PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Immune-mediated remodelling of tissue architecture in Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL).","authors":"Deep Goswami, Shriya Saha, Madhurima Roy, Ebrahim Mohammad, Ratnaprabha Maji, Ritika Sengupta, Shilpa Sengupta, Sutopa Roy, Surya Jyati Chaudhuri, Nilay Kanti Das, Bidhan Chakraborty, Uttara Chatterjee, Mitali Chatterjee","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014798","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL), a dermal sequel of apparently cured visceral leishmaniasis (VL), presents with macular or polymorphic lesions. A relationship, if any, between immune cell infiltration and cytokines potentially causing tissue-remodelling remains poorly defined, and was the focus of this study.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>Skin biopsies along with plasma from PKDL patients and healthy controls were analyzed. Tissue sections were assessed for immune cell subsets (CD8 ⁺ T cells, CD68 ⁺ macrophages, CD20 ⁺ B cells, CD66b⁺ neutrophils), associated cytokines/chemokines, adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1), extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (fibronectin, collagen I/IV, laminin), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) using immuno-histochemistry/fluorescence, while circulating cytokines/chemokines, and MMP9 were quantified using multiplex assays/ELISA. PKDL lesions exhibited increased cell infiltration, monocytes/macrophages>CD8 ⁺ T cells>> neutrophils >B cells. E-cadherin was significantly downregulated, especially in macular lesions, whereas ICAM-1 was elevated. In both PKDL forms, ECM components were significantly reduced, and correlated inversely with immune cell infiltration. The raised levels of circulating chemokines (CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, IL-8) positively correlated with their corresponding immune populations; additionally, circulating pro- (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-1β) inflammatory cytokines and IL-4 was elevated. Additionally, lesional TNF-α, IFN-γ and MMP9 was elevated, and correlated inversely with E-cadherin and ECM proteins.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>In PKDL lesions, there was an elevated presence of monocytes-macrophages/CD8+ T cells, B cells and neutrophils; the increased presence of their respective chemokines endorsed their homing to lesional sites. Furthermore, the increased presence of dermal MMP9, TNF-α and IFN-γ possibly facilitated the breakdown of E-cadherin and ECM components, which could cause a site-specific loss of melanocytes, and contribute to the hypopigmentation associated with PKDL.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014798"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674725/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Standardized LDH-to-lymphocyte ratio improves early mortality prediction in severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome: A 15-day competing-risk bedside model.","authors":"Ruize Ma, Jingxia Wang, Zhouling Jiang, Shuwen Ding, Ruihua Zhang, Yanli Xu, Ranran Wang, Ling Lin, Zhihai Chen","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014804","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014804","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014289.].</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014804"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674758/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disclosing pathogenic processes of monkeypox (MPOX) and drug repurposing through host-transcriptomics analysis.","authors":"Sabkat Mahmud, Alvira Ajadee, Md Ahad Ali, Md Feroj Ahmed, Reaz Ahmmed, Md Masud Rana, Tasfia Noor, Md Fahim Faysal, Md Hadiul Kabir, Md Nurul Haque Mollah","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014797","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Monkeypox (MPOX) virus infection outbreak in Africa in 2022 was initially considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Now it is recognized as a global health problem. The recent global spread has emphasized the need for increased attention to combat MPOX. Although there are some vaccines against MPOX, most people worldwide are still not vaccinated due to their unawareness or unavailability. However, so far, there is no approved drug against MPOX yet. Therefore, effective drugs against MPOX are also essential. This study attempted to disclose pathogenic processes and therapeutic strategies of MPOX based on MPOX-associated host key-genes (hKGs). At first, three transcriptomic profile datasets were analyzed, identifying 166 common host differentially expressed genes (hDEGs) between MPOX patients and control groups, comprising 75 upregulated and 91 downregulated hDEGs. Subsequently, six top-ranked host key genes (hKGs): ALB, HSP90AA1, CDH1, PTPRC, IGF1, and ABL1, were identified as potential MPOX-causing genes