Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease最新文献

{"title":"Structural Drivers of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Examining How the Converging Effects of Displacement, Environmental Disruption, and Political Instability Reshape Epidemiology Beyond Endemic Regions.","authors":"Janice Kim, Tarek Zieneldien, Sophia Ma, Bernard A Cohen","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090245","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the <i>Leishmania</i> genus. Once confined to endemic regions such as the Middle East, Americas, North Africa, and Central Asia, CL is increasingly emerging in non-endemic areas due to a multitude of drivers, including population displacement, environmental disruption, and political instability. These overlapping drivers contribute to expanding sand fly habitats, degrading living conditions, and weakening health systems, increasing transmission. Rising global temperatures further facilitate vector expansion into new regions, where clinical unfamiliarity often leads to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, increased morbidity, and greater financial burden. Despite its rising incidence and global spread, CL remains a neglected tropical disease since it is seldom fatal, with scant interest by public health authorities and financial donors, limiting activities that further research and prevent spread of the disease. This review synthesizes current evidence on how geopolitical instability, forced migration, and climate-driven ecological changes collectively reshape CL epidemiology and complicate diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance. As CL extends beyond traditional geographic boundaries, it requires integrated strategies that address its multifaceted drivers through strengthened cross-border surveillance, provider education, and international coordination-focusing on prevention, diagnosis, and equitable access to diagnostics and therapeutics, especially among displaced and underserved populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150834","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":"Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> Isolates from Hospitalized Medical Patients; An Emerging Pathogen in the Non-Critically Ill.","authors":"Dimitrios Kouroupis, Charalampos Zarras, Maria Zarfeiadou, Christos Sanos, Elias Iosifidis, Chrysi Michailidou, Konstantina Mpani, Panagiotis Pateinakis, Theocharis Koufakis, Michail Doumas, Ioannis Goulis, Dimitrios Vlachakis, Athina Pyrpasopoulou","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090242","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Until recently, <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i> was considered a low-virulence pathogen, usually found as an environmental commensal and colonizer of moist abiotic surfaces. Lately, it has increasingly been implicated in invasive infections with high associated morbidity and mortality. Most epidemiological studies involving patients with <i>S. maltophilia</i> infections have recorded risk factors and their associations with outcomes in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to investigate its epidemiology as a pathogen in patients hospitalized in medical wards and potential factors associated with mortality. For this purpose, <i>S. maltophilia</i>-positive cultures from patients admitted to medical wards from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2025 were collected, demographics and patient characteristics were recorded and analyzed and associated with clinical outcome. Twenty-nine patients and their first positive <i>S. maltophilia</i> positive culture were included in the study with a direct attributable mortality of 27.6%. Patients with cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease more commonly developed respiratory tract infections. Among the recorded comorbidities, only diabetes was associated with worse outcome. Most of the strains retained sensitivity to co-trimoxazole and levofloxacin and treatment outcome was not affected by the choice of regimen. This study highlights the rise of <i>S. maltophilia</i> to a true pathogen affecting immunocompetent patients; in combination with its antimicrobial resistance, this justifies its recognition as an emerging pathogen of public health concern.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474211/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151068","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":"Identification of Statewide Hotspots for Respiratory Disease Targets Using Wastewater Monitoring Data.","authors":"Dustin Servello, Purnima Chalasani, Erica Leasure, Krysta Danielle LeMaster, Justin Kellar, Jill Stiverson, Michelle White, Zuzana Bohrerova","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090241","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As wastewater monitoring networks continue to expand the monitoring of various targets, it is important to ensure these networks remain both representative of their monitored populations and flexible enough to accurately predict shifts in an expanding list of targets. In this study, we analyzed the levels of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A (InfA), and influenza B (InfB) detected in untreated wastewater during the 2023-2024 respiratory season at 70 locations participating in the Ohio Wastewater Monitoring Network. Locations with the first detection that are seasonal hotspots and sites reaching peak concentration for each target were compared and analyzed for dependence on healthcare access and population characteristics, such as population size and density, county traffic, and demographic and socioeconomic factors. The trends in these three respiratory viruses were found to closely mirror trends in clinical indicators including the number of cases and positive tests with wastewater levels providing a two-week lead for SARS-CoV-2 and no lead for influenza on these clinical indicators. InfA was first detected in more affluent sewersheds that were less racially and ethnically diverse and had higher traffic counts, while none of the parameters tested had an effect on InfB first detects. The seasonal hotspots varied for all three respiratory