New research highlights the need for FGS screening in sexual and reproductive health services, citing a link between chronic illness, HIV, and cervical cancer. Proposed approaches include combined testing and AI-supported diagnostic tools.
The Pan European One Health Network will harmonise the European response to infectious diseases by integrating human, animal, and environmental health. The network aims to develop a coordinated preventative response through collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing.
Researchers found that stopping mass drug administration led to a nearly two-fold increase in intestinal roundworm infections among school-aged children. Community-wide treatment is needed to effectively manage and reduce these infections, highlighting the importance of understanding how disease control programmes interact.
New research reveals that mosquito net chemical coatings impact performance, with PFAS-based coatings altering how well a net works. The study suggests integrating conventional bioassays with surface chemistry and behavioral analysis to strengthen product development and regulatory evaluation.
Researchers identified a bacterium strongly linked to noma, a deadly disease that affects young children in extreme poverty. Early detection through diagnostic tools could save lives and prevent severe disfigurement.
A new study has detected a DNA marker in a key enzyme gene that helps mosquitoes break down and survive pyrethroid insecticides. This finding can inform better implementation of resistance management strategies and reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa.
The World Health Organization has published a practical guide to address the mental health impacts of neglected tropical diseases and stigma that prevents people from seeking care. The Essential Care Package provides clear guidance for governments and healthcare systems to integrate mental health support into existing programs.
The partnership will accelerate development of multivalent vaccines for pandemic and emerging infectious threats, using advanced automated organoid models. Researchers will co-develop a physiologically relevant, automated tonsillar organoid model for rapid testing of saDNA-based vaccine candidates.
New research reveals hybrid schistosomes are undermining existing disease control strategies by emerging faster than previously recognized. These hybrids can display altered biological traits linked to virulence and transmission potential, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
A new study has revealed that the same bacteria causing bloodstream infections in newborns are also found in their gut, making it possible to identify infected infants through stool samples. The research highlights the need for improved surveillance, targeted antibiotic strategies, and interventions to prevent infections.
Scientists have developed the world's first lab-produced, recombinant snakebite antivenom that protects against many African deadly snakes and outperforms existing antivenoms. The new formulation provides high protection against death and severe tissue damage caused by 17 different elapid snakes.
A study published in Thorax found that over half of hospital patients with breathlessness had died within a year, despite efforts to improve oxygen access. The research highlights the importance of patient-centred care and treating multiple illnesses simultaneously to reduce mortality rates.
Nitisinone, a drug used to treat rare genetic disorders, has been shown to be mosquitocidal to several mosquito species, including those that transmit malaria and Zika viruses. The research demonstrates that the drug can kill mosquitoes through ingestion and surface contact, making it a potential tool in combating insecticide resistance.
A new network aims to improve malaria prevention among school-aged children in sub-Saharan Africa by uniting researchers, policymakers, and healthcare practitioners. The initiative will help fill knowledge gaps and develop guidance to support countries in addressing the burden of malaria in this age group.
A new study found that nearly a quarter of Kenyans with chronic respiratory diseases face catastrophic health expenditure, leading to financial shock and worsening their poverty. The study highlights the need for affordable and effective healthcare insurance or universal coverage to address this issue.
A new study published in Lancet Global Health found that nearly half of hospital patients in Malawi and Tanzania have multiple chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and HIV. This increases the risk of end-organ diseases and premature death.
A new study reveals that Zika causes metabolic changes in human skin, making it a 'mosquito magnet' that attracts Aedes mosquitoes. The virus alters gene and protein expression in dermal fibroblasts, leading to increased production of volatile organic compounds that encourage mosquito bites.
Researchers have discovered a significant link between viruses and disease-causing nematodes, opening up new avenues for treatment. The study identified 91 RNA viruses in 28 species of parasitic nematodes, which may contribute to chronic debilitating conditions.
A team of experts led by LSTM has developed a globally relevant, evidence-based patient-centred set of measurements for snakebite clinical trials. The new core outcome measures aim to standardise trial methodology and support the needs of patients and clinicians worldwide.
A new drug developed to target lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis has started its first human trial at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The drug, AWZ1066S, targets Wolbachia, a bacterial symbiont essential for worm survival, offering a novel approach to eliminate these debilitating diseases.
Researchers explored whether ivermectin administration influences malaria transmission, finding large effects on mosquito mortality but no significant impact on malaria incidence in children. Further studies are underway to determine the efficacy of community-wide ivermectin treatment for reducing malaria transmission.
Researchers developed an infrared thermal imaging camera to assess filarial lymphoedema status. The tool helps monitor disease progression and detect sub-clinical cases, improving diagnosis and care for those affected by this devastating tropical disease.
Researchers demonstrate that defensive selection pressures can influence venom composition in snakes, resulting in enhanced pain-causing ability of the venoms. This is an exemplary case of convergent evolution in the natural world.
Researchers have identified a potential novel way to treat snakebite, with the oral administration of DMPS providing protection against venom and enhancing its effect when used with conventional antivenom. Early treatment with DMPS could save lives and limbs in rural settings where healthcare access is limited.
Researchers at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine identified a new mechanism by which mosquitoes become resistant to insecticides. The SAP2 binding protein in the legs plays a key role in this process.
