Pub Date : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1331026
C. Silveira, Colin Forsyth, Nivaldo Carneiro Júnior, Alejandro Goldberg, Lia Maria Britto da Silva, Rubens Antonio da Silva, M. Shikanai-Yasuda
Transnational immigrants are particularly impacted by neglected diseases, which take a heavy biological, social, and emotional toll in these marginalized communities. Chagas disease has transformed from an exclusively rural to an increasingly urban phenomenon encompassing non-endemic areas in Latin America.Through semi-structured interviews, we investigated representations of Chagas disease in Bolivian immigrants in São Paulo, Brazil. Between August and September 2015, 27 adult migrants were interviewed, 11 of them with Chagas disease. We explored problems of access to health services and essential knowledge about the disease, as well as related conceptions and health practices.Participants constructed social representations of Chagas through interactions with family and social networks, drawing on earlier experiences in Bolivia. Diagnosis often provoked fear, and participants faced barriers to care based on language differences and uncertainties about the disease and treatment options. Healthcare personnel played an important role in alleviating concerns and facilitating access to information.The complex intersection of migration and neglected diseases creates challenges for local and national health programs, requiring innovative responses incorporating the perspectives and needs of the often vulnerable affected communities.
{"title":"Representations of Chagas disease among Bolivian immigrants in the city of São Paulo","authors":"C. Silveira, Colin Forsyth, Nivaldo Carneiro Júnior, Alejandro Goldberg, Lia Maria Britto da Silva, Rubens Antonio da Silva, M. Shikanai-Yasuda","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1331026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1331026","url":null,"abstract":"Transnational immigrants are particularly impacted by neglected diseases, which take a heavy biological, social, and emotional toll in these marginalized communities. Chagas disease has transformed from an exclusively rural to an increasingly urban phenomenon encompassing non-endemic areas in Latin America.Through semi-structured interviews, we investigated representations of Chagas disease in Bolivian immigrants in São Paulo, Brazil. Between August and September 2015, 27 adult migrants were interviewed, 11 of them with Chagas disease. We explored problems of access to health services and essential knowledge about the disease, as well as related conceptions and health practices.Participants constructed social representations of Chagas through interactions with family and social networks, drawing on earlier experiences in Bolivia. Diagnosis often provoked fear, and participants faced barriers to care based on language differences and uncertainties about the disease and treatment options. Healthcare personnel played an important role in alleviating concerns and facilitating access to information.The complex intersection of migration and neglected diseases creates challenges for local and national health programs, requiring innovative responses incorporating the perspectives and needs of the often vulnerable affected communities.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"58 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140675845","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 : 2024-04-22DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1272141
Collins G. K. Atuheire, James Okwee-Acai, Martha Taremwa, Paul Ssajjakambwe, Musso Munyeme, C. Kankya, Odoch Terence, S. N. Ssali, F. Mwiine, Kayla J. Buhler, Morten Tryland
This study examines rabies incidence and associated risk factors at the interface between wildlife and human communities near Pian-Upe game reserve in Eastern Uganda. We hypothesized that human settlements in closer proximity to the reserve would exhibit higher rabies risk compared to those located further away.Using a standard questionnaire, households within <4, 4-14, and >14 km from the Pian Upe game reserve in Bukedea District were interviewed. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, recent rabid animal bites, and suspected human and livestock rabies cases for the past year (2023) were collected after seeking informed consent. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio-demographic information and incidence data, while separate binomial generalized linear models with log-link function were used to identify predictors of rabies incidence and mortality.Between January and March 2023, 302 participants were interviewed. Respondents had an average age of 44 years with 34% (n=103) being female. All households owned at least one dog, though only 47% (n=142) had vaccinated their dogs against rabies in the past year. Additionally, 39% (n=118) of respondents used dogs for hunting. Rabies annual incidence increased with decreasing distance to the game reserve (7.5 to 15.7% for humans, for the dogs, and 5.0 to 9.8% for livestock, including cows, goats and sheep). Significant factors associated with rabies in humans included primary education level (aRR=3.8, 95%CI 1.0-23.7) and grazing livestock in the reserve (aRR=5.30, 95%CI 1.0-40.3). Mortality was associated with fetching firewood from the game reserve (aRR=4.7, 95%CI 1.3-17.5).This study reveals that there is an increased risk of rabies for domesticated animals and people located within proximity to the game reserve. Further efforts to prevent the spread of rabies could include increasing education and awareness for communities along with targeted dog vaccination in settlements surrounding wildlife protected areas.
