Infectious Diseases of Poverty最新文献

{"title":"Unexpected uterine microhabitat of Schistosoma infection: a migrant case of female genital schistosomiasis in Europe.","authors":"Antonio Beltrán-Rosel, Jorge Ligero-López, Lia Ornat-Clemente, Elaine Mejía-Urbáez, Reyes Tébar-Fuentes, Pilar Goñi, Beatriz López-Alonso, Alejandra De Elías-Escribano, Patricio Artigas, María Cecila Fantozzi, María Dolores Bargues","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01502-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01502-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is an underrecognized cause of infertility and may remain undiagnosed in non-endemic settings because of nonspecific symptoms and limited sensitivity of routine diagnostic tests.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>We report the case of a 30-year-old woman from Côte d'Ivoire who had lived in Mali before migrating to Spain and then presented with primary infertility. Initial fertility workup revealed a large intramural-submucosal leiomyoma. Following myomectomy, histopathological examination unexpectedly identified Schistosoma eggs associated with granulomatous inflammation in the myometrial specimen. Initial Schistosoma serology and urine microscopy were negative. Hysterosalpingography later demonstrated right hydrosalpinx, prompting reconsideration of schistosomiasis. Repeated urine samples collected after endometrial biopsy revealed Schistosoma haematobium-like eggs, confirming the diagnosis. Retrospective review showed previous eosinophilia despite the absence of urinary symptoms or hematuria. The patient was treated with praziquantel, and follow-up samples were negative.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This case highlights FGS as a potentially reversible cause of infertility in migrant women from endemic regions. It also underscores the diagnostic limitations of serology and urine microscopy and the importance of histopathological examination in establishing the diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13555861/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148921527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate change reshapes the potential transmission risk of human alveolar and cystic echinococcosis in western China: a projection based on MaxEnt models.","authors":"Xu Wang, Quzhen Gongsang, Shijie Yang, Ying Wang, Sha Liao, Guangzhong Shi, Jia Liu, Fang Yan, Xiaojuan Zhang, Baixue Liu, Yan Kui, Yixi Zhang, Chuizhao Xue, Liying Wang, Shuai Han","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01482-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01482-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Echinococcosis, a severe zoonotic parasitic disease, imposes a significant health burden in western China, primarily as alveolar (AE) and cystic (CE) forms caused by Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) and E. granulosus sensu lato (Egsl), respectively. Its transmission, tied to a complex host cycle, is strongly influenced by climatic factors. This study aimed to model the ecological niches of these parasites, validate predictions with epidemiological data, and project the impact of climate change on future transmission risk geography.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Utilizing location data of 1247 human cases diagnosed in western China from 1981 to 2016, obtained from the National Echinococcosis Control Program, and contemporary climate data, we developed optimized Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) models. This involved defining an appropriate spatial resolution, screening 19 bioclimatic variables to select key predictors (7 for Em, 6 for Egsl), and identifying optimal model parameters. Model performance was evaluated using the Area Under the Curve (AUC) and AUC of 10% Receiver Operating Characteristic (AUCpROC) curve, and validity was assessed via correlation with county-level incidence. Future habitat suitability was projected for multiple periods (2011-2100) under three climate scenarios (SSP-126, SSP-370, SSP-585) generated by 5 global climate models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The models demonstrated high predictive accuracy (AUC > 0.92; AUCpROC: 0.084 for Em, 0.070 for Egsl) and a significant positive correlation with incidence (ρ > 0.6, P < 0.0001). Em and Egsl exhibited distinct climatic niches: Em prefers cool, stable climates with moderate summer moisture, while Egsl spreads in areas with dry-cold winters, warm-humid summers, and moderate seasonality. Future projections reveal a spatially heterogeneous reshaping of risk. While overall suitability increases, Em's suitable area is projected to shift toward higher altitudes (e.g., expanding in Qinghai and Xizang but contracting in Ningxia and Gansu). In contrast, Egsl shows widespread outward expansion from current endemic margins, particularly across the Tibetan Plateau. Qinghai and Xizang are identified as key expansion hotspots for both Em and Egsl.