Frontiers in tropical diseases最新文献

{"title":"Verification of the reactivity of immunoglobulins in dried blood spots collected for onchocerciasis sero-surveillance by an Escherichia coli ELISA","authors":"H. Hassan, Kristi Miley, T. Unnasch","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1419166","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1419166","url":null,"abstract":"The World Health Organization guidelines for verification of onchocerciasis elimination include demonstrating that the prevalence of exposure to the parasite in individuals born since transmission was interrupted needs to be less than 0.1%. The guidelines recommend using seropositivity to an Onchocerca volvulus specific antigen (Ov16) for this purpose. Ov16 seropositivity has most often been assessed using the Ov16 ELISA assay. Currently, the Ov16 ELISA assay includes internal positive and negative controls to monitor for proper assay performance but does not control for the quality of the dried blood spots (DBS) being tested. Previous studies have reported a high prevalence of antibodies recognizing Escherichia coli in children. Through the development of an ELISA assay to detect antibodies recognizing E. coli, a common commensal in humans, DBS may be prescreened for quality assurance prior to testing for Ov16. Results demonstrated antibodies to E. coli were detected in 100% of randomly selected serum samples collected from O. volvulus infected individuals residing in an onchocerciasis hyperendemic area. Furthermore, when DBS were improperly stored, the E. coli antibodies were found to decay over a period of one week, while remaining unchanged over the same period in properly stored samples. Similarly, E. coli antibodies were detected in 100% of a batch of field collected properly stored DBS, while being present only in 5% of a batch of improperly stored spots. This study demonstrates the value of E. coli ELISA for DBS quality control testing and validation of proper storage of collections of DBS for the Ov16 ELISA.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"40 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141660351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Latest advances in the biological control of vectors of human tropical diseases","authors":"Juan Venegas, Slavica Vaselek, M. Yasnot","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1430944","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1430944","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" 31","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141673593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disease X in the Tropics, preventing the next pandemic: how to accelerate spillover prevention and vaccine preparedness?","authors":"C. Possas, Ernesto T. A. Marques, Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Prashant Kumar, Jerome H. Kim, Akira Homma","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1417065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1417065","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141677511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges in the diagnosis and control of female genital schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa: an exemplar case report associated with mixed and putative hybrid schistosome infection in Nsanje District, Southern Malawi","authors":"S. Kayuni, Lucas J. Cunningham, Dingase Kumwenda, Bright Mainga, D. Lally, P. Chammudzi, D. Kapira, G. Namacha, Bessie Ntaba, Alice Chisale, Tereza Nchembe, Luis Kinley, Ephraim Chibwana, A. Juhász, Sam Jones, J. Archer, P. Makaula, John Chiphwanya, E. J. LaCourse, J. Musaya, J. R. Stothard","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1354119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1354119","url":null,"abstract":"Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) remains an often overlooked chronic complication of urogenital schistosomiasis in adolescent girls and women. Moreover, the role of zoonotic or hybrid schistosome infection(s) is poorly appreciated, but is increasingly becoming an emerging public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. In Southern Malawi, during the “Hybridization in UroGenital Schistosomiasis (HUGS)” study visit, we describe the case of a 33-year-old woman with suspected FGS who partook in a detailed external assessment with internal cervical examination using a portable colposcope. She provided several biological samples for analysis with traditional and molecular parasitological methods—urine, cervicovaginal lavage (CVL), cervical swabs, and external mass and cervical biopsies—alongside provision of detailed demographic information after a thorough medical history questionnaire and an in-depth interview. These samples were screened for the presence of Schistosoma ova on microscopy and DNA genotyping using a novel real-time PCR assay in parallel to pre-published probe-based PCR assays capable of identifying and discriminating up to six named Schistosoma species. A further molecular screen of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia spp., and human papilloma virus (HPV) was conducted on her genital swab and CVL. Overt FGS was diagnosed on clinical colposcopy alongside inspection of the cervical biopsy by microscopy, real-time PCR, and histopathology. The urine filtration, microscopy and real-time PCR of the CVL and swab were negative. This evidences the typical diagnostic challenge, and cases such as this will pose an unmet need in satisfactory patient management. In addition to Schistosoma haematobium, the presence of the zoonotic species Schistosoma mattheei and concurrent STIs raise questions as to the long-term effectiveness of the current control strategies of the National Control Programme to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem. Improved availability of and regular accessibility to praziquantel treatment for women at risk such as this are urgently needed. Furthermore, targeted health education, increased community awareness, and dovetailing of synergistic activities and strategies with other health stakeholders such as those in sexual and reproductive health, as well as HIV/AIDS programs in the Ministry of Health, are needed here and in neighboring countries.