Articles tagged with Tropical Diseases
Researchers argue that integrating malaria and neglected tropical disease control interventions at the community level can increase antimalarial treatment rates by over twice as much. They propose that global funders recognize this approach to expand coverage of both diseases.
A study found that the pathogenic soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei is associated with land management changes such as livestock husbandry and residential gardening. The bacterium was more commonly found in areas with lower soil pH, irrigation, and presence of livestock animals.
Researchers at UGA will develop and evaluate strategies to reduce morbidity from schistosomiasis in low- and middle-income countries. The project aims to identify, control, and eliminate the disease where feasible.
Researchers found that immune responses to a partial dose of a meningitis vaccine were comparable to a full dose, making fractional dosing an alternative in mass vaccination campaigns. This strategy could help control outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa, where meningitis epidemics occur nearly every year.
A study by PASS International found that transportation costs and lost earnings significantly contribute to abandonment of treatment. The researchers propose decentralizing treatment to reduce economic burdens on families. Decentralized approaches may improve access to efficient treatment in low-income settings.
A safety and efficacy study found tribendimidine to be effective against hookworm, large roundworm, whipworm, threadworm, and tapeworm infections. The new drug cured up to 92% of soil-transmitted helminth infections in a highly endemic setting in China.
The study found that the LYF elimination programme has prevented 6.6 million children from acquiring LF and stopped another 9.5 million people already infected from progressing to more debilitating stages. The programme's success is attributed to its rapid scale-up, delivering what experts call a 'best buy' in public health.
A recent survey found that trachoma affects over 15% of adults in Ayod county, Sudan, with severe consequences for public health. The SAFE strategy is being implemented to prevent the spread of infection and treat blinding trachoma.
A study found that hookworm infections are prevalent among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, linked to lower haemoglobin levels and increased risk of anaemia. The research estimates that over 37 million women of reproductive age are infected with hookworms, highlighting the need for effective deworming treatment policies.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found Brazilian children are five times more likely to develop eye lesions by four years old, with vision compromised in 87% of cases. The researchers believe infection with virulent genotypes prevalent in Brazil contribute to the severity of clinical symptoms.
Researchers found a negative correlation between dengue hemorrhagic fever and moderate to high mosquito density, with a 40% higher incidence in areas of moderate mosquito density. The study suggests that reducing Aedes mosquitoes may not effectively control the spread of the disease.
Researchers found that brightly colored beetles and butterfly larvae are significantly more common on plants with compounds active against certain diseases, such as breast cancer and malaria. This discovery could speed up drug discovery and provide insight into the ecological relationships between tropical-forest plants and insects.
Neglected tropical diseases in the US disproportionately affect poverty-stricken communities, particularly minorities. These chronic infections cause significant disability, impaired child development, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Researchers from the University of São Paulo found tamoxifen to be an effective treatment against Leishmania amazonensis, one of the species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in South America. In a rodent model, infected mice treated with tamoxifen showed significant parasite burden reduction and delayed skin ulcer development.
Research published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that co-infections of hookworm, schistosomes, and trichuris amplify the risk of anemia in children. The study suggests that combined treatment for some helminth species could reduce anemia burden in helminth-endemic areas.
The Caribbean region has a high burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) due to poverty. A proposed $1 tourist tax could fund disease control efforts and is supported by industry donations of low-cost generic drugs.
A new study found that only 113 articles about neglected tropical diseases were published in leading international media from 2003 to 2007. This lack of coverage is particularly concerning given the significant burden of NTDs on public health, including widespread illness, poverty, and suffering.
A Brazilian study found that urban slums are a source of leptospirosis transmission due to poor sanitation and rodent-borne disease. The study identified households with Leptospira antibodies clustering in squatter areas, highlighting the need for social factors-based prevention strategies alongside improved sanitation.
A new, simplified economical method of giving rabies vaccine has been shown to stimulate anti-rabies antibodies just as effectively as the current standard vaccine regimen. The 4-site intradermal regimen is cheaper and more practical, with wider safety margins and suitability for use in financial-constrained areas.
