Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines最新文献

{"title":"Unraveling the link: serological and molecular insights into Toxoplasma gondii infection in women with spontaneous abortion history.","authors":"Narges Arbabi, Nima Firouzeh, Seyed Ghader Azizi, Ahmad Mehravaran, Soudabeh Etemadi, Reza Shafiei, Hadi Mirahmadi","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00259-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-025-00259-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Spontaneous abortion (SA) associated with infectious pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy poses a substantial health risk for pregnant women and is linked to transplacental infection of the fetus. This study was conducted to investigate the serological and molecular aspects of T. gondii genotyping in women who have experienced SA at various gestational ages. These women were admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Ali Ibn Abi Talib Zahedan Hospital between September 2021 and May 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study examined 163 women with a history of abortion. Blood samples were tested for specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies using ELISA. In contrast, tissue samples from their aborted placentas were analyzed for molecular examination using nested PCR targeting the GRA6 gene.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated that the women in the study ranged in age from 18 to 39 years, with 16% testing positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies: 9% had IgG, 4% had IgM, and 3% had both IgM and IgG. Subsequent nested PCR analysis of the placental tissue revealed that 7 cases (4.29%) were positive for the 529 bp fragment of T. gondii. Our data confirmed that five isolates belonged to type I, and two belonged to type II of T. gondii.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings of this study suggest that screening programs for T. gondii significantly elevate the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women. Examining placental tissue for the molecular epidemiology and genetic variants of T. gondii linked to abortion is advisable to improve detection sensitivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A scoping review: the impact of nutritional status on the efficacy, effectiveness, and immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines.","authors":"Vicka Oktaria, Bayu Satria Wiratama, Slamet Riyanto, Ratih Puspitaningtyas Purbaningrum, Citra Widya Kusuma, Lintang Dian Saraswati, Vitri Widyaningsih, Ratih Puspita Febrinasari, Ari Probandari, Riris Andono Ahmad","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00258-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00258-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies in mitigating the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. While a connection between poor nutritional status and diminished immune responses to vaccination has been noted, comprehensive reviews elucidating this association have been scarce. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review to characterise the relationship between nutritional status (specifically, body mass index (BMI) or micronutrient deficiencies) and the responses to COVID-19 vaccination, encompassing efficacy, effectiveness, and immunogenicity.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We searched PubMed, OVID-Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Covid Register, LitCovid, and WHO COVID-19 research databases for studies that reported the association between nutritional status and responses to the COVID-19 vaccines (published between December 20, 2019, and December 30, 2023). Two reviewers independently screened the articles, and disagreements were resolved through consensus or by a third reviewer.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventy-three out of 1,853 identified articles were included in this review, predominantly featuring cohort designs (72%). Among these studies, 63% reported BMI, 30% focused on micronutrients (specifically vitamin D, selenium, iron, zinc), and 6% examined both. Most studies (84%) focused on vaccine immunogenicity. The most frequently studied vaccines were BNT162b2 (Pfizer, 74%), ChAdOx (AstraZeneca, 23%), and mRNA-1273 (Moderna, 14%). High BMI significantly reduced COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity in 23 studies, while adequate vitamin D was associated with increased vaccine response in seven studies.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin D, iron, selenium and zinc) have been observed to attenuate the potency of COVID-19 vaccines. Future strategies aimed at prioritizing vaccination in obese and overweight individuals, or enhancing their vaccine response, may involve identifying measures such as the provision of booster doses. Additionally, efforts should ensure micronutrient adequacy, including improving vitamin D status through strategies like increased sun exposure or supplementation, particularly for deficient individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12261628/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144638086","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":"Malaria recrudescence after artemether-lumefantrine treatment in travellers- a hospital-based observational study and literature review.","authors":"Jenny L Schnyder, Bache E Bache, Mika Hoogakker, Mabel Van De Ruit, Rens Zonneveld, Sabine M Hermans, Cornelis Stijnis, Michèle Van Vugt, Thomas Hänscheid, Reinier M Van Hest, Abraham Goorhuis, Hanna K de Jong, Martin P Grobusch","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00256-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00256-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is an effective drug combination that is used to treat uncomplicated falciparum malaria worldwide including travellers. Although this treatment is regarded as highly effective, recrudescence of falciparum malaria may occur in the weeks after treatment with AL. The occurrence of recrudescence and its potential (risk) factors in travellers remain poorly investigated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective cohort study included falciparum malaria cases treated with AL at a tertiary referral hospital in the Netherlands, between January 1, 2010, and July 1, 2024. The primary outcome was the proportion of recrudescence cases among falciparum malaria cases who completed treatment with AL. Recrudescence was defined as a negative microscopy result for Plasmodium falciparum at least once after AL treatment, followed by a subsequent positive result without intercurrent travel to malaria-endemic areas. