Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease最新文献

{"title":"Development and Validation of an Integrated HIV/STI, and Pregnancy Prevention Programme: Improving Adolescent Sexual Health Outcomes.","authors":"Mukovhe Rammela, Lufuno Makhado","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090273","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In developing countries, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) continue to experience high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Several healthcare services are available at the primary level of healthcare to address the sexual and reproductive needs of adolescents in South Africa. Healthcare providers often face challenges such as limited resources, inadequate funds, and inadequate training, which hinder their ability to provide integrated care. Furthermore, cultural stigma and a lack of privacy prevent adolescents from seeking care. In response to increasing international calls for developing and implementing integrated person-centered care, which addresses both quality and access to care, this paper aims to develop and validate an integrated HIV/STI, and pregnancy prevention program for adolescent girls and young women in the Vhembe District of Limpopo. Multiphase mixed methods were employed in this study. This study consisted of three interconnected phases. As part of phase 1 of this study, a comprehensive literature review was conducted. In phase 2, an empirical study conducted using a concurrent triangulation strategy to collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data as a form of confirmation, dis-confirmation, cross-validation or corroboration of the findings. Consequently, a conceptual framework was developed using qualitative and quantitative analysis by merging, comparing, and interpreting the results. The findings of phase 2 interface were analyzed using the Political, Environmental, Social, and Technological (PEST) and Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analyses. Additionally, the outcomes of the Logical Framework Analyses (LFA) informed the development of an integrated programme aimed at preventing HIV, STIs, and teenage pregnancy. Several stakeholders and experts (<i>n</i> = 35) were consulted as part of the Reduce the Risk (RTR) Coalition to validate the proposed integrated programme with an average of 94.3% on acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness. In the Vhembe District of Limpopo province, there has been no published study that has developed an integrated HIV, STIs, and pregnancy prevention programme to improve the sexual health outcomes of adolescent girls and young women.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474225/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151123","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}

{"title":"Development of a Microfluidic Point-of-Care Platform for HPV Detection Based on Helicase-Dependent Amplification.","authors":"Everardo González-González, Elda A Flores-Contreras, Gerardo de Jesús Trujillo-Rodríguez, Mariana Lizbeth Jiménez-Martínez, Iram P Rodríguez-Sánchez, Adriana Ancer-Arellano, Salomon Alvarez-Cuevas, Margarita L Martinez-Fierro, Iván A Marino-Martínez, Idalia Garza-Veloz","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090272","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090272","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide and a leading cause of cervical cancer, accounting for over 300,000 deaths annually, primarily due to high-risk genotypes HPV-16 and HPV-18. Conventional molecular diagnostic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), require expensive instrumentation and well-equipped laboratories, which limits their applicability in low-resource or decentralized settings. To address this challenge, the aim of this study was to develop a prototype point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform based on helicase-dependent amplification (HDA) integrated into a microfluidic device for the specific detection of HPV-16 and HPV-18. The proposed POC platform comprises a disposable poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic device, a portable warming mat for isothermal amplification at 65 °C, and a compact electrophoresis chamber for fluorescence-based visualization using SYBR Safe dye, with an approximate total cost of $320 USD. Platform validation was performed on 33 samples, demonstrating amplification of target sequences in less than 60 min with only 20 µL of reaction volume, a limit of detection (LOD) of 15 copies (cp) per reaction, a sensitivity of 95.52%, and a specificity of 100%. This portable and scalable platform constitutes a cost-effective and reliable tool for the detection of HPV, supporting global health initiatives, including those driven by the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed at eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat, as it can be implemented in decentralized or resource-limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474266/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151057","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}

{"title":"Seroprevalence and Risk Factor for Canine Tick-Borne Disease in Urban-Rural Area in Ayacucho, Peru.","authors":"Jime Rivera Villar, Ivonne Aquino Escalante, Saúl Chuchón Martínez, Rilder Gastelú Quispe, Ruth Huamán de la Cruz, Aide Sandoval Juarez, Giovanna Mendoza Mujica, Nyshon Rojas Palomino","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090271","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090271","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis are endemic to tropical and subtropical regions and pose significant zoonotic threats to both human and animal health. This study aimed to detect anti-<i>Ehrlichia canis</i>, anti-<i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>, and anti-<i>Anaplasma</i> antibodies in dogs from the rural-urban area of Huamanga, Ayacucho. The cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas of the Universidad Nacional de San Cristóbal de Huamanga between May and August 2023. Samples were collected via venipuncture, and antibody detection was performed using the immunochromatographic assay Anigen Rapid CaniV-4 kit. Frequencies, percentages, and statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS^® software package. A total of 107 samples from dogs in the Covadonga Human Settlement were analyzed, comprising 64 (59.8%) males and 43 (40.2%) females. The majority (78.5%) were from mixed-breed dogs, while other dogs breed included Schnauzers, Pekingese, and Pitbulls. Thirty positive samples were identified, with antibodies against <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> (15.9%), <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys</i> (3.7%), mixed infections of <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum/Anaplasma platys</i> (6.5%), and <i>Ehrlichia canis/Borrelia burgdorferi</i> (1.9%) detected, as well as an association between vector exposure and the presence of <i>Ehrlichia canis</i> antibodies. These findings underscore the urgent need for the implementation of integrated control strategies and enhanced surveillance programs targeting tick-borne diseases in high-risk areas, along with targeted educational campaigns to promote responsible pet ownership and preventive measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150799","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}