through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Functional enrichment analysis of these hKGs revealed critical pathogenic processes of MPOX infection, including biological processes, molecular functions, cellular components, and KEGG pathways. Regulatory network analysis involving transcription factors and miRNAs provided further insights into disease mechanisms. Based on molecular docking analysis, five top-ranked drug molecules Tecovirimat, Beclabuvir, Maraviroc, Raltegravir, and Brincidofovir were identified as potential repurposable therapeutics against MPOX. ADME/T and drug-likeness evaluations confirmed favorable pharmacokinetic properties for these candidates. Additionally, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the top three complexes (ALB-Tecovirimat, CDH1-Maraviroc, and PPARG-Beclabuvir) demonstrated strong binding stability, supported by RMSD, RMSF, and MM-GBSA results. Therefore, the results provided in this study might be potential resources for diagnosis and therapies of MPOX patients. However, the findings require experimental validation in wet lab for further confirmation.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014797"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674749/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial immune priming and Wolbachia-mediated dengue blocking in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.","authors":"Abdullah A Alomar, Dongmin Kim, Barry W Alto, Eric P Caragata","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014807","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014807","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Wolbachia is a maternally-transmitted bacterial endosymbiont that is highly prevalent amongst arthropods. Many Wolbachia strains induce pathogen blocking, thereby protecting their hosts from pathogenic microbial infections. Blocking against pathogenic bacteria occurs in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, where Wolbachia has been artificially established by microinjection. However, in Drosophila fruit flies, it occurs after oral bacterial challenge but not after systemic challenge via injection. Pathogen blocking has been linked to increased host immune activity associated with Wolbachia infection. This is similar in principle to immune priming, a memory immune response in insects, where sub-lethal exposure to a pathogen increases the ability to survive future infections. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes naturally harbor Wolbachia; however, the extent to which native Wolbachia-mediated pathogen blocking and immune priming influence host response to infection remains unclear. Accordingly, we sought to characterize the response of Wolbachia-infected Ae. albopictus to bacterial challenge, and to determine whether the combination of these microbes could hinder a subsequent infection with dengue virus.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We challenged adult female Ae. albopictus with and without their native Wolbachia infection with a sub-lethal dose of four mosquito-associated bacteria: Micrococcus, Staphylococcus (gram positive), Brevundimonas, Enterobacter (gram negative). Assessing post-challenge mortality, we observed that Wolbachia infection reduced cumulative mortality and delayed the onset of senescence amongst mosquitoes challenged with each bacterium. However, this protective effect was stronger against gram positive bacteria. Bacteria-primed Ae. albopictus were then orally challenged with DENV. We observed that mosquitoes that experienced a pre-challenge with gram negative bacteria were associated with reduced DENV prevalence and viral load, whereas Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes exhibited further reductions in viral load.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>We highlight novel characteristics of native Wolbachia infection in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes, with protection against bacterial-induced mortality, and interactions between pathogen blocking and bacterial priming that may depend on bacterial gram status. These findings provide insight into the immune interactions associated with native Wolbachia and build on our understanding of adaptive immunity in mosquitoes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014807"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208037","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The RLR-MAVS-IRF3 axis activates the IFN pathway to restrict Tonate virus (TONV) infection.","authors":"Thomas Labadie, Roger Eloiflin, Zoé Denis, Marie Motos, Joanna Re, Moritz Schussler, Morgane Chemarin, Isabelle Moltini-Conclois, Valérie Courgnaud, Dorothée Missé, Nadine Laguette, Karim Majzoub","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014559","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tonate virus (TONV) is a neglected mosquito-borne alphavirus of the Venezuelan equine encephalitis complex associated