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings confirm distinct ecological drivers for the suitability of Em and Egsl, and indicate that climate change will potentially shift the endemic areas of AE and expand those of CE in western China. This underscores the necessity for forward-looking, spatially targeted surveillance and control strategies, informed by a One Health approach, to mitigate the evolving burden of echinococcosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543363/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV-tuberculosis co-infection in Liangshan, a resource-limited region of Southwest China: trends and implications in the context of integrated prevention, 2019-2024.","authors":"Xuefei Bai, Ju Wang, Gang Yu, Jinhong Shi, Sisi Fan, Ruobing Wang, Yubing Wang, Xiaoying Feng, Rong Pei, Rujun Liao","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01495-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01495-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection remains a major public health challenge in resource-limited settings. Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China bears a dual high burden of HIV and TB. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological trends of HIV-TB co-infection in Liangshan from 2019 to 2024 and to inform integrated prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analysis was conducted on 3367 HIV-TB co-infected cases extracted from the National HIV/AIDS and TB surveillance systems. Records were linked via unique identifiers. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests for trend assessed incidence trends, demographics, transmission routes, treatment outcomes, and drug resistance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2019 to 2024, HIV-TB incidence declined from 12.26 to 8.76 per 100,000 (χ²_trend = 40.459, P < 0.001), driven by high-burden counties and populations under 45 years (all P < 0.001). Patients were predominantly young males (61.10%) and farmers (92.37%). The main HIV transmission routes were heterosexual contact (48.29%) and injection drug use (41.31%), with marked sex and age disparities: injection drug use predominated in males (50.92%) and those aged 30 - < 45 years (50.32%), while heterosexual transmission prevailed in females (77.07%) and older adults (≥ 60 years, 87.62%). Treatment success rate was 81.76%, significantly lower in the elderly (69.52%, P < 0.05). Any drug resistance (3.30%) increased from 1.54% to 3.10% (χ²_trend = 8.481, P _trend = 0.004).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>During the implementation of integrated strategies, HIV-TB incidence showed a declining trend, particularly in high-burden areas and younger populations. Persistent challenges-stagnant incidence and poor outcomes in the elderly, high loss to follow-up (10.87%), rising drug resistance-require targeted interventions: leveraging the Yi \"clan\" (Jiazhi) system, strengthening active screening and nutritional support for older adults, optimizing drug resistance surveillance, and integrating digital health tools.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543528/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148892662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Liver fibrosis severity in chronic hepatitis B is associated with area-level rather than individual socioeconomic disadvantage: a nationwide multicentre study in Türkiye.","authors":"Yeliz Çiçek, Şafak Kaya Kavak, Mustafa Kemal Çelen, Seyit Ali Büyüktuna, Mehmet Çelik, Burak Sarıkaya, Selda Aslan, Ahmet Şahin, Alper Tahmaz, Ahmet Melih Şahin, Fatma Kesmez Can, Caner Öksüz, Cihad Baysal, Mihrişah Aytekin, Sezin Hoşgel Sevdimbaş, Emre Bayhan, Melike Nur Özçelik, Hakan Sakin, Kazım Kıratlı, Merve Kılıç Tekin, Eda Çetin, Selcen Özer Kökkızıl, Pınar Çakmak, Gülten Ünlü, Ferah Öğüt, Rıdvan Dumlu, Ali Mert, Ercan Yenilmez","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01497-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01497-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Socioeconomic disadvantage may influence the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) care continuum and the stage at which clinically relevant liver disease is recognised. However, evidence linking both individual- and area-level socioeconomic disadvantage to histologically assessed liver fibrosis in CHB remains limited. We examined whether socioeconomic disadvantage at the individual and area levels was associated with liver fibrosis severity in adults with CHB in Türkiye.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this nationwide multicentre observational study, adults with CHB who underwent liver biopsy in routine care between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2024 across 24 centres in Türkiye were screened. Clinical and histopathological data were obtained retrospectively from medical records, while socioeconomic data were collected after biopsy through structured face-to-face interviews. Fibrosis was staged using the Ishak system. Individual socioeconomic indicators and province-level categories of the socioeconomic development index (SEDI) were examined. The primary analysis used ordinal logistic regression. Supportive analyses included multivariable logistic regression, 1:1 propensity score matching with conditional logistic regression, overlap weighting, likelihood-ratio tests for interaction, chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, with