Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102914
Rajib Kumar Dey , Fernando Mosler , Rifau Adam , Isha Ali , Aishath Sausan , Zaidhoon Jaleel , Rashda Mahir , Izza Abdul Habeeb , Aishath Maeesha , Nihla Ali Rasheed , Aminath Aroosha , Wasin Matsee , Hisham Ahmed Imad
Background
Dengue and scrub typhus are common causes of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in the Maldives.
Methods
This retrospective study compared the clinical characteristics of 184 hospitalized adults diagnosed with dengue (n = 94) or scrub typhus (n = 90) at a national referral hospital in the Maldives. Clinical data were collected from 2013 to 2021 for scrub typhus and from 2018 to 2021 for dengue, identified using ICD-10 codes from both physical and electronic records. National dengue and scrub typhus data from 2015 to 2024 were obtained from the Health Protection Agency of the Maldives.
Results
Scrub typhus patients were generally older, with a median age of 42.5 years compared to 27 years in dengue, were more often locals, and tended to present later in the course of illness, on day 10 compared to day 4. Furthermore, scrub typhus patients experienced more complications, 23.9 % compared to 3.2 % in dengue, which resulted in longer hospital stays. An eschar was observed in 63.1 % of scrub typhus cases, serving as a useful diagnostic clue. In contrast, dengue patients more often presented with chills, myalgia, arthralgia, bleeding, and thrombocytopenia. There were no fatalities in this cohort.
Conclusions
In acute undifferentiated febrile illness in the Maldives, certain clinical indicators, including eschar for scrub typhus and bleeding with severe thrombocytopenia can aid in bedside diagnosis. Identifying these features can help clinicians in resource-limited settings provide timely and appropriate care.
{"title":"Clinical features and outcomes of dengue and scrub typhus in hospitalized adults in the Maldives","authors":"Rajib Kumar Dey , Fernando Mosler , Rifau Adam , Isha Ali , Aishath Sausan , Zaidhoon Jaleel , Rashda Mahir , Izza Abdul Habeeb , Aishath Maeesha , Nihla Ali Rasheed , Aminath Aroosha , Wasin Matsee , Hisham Ahmed Imad","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Dengue and scrub typhus are common causes of acute undifferentiated febrile illness in the Maldives.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study compared the clinical characteristics of 184 hospitalized adults diagnosed with dengue (n = 94) or scrub typhus (n = 90) at a national referral hospital in the Maldives. Clinical data were collected from 2013 to 2021 for scrub typhus and from 2018 to 2021 for dengue, identified using ICD-10 codes from both physical and electronic records. National dengue and scrub typhus data from 2015 to 2024 were obtained from the Health Protection Agency of the Maldives.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Scrub typhus patients were generally older, with a median age of 42.5 years compared to 27 years in dengue, were more often locals, and tended to present later in the course of illness, on day 10 compared to day 4. Furthermore, scrub typhus patients experienced more complications, 23.9 % compared to 3.2 % in dengue, which resulted in longer hospital stays. An eschar was observed in 63.1 % of scrub typhus cases, serving as a useful diagnostic clue. In contrast, dengue patients more often presented with chills, myalgia, arthralgia, bleeding, and thrombocytopenia. There were no fatalities in this cohort.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In acute undifferentiated febrile illness in the Maldives, certain clinical indicators, including eschar for scrub typhus and bleeding with severe thrombocytopenia can aid in bedside diagnosis. Identifying these features can help clinicians in resource-limited settings provide timely and appropriate care.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"68 ","pages":"Article 102914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102911
Katherine A. Reifler , Swati S. Sharma , Nicholas A. Bergren , Elizabeth D. Barnett , Lin H. Chen , Jeffery A. Goad , William B. Macleod , Laura Kogelman , Davidson H. Hamer
