Thursday, November 30, 2017

(LML) Internet site of ALLF

Leprosy Mailing List – November 30,  2017

Ref.:   (LML) Internet site of ALLF

From:  Antoine Mahé, Colmar, France


 

Dear Pieter and Colleagues,


I wish to inform you that the association des léprologues de langue française (ALLF) and the Bulletin de l'association des léprologues de langue française (BALLF), which the only French-speaking scientific journal considering leprosy and Buruli ulcer have now an open website http://allf.medicalistes.org/

 

Please do not hesitate to have a walk on that friendly site (in which you will noticeably find links to all recent .pdf files of the BALLF).

 

Yours truly,

 

Dr Antoine Mahé

Dermatologie

Hôpital Pasteur

 

39, avenue de la Liberté

68024 Colmar Cedex

  Secrétariat (+33) 03 89 12 44 65 / 41 58

   Fax (+33) 03 89 12 47 69

   Portable (+33) 06 31 27 68 71


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

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

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

 

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

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

Leprosy Mailing List – November 29,  2017

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

From:  Ilse Egers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands


Dear Pieter,

 

This newsletter provides you with 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

The Lancet Global Health Blog
Rehabilitation: a growing necessity in sub-Saharan Africa
Read more

 

 

 


 New publications

 

A test-and-not-treat strategy for onchocerciasis in Loa loa-endemic areas.
Kamgno J, Pion SD, Chesnais CB, et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 2017:1-9.
Abstract Implementation of an ivermectin-based community treatment strategy for the elimination of onchocerciasis or lymphatic filariasis has been delayed in Central Africa because of the occurrence of serious adverse events, including death, in persons with high levels of circulating Loa loa microfilariae. The LoaScope, a field-friendly diagnostic tool to quantify L. loa microfilariae in peripheral blood, enables rapid, point-of-care identification of persons at risk for serious adverse events.
Download PDF


How to deal with neglected tropical diseases in the light of an African ethic.
Metz T. Dev World Bioeth. 2017.
Abstract Many countries in Africa, and more generally those in the Global South with tropical areas, are plagued by illnesses that the wealthier parts of the world (mainly 'the West') neither suffer from nor put systematic effort into preventing, treating or curing. What does an ethic with a recognizably African pedigree entail for the ways various agents ought to respond to such neglected diseases? I particularly seek to answer the questions here, by using the 2013-16 Ebola crisis in West Africa to illustrate what should have happened but what by and large did not.
Read abstract


Combating infectious diseases on the global scale in the era of the sustainable development goals.
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Ann Trop Med Public Health. 2017; 10(5):1111-1112.
Download PDF


Elimination target for lymphatic filariasis attained in Sri Lanka and Maldives: World health organization.
Shrivastava SR, Shrivastava PS, Ramasamy J. Ann Trop Med Public Health. 2017; 10(5):1369-1370.
Download PDF


Schistosoma, other helminth infections, and associated risk factors in preschool-aged children in urban Tanzania.
Said K, Hella J, Knopp S, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(11):e0006017.
Abstract Despite the high prevalence of helminth infections among preschool-aged children, control programs in sub-Saharan countries primarily focus on school-aged populations. We assessed the prevalence of helminth infections and determined risk factors for infection among preschool-aged children in the urban setting of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Download PDF


Health seeking behavior following snakebites in Sri Lanka: Results of an island wide community based survey.
Ediriweera DS, Kasturiratne A, Pathmeswaran A, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(11):e0006073.
Abstract Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million and about 80,000 snakebites occur annually. However, there are limited data on health seeking behavior following bites. We investigated the effects of snakebite and envenoming on health seeking behavior in Sri Lanka.
Download PDF


The doctor-patient relationship and patient resilience in chronic pain: A qualitative approach to patients' perspectives.
Náfrádi L, Kostova Z, Nakamoto K, et al. Chronic Illn. 2017.
Abstract We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 chronic pain patients. Using open-ended questions, the interviews explored aspects of the doctor-patient relationship that impacted the patients' perceptions of their resilience. Thematic analysis built on an inductive, adaptive approach to data coding was employed to organize a representation of key factors affecting resilience.
Read more