{"title":"Agreement Document for the Study of Leishmaniasis from a One Health Approach in Spain.","authors":"Joaquina Martín-Sánchez, Jose M Requena, Montserrat Gállego, Maribel Jiménez, Ricardo Molina, Paul Nguewa, Francisco Morillas-Márquez, José M Pérez-Victoria, Begoña Monge-Maillo, Manuel Morales-Yuste, Clotilde Marín","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090269","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090269","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background</b>: Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease caused by the parasite <i>Leishmania</i>, is a public health concern in Europe. Although Spain is an endemic country, it lacks a national surveillance network. To address this, the creation of a research and surveillance network is proposed, which would integrate data from various fields and enhance control and public health strategies. <b>Objectives</b>: The first objective is to gather epidemiological data on vectors, reservoirs, and transmission rates in Spain, with a particular focus on the role of dogs and wildlife as primary reservoirs. The plan includes establishing forums, databases, and specialised training programmes. The second objective is to improve case surveillance and reporting by establishing a comprehensive national registry. Implementing molecular diagnostics and bioinformatics tools will aid analysis of retrospective data and tracking of disease evolution. The third objective is to develop a standardised method for the molecular characterisation of <i>Leishmania</i>, using techniques such as PCR and genomic sequencing to detect virulence and resistance patterns. Key actions include collecting isolates, sharing analytical tools and providing genomic training. The fourth objective is to identify new therapeutic targets in response to toxicity and resistance to current treatments by studying specific enzymes (FeSOD, HDAC), metabolic pathways, and natural products. Ultimately, establishing the Leishmaniasis Surveillance Network will support a \"One Health\" approach and promote interdisciplinary collaboration towards a national control plan. <b>Methods</b>: We created the Working Group on Leishmaniasis funded by the Spanish Society of Tropical Medicine and International Health as a leishmaniasis forum for meetings and discussions on weaknesses and gaps we find in the knowledge and management of the infection based on the background of each academic and healthcare research group. <b>Expected Impact</b>: This study will promote the articulation of a Leishmaniasis Surveillance Network aiming to bring together the main stakeholders in the research and management of leishmaniasis in Spain.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474016/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151054","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}

{"title":"Improved Utilisation and Quality of Blood Culture Services Following Operational Research in a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana.","authors":"Rita Sewornu, Emily Boakye-Yiadom, Emmanuel Ativi, Precious Kwablah Kwadzokpui, Bismark Senahey, Helena Owusu, Pruthu Thekkur, Ajay M V Kumar, Cornelius C Dodoo","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090270","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090270","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Operational research (OR) published in 2023 revealed low utilisation and suboptimal quality of blood culture services at a tertiary hospital in Ghana. To address these, several interventions were implemented, including sensitisation of physicians, training of laboratory staff, use of automated incubation systems, and improved availability of laboratory consumables. To assess the impact of these interventions, we conducted a follow-up study in a cross-section of inpatients (n = 1080) with suspected bloodstream infections (BSI) admitted in 2024. There were three key changes. First, there was a five-fold increase in requests for blood culture from 8% pre-OR to 40% post-OR. Culture requests were more frequent from child health department (63%) and intensive care units (53%) compared to surgery department (15%). Second, there was a reduction in delays: time from hospital admission to culture request was reduced from 2 days to 1 day, and the laboratory turn-around time was reduced from 7 days to 5 days. Third, there was a marginal improvement (<i>p</i> = 0.692) in the quality of blood cultures: diagnostic yield improved from 7% to 10%, and the contamination rate was reduced from 16% to 14%. Achieving universal culture utilisation among eligible patients and lowering contamination rates will require a detailed gap analysis and targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151156","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}

