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.
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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.
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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.
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Learning from multi-model comparisons: Collaboration leads to insights, but limitations remain.
Hollingsworth TD, Medley GF. Epidemics: 2017; 18:1-3.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Global urbanization and the neglected tropical diseases.
Hotez PJ. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(2):e0005308.
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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.
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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.
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Skin NTDs: an opportunity for integrated care.
Hay R. Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2017; 110(12):679-680.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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