Journal Description
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
is an international, scientific, peer-reviewed, open access journal of tropical medicine and infectious disease published monthly online by MDPI. It is the official journal of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine (ACTM) and its Joint Faculties of Travel Medicine and Expedition and Wilderness Medicine.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, Embase, Informit, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Tropical Medicine) / CiteScore - Q2 (Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 20.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 4.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.8 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.0 (2023)
Latest Articles
Amphimeriasis in Ecuador—Prevalence, Knowledge, and Socio-Cultural Practices Among Indigenous Chachi and Montubios Populations: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100248 (registering DOI) - 20 Oct 2024
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Amphimerus, a liver fluke, is the causative agent of amphimeriasis, a foodborne disease acquired thought the consumption of infected raw or undercooked river fish—a practice embedded in traditional culinary customs. Amphimeriasis represents a significant public health issue and has been endemic in
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Amphimerus, a liver fluke, is the causative agent of amphimeriasis, a foodborne disease acquired thought the consumption of infected raw or undercooked river fish—a practice embedded in traditional culinary customs. Amphimeriasis represents a significant public health issue and has been endemic in Ecuador since 2011, particularly among the Chachi Amerindians and Montubios populations residing in tropical ecoregions. By employing a mixed-methods research design, we conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study. A survey comprising of 63 questions on KAP was administrated in person to community members, health personnel, and academic staff in the two populations. Additionally, 67 semi-structured interviews were performed. Microscopy was achieved on 273 human and 80 dog fecal samples to detect Amphimerus eggs. A total of 86 questionnaires (54 Chachi) and 67 interviews (44 Chachi), out of 300 residents, were completed. Among the respondents, 31.4% were aware of Amphimerus, locally referred to as “liver worm”. Although 79.1% reported not consuming raw fish, most admitted eating raw fish with lime juice and salt, a preparation known as “curtido”, and 59.3% reported consuming smoked fish. Here, 86.1% of participants considered “liver worm” a serious disease, and 55.8% recognized raw or marinated fish as a potential transmission route. The Chachi showed a preference for smoked fish, whereas the Montubios favoured “curtido”. The prevalence of Amphimerus infection was 23% in humans and 16.2% in dogs. Differences in KAP were observed between infected and non-infected individuals. Local health and academic personnel demonstrated insufficient knowledge about amphimeriasis. Some religious individuals refrained from participating, stating that they were “with God”. Despite the high prevalence of Amphimerus infection in both humans and dogs, knowledge about the parasite, the disease, and its transmission routes remains limited. Health education initiatives should be designed to modify the population’s KAP. It is crucial for national and local health authorities, as well as religious leaders, to be informed and actively involved in the prevention and control of amphimeriasis.
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Open AccessArticle
Chronic Rheumatologic Disease in Chikungunya Virus Fever: Results from a Cohort Study Conducted in Piedecuesta, Colombia
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Anyela Lozano-Parra, Víctor Herrera, Carlos Calderón, Reynaldo Badillo, Rosa Margarita Gélvez Ramírez, María Isabel Estupiñán Cárdenas, José Fernando Lozano Jiménez, Luis Ángel Villar and Elsa Marina Rojas Garrido
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100247 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the incidence of post-chikungunya chronic rheumatism (pCHIK-CR) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and chronic fatigue in adults seven years after the 2014–2015 CHIKV outbreak in Piedecuesta, Colombia. We evaluated 78 adults (median age: 30 years,
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This study aimed to determine the incidence of post-chikungunya chronic rheumatism (pCHIK-CR) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) and chronic fatigue in adults seven years after the 2014–2015 CHIKV outbreak in Piedecuesta, Colombia. We evaluated 78 adults (median age: 30 years, IQR: 21.0; women 60.3%) with confirmed CHIKV infection. In 2022, participants underwent a GALS examination and completed surveys on disability, stiffness, health status, and fatigue. A rheumatologist evaluated patients who reported arthralgia, morning stiffness, and abnormal GALS examination. Chronic fatigue was defined as fatigue persisting for over six months. Seven years after infection, 14.1% of participants were classified as pCHIK-CR cases, 41.0% as having non-inflammatory pain, likely degenerative (NIP-LD), and 44.9% without rheumatic disease (Wo-RM). Patients with pCHIK-CR and NIP-LD exhibited significantly worse QoL compared to Wo-RM cases. Chronic fatigue prevalence increased from 8.6% in Wo-RM patients to 25.0% in NIP-LD and 54.6% in pCHIK-CR cases. This study implemented a comprehensive clinical assessment to objectively estimate and characterize the incidence of chronic rheumatological disease attributed to CHIKV infection. One in seven cases with CHIKV infection develops pCHIK-CR, which impacts both QoL and chronic fatigue. This study contributes to understanding the burden of these arboviruses in the medium term.
