PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Glanders: An ancient and emergent disease with no vaccine or treatment on site.","authors":"Alfredo G Torres","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013160","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glanders is a highly contagious and potentially fatal zoonotic disease that primarily affects equines but can also infect humans. Caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei, the disease is characterized by nodular lesions in the lungs and ulcerations of the skin and mucous membranes. This review explores the historical significance of glanders, from its early recognition to its role as a biothreat agent. Additionally, it examines the global distribution and epidemiology of glanders, emphasizing its status as a re-emerging disease in certain regions. Finally, the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and host-immunity responses to B. mallei infection are discussed, with a focus on the ongoing efforts to develop a viable vaccine.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12157308/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276348","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":"Geospatial analysis of leptospirosis clusters and risk factors in two provinces of the Dominican Republic.","authors":"Beatris Mario Martin, Benn Sartorius, Helen J Mayfield, Angela M Cadavid Restrepo, Behzad Kiani, Cecilia J Then Paulino, Marie Caroline Etienne, Ronald Skewes-Ramm, Michael de St Aubin, Devan Dumas, Salomé Garnier, William Duke, Farah Peña, Gabriela Abdalla, Lucia de la Cruz, Bernarda Henríquez, Margaret Baldwin, Adam Kucharski, Eric J Nilles, Colleen L Lau","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013103","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Drivers of leptospirosis transmission can vary across regions, leading to spatial clustering of infections. This study aims to identify clusters of leptospirosis seroprevalence in the Dominican Republic (DR) and factors associated with high-risk areas.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We analysed data from two provinces, Espaillat and San Pedro de Macoris (SPM), obtained on a national survey conducted in 2021 (n = 2,078). Samples were tested by microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) to detect leptospirosis antibodies. We used flexible spatial scan statistics to locate significant clusters for seropositive individuals (all serogroups combined) in each province and calculated risk ratios (RR) at the household and community level. Environmental and sociodemographic risk factors associated with clusters were assessed by logistic regression. One cluster was identified in each province. Participants living inside a cluster were more likely to live further from health facilities (OR 1.86, p < 0.001 and OR 4.41, p = 0.044 by motorized travel time in Espaillat and SPM, respectively). Cluster participants were also less likely to live in areas of higher population density (OR 0.76, p < 0.01 and OR 0.29, p < 0.001 in Espaillat and SPM, respectively) and in communities with higher gross domestic product (GDP) (OR 0.70, p < 0.001 and OR 0.42, p < 0.001 in Espaillat and SPM, respectively). Additional risk factors varied between Espaillat and SPM.</p><p><strong>Conclusion/significance: </strong>Our findings confirm the clustered spatial pattern of leptospirosis and highlight that transmission drivers vary by province. While both provinces show higher transmission in impoverished areas, modifiable factors differ, requiring tailored public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12157080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276347","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":"Lanka virus, a Mus booduga-borne orthohantavirus infection-associated febrile illness in Sri Lanka.","authors":"Devinda S Muthusinghe, Pavani Senarathne, Kenta Shimizu, Yomani D Sarathkumara, Shanika Nanayakkara, Sithumini M W Lokupathirage, Zhouoxing Wei, Nipun S Rathnayake, Rydhnieya Vijeyakumaran, Nobuo Koizumi, Tomonori Kawakami, Akio Koizumi, Kouji H Harada, Nilanthi Dissanayake, Senanayake A M Kularathne, Yoshimi Tsuda, Shuzo Urata, Jiro Arikawa, Chandika D Gamage, Kumiko Yoshimatsu","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013169","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Sri Lanka, a high seroprevalence of antibodies against hantaviruses was reported in communities affected by chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). Recently, two rodent-borne hantaviruses, Lanka virus and Anjozorobe virus, were identified in these areas. However, it is unclear which virus is the source of infection in humans, and its pathogenicity is unknown.