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Tropical Parasitology 2024Parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, continue to plague populations worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings and...
Parasitic diseases, including malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, continue to plague populations worldwide, particularly in resource-limited settings and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. It has limited the use of conventional health-care delivery and disease control approaches and necessitated exploring innovative strategies. In this direction, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool with immense promise in parasitic disease control, offering the potential for enhanced diagnostics, precision drug discovery, predictive modeling, and personalized treatment. Predictive AI algorithms have assisted in understanding parasite transmission patterns and outbreaks by analyzing vast amounts of epidemiological data, environmental factors, and population demographics. This has strengthened public health interventions, resource allocation, and outbreak preparedness strategies, enabling proactive measures to mitigate disease spread. In diagnostics, AI-enabled accurate and rapid identification of parasites by analyzing microscopic images. This capability is particularly valuable in remote regions with limited access to diagnostic facilities. AI-driven computational methods have also assisted in drug discovery for parasitic diseases by identifying novel drug targets and predicting the efficacy and safety of potential drug candidates. This approach has streamlined drug development, leading to more effective and targeted therapies. This article reviews these current developments and their transformative impacts on the health-care sector. It also assessed the hurdles that require attention before these transformations can be realized in real-life scenarios.
PubMed: 38444798
DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_66_23 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Mar 2024Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has experienced a resurgence in interest, primarily driven by promising findings from the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension... (Review)
Review
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has experienced a resurgence in interest, primarily driven by promising findings from the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension Trial. By offering SLT as an initial drug-free treatment option, we may be able to thwart issues such as adherence and persistence that plague our current medical management protocols. In this comprehensive narrative review, we delve into the current body of literature that explores the utility of SLT across a wide spectrum of scenarios and glaucoma subtypes. We present evidence that provides valuable insight into the efficacy and benefits of SLT, positioning it as a viable option in the management of glaucoma. Careful consideration of the associated risks and challenges is also necessary for successful adoption into clinical practice. Despite the ample evidence supporting SLT's efficacy, some questions remain regarding its long-term effects and the potential need for retreatment. This review aims to shed light on these aspects to guide clinicians in making informed decisions and tailoring treatment plans to individual patient needs. This review also provides the readers with a bird's eye view of the potential impact of SLT and adds clarity to the various therapeutic protocols that one can follow to ensure optimal clinical outcomes for our patients.
Topics: Humans; Trabeculectomy; Laser Therapy; Glaucoma; Decision Making; Lactic Acid
PubMed: 38421290
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2104_23 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Apr 2024Bartonellosis is a vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals. However, there is no complete data about the geographical... (Review)
Review
Bartonellosis is a vector-borne and zoonotic diseases in humans, especially in immunocompromised individuals. However, there is no complete data about the geographical distribution of different species of Bartonella, as well as the status of its reservoirs, vectors, and human cases in most parts of the world. In this study, published reports related to Bartonella species from WHO-EMRO region countries were searched in different databases until October 2023. The eighteens different species of Bartonella were reported in WHO-EMRO countries including Bartonella henselae, Bartonella quintana, Bartonella elizabethae, Bartonella bovis, Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella vinsonii, Bartonella doshiae, Bartonella taylorii, Bartonella rochalimae, Bartonella tribocorum, Bartonella rattimassiliensis, candidatus Bartonella merieuxii, candidatus Bartonella dromedarii, Bartonella acomydis, Bartonella jaculi, Bartonella coopersplainsensis and Bartonella koehlerae. Also, only human cases of B. henselae and B. quintana infections were reported from WHO-EMRO countries. The infections of Bartonella are important in the WHO-EMRO region, but they have been neglected by clinicians and healthcare systems.
Topics: Humans; Bartonella; World Health Organization; Mediterranean Region
PubMed: 38417187
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.02.009 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Rodents are notorious pests, known for transmitting major public health diseases and causing agricultural and economic losses. The lack of site-specific and national...
