Pub Date : 2023-08-03DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1168668
Rose Bonnah, Felix Ayisi, Solomon Wireko, A. Kwarteng
Filarial lymphedema is a chronic pathophysiological condition initiated by parasitism by lymphatic filarial worms. Although the disease is not immediately fatal, it is a significant social and economic issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the ongoing need for effective therapeutic strategies for filarial lymphedema, several countries have turned to natural products and herbal interventions as promising source for developing anti-filarial agents to manage lymphatic filariasis (LF). This review aims to classify various plant molecules implicated in treating LF, with a focus on their anti-filarial properties. This information can be used to further investigate their efficacy in managing filarial lymphedema.
{"title":"Phytochemical intervention for lymphatic filariasis and filarial lymphedema","authors":"Rose Bonnah, Felix Ayisi, Solomon Wireko, A. Kwarteng","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1168668","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1168668","url":null,"abstract":"Filarial lymphedema is a chronic pathophysiological condition initiated by parasitism by lymphatic filarial worms. Although the disease is not immediately fatal, it is a significant social and economic issue, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Given the ongoing need for effective therapeutic strategies for filarial lymphedema, several countries have turned to natural products and herbal interventions as promising source for developing anti-filarial agents to manage lymphatic filariasis (LF). This review aims to classify various plant molecules implicated in treating LF, with a focus on their anti-filarial properties. This information can be used to further investigate their efficacy in managing filarial lymphedema.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43962092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-08-02DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1100139
P. Nordin, E. Nyale, C. Kalambo, B. Ahlberg, H. Feldmeier, I. Krantz
The presence of schistosomal eggs in the urine is a sufficient but not necessary condition for an individual to be diagnosed with urogenital schistosomiasis. The absence of eggs does not prove that a person is disease-free. Thus, when examining populations using egg occurrence, there is a real risk of underestimating the prevalence. The aim is to develop an easy to use model for improved prevalence estimates of urogenital schistosomiasis.Urine samples were taken from 161 schoolchildren and 124 adults on three different days for each individual. The probands were recruited from two areas in northern Tanzania with varying prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis. The presence of eggs by microscopy and haematuria by dipstick were recorded for each sample and the measurements combined using the discordance of the outcomes.As a consequence of applying the developed model, a substantial increase in the prevalence estimate was noted for groups displaying a low egg occurrence.By using the biological relationship that exists between the presence of eggs and blood in urine of an infected individual, we provide a way of adjusting the prevalence estimates of urogenital schistosomiasis, using the observed prevalence of haematuria, in the absence of competing causes.
{"title":"Determining the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis based on the discordance between egg counts and haematuria in populations from northern Tanzania","authors":"P. Nordin, E. Nyale, C. Kalambo, B. Ahlberg, H. Feldmeier, I. Krantz","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1100139","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1100139","url":null,"abstract":"The presence of schistosomal eggs in the urine is a sufficient but not necessary condition for an individual to be diagnosed with urogenital schistosomiasis. The absence of eggs does not prove that a person is disease-free. Thus, when examining populations using egg occurrence, there is a real risk of underestimating the prevalence. The aim is to develop an easy to use model for improved prevalence estimates of urogenital schistosomiasis.Urine samples were taken from 161 schoolchildren and 124 adults on three different days for each individual. The probands were recruited from two areas in northern Tanzania with varying prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis. The presence of eggs by microscopy and haematuria by dipstick were recorded for each sample and the measurements combined using the discordance of the outcomes.As a consequence of applying the developed model, a substantial increase in the prevalence estimate was noted for groups displaying a low egg occurrence.By using the biological relationship that exists between the presence of eggs and blood in urine of an infected individual, we provide a way of adjusting the prevalence estimates of urogenital schistosomiasis, using the observed prevalence of haematuria, in the absence of competing causes.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" 13","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41251670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-28DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1151336
Feven Tigistu-Sahle, Zelalem Mekuria, A. Satoskar, Gustavo F. C. Sales, W. Gebreyes, C. J. Oliveira