{"title":"Households neighboring wildlife protected areas may be at a higher risk of rabies than those located further away: a community-based cross-sectional cohort study at Pian Upe game reserve, Bukedea district, Eastern Uganda","authors":"Collins G. K. Atuheire, James Okwee-Acai, Martha Taremwa, Paul Ssajjakambwe, Musso Munyeme, C. Kankya, Odoch Terence, S. N. Ssali, F. Mwiine, Kayla J. Buhler, Morten Tryland","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1272141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1272141","url":null,"abstract":"This study examines rabies incidence and associated risk factors at the interface between wildlife and human communities near Pian-Upe game reserve in Eastern Uganda. We hypothesized that human settlements in closer proximity to the reserve would exhibit higher rabies risk compared to those located further away.Using a standard questionnaire, households within <4, 4-14, and >14 km from the Pian Upe game reserve in Bukedea District were interviewed. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, recent rabid animal bites, and suspected human and livestock rabies cases for the past year (2023) were collected after seeking informed consent. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio-demographic information and incidence data, while separate binomial generalized linear models with log-link function were used to identify predictors of rabies incidence and mortality.Between January and March 2023, 302 participants were interviewed. Respondents had an average age of 44 years with 34% (n=103) being female. All households owned at least one dog, though only 47% (n=142) had vaccinated their dogs against rabies in the past year. Additionally, 39% (n=118) of respondents used dogs for hunting. Rabies annual incidence increased with decreasing distance to the game reserve (7.5 to 15.7% for humans, for the dogs, and 5.0 to 9.8% for livestock, including cows, goats and sheep). Significant factors associated with rabies in humans included primary education level (aRR=3.8, 95%CI 1.0-23.7) and grazing livestock in the reserve (aRR=5.30, 95%CI 1.0-40.3). Mortality was associated with fetching firewood from the game reserve (aRR=4.7, 95%CI 1.3-17.5).This study reveals that there is an increased risk of rabies for domesticated animals and people located within proximity to the game reserve. Further efforts to prevent the spread of rabies could include increasing education and awareness for communities along with targeted dog vaccination in settlements surrounding wildlife protected areas.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"15 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140673653","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 : 2024-04-18DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1357802
Kelly Zongo, Faraja Lyamuya, Kimberly Kamara, Martha Mberu, N. Kivuyo, Larry Akoko
Programs focused on elimination of lymphatic filariasis include the provision of surgery to address hydrocele, a complication of infection. Corrective surgical interventions are fully funded so that affected men in Tanzania can live normal and productive lives. Active case finding is used to identify candidates for hydrocele surgery. Oftentimes this results in men being identified as needing a hydrocelectomy when they actually have inguinal hernias. Given different funding streams, men with hernias do not have access to funded surgeries and are turned away during hydrocele surgical camps despite a clear need for surgical intervention; this poses an ethical dilemma. Also, hernias can occur in conjunction with hydroceles or be misdiagnosed as hydrocele. When misdiagnosis is identified during surgery, and there are no prior preparations to address both, complications can occur. Support from the private sector to complement NTD programs as a viable solution to providing hernia surgeries during hydrocelectomy camps has been used on a small scale in Tanzania and could be replicated on a larger scale.