Estimating the number of cases of podoconiosis in Ethiopia using geostatistical methods.
Deribe K, Cano J, Giorgi E, et al. Wellcome Open Res. 2017; 2:78.
Abstract In 2011, the World Health Organization recognized podoconiosis as one of the neglected tropical diseases. Nonetheless, the number of people with podoconiosis and the geographical distribution of the disease is poorly understood. Based on a nationwide mapping survey and geostatistical modelling, we predict the prevalence of podoconiosis and estimate the number of cases across Ethiopia.
Download PDF


Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990-2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Flaxman SR, Bourne RRA, Resnikoff S, et al. Lancet Glob Health. 2017.
Abstract Contemporary data for causes of vision impairment and blindness form an important basis of recommendations in public health policies. Refreshment of the Global Vision Database with recently published data sources permitted modelling of cause of vision loss data from 1990 to 2015, further disaggregation by cause, and forecasts to 2020.
Download PDF


Neglected tropical diseases in Brazilian children and adolescents: data analysis from 2009 to 2013.
Brandão E, Romero S, da Silva MAL, et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):154.
Abstract Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevail in conditions of poverty and contribute to the maintenance of social inequality. Out of the NTDs prioritized by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, four parasitic infections require mandatory notification: acute Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, and schistosomiasis. Data on the behaviour of these NTDs in the young population are currently limited. This study seeks to analyse the epidemiological aspects of these parasitic infections in children and adolescents in Brazil.
Download PDF


Systematic review of community-based, school-based, and combined delivery modes for reaching school-aged children in mass drug administration programs for schistosomiasis.
Burnim M, Ivy JA, King CH. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(10):e0006043.
Abstract The mainstay of current schistosomiasis control programs is mass preventive chemotherapy of school-aged children with praziquantel. This treatment is delivered through school-based, community-based, or combined school- and community-based systems. This review sought to compare the different treatment delivery methods based both on their coverage of school-aged children overall and on their coverage specifically of non-enrolled children.
Download PDF


Laddering up? A research framework in sanitation for people with disabilities in low-income settings.
Desai G, Wilbur J, Smith K. et al. Waterlines. 2017; 36(4):305–316.
Abstract With a motivation to make progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of sanitation for all by 2030, this paper proposes a framework to guide future research and evaluation of sanitation-for-all initiatives. The proposed framework builds upon the social model of disability, emphasizes a human rights perspective regarding sanitation access and use, leverages existing research and case examples, and is based on the need to extend the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) sanitation ladder to include 'equitable sanitation'.
Read more


Impact of trichiasis surgery on daily living: A longitudinal study in Ethiopia.
Habtamu E, Wondie T, Aweke S. et al. Wellcome Open Research. 2017; 2.
Abstract Trachomatous trichiasis (TT) may lead to disability, impeding productive activities, resulting in loss of income. This study was conducted to determine if trichiasis surgery improves participation in productive and leisure activities, and ability to perform activities without difficulty or assistance.
Download PDF


How schools can help to build healthy, productive lives, free of trachoma.
Hammou J, Tiruneh G, Kebede A. Community Eye Health. 2017; 30(98):39.
Abstract Children can be effective behaviour-change ambassadors and schools can act as key sites for health interventions to combat trachoma, especially when awareness forms part of the curriculum. These examples from Morocco and Ethiopia illustrate the important role that schools can play in efforts to end trachoma.
Download PDF


Effectiveness and efficiency of integrating delivery of neglected tropical disease programs.
Means AR. University of Washington. 2017.
Abstract Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over one billion people globally, resulting in severe disability and disfigurement. With recent calls to eliminate or control many of the NTDs, experts and policy makers recommend integrating NTD programs in co-endemic areas to achieve greater health impact and efficiency. We aimed to learn about the experiences of a range of NTD stakeholders and their perceptions of integration, evaluate the effectiveness and synergy of multi-sectoral approaches to NTD control, and determine the costs and cost drivers of a sub-national integrated NTD program operating at scale.
Read more


