Nerve surgery in leprosy by Dinkar D. Palande

Dear Dr. Palande,

Your presentation and views on Nerve Surgery in Leprosy can be downloaded from our LML-blog.

Thank you very much,

Pieter AM Schreuder

(LML) InfoNTD monthly mail with the latest publications on cross-cutting issues and NTDs - March 2017

Leprosy Mailing List – March 17,  2017

Ref.:  (LML)  InfoNTD monthly mail with the latest publications on cross-cutting issues and NTDs - March 2017

From:  Ilse Egers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

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Dear Pieter,     This newsletter provides a selection of news items and recent publications on cross-cutting issues in NTDs. Our starting point is to add articles covering a wide variety of issues. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to a limited diversity in and shortage of articles on cross-cutting issues and NTDs. Feel free to contact us (infontd@leprastichting.nl) with any questions or to receive the full text versions if a link to the full text is not included. Our document delivery service is free! Kind regards,   Ilse Egers InfoNTD Information officer

 

 

News Philippines commits to ending Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2013. Read more

 

 

New publications

 

 

Re-imagining the future of diagnosis of neglected tropical diseases. Peeling RW, Boeras DI, Nkengasong J. Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal; 2017. Abstract Improved diagnostics for NTDs are essential for guiding treatment strategies at different thresholds of control, interruption of transmission, elimination and post-elimination surveillance. While substantial progress has been made in the last decade with chemotherapy, the same cannot be said of diagnostics, largely due to the perceived lack of a commercially viable market for NTD diagnostics. Read more A case for South-South collaboration for trachoma elimination. Malecela M, Mwingira UJ, Matendechero S. et al. Comm Eye Health. 2017; 29(95). Abstract The East Africa NTD/Trachoma Cross-Border Partnership brings together representatives from the same ‘neighbourhood’ – Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – to share experiences of common interest in the delivery of trachoma and other neglected tropical disease (NTD) programmes. These countries understand that they will never reach their individual elimination targets without working together: they are all home to nomadic populations of pastoralists who live on both sides of an international border and are bound more closely by relations, socio-cultural activities and trade than by borders. Download PDF Evidence and practical wound care–An all-inclusive approach. Cutting KF, White RJ, Legerstee R. Wound Medicine. 2017; 16:40-45. Abstract Taking several examples from wound care including moist wound healing, negative pressure wound therapy and dressing wounds with gauze we show that if one takes biology into consideration, the “truth” becomes more relevant to everyday life. We suggest that solely relying on the RCT in the quest for truth is misguided and that the research community should embrace a circular model of evidence rather than a hierarchical one. Read more Learning from multi-model comparisons: Collaboration leads to insights, but limitations remain. Hollingsworth TD, Medley GF. Epidemics: 2017; 18:1-3. Read more The role of spatial statistics in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: A focus on human African trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis. Stanton MC. Advances in Parasitology; 2017. Abstract We describe recent advancements in spatial methods associated with the analysis of disease data measured at the point-level and demonstrate their application to the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We further provide information on spatially referenced data sources and software that can be used to create NTD risk maps, concentrating on those that can be freely obtained. Examples relating to three NTDs affecting populations in sub-Saharan Africa are presented throughout the chapter, i.e., human African trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis and lymphatic filariasis. These three diseases, with differing routes of transmission, control methods and level of spatial heterogeneity, demonstrate the flexibility and applicability of the methods described. Read more Seasonal pattern of mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, in the environment in Ghana. Aboagye SY, Ampah KA, Ross A, et al. Microb. Ecol. 2017. Abstract This study aimed to contribute to the understanding of Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) ecology by analysing both clinical and environmental samples collected from ten communities along two major river basins associated with Buruli ulcer (BU) at different seasons. We collected clinical samples from presumptive BU cases and environmental samples from ten communities. This study indicates for the first time that there is a seasonal pattern in the presence of MU in the environment, which may be related to recent rainfall or water in the soil. Download PDF Visceral leishmaniasis in Somalia: A review of epidemiology and access to care. Sunyoto T, Potet J, Boelaert M. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(3):e0005231. Abstract The availability of VL care in Somalia is limited and insufficient at best, both in coverage and quality. Precarious security remains a major obstacle to reach VL patients in the endemic areas, and the true VL burden and its impact remain unknown. Locally adjusted, innovative approaches in VL care provision should be explored, without undermining ongoing health system development in Somalia. Ensuring VL care is accessible is a moral imperative, and the limitations of the current VL diagnostic and treatment tools in Somalia and other endemic settings affected by conflict should be overcome. Download PDF Global urbanization and the neglected tropical diseases. Hotez PJ. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005308. Download PDF Environmental and social change drive the explosive emergence of Zika virus in the Americas. Ali S, Gugliemini O, Harber S, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005135. Abstract We review hypotheses and preliminary evidence for the environmental and social changes that have fueled the ZIKV epidemic. Potential drivers include climate variation, land use change, poverty, and human movement. Beyond the direct impact of microcephaly and GBS, the ZIKV epidemic will likely have social ramifications for women's health and economic consequences for tourism and beyond. Download PDF Assessing and managing wounds of Buruli ulcer patients at the primary and secondary health care levels in Ghana. Addison NO, Pfau S, Koka E, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005331. Abstract The wounds of most BU patients attending the primary health care level can be adequately managed. Additionally, the patients are closer to their families and means of livelihood. Non-healing wounds can be predicted by wound area reduction between 2 to 4 weeks after initiation of treatment. Patients with clinically BU suspicious, but PCR negative ulcers need to be followed up to capture missed diagnoses. Download PDF Skin NTDs: an opportunity for integrated care. Hay R. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2017; 110(12):679-680. Download PDF Modifiable risk factors of Buruli ulcer in communities of two endemic local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Akinwale O, Adeneye A, Ezeugwu S. BMJ Global Health. 2017; 2. Abstract Pervasive knowledge of BU cases and high-perceived seriousness of the disease in the study communities exist. Nonetheless, there is need for more public health education emphasising common modifiable risk factors and actual cause of BU. Overall, these results provide insights for BU programme planning and optimisation. Download PDF Moving from control to elimination of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa: time to change and adapt strategies. Tchuem Tchuenté L-A, Rollinson D, Stothard R.J. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):42. Abstract In some countries, regional progress may be uneven but in certain locations there are very real prospects to transition from control into interruption of transmission, and ultimately elimination. To manage this transition requires reconsideration of some of the currently deployed diagnostic tools used in surveillance and downward realignment of existing prevalence thresholds to trigger mass treatment. A key challenge will be maintaining and if possible, expanding the current donation of praziquantel to currently overlooked groups, then judging when appropriate to move from mass drug administration to selective treatment. In so doing, this will ensure the health system is adapted, primed and shown to be cost-effective to respond to these changing disease dynamics as we move forward to 2020 targets and beyond. Download PDF Association of community sanitation usage with soil-transmitted helminth infections among school-aged children in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Oswald WE, Stewart AEP, Kramer MR, et al. Parasit Vectors. 2017; 10(1):91. Abstract We examined the association between the proportion of households in a community with latrines in use and prevalence of STH infections among school-aged children. We found no evidence of a protective association between community sanitation usage and STH infection. The relationship between STH infection and community sanitation usage may be complex and requires further study. Read more Improving access to Chagas disease diagnosis and etiologic treatment in remote rural communities of the Argentine Chaco through strengthened primary health care and broad social participation. Sartor P, Colaianni I, Cardinal VM, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005331. Abstract Our results demonstrate that diagnosis and treatment of T. cruzi infection in remote, impoverished rural areas can be effectively addressed through strengthened primary healthcare attention and broad social participation with adequate external support. This strategy secured high treatment coverage and adherence; effectively managed ADRs, and provided early evidence of positive therapeutic responses. Download PDF Emerging and neglected infectious Diseases: Insights, advances, and challenges. Nii-Trebi NI. BioMed Research International. 2017. Abstract This review presents current updates on emerging and neglected infectious diseases and highlights the scope, dynamics, and advances in infectious disease management with particular focus on WHO top priority emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and neglected tropical infectious diseases. Download PDF Podoconiosis, trachomatous trichiasis and cataract in northern Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study. Burn H, Aweke S, Wondie T, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005388. Abstract Individuals with podoconiosis have a higher burden of TT and worse visual acuity than their matched healthy neighbourhood controls. Further research into the environmental and biological reasons for this co-morbidity is required. A shared approach to managing these two NTDs within the same population could be beneficial. Download PDF Socio-ecological dynamics and challenges to the governance of neglected tropical disease control. Michael E, Madon S. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):35. Abstract We derive and discuss a possible governance framework and outline an organizational structure that could be used to effectively deal with the complexity of accomplishing global NTD control. We also point to examples of complexity-based management structures that have been used in parasite control previously, which could serve as practical templates for developing similar governance structures to better manage global NTD control. Our results hold important wider implications for global health policy aiming to effectively control and eradicate parasitic diseases across the world. Read more