{"title":"Leaving no one behind: hernia, a neglected surgical condition identified during hydrocele surgery camps in Tanzania","authors":"Kelly Zongo, Faraja Lyamuya, Kimberly Kamara, Martha Mberu, N. Kivuyo, Larry Akoko","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1357802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1357802","url":null,"abstract":"Programs focused on elimination of lymphatic filariasis include the provision of surgery to address hydrocele, a complication of infection. Corrective surgical interventions are fully funded so that affected men in Tanzania can live normal and productive lives. Active case finding is used to identify candidates for hydrocele surgery. Oftentimes this results in men being identified as needing a hydrocelectomy when they actually have inguinal hernias. Given different funding streams, men with hernias do not have access to funded surgeries and are turned away during hydrocele surgical camps despite a clear need for surgical intervention; this poses an ethical dilemma. Also, hernias can occur in conjunction with hydroceles or be misdiagnosed as hydrocele. When misdiagnosis is identified during surgery, and there are no prior preparations to address both, complications can occur. Support from the private sector to complement NTD programs as a viable solution to providing hernia surgeries during hydrocelectomy camps has been used on a small scale in Tanzania and could be replicated on a larger scale.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140688081","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 : 2024-04-18DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1394693
Manuela Berto Pucca, T. N. de Sousa, Gisely Cardoso de Melo, Giselle Maria Rachid Viana
{"title":"Editorial: Challenges for diagnosis, treatment, and elimination of malaria","authors":"Manuela Berto Pucca, T. N. de Sousa, Gisely Cardoso de Melo, Giselle Maria Rachid Viana","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1394693","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1394693","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":" 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140689606","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 : 2024-04-15DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1293632
V. C. Chunda, Fanny F. Fombad, Chi A Kien, Rene Ebai, Frederick Esofi, Anna Ning Ntuh, Emmanuel Ouam, N. V. Gandjui, Relindis Ekanya, Franck Nietcho, Lucy Cho Nchang, Chefor Magha, A. Njouendou, P. Enyong, Achim Hoerauf, S. Wanji, M. Ritter
Introduction Mouse models of human filarial infections are not only urgently needed to investigate the biology of the nematodes and their modulation of the host’s immunity, but will also provide a platform to screen and test novel anti-filarial drugs. Recently, murine Loa loa infection models have been stablished using immunocompromised mouse strains, whereas murine Mansonella perstans infections have not been implemented until now. Methods Therefore, we aim to establish experimental M. perstans infections using the immunocompromised mouse strains RAG2IL-2Rγ−/− (lack B, T and natural killer cells), IL-4Rα/IL-5−/− (impaired IL-4/5 signalling and eosinophil activation) and NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wj l/SzJ (NOD scid gamma, NSG) BALB/c mice (lack mature lymphocytes) through subcutaneous (s.c.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of infective stage 3 larvae (L3) isolated from engorged vectors. Results In total, 145 immunocompromised mice have been inoculated with 3,250 M. perstans, 3,337 O. volvulus, and 2,720 Loa loa L3 to comparatively analyse which immunocompromised mouse strain is susceptible to human filarial infections. Whereas, no M. perstans and O. volvulus L3 could be recovered upon 2-63 days post-inoculation, a 62-66% Loa loa L3 recovery rate could be achieved in the different mouse strains. Gender of mice, type of inoculation (s.c. or i.p.) or time point of analysis (2-63 days post inoculation) did not interfere with the success of L3 recovery. In addition, administration of the immune suppressants hydrocortisone, prednisolone and cyclophosphamide did not restore M. perstans L3 recovery rates. Discussion These findings show that RAG2IL-2Rg−/−BALB/c and C57BL/6, IL-4Rα/IL-5−/− BALB/c and NSG mice were not susceptible to M. perstans and O. volvulus L3 inoculation using the applied methods, whereas Loa loa infection could be maintained. Further studies should investigate if humanized immunocompromised mice might be susceptible to M. perstans. and O. volvulus.