Benjamini-Hochberg adjustment for post-hoc comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analytic cohort included 956 adults, of whom 53.7% were male. Mild fibrosis (Ishak 0-2) was present in 73.1%, moderate fibrosis (3-4) in 21.7%, and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (5-6) in 5.2%. In multivariable ordinal regression, higher fibrosis stage was associated with older age at biopsy (adjusted OR = 1.12 per 10-year increase, 95% CI: 1.02-1.24; P = 0.019), longer travel time to a centre capable of CHB follow-up (adjusted OR = 1.53 per category, 95% CI: 1.30-1.79; P < 0.001), longer duration of residence in the current place of residence (adjusted OR = 1.21 per 5-year increase, 95% CI: 1.03-1.42; P = 0.023), and lower residential socioeconomic development (adjusted OR = 1.97 per one-level decrease, 95% CI: 1.82-2.15; P < 0.001). In matched and overlap-weighted comparisons of SEDI 6 versus SEDI 1, the corresponding estimates were OR = 26.00 (95% CI: 8.21-82.37; P < 0.001) and OR = 24.75 (95% CI: 8.96-68.36; P < 0.001), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Liver fibrosis severity in adults with CHB was associated more consistently with area-level socioeconomic disadvantage of the current place of residence than with birthplace socioeconomic context or most individual socioeconomic indicators. These findings support a social epidemiological interpretation in which place-based disadvantage may be more closely linked to fibrosis severity at clinical presentation, potentially through unequal access to timely follow-up and specialist assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13540940/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148888700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 usage, condition, and cultural acceptability of the BALatrine project: findings from a subsidised sanitation improvement intervention in rural Central Java, Indonesia.","authors":"Callum Lowe, Matthew Kelly, Salvador Amaral, Novia Handayani, Bagoes Widjanarko, Budiyono Budiyono, Nissa Kusariana, Budi Laksono, Juniawati Juniawati, Muharsono Muharsono, Sukoto Sukoto, Suharyo Hadisaputro, Kinley Wangdi, Aparna Lal, Johanna Kurscheid, Susana Vaz Nery, Ricardo J Soares-Magalhaes, Kate Halton, James McCarthy, Archie C A Clements, Donald Stewart, Darren Gray","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01499-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01499-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Much work remains to achieve the sustainable development goals for improved sanitation access for all. Subsidised sanitation interventions are often criticised due to the possibility of the infrastructure being neglected or culturally inappropriate for target communities. The BALatrine intervention is a novel approach consisting of a community-wide subsidised recipient-aided installation of an improved latrine with septic tank ('BALatrine') and education package. This study aimed to investigate the long-term usage and cultural acceptability of the BALatrine project four to six years following its implementation in a main trial.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional follow-up study in September 2022 of 88 households who received BALatrines in two villages between 2016 and 2017. Quantitative and qualitative interviews with the household head and members were conducted to understand BALatrine usage and perceptions. Descriptive statistics were used to tabulate interview responses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The BALatrines were still in excellent condition with 89% still functional as initially intended corresponding to 95% of participants regularly passing a bowel motion in the BALatrine. A 77% reduction in self-reported open defecation was achieved. Participants expressed concerns towards the prospect of having to empty the septic tanks. Interviews with key village stakeholders demonstrated participants desire for aid and financial difficulties in obtaining and maintaining such improved sanitation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Follow-up results of the BALatrine intervention demonstrate that the BALatrine's in the two surveyed villages are overall culturally acceptable and well-maintained. The BALatrine intervention may be suitable for use in other rural areas of Indonesia and the region for improving sanitation coverage.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13532005/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148876230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cluster of 19 cases of eosinophilic meningitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Lifou, New Caledonia: an outbreak investigation.","authors":"Yves-Marie Ducrot, Jean-Sébastien Mora, Morgane Bahu, Alexandre Bourles, Matthieu Pot, Thibaut Mathieu, Antoine Biron, Nicolas Molko, Alexandre Duvignaud, Beatrice Nickel, Julien Colot","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01498-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01498-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Eosinophilic meningitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC) is an emerging parasitic disease worldwide but remains endemic in the Pacific