 

 

Events

 

 

Biennial meeting of the Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative Date: 20 – 22 March 2017 Venue: WHO HQ, Geneva Discussions will focus on WHO’s proposed strategy to control what is being termed as the ‘skin NTDs’. These include an integrated approach and care for diseases such as Buruli ulcer, cutaneous leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, mycetoma and yaws.

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LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com

 

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(LML) Infolep monthly overview of new publications on leprosy - March 2017

Leprosy Mailing List – March 6,  2017 Ref.:   (LML)   Infolep monthly overview of new publications on leprosy - March 2017 From:  Jiske Erlings, Amsterdam, the Netherlands   Dear friends and colleagues,    Below you will find a selection of recent publications on leprosy. Ahead of International Women’s Day next Wednesday please let me refer you to our collection of publications on gender issues related to leprosy. For more publications on leprosy and related subjects visit the portal at www.leprosy-information.org. Feel free to contact me to receive the full text versions if a link to the full text is not included or for assistance with your literature research. You are also invited to send us your publications on leprosy or material on leprosy in your language to include in the portal. With kind regards,   Jiske Erlings Infolep Information specialist infolep@leprastichting.nl

 

 

Highlighted publications

 

 

Global Appeal 2017 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against People Affected by Leprosy : Endorsed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union Download PDF The Living Death: The struggle with a long forgotten disease / Evelyne Leandro. 2017. More information about the book Antimicrobial resistance in Leprosy. Report of a global consultation, 27-28 October 2016, Kathmandu, Nepal. Regional Office for South-East Asia, World Health Organization. 2016. Download PDF WHO Leprosy Factsheet - Update February 2017 English  International textbook of leprosy. Scollard DM, Gillis TP. American Leprosy Missions. 2016. Now online - with new chapters!

 

 

New publications

 

 