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>A total of 181 sera from febrile patients from two CKDu-endemic regions, Girandurukotte and Polonnaruwa, were examined and Lanka virus genome was detected in two IgM-positive febrile patients. Of 76 serum samples from patients with fever of unknown etiology collected during 2016 examined to identify hantavirus genomes, antibodies, and serotypes, 10 were IgG-positive with five of them having IgM also. They were all without clinical features of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, but three patients required treatment in the intensive care unit. A serotyping strategy was established based on the antigenic difference of the glycoprotein Gn of Lanka and Anjozorobe viruses. Using this method, febrile patients were found to be infected with the Lanka virus and none of the patient sera showed Anjozorobe virus infection pattern. Additionally, a total of 373 previously diagnosed seropositive serum samples from CKDu patients and healthy residents were serotyped to categorize 87% of seropositives as Lanka virus infection.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>Lanka virus carried by little Indian field mouse (Mus booduga) is transmitted to humans, likely causing febrile illness occasionally while leading to severe disease in some of the febrile patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013169"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144276349","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":"Sedimentary ancient DNA as part of a multimethod paleoparasitology approach reveals temporal trends in human parasitic burden in the Roman period.","authors":"Marissa L Ledger, Tyler J Murchie, Zachery Dickson, Melanie Kuch, Scott D Haddow, Christopher J Knüsel, Gil J Stein, Mike Parker Pearson, Rachel Ballantyne, Mark Knight, Koen Deforce, Maureen Carroll, Candace Rice, Tyler Franconi, Nataša Šarkić, Saša Redžič, Erica Rowan, Nicholas Cahill, Jeroen Poblome, Maria de Fátima Palma, Helmut Brückner, Piers D Mitchell, Hendrik Poinar","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013135","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The detection of parasite infections in past populations has classically relied on microscopic analysis of sediment samples and coprolites. In recent years, additional methods have been integrated into paleoparasitology such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and ancient DNA (aDNA). The aim of this study was to evaluate a multimethod approach for paleoparasitology using microscopy, ELISA, and sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) with a parasite-specific targeted capture approach and high-throughput sequencing. Using 26 samples dating from c. 6400 BCE to 1500 CE that were previously analyzed with microscopy and ELISA, we aimed to more accurately detect and reconstruct parasite diversity in the Roman Empire and compare this diversity to earlier and later time periods to explore temporal changes in parasite diversity. Microscopy was found to be the most effective technique for identifying the eggs of helminths, with 8 taxa identified. ELISA was the most sensitive for detecting protozoa that cause diarrhea (notably Giardia duodenalis). Parasite DNA was recovered from 9 samples, with no parasite DNA recovered from any pre-Roman sites. Sedimentary DNA analysis identified whipworm at a site where only roundworm was visible on microscopy, and also revealed that the whipworm eggs at another site came from two different species (Trichuris trichiura and Trichuris muris). Our results show that a multimethod approach provides the most comprehensive reconstruction of parasite diversity in past populations. In the pre-Roman period, taxonomic diversity included a mixed spectrum of zoonotic parasites, together with whipworm, which is spread by ineffective sanitation. We see a marked change during the Roman and medieval periods with an increasing dominance of parasites transmitted by ineffective sanitation, especially roundworm, whipworm and protozoa that cause diarrheal illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013135"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12151383/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267711","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":"Vertical transmission of Leishmania donovani with placental degeneration in the pregnant mouse model of visceral leishmaniasis.","authors":"Haruka Mizobuchi, Junya Yamagishi, Chizu Sanjoba, Yasuyuki Goto","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012650","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012650","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease caused by infection of macrophages by Leishmania donovani or L. infantum, and exhibits symptoms such as fever, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly. VL during pregnancy has been reported to have negative effects such as miscarriage and vertical infection, but the mechanism is not clear. Here, we aimed to establish a pregnant VL mouse model and elucidate its immunopathology. Female BALB/c mice mated 6 months after L. donovani infection showed reduced pregnancy rates. The fetus was removed by caesarean section on the 18th day of pregnancy, and Leishmania parasite DNA was detected from fetal spleens and livers. As a result, the PCR positive rate was 68.9% (71/103 fetus), and vertical transmission was suspected in 66.7% of infected mothers (12/18 dams). Immunohistochemistry in the fetal livers detected cells positive for the Leishmania antigen, kinetoplastid membrane protein 11 (KMP11). In addition, pathological analysis of the VL placenta revealed trophoblast cell atrophy and vasodilation accompanied by CD3+ cell infiltration in the infected group. On the other hand, few KMP11+ cells were observed in the placenta of the infected group. Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis revealed that IFN signal activation and cellular immune suppression were induced in the placenta of the infected group. These results suggest that VL in pregnancy induces suppression of placental cellular immunity through IFN and collapse of the placental barrier through trophoblast degeneration, leading to vertical transmission. Because few infected macrophages were observed in the placenta, it is possible that free Leishmania parasites in the blood contribute to transmission across the placenta.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0012650"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12173239/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259158","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":"Abundance and diversity of host-seeking adult female mosquitoes in a coastal ecosystem in southern Mexico.","authors":"Julio César Canales-Delgadillo, Nallely Vázquez-Pérez, Vicente Viveros-Santos, Rosela Pérez-Ceballos, José Gilberto Cardoso-Mohedano, Arturo Zaldívar-Jiménez, Omar Celis-Hernández, Alejandro Gómez-Ponce, Martín Merino-Ibarra","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012316","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012316","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mosquito diversity influences disease risk because only certain species transmit pathogens, making the identification of species assemblages essential. To better understand mosquito diversity in the southern Gulf of Mexico, we conducted a study on Isla del Carmen, Campeche, from September 2019 to December 2020. Adult mosquitoes were collected using buccal aspirators during 24-hour cycles in mangrove and low-semideciduous forest patches across three climate seasons: norte, rainy and dry. Sampling occurred every four hours, and species were identified. Hill numbers of order q = 0, q = 1, and q = 2, non-binomial GLMs, NMDS, PERMANOVA, and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze mosquito diversity, abundance, and phenology. We collected 21,424 mosquitoes from 11 genera, 26 species, and four morphospecies. The mosquito abundance and richness peaked during the norte season (β = 1.057, z = 2.480, p = 0.013), with the season being the primary determinant of abundance (PERMANOVA, F = 7.229, R² = 0.512, p = 0.003). The vegetation type and sampling hour showed effects only when excluding the eudominant Aedes taeniorhynchus. The top five genera, Aedes, Psorophora, Mansonia, Culex and Anopheles, exhibited distinct phenological patterns, with abundance peaking between September 2019 and February 2020. Isla del Carmen is a key region for mosquito diversity in the Yucatan Peninsula, hosting species known to transmit pathogens to humans and wildlife. Our findings highlight the norte season, when cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall are present, as a critical period for mosquito activity, emphasizing the need for targeted vector surveillance and control efforts during this time in the region. This study provides valuable insights into mosquito community dynamics and their implications for public health in coastal areas of southern Mexico.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0012316"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12173415/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259151","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":"IL-18 favors Th2 responses in sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix globosa, prolonging the course of the disease.","authors":"Henan Si, Yan Cui, Jianjiao Zu, Ying Shi, Yang Song, Yu Zhen, Shanshan Li","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013170","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by members of the genus Sporothrix, among which Sporothrix globosa (S. globosa) is the predominant etiological agent in Asia. T cell immunity plays crucial roles in fungal infections, yet the local T cell immune profile in sporotrichosis lesions remains unclear. IL-18, a pleiotropic cytokine capable of modulating T cell responses, is also poorly understood in host defense against S. globosa.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>qPCR, western blot, and IHC/mIHC were employed to profile IL-18, IL-18 BP, caspase-1 and IL-18R axis, along with Th1,Th2, and Th17 cells and their specific cytokines in sporotrichosis lesions versus healthy skin. Cellular sources of IL-18 in the lesions were identified via mIHC, and IL-18 production from keratinocyte/PBMCs exposed to S. globosa in vitro was tested by qPCR and western blot. