PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases最新文献

{"title":"From islands to landscapes: Integrating genomic and advanced eco-geographic tools in area-wide tsetse control.","authors":"Norah Saarman, Chantel Janet De Beer, Philippe Solano, Antoine Barreaux, Geoffrey Gimonneau, Sophie Ravel, Robert Opiro, Giuseppe Amatulli, Giuliano Cecchi, Serap Aksoy, Brian Weiss, Kostas Bourtzis, Adly M M Abd-Alla","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014752","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014752","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the exclusive cyclical vector of human and animal African trypanosomoses and continue to threaten health and agricultural productivity across sub-Saharan Africa. Area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM) strategies provide a coordinated framework for combining tools such as the sterile insect technique (SIT), insecticide-treated targets and cattle, and others. This review examines the success and challenges of AW-IPM in tsetse control and advances in population genetics, species distribution modeling, and landscape genetics that improve identification of candidate populations for optimized AW-IPM design. We introduce the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) \"Tsetse Population Genetics,\" supported by the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, which aims to develop standardized tools and data to guide SIT within integrated control strategies. We identify key gaps in evidence for population isolation and reinvasion risk and propose an integrated, decision-ready framework. The framework combines updated species distribution models with scalable genomic tools to generate connectivity maps and, where feasible, source-sink dynamics, to prioritize intervention sites and distinguish post-control reinvasion from true elimination.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014752"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13652154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149149120","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":"Evaluating periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis mansoni using the ELF [Enhanced Liver Fibrosis] score: A pilot study.","authors":"Rebecca Dantas Thorp, Andrea Dória Batista, Carolline A Mariz, Lilian Rose Maia Gomes de Araújo, George Tadeu Nunes Diniz, Ana Virgínia Matos Sá Barreto, Clarice Neueschwander Lins de Morais, Paula Carolina Valença Silva, Ana Lúcia Coutinho Domingues, Edmundo Pessoa Lopes","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014775","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Measuring the periportal fibrosis pattern (PPF) in schistosomiasis mansoni (SM) is essential for diagnosing portal hypertension. The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test can be used to quantify liver fibrosis, however, few studies have been done in SM. This study evaluated serum ELF value according to the PPF pattern established by the Niamey ultrasound classification (US) and history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with SM.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A cross-sectional, bidirectional analytical study was carried out with patients from an endemic area and from a reference outpatient clinic for SM. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect sociodemographic and clinical data, and blood samples were collected for ELF determination. US was performed by the same examiner.</p><p><strong>Principal findings: </strong>Among the 196 patients evaluated (58% women; mean age of 45.04 years ± 15.30 years) 18 (%) presented with Niamey US pattern A + B; 64 (%) pattern C; 56 (%) pattern D; 49 (%) pattern E and 9 (%) pattern F. The median ELF values were higher the greater the PPF intensity: 8.36 in A + B; 8.40 in C; 8.64 in D; 8.99 in E and 9.75 in F Niamey pattern (p = 0.0021). There was no difference in the mean ELF serum value between patients with and without history of UGIB. The ELF was able to differentiate patients without PPF, with mild, moderate and advanced PPF: A + B vs C vs D vs E + F (p = 0.0024), as well as patients with advanced PPF from those without fibrosis or with moderate fibrosis: A + B vs E + F (p = 0.0464) and C + D vs E + F (P = 0.0007).</p><p><strong>Conclusion/ /significance: </strong>The ELF test demonstrated potential as a tool for assessing PPF in SM patients, as it could differentiate those with minimal fibrosis from those with moderate or advanced fibrosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014775"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13671643/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149148657","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":"Deep learning applications in parasite microscopy: A scoping review.","authors":"Rose Mary Maniraj, Emelia Osman, Siti Norul Huda Sheikh Abdullah, Aishah Hani Azil, Mohd Amierul Fikri Mahmud","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014774","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014774","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parasitic diseases remain a significant contributor to the global burden of disease and conventional microscopy remains the gold standard for parasite detection. However, it is labour-intensive and dependent on skilled personnel, leading to variability in diagnostic accuracy. Recent advances in deep learning have enabled automated analysis of microscopy images, offering potential improvements in diagnostic efficiency and consistency.