导言：人类丝虫感染的小鼠模型不仅是研究线虫生物学及其对宿主免疫力调节的迫切需要，而且也将为筛选和测试新型抗丝虫药物提供一个平台。最近，利用免疫功能低下的小鼠品系建立了小鼠 Loa loa 感染模型，而小鼠 Mansonella perstans 感染模型至今尚未建立。因此，我们利用免疫受损的小鼠品系 RAG2IL-2Rγ-/-（缺乏 B、T 和自然杀伤细胞）、IL-4Rα/IL-5-/-（IL-4/5 信号传导和嗜酸性粒细胞活化受损）和 NOD.Cg-Prkdcsc-/- （IL-4/5 信号传导和嗜酸性粒细胞活化受损）来建立实验性 M. perstans 感染模型。Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wj l/SzJ（NOD scid gamma，NSG）BALB/c小鼠（缺乏成熟淋巴细胞）通过皮下注射或腹腔注射从吞食载体中分离出的感染性3期幼虫（L3）。结果 共有145只免疫力低下的小鼠接种了3,250条M. perstans、3,337条O. volvulus和2,720条Loa loa L3，以比较分析哪种免疫力低下的小鼠品系易受人类丝虫感染。不同品系的小鼠在接种后 2-63 天内均无法恢复 M. perstans 和 O. volvulus L3，而 Loa loa L3 的恢复率为 62-66%。小鼠的性别、接种类型（静脉注射或皮下注射）或分析时间点（接种后 2-63 天）都不会影响 L3 的成功恢复。此外，使用免疫抑制剂氢化可的松、泼尼松龙和环磷酰胺也不能恢复 M. perstans L3 的恢复率。讨论 这些研究结果表明，RAG2IL-2Rg-/-BALB/c和C57BL/6、IL-4Rα/IL-5-/-BALB/c和NSG小鼠在使用应用方法时对M. perstans和O. volvulus L3接种不敏感，而Loa loa感染可以维持。进一步的研究应探讨人源化免疫缺陷小鼠是否可能对M. perstans.
{"title":"Comparative development of human filariae Loa loa, Onchocerca volvulus and Mansonella perstans in immunocompromised mouse strains","authors":"V. C. Chunda, Fanny F. Fombad, Chi A Kien, Rene Ebai, Frederick Esofi, Anna Ning Ntuh, Emmanuel Ouam, N. V. Gandjui, Relindis Ekanya, Franck Nietcho, Lucy Cho Nchang, Chefor Magha, A. Njouendou, P. Enyong, Achim Hoerauf, S. Wanji, M. Ritter","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1293632","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1293632","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Mouse models of human filarial infections are not only urgently needed to investigate the biology of the nematodes and their modulation of the host’s immunity, but will also provide a platform to screen and test novel anti-filarial drugs. Recently, murine Loa loa infection models have been stablished using immunocompromised mouse strains, whereas murine Mansonella perstans infections have not been implemented until now. Methods Therefore, we aim to establish experimental M. perstans infections using the immunocompromised mouse strains RAG2IL-2Rγ−/− (lack B, T and natural killer cells), IL-4Rα/IL-5−/− (impaired IL-4/5 signalling and eosinophil activation) and NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wj l/SzJ (NOD scid gamma, NSG) BALB/c mice (lack mature lymphocytes) through subcutaneous (s.c.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of infective stage 3 larvae (L3) isolated from engorged vectors. Results In total, 145 immunocompromised mice have been inoculated with 3,250 M. perstans, 3,337 O. volvulus, and 2,720 Loa loa L3 to comparatively analyse which immunocompromised mouse strain is susceptible to human filarial infections. Whereas, no M. perstans and O. volvulus L3 could be recovered upon 2-63 days post-inoculation, a 62-66% Loa loa L3 recovery rate could be achieved in the different mouse strains. Gender of mice, type of inoculation (s.c. or i.p.) or time point of analysis (2-63 days post inoculation) did not interfere with the success of L3 recovery. In addition, administration of the immune suppressants hydrocortisone, prednisolone and cyclophosphamide did not restore M. perstans L3 recovery rates. Discussion These findings show that RAG2IL-2Rg−/−BALB/c and C57BL/6, IL-4Rα/IL-5−/− BALB/c and NSG mice were not susceptible to M. perstans and O. volvulus L3 inoculation using the applied methods, whereas Loa loa infection could be maintained. Further studies should investigate if humanized immunocompromised mice might be susceptible to M. perstans. and O. volvulus.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"45 40","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140701927","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 : 2024-04-09DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1379526
Solrun Søfteland, Motshedisi Sebitloane, H. Galappaththi-Arachchige, E. Kleppa, S. Holmen, P. Pillay, Patrica Doris Ndhlovu, Myra Taylor, B. Vennervald, S. Naidoo, Anne C. Staff, Manala Makua, S. G. Gundersen, Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland
Female genital schistosomiasis is a common but neglected disease, which results in symptoms similar to sexually transmitted infections in Schistosoma haematobium-endemic areas of Africa and Middle East. In primary healthcare of low-income countries, healthcare professionals use syndromic management protocols for guidance when treating symptoms of genital infection, due to lack of laboratory resources. These protocols do not include treatment for female genital schistosomiasis, despite the overlap of symptoms. Women are at risk of not receiving the appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate challenges and missed opportunities when using syndromic management protocols for sexually transmitted infections in female genital schistosomiasis-endemic areas.This is a secondary analysis of data from a large cross-sectional prevalence study conducted in 2011 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Young women in schistosomiasis-endemic areas were asked about genital symptoms and underwent laboratory testing and gynecological examinations to look for common genital infections including female genital schistosomiasis. We used the current South African syndromic management protocols as the basis and analyzed the associations between the reported genital symptoms and the differential diagnoses with logistic regression.By use of the syndromic approach