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of recrudescence cases that experienced secondary treatment failures (recrudescence after retreatment with AL or other malaria therapies) and factors associated with recrudescence. In addition to our cohort study, we performed a literature review on studies reporting on falciparum recrudescence cases after AL treatment among travellers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 391 falciparum malaria cases identified, 270 were treated with AL and thus included in this study. Among these, eight (3%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1-6%) recrudescence cases were identified. Diarrhoea was a risk factor for recrudescence in our cohort (unadjusted OR 4.9 95%; CI: 1.14-21.06). In the literature, 19 studies reported on 61 recrudescence cases amongst a total of 1,770 malaria cases (3%). No secondary treatment failures occurred in recrudescence cases treated with AL from our cohort or the literature (0/19), whereas secondary treatment with atovaquone-proguanil failed in 2/28 (7%) of cases.</p><p><strong>Interpretation: </strong>Recrudescence after AL treatment is rare among travellers, and was associated with diarrhoea, which might cause malabsorption. When recrudescence occurs, retreatment with AL is effective.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"19"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12232715/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144576343","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":"Expression and immunogenicity evaluation of a novel Lentiviral multi- epitope vaccine against Leishmania major in BALB/c mice.","authors":"Mahsa Rabienia, Zahra Roudbari, Ali Ghanbariasad, Abdolmajid Ghasemian, Akbar Farjadfar, Nahid Mortazavidehkordi","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00254-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00254-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nowadays, the prevention of parasitic diseases including leishmaniasis, particularly cutaneous leishmaniasis as the smost common type of the disease, has increased health concerns around the world. Although some drugs such as Glucantim and Amphotericin B are approved, they have side effects. Therefore, treatment without side effects is a priority.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>In this study, the recombinant lentiviral vaccine containing a novel multi-epitope of KMP11 and HASPB of Leishmania major (L. major) was synthesized. The multi-epitope construct was previously designed in silico, subcloned into the pCDH513 lentiviral vector, and the recombinant lentiviral multi-epitope vaccine (rLV-multi-epitope) was synthesized in HEK293T cells using the packaging vectors. The Western Blotting method was used to confirm the gene expression. Then, the rLV-multi-epitope vaccine was injected twice, along with two control groups: phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and rLV-empty to immunize the BALB/c mice. Twenty-one days after the second injection, the splenocytes of the mice were isolated and stimulated with the L. major lysate. Also, the serum level of IgG1 and IgG2a, and gamma interfron (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results of the enzyme-linked immunoassay ELISA showed that the titer of IFN-γ and IL-4 were increased in the immunized group. Also, the level of IFN-γ was higher significantly and as compared to IL-4, and as a result, the Th1 response was generated in the main group. Additionally, the humoral immune response was assessed, indicating that the titer of IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies in the sera of the immunized mice was increased compared to the control groups. Moreover, the serum level of IgG2a to IgG1 was increased in the main group. Therefore, the humoral immune response was increased, which can also have a positive effect on increasing the Th1 response.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our results revealed that immunization with the novel rLV-multi-epitope vaccine could stimulate the immune system toward Th1 by increasing the production of IFN-γ and IgG2a opsonin antibody.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12211387/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144529721","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":"Understanding international travelers' health risk perceptions, preferences, and decisions: a segmentation analysis.","authors":"Elizabeth Pellecer Rivera, Sandra De Urioste-Stone, Laura N Rickard, Anup K C, Julio Rodríguez Stimson, Andrea Caprara, Lorena N Estrada","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00252-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00252-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study assesses international travelers' risk perceptions and travel decisions related to three recent emerging diseases. Travelers can facilitate the spread of emerging infectious diseases and their decision-making on where to travel is influenced by outbreaks. These feedback loops can potentially impact the tourism economy. Often, travelers' judgment and actions towards a risk are based on their perceptions.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conducted two surveys, using constructs from the Health Belief Model, with 747 individuals who had recently traveled to selected Latin American countries, and who had heard about Zika virus, chikungunya, and/or COVID-19. Using segmentation analysis, the respondents were grouped based on their risk perception level (i.e., low, medium and high), and we tested the differences between groups for different constructs of the model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found a significant difference between the risk perception groups for most of the sociodemographic factors, as well as for the purpose of the trip, regarding travel preferences. Personal experience with a disease and perceived efficacy towards diverse protective measures also differed between groups. Higher risk perception was related to reporting more changes in past travel plans, and higher likelihood of future travel avoidance if facing different risk scenarios in a tourism destination.