viruses, where InfA hotspots were exclusively in the northeast, InfB was in the southeast and east border areas, and SARS-CoV-2 wastewater hotspots concentrated around central and northwestern Ohio. While wastewater monitoring networks may not offer full coverage of all populous areas, we have shown that a spatially distributed and highly diverse network is needed for early detection of various respiratory targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474085/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151203","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":"Profiling HIV Risk and Determined, Resilient, Empowered AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) Program Reach Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Namibia: Secondary Analysis of Population and Program Data.","authors":"Enos Moyo, Endalkachew Melese, Hadrian Mangwana, Simon Takawira, Rosalia Indongo, Bernadette Harases, Perseverance Moyo, Ntombizodwa Makurira Nyoni, Kopano Robert, Tafadzwa Dzinamarira","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090240","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090240","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Namibia is experiencing a generalized HIV epidemic, with 7.5% of the population living with HIV. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15-24 account for 28.6% of new infections annually. Various factors increase AGYW's vulnerability to HIV. To address this, Project HOPE Namibia (PHN)-led consortium implemented the PEPFAR/USAID-funded DREAMS project in Khomas, Oshikoto, and Zambezi regions from 2018 to 2023. This study estimated the AGYW population most in need of HIV prevention and assessed geographic and age-specific gaps to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This secondary data analysis utilized the Namibia Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (NamPHIA) 2017, the Namibia census, and service data from the DREAMS project, which includes entry points for recruitment, screening, and enrolment. We used Python to conduct unadjusted and adjusted Poisson regression and UpSet plots for data visualization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Analysis of NamPHIA data revealed low HIV prevalence in 10-14-year-olds, with only Oshikoto showing a detectable rate of 2.76%, mostly attributed to perinatal HIV transmission. Of the 12 DREAMS eligibility criteria, three could be mapped to 10-14-year-olds, while all except sexually transmitted infections could be mapped for 15-19 and 20-24-year-olds. Nationally, 17.3% of 10-14-year-old AGYW, 48.0% of 15-19-year-olds, and 50% of 20-24-year-olds met at least one DREAMS eligibility criterion. Among 15-19-year-olds, a history of pregnancy, no/irregular condom use, and out-of-school status were positively associated with HIV status. For 20-24-year-olds, transactional sex was positively associated with HIV status. Overall, 62% of screened individuals were eligible, and 62% of eligible individuals enrolled. PHN screened 134% of the estimated 37,965 10-14-year-olds, 95% of the estimated 35,585 15-19-year-olds, and 57% of the 24,011 20-24-year-olds residing in the five districts where DREAMS was implemented.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We recommend the refinement of the DREAMS eligibility criteria, particularly for AGYW 10-14, to better identify and engage those at risk of HIV acquisition through sexual transmission. For 15-19-year-olds, PHN efforts should interrogate geographic variability in entry points for recruitment and screening practices. PHN should enhance the recruitment and engagement of AGYW 20-24, with a particular focus on those engaged in transactional sex.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474173/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145150367","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":"Enterobacterales and Antimicrobial Resistance in Feed, Water, and Slurry in Pig Production Farms in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, 2024.","authors":"Elvis Fiam Amegayibor, Rita Ohene Larbi, Matilda Ayim-Akonor, Richael Odarkor Mills, Helena Owusu, Benjamin Kissi Sasu, Robert Fraser Terry, Anthony D Harries, Florence S Kuukyi","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090239","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) levels in Enterobacterales from pigs in Ghana prompted us to investigate farm feed, pig slurry, and farm water for Enterobacterales isolates, their antimicrobial resistance patterns, and antimicrobial residues. Between August and November 2024, we collected one sample each of feed, slurry, and water from 14 pig farms for microbiological analysis. Out of 42 samples, Enterobacterales (<i>E. coli</i> and <i>Enterobacter</i> spp.) were isolated from 30 (71.4%) samples, with the highest prevalence found in feed (85.7%), followed by slurry (78.6%) and water (50.0%). The prevalence of AMR to tetracyclines, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin was high, with over 50% of isolates from slurry and water and 40% from feed exhibiting tetracycline resistance. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was identified in nine (27.3%) isolates of Enterobacterales, with the highest prevalence found in feed (38.5%), then slurry (23.1%), and water (14.3%). Among 42 farm samples screened for colistin-resistant Enterobacterales, 10 (23.8%) exhibited phenotypic colistin resistance. No antimicrobial residues were detected. Risk factors associated with MDR included large farms with high pig turnover (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and the channelling of slurry into both covered and uncovered pits on the farm (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These high resistance levels underscore the urgent need for improved hygiene in feed, water, and slurry management, stricter antibiotic stewardship with veterinary oversight, and better enforcement of existing antibiotic use regulations on pig farms.