The molecular biology tools available since the early 1970s have been crucial to the development of molecular epidemiology as an important branch of public health, and are used for the identification of host genetic and environmental factors associated with both communicable (CDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across human and animal populations. Molecular epidemiology has significantly contributed to the understanding of etiological agents, disease distribution, and how to track outbreaks, as well as to prevention and control measures against tropical infectious diseases. However, there have been significant limitations compromising the successful application of molecular epidemiology in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) to address complex issues at the animal–human–environment interface. Recent advances in our capacity to generate information by means of high-throughput DNA genomic sequencing, transcriptomics, and metabolomics have allowed these tools to become accessible at ever-lower costs. Furthermore, recently emerged omics fields such as lipidomics are improving our insights into molecular epidemiology by measuring lipid phenotypes that gauge environmental and genetic factors in large epidemiological studies. In parallel, the development of bioinformatic tools has revolutionized the utility of omics, providing novel perspectives to better characterize pools of biological molecules and translate them into the structure, function, and dynamics of organisms. Unfortunately, the use of such powerful tools has not been optimal for a One Health approach to both CDs and NCDs, particularly in low-resource tropical settings. The aim of this review is to present the fundamentals of omics tools and their potential use in molecular epidemiology, and to critically discuss the impact of omics on the evolving One Health dimension applied to tropical diseases. We use Ethiopia and Brazil as model systems to illustrate existing gaps and opportunities, while also addressing global applications. Moreover, we also discuss perspectives on exploring omics based molecular epidemiology in the context of One Health as a crucial approach to preventing and mitigating the burden of CDs and NCDs at the interface of human health, animal health, and the environment. This review shows that building capacity in the tropical regions is crucial to establishing equitable global health.
{"title":"Challenges and opportunities of molecular epidemiology: using omics to address complex One Health issues in tropical settings","authors":"Feven Tigistu-Sahle, Zelalem Mekuria, A. Satoskar, Gustavo F. C. Sales, W. Gebreyes, C. J. Oliveira","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1151336","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1151336","url":null,"abstract":"The molecular biology tools available since the early 1970s have been crucial to the development of molecular epidemiology as an important branch of public health, and are used for the identification of host genetic and environmental factors associated with both communicable (CDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across human and animal populations. Molecular epidemiology has significantly contributed to the understanding of etiological agents, disease distribution, and how to track outbreaks, as well as to prevention and control measures against tropical infectious diseases. However, there have been significant limitations compromising the successful application of molecular epidemiology in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) to address complex issues at the animal–human–environment interface. Recent advances in our capacity to generate information by means of high-throughput DNA genomic sequencing, transcriptomics, and metabolomics have allowed these tools to become accessible at ever-lower costs. Furthermore, recently emerged omics fields such as lipidomics are improving our insights into molecular epidemiology by measuring lipid phenotypes that gauge environmental and genetic factors in large epidemiological studies. In parallel, the development of bioinformatic tools has revolutionized the utility of omics, providing novel perspectives to better characterize pools of biological molecules and translate them into the structure, function, and dynamics of organisms. Unfortunately, the use of such powerful tools has not been optimal for a One Health approach to both CDs and NCDs, particularly in low-resource tropical settings. The aim of this review is to present the fundamentals of omics tools and their potential use in molecular epidemiology, and to critically discuss the impact of omics on the evolving One Health dimension applied to tropical diseases. We use Ethiopia and Brazil as model systems to illustrate existing gaps and opportunities, while also addressing global applications. Moreover, we also discuss perspectives on exploring omics based molecular epidemiology in the context of One Health as a crucial approach to preventing and mitigating the burden of CDs and NCDs at the interface of human health, animal health, and the environment. This review shows that building capacity in the tropical regions is crucial to establishing equitable global health.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44174764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-28DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1224386
H. Yamada, Dongjing Zhang, A. Parker, M. Vreysen
