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PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Jan 2024Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countries and no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping... (Review)
Review
Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countries and no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping review aims to synthesize the latest evidence and information to understand epidemiology of and public health response to NTDs in Japan. Using three academic databases, we retrieved articles that mentioned NTDs in Japan, written in English or Japanese, and published between 2010 and 2020. Websites of key public health institutions and medical societies were also explored. From these sources of information, we extracted data that were relevant to answering our research questions. Our findings revealed the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis, Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, foodborne trematodiases, mycetoma, scabies, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as occurrence of snakebites within Japan. Other NTDs, such as chikungunya, cystic echinococcosis, cysticercosis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, rabies, and schistosomiasis, have been imported into the country. Government agencies tend to organize surveillance and control programs only for the NTDs targeted by the Infectious Disease Control Law, namely, echinococcosis, rabies, dengue, and chikungunya. At least one laboratory offers diagnostic testing for each NTD except for dracunculiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and yaws. No medicine is approved for treatment of Chagas disease and fascioliasis and only off-label use drugs are available for cysticercosis, opisthorchiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and yaws. Based on these findings, we developed disease-specific recommendations. In addition, three policy issues are discussed, such as lack of legal frameworks to organize responses to some NTDs, overreliance on researchers to procure some NTD products, and unaffordability of unapproved NTD medicines. Japan should recognize the presence of NTDs within the country and need to address them as a national effort. The implications of our findings extend beyond Japan, emphasizing the need to study, recognize, and address NTDs even in high-income countries.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Japan; Onchocerciasis; Trypanosomiasis, African; Neglected Diseases; Rabies; Chikungunya Fever; Yaws; Tropical Medicine; Schistosomiasis; Chagas Disease; Cysticercosis; Dengue
PubMed: 38166156
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011854 -
Lancet (London, England) Mar 2019
Topics: Animals; Disease Eradication; Dracunculiasis; Dracunculus Nematode; Epidemiological Monitoring; Humans; Incidence; Neglected Diseases
PubMed: 30938302
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30738-X -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Nov 2022Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, is acquired by drinking water containing small crustacean copepods (water fleas)...
Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease), caused by the parasite Dracunculus medinensis, is acquired by drinking water containing small crustacean copepods (water fleas) infected with D. medinensis larvae. Recent evidence suggests that the parasite also appears to be transmitted by eating fish or other aquatic animals. About 1 year after infection, the worm typically emerges through the skin on a lower limb of the host, causing pain and disability (1). No vaccine or medicine is available to prevent or treat dracunculiasis. Eradication relies on case containment* to prevent water contamination and other interventions to prevent infection, including health education, water filtration, treatment of unsafe water with temephos (an organophosphate larvicide), and provision of safe drinking water (1,2). CDC began worldwide eradication efforts in October 1980, and in 1984 was designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the technical monitor of the Dracunculiasis Eradication Program (1). In 1986, with an estimated 3.5 million cases occurring annually in 20 African and Asian countries (3), the World Health Assembly called for dracunculiasis elimination. The Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP), led by The Carter Center and supported by partners that include WHO, UNICEF, and CDC, began assisting ministries of health in countries with endemic disease. In 2021, a total of 15 human cases were identified and three were identified during January-June 2022. As of November 2022, dracunculiasis remained endemic in five countries (Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan); cases reported in Cameroon were likely imported from Chad. Eradication efforts in these countries are challenged by infection in animals, the COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest, and insecurity. Animal infections, mostly in domestic dogs, some domestic cats, and in Ethiopia, a few baboons, have now surpassed human cases, with 863 reported animal infections in 2021 and 296 during January-June 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic all national GWEPs remained fully operational, implementing precautions to ensure safety of program staff members and community members. In addition, the progress toward eradication and effectiveness of interventions were reviewed at the 2021 and 2022 annual meetings of GWEP program managers, and the 2021 meeting of WHO's International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication. With only 15 human cases identified in 2021 and three during January-June 2022, program efforts appear to be closer to reaching the goal of eradication. However, dog infections and impeded access because of civil unrest and insecurity in Mali and South Sudan continue to be the greatest challenges for the program. This report describes progress during January 2021-June 2022 and updates previous reports (2,4).