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(This article belongs to the Section Neglected and Emerging Tropical Diseases)
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Ecuador Towards Zero Leprosy: A Twenty-Three-Year Retrospective Epidemiologic and Spatiotemporal Analysis of Leprosy in Ecuador
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Santiago Hernandez-Bojorge, Tatiana Gardellini, Jeegan Parikh, Neil Rupani, Benjamin Jacob, Ismael Hoare, Manuel Calvopiña and Ricardo Izurieta
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100246 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024
Abstract
Ecuador has gone through a significant reduction in new cases from 2000 (106) to 2023 (12), suggesting a trend towards zero leprosy. An ecological spatiotemporal study design was used to describe the epidemiological distribution of the disease in the country during 2000–2023. Leprosy
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Ecuador has gone through a significant reduction in new cases from 2000 (106) to 2023 (12), suggesting a trend towards zero leprosy. An ecological spatiotemporal study design was used to describe the epidemiological distribution of the disease in the country during 2000–2023. Leprosy cases registered by the surveillance system of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health were the data utilized for the study. From January 2000 to December 2023, 1539, incident cases were diagnosed with leprosy in Ecuador. At the time of diagnosis, the median age was 54 years. Most of the cases were males (71.5%). The proportion of incident cases in subjects over 50 years was 63% and 1.5% in children ≤ 15 years old. The yearly incidence rate ranged from 8.5/1,000,000 population in 2000 to 0.68/1,000,000 population in 2023, remaining within the low-endemic parameter. In total, 35 cantons reported newly detected leprosy cases in the year 2000. By the end of 2023, only eight cantons actively reported cases of leprosy. High-risk clusters for leprosy were detected in the tropical coastal region of Ecuador. The provinces with the highest number of cases during the study period were Guayas (44.8%) and Los Rios (15.7%), with zero cases being found in the Galapagos Islands. Our study is unique in that it documents a retrospective dataset over a two-decade timespan from a South American country that has effectively applied global guidelines for the control and elimination of leprosy.
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(This article belongs to the Section Neglected and Emerging Tropical Diseases)
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Scabies in 604 Patients: A Glimpse into the Disease Burden and Its Associated Mortality in Hong Kong
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Pascoe Ao Ting Lee, Samson Sai-Yin Wong and Kenneth Ho Leung Ng
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 245; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100245 (registering DOI) - 19 Oct 2024
Abstract
Scabies is a worldwide parasitic dermatosis with a significant health burden on the young and the elderly. Statistics about the prevalence of scabies in Hong Kong are not available. This is a retrospective study of patients from a regional hospital cluster in Hong
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Scabies is a worldwide parasitic dermatosis with a significant health burden on the young and the elderly. Statistics about the prevalence of scabies in Hong Kong are not available. This is a retrospective study of patients from a regional hospital cluster in Hong Kong with microscopy-documented Sarcoptes scabiei infestations from January 2018 to December 2022. The condition was categorised into classical scabies and crusted scabies upon clinical presentation. Demographic data, comorbid diseases, mobility and residential status, seasonal variability, secondary bacterial infection, treatment and outcomes were described. These were compared between classic and crusted scabies. In total, 604 patients were identified, representing 51.65 per 100,000 discharged patients during the study period. The median age was 84 years and 54.5% were male. The majority (506 or 83.8%) came from residential care homes for the elderly. The mean time from admission to diagnosis was 8.8 days for community-acquired infestation. There were 564 and 40 cases of classic and crusted scabies, respectively. The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of residence in elderly homes, co-existing chronic illnesses, mobility, and time from admission to diagnosis. Forty-five (7.5%) patients had positive blood cultures temporally associated with scabies. Patients with crusted scabies were at higher risk for bacteraemia (7/40 versus 38/564, p = 0.022). Permethrin and benzyl benzoate were the most popular treatment regimens, with treatment failure observed in 59/397 (14.4%) and 18/173 (10.4%), respectively. There were 172 (28.5%) mortalities within 30 days of scabies diagnosis. Thus, the burden of scabies infestation is significant in Hong Kong. Hospitalised patients diagnosed with scabies are mainly senior citizens living in residential care homes for the elderly, suggesting reservoirs of S. scabiei in the community. Of concern, bacteraemic illnesses are common and significant mortality is temporarily associated with infestation. With a rising elderly population, there is a pressing need to understand and control scabies in Hong Kong. Our study did not find that common medical illness, besides immunosuppressive therapy, predisposed patients to crusted scabies. The crusted form of scabies was associated with a higher risk of bacteraemia. The current study provides a better perspective of the disease load of scabies in Hong Kong.