the conditions gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and herpes could be identified. The symptom “lower abdominal pain” was significantly associated with documented female genital schistosomiasis. However, the same association was not found with gonorrhea or chlamydia. We found no significant association between reported vaginal discharge syndrome and female genital schistosomiasis or between genital ulcer syndrome and female genital schistosomiasis.Female genital schistosomiasis frequently co-exists with, and mimics other genital infections in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. The management protocols in schistosomiasis endemic countries should include advice on how to diagnose and manage this chronic, waterborne genital condition. There is an urgent need to upscale laboratory and diagnostic resources in low-and middle-income countries and specifically schistosomiasis-endemic areas, to diagnose these common genital infections more accurately and to treat affected women accordingly.
{"title":"Diagnosis of female genital schistosomiasis and other genital infections in young South African women: challenges in the syndromic approach","authors":"Solrun Søfteland, Motshedisi Sebitloane, H. Galappaththi-Arachchige, E. Kleppa, S. Holmen, P. Pillay, Patrica Doris Ndhlovu, Myra Taylor, B. Vennervald, S. Naidoo, Anne C. Staff, Manala Makua, S. G. Gundersen, Eyrun Floerecke Kjetland","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1379526","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1379526","url":null,"abstract":"Female genital schistosomiasis is a common but neglected disease, which results in symptoms similar to sexually transmitted infections in Schistosoma haematobium-endemic areas of Africa and Middle East. In primary healthcare of low-income countries, healthcare professionals use syndromic management protocols for guidance when treating symptoms of genital infection, due to lack of laboratory resources. These protocols do not include treatment for female genital schistosomiasis, despite the overlap of symptoms. Women are at risk of not receiving the appropriate treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate challenges and missed opportunities when using syndromic management protocols for sexually transmitted infections in female genital schistosomiasis-endemic areas.This is a secondary analysis of data from a large cross-sectional prevalence study conducted in 2011 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Young women in schistosomiasis-endemic areas were asked about genital symptoms and underwent laboratory testing and gynecological examinations to look for common genital infections including female genital schistosomiasis. We used the current South African syndromic management protocols as the basis and analyzed the associations between the reported genital symptoms and the differential diagnoses with logistic regression.By use of the syndromic approach the conditions gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and herpes could be identified. The symptom “lower abdominal pain” was significantly associated with documented female genital schistosomiasis. However, the same association was not found with gonorrhea or chlamydia. We found no significant association between reported vaginal discharge syndrome and female genital schistosomiasis or between genital ulcer syndrome and female genital schistosomiasis.Female genital schistosomiasis frequently co-exists with, and mimics other genital infections in rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. The management protocols in schistosomiasis endemic countries should include advice on how to diagnose and manage this chronic, waterborne genital condition. There is an urgent need to upscale laboratory and diagnostic resources in low-and middle-income countries and specifically schistosomiasis-endemic areas, to diagnose these common genital infections more accurately and to treat affected women accordingly.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140724012","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 : 2024-04-02DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1333862
Valencia J Lambert, Anna Samson, Dunstan J Matungwa, Agnes L. Kosia, Rhoda Ndubani, Marriam Hussein, K. Kalua, Amaya Bustinduy, Bonnie Webster, Virginia A. Bond, H. Mazigo
Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) causes gynecologic symptoms among women and girls living in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite continued efforts to raise awareness in communities about schistosomiasis, FGS remains poorly recognized. This study aimed to understand men’s knowledge and perceptions of FGS in northwestern Tanzania, and how this affects or can promote women’s uptake of FGS services.We conducted a qualitative, formative survey called “Broad Brush Survey” (BBS) using 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 29 key informant interviews in five (5) districts across three regions in northwestern Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected in collaboration with village leaders and provided a written consent and/or assent to participate and be voice recorded. They included adolescent girls and boys (15-20 years), adult women and men (21-45 years), older women and men (≥46 years), village leaders (village