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151088","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":"Evaluation of Hospitalizations for Tick-Borne Diseases in the United States from 2002 to 2021.","authors":"Sidhvi Nekkanti, Kirsten Hickok, Mahesh Shrestha, Eric Edewaard, Thomas A Melgar","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090238","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are a growing public health concern in the United States. This study analyzed 261,630 weighted hospitalizations from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database between 2002 and 2021 to evaluate trends, coinfections, demographic disparities, and financial impacts. Lyme disease was the most common cause, accounting for 65% of hospitalizations (171,328 admissions), followed by ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis (46,446), babesiosis (18,057), rickettsial diseases (16,412), tularemia (2428), and other TBDs (19,435). Hospitalizations increased 2.5-fold over the study period, with the Northeast region bearing 52.9% of the burden and peaking in July. Males (53.9%), Caucasians (81.4%), and residents of higher-income zip codes were predominant, though rickettsial diseases showed elevated Hispanic representation (18.4%). Coinfections were common, with 35.8% of babesiosis and 15.6% of ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis cases involving another TBD, suggesting that routine testing may be warranted. Median hospital charges rose from USD 9433 in 2002 to USD 35,161 in 2021, totaling USD 1.265 billion in 2021. In-hospital mortality was 1.1%, with the highest cause of mortality being babesiosis (2.06%). Future areas for research include characterizing the burden of disease in an outpatient setting, understanding the causes of racial disparities in hospitalizations, and testing strategies to identify coinfection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474054/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151044","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":"Long-Term Durability and Public Health Impact of City-Wide <i>w</i>Mel <i>Wolbachia</i> Mosquito Releases in Niterói, Brazil, During a Dengue Epidemic Surge.","authors":"Katherine L Anders, Gabriel Sylvestre Ribeiro, Renato da Silva Lopes, Pilar Amadeu, Thiago Rodrigues da Costa, Thais Irene Souza Riback, Karlos Diogo de Melo Chalegre, Wesley Pimentel de Oliveira, Cátia Cabral da Silva, Marcos Vinicius Ferreira Mendes Blanco, Ana Lucia Fontes Eppinghaus, Fabio Villas Boas, Tibor Frossard, Benjamin R Green, Scott L O'Neill, Peter A Ryan, Cameron P Simmons, Luciano A Moreira","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090237","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10090237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 2024, the Americas experienced the largest dengue outbreak on record and Brazil was among the worst affected countries, reporting 6.6 million cases and 6200 deaths. We report the long-term entomological and epidemiological effectiveness of city-wide deployment of <i>w</i>Mel-strain <i>Wolbachia</i>-infected <i>Aedes aegypti</i> in Niterói, a city of half a million people in Rio de Janeiro state, where <i>Wolbachia</i> releases across three-quarters of the urban population in 2017-2019 were expanded to remaining populated areas in 2023. <i>w</i>Mel was durably established at ≥95% prevalence in <i>Ae. aegypti</i> populations throughout Niterói four years post-release, and up to seven years in the earliest release sites. Notified dengue case incidence in Niterói was 89% lower following <i>Wolbachia</i> releases, compared to the 10-year pre-intervention period of 2007-2016. Dengue incidence in Niterói in 2024, during a period of record high incidence in Brazil and the region, was 374 per 100,000 population, substantially lower than overall in Rio de Janeiro state (1884 per 100,000) and nationwide in Brazil (3157 per 100,000). Our findings show that city-wide <i>Wolbachia</i> coverage in Niterói provided sustained population-level reduction in dengue incidence throughout the five years post-intervention, including during the 2024 epidemic surge, averting an estimated three-quarters of the dengue case burden that may otherwise have been expected in Niterói in 2024.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12474452/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151182","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":"Quantitative Methods for Evaluating Antibody Responses to Pneumococcal Vaccines: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Yumiko Hayashi, Fleurette Mbuyakala Domai, Bhim Gopal Dhoubhadel","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080236","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080236","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Streptococcus pneumoniae&lt;/i&gt; remains a leading cause of invasive diseases, particularly affecting young children and the elderly. Currently, two main types of pneumococcal vaccines are commercially available: polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and conjugate vaccines (e.g., PCV20). Of over 100 identified pneumococcal serotypes, vaccines targeting 24 serotypes covered by PPSV23 and PCV20 (19 serotypes overlap between the two vaccines) have been developed, with serotype distribution varying by geography, age, and time. The immune response to pneumococcal vaccines differs across serotypes, vaccine types (polysaccharide vs. conjugate), and host factors. Quantitative methods for antibody assessment-particularly newer high-throughput assays-have emerged since 2000 to address limitations in conventional approaches. However, these methods have not been comprehensively reviewed. This scoping review aimed to systematically map the existing literature on quantitative methods used to assess antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccines. Specific objectives included the following: 1. summarizing conventional and novel quantitative immunoassays; 2. evaluating the current state of validation and application of these methods; 3. identifying knowledge gaps and methodological challenges. We followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We included the following: 1. peer-reviewed, open-access papers related to immunoassays used for pneumococcal antibody assessment; 2. articles written in English; 3. Studies published between 2000 and 2023. We excluded the following: 4. studies focusing on other