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Epidemiology and Infection Jun 2023Although Africa is home to about 14% of the global population (1.14 billion people), it is growing three times faster than the global average [1]. The continent carries...
Although Africa is home to about 14% of the global population (1.14 billion people), it is growing three times faster than the global average [1]. The continent carries a high burden of disease, but there has been real progress in eradication, elimination, and control since 2015. Examples are the eradication of wild polio in 2020 [2] and the eradication or elimination of neglected tropical diseases, such as dracunculiasis in Kenya in 2018; Human African trypanosomiasis in Togo in 2022; and trachoma in Togo, Gambia, Ghana, and Malawi in 2022 [3]. New HIV infections reduced by 44% in 2021 compared to 2010 [4], and in 2021 the African region passed the 2020 milestone of the End TB Strategy, with a 22% reduction in new infections compared with 2015 [5].
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; Dracunculiasis; Ghana; Poliomyelitis; Cost of Illness; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 37337304
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268823000997 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology,... 2023
PubMed: 37317714
DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_909_20_RT -
Le Infezioni in Medicina 2023Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) is a terrible disease limited, even historically, to the arid and poor areas of our planet and which in the West has always been...
Dracunculiasis (Guinea Worm Disease) is a terrible disease limited, even historically, to the arid and poor areas of our planet and which in the West has always been seen as an exotic disease and therefore has never taken root in the collective imagination. This parasitosis is transmitted to humans by drinking water contaminated with crustacean harboring larvae of , a nematode. The natural history of the disease is caused by adult worms invading connective tissues and causing blistering, ulceration and edema. Well known in Ancient Egypt where the disease was endemic in its southern area, was known in Europe mainly from the reports of medical writers starting from the Roman imperial period but without direct knowledge. In Middle age the descriptions of this disease that physicians and surgeons could read on medical books, at the end, were attributed to veterinary parasitic disease. In Modern age only during the colonialist era dracunculiasis was perceived as a problem, however sporadic. In 1986 Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) was launch without success. Thus, the disappearance of this parasitosis should still be postponed but not abandoned.
PubMed: 37283632
DOI: 10.53854/liim-3102-15 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) May 2023
PubMed: 37229012
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000000670 -
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 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Nov 2022Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a parasite (). In the past, dracunculiasis was known as "the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a parasite (). In the past, dracunculiasis was known as "the disease of the empty granary" because of the difficulties patients had in going to work in fields or to school when affected by this disease. In tropical areas, the condition has been widespread in economically disadvantaged communities, and has been associated with reduced economic status and low levels of education.
METHODS
we searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and WHO websites for literature addressing dracunculiasis published in the last 50 years.
RESULTS
by development and optimization of multi-layered control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted, but there are foci in several African countries with a high risk of compromising the results obtained in the control of this neglected disease.
CONCLUSION
this review features state-of-the-art data on the infection prevalence, geographical distribution, diagnostics, parasite-host interactions, and the pathology of dracunculiasis. Also described are the current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategies.
PubMed: 36355908
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7110366 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Oct 2022Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) is a parasitic nematode that can cause the debilitating disease dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) in humans. The global Guinea...
Dracunculus medinensis (Guinea worm) is a parasitic nematode that can cause the debilitating disease dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) in humans. The global Guinea Worm Eradication Program has led intervention and eradication efforts since the 1980s, and Guinea worm infections in people have decreased >99.99%. With the final goal of eradication drawing nearer, reports of animal infections from some remaining endemic countries pose unique challenges. Currently, confirmation of suspected Guinea worm infection relies on conventional molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is not specific to Guinea worm and, therefore, requires sequencing of the PCR products to confirm the identity of suspect samples, a process that often takes a few weeks. To decrease the time required for species confirmation, we developed a quantitative PCR assay targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene of Guinea worm. Our assay has a limit of detection of 10 copies per reaction. The mean analytical parameters (± SE) were as follows: efficiency = 93.4 ± 7.7%, y-intercept = 40.93 ± 1.11, slope = -3.4896 ± 0.12, and the R2 = 0.999 ± 0.004. The assay did not amplify other nematodes found in Guinea worm-endemic regions and demonstrated 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Implementation of this quantitative PCR assay for Guinea worm identification could eliminate the need for DNA sequencing to confirm species. Thus, this approach can be implemented to provide more rapid confirmation of Guinea worm infections, leading to faster execution of Guinea worm interventions while increasing our understanding of infection patterns.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dracunculus Nematode; Cytochromes b; Dracunculiasis; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 36206300
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010830 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Aug 2022This report summarizes the status of the global Dracunculiasis Eradication Program as of the end of 2021. Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) has been eliminated from...
This report summarizes the status of the global Dracunculiasis Eradication Program as of the end of 2021. Dracunculiasis (Guinea worm disease) has been eliminated from 17 of 21 countries where it was endemic in 1986, when an estimated 3.5 million cases occurred worldwide. Only Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, and South Sudan reported cases in humans in 2021. Chad, Ethiopia, and Mali also reported indigenous infections of animals, mostly domestic dogs, with Dracunculus medinensis. Insecurity and infections in animals are the main obstacles remaining to interrupting dracunculiasis transmission completely.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Dogs; Dracunculiasis; Disease Eradication; Water Supply; Ethiopia; Chad
PubMed: 35895421
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.22-0197 -
Journal of the European Academy of... Dec 2022Itch is the most common skin symptom among tropical parasitic diseases (TPD), but there are limited data about its characteristics in these conditions. In dermatology... (Review)
Review
Itch is the most common skin symptom among tropical parasitic diseases (TPD), but there are limited data about its characteristics in these conditions. In dermatology practices and travellers' health clinics in the developed world, itch is a common complaint among travellers returning from endemic areas, as well among migrants arriving from endemic areas, where they may have been exposed to TPD. Studying aspects of pruritus among TPD may lead to improvements in prompt, accurate diagnosis and management of these conditions. This review examines the major itch-inducing TPDs, including schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, onchocerciasis, scabies, cutaneous larva migrans, larva currens, African trypanosomiasis, dracunculiasis and other causes of travel associated pruritus. We focus on the link between pruritus and other symptoms, aetiology, clinical staging and therapeutic options for these parasitic illnesses. Because some tropical parasitic diseases can present with significant pruritus, we attempt to identify aspects of the pruritus that are characteristic of-or unique to-specific conditions. These diagnostic insights may help clinicians create a rational and focused differential diagnosis and help determine optimal disease management pathways. In this sense, management involves treating the individual, seeking epidemiologically linked cases, preventing recurrences or relapses, and reducing spread of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Travel; Larva Migrans; Parasitic Diseases; Emigrants and Immigrants; Pruritus
PubMed: 35793476
DOI: 10.1111/jdv.18408 -
Medecine Tropicale Et Sante... Dec 2021
Topics: Humans; Neglected Diseases; Neural Tube Defects; Tropical Medicine
PubMed: 35685856
DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.2021.189