chairpersons and executive officers), community health workers (CHWs), traditional healers, retail drug sellers, religious leaders, and opinion leaders (influential women and men). This analysis focuses and draws on 18 FGDs and 19 KIIs in which participants discussed or explained the importance and potential role of men in promoting FGS care.Most participants were not aware of FGS. Despite having adequate knowledge about urogenital schistosomiasis, they perceived FGS to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Three main themes emerged during analysis. First, most men reported perceiving women suffering from FGS as “promiscuous” or “unfaithful” due to misperceiving FGS as an STI. Such misperception could result in men ending a relationship. Second, participants reported that their engagement in FGS interventions would be critical to the interventions’ effectiveness because men often regulate women’s access to healthcare. Third, participants argued that men could be empowered through education to promote women’s uptake of FGS services. Finally, they argued that if men are educated about FGS like women, they can both work together in seeking care for FGSEngaging men to address FGS holds potential to transform their negative perceptions of FGS. Further, participants described men’s potential to support and even advocate for women’s healthcare seeking when women experience symptoms that could be consistent with FGS. Including men more explicitly in FGS community education efforts could facilitate the provision of high-quality sexual and reproductive health care for women living in many communities where FGS is endemic but access to care is limited. We propose that public health interventions in such communities, which are often highly patriarchal, should leverage men’s positions within society by engaging them in promoting women’s health interventions. While we only interviewed participants from five (5) districts across three (3) regions, we are confident that their perceptions are reflective of many similar communities in Tanzania and beyond.
{"title":"Female genital schistosomiasis is a women’s issue, but men should not be left out: involving men in promoting care for female genital schistosomiasis in mainland Tanzania","authors":"Valencia J Lambert, Anna Samson, Dunstan J Matungwa, Agnes L. Kosia, Rhoda Ndubani, Marriam Hussein, K. Kalua, Amaya Bustinduy, Bonnie Webster, Virginia A. Bond, H. Mazigo","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1333862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1333862","url":null,"abstract":"Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) causes gynecologic symptoms among women and girls living in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite continued efforts to raise awareness in communities about schistosomiasis, FGS remains poorly recognized. This study aimed to understand men’s knowledge and perceptions of FGS in northwestern Tanzania, and how this affects or can promote women’s uptake of FGS services.We conducted a qualitative, formative survey called “Broad Brush Survey” (BBS) using 30 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 29 key informant interviews in five (5) districts across three regions in northwestern Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected in collaboration with village leaders and provided a written consent and/or assent to participate and be voice recorded. They included adolescent girls and boys (15-20 years), adult women and men (21-45 years), older women and men (≥46 years), village leaders (village chairpersons and executive officers), community health workers (CHWs), traditional healers, retail drug sellers, religious leaders, and opinion leaders (influential women and men). This analysis focuses and draws on 18 FGDs and 19 KIIs in which participants discussed or explained the importance and potential role of men in promoting FGS care.Most participants were not aware of FGS. Despite having adequate knowledge about urogenital schistosomiasis, they perceived FGS to be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Three main themes emerged during analysis. First, most men reported perceiving women suffering from FGS as “promiscuous” or “unfaithful” due to misperceiving FGS as an STI. Such misperception could result in men ending a relationship. Second, participants reported that their engagement in FGS interventions would be critical to the interventions’ effectiveness because men often regulate women’s access to healthcare. Third, participants argued that men could be empowered through education to promote women’s uptake of FGS services. Finally, they argued that if men are educated about FGS like women, they can both work together in seeking care for FGSEngaging men to address FGS holds potential to transform their negative perceptions of FGS. Further, participants described men’s potential to support and even advocate for women’s healthcare seeking when women experience symptoms that could be consistent with FGS. Including men more explicitly in FGS community education efforts could facilitate the provision of high-quality sexual and reproductive health care for women living in many communities where FGS is endemic but access to care is limited. We propose that public health interventions in such communities, which are often highly patriarchal, should leverage men’s positions within society by engaging them in promoting women’s health interventions. While we only interviewed participants from five (5) districts across three (3) regions, we are confident that their perceptions are reflective of many similar communities in Tanzania and beyond.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"128 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140751753","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 : 2024-03-28DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1369007