Assessing and managing wounds of Buruli ulcer patients at the primary and secondary health care levels in Ghana. Addison NO, Pfau S, Koka E, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 28;11(2):e0005331. Download PDF The Role of Rifampin in Leprosy : Leprosy Through a New Lens. Allen HB, Moschella SL. JAMA Dermatol. 2017 Feb 8. Read abstract Association of a new FCN3 haplotype with high ficolin-3 levels in leprosy. Andrade FA, Beltrame MH, Bini VB, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 27;11(2):e0005409. Download PDF Historical Overview of Leprosy Control in Cuba. Beldarraín-Chaple E. MEDICC Rev. 2017 Jan;19(1):23-30. Download PDF A forgotten old disease. Cataño JC, Gomez SI. Eur J Intern Med. 2017 Feb 23. Read Abstract Rifampicin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in pulmonary tuberculosis treatment: A case report and literature review. Chen G, He JQ. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017 Feb;96(7):e6135. Read abstract Interdepartmental Dermatology: Characteristics and Impact of Dermatology Inpatient Referrals at a Teaching Hospital in Eastern India. Chowdhury SN, Podder I, Saha A, et al. Indian J Dermatol. 2017 Jan-Feb;62(1):29-32. Download PDF The influence of innate and adaptative immune responses on the differential clinical outcomes of leprosy. Fonseca AB, Simon MD, Cazzaniga RA, et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017 Feb 6;6(1):5. Download PDF A genome wide association study identifies a lncRna as risk factor for pathological inflammatory responses in leprosy. Fava VM, Manry J, Cobat A, et al. PLoS Genet. 2017 Feb 21;13(2):e1006637. Download PDF Age-Dependent Association of TNFSF15/TNFSF8 Variants and Leprosy Type 1 Reaction. Fava VM, et al. Front. Immunol. 2017. Download PDF Unexpectedly high leprosy seroprevalence detected using a random surveillance strategy in midwestern Brazil: A comparison of ELISA and a rapid diagnostic test. Frade MA, de Paula NA, Gomes CM, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 23;11(2):e0005375. Download PDF Achieving Integration through Leprosy Case Detection Campaign (LCDC). Giri VC, Bhagat VM, Baviskar SR et al. 2017. IJBR; 8 (1). Download PDF Spared white islands in a drug rash: revisiting sparing phenomenon in Hansen's disease. Gopinath H, Nayak K, Kumar P, et al. Int J Dermatol. 2017 Feb 14. Read abstract Leprosy reactions: The predictive value of Mycobacterium leprae-specific serology evaluated in a Brazilian cohort of leprosy patients (U-MDT/CT-BR). Hungria EM, Bührer-Sékula S, de Oliveira RM, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 21;11(2):e0005396. Download PDF Nanopharmaceuticals as a solution to neglected diseases: Is it possible? Islan GA, Durán M, Cacicedo ML, et al. Acta Trop. 2017 Feb 21;170:16-42. Read abstract Sural artery perforator flap with posterior tibial neurovascular decompression for recurrent foot ulcer in leprosy patients. Ismail HE, El Fahar MH. GMS Interdiscip Plast Reconstr Surg DGPW. 2017 Jan 31 Download PDF Widespread borderline tuberculoid leprosy with HIV co-infection. Kechichian E, Tomb R. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Mar;17(3):348. Read abstract Clofazimine mechanisms of action in Mycobacteria, HIV, and Cancer. Levis W. J Infect Dis. 2017 Feb 12. Read abstract A high-throughput phenotypic screen identifies clofazimine as a potential treatment for cryptosporidiosis. Love MS, Beasley FC, Jumani RS, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 3;11(2):e0005373. Download PDF Leprosy trends at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India, from 2008 to 2015. Muthuvel T, Isaakidis P, Shewade HD, et al. Glob Health Action. 2016 Jan;9(1):32962. Download PDF Multibacillary leprosy by population groups in Brazil: Lessons from an observational study. Nobre ML, Illarramendi X, Dupnik KM, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 13;11(2):e0005364. Download PDF Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Papulonodular Lesions of Skin: A Study of 50 Cases. Patel S, Mahadevappa A, Manjunath GV. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016 Dec;10(12):EC09-EC13. Download PDF Spatial clustering and local risk of leprosy in São Paulo, Brazil. Ramos AC, Yamamura M, Arroyo LH, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017 Feb 27;11(2):e0005381. Download PDF T helper cells in leprosy: An update. Saini C, Tarique M, Rai R, et al. Immunol Lett. 2017 Feb 21;184:61-66. Read abstract Leprosy mimicking basal cell carcinoma in a patient on fingolimod. Souyoul S, Saussy K, Stryjewska BM, et al. JAAD Case Rep. 2017 Feb 3;3(1):58-60. Download PDF Dense genotyping of immune-related loci implicates host responses to microbial exposure in Behçet's disease susceptibility. Takeuchi M, Mizuki N, Meguro A, et al. Nat Genet. 2017 Feb 6. Read abstract A Review on Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome Among Chinese Patients with an Emphasis on Preventing Adverse Drug Reactions with Genetic Testing. Wang N, Parimi L, Liu H, Zhang F. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017 Feb 6. Download PDF Lepra Lepromatosa Peneal en Paciente con Enfermedad de Chagas. Reporte de un Caso = Penile Lepromatous Leprosy in a Patient with Chagas Disease. A Case Report. Zarza P, Hong C, Park B, et al. An Fac Cienc Méd. 2016. Download PDF

 

 

Journals & Newsletters

 

 

