Parasite Epidemiology and Control最新文献

{"title":"Understanding the research and practical needs required to control toxocariasis in Iran","authors":"Mohammad Ebrahimipour ,&nbsp;Hamid Parsa ,&nbsp;Nazanin Kianifard ,&nbsp;Saeid Nasibi ,&nbsp;Ali Rostami","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00351","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00351","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Human toxocariasis (HT) is a widespread zoonotic infection globally, notably prevalent in tropical areas. Enhancing our understanding of toxocariasis can lead to increased attention towards the socioeconomic impact and control of this neglected zoonosis. We conducted a comprehensive review of all available articles and official documents on toxocariasis in Iran to identify research gaps and critical needs for its control. This review highlights that despite numerous studies exploring various aspects of toxocariasis in definitive and paratenic hosts, as well as humans and environmental contamination, significant data deficiencies and gaps persist across different regions in the country. These gaps involve investigating the worm burden and reinfection rates in definitive hosts, developing more sensitive methods to detect and differentiate of <em>Toxocara</em> species, and understanding the behavior of definitive host animals. Additionally, identifying potential paratenic hosts for HT and exploring the organ-specific affinity and survival duration of <em>Toxocara</em> larvae within these hosts are essential areas for exploration. It's also imperative to comprehend the sylvatic and domestic cycles of the parasite in paratenic hosts. Furthermore, assessing egg density in the environment, exploring potential new sources such as water, and identifying regions with optimal climatic conditions for the survival and development of <em>Toxocara</em> eggs are crucial for the formulation of effective prevention and control strategies. Identifying at-risk groups, developing early diagnosis techniques, employing imaging methods, and identifying long-term complications in humans are also crucial. Community health organizations should prioritize health education for the public and professionals. Furthermore, accurately estimating definitive host populations, monitoring and preventing their movements in public places, implementing regular deworming practices for pets and stray hosts, and recognizing the infection's significance as a health priority are critical. This comprehensive understanding advocates for a holistic “one health” approach to control of HT.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00351"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000151/pdfft?md5=a46134218e39144ecf8fe01b039fe1ae&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000151-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140770251","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":"Seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis among pregnant women in Jahrom city in Fars province, southern Iran","authors":"Najmeh Sadeghi ,&nbsp;Mehdi Mohebali ,&nbsp;Zahra Kakooei ,&nbsp;Abazar Roustazadeh ,&nbsp;Hamed Mir ,&nbsp;Amir Abdoli ,&nbsp;Kavous Solhjoo ,&nbsp;Manoochehr Shabani ,&nbsp;Enayatollah Shadmand ,&nbsp;Ali Taghipour","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00349","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health issue in endemic countries with poor sanitation facilities. In this study, the seroprevalence rate and associated risk factors of VL were investigated during September 2020 to February 2021 in pregnant women referred to Ostad Mottahari and Peymanieh hospitals in Jahrom county, Fars province, southern Iran.</p></div><div><h3>Material and methods</h3><p>A total of 220 serum samples of pregnant women were assessed for the presence of Anti<em>-Leishmania infantum</em> antibodies by direct agglutination antigen (DAT). The associated risk factors were obtained using questionnaires.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The overall seroprevalence of VL in pregnant women was 12.72% (28/220). Considering the antibody titer, titer 1:1600 was detected in 23 samples, titer 1:3200 in 4 samples, and titer 1:6400 in one sample. All 5 women with titer &gt;3200 had mild fever. As such, there was a statistically significant difference regarding the age (≥39 years old with <em>p-</em>value: 0.01).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>We recommend an appropriate health education program for pregnant women and serological screening of VL before pregnancy in endemic cities. Moreover, we believed a need for more epidemiological studies for better understand the status of VL in pregnant women.