{"title":"Sterilizing insects with X rays or gamma rays - which irradiator to select?","authors":"H. Yamada, Dongjing Zhang, A. Parker, M. Vreysen","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1224386","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1224386","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"9 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41258041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-26DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1221804
Kenneth B Yeh, Michael D. Powers, Ami Patel, F. Parekh, A. Tseng, E. Bradford, Kyle Parker, Ricky Soong, G. Olinger, Illich Mombo
The landscape of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices encompasses a broad range of tests that have been used to detect and diagnose pathogens, especially tropical diseases, for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the greater need for bringing IVDs from the laboratory directly to the consumer, and recent outbreaks such as mpox, Sudan ebolavirus, and Marburg virus further reinforce this need. The increased emergence of tropical disease outbreaks requires more agile development, higher performance, and mass production of IVD devices. Furthermore, lessons learned in previous device developments can sometimes be used to accelerate new disease diagnostic applications. As an example, we describe one case history of an earlier pan-orthopox viral assay that detected smallpox variola and vaccinia strains, and also discerned related strains including mpox. This work established the foundation for the molecular detection of orthopox viruses, which could be mobilized to address public health needs once an emergency declaration was made that opened the FDA pathway for issuing an emergency use authorization for the use of these assays. Thus, the utilization of knowledge from earlier investments was shown to enhance preparedness and readiness. Here in this retrospective, we elaborate on the processes that enable this approach, including multi-disciplinary and multisectoral collaborations to accomplish a holistic, one health world.
{"title":"Retrospective on molecular assay design for detecting pan-orthopox viruses and prospective on mpox laboratory preparedness and readiness","authors":"Kenneth B Yeh, Michael D. Powers, Ami Patel, F. Parekh, A. Tseng, E. Bradford, Kyle Parker, Ricky Soong, G. Olinger, Illich Mombo","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1221804","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1221804","url":null,"abstract":"The landscape of in vitro diagnostic (IVD) devices encompasses a broad range of tests that have been used to detect and diagnose pathogens, especially tropical diseases, for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic exemplified the greater need for bringing IVDs from the laboratory directly to the consumer, and recent outbreaks such as mpox, Sudan ebolavirus, and Marburg virus further reinforce this need. The increased emergence of tropical disease outbreaks requires more agile development, higher performance, and mass production of IVD devices. Furthermore, lessons learned in previous device developments can sometimes be used to accelerate new disease diagnostic applications. As an example, we describe one case history of an earlier pan-orthopox viral assay that detected smallpox variola and vaccinia strains, and also discerned related strains including mpox. This work established the foundation for the molecular detection of orthopox viruses, which could be mobilized to address public health needs once an emergency declaration was made that opened the FDA pathway for issuing an emergency use authorization for the use of these assays. Thus, the utilization of knowledge from earlier investments was shown to enhance preparedness and readiness. Here in this retrospective, we elaborate on the processes that enable this approach, including multi-disciplinary and multisectoral collaborations to accomplish a holistic, one health world.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"52 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41294124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-25DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1217939
B. G. Dhoubhadel, Yumiko Hayashi, F. M. Domai, S. Bhattarai, K. Ariyoshi, B. Pandey
Dengue has become a recurrent and growing threat to public health in Nepal. The epidemic in 2022 was the largest ever reported, with cases being reported in all of the country’s seven provinces and 77 districts. Despite the establishment of an early-warning and reporting system (EWARS) in 1997, the lack of clear criteria for alarm signals and outbreak definitions in national guidelines delayed the epidemic declaration in 2022, which resulted in an increased number of cases and fatalities. For this article, we analyzed national data from previous years, which demonstrate that an epidemic could have been declared early in July, and that that would have resulted in fewer cases and fatalities if clear criteria for outbreak declarations had also been put in place. We also reviewed the existing national guidelines for dengue prevention and control, and propose recommendations to improve their implementation, particularly with regard to vector control measures. This article also highlights the need for a coordinated effort between multisector stakeholders, strengthened disease surveillance systems, and the establishment of predefined alarm signals and epidemic declaration criteria so that future epidemics are identified in a timely manner. The early outbreak warning system can potentially prevent future large outbreaks and minimize their negative impacts on the country’s health systems and economy.
