ally, Ahmed Elsayed Said Noureldin, Mai Hussein, Ramy Mohamed Ghazy","doi":"10.1093/trstmh/trae122","DOIUrl":"10.1093/trstmh/trae122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Marburg virus disease (MVD) is categorized among viral hemorrhagic fevers. MVD is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors affecting MVD knowledge, attitudes and practices in sub-Saharan African countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a validated questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from 21 April to 23 May 2023 in eight English-speaking sub-Saharan African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 3142 participants, 51% were males, 66.0% were aged 18-29 y, 74.4% were living in urban areas, 47.9% completed their university education and 21.7% were healthcare workers (HCWs). Tanzanians had the highest good knowledge (89%), while Kenyans had the lowest (26%). Tanzanians had the highest positive attitude (82%), while Nigerians had the highest negative attitude (95%). The best practices exhibited were by Ethiopians (70%), and the poorest practices exhibited were by Ghanaians (94%). The predictors of good knowledge were marital status (adjusted OR [aOR]=0.75; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94; p=0.013), knowing the correct mode of transmission (aOR=18.31; 95% CI 13.31 to 25.66; p<0.001), whether the participant has heard before about MVD (aOR=2.24; 95% CI 1.82 to 2.75; p<0.001), whether they modified their working habits (aOR=2.79; 95% CI 2.12 to 3.67; p<0.001), nationality (p<0.001) and being a HCW (aOR=2.71; 95% CI 2.01 to 3.67; p<0.001). The predictors of good attitude were being female (aOR=0.71; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.85; p<0.001), age (aOR=0.99; 95% CI 0.98 to 0.99; p=0.01), place of residence (aOR=3.13; 95% CI 2.46 to 3.99; p<0.001), level of education (aOR=1.67; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.04; p<0.001), knowing the correct mode of transmission (aOR=1.59; 95% CI 1.28 to 1.98; p<0.001), modification of working habits (aOR=1.30; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.68; p=0.039) and nationality (p<0.001). The predictors of practice were being female (aOR=1.17; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.37; p=0.042), place of residence (aOR=1.23; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.48; p=0.033), marital status (aOR=0.65; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.78; p<0.001), knowing the correct mode of transmission (aOR=0.46; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.56; p<0.001), modification of working habits (aOR=0.40; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.49; p<0.001) and occupation (aOR=0.37; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.46; p<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Different modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors can be targeted to improve population perspectives towards MVD.</p>","PeriodicalId":23218,"journal":{"name":"Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"354-366"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142855454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}