PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases最新文献

{"title":"Delay in initiation of rabies post-exposure vaccination and influencing factors in Gondar zones of Ethiopia.","authors":"Bezawit Kassaw Hailu, Yitayew Demessie, Asnakew Mulaw Berihun, Abebe Belete Bitew, Sefinew Alemu Mekonnen","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014729","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease of warm-blooded animals, which is preventable through proper administration of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In controlling rabies, delays in initiating post exposure vaccination (PEV) are a challenge in endemic regions. A study was conducted to assess the delay in initiation of PEV and identify associated factors in Ethiopia. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews from 260 dog bite victims or their guardians between January and June, 2025 using a questionnaire. Post exposure vaccination was considered delayed if it was initiated after 48 hours of the exposure incident. The prevalence of delayed initiation of PEV was calculated as a percentage from the number of individuals who initiated PEV after 48 hours and the total number of individuals exposed to rabies. Factors associated with delay were identified using logistic regression models. The prevalence of delayed in initiation of rabies PEV was 86.1% (224/260); 13.9% (36/260) of participants commenced vaccination within 48 hours of exposure. Severity of bite and ownership of biting animal were factors associated with the outcome. Deep bite (OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.66, P = 0.008) and bitten by stray dogs (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.27 - 0.95, P = 0.033) reduced delay in initiation of PEV. Majority of respondents (88.5%) are aware of the existence, the signs (71.5%), the way of transmission (75.4%), and the fatal nature (96.5%) of rabies, and the need for PEV (95.4%). Another majority believe that the cost of the vaccine is fair and PEV is effective (95%), and and costs of the vaccination (76.2%) was not a reason for delay. In conclusion, the study outlined that respondents know many aspects of rabies control and had fewer barriers to uptake the PEV; however, the delay in initiating PEV was high. This underscores that respondents may not be aware of the risk of delay. Therefore, interventions focusing on the risk of delayed PEV initiation are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014729"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13660879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149185487","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":"Country-scale diversity, spatial genetic structure, and mitochondrial demographic history of Aedes aegypti populations in Colombia.","authors":"Andrés Gómez-Palacio, Johana Marín-Suarez, Laura Beltrán-Rodríguez, Marcela Gómez, Weimar Briñez-Zabaleta, Abelgie Sánchez, Luz Helena Patiño, Sandra Uribe-Soto, Juan David Ramírez","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014808","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014808","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aedes aegypti is the primary urban vector of major human arboviruses worldwide, yet the spatial genetic structure and demographic history of Colombian populations remain incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) sequences from Colombian populations sampled across a broad geographic and temporal range to evaluate genetic diversity, haplotype distribution, spatial-temporal structure, and mitochondrial demographic history. The dataset combined publicly available COX1 records with 394 newly generated sequences from Colombian specimens, yielding 717 entries from the Caribbean, Andean, Orinoco, and Amazonian regions of Colombia, and was analyzed using population genetic, ordination, constrained spatial, and demographic inference approaches. Colombian COX1 diversity was mainly structured into two broad mitochondrial genetic clusters rather than by sampling locality, department, or collection year, suggesting the persistence of maternal lineages together with spatial mixing likely influenced by human-mediated dispersal and urban adaptation. Human population density and built-up intensity partially explained mitochondrial genetic structure, but this association varied through time, indicating that urbanization interacts with regional demographic heterogeneity and local habitat configuration. Demographic history analyses suggested temporal variation in mitochondrial effective population size, including an older increase followed by reduction and relative stabilization toward recent generations, rather than continuous demographic expansion. Climate-associated analyses further suggested that temperature, particularly minimum temperature, may contribute to mitochondrial demographic variation, although this relationship should be interpreted as correlative. Overall, Colombian Ae. aegypti populations appear to be shaped by historical maternal-lineage structure, urbanization-associated spatial heterogeneity, eco-regional demographic variation, and climatic context. This country-scale mitochondrial baseline can help prioritize regions for genomic, entomological, and epidemiological surveillance and guide future investigations of mosquito dispersal and population connectivity relevant to vector management in Colombia.