Pretravel consultation by healthcare providers (HCPs) with travel medicine expertise can mitigate travel-related health risks. This analysis aimed to understand US-based HCPs' pretravel consultation educational gaps, priorities, barriers, and opportunities. An electronic survey was conducted May–June 2024, using a convenience sample of HCPs identified through the Med Learning Group and travel specialists from the International Society of Travel Medicine and American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. In total, 205 HCPs completed the survey, including physicians (50 %), nurse practitioners (19 %), nurses (12 %), pharmacists (11 %), physician associates (7 %). Most (66 %) provided pretravel consultations and only 21 % held formal travel medicine certification. HCPs not providing pretravel consultation were less comfortable with traveler's diarrhea self-treatment, malaria chemoprophylaxis, altitude illness prevention, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and typhoid vaccination management. The most desired topics for education were travel vaccinations (94, 46 %), travel medicine insurance (89, 43 %), and altitude illness prevention (86, 42 %). Major barriers to providing pretravel consultation were lack of clarity about reimbursement (110, 54 %), lack of insurance coverage (89, 43 %), and inability to stock travel vaccines (73, 36 %). Top interventions suggested to increase access to and awareness of pretravel consultation included primary care physician education and community outreach. Most HCPs were interested in pretravel educational opportunities, but comfort varied by experience and certification, highlighting need for targeted training, especially for primary care providers. Top barriers were insurance coverage for pretravel consultation and access to travel vaccines, underscoring critical gaps in the US healthcare system.
{"title":"Ready for takeoff? exploring United States health care providers’ pretravel consultation priorities, gaps, barriers, and opportunities","authors":"Katherine A. Reifler , Swati S. Sharma , Nicholas A. Bergren , Elizabeth D. Barnett , Lin H. Chen , Jeffery A. Goad , William B. Macleod , Laura Kogelman , Davidson H. Hamer","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102911","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102911","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pretravel consultation by healthcare providers (HCPs) with travel medicine expertise can mitigate travel-related health risks. This analysis aimed to understand US-based HCPs' pretravel consultation educational gaps, priorities, barriers, and opportunities. An electronic survey was conducted May–June 2024, using a convenience sample of HCPs identified through the Med Learning Group and travel specialists from the International Society of Travel Medicine and American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. In total, 205 HCPs completed the survey, including physicians (50 %), nurse practitioners (19 %), nurses (12 %), pharmacists (11 %), physician associates (7 %). Most (66 %) provided pretravel consultations and only 21 % held formal travel medicine certification. HCPs not providing pretravel consultation were less comfortable with traveler's diarrhea self-treatment, malaria chemoprophylaxis, altitude illness prevention, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, and typhoid vaccination management. The most desired topics for education were travel vaccinations (94, 46 %), travel medicine insurance (89, 43 %), and altitude illness prevention (86, 42 %). Major barriers to providing pretravel consultation were lack of clarity about reimbursement (110, 54 %), lack of insurance coverage (89, 43 %), and inability to stock travel vaccines (73, 36 %). Top interventions suggested to increase access to and awareness of pretravel consultation included primary care physician education and community outreach. Most HCPs were interested in pretravel educational opportunities, but comfort varied by experience and certification, highlighting need for targeted training, especially for primary care providers. Top barriers were insurance coverage for pretravel consultation and access to travel vaccines, underscoring critical gaps in the US healthcare system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"68 ","pages":"Article 102911"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145204483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The WHO recommended the use of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) regimens for malaria in HIV-positive pregnant women living in endemic areas to prevent malaria-related perinatal complications. However, the high drug resistance rates make the effectiveness of the various available options questionable.
Methods
This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in Prospero (ID: CRD42024579942). PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries were searched in June 2024 for relevant studies. Randomized clinical trials reporting the use of ITP for malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women were included. The incidence of peripheral malaria diagnosis was our primary extracted outcome. RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.