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00349"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000138/pdfft?md5=26783ad05c3c959373085e9475003755&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000138-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140606894","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":"Hight prevalent of Opisthorchis viverrini infection and coincident Haplorchis metacercariae in cyprinid fishes in upper northeastern region of Thailand","authors":"Naiyana Senasri,&nbsp;Nattiya Chumnanka,&nbsp;Patcharawalai Sriyasak,&nbsp;Supannee Suwanpakdee,&nbsp;Sugunya Kumla,&nbsp;Kosit Sreeputhorn","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00348","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cyprinid fishes are commonly acted as second intermediate hosts of <em>Opisthorchis viverrini</em> and <em>Haplorchis</em> spp. This research investigated the prevalence and intensity of both parasites in cyprinid species. This process is regularly used as a guideline for disease surveillance and as a preventive measure in the Upper Northeastern region of Thailand. Fish samples were collected from both lentic and lotic water sources between November 2020 and October 2021, and classified them by their species. Acid pepsin-HCL solution was used to digest the individual samples and create a build-up of precipitate in order to view metacercariae using a stereomicroscope. A total of 3583 fish were caught and classified into 23 species. Out of these fish, 5.49% of them were found <em>O. viverrini</em>, 26.54% <em>Haplorchis taichui</em>, 10.04% <em>Haplorchis pumilio</em>, and 9.29% <em>Haplorchoides</em> sp. Ten species of fish were observed to have been infected with <em>O. viverrini</em>. Amongst the collected fish, <em>M. obtusirostris</em> had the highest prevalence of infection at 52.94%, while <em>B. gonionotus</em> had only 1.71%. The prevalence of <em>O. viverrini</em> infection was highest at 27.41% in Udon Thani Province. No prevalence of <em>O. viverrini</em> infection was observed in Bueng Kan Province. High prevalence of <em>O. viverrini</em> infection in cyprinid fishes was found in both lentic and lotic water sources in almost all provinces in the region. The prevalence of infection and intensity depended on the fish species and fish habitats.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00348"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000126/pdfft?md5=8aec720c961a9ae76d73fed66934bf1d&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000126-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140604685","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":"Performance of ginger constituents against SARS-CoV-2 virus: A therapeutic and theoretical approach","authors":"Mustafa M. Kadhim ,&nbsp;Anees A. Khadom ,&nbsp;Jawad Kadhim Abaies ,&nbsp;Wesam R. Kadhum ,&nbsp;Safa K. Hachim","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00347","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00347","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the present research, ginger extracted compounds, namely; Gingerol {(1-[4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone} (1), Zingerone {(4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone)} (2), and Shogoals {(E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dec-4-en-3-one)} (3) have been investigated as SARS-Cov-2 inhibitors. The interaction of extracted compounds with the virus's spikes may restrict the virus's reproduction or give time to the body's immune system to detect viruses, consequently producing appropriate antibodies. Gaussian 09 with a 6-311G (d, p) basis set, UCA FUKUI, MGL implement, DSV, and LigPlus software were utilized. The active sites for adsorption were identified using the total electron density (TED), FUKUI function, and Millikan charges. Furthermore, docking analysis clearly showed that the inhibition of viral replication depends on binding energy (Eb) and ligand efficiency (LE). A docking study revealed that the inhibition ability of the studied compounds on SARS-CoV-2 was in the order of 2 &gt; 3 &gt; 1.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00347"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000114/pdfft?md5=c1dcf3af193f943655866bdfd807baed&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000114-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140543258","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":"Awareness towards urinary schistosomiasis and its relation with active infection among primary school pupils and students in North Kordofan state, Sudan 2022","authors":"Ghassan E. Mustafa Ahmed ,&nbsp;Exeer Yahia M. Ahmed ,&nbsp;Ayat Eltahir Ahmed ,&nbsp;Lina Hemmeda ,&nbsp;Anmar B. Birier ,&nbsp;Tibyan Abdelgadir ,&nbsp;Hadiea Mosaab Ahmed Elbashir Hassan ,&nbsp;Esraa S.A. Alfadul ,&nbsp;Musab Bakr ,&nbsp;Ethar Awadelkareem Jaafer Sadig ,&nbsp;Khotwa Charity Foundation","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00346","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00346","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>This study intends to evaluate the prevalence of active Schistosomiasis in school children, as well as their awareness, attitude, and behavior towards the illness in El-Rahad province.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This facility-based analytical cross-sectional study among 495 primary school children aged seven to 13 in five villages; Structured and pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect the data in face-to-face interviews, in addition, urine samples were collected from each pupil and then assessed microscopically for S. Haematobium eggs Presence. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>A total of 424 primary school students participated in the study. Almost all the students (96%) had poor knowledge about urinary schistosomiasis. In general, 100% of the students had poor practices. Attitude revealed that females have lower chance of having the infection than their male counterparts. About 27% (<em>n</em> = 115) of them had active urinary schistosomiasis infection at the time of the study.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The study revealed poor level of awareness and knowledge, positive attitude, and poor practices among primary school students. There was also high level of active infection among participants.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00346"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000102/pdfft?md5=7391724ad9f87013c3e050d7463f229f&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000102-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140407235","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":"Soil-transmitted helminth infections and anemia in children attending government run schools on Samosir Island, Indonesia","authors":"Mara Ipa ,&nbsp;Tri Isnani ,&nbsp;Vierto Irennius Girsang ,&nbsp;Amila ,&nbsp;Ester Saripati Harianja ,&nbsp;Yunita Purba ,&nbsp;Toni Wandra ,&nbsp;Christine M. Budke ,&nbsp;Ivan Elisabeth Purba","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00344","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Worldwide, &gt;654 million children live in regions where soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic. These parasites cause a variety of symptoms, including anemia.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>In May 2023, fecal and blood samples were collected from children aged 6 to 11 years attending government run (public) elementary schools in the Simanindo and Ronggur Nihuta sub-districts of Samosir Island, Indonesia where a twice a year mass drug administration (MDA) program is currently in place. A questionnaire was administered to students' parents or adult family members on possible risk factors for STH infections. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>In total, 187 and 221 children in Simanindo and Ronggur Nihuta provided samples, respectively. The STH infection prevalence in Simanindo was 4.8% (9/187) and the infection prevalence in Ronggur Nihuta was 5.9% (13/221). In Simanindo, all infections were caused by <em>Trichuris trichiura</em> (<em>n</em> = 9), and in Ronggur Nihuta infections were caused by <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> (<em>n</em> = 6), <em>Trichuris trichiura</em> (<em>n</em> = 5), and <em>A. lumbricoides</em> + <em>T. trichiura</em> (<em>n</em> = 2). Three children had anemia but were negative for STH infections. While the results of the parent/adult questionnaires indicated access to a generally safe water supply and septic system, information from the in-depth interviews and focus groups revealed that the local water supply becomes greatly diminished during the dry season.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>While MDA has been shown to effectively control roundworms and hookworms, additional measures to control trichuriasis are needed. There is also a need for the government to invest in improving the public water supply infrastructure.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00344"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000084/pdfft?md5=ba7ef005e89412b2dba2076b035ed487&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000084-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140014639","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":"Community responses to corona virus disease (COVID-19) in Africa in the face of “Infodemic”: A scoping review","authors":"Mikidadi Muhanga,&nbsp;Angela Jesse,&nbsp;Edwin Ngowi","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00345","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00345","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Globally, Corona Virus Disease <strong>(</strong>COVID-19) has significantly affected communities in various aspects. The World Health Organization proposed different measures to prevent the pandemic. However, these measures in some instances have not effectively minimized the impacts of COVID-19, due to innumerable factors, <em>inter alia,</em> considerable “infodemic” related to myths, misinformation, and misconceptions. Knowledge of the “infodemic” on COVID -19 can lead to effective interventions to rid societies of COVID-19, hence reduction of COVID-19-related risks and outcomes. This article explores the “COVID-19 infodemic” that affected community responses to COVID-19 in Africa. The study employed a scoping review approach involving peer-reviewed articles from numerous search engines and databases. The keywords involved in the search query were: “COVID-19 infodemic, COVID-19 false news, COVID-19 in Africa, ‘knowledge of COVID-19, ‘myths, misinformation, and misconceptions on COVID-19, ‘history of COVID-19’, ‘community responses to COVID-19 in Africa”. Findings show that 5G technology transferred coronavirus, high temperature and alcohol can kill coronavirus, blacks are immune to COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine development has been rushed hence not very effective and safe and also causes infertility. Diverse community responses have been registered which in some ways frustrated efforts in combating the pandemic. Therefore, the “infodemic” consisting of myths, misconceptions, and misinformation have been resulting from the history of COVID-19 which first affected white people more than blacks. Also, low knowledge of how the virus is transmitted and affect human being; and the notion that COVID-19 affects richer than poor people, hence since white people are richer than black people then they were the first to be affected by the pandemic. Obviously in presence of such myths, misconceptions, and misinformation; community responses in combating COVID-19 have not been very effective in Africa. For these interventions to be effective, collective efforts involving various stakeholders to raise awareness of COVID-19 are needed.