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014808"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13686458/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149185443","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":"Socio-environmental assessment of Aedes aegypti distribution and risk of chikungunya in vulnerable community.","authors":"Jaqueline S Cruz, Hernan D Argibay, Nivison Nery, Hammed Mogaji, Thiago da M Barreto, Lorena Ellen S Batista, Lara R S Silva, Victor Kaua Nery, Victoria C Dedavid Ferreira, Ianei de O Carneiro, Yeimi A Alzate López, Mitermayer G Reis, Albert I Ko, Petter Diggle, Michael Begon, Federico Costa, Hussein Khalil","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014776","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0014776","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, poses a major public health challenge in tropical regions. In Brazil, its incidence has increased, especially in socioeconomically vulnerable areas, where environmental conditions favor the proliferation of vectors. Our objective was to assess the socioeconomic and environmental vulnerabilities associated with the spatial distribution of a) Ae. aegypti and b) resident exposure to CHIKV in a low-income community. Identifying key exposure hotspots, our work improves our understanding of CHIKV transmission in informal settlements and facilitates community-based interventions to mitigate CHIKV risk. We monitored Ae. aegypti using ovitraps and conducted a serological survey from October 2021 to June 2022 in a vulnerable informal community in Salvador, Brazil. Blood samples and sociodemographic, household, and environmental data were collected from residents aged ≥5 years. CHIKV serology was performed, and spatial models using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation assessed vector distribution, seropositivity, and associated factors. Among 194 ovitraps, posterior estimates indicated higher egg counts in peridomicile locations (IRR = 1  .99; CrI:1.3 1-3.0 6); households experiencing food insecurity (IRR = 1.77; CrI: 1.05 - 2.99), properties with unpaved yards (IRR = 3.76; CrI:2.31 -6.18), and areas with greater garbage density (IRR = 1.25; CrI:1.01 -1.56). Among 888 participants, Bayesian spatial modeling identified factors associated with CHIKV seropositivity: elderly (OR= 2.24; CrI:1.16-4.35), uncovered brick walls (OR=2.29; CrI:1.16-4.55), the presence of yards, either paved (OR=2.06; CrI:1.30-3.00) or unpaved (OR=2.71; CrI:1.73-4.25), and self-reported mosquito sightings (OR=1.94; CrI:1.19-3.18). In addition, remotely sensed Land Surface Temperature (OR=1.33; CrI:0.98-1.83) and the spatial ovitraps egg counts (OR=1.14; CrI:0.87-1.52) were relevant variables. Our high-resolution study identified fine-scale vulnerabilities linked to both Ae. aegypti abundance and heightened risk of CHIKV transmission. Based on our findings, effective control strategies should not only focus on traditional methods such as enhancing basic urban infrastructure and services and promoting community awareness, but also target specific breeding sites around homes, address garbage accumulation, and consider the influence of micro-scale temperature variations. These results emphasize the importance of tailored, neighborhood-specific interventions to effectively reduce chikungunya transmission in high-risk communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014776"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170366","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":"Brought with the wind: A case of melioidosis acquired in the United States presenting with multiple pulmonary nodules.","authors":"Rodrigo Garcia-Santisteban, Maria Kaufman, Hac-Tu Jacqueline Chung, Raphael Khella, Angel Pousa, Winy Kujundzic, Ines Mbaga, Vlad Voin","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014790","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014790","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is a gram-negative bacterium historically endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. However, recent environmental detection along the Gulf Coast and an increasing number of reported cases in non-travelers have raised questions regarding potential endemicity and environmental establishment in the Southern United States. We report a case of putatively locally acquired pulmonary melioidosis in a Florida resident with no recent international travel history, illustrating the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges posed by this rare pathogen. The patient presented with fever, pleuritic chest pain, and hypoxia following a period of severe weather. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed multiple solid pulmonary nodules with ground-glass opacities and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Given his underlying stage 3b chronic kidney disease (CKD), the patient was treated with an intensive course of intravenous ceftazidime followed by oral doxycycline monotherapy, achieving full clinical recovery. Follow-up imaging at 3 months demonstrated complete resolution of the pulmonary nodules. This case emphasizes the importance of considering melioidosis in the differential diagnosis for non-resolving community-acquired pneumonia or significant pulmonary nodules in the Southern United States, even in the absence of international travel. Risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and severe weather events are key clinical clues. While trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remains the preferred eradication therapy, doxycycline may serve as a potential alternative for patients with renal impairment when first-line therapy is contraindicated.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014790"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674857/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170455","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":"Retraction: Country-level indices in predictive models of helminth infections: Perspectives from Southeast Asia.","authors":"","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014779","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014779","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014779"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13657287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149170866","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":"Development and effectiveness test of an internet-based real-time monitoring device for malaria parasite vector mosquitoes.","authors":"Chenyu Han, Yiquan Cai, Huijuan Yang, Yiji Li, Xuejian Zhang, Xiaoming Wang, Yixuan Duan, Hanren Liu, Lei Zuo, Guiyun Yan, Xiao-Guang Chen","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014778","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014778","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Malaria remains a major global health threat, and effective vector surveillance is essential for timely vector control. However, surveillance systems are challenged by behavioral shifts in Anopheles mosquitoes, labor-intensive procedures, and delays in real-time data transmission. Existing electronic monitoring tools often suffer from low sensitivity and specificity, creating an urgent need for automated, high-precision alternatives.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We developed the \"Black Box,\" a 3D-printed, internet-enabled device integrating multispectral light, thermal simulation, chemical attractants, and photocatalytic materials with automated counting and wireless data transmission. Laboratory trials demonstrated trapping rates of 94.00%-95.00% for Anopheles sinensis, An. stephensi, and An. anthropophagus, with data consistency exceeding 97.00%. Semi-field tests yielded trapping rates of 73.60%-90.80% and consistency above 92.00%. In field deployments, the device captured 5,109 mosquitoes with a 94.17% consistency rate and captured more Anopheles than the light trap during the field observation period. Real-time data revealed distinct bimodal activity peaks at dawn and dusk. Among the 112 field-captured female An. sinensis, 21 (18.75%; exact 95% CI, 12.60%-26.97%) were blood-fed, indicating that blood-fed mosquitoes may occur in outdoor collections.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Black Box provides a highly efficient, automated solution for real-time malaria vector surveillance. By delivering accurate, timely ecological data, it supports dynamic risk assessment and enables targeted interventions, addressing key limitations of current control programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014778"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13652150/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149148793","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":"Impact of temperature on patient-derived dengue virus breakthrough infections in wMel-infected Aedes aegypti.","authors":"Daniela da Silva Gonçalves, Vi Tran Thuy, Robson Kriiger Loterio, Nhu Vu Tuyet, Trang Huynh Thi Xuan, Giang Nguyen Thi, Van Huynh Thi Thuy, Huynh LeDuyen, Dui Le Thi, Long Thi Vo, Huynh Le Anh Huy, Nguyen Thi Van Thuy, Phong Thanh Nguyen, Sophie Yacoub, Katherine L Anders, Heather A Flores, Cameron P Simmons, Johanna E Fraser","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014255","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The wMel strain of the insect endosymbiont Wolbachia reduces the potential for Aedes aegypti to transmit mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue (DENV). Field trials that have introgressed wMel into Ae. aegypti populations have shown this approach significantly reduces dengue incidence. In a laboratory, setting some wMel-Ae. aegypti develop infectious saliva following a viremic blood meal. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that exposing wMel-Ae. aegypti to heat treatment, particularly during the larval stage, reduces wMel density in key tissues such as the ovaries, midgut and salivary glands. Here we build on these studies, using viremic blood collected from 13 dengue inpatients at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam), to assess how temperature affects the protection afforded to Ae. aegypti by wMel. We found that, compared to wMel-Ae. aegypti reared at 28 ± 4°C, those reared at 31 ± 4°C developed infectious saliva more frequently, but the risk of this occurring was still reduced compared to WT mosquitoes reared at the same temperature. Heat treatment reduced the density of wMel in all tissues tested, and significantly increased the amount of DENV-1 and DENV-4 replication in wMel-Ae. aegypti. When comparing cohorts of wMel-Ae. aegypti that did or did not develop infectious saliva, DENV levels in the head/thorax were associated with increased odds of mosquitoes developing infectious saliva, but wMel density was not. Overall, these findings show that elevated rearing temperatures increase the risk of patient-derived DENV breakthrough infections in wMel-Ae. aegypti, potentially due to increased DENV replication in these mosquitoes. This limitation suggests it would be prudent to increase surveillance in regions using wMel for dengue control when daily mean temperatures remain above 30°C for multiday periods.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014255"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13686452/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149401","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":"Impact of praziquantel treatment and early reinfection patterns in a mixed Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium infection focus in the Democratic Republic of Congo.","authors":"Joule Ntwan Madinga, Clementine Roucher, Sylvie Linsuke, Sylvain Baloji, Marie Hermy, Pascal Lutumba, Katja Polman","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014764","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014764","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the impact of single versus mixed Schistosoma infections on the efficacy of PZQ treatment as well as on the dynamics of reinfection after treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We followed 388 randomly selected residents of a village co‑endemic for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni, screening them for Schistosoma infection every three weeks across a nine‑week period. Kato-Katz stool examination was used to detect eggs of S. mansoni and urine filtration to detect eggs of S. haematobium. At every visit, those who were positive for schistosomiasis were treated with 40mg/kg praziquantel. Treatment outcomes (cure rate (CR), egg reduction rate (ERR), cumulative cure rate (CCR) and cumulative egg reduction rate (CERR)) and reinfection rates were compared between age groups, sex and pre-treatment co-infection status using McNemar and Wilcoxon tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline infection prevalence was similar for S. mansoni (60.8%) and S. haematobium (60.3%), with 36.6% of mixed S. haematobium-S. mansoni infection. Infection intensity was higher in mixed compared to single infection (200.7 versus 70 epg for S. mansoni, p < 0.001; 29 versus 9.6 ep10mL for S. haematobium, p < 0.001). After one praziquantel treatment, CR of 62.7% and 94.6%, with ERR of 97.5% and 96.5%, were found for S. haematobium and S. mansoni, respectively. After 3 rounds of praziquantel treatment, CCR of 75% and 93.7%, with CERR of 95.6% and 97.5%, were recorded for S. haematobium and S. mansoni, respectively. In addition, treatment efficacy was significantly higher in single than in mixed infections (CR = 76.7% versus 58%, p = 0.01; ERR = 90.2% versus 96.5%, p < 0.001; CCR = 76.7% versus 58%, p = 0.01; CERR = 90.2% versus 96.5%, p < 0.001), and in older than in younger (<16 years) age groups. No significant associations were found between (co-)infection status and reinfection rate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results show that pre-treatment co-infection status can affect schistosomiasis treatment outcomes for S. haematobium but does not affect the post-treatment reinfection. These results could help in tailoring control activities in co-endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014764"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671649/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149432","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":"A multiregional serosurvey of RNA virus-reactive antibodies in bats and rodents reveals the enzootic presence of flavi- and paramyxoviruses in African Pteropodidae.","authors":"Jackson Emanuel, Jan Papies, Leonie Meiners, Talitha Veith, Victor M Corman, Tabea Binger, Erik Lattwein, Beate M Kümmerer, Susanne Zweerink, Kai Fechner, Florian Gloza-Rausch, Veronika Cottontail, Gaël D Maganga, Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit, Peter Vallo, Samuel K Oppong, Marco Tschapka, Chantal B E M Reusken, Rainer G Ulrich, Eric M Leroy, Jan Felix Drexler, Terry C Jones, Christian Drosten, Marcel A Müller","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013689","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013689","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bats and rodents have been identified as