Preventive chemotherapy for elimination of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Sierra Leone.
Koroma JB. University of Liverpool. 2017.
Abstract Lymphatic filariasis (LF) and onchocerciasis are highly endemic in Sierra Leone. Using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for monitoring national programmes where both infections are co-endemic, this study aimed to determine the impact of preventive chemotherapy on transmission intensity by measuring changes in human infection status using standard epidemiological indicators.
Read more


Guideline: preventive chemotherapy to control soil-transmitted helminth infections in at-risk population groups.
World Health Organization. 2017
Abstract This guideline provides global, evidence-informed recommendations on preventive chemotherapy, as a public health intervention in areas endemic for STH, to decrease the worm burden of STH infection in children, adolescent girls, women of reproductive age and pregnant women, including those coinfected with HIV.
Download PDF


After the epidemic: Zika virus projections for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Colon Gonzalez FDJ, Carlos P, São Bernardo C, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017.
Abstract Zika is one of the most challenging emergent vector-borne diseases, yet its future public health impact remains unclear. Zika was of little public health concern until recent reports of its association with congenital syndromes. We produced high-resolution spatially-explicit projections of Zika cases, associated congenital syndromes and monetary costs for Latin America and the Caribbean now that the epidemic phase of the disease appears to be over.
Read more


The cost of mapping trachoma: Data from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.
Trotignon G, Jones E, Engels T, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(10):e0006023.
Abstract The Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) was implemented with the aim of completing the baseline map of trachoma globally. Over 2.6 million people were examined in 1,546 districts across 29 countries between December 2012 and January 2016. The aim of the analysis was to estimate the unit cost and to identify the key cost drivers of trachoma prevalence surveys conducted as part of GTMP.
Download PDF


Translating research into reality: Elimination of lymphatic filariasis from Haiti.
Streit TG, Lafontant JG, Direny AN, et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2017; 97(Suppl 4):71–75.
Abstract Research provides the essential foundation of disease elimination programs, including the global program to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (GPELF). The development and validation of new diagnostic tools and intervention strategies, critical steps in the evolution of GPELF, required a global effort. Lymphatic filariasis research in Haiti involved many partners and was directly linked to the development of the national elimination program and to the success achieved to date.
Download PDF

Towards elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent-Translating research to practice to public health.
Hirve S, Kroeger A, Matlashewski G, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2017; 11(10):e0005889.
Abstract The decade following the Regional Strategic Framework for Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) elimination in 2005 has shown compelling progress in the reduction of VL burden in the Indian subcontinent. The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other stakeholders, has coordinated and financed research for the development of new innovative tools and strategies to support the regional VL elimination initiative. This paper describes the process of the TDR's engagement and contribution to this initiative.
Download PDF

Social marketing interventions for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): A systematic review protocol.
Aya Pastrana N, Miranda JJ, Somerville C, et al. PeerJ Prepr. 2017.
Abstract Social marketing influences behaviors to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and society, and this approach could be used in the field of public health for the prevention and control Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Guided by the Hierarchical Model of Social Marketing, this systematic review will assess the breadth of coverage of social marketing interventions about the 17 World Health Organization's priority NTDs.
Download PDF


Estimating the economic and social consequences for patients diagnosed with human African trypanosomiasis in Muchinga, Lusaka and Eastern Provinces of Zambia (2004-2014).
Mwiinde AM, Simuunza M, Namangala B, et al. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6(1):150.
Abstract Acute human African trypanosomiasis (rHAT) caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is associated with high mortality and is fatal if left untreated. Only a few studies have examined the psychological, social and economic impacts of rHAT. In this study, mixed qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to evaluate the socio-economic impacts of rHAT in Mambwe, Rufunsa, Mpika and Chama Districts of Zambia.
Download PDF


Factors related to environmental barriers experienced by persons with and without disabilities in diverse African settings.
Visagie S, Eide AH, Dyrstad K, et al. PLoS ONE. 2017; 12(10):e0186342.
Abstract This paper explores differences in experienced environmental barriers between individuals with and without disabilities and the impact of additional factors on experienced environmental barriers. Data was collected in 2011-2012 by means of a two-stage cluster sampling and comprised 400-500 households in different sites in South Africa, Sudan Malawi and Namibia. Data were collected through self-report survey questionnaires.
Download PDF


