Articles tagged with Tropical Diseases
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) threaten Indonesia's economic growth and development, particularly for women and children. The country has an opportunity to scale up national programs and integrate NTDs with other development efforts.
Researchers transformed a $10 webcam into a mini-microscope to detect parasitic infections at the point-of-care. The device uses image recognition software to automatically identify parasite eggs in urine and stool samples.
The PLOS & DNDi Collection showcases Open Access research on neglected tropical diseases, highlighting the journey from advocacy to scientific innovation. The collection features articles on Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis, emphasizing the need for tangible solutions.
A new study finds that high temperatures and low rainfall influence trachoma transmission in Africa, with eye-seeking flies more active at higher temperatures and abundant in areas with low rainfall. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate blinding trachoma by 2020, but understanding all factors affecting the disease is crucial.
Researchers say Chagas disease remains a leading cause of heart disease in impoverished North American communities, with inadequate healthcare and limited treatment options available. The editorial calls for increased medical awareness, scientific cooperation, and public-private partnerships to develop new tools and treatments.
The study found that men face more difficulty accessing treatment due to occupational roles, while women are more likely to receive treatment. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women often lack awareness of safe medicine use, leading to missed treatments.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in The Lancet found that the world's poorest children are twice as likely to contract malaria as their better-off counterparts. Investing in socioeconomic development, such as improved education and nutrition, is crucial to controlling and eliminating malaria.
Scientists at Queen's University will develop new methods of disease detection and treatment using MicroRNAs, a potential breakthrough in diagnosis. The Institute for Global Food Security is also exploring food crops containing drugs to treat tropical diseases.
A new LAMP test kit can detect even the lowest levels of malaria parasites in under an hour, improving diagnosis for imported UK cases and field use in Uganda. The simple test requires minimal equipment and training, making it accessible to non-specialist health workers.
Researchers discovered a way to re-activate the immune system to fight parasitic worms, potentially leading to vaccines for diseases like elephantiasis and river blindness. This breakthrough could also inform treatments for allergies.
A mathematical modeling study found that deworming programs targeting schools only target a small proportion of parasites in the community, with little long-term effect on transmission. Researchers emphasize the need for more calculation-based approaches and alternative strategies to control soil-transmitted helminths.
The African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control has had a major health impact, reducing blindness and itching cases by millions, while costing only $250 million. The program saved an estimated 8 million healthy years of life, at a cost of just $30 per year.
The study highlights links between NTDs and socio-economic prosperity, finding that integrated treatment efforts are cost-effective public health interventions. The report recommends prioritizing NTD programs worldwide to improve health and prosperity for over 1 billion people.
A new study found that malaria and typhoid fever are the biggest health threats for travelers to tropics, affecting 4% of returned travelers. The study analyzed over 82,000 ill travelers and found no cases of Ebola or other feared diseases.
A new $3 million study will investigate biological markers measuring treatment efficacy for Chagas disease. The research seeks to develop a robust test to expand treatment options and accelerate clinical trials for this potentially fatal neglected tropical disease.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine emphasizes that NCD prevention requires significant economic changes across populations and industries to reduce premature deaths by 25% by 2025. Effective policies must consider the broader macro-economic picture, not just micro-economic approaches.
African sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, affects 60 million people in rural sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare access is limited. Researchers studying the parasite's glucose-sensing mechanisms aim to develop new therapeutics and improve understanding of glucose regulation in various organisms.
Pablo Sobrado's research focuses on developing enzyme inhibitors to combat tropical diseases. He aims to identify specific inhibitors against enzymes crucial for pathogenesis in several human diseases.
A study published in The Lancet shows that a single dose of oral azithromycin is non-inferior to injectable penicillin for treating yaws disease, avoiding equipment and medically trained personnel needs. This finding supports the potential elimination of neglected tropical disease through mass drug administration programs.
Experts emphasize the need to treat multiple diseases simultaneously, as common in sub-Saharan Africa, for better outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Studies show that addressing co-infections can significantly reduce HIV transmission risk and viral load.