reservoir hosts of diverse RNA viruses that pose potential risks to humans. However, overall virus prevalence in wildlife and underlying factors determining the zoonotic potential of reservoir-borne viruses remain poorly characterized. Virus detection often relies on the identification of viral nucleotide sequences and may therefore be limited by variable virus concentration, tissue tropism, sample quality, and duration of infection. In this study, we applied a multiplex immunofluorescence assay to examine bat and rodent seroprevalence against 14 different human pathogenic RNA viruses spanning seven virus families (Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Hantaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Phenuiviridae, Pneumoviridae, Togaviridae). We retrospectively analyzed 1,135 bat (16 species) and 454 rodent (14 species) blood or transudate specimens collected at 63 sites in seven countries. The tropical bats in our dataset exhibited notably high rates of seropositivity against certain virus families (Flaviviridae: 42.7%; Paramyxoviridae: 67.7%; Togaviridae: 7.5%). Although confounding factors and sparse data continue to pose challenges to identifying correlates of RNA virus infection in wildlife, multivariable logistic regression models were created to provisionally evaluate the association of tropical bat characteristics with seropositivity. Preliminary findings indicate that large colony size, found among species such as Eidolon helvum and Rousettus aegyptiacus, is a predictor within this dataset of orthoflavi- and orthorubulavirus seroprevalence, consistent with the communal spread of bat-adapted viruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0013689"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674865/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149147","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":"Epidemiology of helminth infections in adults in rural rainforest communities of the Nkam-Wouri River Basin, Littoral Region of Cameroon: Implications for NTDs elimination using preventive chemotherapies.","authors":"Anita Bate Obi Ebob, Narcisse Victor Tchamatchoua Gandjui, Benjamin Lenz, Emmanuel Ouam, Juluis Visnel Foyet, Amuam Andrew Beng, Fanny Fri Fombad, Franck Noel Nietcho, Manuel Ritter, Indulekha Karunakaran, Ndialle Nordine Mponge, Lucy Cho Nchang, Cheng Wang, Fonyuy Brandon Tahnteng, Jerome Fru Cho, Mathias Eyong Esum, Tatiana Djikeussi Katcho, Achim Hoerauf, Marc P Hübner, Samuel Wanji","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014780","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014780","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic helminth infections cause serious health problems; however, limited data on prevalence and distribution hinder effective control interventions. This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of helminth infections in adults across four health districts (HD) in the Littoral Region of Cameroon, while hypothesizing that helminth infection prevalences are significantly higher in densely forested and wetland forest plantation districts compared to degraded and mosaic plantation forest districts despite over more than two decades of preventive chemotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>Adults aged 18 - 65 years residing in the community for ≥ 5 years were recruited across four HDs. Skin snips, thick blood films, and stool samples were examined using the Kato Katz method (stool) and microscopy. Demographic data were analyzed in R. Participants were mainly farmers (79.9%), male (52.9%) and aged 18-49 years (50.7%). Yabassi HD, a densely forested area, recorded the highest prevalence of Loa loa and Mansonella perstans, while Loum HD, a wetland forest plantation area, showed higher prevalence for other helminth groups. Overall infection prevalence was 41.9%, dominated by filariasis (33.3%), with Onchocerca volvulus (23.9%) being most common, followed by M. perstans (11.9%) and L. loa (8.9%). Intestinal nematode prevalence was 9.9%, led by Capillaria spp. (4.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (2.7%). Trematode infections included Dicrocoelium dendriticum (6.9%) and Paragonimus spp. (3.5%), while Taenia spp. (3.1%) was the most common cestode. Infections were more frequent in males and individuals over 40 years. Strong associations were observed among parasites with similar life cycles, Filariasis risk increased with age ≥ 50 years and longer residence, whereas recent deworming and higher education reduced the odds.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>Adult helminth infections pose a public health risk and may serve as transmission reservoirs in child-centred programs. Monitoring and including adults in preventive chemotherapy programs, promoting regular deworming and awareness and using a multi-parasite, multi-pathway strategy will strengthen control and elimination efforts in persistently endemic areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014780"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13686460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149250","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}