Publications by authors named "B Handley"
Background: To meet the WHO target of eradicating yaws by 2030, highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools are needed. A multiplex Treponema pallidum-Haemophilus ducreyi loop-mediated isothermal amplification (TPHD-LAMP) test holds promise as a near-patient diagnostic tool for yaws and H ducreyi. We conducted a prospective evaluation in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and the Republic of the Congo to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the TPHD-LAMP test, as well as to assess its acceptability, feasibility, and cost.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Integrated approaches to mapping skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) may optimize resource allocation, but extensive data covering multiple endemic countries was previously lacking.
- Between March 2021 and March 2023, integrated case searches were conducted in Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana, screening over 61,000 individuals for various skin conditions including yaws and other NTDs.
- The findings revealed that 18.6% of those screened had skin lesions, with the majority being children; yaws was confirmed in a varying proportion of cases across the three countries, while scabies and fungal infections were the most commonly diagnosed conditions.
Multidisciplinary management of orthopaedic trauma - are we adhering to the guidelines?
Ann R Coll Surg Engl
July 2024
Introduction: A multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach to polytrauma patients minimises morbidity and mortality. This project assesses the extent to which British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma guidelines for the management of the frail Orthopaedic patient are currently being met.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all Trauma and Orthopaedic patients in multiple medical institutions over a 2-week capture period from 1 March 2022 until 14 March 2022 inclusive.
Article Synopsis
- - Yaws, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, is a major health issue in tropical West Africa and the South Pacific, particularly impacting children in areas lacking hygiene and sanitation.
- - A study in Ghana, Cameroon, and Côte d'Ivoire found diverse beliefs about yaws transmission among locals, with many attributing it to germs or contaminated water, while some linked it to witchcraft, and a low percentage recognized person-to-person contact as a method of transmission.
- - Most participants preferred seeking care from hospitals or healthcare professionals if diagnosed with yaws, but there was a significant reliance on traditional healers in Côte d'Ivoire, highlighting the necessity for increased community education and awareness
Article Synopsis
- * By analyzing 38 samples using advanced sequencing methods, researchers discovered a wide variety of bacteria present, with no single species being found in every sample.
- * The findings suggest that the causes of these ulcers are complex and multifactorial, highlighting the need for deeper research into the bacteria involved to improve diagnosis and treatment options in affected regions.