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(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases)
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Early Changes in Health-Related Quality of Life as a Biomarker of Survival in African Patients with HIV-Associated Kaposi Sarcoma
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Fahmida Shaik, Thomas S. Uldrick, Mikateko Mazinu, Nomonde Gwebushe and Anisa Mosam
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100244 - 17 Oct 2024
Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa bears the largest public health burden of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a leading cause of cancer mortality. Quality of life (QOL) assessments in cancer patients can provide information on prognosis beyond traditional biomarkers or biological measures. The prognostic value of QOL measures
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Sub-Saharan Africa bears the largest public health burden of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), a leading cause of cancer mortality. Quality of life (QOL) assessments in cancer patients can provide information on prognosis beyond traditional biomarkers or biological measures. The prognostic value of QOL measures in patients with HIV-KS was evaluated. Prognostic associations of baseline QOL scores (by quartiles or thresholds for clinical importance) and changes in QOL scores (using minimum important difference) over the first 3 months of therapy were evaluated in 112 participants with HIV-KS randomised to receive ART, with or without chemotherapy. Cox’s regression analysis assessed the prognostic contribution of QOL scores from the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Baseline QOL scores did not predict overall survival. The change in the 3-month QOL scores for the global health scale, fatigue, and pain domains was prognostic; the hazard ratios were 3.88 (95% CI 1.32–11.38, p = 0.01), 3.72 (95% CI 1.61–8.62, p = 0.00) and 5.96 (95% CI 2.46–14.43, p = 0.00), respectively. QOL assessments can provide useful prognostic information in patients with HIV-KS. Patients lacking meaningful improvement early into treatment represent a population at high risk of death.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Perspectives on Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Infection)
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A Recent Advance in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Vaccine Development for Human Schistosomiasis
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Tanushri Chatterji, Namrata Khanna, Saad Alghamdi, Tanya Bhagat, Nishant Gupta, Mohammad Othman Alkurbi, Manodeep Sen, Saeed Mardy Alghamdi, Ghazi A. Bamagous, Dipak Kumar Sahoo, Ashish Patel, Pankaj Kumar and Virendra Kumar Yadav
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100243 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2024
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, which affects a large number of people worldwide, is among the most overlooked parasitic diseases. The disease is mainly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asian countries, and South America due to the lack of adequate sanitation. The disease is mainly associated with
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Schistosomiasis, which affects a large number of people worldwide, is among the most overlooked parasitic diseases. The disease is mainly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, southeast Asian countries, and South America due to the lack of adequate sanitation. The disease is mainly associated with poor hygiene, sanitation, and contaminated water, so it is also known as a disease of poverty. Three Schistosoma species (S. mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium) cause significant human infections. Co-infections with Schistosoma and other parasites are widely common. All these parasites may cause intestinal or urogenital schistosomiasis, where the disease may be categorized into the acute, sensitized, and chronic phases. The disease is more prevalent among school children, which may cause anemia and reduce development. Chronic infections frequently cause significant liver, intestinal, and bladder damage. Women exposed to contaminated water while performing normal duties like washing clothes might acquire urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS), which can cause tissue damage and raise the risk of blood-borne disease transmission, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the World Health Organization (WHO)-prescribed treatment for individuals who are known to be infected, but it does not prevent further re-infections with larval worms. Vaccine development and new molecular-based diagnosis techniques have promised to be a reliable approach to the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis. The current review emphasizes the recent advancement in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis by molecular techniques and the treatment of schistosomiasis by combined and alternative regimes of drugs. Moreover, this review has also focused on the recent outbreak of schistosomiasis, the development of vaccines, and their clinical trials.
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(This article belongs to the Section Neglected and Emerging Tropical Diseases)
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Severe Systemic Chromobacterium violaceum Infection: A Case Study of a German Long-Term Resident in French Guyana
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Caroline Klenk, Miriam Schnieders, Melina Heinemann, Christiane Wiegard, Henning Büttner, Michael Ramharter, Sabine Jordan and Maria Sophia Mackroth
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100242 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2024
Abstract
Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe proteobacterium. Its natural habitat is water and soil in tropical and subtropical regions. Human infections are characterized by rapid dissemination that can lead to high fatality rates. Here, we describe the first case of a C.