Community Eye Health Journal: http://www.cehjournal.org/ Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: http://dcidj.org/ Hansenologia Internationalis: http://www.ilsl.br/revista/atual.php Indian Journal of Leprosy: http://www.ijl.org.in/index.html  Leprosy Review: https://www.lepra.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/volume-87 Leprosy Review Repository (1928-2001) : http://leprev.ilsl.br/arquivo.php Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases: http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/   Revista de Leprología: http://www.leprosy-information.org/resource/revista-de-leprologia   WHO Goodwill Ambassador’s Newsletter for the elimination of leprosy: http://www.leprosy-information.org/resource/who-goodwill-ambassador-s-newsletter-elimination-leprosy

 

 

Websites & Services

 

 

InfoNTD - Information on cross-cutting issues in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) https://www.infontd.org/ LML - Leprosy Mailing List - a free moderated email list that allows all persons interested in this theme to share ideas, information, experiences and questions. http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.nl/

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LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com

Virusvrij. www.avast.com

(LML) Polyarthralgia Syndrome 4 years after starting treatment for HIV of a patient with a history of leprosy

Note from the LML editor for those checking our LML blog: "If one is not able to receive our messages directly, please check one’s Spam folder (Junk or Trash folder), remove the blockage to not to consider our email address as Spam".       Leprosy Mailing List – March 4,  2017   Ref.:    (LML)  Polyarthralgia Syndrome 4 years after starting treatment for HIV of  a patient with a history of leprosy   From:  Arry Pongtiku, Papua, Indonesia   Dear Pieter,

I would like to try to  comment and share our experience from Papua regarding above mentioned topic introduced by Dr Gianfranco Barabino regarding Polyarthralgia Syndrome for Co infection Leprosy-HIV (LML, February 28, 2017) and reacted on by Dr. Ben Naafs (LML, March 1, 2017).

 

I lived and worked in West Papua, Indonesia, where the prevalences of leprosy, TB, HIV and other tropical diseases were high. Not infrequently we found co-infections such Leprosy-TB, Leprosy-HIV, and Leprosy-TB- HIV; leprosy - lymphatic filariasis. Well-known of Papua is the high prevalence of Sulfa/sulphone allergy  (like DDS allergy in leprosy) and cases of Sulphone /cotrimoxazole allergy in AIDS patients.

 

I could say "Leprosy is challenging and interesting due to its complexity and  it opens a broad spectrum of mind when we talk about  leprosy reaction, co-infection and rehabilitation/stigma". Dr Richard de Soldenhoff (former NLR technical adviser/expert) advised me not only to pay attention to leprosy but also to keep updated about HIV.  Dr Revankar (former adviser WHO Indonesia)  advised me similarly regarding co-infections of leprosy. I assume that there is not much information or guidance regarding leprosy and HIV co-infection, and  as such difficult to answer Dr Barabino's question.

I agree with dr Ben Naafs that M.leprae bacilli take some years to disappear from the body of the patient. Therefore, we use the terminology RFT (Release From Treatment - finishing MDT) and RFC (Release From Control). There is need to observe the patients after RFT for some years, because of  possible reactions, wound problems or  social problems to happen.

I guess that the case reported by Dr Barabino was a HIV patient with a  leprosy reaction. I would like to share  that we have handled about 6 cases (Leprosy and HIV with poly-arthralgia) from the field and succeeded . They had characteristics: on treatment ARV (Anti Retro Viral), history of leprosy (RFT some years), could not walk and having pain in joints (polyarthralgia).  Carefully examined if they had nodules, proved by touching and sweeping with hand. We did not have any guidance how to handle such cases. However, we managed those patients succesfully. For polyarthralgia syndrome we used prednisolone started with 40 mg and tapering off every 5-7 days (shorter than common regiment of prednisolone). We also gave extra amoxicilline 500 mg 3x1 (5-7 days). ARV was not stopped. Nutrition, rest and other trigger factors must be considered. Note: giving steroid for AIDS patients must be done carefully and under close supervision, some doctors do not like giving steroids to AIDS patients.

Immuno-compromised recovery syndrome (IRIS) in AIDS patient usually happened after introducing ARV; patient looks very sick. Polyarthralgia syndrome is a different issue.

 

In Papua we offer anybody who come to health center and hospital to test for HIV. If people get leprosy reaction or something unusual we always ask the people to be tested for HIV. 

 

Thank you very much,

salam,

 

Arry Pongtiku, Papua, Indonesia

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LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << editorlml@gmail.com

Virusvrij. www.avast.com