Use of soil moisture active passive satellite data and WorldClim 2.0 data to predict the potential distribution of visceral leishmaniasis and its vector Lutzomyia longipalpis in Sao Paulo and Bahia states, Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease transmitted by Lutzomyia longipalpis, a sand fly widely distributed in Brazil. Despite efforts to strengthen national control programs reduction in incidence and geographical distribution of VL in Brazil has not yet been successful; VL is in fact expanding its range in newly urbanized areas. Ecological niche models (ENM) for use in surveillance and response systems may enable more effective operational VL control by mapping risk areas and elucidation of eco-epidemiologic risk factors.

There is more to satellite imagery than meets the eye.

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The changing risk of vector-borne diseases: Global satellite remote sensing and geospatial surveillance at the forefront.

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Predicted distribution of sand fly (Diptera: Psychodidae) species involved in the transmission of Leishmaniasis in São Paulo state, Brazil, utilizing maximum entropy ecological niche modeling.

Leishmaniasis is a public health problem worldwide. We aimed to predict ecological niche models (ENMs) for visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL) leishmaniasis and the sand flies involved in the transmission of leishmaniasis in São Paulo, Brazil. Phlebotomine sand flies were collected between 1985 and 2015.

Ecological niche models for sand fly species and predicted distribution of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) and visceral leishmaniasis in Bahia state, Brazil.

Visceral leishmaniasis is a public health problem in Brazil. This disease is endemic in most of Bahia state, with increasing reports of cases in new areas. Ecological niche models (ENM) can be used as a tool for predicting potential distribution for disease, vectors, and to identify risk factors associated with their distribution.

Malaria in Burkina Faso (West Africa) during the twenty-first century.

Temperature and rainfall predicted for the twenty-first century by global coupled models as reported by IPCC, (2014a, and b) were obtained regionally for Burkina Faso and through the Paluclim project, 2011-2014. One of the goals of this project was to assess the upcoming evolution of malaria transmission dynamics. From an impact model on malaria risk linked to climate variability, temperature and rainfall indices were derived.

Use of Geospatial Surveillance and Response Systems for Vector-Borne Diseases in the Elimination Phase.

The distribution of diseases caused by vector-borne viruses and parasites are restricted by the environmental requirements of their vectors, but also by the ambient temperature inside the host as it influences the speed of maturation of the infectious agent transferred. The launch of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite in 2015, and the new ECOSTRESS instrument onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in 2018, established the leadership of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) in ecology and climate research by allowing the structural and functional classification of ecosystems that govern vector sustainability. These advances, and the availability of sub-meter resolution data from commercial satellites, contribute to seamless mapping and modelling of diseases, not only at continental scales (1 km²) and local community or agricultural field scales (15⁻30 m²), but for the first time, also at the habitat⁻household scale (<1 m²).

Molecular Confirmation of Ascaris suum: Further Investigation into the Zoonotic Origin of Infection in an 8-Year-Old Boy with Loeffler Syndrome.

An 8-year-old male from south Louisiana was diagnosed with Loeffler syndrome of suspected Ascaris origin. Further investigation of the farm recovered larvated, infective Ascaris eggs from the soil in drains surrounding pens on the family's small hog farm. Molecular analysis of the recovered eggs, in conjunction with Ascaris-specific IgE, inadequate farm management and sanitation, and behavioral risk factors indicate the patient had an Ascaris suum soil-transmitted infection.

Establishment of macrocyclic lactone resistant Dirofilaria immitis isolates in experimentally infected laboratory dogs.

Background: Strains of Dirofilaria immitis suspected of lack of efficacy (LOE) to macrocyclic lactone (ML) preventive drugs have been increasingly reported in dogs by practicing veterinarians since 2005 in the Lower Mississippi Delta region. If proven, and not controlled in the early stages, the emergence of ML drug resistance threatens to become a widespread problem in the US that may limit the effectiveness of current preventive drug treatment methods.

Methods: To validate practice reports, a statewide survey of Louisiana veterinarians was done to define the extent of the problem and identify focal 'hotspots' of reported ML LOEs using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) methods.

Predictive risk mapping of schistosomiasis in Brazil using Bayesian geostatistical models.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most common parasitic diseases in tropical and subtropical areas, including Brazil. A national control programme was initiated in Brazil in the mid-1970s and proved successful in terms of morbidity control, as the number of cases with hepato-splenic involvement was reduced significantly. To consolidate control and move towards elimination, there is a need for reliable maps on the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis, so that interventions can target communities at highest risk.

Modelling the geographical distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Bolivia.

Background: The prevalence of infection with the three common soil-transmitted helminths (i.e. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm) in Bolivia is among the highest in Latin America.

Malaria surveillance-response strategies in different transmission zones of the People's Republic of China: preparing for climate change.

Background: A sound understanding of malaria transmission patterns in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China) is crucial for designing effective surveillance-response strategies that can guide the national malaria elimination programme (NMEP).