Researchers have characterized three genes associated with insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes, found to cause resistance to all four classes of public health insecticides. This breakthrough work provides much-needed tools for monitoring the growing problem through molecular testing.
Researchers have designed a new bednet that can kill mosquitoes more efficiently than existing nets, minimizing risk to people inside the net. The Barrier Bednet, with an extra panel of netting above the roof, was highly effective against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes in Burkina Faso.
The study identifies the proteins that make up the venom of the Hispaniolan solenodon, a rare and endangered species. The research reveals that these toxins are likely used to cause drops in blood pressure in vertebrate prey, and have evolved independently on at least four occasions in eulipotyphlan mammals.
A new Cochrane review consolidates the results of 50 trials involving over 84,000 participants, showing little to no effect of deworming on haemoglobin, cognition, school performance, and mortality. The review suggests that donors and countries should reassess policies for mass treatment.
Copy-number variants (CNVs) play a crucial role in the development of insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes. The study found that CNVs were more likely to occur in genes associated with detoxification, suggesting a rapid evolutionary response to insecticides.
Researchers at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have gained new understanding of anti-malarial drug primaquine, a cornerstone in global efforts to eliminate malaria. The discovery may lead to the development of newer and safer antimalarial drugs.
The study reveals that the equilibrium between nose microbes and host has an impact on pneumococcal acquisition density, particularly with viral co-infection. Different microbiota constellations are associated with varying levels of inflammation, viral replication, and pneumococcal carriage receptiveness.
Researchers from UK and Malawi identify novel schistosome hybrids infecting children along Shire River Valley, with potential for abrupt genetic changes and increased disease transmission. A OneHealth approach is warranted to investigate inter-species combinations and zoonotic potential.
The New England Journal of Medicine advocates for standardized care in treating Ebola patients. Recent innovations, such as the Cube System, offer improved patient-centered care through continuous observation and accessibility.
Researchers at LSTM and University of Buea developed new Loa loa infection models to assess the safety of anti-filarial drugs. These models have enabled the prioritization of drug candidates for preclinical development, targeting onchocerciasis while avoiding loiasis adverse reactions.
The study found that the widely used antimalarial sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is no longer effective in preventing malaria in areas with high levels of resistance. In areas where more than 37% of parasites carry six mutations, the effectiveness of SP appears to be fully compromised. The researchers are calling for further investiga...
A study by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine found that complete window screening coverage was associated with a 92% reduction in malaria prevalence. Mosquito biting rates were also reduced, highlighting the potential impact of simple interventions on malaria transmission.
The ESSENTIALS project aims to develop robust entomological indicators for assessing the public health value of new vector control tools, reducing the need for lengthy trials.
Researchers at LSTM and Imperial College London have designed drugs that target the receptors of human cells to combat flu pandemics. The engineered biologicals block interactions between influenza viruses and human cells, offering a potential solution to deadly strains.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has been awarded £11.8 million by the UK government to support people living in informal settlements in low and middle-income countries. The grant will help precarious individuals claim their rights to health and well-being, and improve access to services.
The systematic review identified nine themes impacting on adherence and treatment seeking, including external issues such as poverty and stigma. Long-term engagement requires adaptation and incorporation of ART into daily life, facilitated by factors like self-efficacy and emotional support. The review aims to inform service delivery a...
Researchers found that infected red blood cells from cerebral malaria patients bind more strongly to brain-derived cells than those from uncomplicated malaria patients. This suggests that specific PfEMP1 proteins on the infected red blood cells allow for efficient binding to brain vessels, a key feature of cerebral malaria.
Researchers have developed a novel fully synthetic and rationally designed anti-Wolbachia drug, AWZ1066S, which could potentially treat onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The compound has shown high specificity and potency against Wolbachia, with the potential to shorten treatment times from weeks to days.
Researchers found pyronaridine-artesunate to be as effective as currently used artemisinin-based combination therapies for treating uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. Mild liver injuries were observed in some patients but no severe damage was reported. The treatment holds promise for areas with rising artemisinin resistance.
A study published in Nature Communications has uncovered additional mechanisms of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, which had not been previously recognized. The research used a bioinformatics approach to integrate data from multiple studies and identified new gene families and pathways involved in resistance.
A new method for estimating health data accuracy combines HIS data with probability surveys to provide a more accurate assessment of an intervention's coverage. This allows for better planning and management of health systems and policies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
A study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that temperature increases have caused a decline in local tsetse fly populations, potentially reducing the risk of sleeping sickness in Africa. Rising temperatures may also make some areas more suitable for tsetse flies.
A £2 million project, ARCS, aims to tackle sepsis in Africa by creating sustainable partnerships between research, clinical, and government organizations. The initiative focuses on delivering high-quality training, establishing care quality indicators, and testing innovative interventions.
A £3 million LSTM-led DRUM Consortium will investigate how human behavior drives antimicrobial resistance in Uganda and Malawi. The research aims to understand key drivers of resistance, including surveying human behavior around antibiotic use, water availability, sanitation, and hygiene.
A virulent strain of TB has been linked to 60% of cases in younger people in Ho Chi Minh City. The Beijing lineage bacteria shows positive selection for a gene that enhances its survival and may be responsible for increased virulence.