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Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobe proteobacterium. Its natural habitat is water and soil in tropical and subtropical regions. Human infections are characterized by rapid dissemination that can lead to high fatality rates. Here, we describe the first case of a C. violaceum infection reported from Germany. A German national with permanent residence in French Guyana contracted a C. violaceum infection presumably while bathing in a barrier lake in Brazil. The patient presented with a high fever and a crusty, erythematous skin lesion at an emergency department in Hamburg, Germany. Ultrasound and a CT scan of the abdomen revealed multiple liver abscesses. C. violaceum was detected in blood and from aspirates of the liver abscesses, using traditional culture methods and modern molecular assays. Prolonged treatment with meropenem and ciprofloxacin led to full recovery. Rapid pathogen detection and treatment initiation are of high importance in C. violaceum infections as mortality rates are overall declining but have still tended to reach up to 25% in recent years in systemic infections. Due to its broad natural drug resistance, antibiotic treatment is challenging. Increased travel activities may lead to more frequent presentation of patients with environmental pathogens of the tropics such as C. violaceum.
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(This article belongs to the Section Neglected and Emerging Tropical Diseases)
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Comprehensive Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment at a Prison in Central Papua Province, Indonesia
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Aurelia, Aurelia, Cahya Muslimin, Yetty Balik, Trisasi Lestari, Firdaus Hafidz, Christa Dewi, Christopher Lowbridge and Ari Probandari
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100241 (registering DOI) - 12 Oct 2024
Abstract
Incarcerated people have been reported to have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. However, TB is rarely reported among incarcerated people in correctional facilities in Mimika District, in Central Papua Province of Indonesia. This study aims to describe the outcomes
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Incarcerated people have been reported to have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. However, TB is rarely reported among incarcerated people in correctional facilities in Mimika District, in Central Papua Province of Indonesia. This study aims to describe the outcomes of comprehensive screening and treatment of TB disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) within a prison in Mimika. In response to a newly reported case of TB within a prison, a facility-wide comprehensive screening and treatment program was carried out for both TB disease and LTBI between September 2021 and June 2022. We evaluated the outcomes of the screening intervention, including the number of people found to have TB and LTBI and the number and proportion of people who started and completed TB-preventive treatment at the facility. A total of 403 incarcerated people and facility staff participated in the comprehensive screening program. Ten participants were found to have TB disease, all of whom commenced treatment. LTBI was detected in 256 (64%) participants, 251 (98%) of whom completed TB-preventive treatment. Comprehensive screening revealed a high prevalence of TB disease and LTBI in this prison. Completion of treatment for TB disease and latent TB infection was high. These outcomes suggest a role for routine search–treat–prevent strategies for TB in this setting.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Implementing TB Elimination Approaches in Indonesia: Operational Research on Case Finding, Treatment and Prevention of TB in Yogyakarta and Timika)
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Field-Applicable Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for the Detection of Seven Common Human Papillomavirus Subtypes
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Hongyi Li, He Tan, Xiaona Lv, Zhiqiang Han, Yuxin Wang, Shijue Gao, Ruiqin Zhang, Xinxin Shen, Xuejun Ma and Yanqing Tie
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100240 - 12 Oct 2024
Abstract
Persistent HPV infection is a major risk factor for the subsequent development of cervical cancer. LAMP is simple and suitable for field detection in the resource-limited settings. In this study, hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB)-based visual LAMP and evagreen-based fluorescent LAMP coupled with a
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Persistent HPV infection is a major risk factor for the subsequent development of cervical cancer. LAMP is simple and suitable for field detection in the resource-limited settings. In this study, hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB)-based visual LAMP and evagreen-based fluorescent LAMP coupled with a microfluidic chip (LAMP-chip) were established for the field detection of seven subtypes of HPV. The analytical sensitivity was 19–233 copies/reaction. The overall clinical sensitivity was 97.35% for visual LAMP and 98.23% for LAMP-chip. Both LAMP assays exhibited 100% specificity and were completed in less than 50 min. Additionally, both assays did not require complicated nucleic acid extraction and purification steps. A complete quality control monitoring system (including internal control, positive quality control and negative control) in the LAMP assays further ensured the credibility of the results. Our findings demonstrated that the proposed LAMP assays have the potential to be applied in the testing of common HPV DNA in field investigations (visual LAMP) or within communities and primary health centers (LAMP-chip).
