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Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Apr 2024Driven by international exchanges and climate changes, the invasion and spread of vector mosquitoes posed a new challenge to achieving global malaria elimination.... (Review)
Review
Driven by international exchanges and climate changes, the invasion and spread of vector mosquitoes posed a new challenge to achieving global malaria elimination. Taking the invasion of to exacerbate the malaria epidemic in Africa as an example, this article summarizes the current situation of global invasion, and estimates the potential risk of vector mosquitoes to unravel the difficulties and challenges in the global malaria elimination program, so as to provide insights into improved early earning and precision control of vector mosquito invasion across the world.
Topics: Malaria; Animals; Anopheles; Humans; Mosquito Vectors; Introduced Species; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 38952310
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024043 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... May 2024The insecticide resistance is becoming increasingly severe in malaria vectors and has become one of the most important threats to global malaria elimination. Currently,...
The insecticide resistance is becoming increasingly severe in malaria vectors and has become one of the most important threats to global malaria elimination. Currently, malaria vectors not only have developed high resistance to conventional insecticides, including organochlorine, organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids, but also have been resistant to recently used neonicotinoids and pyrrole insecticides. This article describes the current status of global insecticide resistance in malaria vectors and global insecticide resistance management strategies, analyzes the possible major challenges in the insecticide resistance management, and proposes the response actions, so as to provide insights into global insecticide resistance management and contributions to global malaria elimination.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Insect Vectors; Insecticide Resistance; Insecticides; Malaria; Mosquito Vectors
PubMed: 38952309
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024088 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... May 2024The global malaria epidemic is still severe. Because of simple procedures, rapid detection and accuracy results, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) has become the most... (Review)
Review
The global malaria epidemic is still severe. Because of simple procedures, rapid detection and accuracy results, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) has become the most important and the most widely used diagnostic tool for malaria prevention and control. However, deletions in the RDT target histidine-rich protein 2/3 () genes may cause false-negative results of RDT, which has been included as one of the four biological threats to global malaria elimination. This article reviews the applications of RDT in the global malaria diagnosis, analyzes the threats and challenges caused by gene deletion, proposes methods for monitoring gene deletion, and summarizes the causes and countermeasures of negative RDT detections, so as to provide insights into consolidation of malaria elimination achievements in China and contributions to global malaria elimination.
Topics: Protozoan Proteins; Humans; Antigens, Protozoan; Plasmodium falciparum; Malaria, Falciparum; Gene Deletion; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; China; Rapid Diagnostic Tests
PubMed: 38952308
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024089 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... May 2024Malaria is an infectious disease that seriously threatens human health. Currently, malaria control mainly depends on antimalarial chemotherapy. However, antimalarial... (Review)
Review
Malaria is an infectious disease that seriously threatens human health. Currently, malaria control mainly depends on antimalarial chemotherapy. However, antimalarial drug resistance is becoming increasingly severe, which poses a great challenge to malaria control, notably treatment of malaria. To address this challenge, there is a need to facilitate development of novel antimalarial drugs and innovation of treatment strategies, as well as reinforce surveillance and research on antimalarial drug resistance. This article reviews the main categories and use guidelines of current antimalarial agents, summarizes the current status and monitoring methods of antimalarial drug resistance, and proposes the response to antimalarial drug resistance, so as to provide insights into the use of antimalarial drugs and response to antimalarial drug resistance, and contribute to global malaria elimination.
Topics: Antimalarials; Humans; Drug Resistance; Malaria; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 38952307
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024091 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Apr 2024Malaria is one of the most serious mosquito-borne infectious diseases in the world. The global malaria control progress has stalled in recent years, which is largely due... (Review)
Review
Malaria is one of the most serious mosquito-borne infectious diseases in the world. The global malaria control progress has stalled in recent years, which is largely due to the biological threats from the malaria pathogen and the vector mosquitoes. This article provides an overview of biological threats to global malaria elimination, including antimalarial drug resistance, deletions in the malaria rapid diagnostic test target histidine-rich protein 2/3 () genes, vector insecticide resistance and emergence of invasive vector species, so as to provide insights into malaria and vector research and the formulation and adjustment of the malaria control and elimination strategy.
Topics: Animals; Malaria; Humans; Mosquito Vectors; Anopheles; Drug Resistance
PubMed: 38952306
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024095 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Jun 2024To understand the progress of national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2023 and summarize the lessons and experiences, data on the endemic status of...