Fatal snakebites are a significant global health problem with up to 5 million cases annually, resulting in 300,000 permanent disabilities and 100,000 deaths. Research highlights the importance of addressing this issue through initiatives like motorcycle ambulances and rapid diagnostic tests.
The region of South Asia experiences a disproportionate burden of neglected tropical diseases, including visceral leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, and soil-transmitted helminth infections. Better management of these diseases is crucial to lessen the region's NTD burden.
The region's high rates of parasitic infection are nearly 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, particularly among economically disadvantaged groups. Soil-transmitted helminth infections have been linked to developmental delays and decreased economic productivity in countries like Uzbekistan.
A new LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification) test has been designed specifically for sleeping sickness diagnosis in rural African settings. The test promises to improve diagnosis accuracy and reduce the need for repeated lumbar punctures, paving the way for potential elimination of the disease.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have created a safer oral version of the sleeping sickness drug melarsoprol, increasing its solubility and releasing it slowly in the gut. The new treatment retained its ability to kill the infection and cured mice infected with the parasite after a seven-day daily dosing schedule.
The article highlights the connection between neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and HIV/AIDS, proposing ways to integrate NTD treatment programs with HIV/AIDS initiatives. Studies show that areas with high NTD infection rates also have high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and co-infections can exacerbate HIV/AIDS.
Despite progress in vaccine distribution for childhood killer diseases, global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are lagging, argue researchers. NTDs, which affect the world's poorest, require more R&D funding and investment to develop effective vaccines.
A coalition of researchers and policymakers argue that a universal vaccination campaign is essential to ending the crisis. The authors recommend increasing vaccine availability through advance purchase commitments and scaling up efforts to prevent similar shortages during future outbreaks.
The Alliance for Global Good has partnered with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev to support research programs focused on education, water desalinization, and third-world healthcare. The partnership aims to improve access to fresh water and reduce the prevalence of neglected tropical diseases in Jordan and Ethiopia.
Researchers have identified seminal fluid proteins that could affect the behavior and physiology of female mosquitoes, potentially leading to new control strategies. The study's findings may provide a foundation for innovative approaches to regulating mosquito reproduction, feeding, and mating behavior.
A significant decline in new cases of sleeping sickness has sparked renewed efforts to eliminate the disease as a public health problem. Recent literature highlights promising signs of progress, including leadership from the WHO and coordinated control activities in endemic countries.
Researchers found that vaccination can provide approximately 76% protective efficacy against cholera, and modeling suggests delayed responses can still have a benefit. The use of oral cholera vaccines during outbreaks is being reevaluated due to the changing nature of Vibrio cholerae.
Dr. Jerrold J. Ellner leads an international research team to identify biological markers for tuberculosis (TB) and develop novel treatments and vaccines. The five-year grant aims to prevent TB, which kills nearly two million people annually.
Researchers have discovered a novel compound, spiroindolone NITD609, effective against both strains of the malaria parasite and shows pharmacological properties compatible with a once-daily dosing regimen.
Researchers from the Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine found that targeted disease campaigns often displace basic healthcare services, leaving patients without access to curative care. Only a few health centers with experienced staff were able to integrate campaign work into their daily duties.
The new atlas identifies areas with urgent need for mass treatment and predicts infection risk in data-lacking areas. The Global Atlas of Helminth Infections aims to improve sanitation and health education to control worm infections.
A global distribution map of P. vivax malaria identifies regions with extremely low or unstable transmission, where control and elimination are relatively good prospects. The study estimates that 91% of exposed individuals live in Central and South East Asia.
A new global atlas maps the distribution of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) to improve decision-making in control and elimination efforts. The atlas provides a reliable planning tool for national programs, increasing the impact of NTD control efforts.
The African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation aims to stimulate health product research and development in Africa. Successful implementation requires sustainable capacity, infrastructure, funding, leadership, and understanding of health R&D in the African continent.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that community-based education increased treatment compliance from 50% to 90% in Orissa State, India. The intervention combined timely educational programs with lymphedema management, reversing the trend and increasing drug compliance.