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Epidemiology of Human Papillomavirus Infection)
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Determinants of Low Coverage of the Free Surgical Care Programme for Trachomatous Trichiasis in Rural Guinea in 2022
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Lamine Lamah, Delphin Kolié, Akoi Zoumanigui, Nouhou Konkouré Diallo, Mamadou Camara, Hawa Manet, Tamba Mina Millimouno, Bienvenu Salim Camara, Aissata Tounkara and Alexandre Delamou
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100239 - 11 Oct 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to describe the experiences of healthcare personnel and patients in the organization of free surgical campaigns and care for trachomatous trichiasis in the health district of Siguiri in Guinea, including challenges experienced in providing surgical care. This was an explanatory
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This study aimed to describe the experiences of healthcare personnel and patients in the organization of free surgical campaigns and care for trachomatous trichiasis in the health district of Siguiri in Guinea, including challenges experienced in providing surgical care. This was an explanatory qualitative study conducted in 2022 in the health district of Siguiri. A total of 20 participants were interviewed including patients (n = 7; 35%), community health workers (n = 4; 20%), health services managers, and healthcare providers (n = 8; 40%). Two main data collection technics were used: documentary review and in-depth individual interviews. All interviews were transcribed and manually coded using an Excel extraction spreadsheet. Data were analysed using inductive and deductive approaches. The results showed several organizational, structural, and community challenges that underlined the low surgical coverage of trachomatous trichiasis in the health district of Siguiri. Organizational challenges included the low involvement of local actors in planning activities, the limited timeframe of the campaigns, and the lack of logistics for activities supervision and patients’ transportation to surgery sites. Structural challenges included the inadequacy of health centres to provide surgical services, poor health infrastructures, and sanitation conditions in some areas. Individual challenges included remoteness of surgical sites and costs associated with services provision including medicines. Community challenges included fear of surgery and the coincidence of the campaigns with agricultural and mining activities. The results of the study call on the national neglected tropical disease program and its partners to adopt and promote micro-planning of trachomatous trichiasis surgical activities, with the effective participation of local stakeholders in endemic health districts. They should also envision integrating the management of surgical treatment including costs associated with care (transportation, food, rehabilitation support for patients who have undergone surgery) and complications of surgical procedures for an expansion of the trachomatous trichiasis free surgical care coverage in endemic health districts in Guinea.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights on Neglected Tropical Diseases in West Africa)
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Frequency, Clinical Characteristics, and Management of Snakebite Patients Admitted at the Envenomation Treatment Center of the Applied Biology Research Institute of Guinea
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Mohamed Ciré Diallo, Karifa Kourouma, Saidou Boumbaly, Armand Saloun Kamano, Abdoulaye Sow, Fassou Mathias Grovogui, Sahar Traore and Alexandre Delamou
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100238 - 11 Oct 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, clinical signs, management, and outcomes of snakebite patients admitted to the envenomation treatment center of the Institut de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée de Guinée (IRBAG). This was a retrospective review combining aggregated annual
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The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, clinical signs, management, and outcomes of snakebite patients admitted to the envenomation treatment center of the Institut de Recherche en Biologie Appliquée de Guinée (IRBAG). This was a retrospective review combining aggregated annual statistics (2011–2015) and routine data (from January to October 2021) from the IRBAG treatment center. There were 1345 (57.2%) snakebite victims out of a total of 2352 consultations at the center during the study period. Males (67.7%), persons aged ≥45 years (29%) and ≤14 years (27.7%), farmers/housewives (44.5%), workers (23.9%), and those residing in the Kindia Prefecture (53.5%) were the most commonly affected. The majority of victims (84.5%) were admitted three hours after snakebite, with bites mainly occurring in rural areas (86.5%) and during the rainy season (83.2%). Pain (100%), edema (76.8%), and bleeding (65.2%) were the most common clinical presentations. Almost all victims received antivenom serum (98%), antibiotics (87.7%), and analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs (88.4%). Six out of the one hundred and fifty-five patients died. Snakebites are a frequent public health problem in rural Guinea. The majority of victims seek medical attention too late. There is an urgent need to include snakebite in the country’s list of priority NTDs in order to promote access to antivenom serum.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights on Neglected Tropical Diseases in West Africa)
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Frequency and Factors Associated with Disabilities among Leprosy Patients Admitted to the Kindia Disability Prevention and Physical Rehabilitation Centre (Pirp) in Guinea from 2017 to 2021
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Sy savané Ibrahima Sory, Sidibe Sidikiba, Kolié Delphin, Camara Mamadou, Sakho Fatoumata, Sidibé Sadan, Chérif Mahamoud Sama, Doumbouya Sékou, Nabé Abdoul Karim and Delamou Alexandre
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100237 - 11 Oct 2024
Abstract
This study aims to estimate the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with leprosy-related disabilities at the Kindia Disability Prevention and Physical Rehabilitation Centre (PIRP) in Guinea. It is a cross-sectional study using routine data from the centre from 2017 to 2021. Of
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This study aims to estimate the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with leprosy-related disabilities at the Kindia Disability Prevention and Physical Rehabilitation Centre (PIRP) in Guinea. It is a cross-sectional study using routine data from the centre from 2017 to 2021. Of 115 patients, 76% had a disability, 49% of which were grade II and 27% grade I. The age range of 15 to 30 years was the most represented (43.5%), with the average age (standard deviation) being 38 (16.5) years. Children under 14 years of age represented 3.5% of the total. Most (89%) patients had newly diagnosed leprosy. The majority (66.1%) had never come in contact with people with leprosy symptoms. Almost all (99.1%) patients had type 1 reactions on admission. Patients with multibacillary leprosy were in the majority (83.5%), and those with symptoms lasting 7–12 months represented 56.5% of the sample. In total, 79.1% of the patients received corticosteroid therapy, and 92.1% were reported cured at discharge. This neglected tropical disease continues to be a challenge in Guinea, even though leprosy care is free.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insights on Neglected Tropical Diseases in West Africa)