Results
Thirteen clinical trials with 5226 HIV-positive pregnant patients were included. ITP showed 55 % lower odds of malaria during pregnancy or at delivery (OR = 0.45, 95 % CI: 0.36, 0.56, P ≤ 0.001), with IPTp-DP (Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine) being the most effective regimen. However, despite reducing the odds of placental malaria by 48 % (OR = 0.52, 95 % CI: 0.39, 0.70, P ≤ 0.001), ITP showed no significant effect on low birth weight, fetal loss, stillbirth, or preterm labor. Furthermore, IPT reduces the odds of maternal anemia by 18 % (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI: 0.69, 0.97, P = 0.03).
Conclusion
IPT was shown to be effective in reducing malaria-related maternal complications, including malaria during pregnancy, at delivery, or placental and maternal anemia. However, it showed no effective impact on adverse birth outcomes. Further research may be necessary to explore birth-related outcomes.
{"title":"Intermittent preventive treatment regimens for malaria in HIV-positive pregnant women: Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials","authors":"Ammar Elgadi , Tibyan Noorallah , Egbal Abdelazim , Sara Altraifi , Hajir Altraifi , Ammar Elhaj , Walaa Elnaiem , Lina Hemmeda","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The WHO recommended the use of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) regimens for malaria in HIV-positive pregnant women living in endemic areas to prevent malaria-related perinatal complications. However, the high drug resistance rates make the effectiveness of the various available options questionable.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and registered in Prospero (ID: CRD42024579942). PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane libraries were searched in June 2024 for relevant studies. Randomized clinical trials reporting the use of ITP for malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women were included. The incidence of peripheral malaria diagnosis was our primary extracted outcome. RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirteen clinical trials with 5226 HIV-positive pregnant patients were included. ITP showed 55 % lower odds of malaria during pregnancy or at delivery (OR = 0.45, 95 % CI: 0.36, 0.56, P ≤ 0.001), with IPTp-DP (Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine) being the most effective regimen. However, despite reducing the odds of placental malaria by 48 % (OR = 0.52, 95 % CI: 0.39, 0.70, P ≤ 0.001), ITP showed no significant effect on low birth weight, fetal loss, stillbirth, or preterm labor. Furthermore, IPT reduces the odds of maternal anemia by 18 % (OR = 0.82, 95 % CI: 0.69, 0.97, P = 0.03).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>IPT was shown to be effective in reducing malaria-related maternal complications, including malaria during pregnancy, at delivery, or placental and maternal anemia. However, it showed no effective impact on adverse birth outcomes. Further research may be necessary to explore birth-related outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"68 ","pages":"Article 102908"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145092562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102887
Florence Fouque , Konstantina Boutsika
Malaria has been affecting human beings since ever through a great biodiversity of transmission contexts, and only recently this vector-borne parasitic disease was controlled and eliminated due to the progress in the knowledge of the pathogens, the mosquito vectors and the transmission cycles, but also technological advances in diagnostic, prevention and control tools targeting both the parasite and the vector.
Within the past 150 years malaria was eliminated from all temperate countries of the northern hemisphere, and this success triggered the belief that human malaria could be eradicated with simple tools such as environmental management, impregnated nets and treatments. But this did not happen, and a resurgence of malaria burden started about 50 years ago, affecting mostly sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, a strong worldwide mobilization after the 2000s was followed by a new decline of malaria incidence and a strong decline in malaria mortality, but the diversity of the transmission contexts did not allow the continuation of declined incidence. Further, this situation was concomitant with a great upsurge on mobility of human populations due to different reasons. Malaria control is now at crossroads where access to health is the main driver of the disease. Reaching the hard to reach and mobile populations will be essential to continue the progress on malaria control.