To understand the progress of national schistosomiasis elimination program of China in 2023 and summarize the lessons and experiences, data on the endemic status of schistosomiasis and national schistosomiasis surveillance results in the People's Republic of China were collected and analyzed at a national level. By the end of 2023, Shanghai Municipality, Zhejiang Province, Fujian Province, Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region continued to consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination, and Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces maintained the criteria of transmission interruption, while Yunnan and Hubei provinces were identified to achieve the criteria of transmission interruption in 2020, and Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces achieved the criteria of transmission interruption in 2023. A total of 451 counties (cites, districts) were found to be endemic for schistosomiasis in China in 2023, including 26 250 endemic villages covering 73 034 500 residents at risk of infections. Among the 451 endemic counties (cities, districts), 78.49% (354/451) achieved the criteria of schistosomiasis elimination and 21.51% (97/451) achieved the criteria of transmission interruption, respectively. In 2023, a total of 4 216 643 individuals received immunological tests, with 47 794 sero-positives identified, and a total of 184 216 individuals received parasitological examinations, with 4 egg-positives detected. A total of 27 768 cases with advanced schistosomiasis were documented in China by the end of 2023. In 2023, 539 548 bovines were raised in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and 125 440 bovines received immunological tests, with 124 sero-positives detected, while no egg-positives were identified among the 133 508 bovines receiving parasitological examinations. In 2023, snail survey was performed at an area of 641 339.53 hm and 184 819.77 hm snail habitats were identified, including 51.53 hm emerging snail habitats and 642.25 hm reemerging snail habitats. In 2023, there were 20 198 schistosomiasis patients receiving praziquantel chemotherapy, and 598 183 person-time individuals and 283 954 herdtime bovines were given expanded chemotherapy. In 2023, snail control with chemical treatment was performed in 116 347.95 hm snail habitats, and the actual area of chemical treatment was 65 690.89 hm, while environmental improvements were performed in snail habitats covering an area of 1 334.62 hm. The national schistosomiasis surveillance results showed that the mean prevalence of infections were both zero among humans and bovines in 2023, and no infection was detected in snails. These data demonstrated that transmission interruption of schistosomiasis had been achieved across all endemic provinces in China in 2023, and the endemic status of schistosomiasis tended to be stable, while advanced cases were predominant among all schistosomiasis cases. However, the areas of snail habitats remained high and cattle re-raising was very common in some regions. Intensified schistosomiasis surveillance and forecast and snail control in high-risk areas are needed.
Topics: China; Humans; Schistosomiasis; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Communicable Disease Control
PubMed: 38952305
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024116 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Sarcocystis is a food-borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially...
BACKGROUND
Sarcocystis is a food-borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially humans and herbivores. Humans become infected by eating raw and undercooked meat contaminated with bradyzoites or by consuming water or food contaminated with the sporocyst stage of the parasite.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma radiation and electron beam on the survival rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected beef and to determine the effective dose.
METHODS
Three replicates of 100 g of infected meat were treated with different doses (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 kGy). As a control, 20 g of contaminated meat was stored separately at 4°C. The viability of the bradyzoites after digestion in pepsin solution was assessed, stained (trypan blue) and unstained, under a stereomicroscope. To assess survival of the bradyzoites, the irradiated meat samples were fed to 30 dogs. After 10 days, faecal samples were examined for sporocysts.
RESULTS
The results showed that the highest and lowest mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected organs using electron beam at a dose of 2 kGy were 92.5% and 100%, respectively, and the lowest mortality rate at a dose of 0.5 kGy were 2.5% and 7.89%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The results of statistical analysis showed that the mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites was significant between different doses of gamma ray and electron beam, so that gamma rays were better compared to electron beam in destroying Sarcocystis bradyzoites.
Topics: Sarcocystis; Animals; Cattle; Sarcocystosis; Red Meat; Gamma Rays; Dogs; Food Irradiation; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Cattle Diseases; Electrons
PubMed: 38952247
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1519 -
Parasites & Vectors Jul 2024Application of numerous malaria control interventions has led to reduction in clinical malaria cases and deaths but also the realisation that asymptomatic parasite...
BACKGROUND
Application of numerous malaria control interventions has led to reduction in clinical malaria cases and deaths but also the realisation that asymptomatic parasite carriers play a key role in sustaining transmission. This study assessed the effectiveness of using the Ultra-sensitive NxTek eliminate RDT (uRDT) and conventional SD Bioline HRP2 RDT (cRDT) in diagnosing asymptomatic parasitaemia while measuring the impact of mass testing, treatment and tracking (MTTT) on the prevalence of asymptomatic malaria over a 1-year period in Ghana.
METHODS
A total of 4000 targeted participants from two towns, Obom and Kofi Kwei, with their surrounding villages, were tested for asymptomatic malaria four times over the study period using uRDT (intervention) and the cRDT (control) respectively. Participants carrying malaria parasites were followed by home visit and phone calls for compliance to treatment, and filter paper blood blots collected from participants were used to determine true parasite carriage by PET-PCR. A mathematical model of the study site was developed and used to test the impact of test sensitivity and mass migration on the effect of MTTT.