Slavica Vaselek
The Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are hematophagous insects of immense medical and veterinary importance. Since World War II, the intensive use of chemicals to suppress and control sandfly populations resulted in development of insecticide resistance and resurgence among the sandfly populations worldwide. The use of chemicals also negatively impacted diverse non-target organisms, overall agroecosystem, crop productivity, human health etc. Due to the multiple adverse effects of the chemical compounds, more eco-friendly approaches have been evaluated. The application of entomopathogenic organisms such as nematodes, protists or mites as biocontrol agents has been vastly explored and applied in the field of forestry and agriculture. In comparison, only a little attention was given to blood-sucking insects such as sandflies. This review summarizes the findings related to the detection and use of entomopathogenic protists, nematodes, and mites in the field of biological control of sandflies. It highlights the potential of these organisms to be further explored and used for biocontrol of immature and adult stages of sandflies.
{"title":"The role of protists, nematodes and mites as natural control agents of sandfly populations","authors":"Slavica Vaselek","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1369007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1369007","url":null,"abstract":"The Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera, Psychodidae) are hematophagous insects of immense medical and veterinary importance. Since World War II, the intensive use of chemicals to suppress and control sandfly populations resulted in development of insecticide resistance and resurgence among the sandfly populations worldwide. The use of chemicals also negatively impacted diverse non-target organisms, overall agroecosystem, crop productivity, human health etc. Due to the multiple adverse effects of the chemical compounds, more eco-friendly approaches have been evaluated. The application of entomopathogenic organisms such as nematodes, protists or mites as biocontrol agents has been vastly explored and applied in the field of forestry and agriculture. In comparison, only a little attention was given to blood-sucking insects such as sandflies. This review summarizes the findings related to the detection and use of entomopathogenic protists, nematodes, and mites in the field of biological control of sandflies. It highlights the potential of these organisms to be further explored and used for biocontrol of immature and adult stages of sandflies.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"59 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140368957","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 : 2024-03-26DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1303359
Catherine Swedberg, Katrin Bote, Luke Gamble, N. Fénélon, A. King, Ryan M. Wallace
Like other neglected diseases, surveillance data for rabies is insufficient and incompatible with the need to accurately describe the burden of disease. Multiple modeling studies central to estimating global human rabies deaths have been conducted in the last two decades, with results ranging from 14,000 to 74,000 deaths annually. Yet, uncertainty in model parameters, inconsistency in modeling approaches, and discrepancies in data quality per country included in global burden studies have led to recent skepticism about the magnitude of rabies mortality. Lack of data not only limits the efficiency and monitoring of rabies elimination strategies but also severely diminishes abilities to advocate for support from international funding agencies. Meanwhile, the most vulnerable communities continue to suffer from deaths that could have been prevented through more robust reporting. The Zero by 30 global strategy to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 recommends endemic countries adopt the intersectoral approach, Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM), as a cost-effective method to enhance surveillance. However, effective implementation of IBCM is impeded by challenges such as limited capacity, resources, knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward compliance. To address this, the World Health Organization and United Against Rabies Forum have developed several open-access tools to guide national control programs in strong data collection practices, and online data repositories to pragmatically streamline reporting and encourage data sharing. Here, we discuss how current and future initiatives can be best employed to improve the implementation of existing surveillance tools and prioritization of effective data reporting/sharing to optimize progress toward 2030 elimination.