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"99 37","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141359106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The geographical distribution of the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in Cabo Verde, 2016–2023","authors":"S. Leal, Celivianne Marisia Ramos de Sousa, D. Monteiro, Maria da Luz Lima Mendonça, A. Gonçalves, A. DePina","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1353839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1353839","url":null,"abstract":"Integrated malaria vector control is crucial to eliminate or reduce infection risk. Understanding vector species distribution, behavior, and environmental factors such as climate, topography, and preferred aquatic habitats is essential.Herein, we aim to compile data from 2016 to 2023 on the primary malaria vector in Cabo Verde to support health surveillance and elimination certification.Mosquitoes larvae were collected using standard sampling tools, and adults using Biogents Sentinel traps, mechanical aspiration and CDC UV light traps, both indoor and in the surroundings of urban and rural areas.Six hundred fifty-seven specimens of Anopheles gambiae s.l. were identified by morphological methods and PCR-based techniques as Anopheles arabiensis in 12 municipalities from six of the nine inhabited islands, namely, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Maio, Boavista, Santiago, and Santo Antão.We believe this is the first scientific report of the presence of An. arabiensis on the island of Santo Antão. The Anopheles arabiensis remains the only species in the An. gambiae complex in the Cabo Verde islands. These results offer vital insights for epidemiological surveillance and effective malaria control, especially in light of the recent WHO certification declaring the country malaria-free. However, it is imperative to conduct further studies that comprehensively address epidemiological and entomological aspects, with a special focus on bionomics, genetic determinants of the parasite-vector association, and the characterization of larval habitats. These investigations have the potential to guide a more informed and strategic implementation of malaria vector control measures in Cabo Verde.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"7 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141380583","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A qualitative assessment of community perceptions and practices towards schistosomiasis prior to introduction of a potential novel treatment option for preschool-age children in Kenya","authors":"Janet Masaku, John M. Gachohi, A. Sinkeet, Mary Maghanga, Florence Wakesho, W. Omondi, Lisa Sophie Reigl, Isabelle L. Lange, Andrea S. Winkler, S. Njenga, M. Amuyunzu-Nyamongo","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1404634","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1404634","url":null,"abstract":"Over 50 million preschool-age children (PSAC) in Africa need treatment for schistosomiasis but are excluded due to lack of a suitable child-friendly medication. The Paediatric Praziquantel Consortium has developed a novel paediatric formulation for PSAC. In advance of its roll-out, we conducted a social science study to draw lessons to inform implementation.We conducted a cross-sectional study in eight villages in two purposively selected highly endemic Kenyan counties (Homa Bay and Kwale). We conducted 17 in-depth interviews with community opinion leaders and 21 with parents/guardians of PSAC. Twelve focus group discussions with parents/guardians of PSAC were also held. The aim was to assess their knowledge, perceptions, practices and willingness to participate in the medication’s roll-out for schistosomiasis. Thematic data analysis was performed.Most participants had heard of schistosomiasis and perceived it to be a serious disease whose treatment should be prioritised. Others felt it was a common disease that should not cause concern. Some people believed schistosomiasis was caused by witchcraft while others regarded it as a sexually transmitted infection. In addition, some practices like poor human waste disposal and water contact were thought to contribute to continued transmission of the disease.Community members know and perceive schistosomiasis to be serious, but misinformation about its cause is prevalent. The study suggests the need for increased awareness creation to change the perceptions of communities in relation to schistosomiasis prevention and control. Community sensitisation should be prioritised in advance of medication roll-out.