pathogens, employing different analytical methods, or using animal models. Articles meeting the eligibility criteria were primarily retrieved from PubMed and Scopus. If free full-text versions were unavailable there, Google Scholar or the original journal databases were consulted. All references were exported to EndNote 20 for further management. At the beginning of the review, a data-charting form was developed based on prior studies and commonly addressed themes. Additional charts were created to accommodate newly identified variables during the review. All charting tools were reviewed and finalized through discussion among all research team members. The included studies were classified into five thematic groups: 1. general descriptions of quantitative assessment methods, 2. assay development and validation, 3. comparative studies, 4. technical details of assay development, 5. interpretation of assay application findings. Of 1469 articles from PubMed and 2946 articles from Scopus initially identified, 55 articles met the inclusion criteria. The earliest methods included radioimmunoassays, later replaced by WHO-standardized ELISA. While ELISA remains the gold standard, it is limited by labor, cost, and throughput. Multiplex immunoassays (MIAs), including Luminex-based platforms, have demonstrated advantages in efficiency and scalability. However, many MIAs did not initially meet W","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12390409/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144970548","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":"Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Across Chronic Kidney Disease Stages Using Interferon-Gamma Release Assay: Findings from a National Infectious Disease Institute in Thailand.","authors":"Wannarat Pongpirul, Krit Pongpirul, Vongsatorn Tiabrat, Karnsuwee Muennoo, Wisit Prasithsirikul","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080235","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a major global health concern, particularly among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), who are at increased risk of reactivation due to impaired immunity and frequent exposure to immunosuppressive therapies. Despite growing reliance on interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) in BCG-vaccinated populations, data on IGRA performance across CKD stages remain limited in resource-limited settings.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the prevalence of LTBI and indeterminate IGRA results across CKD stages in a Thai population and assess the clinical utility of IGRA in this context.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study among 785 Thai adults receiving care at a national infectious disease institute, including diabetes clinic patients, hospital staff, and individuals on hemodialysis. Each participant underwent QFT-GIT testing, and the CKD stage was classified using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) closest prior to testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall IGRA positivity was 22.2%, peaking in CKD stage G3 (31.6%) and declining in stage G5 (11.0%), where indeterminate results were also highest (6.8%).</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>Single-center design and lack of confirmatory testing may limit generalizability.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>IGRA performance is reliable in early-to-moderate CKD but less so in advanced stages. LTBI is prevalent in CKD stages G2-G4, supporting stage-specific approaches to LTBI screening and caution against overreliance on IGRA in advanced renal impairment.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12390336/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144970634","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":"Evaluation of Allplex™ GI-Parasite Assay-A Multiplex Real Time PCR for the Diagnosis of Intestinal Protozoa: A Multicentric Italian Study.","authors":"Ester Oliva, Libera Clemente, Nicola Menegotto, Stefania Varani, Antonella Bruno, Raffaele Gargiulo, Luciana Petrullo, Claudio Farina, Annibale Raglio","doi":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080234","DOIUrl":"10.3390/tropicalmed10080234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The microscopic examination of stool samples remains the reference method for the diagnosis of intestinal protozoal infections; however, this technique is time consuming and requires experienced and well-trained operators. Therefore, there is a growing interest in molecular diagnostic techniques, including commercial PCR assays. The aim of this multicentric study was to evaluate a commercial real-time PCR for the detection of intestinal protozoa in fecal samples.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The samples were routinely examined using conventional techniques, such as macro- and microscopic examination after concentration, Giemsa or Trichromic stain, <i>Giardia duodenalis</i>, <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>/<i>dispar</i> or <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. antigens research, and amoebae culture. The samples were frozen by the participating laboratories, retrospectively extracted and examined with one-step real-time PCR multiplex using the Allplex™ GI-Parasite Assay (Seegene Inc., Seoul, Korea).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 368 samples were analyzed from 12 Italian laboratories. Compared to traditional techniques, the sensibility and specificity of the real-time PCR kit were as follows: 100% and 100% for <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i>, 100% and 99.2% for <i>Giardia duodenalis</i>, 97.2% and 100% for <i>Dientamoeba fragilis</i>, and 100% and 99.7% for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp., respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Allplex™ GI-Parasite Assay exhibited excellent performance in the detection of the most common enteric protozoa.</p>","PeriodicalId":23330,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"10 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12390207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144970515","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}