Article
Immunology
Allassane F. Ouattara, Catherine M. Bjerum, Meite Aboulaye, Olivier Kouadio, Vanga K. Marius, Britt Andersen, Daphne Lew, Charles W. Goss, Gary J. Weil, Benjamin G. Koudou, Christopher L. King
Summary: This study found that semiannual treatment with albendazole alone can effectively kill Wuchereria bancrofti and lead to sustained reductions in microfilaremia. This safe and effective regimen can be used to eliminate lymphatic filariasis in areas where ivermectin cannot be used.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Paul McGillan, Neil G. Berry, Gemma L. Nixon, Suet C. Leung, Peter J. H. Webborn, Mark C. Wenlock, Stefan Kavanagh, Andrew Cassidy, Rachel H. Clare, Darren A. Cook, Kelly L. Johnston, Louise Ford, Stephen A. Ward, Mark J. Taylor, W. David Hong, Paul M. O'Neill
Summary: Anti-Wolbachia therapy using pyrazolopyrimidine compounds shows promising results in combating filarial diseases by improving metabolic stability and solubility. Phenotypic screening reveals analogues with potent activity against Wolbachia, with lead compound 15f demonstrating strong potential for in vivo studies. Further optimization and development of this compound series for filariasis treatment is highly anticipated.
ACS MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicole Hassoun, Leon Cosler
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have a significant impact on lifespan and livelihood, but receive little research and development. Using existing data on treatment effectiveness, our models estimate that in 2015, NTD treatments averted 2,778,131.78 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Treatments targeting soil-transmitted helminths accounted for the majority of DALYs averted, followed by schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Anson Koehler, Jennifer M. B. Robson, David M. Spratt, Joshua Hann, Ian Beveridge, Michael Walsh, Rodney McDougall, Mark Bromley, Anna Hume, Harsha Sheorey, Robin B. Gasser
Summary: This is a reported case of ocular filariasis from Queensland, Australia, caused by Breinlia nematode likely transmitted from a macropodid marsupial host, indicating a possible accidental finding or emerging zoonosis.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abinet Teshome, Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw, Chuchu Churko, Manaye Yihune, Yilma Chisha, Birhanu Getachew, Nebiyu Negussu Ayele, Fikre Seife, Tamiru Shibiru, Zerihun Zerdo
Summary: A survey in the Itang special district of Gambella region in Ethiopia found that the coverage for LF treatment was 81.5%. The study revealed a significant difference in treatment coverage between school age children (5-14) and individuals aged 15 and above.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Collins S. Ahorlu, Daniel Okyere, Sellasie Pi-Bansa, Joseph Otchere, Benjamin Marfo, Kofi Asemanyi-Mensah, Joseph L. Opare, Elizabeth F. Long, Dziedzom K. de Souza
Summary: This study examined the COVID-19 related perceptions and practices among community members and frontline health workers in Ghana. The findings showed that participants were aware of the pandemic and had knowledge of its transmission, symptoms, and prevention methods. It was also found that COVID-19 has negatively affected the implementation of the NTD program.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fanny Legrand, Jesica Herrick, Michelle Makiya, Roshan Ramanathan, Reagan Thompson, Shakuntala Rampertaap, Jennifer Stoddard, JeanAnne Ware, Michael P. Fay, Nicole Holland-Thomas, Thomas B. Nutman, Amy D. Klion
Summary: The study investigated the role of IL-5 in eosinophilia during DEC treatment for loiasis. While reslizumab was effective in reducing peripheral eosinophilia, it did not prevent adverse events post-treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joseph Pryce, Nils Pilotte, Benjamin Menze, Allison R. Sirois, Michael Zulch, Jean Pierre Agbor, Steven A. Williams, Charles S. Wondji, Lisa Reimer
Summary: Determining the presence of loiasis in a community is crucial for implementing mass drug administration programmes for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis. This study suggests that a xenosurveillance approach based on the molecular screening of mosquitoes and their excreta/feces for Loa loa DNA may provide a non-invasive method for detecting the community presence of loiasis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Joseph Pryce, Lisa J. Reimer
Summary: The study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, showing the clear potential of MX as a tool for detecting LF-infected communities and predicting human mf prevalence. The results indicated that MX had high sensitivity and a linear relationship with human mf prevalence within a certain range. Factors such as mosquito sample size and mf prevalence were found to be important in influencing MX results.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Cho Naing, Maxine A. Whittaker, Wong Siew Tung, Htar Aung, Joon Wah Mak
Summary: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of zoonotic brugian filariasis in animals and compare it with the prevalence in humans in the same area. The findings suggest that cats, dogs, and leaf-eating monkeys may serve as potential reservoirs for human brugian filariasis.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Robert L. Sheridan, Jeremy M. Goverman, T. Gregory Walker
Summary: Frostbite is a combination of direct cellular damage from freezing and cellular ischemia from vasospasm and small-vessel thrombosis. The severity is related to the degree of reperfusion of frozen tissues upon thawing.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Achinya Phuakrod, Witsaroot Sripumkhai, Wutthinan Jeamsaksiri, Pattaraluck Pattamang, Sumat Loymek, Paul J. Brindley, Patsharaporn T. Sarasombath, Sirichit Wongkamchai
Summary: Lymphatic filariasis is a major tropical disease that can lead to permanent disability, and a miniPCR-DLFD assay has been developed for its diagnosis. The assay showed a detection limit for both B. malayi and W. bancrofti, with no crossamplification observed with 11 other parasites, making it a promising tool for LF diagnosis in resource-limited settings.
Article
Parasitology
Jerapas Thongpiya, Doonyapat Sa-nguanraksa, Norasate Samarnthai, Patsharaporn T. Sarasombath
Summary: Extralymphatic filariasis, caused by zoonotic filaria of animal origins, was reported in a 64-year-old Thai woman with invasive ductal carcinoma. A small nodule in her right breast was found to contain a filarial-like nematode closely related to Brugia pahangi, raising concerns about zoonotic transmission of filariasis from natural animal reservoirs. This case represents the first reported instance of B. pahangi filariasis concomitantly found with a breast mass in a patient with invasive ductal carcinoma.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jonathan Mnkai, Thomas F. Marandu, Jacklina Mhidze, Agatha Urio, Lucas Maganga, Antelmo Haule, Godfrey Kavishe, Elizabeth Ntapara, Nhamo Chiwerengo, Petra Clowes, Sacha Horn, Maureen Mosoba, Wilfred Lazarus, Abdallah Ngenya, Akili Kalinga, Alex Debrah, Friedrich Riess, Elmar Saathoff, Christof Geldmacher, Achim Hoerauf, Michael Hoelscher, Mkunde Chachage, Inge Kroidl
Summary: This study demonstrates a significant reduction in the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in the Southwest region of Tanzania after seven years of annual treatment and three years of surveillance. The national control program has achieved successful treatment outcomes. Risk factors for W. bancrofti infection include occupation as a farmer, male sex, and older age.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andualem Deneke Beyene, Fikreab Kebede, Belete Mengistu Mammo, Biruck Kebede Negash, Addisalem Mihret, Solomon Abetew, Asfaw Kejella Oucha, Shigute Alene, Sharone Backers, Sunny Mante, Zeina Sifri, Molly Brady, Scott McPherson
Summary: Ethiopia successfully tested the use of surgical camps to provide a large number of quality hydrocele surgeries in a short period. Mobilizing and following up patients through peripheral health workers proved effective in addressing delays in seeking and receiving quality care. These results could potentially be applied in other countries to streamline patient mobilization and follow-up within community health systems.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