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Open AccessArticle
Community Engagement and Collaboration between Researchers and Community Stakeholders for Schistosomiasis and Malaria Projects in Ingwavuma, uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal
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Zinhle Mthembu and Moses John Chimbari
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100236 - 11 Oct 2024
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Community engagement is a multiphase process that is crucial for successful community-based health interventions. This study investigates the collaborative phase of community engagement, specifically within a co-developed framework implemented in uMkhanyakude District, South Africa. A qualitative case study approach was employed to explore
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Community engagement is a multiphase process that is crucial for successful community-based health interventions. This study investigates the collaborative phase of community engagement, specifically within a co-developed framework implemented in uMkhanyakude District, South Africa. A qualitative case study approach was employed to explore the experiences of key community stakeholders during the collaborative phase of project implementation. Data collection involved key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation. The findings demonstrate the potential for effective collaboration among village headmen, community advisory board members, and community research assistants to address local health challenges. Community research assistants played a particularly valuable role in facilitating participatory research and hands-on engagement with researchers. However, several barriers hindered the collaborative process, including demanding work conditions, communication issues regarding compensation, inappropriate behavior from the research team, and culturally insensitive interactions. While community-based participatory research offers a promising collaborative approach for addressing health issues, a careful consideration of local socio-cultural dynamics is essential to avoid misunderstandings and overcome potential barriers. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring that collaborative partnerships effectively empower communities and achieve sustainable improvements in health outcomes.
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Open AccessEditorial
Epidemiology, Detection and Treatment of Malaria
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Wenn-Chyau Lee and Yee-Ling Lau
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100235 - 9 Oct 2024
Abstract
Malaria, one of the oldest infections to affect humans, incurs significant healthcare burdens across various parts of the world [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology, Detection and Treatment of Malaria)
Open AccessArticle
Factors Associated with IgG/IgM Levels after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
by
Wei Liao, Haoyu Liang, Yujian Liang, Xianlu Gao, Guichan Liao, Shaohang Cai, Lili Liu and Shuwei Chen
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100234 - 8 Oct 2024
Abstract
This study evaluated the factors influencing IgG/IgM antibody levels in 120 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) following vaccination with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Each patient’s demographic and clinical data were documented, and serum IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using a commercial
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This study evaluated the factors influencing IgG/IgM antibody levels in 120 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) following vaccination with inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Each patient’s demographic and clinical data were documented, and serum IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using a commercial magnetic chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay kit. The results indicated that while all patients had received at least one vaccine dose, 95 tested positive for IgG and 25 were negative. A higher proportion of IgG-positive patients had received three vaccine doses. Comparatively, gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were elevated in IgM-negative patients. The study further differentiated patients based on their treatment status: 46 were treatment-naive and 74 had received chemotherapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICT) at enrollment. Despite similar baseline characteristics and time from vaccination to antibody detection, IgM positivity was significantly lower in the ICT group, with no significant difference in IgG positivity between the treatment-naive and ICT groups. A multivariable analysis identified the number of vaccine doses as an independent factor of IgG positivity, while ICT emerged as an independent risk factor for IgM positivity. Additionally, IgG titers generally declined over time, although patients with higher baseline IgG levels maintained higher titers longer. In conclusion, ICT in patients with HNC does not significantly affect IgG levels post-vaccination. However, booster vaccinations have been shown to be associated with higher IgG positivity, although these levels gradually decrease over time.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Respiratory Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control)
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Open AccessArticle
Alternative Pharmaceutical Innovation Models in Competitive Markets: A Collaborative Approach to Develop a Novel Drug for Hepatitis C
by
Marcela Vieira, Iulia Slovenski, Kaitlin Large, Adrian Alonso Ruiz and Suerie Moon
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100233 - 8 Oct 2024
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Alternative innovation models have emerged to address failures of the traditional pharmaceutical system, particularly for diseases where market incentives do not attract sufficient research and development efforts. However, the feasibility of such models for diseases with significant markets is not well-established. This article
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Alternative innovation models have emerged to address failures of the traditional pharmaceutical system, particularly for diseases where market incentives do not attract sufficient research and development efforts. However, the feasibility of such models for diseases with significant markets is not well-established. This article analyses the development of a novel drug (ravidasvir) for the treatment of hepatitis C, a highly profitable market. Data from qualitative research methods, including literature reviews and semi-structured interviews, was analyzed using a novel conceptual framework focusing on actors, resources, organizational practices, and outcomes. Dissimilar to other projects, ravidasvir did not involve any major pharmaceutical companies. Rather, it leveraged the capacities of actors less traditionally involved in the development of novel medicines by constructing a collaborative network of private and public partners from low- and middle-income countries with a shared goal. The collaboration was successful in developing a highly effective, easy-to-use, and affordable medicine and contributed significantly to capacity-strengthening. However, the case also highlighted that strategic behavior by competing for-profit firms could pose significant challenges and that changing external conditions reduced the potential public health impact of the drug. Lessons from ravidasvir can inform future efforts to develop alternative innovation models for therapeutic areas with significant commercial interest.