RESULTS
The start and end point sensitivities of the cRDT were 48.8% and 41.7% and those for the uRDT were 52.9% and 59.9% respectively. After a year of MTTTs, asymptomatic parasite prevalence, as determined by PCR, did not differ statistically in the control site (40.6% to 40.1%, P = 0.730) but decreased at the intervention site (55.9% to 46.4%, P < 0.0001). Parasite prevalence by RDT, however, indicated statistical reduction in the control site (25.3% to 22.3%, P = 0.017) and no change in the intervention site (35.1% to 36.0%, P = 0.614). The model predicted a mild effect of both diagnostic sensitivity and human movement in diminishing the impact of MTTT in the study sites.
CONCLUSIONS
Asymptomatic parasite prevalence at the molecular level reduced significantly in the site where the uRDT was used but not where the cRDT was used. Overall, the uRDT exhibited higher sensitivity relative to the cRDT. Highly sensitive molecular techniques such as PET-PCR should be included in parasite prevalence estimation during MTTT exercises.
Topics: Ghana; Humans; Female; Male; Sensitivity and Specificity; Adult; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Child; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Parasitemia; Malaria, Falciparum; Middle Aged; Malaria; Plasmodium falciparum; Prevalence; Mass Screening; Infant
PubMed: 38951912
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06354-x -
Parasites & Vectors Jul 2024Abiotic factors play a significant role in the evolution of Leishmania infantum infection due to its vectorial nature. This study aims to assess the evolution in the...
BACKGROUND
Abiotic factors play a significant role in the evolution of Leishmania infantum infection due to its vectorial nature. This study aims to assess the evolution in the detection of new L. infantum infection cases in Valdeorras (Ourense, Northwestern Spain) over a 20-year period and how different climatic variables and preventive measures may have affected it.
METHODS
Indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) were performed on serum samples collected from dogs attending the 'Servicios Veterinarios de Sil' veterinary clinic (Valdeorras, Northwestern Spain) between May 2003 and April 2023 to detect L. infantum exposure. The percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection was calculated from May of one year to April of the following year. Climatic conditions in the region, global sales of ectoparasiticides and the number of vaccines against L. infantum delivered in the veterinary clinic from 2003 to 2022 were recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the associations between these factors and the percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection.
RESULTS
A total of 2909 dogs were assessed, and 3785 IFAT tests were performed between May 2003 and April 2023. The mean percentage of new seropositive cases over the 20-year period studied was 21.65 ± 10.8%, with a decline from the beginning to the end of the period studied. The percentage was significantly higher between May 2003 and April 2008 compared with the other periods (May 2008 to April 2013, May 2013 to April 2018 and May 2018 to April 2023). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection and the maximum relative humidity in winter. Conversely, there was a negative correlation between the percentage of new cases and sales of ectoparasiticides and vaccination against L. infantum.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is one of the longest evaluations of the evolution of L. infantum infection in a fixed location and its association with external factors including climatic conditions and preventive measures. The results confirm that Valdeorras is a high-risk area for L. infantum infection. The use of ectoparasiticides and vaccines against L. infantum has been shown to play a significant role in preventing L. infantum infection, highlighting the crucial role of veterinarians in the fight against this disease.
Topics: Dogs; Animals; Spain; Dog Diseases; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Climate; Antibodies, Protozoan; Male; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Female
PubMed: 38951858
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06357-8 -
BMJ Open Jul 2024Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by . It has a wide host range and is capable of vertical transmission in pregnant women, which may lead to...
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by . It has a wide host range and is capable of vertical transmission in pregnant women, which may lead to undesirable pregnancy outcomes such as congenital malformations, miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. This study investigated the seroprevalence of infection among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Namwala District Hospital in Southern Zambia.
METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study where blood was collected, and the serum was tested for IgG and IgM. A questionnaire was administered to participants on demographic characteristics and risk factors. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA version 14 for analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 401 women were enrolled in the study from 3 March to 5 August 2021. The seroprevalence of IgG was 4.2% (n=17), while the seroprevalence of IgM was 0.7% (n=3). The median age was 27 (IQR: 24-30) years, and a larger proportion had primary-level education (n=223, 55.6%). The majority (81.6%) of the women were married. None of the risk factors investigated in this study were significant for infection.
CONCLUSION
There was a low seroprevalence of infection among pregnant women in the Namwala district of Southern Province, Zambia, and regular screening may not be warranted in this population. Continued research on toxoplasmosis is recommended to understand its epidemiology across Zambia.
Topics: Humans; Female; Zambia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Adult; Pregnancy; Toxoplasmosis; Risk Factors; Toxoplasma; Young Adult; Immunoglobulin M; Antibodies, Protozoan; Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic; Immunoglobulin G; Prenatal Care
PubMed: 38950992
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-084582