 

 Events

 

 


Call for papers


Call for Proposals: Operational Research on Equitable Access to Mass Drug Administration for NTDs.
The Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center at The Task Force for Global Health is currently soliciting proposals for operational research nested in national programs targeting lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and trachoma.
All proposals in response to this request for proposals should be submitted via web form no later than 5pm EST December 3, 2017.
Web form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/cfe8b7e64a7a418fb9b6929101e51e4b
Contact: direct questions to the COR-NTD Secretariat at ntdsceoi@taskforce.org



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

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

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

 

 

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

(LML) Workshop Operational Research, Kathmandu, February 2018

 

Leprosy Mailing List – November 28,  2017

Ref.:   (LML)  Workshop Operational Research, Kathmandu, February 2018

From:  Nienke Veldhuiizen, Amsterdam, the Netherlands


Dear Pieter,

 

I would be grateful if you share the following reminder of the workshop on operation research which the Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI) is planning in Kathmandu, Nepal during the week of February 5-9th, 2018 (see also our LML mail of November 5, 2017).

 

The deadline of application is coming up soon – and the LRI wishes to encourage teams to send in their application by November 30th latest – this Thursday.

 

The goal of this workshop is to train and establish mentoring of small teams of 3 to 4 persons in operational research methods.  These teams would usually comprise staff members from: a local ILEP organisation, the national leprosy control programme, a local university and other partners such as an organisation of persons affected by leprosy, depending on the research question. Using presentations, group exercises, case studies, and the participants' own proposal outlines, the workshop will help participants understand the components and methods of writing a competitive study proposal and conducting operational research in leprosy. The outcome of this workshop will be a number of operational research proposals (Letter of Intent) which could be submitted for funding.

 

Teams from leprosy endemic South/southeast Asian countries are invited to apply for the course and the deadline for sending in an application is November 30th.

Further information as well as the application form are attached.

For questions, please send me an e-mail at: n.veldhuijzen@leprosyresearch.org

 

Thank you,

 

Kind regards,

 

Nienke Veldhuijzen

 

LRI Technical Officer

Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI)


Postbus / P.O. Box 95005
1090 HA Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Email:

N.Veldhuijzen@LeprosyResearch.org

Web:

www.leprosyresearch.org


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

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

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

 

 

Friday, November 17, 2017

(LML) Dactylitis and Cold Abscess in Leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List – November 17,  2017

Ref.:    (LML) Dactylitis and Cold Abscess in Leprosy

From:  Wim Theuvenet, Annick Mondjo and  Khalid Al Aboud


Question Wim Theuvenet:

 

Thank Dr. Khalid for sharing this case (LML, November 15, 2017. As dig. I and V are both involved I personally wonder whether there is not a "horse shoe" abscess with a communicating flexor tendon sheath infection=pannaritium, which communicates with each other at wrist level? Indication for ultrasound examination and a consultation of a Hand Surgeon for exploration/ histology/ cultures incl. mycobacteria?

 

The underlaying cause may be any sort of infection. Have once seen this in T.B! Please keep us informed on the outcome!

 

Best regards,

 

Willem J.Theuvenet, M.D, Ph.D

Plast. Rec. Hand Surgeon and Leprologist


Question Annick Mondjo:

 

I would like to ask Dr. Khalid the following questions:

-       What is the aspect of pathological examination? and

-       What about the evolution of these disseminated painful nodules?

 

For me this case is primarily clinically leprosy evoke/revealed by an ENL.

Dr Annick Mondjo

Directeur du Programme de Lutte contre les Maladies Infectieuses

Ministère de la Santé

BP 50 Libreville

GABON

 


Reaction Khalid Al Aboud:

 

 

Dear Pieter and colleagues,

 

Many thanks for the comments of Dr. Theuvenet and Dr Annick. The patient was a visitor on Haj for a short period; and we could not investigate her thoroughly. After she went back to her home country we did not hear from her anymore. We are also not aware if she continued her treatment after leaving from here.

 

She had indolent multiple nodules on the body and predominantly on the face, and was not diagnosed before. ENL is a valid point but a patient with ENL usually has systemic symptoms like pain or fever and usually precipitated by treatment.

