Reassessing the Significance of Mycobacterium in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Study Protocol in Nigeria.

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) significantly impact the physical and mental well-being of affected individuals, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of integrating mental health services with self-care practices for individuals suffering from leprosy, Buruli ulcer (BU), and lymphatic filariasis (LF). The role of trained Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and NTD champions (NTD-Cs) will be explored to enhance health outcomes in this population.

Canine vector-borne parasites in the Galapagos.

Background: The extraordinary Galapagos Islands, with an impressive number of endemic and native species, maintain the interest and curiosity for researchers from all over the world. The native species are known to be vulnerable to new pathogens, cointroduced with their invasive hosts. In the case of invasive parasitic arthropods, their evolutionary success is related to the association with other invasive hosts (such as domestic animals).

Preventive efficacy of six monthly doses of NexGard® PLUS or Simparica Trio® against a macrocyclic lactone-resistant isolate (JYD-34) of Dirofilaria immitis and of a single dose of NexGard PLUS against a susceptible isolate.

Background: Two studies were conducted assessing the efficacy of NexGard® PLUS (NP) in preventing heartworm disease. Study 1 evaluated the efficacy of six monthly doses of NP or Simparica Trio® (ST) against a macrocyclic lactone-resistant isolate of heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, and study 2 evaluated the efficacy of a single dose of NP against a susceptible isolate.

Methods: In two studies, dogs that were negative for heartworms by antigen test and modified Knott's test were used.

Designing and comparative analysis of anti-oxidant and heat shock proteins based multi-epitopic filarial vaccines.

Background: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease affecting more than 882 million people in 44 countries of the world. A multi-epitope prophylactic/therapeutic vaccination targeting filarial defense proteins would be invaluable to achieve the current LF elimination goal.

Method: Two groups of proteins, namely Anti-oxidant (AO) and Heat shock proteins (HSPs), have been implicated in the effective survival of the filarial parasites in their hosts.

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Jamaica.

Dirofilaria immitis is a zoonotic vector-borne parasite that causes heartworm disease most commonly in canines. Although present in the Caribbean, no published work exists from Jamaica. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of D.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Single-Step Free Vascularized Lymph Node Transfer for the Management of Combined Genital and Lower Extremity Lymphedema: A Case Report.

The occurrence of genital lymphedema with lower extremity involvement is rare. There is no standard approach in the management of combined genital and lower extremity lymphedema (CGLL). The limited literature available on the management of CGLL reveals the use of multiple procedures, including vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA), and debulking.

Prevalence and attributable health burdens of vector-borne parasitic infectious diseases of poverty, 1990-2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Background: Vector-borne parasitic infectious diseases associated with poverty (referred to as vb-pIDP), such as malaria, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, and onchocerciasis, are highly prevalent in many regions around the world. This study aims to characterize the recent burdens of and changes in these vb-pIDP globally and provide a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of geographical and temporal trends.

Methods: Data on the prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of the vb-pIDP were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 for 21 geographical regions and 204 countries worldwide, from 1990-2021.

Resolution of chyluria due to congenital malformation with a minimally invasive procedure.

Milky white urine is most commonly due to chyluria secondary to filariasis, though other causes of milky white urine and other etiologies of chyluria must be considered. Evaluation of a 3-year-old girl with milky white urine demonstrated chyluria, but testing for filariasis was negative despite a history of travel to an endemic region. Magnetic resonance lymphangiography demonstrated a congenital lymphatic malformation, which was repaired following this minimally invasive imaging technique.

Estimation of the onset of exposure risk for (heartworm) in selected cities in Ontario from 1996 to 2023.

Background: (causative agent of heartworm disease) is a mosquito-borne parasite that is endemic in canids internationally and can cause serious disease in dogs.

Objective: The objective of this study was to predict the earliest time for infective exposure risk in multiple cities in Ontario. In addition, the potential impact of an increase in the daily mean temperature was evaluated.

Cost-effectiveness of vector control for supplementing mass drug administration for eliminating lymphatic filariasis in India.

Background/methodology: Despite progress using mass drug administration (MDA), lymphatic filariasis (LF) remains a major public health issue in India. Vector control could potentially augment MDA towards LF elimination. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis of MDA alone and MDA together with vector control single (VCS) modality or vector control integrated (VCI) modalities.

Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol.

Introduction: Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms, transmitted via mosquito bites. Significant global efforts have led to the interruption of LF transmission, with eight of the 16 previously endemic Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) validated by WHO as having eliminated the disease as a public health problem. Post-validation surveillance (PVS) is recommended to verify the absence of a resurgence in transmission; however, there are no guidelines on how to implement such surveillance effectively.

Density Associated with Socioenvironmental Conditions in a Municipality with Indeterminate Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in Northeastern Brazil.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty and poor environmental conditions. With the inclusion of vector control activities in LF surveillance actions, there is a need to develop simple methods to identify areas with higher mosquito density and thus a higher consequent risk of transmission. An ecological study was conducted in Igarassu, which is in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Experience of Health System Personnel in the Implementation of Mass Distribution Campaigns for the Control of Lymphatic Filariasis in Rural Guinea in 2022.

This study documents the experiences of health system personnel in the implementation of mass distribution campaigns for the control of lymphatic filariasis in rural Guinea. This was an exploratory qualitative study using data collected from implementing actors of mass distribution campaigns in the Boké health district. The results showed four main facilitators of mass distribution campaign rollout in the Boké health district: (i) support to the district teams in the organization of the campaigns; (ii) involvement of community-based associations in social mobilization; (iii) strong adherence of the communities to the different mass distribution campaigns, facilitated through the involvement of community relays, who are members of these communities, in the distribution of drugs; and (iv) transparency in the allocation of incentives to drug dispensers and supervisors.

Exploring cryopreservation alternatives for Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae.

Canine Heartworm Disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, primarily affects canids and felids. The earliest studies on cryopreservation were carried out at -70°C, achieving acceptable survival rates, however microfilariae (mf) showed alterations both in morphology and motility. Thereafter, liquid nitrogen was used representing an excellent tool for long-term preservation, albeit it is expensive and requires trained personnel.