Rodents are notorious pests, known for transmitting major public health diseases and causing agricultural and economic losses. The lack of site-specific and national standardised rodent surveillance in several disadvantaged communities has rendered interventions targeted towards rodent control as often ineffective. Here, by using the example from a pilot case-study in the Bahamas, we present a unique experience wherein, through multidisciplinary and community engagement, we simultaneously developed a standardised national surveillance protocol, and performed two parallel but integrated activities: (1) eight days of theoretical and practical training of selected participants; and (2) a three-month post-training pilot rodent surveillance in the urban community of Over-the-Hill, Nassau, The Bahamas. To account for social and environmental conditions influencing rodent proliferation in the Bahamas, we engaged selected influential community members through a semi-structured interview and gathered additional site-specific information using a modified Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) exterior and interior rodent evaluation form, along with other validated instruments such as tracking plates and snap trapping, to test and establish a standardised site-specific rodent surveillance protocol tailored for the Bahamas. Our engagement with community members highlighted poor disposal of animal and human food, irregular garbage collection, unapproved refuse storage, lack of accessible dumpsters, poor bulk waste management, ownership problems and structural deficiencies as major factors fuelling rodent proliferation in the study areas. Accordingly, results from our pilot survey using active rodent signs (that is, the presence of rodent runs, burrows, faecal material or gnawed material) as a proxy of rodent infestation in a generalized linear model confirmed that the variables earlier identified during the community engagement program as significantly correlated with rodent activities (and capturing) across the study areas. The successful implementation of the novel site-specific protocol by trained participants, along with the correlation of their findings with those recorded during the community engagement program, underscores its suitability and applicability in disadvantaged urban settings. This experience should serve as a reference for promoting a standardised protocol for monitoring rodent activities in many disadvantaged urban settings of the Global South, while also fostering a holistic understanding of rodent proliferation. Through this pilot case-study, we advocate for the feasibility of developing sustainable rodent control interventions that are acceptable to both local communities and public authorities, particularly through the involvement of a multidisciplinary team of professionals and community members.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Public Health; Rodentia; Waste Management; Vulnerable Populations; Garbage
PubMed: 38402250
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55203-5 -
Toxics Feb 2024Diflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are larvicides used in crops to control insect plagues. However, these pesticides are known to impact non-target organisms...
Diflubenzuron (DFB) and pyriproxyfen (PPF) are larvicides used in crops to control insect plagues. However, these pesticides are known to impact non-target organisms like fish and mammals. Here, we aimed at assessing the embryotoxicity of purified DFB, PPF, and their mixtures in a non-target organism-zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to different concentrations for 120 h: 0.025, 0.125, 0.25, 1.25, 2.5, and 10 mg/L of purified PPF and purified DFB, while we used 0.025 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix A), 0.125 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix B), and 0.25 mg/L PPF + 10 mg/L DFB (Mix C) for the mixtures of PPF + DFB. We observed mortality, teratogenicity, and cardiotoxicity. For the neurotoxicity tests and evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the brain, embryos were exposed for 120 h to 0.379 and 0.754 mg/L of PPF and 0.025 and 0.125 mg/L of DFB. We established the LC for PPF as 3.79 mg/L, while the LC for DFB was not determinable. Survival and hatching were affected by PPF concentrations above 0.125 mg/L, DFB concentrations above 1.25 mg/L, and the lower pesticide mixtures. PPF exposure and mixtures induced different types of malformations, while a higher number of malformations were observed for the mixtures, suggesting a potentiating effect. Pesticides diminished avoidance responses and increased the levels of ROS across all concentrations, indicating neurotoxicity. Our findings underscore the detrimental impact of PPF and DFB exposure, spanning from biochemistry to morphology. There is a critical need to reconsider the global use of these pesticides and transition to more ecologically friendly forms of pest control, raising an alarm regarding repercussions on human and animal health and well-being.
PubMed: 38393255
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12020160 -
Medecine Tropicale Et Sante... Dec 2023The Covid pandemic was a reminder of the need to be prepared for epidemics and pandemics and to take into account their socio-political dimensions by developing...