{"title":"Eliminating invisible deaths: the woeful state of global rabies data and its impact on progress towards 2030 sustainable development goals for neglected tropical diseases","authors":"Catherine Swedberg, Katrin Bote, Luke Gamble, N. Fénélon, A. King, Ryan M. Wallace","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1303359","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1303359","url":null,"abstract":"Like other neglected diseases, surveillance data for rabies is insufficient and incompatible with the need to accurately describe the burden of disease. Multiple modeling studies central to estimating global human rabies deaths have been conducted in the last two decades, with results ranging from 14,000 to 74,000 deaths annually. Yet, uncertainty in model parameters, inconsistency in modeling approaches, and discrepancies in data quality per country included in global burden studies have led to recent skepticism about the magnitude of rabies mortality. Lack of data not only limits the efficiency and monitoring of rabies elimination strategies but also severely diminishes abilities to advocate for support from international funding agencies. Meanwhile, the most vulnerable communities continue to suffer from deaths that could have been prevented through more robust reporting. The Zero by 30 global strategy to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 recommends endemic countries adopt the intersectoral approach, Integrated Bite Case Management (IBCM), as a cost-effective method to enhance surveillance. However, effective implementation of IBCM is impeded by challenges such as limited capacity, resources, knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward compliance. To address this, the World Health Organization and United Against Rabies Forum have developed several open-access tools to guide national control programs in strong data collection practices, and online data repositories to pragmatically streamline reporting and encourage data sharing. Here, we discuss how current and future initiatives can be best employed to improve the implementation of existing surveillance tools and prioritization of effective data reporting/sharing to optimize progress toward 2030 elimination.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"84 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140378057","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 : 2024-03-20DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2024.1354031
Silvio Wallemacq, Ahalieyah Anantharajah, Pamela Baldin, J. Yombi, J. de Greef, L. Belkhir
Schistosomiasis is common in many tropical regions and poses a risk for the local population and travelers. In travelers, most of schistosomiasis are described as acute. We report the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics associated with an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis among nonimmune Belgian school travelers in Rwanda. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed by serology in 12 out of the 15 (80%) travelers who swam in the lake nearly 2 years after a single exposure to freshwater at Kivu Lake, Rwanda. None showed signs of acute or chronic schistosomiasis. Eosinophilia was present in only 1 of them. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were not found in any infected patient. This report of an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis imported from Lake Kivu highlights the risk for travelers of acquiring the infection with only a short and single exposure, and provides strong arguments for routine serological screening for schistosomiasis in all individuals who have had any freshwater contact in endemic areas, irrespective of symptoms or laboratory findings.
{"title":"Case report: Imported asymptomatic schistosomiasis among Belgian school travelers to Rwanda","authors":"Silvio Wallemacq, Ahalieyah Anantharajah, Pamela Baldin, J. Yombi, J. de Greef, L. Belkhir","doi":"10.3389/fitd.2024.1354031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fitd.2024.1354031","url":null,"abstract":"Schistosomiasis is common in many tropical regions and poses a risk for the local population and travelers. In travelers, most of schistosomiasis are described as acute. We report the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics associated with an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis among nonimmune Belgian school travelers in Rwanda. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed by serology in 12 out of the 15 (80%) travelers who swam in the lake nearly 2 years after a single exposure to freshwater at Kivu Lake, Rwanda. None showed signs of acute or chronic schistosomiasis. Eosinophilia was present in only 1 of them. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were not found in any infected patient. This report of an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis imported from Lake Kivu highlights the risk for travelers of acquiring the infection with only a short and single exposure, and provides strong arguments for routine serological screening for schistosomiasis in all individuals who have had any freshwater contact in endemic areas, irrespective of symptoms or laboratory findings.","PeriodicalId":73112,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in tropical diseases","volume":"105 11","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140224879","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}
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