{"title":"A major dengue epidemic in 2022 in Nepal: need of an efficient early-warning system","authors":"B. G. Dhoubhadel, Yumiko Hayashi, F. M. Domai, S. Bhattarai, K. Ariyoshi, B. Pandey","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1217939","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1217939","url":null,"abstract":"Dengue has become a recurrent and growing threat to public health in Nepal. The epidemic in 2022 was the largest ever reported, with cases being reported in all of the country’s seven provinces and 77 districts. Despite the establishment of an early-warning and reporting system (EWARS) in 1997, the lack of clear criteria for alarm signals and outbreak definitions in national guidelines delayed the epidemic declaration in 2022, which resulted in an increased number of cases and fatalities. For this article, we analyzed national data from previous years, which demonstrate that an epidemic could have been declared early in July, and that that would have resulted in fewer cases and fatalities if clear criteria for outbreak declarations had also been put in place. We also reviewed the existing national guidelines for dengue prevention and control, and propose recommendations to improve their implementation, particularly with regard to vector control measures. This article also highlights the need for a coordinated effort between multisector stakeholders, strengthened disease surveillance systems, and the establishment of predefined alarm signals and epidemic declaration criteria so that future epidemics are identified in a timely manner. The early outbreak warning system can potentially prevent future large outbreaks and minimize their negative impacts on the country’s health systems and economy.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44320090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-25DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1204195
Gabriel Luíz Costa, D. A. Alvarenga, Gabriela Maíra Pereira de Assis, A. Aguiar, Jaime Louzada, D. Pereira, A. Pina-Costa, Z. Hirano, S. B. Moreira, A. Pissinatti, P. Brasil, C. Daniel-Ribeiro, T. Sousa, C. F. Alves de Brito
High-copy genomic sequences could be used as PCR targets for the detection of Plasmodium infections, providing increased sensitivity over single- or low-copy genes. Mitochondrial genomes of malaria parasites are present in multiple copies in a single mitochondrion, and each parasite has many mitochondria. Here, we describe the development of seven species-specific qPCR assays for the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, targeting coding and non-coding mitochondrial genomic regions.The optimization of the qPCR protocols involved a gradient of annealing temperatures and concentrations of primers and probes, as well as the inclusion of PCR additives/enhancers [e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, bovine serum albumin (BSA)] to improve the specificity of qPCR amplification.Non-specific amplification of other Plasmodium species and of human targets was observed in different levels for all assays. Regardless of the late Cq values for most non-specific amplifications, the application of a cutoff value did not completely exclude false-positive amplification, compromising the specificity and also the sensitivity of the assays.Therefore, although mitochondrial targets have higher sensitivity, they frequently lose specificity due to their high levels of sequence conservation. A screening to evaluate the cross-reaction between Plasmodium species and the non-specific amplification of human malaria-free samples must be performed for Plasmodium mitochondrial assays.