{"title":"<i>Campylobacter</i> Colonisation of Poultry Slaughtered at Nigerian Slaughterhouses: Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Risk of Zoonotic Transmission.","authors":"Emmanuel O Njoga, Philip P Mshelbwala, Akwoba J Ogugua, Excel C Enemuo-Edo, Onyinye S Onwumere-Idolor, Temitope M Ogunniran, Sunday N Bernard, Joel C Ugwunwarua, Ebube C Anidobe, Chinwe E Okoli, Enid Godwin, Simon I Enem, James W Oguttu","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090265","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoonotic <i>Campylobacter</i> species (ZCS), particularly <i>C. jejuni</i> and <i>C. coli</i>, cause major foodborne gastroenteritis and poultry is the principal reservoirs. However, there is limited data on <i>Campylobacter</i> transmission risk practices and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Nigeria. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence, AMR, and risk practices aiding <i>Campylobacter</i> transmission in two major slaughterhouses processing poultry carcasses in Enugu State, Nigeria. Four hundred poultry faecal samples were analysed for zoonotic <i>Campylobacter</i> organisms using standard protocols. Antimicrobial resistance was profiled via Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique, against eight antimicrobial agents. Risk practices were assessed through slaughterhouse observations and interviews with 56 workers. The overall prevalence of <i>Campylobacter</i> infections was 14.5% (58/400), while the species-specific prevalence were 13% (52/400) and 1.5% (6/400) for <i>C. coli</i> and <i>C. jejuni</i>, respectively. <i>Campylobacter</i> colonisation was significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in broilers, and during the wet season. The AMR profile of the isolates against the eight antibiotics tested was: Amoxicillin/clauvlanic acid (100%), vancomycin (100%), tetracycline (96.6%), ciprofloxacin (55.2%), chloramphenicol (44.8%), ceftazidime (10.3%), azithromycin (3.4%) and streptomycin (3.4%). All the 58 <i>Campylobacter</i> isolates were multidrug-resistant. The multiple antibiotic resistance indices ranged from 0.4 to 0.9, with a mean of 0.7. Major risk practice associated with ZCS transmission include non-use of personal protective equipment (100%), slaughtering on unsanitary surfaces (100%), using visibly unclean water for meat processing (100%), improper manual evisceration (75%), eating or drinking during processing (64.4%), slaughtering sick animals (37.5%), inadequate cleaning of surfaces and equipment after use (21.4%) and consuming raw meat during carcass processing (19.6%). The findings reflect critical gaps in food safety, occupational health, prudent antimicrobial use in poultry farming and zoonotic disease control, emphasizing the need for antibiotic regulation, training on hygienic meat processing, public education, infrastructural development of slaughterhouse facilities, and inter-sectorial collaboration to curb <i>Campylobacter</i> contamination and spread of antimicrobial resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474369/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151049","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}

{"title":"Prevalence of Antimicrobial and Colistin Resistance in Enterobacterales in Healthy Pigs in Ghana Before and After Farmer Education.","authors":"Elvis Fiam Amegayibor, Rita Ohene Larbi, Matilda Ayim-Akonor, Ebenezer D O Ansa, Pruthu Thekkur, Helena Owusu, Robert Fraser Terry, Anthony D Harries, Benjamin Kissi Sasu, George Kwesi Hedidor, Richael Odarkor Mills","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090266","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>High levels of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were found in healthy pigs in the Greater Accra region of Ghana in 2022; this led to awareness creation and education of pig farmers about how to improve antimicrobial practices and biosecurity. To assess changes in AMR after the intervention, we compared AMR, multi-drug resistance (MDR), and determined colistin resistance levels in healthy pigs in the region before (2022) and after (2024) the education of farmers. Rectal swabs (<i>n</i> = 140) from pigs in 14 farms were cultured for isolation of Enterobacterales (<i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Enterobacter</i> spp.) and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. A selective culture method was employed to isolate colistin-resistant Enterobacterales, which were further screened for the <i>mcr-1</i> gene. AMR and MDR findings were compared with those from 140 pigs from the same farms in 2022. Enterobacterales were found in 137 (2022) and 138 (2024) rectal swabs, with <i>Escherichia coli</i> predominating. There was a marked increase in AMR prevalence for eight of the nine tested antibiotics in 2024. Notable increases in resistance were for tetracycline (58-82%), ampicillin (33-49%), and ciprofloxacin (3-33%). MDR prevalence was highest in <i>Escherichia coli</i>, increasing from 20% to 44%. Phenotypic colistin resistance was found in 44% of <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates in 2024 (in 2022, using different methodology, phenotypic colistin resistance was 8%)-in 2024, the <i>mcr-1</i> gene was found in 51% of these isolates. There were no relevant associations between farm and pig characteristics and prevalence of MDR and phenotypic colistin resistance. Although education is an important aspect of AMR control, the findings highlight that education alone cannot curb the rise of AMR. Further interventions including continuous surveillance, stronger regulatory policy on antimicrobial use, and behavioral interventions will be needed to mitigate the situation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150328","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}