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00345"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000096/pdfft?md5=5f72284590599ff986a3601a1c61e791&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000096-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140031380","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":"Impact of repeated mass ivermectin administration using a community directed approach on L. loa infection in Chrysops silacea of the rain forest and forest savanna of Cameroon","authors":"Glory N. Amambo ,&nbsp;Fanny F. Fombad ,&nbsp;Patrick W. Chounna Ndongmo ,&nbsp;Raphael Awah Abong ,&nbsp;Abdel Jelil Njouendou ,&nbsp;Amuam Andrew Beng ,&nbsp;Theobald Mue Nji ,&nbsp;Mathias Eyong Esum ,&nbsp;Jerome Fru-Cho ,&nbsp;Ritter Manuel ,&nbsp;Deribe Kebede ,&nbsp;Peter Ivo Enyong ,&nbsp;Achim Hoerauf ,&nbsp;Benjamin Koudou ,&nbsp;Moses Bockarie ,&nbsp;Samuel Wanji","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00343","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Loiasis is an endemic filarial infection in the rainforest zone of West and Central Africa. Repeated annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI) delivered for several years to control onchocerciasis has been shown to reduce the prevalence and intensity of Loiasis in some <em>Loa loa-Onchocerca volvulus</em> co-endemic areas. However, the impact of these multiple rounds of CDTI on entomological indicators of loiasis transmission is not known, and was therefore assessed in this study in areas with contrasting histories of CDTI.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The study was conducted in the East, North-west and South-west 1 CDTI project sites of Cameroon. Two communities per CDTI project were selected for fly collection and dissection. Ivermectin treatment coverage was documented in these areas, and this was correlated to <em>Chrysops</em> infection and infective rates. A total of 7029 female <em>Chrysops</em> were collected from 6 communities of the 3 CDTI projects (East, North-west, and South-west 1) and from 2 communities in a non-CDTI district (East).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p><em>Chrysops</em> biting densities and parous rates were significantly reduced in the North-west and South-west sites post-CDTI, while in the East, biting densities were similar in non-CDTI and CDTI sites, with higher parous rates observed in the non-CDTI site. Infection and infective rates in the East non-CDTI site were 4.4% and 1.8% respectively, as compared to 3.3% and 1.3% in the CDTI site after 10 ivermectin rounds (there were no baseline data for the latter). In the North-west site, significant reductions in <em>Chrysops</em> infection and infective rates from 10.2% and 4.2% respectively, to 3.5% and 1.2 (after 9 rounds of ivermectin treatment), were recorded following CDTI. In the South-west, infection rate significantly increased from 1.74% to 2.8% and infective rate remained statistically unchanged after 14 rounds of CDTI (0.45% - 0.40%). Similar trends in Mean Head L3 were observed except in the East site where this indicator was similar in both CDTI and control sites. Only in the North-west site did monthly transmission potentials decrease significantly.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study demonstrated that the impact of repeated annual treatment with ivermectin for the control of onchocerciasis using community directed delivery approach on the entomological indicators of loiasis varies with bioecological zones. Community directed treatment with ivermectin induced a significant reduction in the entomological indicators of loiasis in the North-West project site which lies in forest savanna area. A non-significant decrease was observed in the East project site and in contrast, a significant increase was observed in the South-West 1 project site which both lies in the rainforest zones.