{"title":"Malaria mitochondrial diagnosis: challenges and pitfalls","authors":"Gabriel Luíz Costa, D. A. Alvarenga, Gabriela Maíra Pereira de Assis, A. Aguiar, Jaime Louzada, D. Pereira, A. Pina-Costa, Z. Hirano, S. B. Moreira, A. Pissinatti, P. Brasil, C. Daniel-Ribeiro, T. Sousa, C. F. Alves de Brito","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1204195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1204195","url":null,"abstract":"High-copy genomic sequences could be used as PCR targets for the detection of Plasmodium infections, providing increased sensitivity over single- or low-copy genes. Mitochondrial genomes of malaria parasites are present in multiple copies in a single mitochondrion, and each parasite has many mitochondria. Here, we describe the development of seven species-specific qPCR assays for the diagnosis of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, targeting coding and non-coding mitochondrial genomic regions.The optimization of the qPCR protocols involved a gradient of annealing temperatures and concentrations of primers and probes, as well as the inclusion of PCR additives/enhancers [e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol, bovine serum albumin (BSA)] to improve the specificity of qPCR amplification.Non-specific amplification of other Plasmodium species and of human targets was observed in different levels for all assays. Regardless of the late Cq values for most non-specific amplifications, the application of a cutoff value did not completely exclude false-positive amplification, compromising the specificity and also the sensitivity of the assays.Therefore, although mitochondrial targets have higher sensitivity, they frequently lose specificity due to their high levels of sequence conservation. A screening to evaluate the cross-reaction between Plasmodium species and the non-specific amplification of human malaria-free samples must be performed for Plasmodium mitochondrial assays.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45723513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-20DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1252114
Zhidong Hu, T. Barbosa, X-Y Fan
{"title":"Editorial: Immunology of tuberculosis","authors":"Zhidong Hu, T. Barbosa, X-Y Fan","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1252114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1252114","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49166601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-07-13DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1094286
Sana Tamim, J. Nwobegahay, Armelle Gaelle Fepa Kwesseu, Ida Marlene Guiateu Tamo, Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue
In humans, RNA viruses are responsible for a wide range of acute, chronic, emerging and re-emerging infections. Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) rank as some of the most important public health challenges affecting Africa.We performed enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assays to confirm positive specimens, and the genomic characterization on two cohorts of people living with HIV in Douala and Yaoundé for the periods 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. These groups were tested for co-infection with HCV using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Viral RNA was extracted from positive patients’ plasma samples by QIAGEN method, and specific primers were used to amplify the genes of interest on HIV and HCV genomes. The amplification products were subsequently cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences were aligned, genotyped and phylogenetically analyzed.The HIV isolate identified in this study belongs to HIV-1 group M Subtype A1. The HCV subtypes characterized in this study are 1h and 4t corresponding to the dominant strains that circulate in Cameroon. Phylogenetic analysis of the HCV NS5B gene showed that the study viruses cluster with Gabonese, Canadian, and previously sequenced viruses from Cameroon.These results shed light on the genetic diversity of HIV and HCV in Cameroon. Virulent HCV infections are common in Cameroon, and therefore there is a great need for further analysis of the viral evolutionary and spatio-temporal patterns.
{"title":"Genomic analysis of circulating HIV and hepatitis C virus infections and coinfections in Cameroon: 2005–2006 and 2015–2016","authors":"Sana Tamim, J. Nwobegahay, Armelle Gaelle Fepa Kwesseu, Ida Marlene Guiateu Tamo, Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1094286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1094286","url":null,"abstract":"In humans, RNA viruses are responsible for a wide range of acute, chronic, emerging and re-emerging infections. Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) rank as some of the most important public health challenges affecting Africa.We performed enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assays to confirm positive specimens, and the genomic characterization on two cohorts of people living with HIV in Douala and Yaoundé for the periods 2005-2006 and 2015-2016. These groups were tested for co-infection with HCV using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Viral RNA was extracted from positive patients’ plasma samples by QIAGEN method, and specific primers were used to amplify the genes of interest on HIV and HCV genomes. The amplification products were subsequently cloned and sequenced. The nucleotide sequences were aligned, genotyped and phylogenetically analyzed.The HIV isolate identified in this study belongs to HIV-1 group M Subtype A1. The HCV subtypes characterized in this study are 1h and 4t corresponding to the dominant strains that circulate in Cameroon. Phylogenetic analysis of the HCV NS5B gene showed that the study viruses cluster with Gabonese, Canadian, and previously sequenced viruses from Cameroon.These results shed light on the genetic diversity of HIV and HCV in Cameroon. Virulent HCV infections are common in Cameroon, and therefore there is a great need for further analysis of the viral evolutionary and spatio-temporal patterns.