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the role of IL-18 in Th2 polarization in the PBMCs-S. globosa coculture system. Lesional skin exhibited hyperactivated IL-18 signaling, marked by upregulated IL-18, caspase-1, and IL-18R, alongside decreased IL-18 BP. IL-18 was primarily released by dermal dendritic cells and Langerhans cells, rather than keratinocytes. A mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 microenvironment with Th2 predominance correlated strongly with prolonged disease duration. Strikingly, IL-18 synergistically interacted with Th1-derived IL-2 to establish a self-reinforcing Th2 loop, as evidenced by the strong correlation between lesional IL-4 and IL-18 levels (r = 0.70) and the concomitant upregulation of IL-18/IL-2 during S. globosa-induced Th2 expansion in PBMCs-an effect reversed by IL-18/IL-2 neutralizing antibodies. Critically, this Th2 skewing was mechanistically dependent on NF-κB signaling, as demonstrated through pharmacological pathway inhibition.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>This study unveils the dual role of IL-18 in human sporotrichosis caused by S. globosa-amplifying both Th1 and Th2 responses but ultimately driving pathogenic Th2 polarization through IL-2 crosstalk. Our work identifies IL-18/IL-2/NF-κB axis as a key Th2-polarizing mechanism driving chronicity in this disease. Targeting this axis could recalibrate anti-fungal immunity, offering translational strategies for this subcutaneous disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013170"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12173405/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259154","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":"Quantitative multi-pathway assessment of exposure to Escherichia coli for infants in Rural Ethiopia.","authors":"Yuke Wang, Yang Yang, Crystal M Slanzi, Xiaolong Li, Amanda Ojeda, Fevi Paro, Loïc Deblais, Habib Yakubu, Bahar Mummed Hassen, Halengo Game, Kedir Teji Roba, Elizabeth Schieber, Abdulmuen Mohammed Ibrahim, Jeylan Wolyie, Jemal Yusuf Hassen, Gireesh Rajashekara, Sarah L McKune, Arie H Havelaar, Christine L Moe, Song Liang","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013154","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), enteric infections pose a significant threat to children's health. However, understanding the specifics of when, where, and how young children in LMICs are exposed to enteric pathogens and the roles of animal reservoirs, environmental media, and human hosts play during exposure remains limited. This study systematically evaluates infants' exposure to E. coli through various pathways in the rural Haramaya woreda of Ethiopia. Between June 2021 and June 2022, we conducted over 1300 hours of structured behavioral observations on 79 infants when aged 4-8 months (Timepoint 1) and 11-15 months (Timepoint 2). Enumerators recorded the infant's behavior related to exposure, including when and where it occurred, using a data collection system for behavioral data (Countee). Concurrently, we collected 1338 environmental samples from key contact interfaces between infants, other people, and the environment to test for E. coli. We used a competing hazard model for duration-based behaviors, an inhomogeneous Poisson point process model for frequency-based behaviors, and a left-censored lognormal distribution model for E. coli contamination levels. The behavioral and environmental information was then integrated into an agent-based exposure model framework to quantify the exposure to E. coli through different pathways. The infant behavior, which altered the relative importance of different exposure pathways, changed as children grew older. Notably, we observed increased rates of touching behavior (e.g., touching fomites) and soil-pica, increased consumption of solid food, and more time spent on the bare ground at Timepoint 2. The major sources of exposure to E. coli were food and breastfeeding at Timepoint 1 and food and soil at Timepoint 2. This study provides insights for interventions to minimize infants' risk of exposure to fecal indicator bacteria, E. coli, and subsequent risk of enteric infections, including improved food handling practices, enhanced personal hygiene for breastfeeding caregivers, and education on the risk of soil-pica.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013154"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12176293/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259156","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":"Demographic, temporal, and spatial analysis of human animal bite cases in Mymensingh District, Bangladesh.","authors":"Chandra Shaker Chouhan, Abu Raihan, Md Manik Mia, Subarna Banerjee, Ishmam Shahriar, Proggananda Nath, Jasim M Uddin, Md Amimul Ehsan, Michael P Ward, A K M Anisur Rahman","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012204","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0012204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to analyze the demographic, temporal, and spatial characteristics of animal bite (AB) cases in humans across 12 Upazilas within Mymensingh district of Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Retrospective hospital-based data from individual AB cases for 2022 and 2023 were collected from S.K Hospital. The dataset included information on victim demographics, bite details, vaccination information, and Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG) administration. Additionally, monthly case counts from 2016 to 2024 were sourced and analyzed to identify trends. Descriptive statistics and time series analysis using the seasonal decomposition technique were conducted. Risk maps for animal bites in 2022 and 2023 were generated using a standardized incidence ratio (SIR) approach.