with febrile illness, encephalitis, and fetal central nervous system abnormalities. Yet, host pathways that sense TONV infection and restrict its replication remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the interaction between TONV and the type I interferon (IFN-I) system in human T98G and A549 cells. We show that TONV infection led to the accumulation of cytosolic double-stranded RNA and a robust IFN response. RIG-I and MDA5 depletion as well as that of MAVS and IRF3 strongly reduced TONV-induced IFN response. Disruption of RIG-I, MDA5, MAVS, or IRF3 resulted in an increase of dsRNA-positive cells and a higher viral RNA accumulation. Finally, we found that treatment with exogenous IFN-I strongly inhibits TONV replication reducing both viral RNA loads and infectious particle production. Thus, together, our results identify the RIG-I/MDA5-MAVS-IRF3 axis as a major pathway sensing TONV infection and establishing an IFN-I-dependent antiviral state, providing the first molecular characterization of TONV innate immune sensing in human cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014559"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical features and outcomes of neuroleptospirosis in French Guiana: Insights from a retrospective study (2015-2021).","authors":"Audrey Delahaye, Tanguy Dequidt, Fabrice Quet, Clementine Montagnac, Theo Blaise, Hatem Kallel, Felix Djossou, Mathieu Nacher, Kinda Schepers, Julien Coussement, Paul Le Turnier, Loïc Epelboin","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Leptospirosis is a re-emerging public health threat in French Guiana with a broad clinical spectrum. Neurological involvement (neuroleptospirosis) lacks a consensus definition and may be underrecognized. This study aimed to characterize its epidemiology, clinical features, outcomes, and associated factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter retrospective study was conducted across healthcare facilities in French Guiana from 2015 to 2021. Consecutive hospital-managed patients with laboratory-confirmed or probable leptospirosis were included. Neuroleptospirosis was defined by neurological symptoms combined with objective cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or neuroimaging abnormalities. Patients with and without neurological involvement were compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 146 patients, 18 (12%) met the criteria for neuroleptospirosis, corresponding to a mean annual incidence of 0.88 cases/100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 0.52-1.39). Presentations were meningeal (78% [14/18]), encephalitic (17% [3/18]) or meningoencephalitic (6% [1/18]). Lumbar puncture was performed in 28/146 (19%) patients; pleocytosis was observed in 18/28 (64%). The median CSF leukocyte count was 42 cells/mm3 (IQR, 13-240 cells/mm3), with lymphocytic predominance in 8/13 differential counts (62%). CSF protein was mildly elevated (median, 0.51 g/L; IQR, 0.32-0.88), without hypoglycorrhachia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormalities in 2/8 patients with neuroleptospirosis: one cerebral infarction and one case of pachymeningitis. Age under 30 years (OR, 5.56; 95% CI 1.72-18), absence of leukocytosis during hospitalization (OR, 3.29; 95% CI 1.04-10.39), and absence of thrombocytopenia (OR, 4.46; 95% CI 1.39-14.32) were associated with neuroleptospirosis. Under our diagnostic criteria, neuroleptospirosis cases were associated with favorable outcomes, with lower odds of sepsis (OR, 0.28; 95% CI 0.10-0.79), no intensive care unit admissions or deaths.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study clarifies the clinical spectrum and outcomes of neuroleptospirosis in French Guiana, highlighting the importance of clinical awareness in tropical endemic settings. Prospective studies incorporating systematic CSF analysis and microbiological testing are needed to improve understanding of its pathophysiology and standardize diagnostic pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014263"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of treatment-related serological changes in Treponema pallidum subsp. endemicum infection using latex-based immunoassays, with comparison to Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum.","authors":"Yu-Ki Deno, Keiyu Yamamoto, Mie Matsumoto, Toshihiko Fujikawa, Fumiya Banno, Takuya Kawahata, Keiichi Furubayashi","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014756","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Treponema pallidum subsp. endemicum (TEN), the causative agent of bejel, is a nonvenereal treponematosis that occurs mainly in arid regions such as Africa and the Middle East. Recently, sexually transmitted TEN infections have been reported outside endemic regions, but their serological characteristics and treatment responses remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We analyzed 6 genetically confirmed bejel patients and 9 syphilis patients in Japan. Serum treponemal (TP) and non-treponemal (RPR) antibody titers were quantified at baseline and post-treatment using latex agglutination test (LA). The analysis of antibody profiles was performed with an immunoblot assay detecting IgM and IgG antibodies against Tp47, TmpA, Tp17, and Tp15. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated tp0548 and tp0856 sequences identified 6 bejel cases (TEN). Changes in TP and RPR antibody titers following treatment showed no apparent difference between bejel and syphilis groups. In both groups, some IgM antibodies decreased following treatment, while some IgG antibodies increased.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>The serological profiles and post-treatment changes in antibody titers were similar between bejel patients and syphilis patients. These findings suggest that conventional serological assays developed for syphilis may also be useful for clinical management of bejel, including evaluation of treatment response. This study provides new insight into the diagnosis and serological monitoring of sexually transmitted bejel cases outside endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014756"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671511/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"ZOOJEU: Using Q fever to highlight a participatory science approach for fostering the co-design of management strategies for neglected zoonotic diseases.","authors":"Elsa Jourdain, Élodie Rousset, Émilie Ramillien, Patrice Cayre, Xavier Fourt","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014618","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014618","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Decision-making is one of the most difficult aspects of managing neglected zoonotic diseases. Ideally, public health management strategies would account for all stakeholder perspectives. However, in practice, certain stakeholders, notably farmers, are often excluded. ZOOJEU is a participatory science approach designed to tackle this challenge; it uses Q fever in goats in western France as a target system.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>ZOOJEU emerged from a transdisciplinary collaboration among researchers in epidemiology, social anthropology, and the public policy sciences. First, we wrote a comic strip based on earlier anthropological research that uncovered the different realities of stakeholders in a region that recently experienced a human Q fever outbreak. Second, a serious game was built to foster mutual understanding among stakeholders and encourage the collaborative co-designing of public health strategies with farmers. Game construction involved compiling lists of tangible and intangible elements that characterise stakeholder experiences of Q fever outbreaks. Then, the game was played by stakeholders at a workshop.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The comic strip highlighted issues related to Q fever for the stakeholders. The game was played by 23 stakeholders divided into three sets of players; each set of players included at least one farmer. The players were asked to collectively analyse a situation in which a goat farm is experiencing Q-fever-induced abortions. The players were invited to explain their perspectives and actions using game figures representing elements with which different stakeholders engage with regularly and/or in the context of a zoonosis. The goal was to establish a shared vision of what was happening on the farm.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The approach appeared to be effective in establishing a common narrative and fostering a more democratic approach to public health while simultaneously accounting for human, animal, environmental, and social health concerns. Its utility as an educational tool should be explored further.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014618"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671574/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197424","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zika virus serologic responses during pregnancy in a dengue-endemic setting: A prospective cohort study in Thailand.","authors":"Salin Sirinam, Dennopporn Sudjai, Supawat Chatchen, Watcharee Arunsodsai, Weerawan Hattasingh, Laura Pezzi, Thomas Jaenisch, May Chu, Thitiya Yakasaem, Kriengsak Limkittikul","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014805","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014805","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy has been associated with adverse birth outcomes, including severe neurological abnormalities. Confirmation of infection remains challenging due to the disease's predominantly asymptomatic or mild nature. While real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the gold standard, its use in clinical settings and surveillance is limited. Serological point-of-care tests offer alternatives but pose interpretation challenges in Flavivirus-endemic regions.