{"title":"Biodiversity of malaria ecosystems, challenges for control: When human diversity is forgotten","authors":"Florence Fouque , Konstantina Boutsika","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102887","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102887","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Malaria has been affecting human beings since ever through a great biodiversity of transmission contexts, and only recently this vector-borne parasitic disease was controlled and eliminated due to the progress in the knowledge of the pathogens, the mosquito vectors and the transmission cycles, but also technological advances in diagnostic, prevention and control tools targeting both the parasite and the vector.</div><div>Within the past 150 years malaria was eliminated from all temperate countries of the northern hemisphere, and this success triggered the belief that human malaria could be eradicated with simple tools such as environmental management, impregnated nets and treatments. But this did not happen, and a resurgence of malaria burden started about 50 years ago, affecting mostly sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, a strong worldwide mobilization after the 2000s was followed by a new decline of malaria incidence and a strong decline in malaria mortality, but the diversity of the transmission contexts did not allow the continuation of declined incidence. Further, this situation was concomitant with a great upsurge on mobility of human populations due to different reasons. Malaria control is now at crossroads where access to health is the main driver of the disease. Reaching the hard to reach and mobile populations will be essential to continue the progress on malaria control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102887"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145370986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102847
Carlotta Carboni , Alice Sanna , Yann Lambert , Lorraine Plessis , Teddy Bardon , Antoine Adenis , Mathieu Nacher , Stephen Vreden , Martha Suárez-Mutis , Maylis Douine
Introduction
The Guiana Shield faces significant malaria challenges due to a mobile, hard-to-reach population involved in goldmining. Interventions like Malakit (self-testing and self-treatment kits), Targeted Drug Administration against P. vivax, or their combination, aim to combat malaria. These community-based interventions, evaluated in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname, show promising results and potential for scale-up. The research aimed to assess the scalability of these interventions by identifying and mapping stakeholders and doing a SWOT analysis for scale-up.
Methods
This pre-planning assessment, conducted from June 2023 to March 2024, involved a collaborative, participatory approach. The process included working sessions with the resource team, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, and participant observation during formal meetings with stakeholders and the resource team. Field notes have been taken and deductive qualitative analysis has been made using the ExpandNet/WHO Framework. Data was used to design Mendelow's Matrix and SWOT analysis.
Results
Stakeholders were categorized into implementers, decision-makers, beneficiaries, and partners. Mendelow's matrix and SWOT analysis highlighted strengths like Malakit's effectiveness, while weaknesses included data gaps and regulatory challenges. Opportunities for scaling up were linked to malaria elimination initiatives in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname, while funding and regulatory issues posed threats.
Discussion and conclusion
Stakeholder analysis is crucial in scaling up public health interventions, identifying key contributors and challenges. Financial and regulatory barriers can hinder scalability, but political and epidemiological factors offer opportunities. Effective collaboration across countries, engaging stakeholders, and advocating for evidence-based decisions are essential for malaria elimination in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.
{"title":"Assessing scalability factors of a malaria intervention using Malakit and target drug administration among hard-to-reach populations: An original approach focusing on key stakeholders – implementers and decision-makers – in the Guiana shield","authors":"Carlotta Carboni , Alice Sanna , Yann Lambert , Lorraine Plessis , Teddy Bardon , Antoine Adenis , Mathieu Nacher , Stephen Vreden , Martha Suárez-Mutis , Maylis Douine","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The Guiana Shield faces significant malaria challenges due to a mobile, hard-to-reach population involved in goldmining. Interventions like Malakit (self-testing and self-treatment kits), Targeted Drug Administration against <em>P. vivax</em>, or their combination, aim to combat malaria. These community-based interventions, evaluated in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname, show promising results and potential for scale-up. The research aimed to assess the scalability of these interventions by identifying and mapping stakeholders and doing a SWOT analysis for scale-up.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This pre-planning assessment, conducted from June 2023 to March 2024, involved a collaborative, participatory approach. The process included working sessions with the resource team, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, and participant observation during formal meetings with stakeholders and the resource team. Field notes have been taken and deductive qualitative analysis has been made using the ExpandNet/WHO Framework. Data was used to design Mendelow's Matrix and SWOT analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Stakeholders were categorized into implementers, decision-makers, beneficiaries, and partners. Mendelow's matrix and SWOT analysis highlighted strengths like Malakit's effectiveness, while weaknesses included data gaps and regulatory challenges. Opportunities for scaling up were linked to malaria elimination initiatives in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname, while funding and regulatory issues posed threats.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion and conclusion</h3><div>Stakeholder analysis is crucial in scaling up public health interventions, identifying key contributors and challenges. Financial and regulatory barriers can hinder scalability, but political and epidemiological factors offer opportunities. Effective collaboration across countries, engaging stakeholders, and advocating for evidence-based decisions are essential for malaria elimination in Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102847"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145370969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Malaria remains a significant public health threat, particularly in vulnerable populations. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have been a cornerstone of malaria prevention efforts for decades. ITNs have demonstrably reduced malaria morbidity and mortality. However, their widespread use has raised concerns about a potential unintended consequence: environmental pollution.
