Tropical Medicine & International Health最新文献

{"title":"The interplay of oil exploitation, environmental degradation and health in the Niger Delta: A scoping review.","authors":"Faithwin Gbadamosi, Jared Aldstadt","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14108","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale: </strong>Despite its abundance of oil resources and multiple remediation interventions, the Nigerian Niger Delta region is still faced with underdevelopment and environmental degradation. The contamination of the environment by oil exploitation activities has affected land quality, water sources, and air quality, hence influencing the livelihoods, health, and nutritional habits of the local population.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study synthesises evidence of the impacts of oil exploitation in the Niger Delta region, focusing on its effects on the environment, food systems, economy, and human health. While numerous studies have investigated various aspects of this issue, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersection of these factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 28 peer-reviewed studies (2000-2024) from Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar were analysed, following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, focusing on pollution impacts, health outcomes, socioeconomic disruptions, and policy responses. These findings were organised by the themes of environment, health, economy, and regulatory landscape.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings reveal significant negative consequences. About 29% of studies documented oil pollution's severe agricultural impacts, including heavy metal contamination (e.g., lead in crops) and 240,000 annual oil spills degrading 60% of arable land. About 21% of studies on health linked pollution to significant health impacts, including respiratory disorders (prevalent in 35%-45% of exposed communities), reproductive risks, and increased psychological distress (40% reported anxiety or depression). Women are reported to be disproportionately affected by socioeconomic disruption, with 70%-80% of small-scale farmers and fishers facing livelihood losses.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>More research is required to identify the long-term health effects of oil pollution and psychological impacts on affected populations. Detailed analysis of food security issues and adaptive strategies employed by local communities is also needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High burden of hospital morbidity and mortality due to Chagas disease in Bahia state, Northeast Brazil, 2000-2022.","authors":"Gabriela Soledad Márdero García, Andreia Heitor Martins da Cunha Leite, Eliana Amorim de Souza, Anderson Fuentes Ferreira, Andrea Silvestre de Sousa, Ronir Raggio Luiz, Alejandro Luquetti Ostermayer, Jorg Heukelbach, Swamy Lima Palmeira, Cleudson Nery de Castro, Cristiane Medeiros Moraes de Carvalho, Suzana Cristina Silva Ribeiro, Cândida Carolina Lima Oliveira, Alberto Novaes Ramos","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chagas disease (CD) is a chronic condition associated with high morbidity and mortality in endemic regions of Brazil, particularly in the state of Bahia. The clinical-epidemiologic analysis of hospital admissions is strategic due to limited data on chronic CD infections and the general lack of access to diagnosis and treatment. This study examines sociodemographic and clinical-epidemiological patterns of hospital morbidity and mortality from CD and its temporal trends from 2000 to 2022 in Bahia, Northeast Brazil. A mixed ecological study was conducted using data from hospital and mortality information systems. We calculated the hospital case fatality and all-cause mortality rates for CD, analysing temporal trends through joinpoint regression. Out of 20,189,658 hospital admissions, 4,557 (0.02%) were associated with CD, yielding a hospital lethality of 0.10 per 100,000 inhabitants. Of 1,832,325 Death Certificates, 16,960 (0.93%) were attributed to CD, equating to 5.16 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The risk ratios for hospital case fatality and mortality were higher among males, residents of municipalities with a 'medium' Brazilian Deprivation Index, those in the Central-North region, and patients with megacolon. Hospital case fatality significantly increased among males, the elderly (≥70 years) and residents in municipalities with 'high' or 'very high' Brazilian Deprivation Index in the Central-North and Central-East regions. The all-cause mortality trend for CD also rose among women and in municipalities with 'high' and 'very high' Brazilian Deprivation Index across the Southwest, West, North and Central-East regions. Programmatic vulnerabilities related to healthcare access within the Unified Health System likely contributed to delayed diagnoses and the increasing severity of specific forms of CD.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143651059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accuracy of computer-aided chest x-ray interpretation for tuberculosis screening in people with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review.","authors":"Reagan Daniel Emoru, Lucy Elauteri Mrema, Nyanda Elias Ntinginya, Irene Andia Biraro, Reinout van Crevel, Julia A Critchley","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of tuberculosis, and active tuberculosis screening of people with diabetes mellitus has been advocated by WHO and other international bodies. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the accuracy of computer-assisted detection for identifying pulmonary tuberculosis among people living with diabetes mellitus.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medline, Embase, Scopus, Global Health, and Web of Science were searched from January 2010 to May 2024 using MeSH headings and keywords, supplemented with grey literature searches (Conference abstracts, Trial registries, MedRxiv.org, Google Scholar). Studies evaluating computer-assisted detection diagnostic accuracy for identifying tuberculosis in populations living with diabetes mellitus were included. Two researchers independently assessed titles, abstracts, and full texts, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 instrument. Forest plots and Summary Receiver Operating Curves were generated using RevMan 5.4, and statistical pooling of studies was carried out in STATA v18 using the bivariate model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five eligible studies, all conducted in Asia between 2013 and 2023, were identified, including a total of 1879 individuals with diabetes mellitus, of whom 391 were newly diagnosed with tuberculosis. Four different computer-assisted detection software algorithms were used. The pooled sensitivity was 0.94 (95% CI: 0.85-0.97) and specificity was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.68-0.84). Area Under the receiver operating curve values varied from 0.7 (95% CI: 0.68-0.75) to 0.9 (95% CI: 0.91-0.96). False positive proportions ranged from 0.24% to 30.5%, while false negative proportions were 0%-3.2%. Overall heterogeneity was high (i² 55% for sensitivity and 93% for specificity) but much lower for sensitivity among the three studies using the same computer-assisted detection software (i² 0% for sensitivity; 93% for specificity). The risk of bias of the five studies was generally very low, although detailed information about diabetes management was lacking.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Computer-assisted detection tools show potential in screening people living with diabetes for active tuberculosis and appear to show good sensitivity at the thresholds indicated, but data are scarce and performance varies across settings.</p><p><strong>Review registration: </strong>The protocol for this review was prespecified and published in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42024523384).</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143626333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improved genetic screening with zygosity detection through multiplex high-resolution melting curve analysis and biochemical characterisation for G6PD deficiency.","authors":"Usa Boonyuen, Beatriz Aira C Jacob, Kamonwan Chamchoy, Natnicha Pengsuk, Sirinyatorn Talukam, Chanya Petcharat, Emily R Adams, Thomas Edwards, Kobporn Boonnak, Syazwani Itri Amran, Nurriza Ab Latif, Naveen Eugene Louis","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Accurate diagnosis of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is crucial for relapse malaria treatment using 8-aminoquinolines (primaquine and tafenoquine), which can trigger haemolytic anaemia in G6PD-deficient individuals. This is particularly important in regions where the prevalence of G6PD deficiency exceeds 3%-5%, including Southeast Asia and Thailand. While quantitative phenotypic tests can identify women with intermediate activity who may be at risk, they cannot unambiguously identify heterozygous females who require appropriate counselling. This study aimed to develop a genetic test for G6PD deficiency using high-resolution melting curve analysis, which enables zygosity identification of 15 G6PD alleles. In 557 samples collected from four locations in Thailand, the prevalence of G6PD deficiency based on indirect enzyme assay was 6.10%, with 8.08% exhibiting intermediate deficiency. The developed high-resolution melting assays demonstrated excellent performance, achieving 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting G6PD alleles compared with Sanger sequencing. Genotypic variations were observed across four geographic locations, with the combination of c.1311C>T and c.1365-13T>C being the most common genotype. Compound mutations, notably G6PD Viangchan (c.871G>A, c.1311C>T and c.1365-13T>C), accounted for 15.26% of detected mutations. The high-resolution melting assays also identified the double mutation G6PD Chinese-4 + Canton and G6PD Radlowo, a variant found for the first time in Thailand. Biochemical and structural characterisation revealed that these variants significantly reduced catalytic activity by destabilising protein structure, particularly in the case of the Radlowo mutation. The refinement of these high-resolution melting assays presents a highly accurate and high-throughput platform that can improve patient care by enabling precise diagnosis, supporting genetic counselling and guiding public health efforts to manage G6PD deficiency-especially crucial in malaria-endemic regions where 8-aminoquinoline therapies pose a risk to deficient individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-drug resistance and compensatory mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Vietnam.","authors":"Quang Huy Nguyen, Thi Van Anh Nguyen, Anne-Laure Bañuls","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14104","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vietnam is a hotspot for the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aimed to perform a retrospective study on the compensatory evolution in multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains and the association with drug-resistant mutations and M. tuberculosis genotypes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Hundred and seventy-three strains resistant to rifampicin (n = 126) and/or isoniazid (n = 170) (multidrug-resistant = 123) were selected according to different drug-resistant patterns and genotypes. The genes/promoter regions including rpoA, rpoB, rpoC, katG, inhA, inhA promoter, ahpC, ahpC promoter, gyrA, gyrB, and rrs were sequenced for each strain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Frequency of rifampicin- and isoniazid-resistant mutations in multidrug-resistant strains was 99.2% and 97.0%, respectively. Mutations associated with low -high levels of drug resistance with low- or no-fitness costs compared to the wild type, including rpoB_Ser450Leu, katG_Ser315Thr, inhA-15(A-T), gyrA_Asp94Gly, and rrs_A1401GA, accounted for 46.3%, 76.4%, 16.2%, 8.9%, and 11.4%, respectively, in the multidrug-resistant strains. Beijing and Euro-American genotype strains were associated with high-level drug-resistant mutations, rpoB_Ser450Leu, katG_Ser315Thr, and gyrA_Asp94Gly, while East African-Indian genotype strains were associated with low to high-level drug-resistant mutations, rpoB_His445Asp, rpoB_His445Tyr, inhA-15(C-T) and rrs_A1401G. Multidrug-resistant strains (19.5%) harboured compensatory mutations linked to rifampicin resistance in rpoA, rpoB, or rpoC. Notably, the frequency of compensatory mutations in Beijing genotypes was significantly higher than in East African-Indian genotypes (21.1% vs. 3.3%, OR = 7.7; 95% CI = 1.0 to 61.2, p = 0.03). The proportion of multidrug-resistant strains with rpoB_Ser450Leu mutations carrying rpoA-rpoC mutations was higher than that of strains with other rpoB mutations (OR = 5.4; 95% CI = 1.4 to 21.1, p = 0.02) and was associated with Beijing strains. Only 1.2% (2/170) isoniazid-resistant strains carried aphC-52(C-T) mutation in the promoter region of the ahpC gene, which was hypothesised to be the compensatory mutation in isoniazid-resistant strains. Meanwhile, 11 isoniazid-resistant strains carried a katG mutation combined with either inhA-8(T-C) or inhA-15(A-T) mutations and were associated with East African-Indian strains.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mutations associated with high levels of drug resistance without/with low fitness costs (rpoB_Ser450Leu and katG_Ser315Thr) along with compensatory mutations linked to rifampicin resistance were strongly associated with multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis Beijing strains in Vietnam.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spatial prediction of immunity gaps during a pandemic to inform decision making: A geostatistical case study of COVID-19 in Dominican Republic.","authors":"Angela Cadavid Restrepo, Beatris Mario Martin, Helen J Mayfield, Cecilia Then Paulino, Michael de St Aubin, William Duke, Petr Jarolim, Timothy Oasan, Emily Zielinski Gutiérrez, Ronald Skewes Ramm, Devan Dumas, Salome Garnier, Marie Caroline Etienne, Farah Peña, Gabriela Abdalla, Beatriz Lopez, Lucia de la Cruz, Bernarda Henriquez, Margaret Baldwin, Adam Kucharski, Benn Sartorius, Eric J Nilles, Colleen L Lau","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14094","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>To demonstrate the application and utility of geostatistical modelling to provide comprehensive high-resolution understanding of the population's protective immunity during a pandemic and identify pockets with sub-optimal protection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using data from a national cross-sectional household survey of 6620 individuals in the Dominican Republic (DR) from June to October 2021, we developed and applied geostatistical regression models to estimate and predict Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (anti-S) antibodies (Ab) seroprevalence at high resolution (1 km) across heterogeneous areas.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Spatial patterns in population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 varied across the DR. In urban areas, a one-unit increase in the number of primary healthcare units per population and 1% increase in the proportion of the population aged under 20 years were associated with higher odds ratios of being anti-S Ab positive of 1.38 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-1.39) and 1.35 (95% CI: 1.32-1.33), respectively. In rural areas, higher odds of anti-S Ab positivity, 1.45 (95% CI: 1.39-1.51), were observed with increasing temperature in the hottest month (per°C), and 1.51 (95% CI: 1.43-1.60) with increasing precipitation in the wettest month (per mm).