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47839299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-06-29DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2023.1094320
Francisca O Olamiju, O. Nebe, H. Mogaji, I. Abdus-salam, Lanre Jenrola, Ayodele J. Marcus, Olatunwa J Olamiju, S. Isiyaku, Perpetua Amodu-Agbi, I. Nwoye, Ijeoma Achu, E. Abah
Background In this study we summarized the lessons learnt during the first effective mass drug administration (MDA) campaign in one of the most urbanized states in Nigeria. We particularly discuss the implementation approach including associated challenges and future prospects. Methods We implemented schistosomiasis MDA with praziquantel in seven endemic districts of the state, using a sub-district/ward-level implementation approach. Upon completion, we conducted desk reviews of field reports and a high-level stakeholder meeting among 95 key personnel involved in the MDA. We reviewed excerpts from the meetings to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities (SWOT) of the sub-district/ward-level implementation approach. Quantitative data were summarized using basic descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed to identify emerging themes. Results About 1.45 million children between age 5 and 15 were targeted for treatment, and a geographic (100%) and therapeutic coverage of 85.5% was achieved. Therapeutic coverage was optimal (>75%), across all the implementation districts (Range:76.2- 95.3%). Ifako-Ijaiye had the highest therapeutic coverage (95.3%), while Oshodi-Isolo as the least (76.2%). Strategies supporting high coverage includes; (1) adequate delineation of hard-to reach areas and allocation of commensurate resources, (2) improved consultation and microplanning among programmers, (3) addressing traffic congestion on transportation routes, (4) strengthened engagements and collaborations with community gatekeepers, (5) optimizing cash flow to mitigate financial risk, (6) capacity building of field stakeholders and, (7) regular advocacy and sensitization among stakeholders. Conclusion This study provides possible directions for implementation of schistosomiasis control by programs and agencies at sub-district/ward-level in a cosmopolitan and urbanized state, like that of Lagos, Nigeria.
{"title":"The first mass drug administration campaign for schistosomiasis control in Lagos, Nigeria: lessons for future control programs","authors":"Francisca O Olamiju, O. Nebe, H. Mogaji, I. Abdus-salam, Lanre Jenrola, Ayodele J. Marcus, Olatunwa J Olamiju, S. Isiyaku, Perpetua Amodu-Agbi, I. Nwoye, Ijeoma Achu, E. Abah","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2023.1094320","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2023.1094320","url":null,"abstract":"Background In this study we summarized the lessons learnt during the first effective mass drug administration (MDA) campaign in one of the most urbanized states in Nigeria. We particularly discuss the implementation approach including associated challenges and future prospects. Methods We implemented schistosomiasis MDA with praziquantel in seven endemic districts of the state, using a sub-district/ward-level implementation approach. Upon completion, we conducted desk reviews of field reports and a high-level stakeholder meeting among 95 key personnel involved in the MDA. We reviewed excerpts from the meetings to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities (SWOT) of the sub-district/ward-level implementation approach. Quantitative data were summarized using basic descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed to identify emerging themes. Results About 1.45 million children between age 5 and 15 were targeted for treatment, and a geographic (100%) and therapeutic coverage of 85.5% was achieved. Therapeutic coverage was optimal (>75%), across all the implementation districts (Range:76.2- 95.3%). Ifako-Ijaiye had the highest therapeutic coverage (95.3%), while Oshodi-Isolo as the least (76.2%). Strategies supporting high coverage includes; (1) adequate delineation of hard-to reach areas and allocation of commensurate resources, (2) improved consultation and microplanning among programmers, (3) addressing traffic congestion on transportation routes, (4) strengthened engagements and collaborations with community gatekeepers, (5) optimizing cash flow to mitigate financial risk, (6) capacity building of field stakeholders and, (7) regular advocacy and sensitization among stakeholders. Conclusion This study provides possible directions for implementation of schistosomiasis control by programs and agencies at sub-district/ward-level in a cosmopolitan and urbanized state, like that of Lagos, Nigeria.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44075290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：