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Open AccessArticle
What Do Travelers Know about Traveler’s Diarrhea? Impact of a Pre-Travel Consultation in the Lisbon Area, Portugal
by
Joana Estrada, Cláudia Conceição, Gonçalo Figueiredo Augusto and Rosa Teodósio
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 232; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100232 - 8 Oct 2024
Abstract
Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is one of the most common travel-related health problems, largely interfering with planned activities and potentially contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to characterize the knowledge about TD among pre-travel consultation users of one Portuguese travel clinic and determine
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Traveler’s diarrhea (TD) is one of the most common travel-related health problems, largely interfering with planned activities and potentially contributing to antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to characterize the knowledge about TD among pre-travel consultation users of one Portuguese travel clinic and determine the impact of the consultation on knowledge levels. Using a quasi-experimental, separate-sample pretest–posttest design, participants were randomly assigned to two groups: control/pre-consultation group (CG) or experimental/post-consultation group (EG). An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 470 participants were analyzed (227 CG; 243 EG). The EG/post-consultation group showed significant improvement in knowledge, with correct answers increasing from 63% to 75% (p < 0.001). However, knowledge gaps persisted: over 50% were unaware of TD’s self-limited nature, 30% did not recognize loperamide as a symptom reliever, and 36% believed all travelers should take antibiotics to prevent TD. The educational level and previous travel outside Europe influenced baseline knowledge; previous travel medicine consultations and information on TD improved knowledge in both groups and made it easier to acquire knowledge on the subject. Thus, a pre-travel consultation effectively increased travelers’ TD knowledge. However, post-consultation knowledge levels remained suboptimal, indicating the need for targeted interventions to increase travelers’ literacy and optimize pre-travel consultations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Travel Medicine)
Open AccessArticle
A Five-Year Malaria Prevalence/Frequency in Makenene in a Forest–Savannah Transition Ecozone of Central Cameroon: The Results of a Retrospective Study
by
Joël Djoufounna, Roland Bamou, Juluis V. Foyet, Laura G. Ningahi, Marie P. A. Mayi, Christophe Antonio-Nkondjio and Timoléon Tchuinkam
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100231 - 7 Oct 2024
Abstract
Objective: Understanding the epidemiological features of malaria is a key step to monitoring and quantifying the impact of the current control efforts to inform future ones. This study establishes the prevalence and frequency of malaria in a forest–savannah ecozone for 5 consecutive years
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Objective: Understanding the epidemiological features of malaria is a key step to monitoring and quantifying the impact of the current control efforts to inform future ones. This study establishes the prevalence and frequency of malaria in a forest–savannah ecozone for 5 consecutive years in Cameroon. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 3 health centers of Makenene from 2016 to 2020, a period covering the second long-lasting insecticide net mass distribution campaign. Malaria infectious records were reviewed from laboratory registers. The difference in exposure to malaria was estimated using a regression logistic model. Results: A total of 13525 patients underwent malaria diagnostic tests, with a general malaria prevalence of 65.3%. A greater prevalence of malaria was observed in males (68.39%) compared to females (63.14%). The frequency of consultations in health centers was dominated by females, with a gender ratio (M/F) of 0.66. Annual trends in malaria prevalence slightly varied from 2016 to 2020, exceeding 60%: 65.2% in 2016; 66.7% in 2017, 68.1% in 2018, 63.2% in 2019, and 65.3% in 2020, with a significant seasonal variation (p < 0.0001). The highest malaria prevalence was observed during the short rainy season, no matter the year. Among positive cases, the most represented age groups were 6–15 (p < 0.0001), followed by those under 5, while the age group >25 years was the least represented. Conclusion: Close monitoring and additional intervention measures for malaria control are needed, as are more studies on vector bionomics and transmission patterns.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Global Burden of Malaria and Control Strategies)
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Open AccessReview
The Spectrum of Pathogens Associated with Infections in African Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition: A Scoping Review
by
Bassey Ekeng, Olufunke Adedokun, Vivien Otu, Stella Chukwuma, Agatha Okah, Osamagbe Asemota, Ubokobong Eshiet, Usenobong Akpan, Rosa Nwagboso, Eti Ebiekpi, Emmanuella Umoren and Edet Usun
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 230; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100230 - 6 Oct 2024
Abstract
