American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene最新文献

{"title":"Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Factors Influencing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Testing Uptake: Insights from Urban and Rural Communities in South Africa.","authors":"Nokhanyo Xaba, Onaiza Qureshi, Aneeta Pasha, Amyn Malik, Anne Hoppe, Zaw Myo Tun, National Fynn, Goodman Sibeko, Saira Khowaja, Aamir Javed Khan","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.23-0810","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.23-0810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Access, demand, and acceptance of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing have varied globally. This study explored the sociodemographic and psychosocial risk factors that contribute to the uptake of COVID-19 testing in community settings in South Africa. This paper presents a cross-sectional secondary analysis using data from a cluster randomized controlled trial and a nested perception survey of COVID-19 antigen testing in communities located in urban (eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal) and rural settings (Worcester, Eastern Cape) in South Africa. Individuals who were reluctant to get tested participated in the perception survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression to assess linear associations and estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs). The analysis was conducted on 3,074 individuals, of whom 2,509 (81.6%) provided consent for COVID-19 testing. Among those, 2,505 (81.5%) tested negative, and 4 (0.1%) tested positive for COVID-19. The mean age of participants was 38 (SD = 14.61), and 57% were male. Females (OR: 1.27; 95% CI = 1-1.6), individuals older than 56 years (OR: 1.95; 95% CI = 1.24-3.07), and those who were vaccinated (OR: 1.99; 95% CI = 1.53-2.60) were more likely to consent. Individuals who had previously tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were less likely to consent to testing (OR: 0.64; 95% CI = 0.11-0.46). No link was found between depression, anxiety, substance use, and willingness to undergo COVID-19 testing. A perceptions survey involving 704 participants, which explored factors influencing testing willingness, found that older adults, and urban populations were less likely to undergo COVID-19 testing. Targeted health campaigns may improve testing rates. Larger-scale implementation research is required to explore best practices for improving testing rates and confidence in population-level detection within South Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erythema Multiforme Secondary to Mumps.","authors":"LakshmiPrasad Lakshmipathi, Yogindher Singh, Manobalan Karunanandhan","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0688","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Erythema multiforme (EMF), an immune-mediated disorder, presents with either cutaneous or mucosal lesions, or both. Although associated with multiple etiologies, the majority are attributed to infectious etiologies and drugs. In this case report, we describe a case of EMF secondary to a very uncommon etiology-mumps. A 22-year-old male presented with targetoid lesions on bilateral palms, the upper and lower extremities, and the trunk. He also had a few targetoid lesions on the lips and glans penis. The patient reported an episode of fever with parotid enlargement and tenderness 1 week before the onset of skin lesions. A serological investigation revealed significantly elevated IgM antibody titers to mumps. Erythema multiforme has many triggering factors, with infections such as herpes simplex virus being the most common, followed by drugs like penicillin, cephalosporins, and others. This case report shows that, in addition to the most common causes, other viral infectious etiologies should also be considered as possible triggers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Is Parasitic Contamination of Soil in the Southern United States Related to Poverty and Does It Represent a Human Health Threat? A Perspective.","authors":"Joel L N Barratt, Paul T Cantey, Susan P Montgomery, Anne Straily, Sarah G H Sapp, Yvonne Qvarnstrom, Brian H Raphael","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0596","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0596","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, multiple reports have emerged describing real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) detection of DNA derived from human parasite species in environmental soil samples. In one such report, sampling was focused in impoverished areas of the southeastern United States, and a link between poverty and the presence of parasite DNA in soil was proposed. Whether transmission of certain parasitic diseases persists in the United States in association with poverty remains an important question. However, we emphasize caution when reviewing interpretations drawn solely from qPCR detection of parasite-derived environmental DNA without further verification. We discuss here the limitations of using qPCR to test environmental DNA samples, the need for sampling strategies that are unbiased and repeatable, and the importance of selecting appropriate control areas and statistical tests to draw meaningful conclusions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oleylphosphocholine versus Miltefosine for Canine Leishmaniasis.","authors":"Isadora Lima, Deborah Fraga, Jonathan Berman","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0622","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0622","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oleylphosphocholine (OlPC) is a miltefosine derivative that is more effective than miltefosine against Leishmania infections in rodent models. Because canines are a natural host for Leishmania, the improved treatment of canine leishmaniasis is essential both for veterinary medicine and as a large animal model for clinical development. Oleylphosphocholine, at a dosage of 4 mg/kg/day for 28 days, was compared with the approved canine regimen of miltefosine at a dosage of 2 mg/kg/day for 28 days in 33 naturally infected Brazilian dogs (17 randomly assigned to receive OlPC versus 16 designated to receive miltefosine). The animals were followed for 5 months posttreatment. The primary endpoint was the clinical score, which was calculated as the sum of scores for each of 23 clinical parameters graded 0 (normal), 1 (somewhat abnormal), or 2 (markedly abnormal) by a blinded observer. A higher clinical score signified more severe disease. The mean (SD) clinical scores for the OlPC versus miltefosine groups are as follows: pretherapy, 10.1 (5.6) versus 7.7 (4.5; P = 0.19); 3 months posttherapy, 4.3 (4.1) versus 9.5 (4.9; P <0.01); 5 months posttherapy, 3.9 (3.8) versus 8.9 (4.7; P <0.01). Scores for lymph nodes, ear crusts, and splenic parasites were statistically lower for the OlPC group versus the miltefosine group, suggesting that both visceral and cutaneous parameters contributed to OlPC's statistically greater efficacy. One OlPC animal, with minimal splenic parasites pretreatment and zero parasites at the end of treatment, died of kidney failure due to immune-complex deposition, which was presumably already present pretreatment. The increase in blood creatinine values observed in OlPC animals warrants further study in future experiments. The superior clinical effect of OlPC in comparison to miltefosine in this canine study primes OlPC for development as an oral treatment for canine and human leishmaniasis.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revisiting Azithromycin for Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy.","authors":"Michelle E Roh, Holger W Unger, Catherine E Oldenburg","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0734","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0734","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Antenatal Monthly Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine, Alone or with Azithromycin, on Gestational Weight Gain and Anemia during Pregnancy and One Month Postpartum in Malawi: A Randomized Controlled Trial Secondary Analysis.","authors":"Mari Luntamo, Lotta Hallamaa, Teija Kulmala, Kenneth Maleta, Per Ashorn","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.23-0829","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.23-0829","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Low gestational weight gain (GWG) and prenatal anemia are associated with adverse pregnancy, maternal and infant health outcomes. In a secondary analysis of a single-center, randomized, partially placebo-controlled, outcome assessor-blinded, controlled trial conducted in Malawi from 2003 to 2006, when antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV was not widely available, we studied whether GWG can be increased and the prevalence of maternal anemia decreased during pregnancy and at 1 month postpartum through the intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) of maternal malaria and reproductive tract infections. The participants (≥15-year-old women with uncomplicated second trimester single pregnancies) received either sulfadoxine (1,500 mg) and pyrimethamine (75 mg; SP) twice (control group, n = 433), monthly SP (n = 439), or monthly SP and azithromycin (1,000 mg) twice (AZI-SP, n = 441) during pregnancy. The mean weekly GWG in the sample was 256 g/week. The participants in the monthly SP group gained, on average (95% CI), 4 g (-13 to 20; P = 0.671), and those in the AZI-SP group gained 25 g (8-41; P = 0.003) more weight per week than control group participants. Among HIV-positive participants (12%), the differences were larger and also significant between the monthly SP group and control group. Mean hemoglobin and anemia prevalence did not differ between the groups during pregnancy or postnatally. The data support a hypothesis that IPTp with monthly SP and two doses of azithromycin can increase GWG, especially among HIV-positive women who are not on ART, possibly through the reduction of infections, inflammation, and effects on the maternal gut microbiome.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Management Pathway of Patients with Cystic Echinococcosis in Iran Prior to Definitive Surgical Treatment.","authors":"Fatemeh Mohtasham, Mohammad Shafiei, Mohammad Reza Lashkarizadeh, Mehrdad Farokhnia, Maysam Yousefi, Rana Eftekhar Vaghefi, Fatemeh Khajehasani, Saeid Nasibi, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi, Majid Fasihi Harandi","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0061","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE) regularly undergo surgery in medical centers in endemic countries. Our understanding of the challenges patients face on the pathway toward the final diagnosis and treatment of CE is poor. The present study was conducted to evaluate the medical care-seeking pathway and the underlying causes of the delayed surgical treatment of CE. Information related to 68 CE patients who underwent surgery in Kerman, Southeast Iran, was collected through face-to-face visits or telephone calls. All the patients were interviewed, and the medical records of each patient were reviewed. The pathway taken by the patient to seek care, the