Methods
To assess the potential environmental impact of ITNs in a real-world setting, a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey was conducted in Djougou, a high malaria burden in Northen Benin. The survey employed a two-stage stratified random sampling approach.
Results
There is an average of 2.4 people per ITN. Half of the ITNs are less than 2 months old, indicating a recent distribution campaign. The reported ITNs used the night before the survey was 73 %. Over half of the households (52 %) reported losing at least one ITN in the past year, with an average of 2.53 nets lost per household. The most common ITN brand contains alpha-cypermethrin and chlorfenapyr insecticides. We can estimate that Djougou releases approximately 133 kg of insecticides and 57.6 tons of plastic waste annually from discarded ITNs. Extrapolations to Benin and to Sub-Saharan Africa suggest a large potential environmental impacts.
Conclusion
The study highlights a potential environmental challenge associated with large-scale ITN use – plastic and insecticide waste from discarded nets. Further research is needed to quantify the environmental impact of abandoned nets. ITNs distribution programs should be complemented by collection and potential recycling initiatives. A circular economy approach could transform waste into a resource for fuel generation.
{"title":"Estimation of the magnitude of plastic and chemical pollution related to the abandonment of insecticide treated nets in the environment: From a KAP survey conducted in Benin in July 2023","authors":"Rachidou Ouorou , Ibigbé Amour Sabin Bohissou , Prudence Kuessi , Frédérick Gay","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102826","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102826","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Malaria remains a significant public health threat, particularly in vulnerable populations. Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) have been a cornerstone of malaria prevention efforts for decades. ITNs have demonstrably reduced malaria morbidity and mortality. However, their widespread use has raised concerns about a potential unintended consequence: environmental pollution.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>To assess the potential environmental impact of ITNs in a real-world setting, a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey was conducted in Djougou, a high malaria burden in Northen Benin. The survey employed a two-stage stratified random sampling approach.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>There is an average of 2.4 people per ITN. Half of the ITNs are less than 2 months old, indicating a recent distribution campaign. The reported ITNs used the night before the survey was 73 %. Over half of the households (52 %) reported losing at least one ITN in the past year, with an average of 2.53 nets lost per household. The most common ITN brand contains alpha-cypermethrin and chlorfenapyr insecticides. We can estimate that Djougou releases approximately 133 kg of insecticides and 57.6 tons of plastic waste annually from discarded ITNs. Extrapolations to Benin and to Sub-Saharan Africa suggest a large potential environmental impacts.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study highlights a potential environmental challenge associated with large-scale ITN use – plastic and insecticide waste from discarded nets. Further research is needed to quantify the environmental impact of abandoned nets. ITNs distribution programs should be complemented by collection and potential recycling initiatives. A circular economy approach could transform waste into a resource for fuel generation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102826"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145370975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marine tourism is increasing in popularity in Thailand, contributing to a rise in associated medical issues. The aim of this report was to assess the prevalence and severity of marine-related health problems and associated risk factors.