The Covid pandemic was a reminder of the need to be prepared for epidemics and pandemics and to take into account their socio-political dimensions by developing socioanthropological and interdisciplinary approaches. In the post-crisis era, the challenge is one of operationality. How can these dimensions be made more visible? How can we develop analyses that can help to humanize institutional responses, make inequalities visible to limit them during the crisis, reveal structural determinants of transmission, and define interventions that are scientifically sound, ethically just and respectful of diversity?Three strategies are relevant to meet these challenges: (1) more social scientists in Frenchspeaking Africa must get expertise on epidemics to investigate associated issues before, during and after epidemic crisis; (2) public health professionals, health and social workers must get informed about social, historical, economic and political aspects of epidemics that shape risk, care and control; (3) collaborations between researchers and those involved in responding to epidemics on the basis of shared knowledge must develop.This article presents a capacity-building initiative developed in French-speaking West Africa by the Anthropology of Emerging Epidemics Network (RAAE), in conjunction with other networks (Sonar-Global) and institutions (CRCF, IRD). It describes and analyzes a program that combines a working method, a scientific content and teaching tools. This program benefited from previous training experiences and gathered expertise from about 25 social scientists, mainly medical anthropologists, who have worked on various epidemics and pandemics such as AIDS, Ebola, plague, Covid and dengue in West Africa and beyond. The process to develop the course was based on workshops followed by redaction periods, then testings for content and tools during training sessions.The course focuses on two audiences: social science researchers (with a Master degree level and above) and social and health workers (public health, community health, NGOs, social workers). For the former, the course aims at reinforcing theoretical and methodological skills through the presentation of issues, key concepts, selected theoretical developments, themes and bibliographical references. For the latter, the course is based on modules about operational issues that can be taken separately, to better adapt the content of trainings to local teams' needs. For both, a glossary includes 100 definitions of public health, medical and social science vocabulary, relevant to epidemics. The content in terms of skills to be acquired (knowledge, know-how) is presented briefly in the article. Both the scientific content and learning methods and tools are presented in a manual (Desclaux et al., Anthropologie appliquée aux épidémies émergentes, 2022 [5]) as well as on Sonar-Global (English) and RAEE (French) websites (www.sonar-global.eu, www.raee.fr).The knowledge to be imparted is organized into 13 modules: introduction; the framework for responding to epidemics; emergence and One Health; antimicrobial resistance; infectious risk (inequalities, stigmatization and prevention); knowledge (circulation and interpretation); health services (places of risk and care); public health measures (lockdown and distancing); experiences (suffering of the sick and mobilization); death (meaning and rituals); vaccination (innovation, equity and hesitation); epidemic cycles (preparation, response and recovery); challenges, methods, ethics and governance; and conclusion.The first training courses held in Senegal and Burkina Faso for university researchers and young scholars from Africa and France were positively evaluated by the participants. They report that they have acquired knowledge in epidemic social science, but also in public health, which has given them the necessary basis for communicating and developing collaborations (in research and intervention) with social and health actors. The model could be duplicated with adaptation for new training sessions organized by other institutions, for which a manual is available.
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Pandemics; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Anthropology; Burkina Faso
PubMed: 38390012
DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.v3i4.2023.440 -
Virulence Dec 2024The genus includes human, animal, insect, and plant pathogens as well as many symbionts and harmless bacteria. Within this genus are and the complex, with four human... (Review)
Review
The genus includes human, animal, insect, and plant pathogens as well as many symbionts and harmless bacteria. Within this genus are and the complex, with four human pathogenic species that are highly related at the genomic level including the causative agent of plague, . Extensive laboratory, field work, and clinical research have been conducted to understand the underlying pathogenesis and zoonotic transmission of these pathogens. There are presently more than 500 whole genome sequences from which an evolutionary footprint can be developed that details shared and unique virulence properties. Whereas the virulence of now seems in apparent homoeostasis within its flea transmission cycle, substantial evolutionary changes that affect transmission and disease severity continue to ndergo apparent selective pressure within the other that cause intestinal diseases. In this review, we will summarize the present understanding of the virulence and pathogenesis of , highlighting shared mechanisms of virulence and the differences that determine the infection niche and disease severity.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Yersinia; Virulence; Yersinia pestis; Plague; Yersinia Infections
PubMed: 38389313
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2316439 -
Poultry Science Apr 2024Duck plague virus (DPV) is extremely infectious and lethal, so antiviral drugs are urgently needed. Our previous study shows that DPV infection with duck embryo...