region. In New Caledonia, sporadic cases occur each year, and the route of transmission is often unclear. In January 2023, an unusual cluster of three cases occurred in a village on Lifou Island following week-long community festivities, leading to an epidemiological investigation to determine the outbreak scope, the source of contamination, and inform public health interventions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective epidemiological and environmental investigation in one month after the suspected exposure. Cases were defined according to international criteria and classified as confirmed, probable, or suspected. Clinical data, attendance at the festivities and food exposures were collected from medical records and interviews. Environmental observations focused on potential contamination sources in food preparation areas. Serological analyses were performed in symptomatic and asymptomatic exposed individuals. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic, clinical, and exposure characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nineteen cases were identified, including three confirmed and sixteen suspected cases; no probable cases were identified. Headache was the predominant symptom, often associated with vomiting or paresthesias. All cases attended festivities on December 27, 2022 suggesting a common exposure during that day. The median incubation period was 3 weeks (IQR: 2-4). Two exposure hypotheses were identified: beverages diluted with rainwater and contamination of blended fruit juice. Environmental investigations revealed rats and gastropods around rainwater reservoirs and food preparation areas, including on utensils left to dry outdoors. No AC DNA was detected in water samples. Serology for AC was positive in all confirmed cases (3/3), in 13 of 14 tested suspected cases, and in all ten exposed asymptomatic individuals tested 9 months after the outbreak.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This investigation highlights the diagnostic and epidemiological challenges of neuroangiostrongyliasis in endemic areas, where mild presentations often remain unconfirmed and where the value of serological testing is limited by the lack of baseline seroprevalence data. The findings support the hypothesis of accidental incorporation of a heavily infected gastropod into blended fruit juice during preparation, potentially facilitated by open-air kitchen practices in rural Pacific settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13531922/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148867501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of COVID-19 on neglected tropical diseases in Zambia: a qualitative study of stakeholder perspectives.","authors":"Caitlin Brigid Butala, Jenna Fyfe, Noreen Machila, Susan Christina Welburn","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01491-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01491-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) remain a major public health challenge in Zambia and other low‑ and middle‑income countries, and there is concern that the COVID‑19 pandemic has further disrupted progress towards control and elimination targets. This study explored how COVID‑19 affected NTD programmes, funding, and partnerships in Zambia from the perspective of national‑level stakeholders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a qualitative case study using semi‑structured interviews with key informants involved in NTD policy, programming, or surveillance in Zambia. Fourteen participants were purposively sampled from government ministries, the Zambia National Public Health Institute, international organisations, and academia. Interviews were conducted in person, audio‑recorded, transcribed verbatim, and anonymised. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis, with codes developed from the transcripts and iteratively grouped into themes through constant comparison.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Five overarching themes were identified: (1) public health infrastructure; (2) disease prioritisation and surveillance; (3) resource allocation and funding challenges; (4) collaboration and partnerships; and (5) direct impacts of COVID‑19 on NTD activities. Participants reported that COVID‑19 exposed and intensified pre‑existing weaknesses in health system capacity, routine NTD surveillance, and financing, contributing to delays and reduced coverage of mass drug administration (MDA) and other interventions. Donor funding reallocation and the withdrawal or scaling back of some international partners created further uncertainty for NTD programmes, although various national institutions and the World Health Organization (WHO) helped sustain essential activities. At the same time, the pandemic period coincided with the strengthening of the Zambia National Public Health Institute and the development of updated NTD and One Health strategic plans. Stakeholders viewed these institutional changes as opportunities to build a more resilient NTD response.