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>This scoping review aimed to map current evidence on deep learning applications in parasite microscopy for human clinical diagnosis. A systematic search of seven electronic databases was conducted for studies published between January 2015 and July 2025. Eligible studies included primary research that applied deep learning models to parasite microscopy images and reported performance metrics. A total of 118 studies were included. Image classification was the most commonly reported task, followed by object detection, while image segmentation was less frequently investigated. A wide range of architectures was used, including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), YOLO-based detection models and hybrid approaches. Most studies reported high performance across tasks, however, direct comparison was limited due to heterogeneity in datasets, evaluation metrics and experimental designs. In addition, most studies relied on internal validation using subsets of the same dataset, with limited external validation. Among the studies included in this review, several proposed implementation strategies. However, relatively few reported implementation or evaluation in real-world clinical or diagnostic laboratory settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>Deep learning demonstrates substantial potential for automated parasite detection in microscopy. Among the studies included in this review, most deep learning models were evaluated under experimental conditions, with relatively few reporting implementation or evaluation in clinical or diagnostic laboratory settings. Key challenges include dataset heterogeneity, lack of standardised evaluation and limited real-world validation. Future research should prioritise external validation and implementation-focused studies to support integration into clinical and laboratory workflows.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014774"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13645086/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129015","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":"Assessing diagnostic accuracy of onchocerciasis rapid diagnostic tests using Bayesian latent class models.","authors":"Jayla Norman, N'Deye-Marie Bassabi-Alladjie, Pelagie M Boko-Collins, Dziedzom K de Souza, Katherine Gass, Louise Hamill, Jerónimo Langa, Carson Moore, Nelvina Mucato, Rassul Nala, Sarah Sullivan, Emanuele Giorgi","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013954","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0013954","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Onchocerciasis elimination programs increasingly rely on rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that detect antibodies to the Ov16 antigen, yet the performance of currently available rapid tests remains uncertain. The commercially available SD BIOLINE Ov16 RDT has shown inconsistent sensitivity when used on whole blood and does not consistently meet international performance thresholds for mapping or decisions to stop mass drug administration (MDA). Two novel onchocerciasis RDTs have been developed, DDTD RDT and GADx RDT, but their diagnostic accuracy has not been fully evaluated using methods that account for the absence of a true reference standard.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We pooled participant-level data from three field studies conducted in Mozambique, Ghana, and Benin in 2023 to evaluate two novel onchocerciasis RDTs and the commercially available SD BIOLINE Ov16 RDT. A Bayesian latent class model was used to estimate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity without assuming any test was a perfect reference standard. Across all model specifications, the GADx rapid test showed the highest sensitivity, with posterior median estimates (92.0%-92.8%) consistently above the 89% threshold recommended for decisions to stop mass drug administration (MDA). Posterior median sensitivity for the SD BIOLINE test was above this threshold in most models but below it under the field-based prior (83.2%). The DDTD RDT demonstrated lower sensitivity overall (86.6%-88.4%). Specificity estimates were consistently high for all tests but remained below the recommended threshold of 99.8% (highest median: 98.8%). Alternative definitions of a positive result for the multi-antigen DDTD RDT did not meaningfully alter its estimated performance.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>In the study communities sampled, the two novel onchocerciasis RDTs generally yielded higher sensitivity estimates than the commercially available SD BIOLINE Ov16 RDT, with the GADx assay having the highest estimated sensitivity. However, posterior estimates for none of the evaluated tests reached the specificity threshold recommended to support decisions to stop MDA on their own. These findings highlight the need for improved diagnostic tools or complementary testing strategies to support elimination decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0013954"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13660989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129032","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":"Paediatric mpox during Sierra Leone's 2024 to 2025 clade IIb outbreak: A national surveillance and outbreak-investigation study of 415 children.","authors":"Eric Nzirakaindi Ikoona, Lucy Namulemo, Mary Magdalene Sinnah, Mohamed Alex Vandi, Foday Sahr","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014785","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014785","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Evidence on paediatric mpox during contemporary African clade IIb outbreaks remains limited. We described paediatric cases in Sierra Leone's 2024-2025 clade IIb G.1 outbreak by person, time, and place and examined clinical care, outcomes, vaccination records, and documented exposures.