Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines最新文献

{"title":"One-step ahead: evaluating the efficacy of single-visit rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis against conventional multi-visit protocol: a randomized non-inferiority clinical trial.","authors":"Aman Dev Singh, Simmi Oberoi, Rohit Batish, Kanwardeep Singh, Maninder Kaur, Shailpreet Kaur Sidhu, Avneet Kaur, Prabhasees Singh","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00262-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00262-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12330093/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144795633","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":"A cost-benefit analysis of using wastewater monitoring to guide typhoid vaccine campaigns.","authors":"Aparna Keshaviah, Agha Ali Akram, Dheeya Rizmie, Ian Raxter, Rezaul Hasan, Ziaur Rahman, Afroza Jannat Suchana, Farjana Jahan, Aninda Rahman, Mahbubur Rahman, Mahbubur Rahman, Megan B Diamond, Anthony Louis D'Agostino","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00260-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00260-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Enteric diseases are a leading cause of mortality in developing countries, yet are highly preventable. Typhoid vaccines remain underutilized, and diagnostic capacity constraints impede treatment and prevention. Wastewater monitoring could provide a more accurate picture of disease burden if detection and quantification of Salmonella Typhi in wastewater are advanced. To motivate why countries should invest to improve wastewater testing methods, we conducted a cost-benefit analysis, quantifying the value this approach could yield.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We estimated benefits that could accrue if wastewater data informed the early launch of a theoretical typhoid vaccine campaign in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. After empirically estimating the lead-time advantage of wastewater data over clinical data to flag case upticks, we simulated changes in case counts from a 1- to 14-day early campaign launch, using ordinary differential equation modeling. We quantified benefits resulting from averted cases (from preserved caregiver time, school days, and wages), hospitalizations (from savings to public funds), and deaths (using the value of statistical life). We then calculated how cumulative benefits, costs, and the ratio of the two varied by campaign launch timing scenario over a five-year period.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Wastewater concentrations of Salmonella Typhi upticked up to 13 days before case counts. Cumulative benefits varied by year and launch timing. With a 13-day early launch, every $100 spent on wastewater monitoring could yield $295 in societal benefits by year 5. Cumulative benefits roughly equaled cumulative costs with a 5-day early launch and outweighed costs when the campaign was launched even earlier.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>If wastewater data can be advanced to reliably provide early warnings of new typhoid outbreaks, governments could reap large benefits that more than justify spending on program implementation. Our findings could generalize to other high-aid countries that, like Bangladesh, experience routine enteric disease outbreaks and have strong operational networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12320292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144776258","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, laboratory features and treatment outcomes of patients infected with Fasciola in Northern Vietnam, 2019-2023.","authors":"Nguyen Kim Thu, Phan Khac Dong Duong, Tran Huy Tho, Le Van Duyet","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00261-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00261-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vietnam experiences a significant occurrence of fascioliasis infection, largely due to the common practice of consuming raw vegetables. Diagnosing the fascioliasis infection remains difficult, and patients endure various long-term consequences. The purpose of this study is to describe the clinical and laboratory features, along with the treatment approaches for fascioliasis patients in Vietnam.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 31 patients diagnosed with fascioliasis in Northern Vietnam between 2019 and 2023. Blood ELISA testing, fresh stool microscopy, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging were all used to evaluate the patients. The patients received triclabendazole, and the efficacy of treatment was assessed three months later.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All patients infected with Fasciola reported having raw vegetables and exhibited typical clinical symptoms of right hypochondriac pain (61%), epigastric pain (58%), exhaustion, and anorexia (42%). All patients presented with a hepatic lesion, with an average abscess measuring of 5.5 ± 2.8 cm. Increased eosinophil levels were noted in 77% and 68% of the patients, whereas only 13%, 36%, and 19% showed decreased red blood cell counts, elevated white blood cell counts, and increased liver enzyme levels, respectively. Following three months of treatment with triclabendazole, 81% of patients achieved cure, while 19% (6 patients) remained uncured. The patients who did not respond to the initial treatment received an additional dose of triclabendazole (20 mg/kg body weight) and were monitored for another three months; all of these patients were cured.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The functional symptoms associated with fascioliasis include right hypochondriac pain, epigastric pain, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and fever. However, observable physical symptoms such as enlarged liver, jaundice, and yellow eyes are uncommon. Patients may exhibit liver lesions and an increase in eosinophils, but they rarely present with elevated liver enzymes or anemia. Treatment using triclabendazole is highly effective; however, an additional dose of triclabendazole is necessary to reach optimal effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12315442/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144761450","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":"A comprehensive phenotypic and genotypic taxonomic review of Leishmania (Leishmania) poncei n. sp. (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae): a novel agent of cutaneous (non-ulcerated) and visceral leishmaniasis in Honduras, Central America.","authors":"Fernando Tobias Silveira, Gabriela V Araujo Flores, Carmen Maria S Pacheco, Wilfredo Sosa-Ochoa, Thiago Vasconcelos Dos Santos, Edivaldo Costa Sousa, Concepción Zúniga Valeriano, Vania Lucia da Matta, Claudia Maria C Gomes, Patrícia Karla Ramos, Luciana Vieira Lima, Marliane Batista Campos, Carlos Eduardo P Corbett, Márcia Dalastra Laurenti","doi":"10.1186/s40794-025-00264-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40794-025-00264-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-ulcerated cutaneous leishmaniasis (NUCL) is an atypical clinical form of leishmaniasis first described, in 1988, by Ponce and collaborators, in Honduras, Central America, characterized by isolated or disseminated closed skin lesions appearing as papules, nodules, or infiltrated plaques, primarily in adolescents and young adults. Leishmania (L.) chagasi was then identified as the causal agent of both NUCL and American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) in Honduras, though NUCL has been reported as more prevalent. However, due to the uncertain taxonomic classification of the NUCL-causing parasite, especially since L. (L.) chagasi has not been associated to this form of the disease in South America, this study conducted a comprehensive taxonomic review incorporating phenotypic (biological and clinical-immunopathological) and genotypic (genomic/molecular) analyses. Biologically, Honduran parasite-LPG does not have Gal (β1,4) Man (α1)-PO4 side chains common to all Leishmania LPGs. From a clinical-pathogenic perspective, NUCL is unique, it does not ulcerate like cutaneous leishmaniasis due to L. (L.) chagasi or L. (L.) infantum. Molecular findings showed that the Honduran parasite is more ancestral than all known viscerotropic Leishmania species, exhibited an unprecedented structural variation on chromosome 17 with the highest frequency of genomic SNPs, formed a distinct phylogenetic lineage, and displayed a homozygous SNP profile typical of a parental (non-hybrid) parasite. Building on these findings, a new species, Leishmania (Leishmania) poncei n. sp. (Kinetoplastea: Trypanosomatidae), is proposed in honor of Professor Carlos Ponce, who first described NUCL in Honduras. This study formally classifies L. (L.) poncei n. sp. as a novel Leishmania species responsible for both NUCL and AVL in Honduras, Central America.</p>","PeriodicalId":23303,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Diseases, Travel Medicine and Vaccines","volume":"11 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12302823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733397","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":"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":"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":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12282004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144683190","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":"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}