workups performed for diagnosis and management, and the length of time between the onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis and surgery were evaluated. The patients were visited by at least two physicians; the median number of physicians was four. A total of 47% of the patients were referred to a general practitioner on their first visit. The mean times between the first visit and CE diagnosis and surgery were 1.5 and 3.2 months, respectively. A definitive diagnosis of CE was made for 35.3% of the patients in less than 1 month after the first visit. However, it took 4 months or more for 51.4% of the patients to receive hydatid surgery. The fear of anesthesia and surgery, the cost of management, unsuccessful chemotherapy for CE patients, pregnancy, and issues related to immigrant patients and refugees are among the factors involved in the protraction of CE diagnosis and treatment. Establishing practice guidelines for CE diagnosis and treatment, continuing education for healthcare professionals, and improving access to diagnostic facilities for endemic communities are required to address challenges in the management of CE in endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological and Geographical Factors Associated with Dengue in Bangladesh: A Multicenter Study of the 2023 Dengue Epidemic.","authors":"Abul Faisal Md Nuruddin Chowdhury, Orindom Shing Pulock, Md Abdus Sattar, Noor Mohammed, Arpita Biswangree, Nishat Sultana, Masruma Meherine Prachi, Afsana Yeasmin Tanzina, Meheadi Hasan Rumi, Nazmul Alam, H M Hamidullah Mehedi, Emrul Kaiser, Adnan Mannan","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0477","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0477","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bangladesh is a well-known epidemic zone for dengue fever. Several epidemiological and geographical factors influence the transmission and severity of dengue infection. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and geographical factors that contributed to the severity of the dengue outbreak in Bangladesh in 2023. This hospital-based cross-sectional study investigated 1,313 dengue patients admitted to public hospitals in Dhaka, Chattogram and Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, between July and December 2023. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent risk factors for severe dengue infection. The average age of respondents was 29.5 years, with individuals aged 20-40 accounting for 59.5%. Of the 1,313 dengue patients, 19.3% (254) were diagnosed with severe dengue infection. Patients with low monthly income and those lacking awareness of dengue's spread from clogged rooftop water were respectively 2.35 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.35; P <0.05; 95% CI: 1.08-5.07) and 2.23 (aOR 2.23; P <0.05; 95% CI: 1.20-4.14) times more likely to develop severe dengue. The dengue outbreak has become a serious public health issue in Bangladesh, with factors such as low family income and lack of awareness contributing to the development of severe cases. These findings provide valuable evidence for policymakers to guide and implement preventive measures and raise awareness.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk Prediction of Emerging Sites Infested with Schistosome-Transmitting Oncomelania hupensis in Shanghai, China.","authors":"Yu Zhou, Yanjun Jin, Yanfeng Gong, Junhui Huang, Jiamin Wang, Ning Xu, Qingwu Jiang, Qing Yu, Yibiao Zhou","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0200","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0200","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oncomelania hupensis, the sole intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, plays an essential role in the transmission of schistosomiasis. In 1985, snails were eliminated throughout Shanghai city. However, snail-infested sites have continuously emerged since the 1990s. The resurgence of snail habitats may signal the recurrence of schistosomiasis. Therefore, implementing continuous monitoring measures for snails is crucial, and predicting potential habitats for snails in Shanghai is essential for enhancing surveillance effectiveness, providing early warnings to health authorities, optimizing resource allocation, maintaining the elimination status of schistosomiasis in Shanghai, and ultimately, advancing the goal of eliminating schistosomiasis in China. Our research developed an ensemble model to predict the current and future distributions of snails in Shanghai by collecting emerging snail-infested records from 1991 to 2020 and integrating them with 19 environmental variables, including climate, geography, and socioeconomics. The ensemble model identified the annual average surface temperature as the most significant factor influencing snail occurrence. The highly suitable areas were primarily located in the northwestern part of Jinshan District and the southern part of Songjiang District. In the future, the southwestern part of Shanghai will continue to provide suitable habitats for snails in the long term. Therefore, even in areas where schistosomiasis has been eliminated, surveillance of snails and the disease should not be relaxed, and ongoing monitoring in these areas is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143187650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dogs and the Community.","authors":"Angel Sebastian Rodriguez-Pazmiño","doi":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0607","DOIUrl":"10.4269/ajtmh.24-0607","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7752,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}