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We conducted a retrospective descriptive study using the national District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) mpox database, supplemented by patient charts and outbreak-investigation forms. Among 5,466 cases with recorded age, 415 (7.6%) were children younger than 15 years; 188 (45.3%) were aged 0-4 years, 121 (29.2%) were aged 5-9 years, and 106 (25.5%) were aged 10-14 years. Of 415 paediatric cases, 411 (99.0%) were laboratory-confirmed. Outcome was recorded for 261 children (62.9%); three died (1.1%, exact 95% CI 0.2 to 3.3). Care location was recorded for 285 children; 216 (75.8%) received hospital care for isolation, clinical management, or both. Three sporadic paediatric cases of mpox-like illness were reported from 2017 through 2024; notifications then rose rapidly from April 2025 and peaked in May. Western Area Urban accounted for 195/413 cases with known district (47.2%); crude notified paediatric rates were highest in Western Area Urban, Koinadugu, and Falaba. Household or caregiving contact was the most common documented exposure among 246 classifiable investigation forms (141, 57.3%). Mpox vaccination status was recorded for 27/54 cases aged 12-14 years; six were vaccinated.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>Children were not spared during Sierra Leone's clade IIb outbreak. Response plans should include children in case finding, contact follow-up, clinical care, and vaccination assessment. DHIS2 should capture epidemiological links, clinical outcomes, vaccine eligibility and status, and potential exposure settings through standardised fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014785"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13674859/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149128951","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":"Coronary artery lesions in pediatric scrub typhus: A case series from Guangzhou, China.","authors":"Shiying Liu, Qing Wang, Yu Gong, Xufang Li, Fansen Zeng, Yi Xu","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014784","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014784","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is a mite-borne rickettsial infection endemic to the Asia-Pacific region. While its systemic complications are well documented, coronary artery lesions (CALs) associated with scrub typhus in children remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to describe the clinical features, diagnostic challenges, and treatment outcomes of pediatric scrub typhus complicated by CALs.</p><p><strong>Methodology/principal findings: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed seven pediatric patients (aged 11 months to 8 years) with scrub typhus and echocardiographically confirmed CALs, admitted to Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University between 1January 2020 and 30 May 2026. Between 15 June 2025 and 1 July 2026, clinical data including epidemiological history, laboratory findings, imaging results, treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected from electronic medical records.</p><p><strong>Conclusions/significance: </strong>Among the seven cases, CAL manifestations included coronary artery aneurysm (n = 2), coronary artery dilatation (n = 2), and coronary artery intimal thickening (n = 3). All seven patients were initially suspected of having Kawasaki disease.Six patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), but all failed to respond. Among these six, four met the diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease (KD) or incomplete KD. Ultimately, all seven patients-including the one who did not receive IVIG-defervesced within 1-3 days of initiating antimicrobial therapy directed at scrub typhus.At follow-up, five patients with available echocardiography showed normalization of coronary arteries within one week to three months. These findings suggest that O. tsutsugamushi infection can trigger CALs indistinguishable from KD and that pathogen-directed therapy, rather than IVIG alone, is critical for fever resolution in such cases. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for scrub typhus in pediatric patients presenting with CALs, particularly when IVIG response is suboptimal.