The RSTMH president calls for a shift in global health priorities to address neglected tropical diseases with effective treatments available at minimal cost. Currently, billions of people lack access to quality healthcare products, hindering their well-being and productivity.
Researchers have isolated a new species of Leptospira, causing the disease leptospirosis, from domestic rats in the Peruvian Amazon. The discovery highlights the importance of region-specific Leptospira in diagnosis and reveals a higher incidence of leptospirosis than previously suspected.
A team of researchers has isolated and characterized Mycobacterium ulcerans from the environment, supporting the idea that it is transmitted to humans through aquatic niches. The discovery lends support to efforts to control Buruli ulcer, a disease with massive social impact in impoverished tropical regions.
Experts urge G8 leaders to establish a new fund to support neglected tropical diseases control and elimination. The proposed Global Fund could help scale up donated drug administration, leading to sustainable poverty reduction.
A new study suggests that Schistosoma mekongi is more widely distributed in the Mekong River basin than previously believed, posing a potential threat to disease control efforts. The parasite's range may be broader than thought, with possible spread into Laos from Vietnam.
A new study reveals schistosomiasis japonica has a substantially higher disability impact, estimated to be 0.098-0.186 DALY, compared to the current low estimate of 0.005. This finding suggests the disease burden may need to be revised, with policymakers needing to prioritize control measures.
A new article suggests that the United States government should convert Guantanamo Bay into a biomedical research institute dedicated to combating diseases of poverty. The facility could conduct research on developing new drugs and vaccines, promote clinical research, and serve as a training ground for physicians and scientists.
Tropical disease experts believe African sleeping sickness could be eliminated with maintained control efforts, but risk of losing disease control capacity remains. The greatest challenge will be to increase and sustain existing control efforts using available tools.
A new study found that young children in impoverished regions are disproportionately affected by cholera. The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, reveals the African site had the highest incidence of cholera, with vaccination and improved water supply considered immediate strategies.
A new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that social marginalization is a stronger predictor of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) incidence than deforestation. The research showed that socially marginalized human populations are more vulnerable to infection, even in highly deforested counties.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that Nigerian children attending government-owned schools have a higher prevalence of intestinal worms than those attending private schools. The water supply and sanitation conditions were also poorer in the government schools.
A new study in Zanzibar has shown the safety of delivering three antiparasitic drugs simultaneously to tackle three diseases. The co-administration of ivermectin, albendazole, and praziquantel was found to be safe and effective in reducing distribution costs and increasing community participation.
A new phylogenetic analysis published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases provides insight into the origins of venereal syphilis. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the evolution and transmission of this disease.
A comprehensive genetic analysis supports the 'Columbian theory' of syphilis's origins, suggesting the pathogen was introduced to Europe by Columbus and his men. The study found that the venereal syphilis-causing strains originated most recently and were closest relatives to strains causing yaws in South America.
A new screening strategy has been developed to detect Chagas disease in children, which could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment in low-resource settings. The strategy uses data from insecticide spraying campaigns to target diagnostic testing, identifying over 83% of infected children.
Large numbers of poor Americans are suffering from parasitic infections like toxocariasis, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis. These neglected diseases disproportionately affect minority populations living in inner cities and poor rural areas, causing significant health issues such as lung disease, epilepsy, and congenital birth defects.
Travelers to tropical regions are at risk of contracting neglected tropical diseases, including filarial infections that can cause elephantiasis and river blindness. The GeoSentinel Surveillance Network collected data on traveler diagnoses, revealing immigrants from endemic regions were most likely to acquire these infections.
A new study found that treating worms in people with HIV does not significantly slow down the progression to AIDS. While some studies suggested a beneficial effect on viral load, there was no improvement in immune status or clinical condition.
A recent study found strong evidence that respiratory infections increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly in winter months. The researchers discovered a doubling of risk in the week following respiratory infection, which reduced over time.
A study of 60 people with lymphatic filariasis in southern Sri Lanka found that the disease causes significant loss of income, social isolation, and emotional distress due to stigma. The authors call for expanded control programs beyond transmission reduction to provide support for affected households.