A new study reveals that drains are a significant vector for the development of lymphatic filariasis and malaria in Dar es Salaam. The researchers found that simple environmental management interventions can help reduce mosquito-borne disease transmission and promote a healthier environment.
The 'manifesto' outlines eight key points, including NTDs are tool ready with cost-efficient interventions, yet tool deficient, requiring sustained international support and community involvement to achieve global NTD control. The authors emphasize the need for urgent, renewed, and innovative efforts to tackle NTDs.
A randomized controlled trial found heat therapy to be as effective as intravenous sodium stibogluconate in treating Leishmania major skin lesions. The study suggests that a rugged, battery-operated device like the ThermoMed could effectively treat cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Current policies for NTD mapping, monitoring, and surveillance need improvement; efficient methods are necessary to plan implementation and track progress. Successful strategies include rapid epidemiological mapping and combined surveys.
Researchers propose integrating NTD interventions into the regular health system, leveraging resources from malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis programs. Careful planning and community engagement are crucial for successful integration and co-implementation of these efforts.
Lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. NTDs have been hindered by limited funding and coordination, but successful control initiatives like onchocerciasis elimination demonstrate the potential for progress.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases suggests that frequent seasonal moves by shantytown residents to rural valleys with Chagas vectors are a key contributor to the growing presence of Chagas disease near urban Arequipa, Peru. The researchers propose three key interventions to improve control of Chagas disease in urban...
A recent study suggests that human Rhodesian sleeping sickness in Uganda is spreading due to the movement of infected livestock, particularly cattle. The research found a strong correlation between disease prevalence and distance to nearby livestock markets.
The Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has received £10m to support programmes reducing LF prevalence and eliminating the disease. Over a billion people are at risk, with 40 million already infected.
NTDs like anemia, schistosomiasis, and human hookworm infection impair reproductive health and increase the transmission of STIs. Controlling these diseases can improve maternal health outcomes, reduce infant mortality, and promote gender equality.
A three-year study in remote communities found a significant reduction in skin sores among Aboriginal children, with over 6000 assessments conducted on nearly 2500 children. The program's success highlights the importance of local education and treatment, but ongoing efforts are needed to address underlying causes such as poor housing ...
The article highlights the looming financial pressures in the world's response to HIV/AIDS and neglected tropical diseases. Experts propose various strategies to combat these challenges, including investing in high-impact prevention and efficient treatment efforts, and shifting from emergency responses to evidence-based initiatives. By...
A new integrated survey protocol identified areas requiring mass treatment for schistosomiasis and intestinal worm infections in Southern Sudan. Lymphatic filariasis and loiasis were found to be extremely rare, with only four individuals testing positive or reporting symptoms.
Research reveals that parasitic worm infections are prevalent in Northern Rwanda, with those infected more likely to be underweight. The study also found a link between parasite infections and anemia, but not significant growth stunting.
A new analysis reveals that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa cause immense suffering, with helminth infections accounting for approximately 85% of the NTD burden. The study suggests that investing $200-$400 million annually could significantly reduce the burden of these diseases.
A new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, and Emory University found that human movement is a crucial factor in understanding disease transmission for mosquito-borne diseases like dengue. The study used satellite-based GPS and culturally-sensitive interviews to track individual human movement, revealing how fin...
Researchers found that entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is virulent against Triatoma infestans, the primary vector of Chagas disease. The fungus successfully killed over 50% of infected bugs in field assays, reducing bug populations and estimated parasite transmission risk.
Researchers found that clusters of schistosomiasis infections occurred in the same areas ten years after a control program ended. Long-term stability in spatial distribution suggests reviewing historic data can aid planning targeted control programs.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases highlights the debilitating effects of filarial hydrocele on marriage and sex. Hydrocele, a chronic manifestation of filariasis, causes swelling in the scrotum, leading to pain during intercourse and emotional distress.
Researchers have successfully interrupted the transmission of river blindness in Escuintla, Guatemala, one of the largest endemic areas in the Western Hemisphere. This achievement marks an important victory in the campaign to eliminate the devastating disease, with eight out of 13 endemic study areas having already ended transmission.