Methods
A retrospective study was conducted from October 2021 to September 2024 across three healthcare centers in southern Thailand.
Results
520 cases were analyzed, 57 % (n = 295) were male and 93.7 % (n = 487) were international travelers, 62.7 % (n = 326) from Europe. Common diagnoses included marine envenomation (24.0 %, n = 125), ear infection (21.7 %, n = 113), and trauma (18.7 %, n = 97). Most health incidents occurred coastal areas (46.7 %, n = 243). 29.0 % (n = 151) visited emergency department and 6.0 % (n = 31) resulted in death. Severe outcomes were associated with male gender, age over 40 years, and sea-based activities.
Conclusion
Most marine-related health issues were non-severe, specific risks varied by location, highlighting the need for location-specific preventive measures.
{"title":"Prevalence of health problems related to marine tourism among travelers in the Andaman Coast provinces of Southern Thailand","authors":"Vitat Tipphayawong , Pat Chantapinya , Ranida Techasuwanna , Amornphat Kitro","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Marine tourism is increasing in popularity in Thailand, contributing to a rise in associated medical issues. The aim of this report was to assess the prevalence and severity of marine-related health problems and associated risk factors.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective study was conducted from October 2021 to September 2024 across three healthcare centers in southern Thailand.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>520 cases were analyzed, 57 % (n = 295) were male and 93.7 % (n = 487) were international travelers, 62.7 % (n = 326) from Europe. Common diagnoses included marine envenomation (24.0 %, n = 125), ear infection (21.7 %, n = 113), and trauma (18.7 %, n = 97). Most health incidents occurred coastal areas (46.7 %, n = 243). 29.0 % (n = 151) visited emergency department and 6.0 % (n = 31) resulted in death. Severe outcomes were associated with male gender, age over 40 years, and sea-based activities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Most marine-related health issues were non-severe, specific risks varied by location, highlighting the need for location-specific preventive measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102913"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The prevalence of the enteric protozoan microorganisms, its genetic characterization as well as its associated gut microbiome has been molecularly and 16S metagenomic characterized in a cohort of newly arrived migrants in Italy from African countries over the period 2022–2024. Out of 199 individuals, 92 (46.2%) were found to be carrier of protozoan microorganisms with a higher prevalence of Blastocystis sp. (15.5%), followed by Giardia duodenalis (12.6%), Dientamoeba fragilis (7.5%), Cryptosporidium parvum (6.5%), and Entamoeba histolytica (4%). Subtypes ST1, ST2 and ST3 were genetically characterized for Blastocystis sp., assemblages A and B for G. duodenalis, subtypes families IIa and IIc for C. parvum and genotype 1 for D. fragilis. High prevalence of Butyrivibrio, Lachnospiraceae UGC 10 and Paraprevotella, were identified in the protozoan non-carrier individual group. This work shed lights on the circulation of enteric protozoan microorganisms in apparently healthy migrants from African countries and the potential relationship with the host-microbiome composition. Moreover, these results give an overview of the importance of microbiological surveys among migrants and asylum seekers arriving to hosting countries in order to evaluate the reliable risk of several microorganisms introduction though migration. Ultimately, further investigation of interplays between the intestinal microbiota and protozoan microorganisms will provide new approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal infections.