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>COVID‑19 disrupted NTD programmes in Zambia primarily by amplifying long‑standing structural vulnerabilities in funding, surveillance, and service delivery, rather than through complete programme collapse. Strengthening routine NTD data systems, securing more predictable domestic financing, operationalising One Health and NTD master plans, and building more resilient, locally owned partnerships will be essential to recover lost ground and protect NTD control efforts from future shocks.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13505077/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148819987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contrasting patterns of trematode and host snail dispersal across clusters of tropical crater lakes.","authors":"Cyril Hammoud, Bert Van Bocxlaer, Julius Tumusiime, Dirk Verschuren, Christian Albrecht, Casim Umba Tolo, Tine Huyse","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01488-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40249-026-01488-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Comparing the genetic diversity and population structure of parasites and their hosts can improve understanding of their respective methods of dispersal, demographic histories, and factors driving genetic differentiation. In parasite taxa such as trematodes which have both intermediate and final hosts, comparative population-level analyses may also inform how each host influences gene flow among parasite populations. Here we aimed to assess how intermediate and final hosts influence trematode dispersal by examining the population genetic structure of the aquatic snail Bulinus tropicus and three trematodes that use it as intermediate host.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used high-throughput amplicon sequencing to simultaneously genotype populations of B. tropicus in two clusters of crater lakes in western Uganda (823 snails, 15 lakes) and three infecting trematode taxa (Petasiger sp., Echinoparyphium sp. and Plagiorchioidea sp.). For each taxon, we quantified genetic diversity in three mitochondrial markers and used analyses of molecular variance to test whether populations were genetically differentiated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Populations of B. tropicus were strongly genetically differentiated among individual crater lakes and lake clusters (Φ_ST = 0.78), indicating limited inter-lake dispersal. Petasiger sp. haplotype diversity was on average twice as high as that of its intermediate snail host and did not display genetic structuring among lakes (Φ_ST = 0.01). This parasite can therefore overcome the dispersal barriers encountered by its snail host, likely facilitated by mobile avian hosts, resulting in a single 'panmictic' region-wide population. Contrastingly, Echinoparyphium trematodes displayed less genetic diversity and significant genetic differentiation among lakes (Φ_ST = 0.35), likely due to limited final host mobility. Finally, Plagiorchioidea sp. was restricted to five neighbouring lakes, and a single haplotype was identified in the 217 infected snails analysed, implying recent introduction into the crater lakes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity and population structure among three parasitic trematodes and their common intermediate snail host illustrate how multi-host life cycles mediate dispersal dynamics and generate distinct evolutionary outcomes in hydrographically fragmented aquatic habitats. These findings demonstrate how multi-host life cycles shape parasite connectivity and evolution, and show that comparative population genetics can provide valuable insights into the dispersal ecology of understudied parasite species.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13501632/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148814640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping mosquitoes and their associated pathogens in West Africa.","authors":"Qing Xu, Chen-Yu Wang, Jing Liu, Run-Ze Ye, Xiao-Yang Wang, Bao-Yu Wang, Shan-Shan Wang, Lin Zhao, Wu-Chun Cao","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01492-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-026-01492-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mosquitoes transmit diverse pathogens, some of which cause mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs). Climate and socioeconomic changes, such as temperature fluctuations, altered rainfall patterns, and urbanization, may affect the distributions of key vectors, particularly Aedes and Anopheles, and increase the health burden of MBDs. West Africa is a historically high-endemic region for MBDs, including malaria and dengue. However, existing studies in this region remain limited in scope, making comprehensive, high-resolution spatial mapping of vectors and pathogens inadequate. This study aimed to map the distributions of mosquitoes and mosquito-associated pathogens and identify potentially suitable areas for key mosquito species in West Africa, thereby supporting regional surveillance and control efforts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a scoping review of English-language studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus through 7 March 2023. From eligible studies, relevant online databases, and GenBank, we extracted records of mosquito species, mosquito-associated pathogens, and human infections documented by outbreaks, pathogen isolation, molecular detection, or serology. Geographic records were standardized to WGS84 and mapped in ArcGIS 10.7. Potential distributions of key mosquito species were modeled in Maxent 3.4.1 using 24 climatic, topographic, population, land-cover, and related variables. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We compiled 19,578 occurrence records for 302 mosquito species in 16 genera and 598 records for 124 mosquito-associated pathogens from 22 families; 20 pathogens were reported to infect humans. Aedes, Anopheles and Culex occurred in all 16 countries, and Anopheles harbored the most pathogen species (n = 55). DENV was detected in mosquitoes in five countries but human infections were reported in 13. Models for nine key mosquito species yielded AUC values of 0.763-0.912. Land cover contributed more than 10% to six models, and suitable habitats were predicted in Cape Verde for five species without occurrence records in the country.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We established a geospatial database of mosquitoes and their associated pathogens in West Africa. Current records remain incomplete and unevenly distributed, with gaps in key vector occurrence and limited mosquito-based detection of viral and parasitic pathogens relative to human infection evidence. Ecological niche modeling suggests that suitable habitats of some important mosquito species may extend beyond their reported ranges. These findings can guide targeted field surveys and coordinated mosquito-pathogen surveillance in under-sampled areas of West Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491993/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and validation of a machine learning-based model for identifying liver fibrosis in individuals with prior Schistosoma japonicum infection: a step toward precision management.","authors":"Tao Wang, Yi Jiang, JianFeng Zhang, WeiMin Li, HuiXin Xue, HaiYong Hua, Wei Wang, Kun Yang","doi":"10.1186/s40249-026-01485-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-026-01485-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Liver fibrosis caused by Schistosoma japonicum may continue to progress even following successful praziquantel chemotherapy. Although liver biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis of liver fibrosis, its invasiveness limits clinical applications. Conventional non-invasive indices, such as aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, often show suboptimal performance in schistosomiasis-related cases. This study aimed to develop and validate a machine learning (ML)-based model using epidemiological and laboratory data to identify liver fibrosis in individuals with prior S. japonicum infection, as a step toward precision management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from the Jiangsu S. japonicum Infection Cohort (Jiangsu Province, China), involving 6158 participants with a documented history of infection who completed follow-up assessments during 2021-2022. Modeling variables were selected using LASSO regression and variance inflation factor analysis. Five ML models (k-nearest neighbor, logistic regression, support vector machine, decision tree, and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)) were evaluated. Model performance was compared against APRI and FIB-4 using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), decision curve analysis (DCA), and shapley additive explanations (SHAP) for interpretability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the validation set, the XGBoost model demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.854 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.826-0.881), outperforming other ML models (AUC range: 0.609-0.776). This was significantly superior to FIB-4 (AUC = 0.514) and APRI (AUC = 0.516) (P < 0.001). DCA confirmed that the XGBoost model provided a substantial clinical net benefit across a broad range of threshold probabilities. According to Shapley additive explanations analysis, variables such as alcohol intake (mean SHAP value = 0.401), gamma-glutamyl transferase (0.295), and triglycerides (0.292) were the most influential predictors of liver fibrosis risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The XGBoost-based model offers a robust, non-invasive tool for identifying liver fibrosis in individuals with prior S. japonicum infection, with alcohol intake, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and triglycerides identified as the critical predictors. By outperforming traditional indices and leveraging routinely available data, this model represents a promising advancement toward precision management of individuals with prior S. japonicum infection, offering a scalable approach for early intervention, risk‑stratified assessment, and monitoring of hepatic morbidity in post‑transmission settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":48820,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Diseases of Poverty","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491811/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148799846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}