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"70 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141101785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond RTS,S malaria vaccine piloting to adoption and historic introduction in sub-Saharan Africa: a new hope in the fight against the vector-borne disease","authors":"A. Lubanga, A. N. Bwanali, C. Moyo, G. D. Chumbi, Y. Matola, Hyunwook Nam, Lorie Kim, Jooheon Park, Jonathan Chung","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1387078","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1387078","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"55 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141107164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An inclusive approach to designing a multi-epitope chimeric vaccine for Taenia infections by integrating proteomics and reverse vaccinology","authors":"Swati Sharma, Ujjawal Sharan, Rimanpreet Kaur, Anubha Chaudhary, S. Rawat, Anand K. Keshri, Naina Arora, Amit Prasad","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1393570","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1393570","url":null,"abstract":"Soil- and water-transmitted helminths are a major concern in the developing world due to their high prevalence. More than a quarter of the population were estimated to be infected with helminths in these endemic zones.An in silico approach was used to design a vaccine construct against the Taenia genus utilizing the proteomic information and evaluation of the construct using immune-informatics.Our study identified 451 conserved proteins in Taenia spp. using the existing proteome; out of these, 141 were found to be expressed in cysticerci. These proteins were screened for antigenic epitopes and a multi-subunit vaccine was constructed. The constructed vaccine was assessed for its efficacy in mounting the appropriate immune response. Our constructed vaccine showed stability and optimal performance against the TLR 4 receptor, which is reported to be upregulated in Taenia infections in hosts.Immune-informatics tools help design vaccines for neglected diseases such as those attributed to helminths, which are known to cause widespread morbidity. Our vaccine construct holds tremendous potential in conferring protection against all Taenia spp. of clinical relevance to human.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140965181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Linking the increasing epidemiology of scrub typhus transmission in India and South Asia: are the varying environment and the reservoir animals the factors behind?","authors":"R. Mohapatra, Maysoon Al-Haideri, Snehasis Mishra, A. Mahal, Ashish K. Sarangi, M. Khatib, Shilpa Gaidhane, Q. Zahiruddin, A. Mohanty, Ranjit Sah","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1371905","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1371905","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"76 19","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140978769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution and ecological aspects of sand fly species from Kousseri, an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis in Northern Cameroon","authors":"Thierry Rostand Tebo-Nzesseu, Ngouateu Aime Tateng, O. Ngouateu, Cedric Yamssi, N’dille Emmanuel Elanga, C. Ndo, Roland Bamou, Vincent Khan-Payne, B. Dondji","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1371670","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1371670","url":null,"abstract":"Kousseri in the Far North Region of Cameroon has long been known as an endemic focus of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), although the study on sand flies in this focus is scarce. The present study investigates the spatial distribution, seasonality, and ecological aspects of sand flies from Kousseri. This study is based on the need to optimize the effectiveness of leishmaniasis control programs in the northern part of the country. Sand flies were sampled monthly over 12 months in five selected sites using CDC light traps. Only captured females were morphologically identified at species level based on valid keys. Overall, 4,214 sand fly specimens were collected during 360 trapping nights. The male/female sex ratio slightly favored females (1:1.04). The eudominant Sergentomyia antennata followed by both dominant Sergentomyia schwetzi and Sergentomyia squamipleuris were the most common and abundant species, accounting for 76.1% of the collection. Phlebotomus duboscqi, the confirmed vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in West African foci, although rare in the collection, was found in four of the five surveyed sites. This sand fly species with Se. schwetzi abounded in peri-urban areas and, respectively, in animal shed and in uninhabited house biotopes, while Se. antennata and Se. squamipleuris prevailed in rural areas and, respectively, in animal shelter biotopes and outside dwellings. All caught sand fly species except Se. schwetzi, Sergentomyia clydei, Sergentomyia inermis, and Sergentomyia adleri prevailed during the dry season. The highest Shannon–Wiener index of sand flies due to the maximal richness and evenness was found in the urban area, in outdoor biotopes, and during the rainy season (H′ = 1.68, 1.80, and 1.74, respectively). These data provide evidence that less urbanized areas, animal shelters around the compounds, and the absence of precipitation (dry season) favored the dispersion of abundant sand fly species in Kousseri. Based on previous reports on Leishmania transmission, a surveillance plan is required to prevent an outbreak of VL or an establishment of CL or canine leishmaniasis (CnL) in this focus. Further research identifying the blood meal source and the Leishmania parasites in these insects is critical for providing insightful data to fight leishmaniasis in Northern Cameroon.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"89 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140984585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}