Understanding the interplay between infections and severe acute malnutrition is critical in attaining good clinical outcomes when managing malnourished children. However, review studies describing the profile of the associated pathogens in the malnourished African paediatric population are sparse in the literature. We aimed
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Understanding the interplay between infections and severe acute malnutrition is critical in attaining good clinical outcomes when managing malnourished children. However, review studies describing the profile of the associated pathogens in the malnourished African paediatric population are sparse in the literature. We aimed to identify the spectrum of pathogens from studies reporting infections in severely malnourished African children, as well as the antibiotic resistance pattern and clinical outcomes. A systematic literature review of the PubMed database was conducted following PRISMA guidelines from January 2001 to June 2024. The search algorithm was ((marasmus) OR (kwashiorkor) OR (severe acute malnutrition) OR (protein energy malnutrition)) AND (Africa). For a more comprehensive retrieval, an additional search algorithm was deployed: ((HIV) OR (tuberculosis)) AND (severe acute malnutrition). We included 60 studies conducted between 2001 and 2024. Most of the studies were from East Africa (n = 45, 75%) and Southern Africa (n = 5, 8.3%). A total of 5845 pathogens were identified comprising 2007 viruses, 2275 bacteria, 1444 parasites, and 119 fungal pathogens. The predominant pathogens were HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and malaria parasites accounting for 33.8%, 30%, and 24.2% of pathogens identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was documented in only three studies. Fatality rates were reported in 45 studies and ranged from 2% to 56% regardless of the category of pathogen. This review affirms the deleterious effect of infections in malnourished patients and suggests a gross underdiagnosis as studies were found from only 17 (31.5%) African countries. Moreover, data on fungal infections in severely malnourished African children were nearly absent despite this population being at risk. Thus, there is an urgent need to prioritize research investigating African children with severe acute malnutrition for fungal infections besides other pathogens and improve the availability of diagnostic tools and the optimized usage of antibiotics through the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Infections and Antimicrobial Use in Neonates and Infants)
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Open AccessArticle
Under-Reporting of Human Leptospirosis Cases in Cities of Triângulo Mineiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
by
Mariani Borges Franco, Lara Reis Gomes, Cristina Rostkwoska, Ana Cláudia Arantes Marquez Pajuaba, José Roberto Mineo, Anna Monteiro Correia Lima and Stefan Vilges de Oliveira
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(10), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9100229 - 4 Oct 2024
Abstract
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the pathogenic Leptospira species through direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Due to protean clinical manifestation in the early stages, leptospirosis is often difficult to distinguish from other common acute febrile illnesses, such as dengue.
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Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the pathogenic Leptospira species through direct or indirect contact with infected animals. Due to protean clinical manifestation in the early stages, leptospirosis is often difficult to distinguish from other common acute febrile illnesses, such as dengue. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of leptospirosis in suspected dengue patients whose serological diagnosis was negative. A total of 449 serum samples from patients (negative IgM-ELISA dengue) with fever, headache, myalgia, and nausea were tested. The Dual-Path Platform (DPP) rapid test developed by the Instituto de Tecnologia em Imunobiológicos Bio-Manguinhos in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil was used for screening IgM antibodies against Leptospira in blood serum, and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed on samples positive in the DPP for leptospirosis, as well as on an equal number of negative samples. Results: The data obtained from the samples analyzed with the DPP assay showed 26 positive results (5.79%), of which 38.46% were male and 61.54% female, with a mean age of 41 years. We tested 52 samples using the MAT, including 26 reactive for IgM and 26 non-reactive in the DPP assay. Nine samples (17.31%) were reactive, and among them, six also showed reactivity in the DPP assay. Of the six samples reactive in both tests, 66.67% were female, living in urban areas in the city of Uberlândia, with a mean age of 50 years, being 50% white, 33.33% brown, and 16.67% black. The findings demonstrated that leptospirosis cases are underdiagnosed and undertreated in the study population and more attention needs to be paid for ruling out leptospirosis and other pathogens causing acute febrile illness in dengue-endemic areas.
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(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases)
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