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A geostatistical model that integrates contextually important socioeconomic and environmental factors can be used to create robust and reliable predictive maps of immune protection during a pandemic at high spatial resolution and will assist in the identification of highly vulnerable areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143617422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic diversity in the IIS6 domain of voltage gated sodium channel gene among Aedes aegypti populations from different geographical regions in India.","authors":"Melveettil Kishor Sumitha, G Navaneetha Pandiyan, Mariapillai Kalimuthu, Rajaiah Paramasivan, Bhavna Gupta","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study provides critical insights into the genetic diversity of the IIS6 domain of the Voltage Gated Sodium Channel (VGSC) gene in Aedes aegypti populations across various regions in India, focusing on two mutations: S989P and V1016G. Samples were collected from seven different cities across the country, including Dibrugarh, Kolkata, Berhampur, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Ghaziabad, and Aurangabad. The IIS6 domain was amplified and sequenced, revealing that the V1016G mutation was found at a higher frequency compared to the S989P mutation. The S989P mutation was most prevalent in Berhampur, followed by Bengaluru, while the V1016G mutation showed high frequencies in Dibrugarh, followed by Berhampur. Additionally, the study identified intron polymorphisms within the VGSC gene, with the type A intron being relatively rare. However, the type A intron was observed in samples harbouring both mutant and wild alleles for both mutations. The regional variation in the frequencies of these mutations indicates complex evolutionary dynamics potentially influenced by local environmental factors and insecticide application practices. Interestingly, the high frequency of these alleles also correlated with the genetic structure of the mosquito populations, suggesting that gene flow might be playing a role in spreading these mutations. Regular monitoring of these mutations could serve as important indicators in assessing the status of resistance to pyrethroids and guide nationwide mosquito control efforts. This research underscores the necessity for localised vector control strategies and continuous genetic surveillance to manage insecticide resistance effectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143587484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geospatial distribution and risk factors of Strongyloides stercoralis in rural communities of Northeast Thailand.","authors":"Chivorn Leang, Apiporn Suwannatrai, Sutas Suttiprapa, Thewarach Laha, Banchob Sripa","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Strongyloides stercoralis is a neglected soil-transmitted helminth endemic in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and spatial distribution of S. stercoralis infection in rural villages of Khon Kaen Province, Northeastern Thailand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 260 participants from 201 households across five randomly selected villages. Stool samples were analysed using agar plate culture and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques, and soil samples were assessed for S. stercoralis DNA by PCR and physicochemical properties including pH, porosity, bulk density, moisture, organic matter, and nitrate.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of S. stercoralis infection was 16.15%, with agar plate culture detecting 41 cases (15.77%) compared to 12 cases (4.62%) by formalin-ethyl acetate concentration techniques. The highest prevalence was observed in Norng Thungmon village (31.80%). Risk factors included male gender, older age, being a head of household, living in homes with earthen floors, walking barefoot, and proximity to water sources. Soil samples from 169 households revealed an S. stercoralis detection rate of 8.3% via PCR. Positive soil samples were predominantly from Norng Huachang and Don Du villages. Spatial analysis identified significant clustering of infections within high-risk areas. Soil physicochemical properties, including pH, moisture, and organic matter, were measured, though no significant correlations were found with infection rates.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, S. stercoralis remains a significant health concern but is neglected in rural Khon Kaen, with identifiable human and environmental risk factors. Enhanced health education, improved sanitation, and targeted interventions are essential for reducing transmission in endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143574071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping malaria in Thailand: A Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis of national surveillance data.","authors":"Khanittha Pratumchart, Kavin Thinkhamrop, Kulwadee Suwannatrai, Prayuth Sudathip, Suravadee Kitchakarn, Le Thanh Tam, Mick Soukavong, Pariwate Varnakovida, Thidarut Boonmars, Ampas Wisetmora, Sitthisak Moukomla, Archie C A Clements, Kinley Wangdi, Apiporn T Suwannatrai","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14101","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.14101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, remains prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. This study employed Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis to assess malaria incidence patterns and identify environmental and climatic correlates across Thailand at the district level.