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Including the concepts of risk perception, sociodemographic factors, previous experience, and efficacy can help better explain the individual behavior of international travelers. These findings can inform tailored and more effective mitigation and management strategies to promote safe travel and prevent disease spread in the event of a future outbreak.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12167583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144295013","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":"Addressing the burden of leptospirosis in Africa.","authors":"Colin Musara, Frank Kapungu","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00250-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00250-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated leptospirosis a nationally notifiable disease. There is need to raise awareness of the burden of leptospirosis among health care givers and policy makers in Africa. The aim of this review was to highlight the current situation of leptospirosis in Africa and suggest a One Health approach of addressing its status as a leading zoonosis. In tropical regions, the nonspecific symptoms of fever, myalgia and arthralgia result in misdiagnosis of leptospirosis with malaria, yellow fever, typhoid fever, dengue fever, brucellosis, rickettsiosis, and babesiosis. Urinalysis presents an inexpensive diagnostic aid for leptospirosis. Humans with leptospirosis exhibit proteinuria, glucosuria, pyuria, haematuria and granular casts resulting from acute kidney injury. Therapeutic guidelines for empirical treatment of febrile patients should be considered. Febrile patients who test negative for malaria and yellow fever can benefit from doxycycline, which also treats brucellosis, rickettsiosis and typhoid fever. Control of leptospirosis should also address Leptospira infection in domestic animal reservoirs through vaccination of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs in endemic areas. Treatment of sick animals with streptomycin eliminates the carrier status, curbing leptospiruria and spread of infection. Rodents are important in transmission of Leptospira to humans in urban slums and rural settings therefore rodent control strategies help in reducing transmission of leptospirosis. Indirect transmission of Leptospira occurs through contact with water, vegetation, or soil contaminated with infected urine. Drinking water should be drawn from protected sources or chlorinated before household use.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"16"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12144825/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144249776","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":"Plasmodium falciparum malaria runs a more severe course in splenectomized patients at comparable levels of parasitemia: a retrospective matched case-control study.","authors":"Maria I Otto, Klaske J Vliegenthart-Jongbloed, Jaap J van Hellemond, Perry Jj van Genderen","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00255-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00255-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The spleen plays a vital role in combating Plasmodium infections, particularly during the erythrocytic stage of the infection. Asplenia may notably affect disease progression and parasite clearance dynamics. More insight is needed as to whether asplenic malaria patients - beyond considerations of parasite load - also face a higher burden of disease caused by malaria-specific manifestations of organ dysfunction and/or metabolic deterioration.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case-control study was conducted comparing splenectomized malaria patients with non-splenectomized individuals at comparable parasitemia levels. Control subjects were sourced from the Rotterdam Malaria Cohort Study. Due to the cohort's limited asplenic cases, a systematic literature review identified 13 additional asplenic malaria cases. Each case was matched for age and P. falciparum parasitemia level with 3 control subjects resulting in 45 case-control paired observations.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The study included a total of 60 P.falciparum malaria patients, comprising 15 splenectomized patients (cases) and 45 non-splenectomized patients (controls). Eleven of 15 cases (73%) met WHO criteria for severe disease, in contrast to 21 of 45 (47%) matched controls. Cases had significantly longer median duration of hospitalizations (10 versus 5.5 days) and higher rates of hemodynamic instability. Splenectomized malaria patients had a significantly 3-fold higher odds of experiencing WHO-defined severe disease malaria (OR 3.14 (95% CI 1.30-7.60)) than matched controls.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this case-control study suggest that - at comparable levels of parasitemia - P. falciparum malaria infections in asplenic individuals may run a more severe course as compared with individuals who have not undergone splenectomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"18"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12131750/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144209627","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":"Work-related connectivity between Boston Logan international airport and urban communities with high social vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Daniel Begemann, Cristina Alonso, Samantha Bates, Edward T Ryan, Allison T Walker, Barry Keppard, Ann Marie Kissel, Flor Amaya, Sowmya R Rao, Tyler S Brown, Amir M Mohareb, Julie H Levison, Regina C LaRocque","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00249-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00249-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Airports may be high-risk sites for the spread of infectious diseases, including novel respiratory pathogens. While many studies have evaluated the higher burden of COVID-19 among essential workers, few studies have specifically analyzed the links between airport workers and surrounding communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used GPS-derived mobility data to estimate work- and travel-related visits from approximately 5000 Boston-area