A disproportionate burden of helminthiases in human populations occurs in marginalised, low-income, and resource-constrained regions of the world, with over 1 billion people in developing areas of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and the Americas infected with one or more helminth species. The morbidity caused by such infections imposes a substantial burden of disease, contributing to a vicious circle of infection, poverty, decreased productivity, and inadequate socioeconomic development. Furthermore, helminth infection accentuates the morbidity of malaria and HIV/AIDS, and impairs vaccine efficacy. Polyparasitism is the norm in these populations, and infections tend to be persistent. Hence, there is a great need to reduce morbidity caused by helminth infections. However, major deficiencies exist in diagnostics and interventions, including vector control, drugs, and vaccines. Overcoming these deficiencies is hampered by major gaps in knowledge of helminth biology and transmission dynamics, platforms from which to help develop such tools. The Disease Reference Group on Helminths Infections (DRG4), established in 2009 by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), was given the mandate to review helminthiases research and identify research priorities and gaps. In this review, we provide an overview of the forces driving the persistence of helminthiases as a public health problem despite the many control initiatives that have been put in place; identify the main obstacles that impede progress towards their control and elimination; and discuss recent advances, opportunities, and challenges for the understanding of the biology, epidemiology, and control of these infections. The helminth infections that will be discussed include: onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, food-borne trematodiases, and taeniasis/cysticercosis.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3335854PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0001582DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

morbidity caused
8
helminth infections
8
infections
6
helminthiases
5
helminth
5
agenda helminth
4
helminth diseases
4
diseases humans
4
humans problem
4
problem helminthiases
4

Similar Publications

Comparison of short-and long-term outcomes between endovascular and open repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Int J Surg

January 2025

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Affiliated Nanchong Central Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Hospital of Beijing Anzhen Hospital Capital Medical University, Nanchong, China.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of endovascular versus open repair for the treatment of patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA).

Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies was performed. Outcome data, including postoperative mortality and morbidity, operative details, all-cause survival, freedom from aortic-related survival and freedom from aortic-related re-intervention, were independently extracted by two authors in a standardized way.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Assessment of the interobserver and the intraobserver reproducibility for the detection of renal cortical defects in adults and children using [99mTc]Tc-MAG3.

Q J Nucl Med Mol Imaging

January 2025

Section of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.

Background: One can assess cortical defects on the early images of [99mTc]Tc-MAG3 renography. We aimed to assess interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility for detecting renal cortical defects using [99mTc]Tc-MAG3 for adults and children; identify causes for poor inter- and intraobserver reproducibility and to assess the effect of the kidney to background ratio (KTBR) on reproducibility.

Methods: One hundred adult and 200 pediatric renograms were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: Medication nonadherence imposes high morbidity, mortality, and costs but is challenging to address given its multiple causes. Subscription models are increasingly used in health care to encourage healthy behaviors; in January 2023, Amazon Pharmacy launched RxPass, a subscription program offering Amazon Prime members (hereafter, company members) in 45 states access to 60 common generic medications for a flat $5 monthly fee.

Objective: To evaluate the associations of program enrollment with medication refills, days' supply, and out-of-pocket costs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Importance: This study addresses the characteristics, kidney replacement therapy (KRT) modalities, and outcomes in children diagnosed with crush syndrome following an earthquake in Turkey.

Objective: To analyze the associations of different KRT modalities with long-term dialysis dependency and length of stay (LOS) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter, prospective, and retrospective cohort study was conducted across 20 PICUs in Turkey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!