Therefore, I thought ENL is unlikely in this case.

 

With my thanks and regards,

 

Khalid 

 


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

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

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

Thursday, November 16, 2017

(LML) Steroid Dependency and the use of Methotrexate

Leprosy Mailing List – November 16,  2017

Ref.:   (LML)  Steroid Dependency and the use of Methotrexate

From:  Terence J Ryan, Oxford, UK


Dear Pieter,

Thank you for distributing my comments (LML, November 13, 2017).

I should have included a recently published ill effect of an herbal.

-       Gonui M, Keseroglu H and Hacinecipoglu F (2016). A Case of methotrexate intoxication in a patient with psoriasis who drank beetroot juice during methotrexate treatment. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 41:893-895

One should always ask about what health foods are being taken.

In a world where the Traditional Health Practitioner is first on call I am in favour of their education rather than any attempt to abolish their practice. A recent (2016) publication (Supplement On Integrated Medicine by SR Narahari and myself ) of the Indian Current Science discusses this at length and includes an article on Leprosy by David Chandler.


Terence J Ryan


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

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

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

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

(LML) Dactylitis and Cold Abscess in Leprosy

Leprosy Mailing List – November 15,  2017

Ref.:    (LML) Dactylitis and Cold Abscess in Leprosy

From:  Kalid Al Aboud, Makkah, Saudi Arabia


 

Dear Dr. Schreuder and colleagues,

 

Leprosy has a protean clinical feature. I wish to share you the occurrence of dactylitis and Cold abscess in a 48 old Indonesian patient, affected by leprosy, who came to Makkah to perform Hajj (see the attached figure). She presented with generalized erythematous nodules, predominantly affecting the face. Classification BL/LL. She was not known to have leprosy or  treated before. On the thenar aspect of the palm we found a fluctuating abscess-like swelling, but without tenderness or heat.

 

I feel these 2 clinical signs are not commonly recognized and I found few reports about these features in Pubmed (see references below)

 

Dactylitis or sausage digit is inflammation of an entire digit (a finger or toe), and can be painful. The word dactyl comes from the Greek word "daktylos" meaning "finger". In its medical term, it refers to both the fingers and the toes.

 

Dactylitis can occur in seronegative arthropathies such as psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and sickle cell disease as result of a vaso-occlusive crisis with bone infarcts, and in infectious conditions including tuberculosis and leprosy. In reactive arthritis, sausage fingers occur due to synovitis. In sickle-cell disease it manifests itself for the first time in 6-9 month old infants (as their protective foetal haemoglobin, HbF, is replaced with adult haemoglobin and the disease manifests) and is very often the presenting sign of the disorder.

 

Cold abscess refers to an abscess that lacks the intense inflammation usually associated with infection. This may be associated with infections due to bacteria like tuberculosis and fungi like blastomycosis that do not tend to stimulate acute inflammation. Alternatively, cold abscesses are typical in persons with hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome, even when infected with an organism like Staph aureus which causes typical ("hot") abscesses in others. Signs of acute inflammation are absent, so the abscess is not hot and red as in a typical abscess filled with pus. Cold abscesses are generally painless cysts that may be subcutaneous, ocular, or in deep tissue such as the spine.

 

References:

 

1.Multifocal scrofuloderma overlying tuberculous dactylitis in an immunocompetent child.

Bhat YJ, et al. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2015 Jul-Aug.

 

2.Borderline Hansen complicated by a metastatic cold abscess.

Sethi S, et al. Lepr Rev. 2015.

 

3.Multiple cold abscesses in a borderline lepromatous patient on multidrug therapy.

Kulkarni V, et al. Indian J Lepr. 1989.

 

4.Dactylitis.A page on Wikipedia ; available at  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactylitis

 

5.Cold abscess.A page on Wikipedia ;available at 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_abscess

 

 

Dr Khalid Al Aboud

Consultant Dermatopathologist 

 

Head of Public Health Dept.

King Faisal Hospital

Makkah

Saudi Arabia

amoa65@hotmail.com


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

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

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