Spatial distribution of Biomphalaria spp., the intermediate host snails of Schistosoma mansoni, in Brazil.

Schistosomiasis mansoni remains an important parasitic disease of man, endemic in large parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. The aetiological agent is the trematode Schistosoma mansoni, whereas aquatic snails of the genus Biomphalaria act as intermediate hosts in the parasite life cycle. In Brazil, the distribution of Biomphalaria spp.

Climate-based risk models for Fasciola hepatica in Colombia.

A predictive Fasciola hepatica model, based on the growing degree day-water budget (GDD-WB) concept and the known biological requirements of the parasite, was developed within a geographical information system (GIS) in Colombia. Climate-based forecast index (CFI) values were calculated and represented in a national-scale, climate grid (18 x 18 km) using ArcGIS 9.3.

Environmental and socio-economic risk modelling for Chagas disease in Bolivia.

Accurately defining disease distributions and calculating disease risk is an important step in the control and prevention of diseases. Geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies, with maximum entropy (Maxent) ecological niche modelling computer software, were used to create predictive risk maps for Chagas disease in Bolivia. Prevalence rates were calculated from 2007 to 2009 household infection survey data for Bolivia, while environmental data were compiled from the Worldclim database and MODIS satellite imagery.

Modelling the ecological niche of hookworm in Brazil based on climate.

The distribution of hookworm in schistosomiasis-endemic areas in Brazil was mapped based on climate suitability. Known biological requirements of hookworm were fitted to data in a monthly long-term normal climate grid (18 x 18 km) using geographical information systems. Hookworm risk models were produced using the growing degree day (GDD) water budget (WB) concept.

Mapping and modelling neglected tropical diseases and poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The prospects and opportunities for application of risk mapping and modelling of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Latin America are examined with the aim to broaden the interest in geospatial research there. Special reference is made to the potential use of geospatial tools in health planning and implementation of national disease control programmes.

Geospatial health: the first five years.

Geospatial Health is an international, peer-reviewed scientific journal produced by the Global Network for Geospatial Health (GnosisGIS). This network was founded in 2000 and the inaugural issue of its official journal was published in November 2006 with the aim to cover all aspects of geographical information system (GIS) applications, remote sensing and other spatial analytic tools focusing on human and veterinary health. The University of Naples Federico II is the publisher, producing two issues per year, both as hard copy and an open-access online version.

Effect of soil surface salt on the density and distribution of the snail Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos in northeast Thailand.

Opisthorchis viverrini infection is associated with human cholangiocarcinoma and northeast Thailand has the highest incidence of this disease in the world. Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos is the major freshwater snail intermediate host of O. viverrini in this area and an analysis based on geographical information systems was used to determine the effect of variation in soil surface salt on the density and distribution of this snail.

Mapping and predicting malaria transmission in the People's Republic of China, using integrated biology-driven and statistical models.

The purpose of this study was to deepen our understanding of Plasmodium vivax malaria transmission patterns in the People's Republic of China (P.R. China).

Implementing a geospatial health data infrastructure for control of Asian schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China and the Philippines.

This review focuses on implementing a geospatial health infrastructure for control of schistosomiasis and other helminthic infections in Southeast Asia, with special focus on the People's Republic of China and the Philippines, using a model working group approach. Health workers have lagged in utilization of geospatial analysis and widely available, low-cost spatial data resources for epidemiological modelling and control programme management. The critical limitation on development of useful health applications to date has not been the availability of geospatial data and methods.

Prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in the canine and feline hosts in three villages, Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand.

To determine the current reservoir status and prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection in endemic areas, 78 dogs and 22 cats were sampled for fecal examination in 3 villages along the Chi River in Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand. Sex, age, color, identifiable markings, subjective body condition scores (BCS) and diet were recorded and analyzed. Fecal samples were evaluated using direct smear and modified formalin-ethyl acetate fecal assays.

Comparison of two immunochromatographic assays and the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in dogs in south central Louisiana.

Two rapid tests evaluated in dogs considered to be of high risk of infection with the Chagas parasite Trypanosoma cruzi using two immunochromatographic assays: Trypanosoma Detect for canine, InBios, Seattle, WA and CHAGAS STAT-PAK assay, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, NY, in south central Louisiana. For this purpose a serological survey was carried out in a total of 122 dogs and a serum bank was created. These 122 animals were first tested by IFAT that was used as the standard test.

Spatial epidemiology in zoonotic parasitic diseases: insights gained at the 1st International Symposium on Geospatial Health in Lijiang, China, 2007.

The 1st International Symposium on Geospatial Health was convened in Lijiang, Yunnan province, People's Republic of China from 8 to 9 September, 2007. The objective was to review progress made with the application of spatial techniques on zoonotic parasitic diseases, particularly in Southeast Asia. The symposium featured 71 presentations covering soil-transmitted and water-borne helminth infections, as well as arthropod-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis, malaria and lymphatic filariasis.