Genomic exploration of the journey of Plasmodium vivax in Latin America.

Plasmodium vivax is the predominant malaria parasite in Latin America. Its colonization history in the region is rich and complex, and is still highly debated, especially about its origin(s). Our study employed cutting-edge population genomic techniques to analyze whole genome variation from 620 P.

Genetic diversity of and field isolates from Honduras in the malaria elimination phase.

Malaria continues to be a major threat to public health in tropical regions, primarily affecting sub-Saharan Africa but also Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Malaria cases in Honduras have seen a significant decline and the country aims to eliminate the disease by 2030. This study examines the genetic diversity of and in Honduras using four molecular markers (, , , and ), and the chloroquine resistance marker in the context of the elimination phase.

Spatial dynamics of lindane concentration in a soil-plant system at the Bailín landfill site (Sabiñánigo, Huesca, Spain).

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) is an organochlorine synthetic substance composed of different isomers (α-, β-, γ-, δ-, and ε-HCH), but only γ-HCH isomer or lindane has insecticidal properties. From 1984 to 1992, INQUINOSA Company dumped HCH wastes in the Bailín landfill (Sabiñánigo, Spain), and in 2014 these HCH residuals were transferred to a secure landfill, dispersing a small amount of HCH-isomers in the surrounding area. To explore the spatial distribution of this pollution, we evaluated HCH concentration in the soil-vegetation system around the Bailín landfill site.

Asymptomatic Malaria Reservoirs in Honduras: A Challenge for Elimination.

Background: Efforts on a global scale for combating malaria have achieved substantial progress over the past twenty years. Two Central American nations have accomplished their goal of eliminating malaria: El Salvador and Belize. Honduras has decreased the incidence of malaria and now reports fewer than 4000 malaria cases annually, aspiring to reach elimination by 2030.

First Detection of in from Latin America.

Several studies have documented the presence of a known multi-drug-resistant pathogen, in the human head louse, Since no reports from countries in Latin America have been published, the aim of the present study was to determine whether was present in head lice specimens collected in this geographic region. Head lice specimens from Argentina, Colombia, and Honduras were analyzed. PCR assays were performed to confirm the specimens' species and to investigate whether the DNA of was present.

species isolated from clinical samples in a tertiary hospital in Honduras: Where is ?

Background And Purpose: Infections by emerging and multiresistant species are becoming more frequent throughout the world. This study aimed to describe species in different wards of a tertiary hospital in Honduras.

Materials And Methods: The prevalence of species within the complex was estimated using a molecular approach, and was investigated using a yeast pool-based DNA extraction method.

PET-PCR reveals low parasitaemia and submicroscopic malarial infections in Honduran Moskitia.

Background: Malaria remains a main parasitic disease of humans. Although the largest number of cases is reported in the African region, there are still endemic foci in the Americas. Central America reported 36,000 malaria cases in 2020, which represents 5.

The Honduran diaspora and infectious diseases: An urgent need for action.

Recently, there has been a significant increase in irregular migration from Central America's northern triangle (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador). Hondurans who migrate to North America face numerous risks to their lives and health. Infectious diseases are one of the most serious threats to migrants both during the migration process and once they arrive in the host country.

PCR-RFLP assays for the identification of Anopheles (Diptera: Culicidae) species circulating in Honduras.

Background: Vector populations are a key target for malaria control and elimination. In Honduras, there are at least 12 reported anopheline species, however, the definitive number of species remains uncertain. Due to the inherent limitations of morphological identification of Anopheles species, molecular approaches have been developed to provide accurate identification and robust surveillance of local malaria vectors.

A PCR-RFLP Technique to Assess the Geographic Origin of Strains in Central America.

The elimination of malaria requires strengthening diagnosis and offering adequate and timely treatment. Imported cases of falciparum malaria represent a major challenge for pre-elimination areas, such as Central America, where chloroquine and primaquine continue to be used as first-line treatment. The gene has been previously described as a precise molecular marker to track the geographic origin of the parasite.

Genetic Diversity among Four Populations of (Diptera: Culicidae) from Honduras as Revealed by Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome Oxidase I.

is a hematophagous and highly anthropophilic mosquito with a wide distribution, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. is the main vector of several febrile diseases called arboviruses (dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and zika viruses), which represent an important public health problem. Populations of this mosquito were nearly eliminated from the Americas in the mid-20th century; however, after the abandonment of control measures, mosquito populations have been recovering territory, have expanded by anthropogenic mechanisms, and have been joined by new populations reintroduced from other continents.

A Follow-Up to the Geographical Distribution of Species in Malaria-Endemic and Non-Endemic Areas of Honduras.

species are the vectors of malaria, one of the diseases with the greatest impact on the health of the inhabitants of the tropics. Due to their epidemiological relevance and biological complexity, monitoring of anopheline populations in current and former malaria-endemic areas is critical for malaria risk assessment. Recent efforts have described the anopheline species present in the main malaria foci in Honduras.

Field Evaluation of a Hemozoin-Based Malaria Diagnostic Device in Puerto Lempira, Honduras.

The diagnosis of malaria in Honduras is based mainly on microscopic observation of the parasite in thick smears or the detection of parasite antigens through rapid diagnostic tests when microscopy is not available. The specific treatment of the disease depends exclusively on the positive result of one of these tests. Given the low sensitivity of conventional methods, new diagnostic approaches are needed.

First Molecular Identification of Three Clinical Isolates of Fungi Causing Mucormycosis in Honduras.

Mucormycoses are rare but serious opportunistic fungal infections caused by filamentous organisms of the order Mucorales. Here we report the first molecular identification of Rhizopus oryzae (heterotypic synonym Rhizopus arrhizus), R. delemar, and Apophysomyces ossiformis as the etiological agents of three cases of severe mucormycosis in Honduras.

Assessment of Plasmodium falciparum anti-malarial drug resistance markers in pfcrt and pfmdr1 genes in isolates from Honduras and Nicaragua, 2018-2021.

Background: Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set out to eliminate malaria by 2030. However, since 2014 a notable upturn in the number of cases has been reported in the Mosquitia region shared by Nicaragua and Honduras. In addition, the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases has increased significantly relative to vivax malaria.

Evidence of a Recent Bottleneck in Populations on the Honduran-Nicaraguan Border.

The countries of Central America and the island of Hispaniola have set the goal of eliminating malaria in less than a decade. Although efforts to reduce the malaria burden in the region have been successful, there has been an alarming increase in cases in the Nicaraguan Moskitia since 2014. The continuous decrease in cases between 2000 and 2014, followed by a rapid expansion from 2015 to the present, has generated a potential bottleneck effect in the populations of spp.

First Molecular Characterization of spp. in Patients Living with HIV in Honduras.

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by the Apicomplexan parasite spp., and mainly affects children and immunocompromised people, in whom it can pose a serious threat to their health, or even be life threatening.

Publication Trends in Neglected Tropical Diseases of Latin America and the Caribbean: A Bibliometric Analysis.

(1) Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been overlooked on the global health agenda and in the priorities of national systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2012, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created to ensure healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. This roadmap set out to accelerate work to overcome the global impact of NTDs.

What Will Happen to Biomedical Research in Low-and-Middle Income Countries in the PostCOVID-19 World?

Scientific research is essential for a nation's development and is vital for generating solutions to population's health. Individual country's capacities to prevent and respond to public health issues, including health crises, is built with long-term investment in highly qualified professionals, infrastructure, and uninterrupted operating funding. Most Latin American countries, especially those at the bottom of the human development list, have limited capacity even though they are hot spots for tropical and other emerging infectious diseases.