{"title":"Genetic characterization of enteric protozoan microorganisms in newly arrived migrants in Italy and correlation with the gut microbiome layout","authors":"Marianna Marangi , Giorgia Palladino , Felice Valzano , Daniel Scicchitano , Silvia Turroni , Simone Rampelli , Marco Candela , Fabio Arena","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The prevalence of the enteric protozoan microorganisms, its genetic characterization as well as its associated gut microbiome has been molecularly and 16S metagenomic characterized in a cohort of newly arrived migrants in Italy from African countries over the period 2022–2024. Out of 199 individuals, 92 (46.2%) were found to be carrier of protozoan microorganisms with a higher prevalence of <em>Blastocystis</em> sp. (15.5%), followed by <em>Giardia duodenalis</em> (12.6%), <em>Dientamoeba fragilis</em> (7.5%), <em>Cryptosporidium parvum</em> (6.5%), and <em>Entamoeba histolytica</em> (4%). Subtypes ST1, ST2 and ST3 were genetically characterized for <em>Blastocystis</em> sp., assemblages A and B for <em>G. duodenalis</em>, subtypes families IIa and IIc for <em>C. parvum</em> and genotype 1 for <em>D. fragilis</em>. High prevalence of <em>Butyrivibrio</em>, <em>Lachnospiraceae UGC 10</em> and <em>Paraprevotella</em>, were identified in the protozoan non-carrier individual group. This work shed lights on the circulation of enteric protozoan microorganisms in apparently healthy migrants from African countries and the potential relationship with the host-microbiome composition. Moreover, these results give an overview of the importance of microbiological surveys among migrants and asylum seekers arriving to hosting countries in order to evaluate the reliable risk of several microorganisms introduction though migration. Ultimately, further investigation of interplays between the intestinal microbiota and protozoan microorganisms will provide new approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102901"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145041330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102906
Florence Fouque , Damiana Ravasi , Ghafar Abdul Masoudi , Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales
{"title":"Malaria in hard-to-reach populations: Challenges and solutions","authors":"Florence Fouque , Damiana Ravasi , Ghafar Abdul Masoudi , Alfonso J. Rodriguez-Morales","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102906","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102906","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102906"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145370755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102904
Stefan Momčilović , Anson V. Koehler , Robin B. Gasser
Background
Cutaneous myiasis is an ectoparasitic disease caused by fly larvae. In non-endemic regions it is rare, often unfamiliar to clinicians and readily misdiagnosed.
Case presentation
A 24-year-old Serbian traveller developed painful furuncular lesions on the thigh after returning from Kenya. The lesions were initially treated as insect bites with intramuscular corticosteroid, antihistamines and topical betamethasone–gentamicin. Spontaneous expulsion of a larva led to the recognition of myiasis.
Methods and results
Three third-instar (L3) larvae were surgically removed. Morphological features and mitochondrial cox1 sequencing identified Cordylobia anthropophaga. Genetic analysis confirmed 99 % identity with reference sequences.
Conclusion
This case highlights the challenges associated with diagnosis of furuncular myiasis in travellers. Awareness of travel history, maintenance of clinical suspicion and molecular analysis are essential for accurate diagnosis. Timely larval removal and prophylactic antibiotics minimise complications and improve outcomes.
{"title":"Cutaneous myiasis in a Serbian traveller returning from Kenya","authors":"Stefan Momčilović , Anson V. Koehler , Robin B. Gasser","doi":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tmaid.2025.102904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Cutaneous myiasis is an ectoparasitic disease caused by fly larvae. In non-endemic regions it is rare, often unfamiliar to clinicians and readily misdiagnosed.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>A 24-year-old Serbian traveller developed painful furuncular lesions on the thigh after returning from Kenya. The lesions were initially treated as insect bites with intramuscular corticosteroid, antihistamines and topical betamethasone–gentamicin. Spontaneous expulsion of a larva led to the recognition of myiasis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods and results</h3><div>Three third-instar (L3) larvae were surgically removed. Morphological features and mitochondrial <em>cox</em>1 sequencing identified <em>Cordylobia anthropophaga</em>. Genetic analysis confirmed 99 % identity with reference sequences.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case highlights the challenges associated with diagnosis of furuncular myiasis in travellers. Awareness of travel history, maintenance of clinical suspicion and molecular analysis are essential for accurate diagnosis. Timely larval removal and prophylactic antibiotics minimise complications and improve outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23312,"journal":{"name":"Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease","volume":"67 ","pages":"Article 102904"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145034123","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}