Publications by authors named "T W Crucitti"
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.
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- 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.
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- STIs are a major global health issue that adversely impacts sexual and reproductive health, especially in low-resource settings due to gaps in evidence and tools.
- In 2022, the WHO launched an initiative to prioritize STI research, identifying 40 key areas, with a focus on developing affordable diagnostic tests, new treatments, and enhanced epidemiologic data.
- The priorities also emphasize innovative approaches to STI communication and partner management, and include research related to mpox, highlighting the need for STI studies during disease outbreaks linked to sexual transmission.
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
Asymptomatic infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis among women in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
PLOS Glob Public Health
May 2024
Syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is common in settings with limited access to diagnostic testing. However, this approach does not capture asymptomatic STIs. Untreated asymptomatic infections may result in serious complications and sequelae in women.
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