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cats; Dogs; Dracunculiasis; Drinking Water; COVID-19; Pandemics; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 36417302
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7147a2 -
Journal of Controlled Release :... Nov 2021Neglected tropical disease (NTD) is a set of 20 deadliest endemic diseases which shows its presence in most of the developing countries worldwide. Nearly 1 billion of... (Review)
Review
Neglected tropical disease (NTD) is a set of 20 deadliest endemic diseases which shows its presence in most of the developing countries worldwide. Nearly 1 billion of the population are affected by it and suffered from poverty yearly. These diseases offer their own unique challenges and limitations towards effective prevention and treatment methods. Neglected tropical diseases are severe infections they may not kill the patient but debilitate the patient by causing severe skin deformities, disfigurement and horrible risks for several infections. Existing therapies for neglected diseases suffer from the loopholes like high degree of toxicity, side effects, low bioavailability, improper targeting and problematic application for affected populations. Progress in the field of nanotechnology in last decades suggested the intervention of nanocarriers to take over and drive the research and development to the next level by incorporating established drugs into the nanocarriers rather than discovering the newer drugs which is an expensive affair. These nanocarriers are believed to be a sure shot technique to fight infections at root level by virtue of its nanosize and ability to reach at cellular level. This article highlights the recent advances, rationale, targets and the challenges that are being faced to fight against NTDs and how the novel therapy tactics are able to contribute to its importance in prevention and treatment of NTDs.
Topics: Humans; Neglected Diseases
PubMed: 34555491
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.09.020 -
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur... Oct 2014Infectious diseases of the skin have become rarer in industrialized nations, but they still affect a considerable part of the population in tropical regions. Skin... (Review)
Review
Infectious diseases of the skin have become rarer in industrialized nations, but they still affect a considerable part of the population in tropical regions. Skin diseases induced by protozoa, worms and ectoparasites are among the 17 "neglected tropical diseases" defined by the WHO (leishmaniasis, dracunculiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis). Skin symptoms in travellers returning from the tropics may challenge dermatologists in Germany regarding differential diagnostic assessment and therapy. Among the 12 most frequent skin diseases in travellers are cutaneous larva migrans, leishmaniasis and myiasis. In this review, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of some the most relevant tropical dermatoses due to protozoa, worms and ectoparasites are discussed.
Topics: Ectoparasitic Infestations; Helminthiasis; Humans; Protozoan Infections; Skin Diseases, Parasitic; Travel; Tropical Climate
PubMed: 25217086
DOI: 10.1007/s00105-014-3508-6 -
Le Infezioni in Medicina 2023Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) is a chronic disease that is primarily found in the arid and poor areas of our planet where water supply systems consist of open... (Review)
Review
Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) is a chronic disease that is primarily found in the arid and poor areas of our planet where water supply systems consist of open wells. This parasitic disease is transmitted to humans not only through the consumption of water contaminated with crustaceans harbouring larvae of , but also through the ingestion of paratenic (frogs) or transport hosts (fish). The natural progression of the disease is caused by adult worms invading connective tissues, leading to blistering and ulceration of the extremities, approximately one year after infection. In 1986, the Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) was launched and since then, the incidence of the disease has been reduced by over 99%. Indeed, the most recent global report from 2022 shows only 13 cases of human dracunculiasis worldwide, the lowest annual incidence ever reported. The new found knowledge of potential animal reservoirs and the recent discovery of possible edible paratenic hosts could pose challenges to the future eradication of this debilitating disease. Therefore, attempts to eradicate this parasitosis should not be postponed. Intensive research is needed in this neglected area of medicine, now that the goal is within reach.
PubMed: 38075414
DOI: 10.53854/liim-3104-9 -
MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly... Dec 2017Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a parasitic worm. Approximately 1 year after a person acquires infection from contaminated...
Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) is caused by Dracunculus medinensis, a parasitic worm. Approximately 1 year after a person acquires infection from contaminated drinking water, the worm emerges through the skin, usually on a lower limb (1). Pain and secondary bacterial infection can cause temporary or permanent disability that disrupts work and schooling. The campaign to eradicate dracunculiasis worldwide began in 1980 at CDC. In 1986, the World Health Assembly called for dracunculiasis elimination,* and the global Guinea Worm Eradication Program, led by the Carter Center and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund, CDC, and other partners, began assisting ministries of health in countries with endemic dracunculiasis. In 1986, an estimated 3.5 million cases occurred each year in 20 countries in Africa and Asia (2). Since then, although the goal of eradicating dracunculiasis has not been achieved, considerable progress has been made. Compared with the 1986 estimate, the annual number of reported cases in 2016 has declined by >99%, and cases are confined to three countries with endemic disease. This report updates published (3-4) and unpublished surveillance data reported by ministries of health and describes progress toward dracunculiasis eradication during January 2016-June 2017. In 2016, a total of 25 cases were reported from three countries (Chad [16], South Sudan [six], Ethiopia [three]), compared with 22 cases reported from the same three countries and Mali in 2015 (Table 1). The 14% increase in cases from 2015 to 2016 was offset by the 25% reduction in number of countries with indigenous cases. During the first 6 months of 2017, the overall number of cases declined to eight, all in Chad, from 10 cases in three countries (Chad [four], South Sudan [four] and Ethiopia [two]) during the same period of 2016. Continued active surveillance, aggressive detection, and appropriate management of cases are essential eradication program components; however, epidemiologic challenges, civil unrest, and insecurity pose potential barriers to eradication.
Topics: Disease Eradication; Dracunculiasis; Global Health; Humans
PubMed: 29216028
DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6648a3 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Aug 2020A fragment of a Dracunculus-like worm was extracted from the hind limb of a 2-year-old dog from Toledo, Spain. Cytochrome oxidase I and rRNA sequences confirmed an...
A fragment of a Dracunculus-like worm was extracted from the hind limb of a 2-year-old dog from Toledo, Spain. Cytochrome oxidase I and rRNA sequences confirmed an autochthonous mammalian Dracunculus worm infection in Europe. Sequence analyses suggest close relation to a parasite obtained from a North American opossum.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Dracunculiasis; Dracunculus Nematode; Europe; Spain
PubMed: 32687046
DOI: 10.3201/eid2608.201661 -
Parasitology Research Apr 2021We report and discuss the surprising encounter of a dog naturally infected by Dracunculus sp. in Brazil, a brief clinical history of the animal and a procedure for...
We report and discuss the surprising encounter of a dog naturally infected by Dracunculus sp. in Brazil, a brief clinical history of the animal and a procedure for removing the nematode. We also present details on the morphology of the fragments collected from the nematode and a phylogenetic comparison of the partial sequences of the mitochondrial 18S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes, deposited with others in GenBank. The samples were an independent lineage forming a well-supported monophyletic assemblage with D. medinensis. We thus conclude that this species has not yet been sequenced or even described and will only be elucidated by more information because only two species of Dracunculus have been reported in Brazil, D. fuelleborni and D. brasiliensis.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Dracunculiasis; Dracunculus Nematode; Genes, Helminth; Genes, rRNA; Male; Phylogeny; RNA, Helminth; RNA, Mitochondrial; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
PubMed: 33624148
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07098-8 -
The American Journal of Tropical... May 2021The total number of Guinea worm cases has been reduced by 99.9% since the mid-1980s when the eradication campaign began. Today, the greatest number of cases is reported...
The total number of Guinea worm cases has been reduced by 99.9% since the mid-1980s when the eradication campaign began. Today, the greatest number of cases is reported from Chad. In this report, we use surveillance data collected by the Chad Guinea Worm Eradication Program to describe trends in human epidemiology. In total, 114 human cases were reported during the years 2010-2018, with highest rates of containment (i.e., water contamination prevented) in the years 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017 (P < 0.0001). Approximately half of case-patients were female, and 65.8% of case-patients were aged 30 years or younger (mean: 26.4 years). About 34.2% of case-patients were farmers. Cases were distributed across many ethnicities, with a plurality of individuals being of the Sara Kaba ethnicity (21.3%). Most cases occurred between the end of June and the end of August and were clustered in the Chari Baguirmi (35.9%) and Moyen Chari regions (30.1%). Cases in the northern Chari River area peaked in April and in August, with no clear temporal pattern in the southern Chari River area. History of travel within Chad was reported in 7.0% of cases, and male case-patients (12.5%) were more likely than female case-patients (1.7%) to have reported a history of travel (P = 0.03). Our findings confirm that human Guinea worm is geographically disperse and rare. Although the proportion of case-patients with travel history is relatively small, this finding highlights the challenge of surveillance in mobile populations in the final stages of the global eradication campaign.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Chad; Disease Eradication; Dracunculiasis; Dracunculus Nematode; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Forecasting; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Young Adult
PubMed: 34029207
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1525