census block groups to Logan International Airport between January 2020 and August 2021. We stratified origin census block groups by their census tract-level Social Vulnerability Index and compared temporal trends and work-related airport visits across Social Vulnerability Index quartiles. Work-related visits to Boston Logan International Airport were more likely to originate from socially vulnerable communities (i.e., in the highest Social Vulnerability Index quartile), including cities that experienced disproportionately high rates of COVID-19 infection early during the COVID-19 pandemic (East Boston, Revere and Chelsea, Massachusetts). These differences persisted across the duration of the observation period. Our findings highlight higher social vulnerability and strong work-related mobility connections with an international travel hub as important overlapping risk factors in these urban communities. Protecting airport workers and their home communities from imported infectious diseases merits further attention as a public health priority.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"15"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12126863/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144192289","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":"Current update on malaria in pregnancy: a systematic review.","authors":"Awoke Minwuyelet, Delenasaw Yewhalaw, Melkamu Siferih, Getnet Atenafu","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00248-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00248-1","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Malaria during pregnancy poses significant risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. For pregnant women, the infection can result in severe illness and even death. Parasite sequestration in the placenta can cause maternal anemia and increase the risk of mortality both during and after childbirth. Malaria is also a major contributor to stillbirths and preterm births. Infected placental tissue can impede fetal growth, resulting in low birth weight, which is linked to delayed growth and cognitive development in the child. Furthermore, malaria during pregnancy remains a major contributor to perinatal, neonatal, and infant mortality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objectives: &lt;/strong&gt;To review the epidemiological patterns of malaria in pregnancy and its impact on maternal and neonatal health, and to analyze the availability and effectiveness of drug treatment options.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Relevant articles published only in English were searched using electronic databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pro-Quest. Keywords including \"'malaria in pregnancy\", \"placental malaria\", \"congenital malaria\", \"treatment options\", and \"nutrition intervention and intermittent preventive treatment\" were used in combination. Of the total of 4,486 articles identified, 139 articles were ultimately included. Whereas, others were excluded due to duplication, irrelevant abstract, title, and quality assessment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;From 139 included studies, 47 focused on epidemiology of malaria in pregnancy, 58 on its impact and 16 on treatment options and 18 on nutrition intervention and intermittent treatment. Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of complications in pregnant women and is primarily found in Africa, while P.vivax is recognized as an emerging global threat, and causing serious consequences. Other species, such as P.knowlesi, P.ovale, and P.malariae are less common. Malaria prevalence in pregnancy can reach 60% in sub-Saharan Africa and 36% globally, with placental malaria affecting up to 28% of cases. The disease causes serious complications such as maternal anemia, premature birth, and low birth weight, severe anemia and increased maternal and infant mortality. Prevention strategies like intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp), insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and Indoor residual spray (IRS) are essential. Early diagnosis and treatment can reverse adverse effects on placental and congenital function. Artesunate is recommended for severe malaria in all trimesters. Even resistance to chloroquine reported in some areas, it is the drug of choice for uncomplicated P.vivax infections.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;Malaria during pregnancy significantly impacts maternal and fetal health, leading to anemia, growth restriction, preterm birth, and neonatal death. Infants born to mothers with malaria are more likely to contract the disease. Further research and improved treatment strategies are","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096600/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120940","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":"The role of mRNA vaccines in infectious diseases: a new era of immunization.","authors":"Kesaobaka Batisani","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00246-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40794-025-00246-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The emergence of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines has marked a seminal shift in the field of immunization, heralding an era characterized by unprecedented speed and efficacy in the face of infectious diseases. The global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed the rapid development and deployment of two leading mRNA vaccines, Comirnaty and SpikeVax, showcasing not only the technological promise of mRNA, but also its transformative potential in public health strategies. This study seeks to provide an in-depth exploration of the foundational elements of mRNA vaccine technology, elucidate its unique advantages over traditional vaccine platforms, analyze the existing challenges that public health officials face, and envision future applications that extend far beyond current expectations. Through this exploration, we advocate for the integration of mRNA technology into existing public health frameworks to enhance global health security and adaptability in the face of emerging infectious threats.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12079950/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144080121","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}