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"25 ","pages":"Article e00343"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000072/pdfft?md5=fca15fa1b5892b1834fca6b17fb7cfba&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000072-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139907599","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":"Spatial and temporal trends of dengue infections in Curaçao: A 21-year analysis","authors":"Bart Roelofs ,&nbsp;Daniella Vos ,&nbsp;Yaskara Halabi ,&nbsp;Izzy Gerstenbluth ,&nbsp;Ashley Duits ,&nbsp;Maria E. Grillet ,&nbsp;Adriana Tami ,&nbsp;Maria F. Vincenti-Gonzalez","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00338","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00338","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dengue viruses are a significant global health concern, causing millions of infections annually and putting approximately half of the world's population at risk, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of dengue virus spread is crucial for effective prevention of future outbreaks. By investigating these patterns, targeted dengue surveillance and control measures can be improved, aiding in the management of outbreaks in dengue-affected regions. Curaçao, where dengue is endemic, has experienced frequent outbreaks over the past 25 years. To examine the spatial and temporal trends of dengue outbreaks in Curaçao, this study employs an interdisciplinary and multi-method approach. Data on &gt;6500 cases of dengue infections in Curaçao between the years 1995 and 2016 were used. Temporal and spatial statistics were applied. The Moran's I index identified the presence of spatial autocorrelation for incident locations, allowing us to reject the null hypothesis of spatial randomness. The majority of cases were recorded in highly populated areas and a relationship was observed between population density and dengue cases. Temporal analysis demonstrated that cases mostly occurred from October to January, during the rainy season. Lower average temperatures, higher precipitation and a lower sea surface temperature appear to be related to an increase in dengue cases. This effect has a direct link to La Niña episodes, which is the cooling phase of El Niño Southern Oscillation. The spatial and temporal analyses conducted in this study are fundamental to understanding the timing and locations of outbreaks, and ultimately improving dengue outbreak management.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e00338"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000023/pdfft?md5=f2ece93501bc523aa25275cd0cf0b2b4&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000023-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139639518","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":"Where will pediatric praziquantel be needed in Tanzania? Geographical variation in prevalence, and risk factors of Schistosoma mansoni in pre-school aged children in southern and north-western Tanzania","authors":"Humphrey D. Mazigo ,&nbsp;Emmanuela E. Ambrose ,&nbsp;Upendo J. Mwingira","doi":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Pediatric schistosomiasis has been recognized as a public health concern in schistosomiasis endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. However, there is limited epidemiological information relating to pediatric schistosomiasis in Tanzania. Therefore, this current focused on assessing the geographical prevalence of <em>S. mansoni</em> infection and its associated risk factors in pre-school children (PreSAC) in southern and north-western Tanzania.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A total of 1585 PreSAC aged 1–6 years were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. A single urine and stool sample were obtained from each child and processed using point-of-care circulating cathodic (POC-CCA) antigen and Kato Katz (K<img>K) technique. The overall prevalence of <em>S. mansoni</em> infection based on K<img>K technique and POC-CCA test were 18.6% (95%CI:16.7–20.6) and 28.3% (95%CI:26.1–30.6), respectively. The overall geometrical mean eggs per gram of faeces was 110.38epg (95% CI:97.3–125.3). The age group 4–6 years had the highest prevalence (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.01) of <em>S. mansoni</em> in both diagnostic tests and infection intensity (<em>t</em> = −2.8398, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.005) using K<img>K technique. On multivariable analysis, only Ukerewe district was associated with <em>S. mansoni</em> infection based on K<img>K technique (aOR = 2.8 (95%CI:2.1–3.9), <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Based on POC-CCA test, age group (4–6 years), aOR = 1.7, 95%CI:1.3–2.2, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), Nyasa (aOR = 6.2, 95%CI:3.0–12.5, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), Geita (aOR = 4.2, 95%CI:2.1–8.2, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) and Ukerewe (aOR = 28.9, 95%CI:15.0–55.8, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001) districts remained independently associated with <em>S. mansoni</em> infection.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p><em>Schistosoma mansoni</em> is a public health concern among PreSAC in the study districts and its prevalence varies from one geographical setting to another. These findings strongly support the need to include pre-school aged in preventive chemotherapy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":37873,"journal":{"name":"Parasite Epidemiology and Control","volume":"24 ","pages":"Article e00337"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673124000011/pdfft?md5=79f930284b6700c743ccf148364df9fa&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673124000011-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139635040","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}