</p><p><strong>Methods and findings: </strong>We conducted a prospective cohort of 199 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2021-2022 to describe the incidence of ZIKV serologic responses detected by a rapid test and associated pregnancy outcomes. Participants were monitored using the DPP ZCD IgM/IgG (Zika/Chikungunya/Dengue IgM/IgG) System rapid immunochromatography test (Chembio), with RT-qPCR and plaque reduction neutralization testing performed for further assessment. A ZIKV serologic response was defined as a reactive ZIKV immunoglobulin M (IgM) result at enrollment or seroconversion from non-reactive to reactive ZIKV IgM or IgG between study visits. The DPP ZCD rapid test revealed incident ZIKV-reactive serologic responses at 15.4 per 100 person-years, with all affected participants being asymptomatic. All RT-qPCR results were negative, and participants with ZIKV IgG seroconversion had neutralizing antibodies against ZIKV and all 4 Dengue virus (DENV) serotypes. A prior history of DENV infection was associated with increased odds of ZIKV-reactive serologic response (OR 3.53, P value 0.046).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This prospective study identified serologic responses detected by a ZIKV-reactive rapid test among pregnant women in Thailand. In a highly dengue-immune setting, these responses could reflect true ZIKV exposure, DENV reinfection, flavivirus immune boosting, or serologic cross-reactivity, and therefore cannot be attributed specifically to ZIKV. Rapid serologic testing may support screening and surveillance but cannot establish ZIKV infection or ZIKV-specific exposure without careful interpretation and additional testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014805"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the impact of triple-drug mass drug administration using human and mosquito-based indicators of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa, 2019 - 2024.","authors":"Helen J Mayfield, Angus McLure, Lisa Rigby, Brady McPherson, Richard Bradbury, Shannon M Hedtke, Rhys Izuagbe, Joanne Kizu, Donna MacKenzie, Elina Panahi, Beatris Mario Martin, Benn Sartorius, Asrhyella Seeler, Selina Ward, Robert Thomsen, Satupaitea Viali, Patricia M Graves, Colleen L Lau","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013895","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013895","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>For lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, the World Health Organization recommends multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) to interrupt transmission. While LF antigen (Ag) is routinely used to monitor progress, recent evidence suggests more time-sensitive indicators are needed during the immediate post-MDA period. In Samoa, triple-drug MDA was distributed in 2018 and 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Samoa's second round of triple-drug MDA on human and mosquito-based indicators of transmission.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>Surveys were conducted in eight primary sampling units (PSUs) in 2019 (6-9 months after the 2018 MDA), 2023 (4.5 years after the 2018 MDA) and 2024 (10 months after the 2023 MDA). Participants aged ≥5 years from randomly selected households were tested for Ag and microfilariae (Mf). For molecular xenomonitoring (MX), mosquitoes were caught using BG-Sentinel traps at households, sorted into pools by species, and tested for presence of filarial DNA using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).</p><p><strong>Results and key findings: </strong>In 2024, Ag prevalence was 10.3% (95% CI: 7.3-14.5) versus 9.9% (95% CI: 3.5-21.0) in 2023 and 9.8% (95% CI: 5.6-15.5) in 2019. Mf prevalence was 3.1% (95% CI: 1.8-5.5) in 2024 vs 5.1% (95% CI:1.3-12.4) in 2023 and 3.1% (95% CI:1.3-5.9) in 2019. Odds ratios (OR) of a positive test in 2024 vs 2023 showed no decrease for Ag (OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7-1.6), but a potential reduction in the proportion of Ag-positive participants who were Mf-positive (OR 0.6; 95% CI: 0.2-1.4) and a significant reduction in the prevalence of qPCR-positive mosquitoes (OR 0.4; 95% CrI: 0.2-0.7). From 2019-2024, there were reductions in prevalence of qPCR-positive Aedes spp. (OR 0.5; 95% CrI: 0.3-1.0) and Aedes polynesiensis (OR 0.4; 95% CrI: 0.2-0.8).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In Samoa, LF transmission continues despite two rounds of triple-drug MDA five years apart. Mosquito indicators can provide a more sensitive measure of MDA impact in the immediate post-intervention period and complement human indicators for long-term surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0013895"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671651/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149197327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}