{"title":"Seasonal Distribution of Viral Pneumonia After COVID-19 and the Role of Hematological Markers in Assessing Pneumonia Severity: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Şaban Melih Şimşek, Ayşe Elif Bayar","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090268","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090268","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Various studies have shown that viral pneumonia pathogens display distinct inflammatory profiles, and hematological indices, such as the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Lymphocyte/Monocyte Ratio (LMR), and Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), can serve as accessible markers of disease severity. Moreover, the seasonal distribution of respiratory viruses appears to have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective case-control study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PCR-confirmed viral pneumonia in the emergency department of a tertiary care center between 1 January and 31 December 2024. The control group comprised age- and sex-matched individuals without viral pneumonia. Subjects with comorbidities or ongoing treatments potentially affecting hematological indices were excluded. Seasonal distribution of viral pathogens was recorded. Hematological and inflammatory parameters at admission-including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR)-were evaluated. The associations between these biomarkers, Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) scores, and hospitalization status were statistically analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, it was determined that Influenza A/B was more common in winter (67.3%) and SARS-CoV-2 in summer (70.7%). The relationship between the Pneumonia Severity Index and hemogram parameters was examined in determining the severity of pneumonia. In SARS-CoV-2, leukocyte and neutrophil counts were positively correlated (R: 0.392, <i>p</i>: 0.003; R: 0.466, <i>p</i>: <0.001), while in Influenza A/B, lymphocyte, platelet, and monocyte counts showed a negative correlation (R: -0.402, <i>p</i>: 0.005; R: -0.331, <i>p</i>: 0.021; R: -0.327, <i>p</i>: 0.023). Correlations were found between inflammation parameters and the Pneumonia Severity Index, except for the Lymphocyte/Monocyte Ratio, between SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B (<i>p</i> < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The seasonal distribution of viral pneumonia pathogens has been revealed following the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to differences in inflammation patterns in viral infections, different leukocyte subgroups have been suggested as biomarkers.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150610","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}

{"title":"High Rate of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus-2 in Patients with HIV in the Peruvian Amazon.","authors":"Silvia Otero-Rodriguez, Martin Casapia-Morales, Carmen de Mendoza, Viviana Pinedo-Cancino, Seyer Mego-Campos, Vicente Soriano, Esperanza Merino, José-Manuel Ramos-Rincón","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090267","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>HTLV-1/2 in people with HIV (PWH) has been little studied in the Peruvian Amazon, an endemic area for both viruses. We aimed to estimate its prevalence and describe the main clinical and epidemiological features of individuals with HTLV-HIV co-existence. We conducted a cross-sectional study (October-December 2023) at the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the Regional Hospital of Loreto in Iquitos. We performed a screening test (recombinant HTLV I+II ELISA) and confirmed the results with INNO-LIA. Among 293 PWH analyzed, 14 (4.8%) were HTLV-positive: 1/293 was HTLV-1-positive (0.3%; 95% CI 0.06-0.9), 11/293 were HTLV-2-positive (3.8%; 95% CI 2.1-6.8), and 2/293 were non-typeable (0.7%; 95% CI 0.1-2.7). Compared with HIV-monoinfected individuals, superinfected patients were older (55 vs. 39 years; <i>p</i> = 0.001). Low education was more frequent in the univariate analysis (35.7% vs. 15.4%; <i>p</i> = 0.05) but was not retained in the multivariable model. In conclusion, HIV-HTLV-2 co-existence is relatively common (~4%) in the Peruvian Amazon, particularly among older individuals, highlighting the need for targeted screening and prevention strategies. Integrating HTLV testing into routine HIV clinic workflows, along with brief and focused counseling for superinfected patients, may help optimize follow-up and care.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474494/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151192","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}

{"title":"Wastewater-Based Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and Modeling of COVID-19 Infection Trends.","authors":"Wenli Wang, Ruoyu Li, Shilin Chen, Liangping Chen, Yu Jiang, Jianjun Xiang, Jing Wu, Jing Li, Zhiwei Chen, Chuancheng Wu","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090264","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study was performed to evaluate the early warning value of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) in monitoring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its correlation with population-level coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection trends.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Wastewater samples from Fuzhou's Sewage Treatment Plant A were concentrated via membrane filtration and quantified using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Viral load data were integrated with sentinel hospital positivity rates and respiratory outpatient visits from 11 city hospitals. Stratified cross-correlation lag analysis was performed by gender, age, and hospital type.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Using the lowest single-day genome concentration as a proxy for daily SARS-CoV-2 levels was advantageous. Wastewater viral concentrations correlated positively with clinical cases, with peaks preceding reports by 0 to 17 days. Stratified analysis further indicated that women, older adults, and individuals from general hospitals were more sensitive to changes in wastewater viral loads, showing stronger correlations between infection trends and wastewater signals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 can effectively predict COVID-19 infection trends and offers a scientific basis for stratified and targeted interventions. The findings underscore the value of WBE as an early warning tool in public health surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150748","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}