Duck plague virus (DPV) is extremely infectious and lethal, so antiviral drugs are urgently needed. Our previous study shows that DPV infection with duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) changes and promotes apoptosis. In this study, we tested the antiviral effect of the carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), a common mitochondrial autophagy inducer. Our results demonstrated a dose-dependent anti-DPV effect of CCCP, CCCP-treatment blocked the intercellular transmission of DPV after infection, and we also proved that CCCP could have an antiviral effect up to 48 hpi. The addition of CCCP reversed the DPV-induced ROS changes, CCCP can inhibit virus-induced apoptosis; meanwhile, CCCP can affect mitochondrial fusion and activate mitophagy to inhibit DPV. In conclusion, CCCP can be an effective antiviral candidate against DPV.
Topics: Animals; Carbonyl Cyanide m-Chlorophenyl Hydrazone; Reactive Oxygen Species; Chickens; Apoptosis; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 38377689
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103446 -
Poultry Science Apr 2024Duck plague (DP) is one of the contagious diseases caused by Duck plague virus (DPV), which is a serious threat to the development of duck farming. Us3 is a PKA-like...
Duck plague (DP) is one of the contagious diseases caused by Duck plague virus (DPV), which is a serious threat to the development of duck farming. Us3 is a PKA-like protein kinase in alphaherpesvirus, which can regulate the biological functions of many viral proteins, but whether Us3 regulates pUL48 protein has not been reported. In this paper, Western Blot, qRT-PCR, dual luciferase reporter system and Co-IP were used to investigate the relationship between pUL48 and Us3. The results showed that: 1) pUL48 interacted with Us3 at 138-256aa through its DBD region. 2) Us3 enhanced the protein expression of pUL48 in a dose-dependent manner. 3) Us3 promoted the mRNA level of pUL48 by activating its promoter activity. 4) Us3 inhibited the transcriptional activation function of pUL48. The results can provide scientific data for perfecting and supplementing the function of alpha herpesvirus Us3 and pUL48.
Topics: Animals; Ducks; Chickens; Viral Proteins; Protein Kinases; Mardivirus
PubMed: 38364609
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103498 -
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2024Rickettsia is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen transmitted by vectors and has extensive reservoirs in animal and human populations. Rickettsiosis is a public health problem... (Review)
Review
SUBJECT
Rickettsia is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen transmitted by vectors and has extensive reservoirs in animal and human populations. Rickettsiosis is a public health problem all over the world. However, comprehensive information on the geographical distribution of different Rickettsia species, infection status of reservoirs, vectors, and human cases is lacking in most parts of the world. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the geographical distribution of different Rickettsia species and their vectors in countries of the WHO-EMRO region.
METHODS
In this review study, a search was conducted for reports and published studies on Rickettsia species from WHO-EMRO region countries in various databases from 1995 to 2022. Finally, the reported status of human cases, reservoirs, and vectors associated with each species in different countries was documented.
RESULTS
Reports of infections related to the detection of Rickettsia species were only available for 15 out of 22 WHO-EMRO member countries. A total of twenty-four Rickettsia species, including R. sibrica, R. lusitaniae, R. africae, R. prowazekii, R. felis, R. typhi, R. rickettsii, R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. massiliae, R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. rhipicephali, R. bellii, R. asembonensis, R. hoogstraalii, R. andeanae, R. raoultii, R. asiatica, R. slovaca, R. australis, R. barbariae, Candidatus R. amblyommii, and Candidatus R. goldwasserii, were reported from WHO-EMRO member countries. Furthermore, human cases infected with six different Rickettsia species, including R. sibrica, R. prowazekii, R. felis, R. typhi, R. rickettsii, R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii, R. massiliae, and R. helvetica, were reported from these countries.
CONCLUSION
The vast diversity of Rickettsia vectors has contributed to the ongoing discovery of new Rickettsia species. Therefore, further research on the reservoir hosts of Rickettsia infections in the understudied WHO-EMRO region is crucial. This research sheds light on Rickettsia disease's epidemiology and transmission dynamics in this region.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Rickettsia; Rickettsia Infections; World Health Organization
PubMed: 38360158
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102695