The three diseases - lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis - were brought to the Americas through forced migration from Africa, but tools now exist to eliminate them. A coordinated effort is needed to dedicate financial and technical resources.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to developing treatments for Chagas disease by targeting the parasite's triosephosphate isomerase enzyme. By identifying specific binding sites, they found that dithiodianiline can selectively inactivate the parasitic form of the enzyme without affecting its human counterpart.
A single disease-causing clone of the bacterium Leptospira interrogans was identified as the cause of a sustained outbreak of human leptospirosis in northeast Thailand from 1999 to 2003. The researchers used genetic analysis and found that the bandicoot rat was an animal host for this pathogenic strain.
Researchers discovered Strongyloides stercoralis, a soil-transmitted worm, endemic in southern Yunnan province, China, with 11.7% of the population infected. The parasite mainly affects healthy individuals, but can be fatal for those with weakened immune systems.
A recent study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that eight weeks of antibiotic treatment can reverse local immunosuppression in patients with Buruli ulcer. This reversal leads to an active inflammatory response, which ultimately results in tissue repair and the restoration of normal immune function.
Researchers have discovered that treating two or more neglected tropical diseases simultaneously with existing oral drug treatments can be effective and efficient. The treatment approach has the potential to save millions of lives annually, particularly in Africa where nearly 500 million people are at risk for these diseases.
A new study found that repeated ivermectin treatment selects for genetic changes in the parasite that cause river blindness, potentially leading to drug resistance. The research has implications for ongoing onchocerciasis control programs.
A study suggests that measuring anemia can be a useful indicator of the burden and control of neglected tropical diseases. Pharmacogenomics, however, still faces limitations in its application for individualized drug dosing based on hereditary factors, according to a review.
Schistosomiasis, a widespread parasitic disease, can be controlled through wide-scale drug treatment and socio-economic progress. Establishing strong health systems is crucial for integrating sustainable control measures and caring for patients.
The Public Library of Science (PLoS) has launched PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, a new open access journal focused on the world's most neglected diseases. The journal aims to promote science, policy, and advocacy for diseases affecting poor countries, with a focus on rigorously peer-reviewed research.
Researchers discovered a new function for glycolipids in responding to cell stress, which may lead to treatment development for diseases like human African trypanosomiasis. The study also uncovered a pathway for protein movement in trypanosomes that could be relevant to human cells.
A recent study suggests that controlling neglected tropical diseases like leprosy and sleeping sickness may help combat the global fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Integrating these efforts could provide a cost-effective solution to control or eliminate seven neglected tropical diseases for just $200 million annually.
Researchers are exploring possible links between biting water insects, water quality, and Buruli ulcer transmission, with the goal of understanding the disease's transmission. The study aims to identify potential insect vectors and man-made changes in water quality that may be contributing to the increase in Buruli ulcer infections.
A rapid impact package of four anti-parasitic drugs could bring tangible benefits to Africa's poorest communities by controlling seven neglected diseases. The cost of the package would be negligible, ranging from $0.07 to $0.40 per person per year.
Researchers have discovered a promising new treatment for chronic Chagas disease, with one compound showing significantly greater effectiveness than current standard care. TAK-187 prevents the parasite from producing essential ergosterol, reducing cardiac and skeletal damage without toxic side effects.
UGA's Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases has received a grant to train Brazilian scientists in bioinformatics, aiming to combat tropical diseases such as schistosomiasis. The program will support the development of analysis infrastructure and provide opportunities for trainees to work with NIH-funded studies.
Researchers found a specific region in the fly's gut wall where the parasite attaches and feeds on nutrients. This unique structure enables the parasite to survive and multiply within the insect host.
The partnership aims to enhance Peruvian research capacity in biomedical research, including lab-based and fieldwork. The project will cover research ethics, health economics, and train local researchers, physicians, biologists, nurses, and students.
The editorial critiques tropical medicine's focus on external solutions, emphasizing the importance of local voices and transparent research. It highlights concerns about undemocratic supranational agencies and corporations, as well as the need to put research at the heart of policy development.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $15.11 million grant to researchers developing new drugs for African sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. The five-year project aims to create a world-class academic and scientific consortium to target these two parasitic diseases, which kill millions of people in developing nations.