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analysed national malaria surveillance data using Bayesian hierarchical models to examine spatio-temporal patterns in malaria incidence. The model incorporated random effects to account for unobserved heterogeneity across locations and over time, enabling robust inferences on the relationships between environmental and climatic factors and malaria incidence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This analysis revealed seasonal malaria incidence patterns related to environmental and climatic factors, particularly Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. A 1°C increase in maximum temperature at a 6-month lag was associated with an 8% increase in P. vivax incidence (relative risk [RR] = 1.08; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 1.06-1.10). Additionally, a 0.1-unit increase in normalised difference vegetation index corresponded to an 11.96-fold increase in P. vivax cases (95% CrI: 9.36-15.38), while each 100 mm increase in precipitation led to an 8% rise (RR: 1.08; 95% CrI: 1.06-1.09). For P. falciparum, a 0.1-unit increase in normalised difference vegetation index correlated with an 11.59-fold increase in incidence (95% CrI: 8.29-16.16). The risk of P. falciparum increased by 15% per 100 mm increase in precipitation (RR = 1.15; 95% CrI: 1.13-1.17) and by 4% for each 1°C rise in maximum temperature (RR = 1.04; 95% CrI: 1.02-1.06). Elevated incidence was predominantly observed along the Thai-Cambodian and Thai-Myanmar borders, with central Thailand classified as low risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings highlight the significance of integrating environmental and climatic factors into malaria control strategies. The insights gained can guide the Thai government's resource allocation for effective surveillance, treatment, and preventive measures, ultimately supporting malaria control and elimination efforts in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143568294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progress towards the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in four counties of Eastern Equatoria State, Republic of South Sudan.","authors":"Stephen Ohidor, Nicholas A Presley, Angelia M Sanders, Andrew W Nute, Tania A Gonzalez, Yak Yak Bol, Albino W Nyibong, Paul Weiss, James Niquette, E Kelly Callahan, Scott D Nash","doi":"10.1111/tmi.14078","DOIUrl":"10.1111/tmi.14078","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Trachoma is targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO) for elimination as a public health problem by 2030. Trachoma impact surveys using standardised methodology are recommended to monitor progress towards elimination and to determine eligibility for continued surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement (SAFE) interventions. From 2007 to 2015, four counties of Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan, received three to five rounds of mass drug administration with antibiotics. A trachoma impact survey in 2015 indicated all four counties had trachomatous-inflammation follicular prevalence among children ages 1-9 years above the WHO elimination threshold (range 17.4%-47.6%). Based on these results, the recommended number of years of SAFE interventions were implemented and the counties were subsequently resurveyed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2021 and 2023, trachoma impact surveys were conducted in Budi, Kapoeta East, Kapoeta North, and Kapoeta South counties using a two-stage cluster sample design. Trained and certified graders examined participants for trachoma clinical signs using the WHO simplified grading system to estimate county-level prevalence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 12,570 individuals from 3286 households in 116 survey clusters were examined for trachoma. Prevalence of trachomatous-inflammation follicular among children ages 1-9 years was 5.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]:3.7%-8.3%) in Kapoeta South, 7.4% (CI:5.1%-10.7%) in Budi, 12.3% (CI:7.8%-18.9%) in Kapoeta East, and 18.1% (CI:13.5%-24.0%) in Kapoeta North. Trachomatous inflammation-intense prevalence among children ages 1-9 years ranged from 0.4% (CI:0.2%-1.0%) in Kapoeta East to 2.1% (CI:1.4%-3.2%) in Kapoeta North, and trachomatous trichiasis in individuals ages ≥15 years ranged from 1.0% (CI:0.5%-2.1%) in Kapoeta North to 1.9% (CI:1.3%-2.8%) in Budi.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>As no county reached the WHO elimination thresholds of trachomatous-inflammation follicular <5% or trachomatous trichiasis <0.2%, SAFE interventions should continue. Furthermore, these districts are classified as having persistent trachoma, based on trachomatous-inflammation follicular levels remaining >5% after two impact surveys. Compared to results from 2015, the prevalence of trachomatous-inflammation follicular, trachomatous inflammation-intense, and trachomatous trichiasis in all counties decreased, indicating that the Republic of South Sudan Ministry of Health's Trachoma Control Program is advancing towards its elimination goal.</p>","PeriodicalId":23962,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Medicine & International Health","volume":" ","pages":"159-169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11873754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142955773","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}