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014784"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13667921/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129010","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":"Prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among African children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Tadesse Hailu, Arancha Amor, Getaneh Alemu, Hiwot Tadesse, Veeranoot Nissapatorn, Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014759","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014759","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Strongyloides stercoralis is a neglected parasite that causes strongyloidiasis. However, the true prevalence of strongyloidiasis is underreported due to low-sensitivity diagnostic methods. This systematic review assessed the prevalence of S. stercoralis among African children and its variation by diagnostic methods, countries, and study settings. All studies published in African countries on S. stercoralis prevalence up to the year 2025 in the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases were included. Identification, screening, checking the eligibility, and including the relevant studies were done following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Out of 651 articles screened, 27 studies involving 16,358 children were included in the systematic review. The pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis among African children was 14% using a random-effect model. The highest pooled prevalence of S. stercoralis was recorded at 27% in Côte d'Ivoire, followed by 26% in Ethiopia. A high prevalence (36%) of S. stercoralis was obtained by a combination of PCR, culture, and microscopic diagnostic methods. This review indicated that S. stercoralis prevalence in African children is considerable and likely underestimated due to low-sensitivity diagnostics. Therefore, further studies using sensitive diagnostic approaches are urgently needed to determine the true burden of strongyloidiasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014759"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13667923/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149128946","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":"Integrating neglected tropical diseases into primary healthcare services in Ghana: Results from an initial pilot.","authors":"Awurabena Quayeba Dadzie, Solomon Akwasi Ananya, Jean Jacques Ngamaleu Tougoue, Ruth Dede Tuwor, Michael Nkrumah-Appau, Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, Ernest Mensah, Kwame Amankwah Bimpeh, Leslie Tetteh Gberbie, Abigail Agbanyo, Irene Dzathor, Bernadette Agbavor, Richard Odame Phillips, Yaw Ampem Amoako","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014792","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014792","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affect billions globally, including a significant burden in Ghana where at least two NTDs are endemic in every district. Integrating NTD services into primary health care (PHC) is critical for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and meeting the 2021-2030 NTD roadmap goals. This study piloted the integration of Ghana Health Service NTD indicators into the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) home visit register in Ghana to assess the feasibility of this approach for national scale-up.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A pilot implementation study was conducted in three districts representing different ecological zones in Ghana: Kassena Nankana West (northern), Nkwanta South (middle), and Ga South (southern). Following stakeholder workshops, the existing Community Health Officers' (CHOs) home visit register was revised to include seven key NTD clinical indicators (blood in urine, skin lesions, visible deformities, eye complications, lymphoedema or swelling, suspected hydrocele and presence of a deep skin wound). A total of 64 Community Health Officers (CHOs) were trained to use the revised register during routine household visits over a three-month period (September to December 2023). Data on NTD cases identification, referrals, and referral compliance were collected and analyzed descriptively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1,932 home visits were conducted across 34 health facilities resulting in 1,117 suspected cases (observations of NTD-related indicators) identified, 615 referrals made with 67% compliance and district level compliance ranging from 6.5% to 92.1%. CHOs successfully identified various NTD-related conditions, with distinct geographical patterns observed. Blood in urine was most frequently reported in Ga South, while lymphoedema and eye-related complications were more commonly reported in Kassena Nankana West. The varying patient compliance with the referrals suggests important contextual differences in linkage to care. Over 85% of trained health workers were actively implementing their new skills.