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>An almost two-fold increase in the proportion of category 3 bites receiving RIG from 3.6% in 2022 to 6.5% in 2023 was noted. Only 9.7% (2022) and 16.9% (2023) of bite victims received PEP on the day of exposure, whereas 76.5% (2022) and 84.6% (2023) received PEP within 24 hours. Moreover, significant seasonal patterns and annual increasing trends in AB cases were observed. Males and children under 14 years old had a higher risk of being bitten. Dogs (48.2% in 2022) and cats (52.6% in 2023) were identified as the primary animals responsible for the bites. Notably, the legs were the body part most frequently bitten. The bites risk map identified four high risk Upazilas.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite improvements in PEP coverage achieved within 24 hours, a critical gap remains in same-day PEP coverage in both years. The study results also suggest other potential improvements in healthcare practices or treatment protocols, and the need for a veterinary surveillance system. Increasing AB cases highlight the need to enhance surveillance and control measures. Targeted awareness campaigns tailored to high-risk groups such as males and children under 14 years of age, along with preventive programs focused on dogs are imperative. Coordinated One Health efforts among healthcare professionals, veterinarians, policymakers, and community stakeholders are crucial to effectively mitigate the incidence of AB cases, safeguarding public health and eliminate dog mediated rabies by 2030 in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0012204"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12173383/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259152","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":"Human tick biting and tick-borne disease risk in Türkiye: Systematic review.","authors":"Salar Zarrabi Ahrabi, Fatihan Pınarlık, Gürkan Akyıldız, Mert Kuşkucu, Sırrı Kar, Önder Ergönül, Ayşen Gargılı Keleş","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013092","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013092","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks serve as significant vectors for over 100 pathogens, many of which pose serious health risks to humans. Türkiye's diverse tick species and ideal ecological conditions facilitate their proliferation. Following the emergence of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) epidemic in 2004, tick-borne diseases have become a critical public health concern. This systematic review was conducted to identify the dominant tick genera and species responsible for human bites and tick-borne diseases. PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Tübitak TR Dizin, Dergi Park databases were searched following PRISMA guidelines, and the last search was performed on 11 October 2024. Studies reporting human-biting ticks were included and studies that do not report tick species or number of ticks were excluded. A novel quality assessment scale was developed by Türkiye Infectious Diseases (TEH) Vector-Borne Infections Study Group and used for risk of bias assessment. The total number of ticks and percentages were calculated. A total of 24 studies documented 53,879 ticks, 96.60% of which were identified at the genus or species level. The most prevalent genera were Hyalomma (46.99%) and Ixodes (28.49%), followed by Rhipicephalus and Haemaphysalis. Notably, immature forms of Hyalomma spp., particularly nymphs, accounted for the highest proportion of bites (22.65%). The findings highlight Hyalomma and Ixodes as primary vectors for major diseases in Türkiye, with H. marginatum playing a central role in seasonal outbreaks of CCHF in rural Anatolia and Ixodes spp. linked to Lyme disease. Türkiye's geographic and climatic diversity, along with factors such as migratory bird routes, facilitates the distribution of ticks and the emergence of novel tick-borne diseases. Despite the notable risks, inconsistent tick identification and reporting impede accurate assessment and management. Standardized methodologies and comprehensive reporting systems are strongly recommended to better address the public health risks posed by tick-borne diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"19 6","pages":"e0013092"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12176299/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144259153","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}