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Integrating NTD surveillance into the CHPS platform is feasible and yields valuable epidemiological data. However, the success of integration hinges not only on case detection but also on strengthening the linkage to care. The significant disparity in referral compliance highlights a critical health system bottleneck that must be addressed to ensure integrated services translate into improved health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014792"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13660979/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149129005","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":"\"We don't know schistosomiasis can affect the female reproductive system and increase the risk of HIV\": A mixed-methods analysis reveals gaps in risk factor determinants and health consequences of female genital schistosomiasis in Southern Chad.","authors":"Melissa N Asongha, Toussaint N Ngakia, Pascaline Akawung, Chrisvalin Lokissidingao, Dum-Buo Nnamdi, Barou O Zephanias, Fotsa Blondeau, Abdoulaye Djelamde, David A Lewis, Efuetacha Betehndoh, Francis N Nkemngo","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014791","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014791","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium infection is a public health problem in Chad. Despite reports of urinary S. haematobium prevalence in endemic communities, research on the genital aspect of the disease, which disproportionately affects women, remains neglected especially given the contemporary geographical overlap with HIV/AIDS. This study was undertaken to establish baseline data on the awareness and perception of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) among community inhabitants and healthcare professionals in southern Chad to inform effective policy decision-making.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was employed for data collection in communities within the Guelo district from June to July 2025. Structured questionnaires were applied to capture quantitative data, while qualitative information was obtained through eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) and fifteen key informant interviews (KIIs). Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using statistical tools and NVIVO software, respectively, and outcomes were organized according to thematic categories.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A marked disparity characterized by sufficient knowledge about the urinary form of schistosomiasis [93.8% (CI: 91.5 - 96.2), 514/548] and minimal knowledge of FGS [3.1% (CI: 2.3 - 4.9), 17/548] was documented among the population. Moderate [63.2% (CI: 59.4 - 71.7), 325/514] and low [17.7% (CI: 11.3 - 21.8), 3/17] levels of awareness were respectively identified as predictors of urinary schistosomiasis and FGS, consistent with the perception that FGS is neither a risk factor for HIV nor cervical cancer. Additionally, verbal reports among informed community members and healthcare professionals revealed a shared belief that FGS is sexually transmitted and typically treated with antibiotics/antifungal medications. This belief was associated [χ2 = 13.7 (CI: 10.1 - 15. 6), p = 0.002] with negative consequences on hospital-treatment-seeking habits that arise from fear of identity-related stigma, particularly in cases involving recurrent genital symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the need for integrating FGS education and awareness initiatives within praziquantel delivery campaigns and sexual/reproductive preventive services at primary health care facilities in rural Chad. Furthermore, it underscores the urgency of providing comprehensive training for local healthcare professionals on the diagnosis and clinical management of FGS and the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) services to minimize contact with freshwater bodies.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014791"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13657329/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149117027","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":"Early-warning surveillance of West Nile and Usutu viruses in wetland and larval habitat waters and in mosquito excreta using digital PCR.","authors":"Julien Mocq, Julie Raymond, Karine Bolloré, Anaïs Fossot, Rachel Beaubaton, Alexandre Lepeule, Cécile Gruet, Franz Durandet, Jeanne Hanin, Guillaume Lacour, Albin Fontaine, Olivier Courot, Antoine Mignotte, Yannick Simonin","doi":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014799","DOIUrl":"10.1371/journal.pntd.0014799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) are mainly avian mosquito-borne pathogens, increasingly cause human and equine disease in temperate regions. Mostly asymptomatic, current surveillance in France is reactive, based on clinical and veterinary reports, delaying signals for vector control and preventative interventions. We implemented in Southern France, in 2024 and 2025, a proactive surveillance methodology combining molecular xenomonitoring of mosquito excreta and environmental water detection of viral RNA in wetlands and mosquito larval habitat, through a multiplex reverse transcription digital PCR workflow. The analytics process was characterised through the limits of blank, detection, and quantification. Low-level positives were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. WNV and USUV RNA repeated detections revealed previously unrecognized, cryptic circulations up to 19 weeks before the first WNV human cases and equine alert. Environmental surveillance represents a paradigm shift for early detection of emerging Culex-borne arboviruses and a key enabler of proactive and effective One Health responses.</p>","PeriodicalId":49000,"journal":{"name":"PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases","volume":"20 10","pages":"e0014799"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13657283/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149117134","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}