Determinants of sputum culture conversion time in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients in ALERT comprehensive specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The treatment response of multi-drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-Tuberculosis) patients is mainly dictated by the sputum culture conversion. An earlier culture conversion is a remarkable indicator of the improvement in the treatment response. In this study, we aimed to determine the time to culture conversion and its associated factors among MDR-Tuberculosis patients in All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training Center (ALERT) Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Characteristics of TPT initiation and completion among people living with HIV.

Background: TB preventive treatment (TPT) reduces morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite the successful scale-up of TPT in Malawi, monitoring and evaluation have been suboptimal. We utilized the Malawi Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (MPHIA) 2020-2021 survey data to estimate TPT uptake and completion among self-reported HIV-positive persons.

Body map stories from Colombia: experiences of people affected by leprosy and the influence of peers during diagnosis and treatment.

Introduction: Almost one third of people affected by leprosy in Colombia suffer from disability, which often results from delayed diagnosis and treatment. We aimed to explore the experience of people affected by leprosy during the process of diagnosis and treatment and if and how this experience was influenced by peers.

Methods: A qualitative study using body map stories was conducted from October 2019 to February 2020 in Colombia.

The effects of selected neglected tropical diseases on economic performance at the macrolevel in Africa.

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) such as leprosy, lymphatic filariasis (LF), schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis are endemic in several African countries. These diseases can lead to severe pain and permanent disability, which can negatively affect the economic productivity of the affected person(s), and hence resulting into low economic performance at the macrolevel. Nonetheless, empirical evidence of the effects of these NTDs on economic performance at the macrolevel is sparse.

Strategies to resolve the gap in adolescent tuberculosis care at four health facilities in Uganda: The teenager's TB pilot project.

In 2021, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) globally and 11.3% were children.

Assessing the implementation fidelity, feasibility, and sustainability of community-based house improvement for malaria control in southern Malawi: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Despite significant success in the fight against malaria over the past two decades, malaria control programmes rely on only two insecticidal methods: indoor residual spraying and insecticidal-treated nets. House improvement (HI) can complement these interventions by reducing human-mosquito contact, thereby reinforcing the gains in disease reduction. This study assessed the implementation fidelity, which is the assessment of how closely an intervention aligns with its intended design, feasibility, and sustainability of community-led HI in southern Malawi.

Spatial-temporal trends in leprosy burden and its associations with socioeconomic and physical geographic factors: results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to assess the multiscalar changes in leprosy burden and its associated risk factors over the last three decades.

Study Design: We conducted an in-depth examination of leprosy's spatial-temporal trends at multiple geographical scale (global, regional, and national), utilizing information from Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD 2019).

Methods: Incidence and the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) in age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of leprosy were determined, with countries categorized based on leprosy incidence changes.

Post-campaign coverage evaluation of a measles and rubella supplementary immunization activity in five districts in India, 2019-2020.

Background: In alignment with the Measles and Rubella (MR) Strategic Elimination plan, India conducted a mass measles and rubella vaccination campaign across the country between 2017 and 2020 to provide a dose of MR containing vaccine to all children aged 9 months to 15 years. We estimated campaign vaccination coverage in five districts in India and assessed campaign awareness and factors associated with vaccination during the campaign to better understand reasons for not receiving the dose.

Methods And Findings: Community-based cross-sectional serosurveys were conducted in five districts of India among children aged 9 months to 15 years after the vaccination campaign.

Experiences of social stigma of people living with Hansen's disease in Brazil: silencing, secrets and exclusion.

Background: Hansen's disease is a chronic, infectious and transmissible disease that is considered a public health problem in Brazil. Hansen's disease is marked by stigma and prejudice, because it carries with it a strong negative social image, reinforced by policies of social isolation in the community.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in Ribeirão Preto, an inland city of the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

The potential role of artificial intelligence in the clinical management of Hansen's disease (leprosy).

Missed and delayed diagnoses of Hansen's disease (HD) are making the battle against it even more complex, increasing its transmission and significantly impacting those affected and their families. This strains public health systems and raises the risk of lifelong impairments and disabilities. Worryingly, the three countries most affected by HD witnessed a growth in new cases in 2022, jeopardizing the World Health Organization's targets to interrupt transmission.

Integration of HIV Testing in a Community Intervention for Tuberculosis Screening Among Household Contacts of Patients with Tuberculosis in Cameroon and Uganda.

Introduction: People living with HIV are considered at higher risk of developing severe forms of tuberculosis (TB) disease. Providing HIV testing to TB-exposed people is therefore critical. We present the results of integrating HIV testing into a community-based intervention for household TB contact management in Cameroon and Uganda.

Dot in circle sign on MRI in foot mycetoma.

Mycetoma or Maduramycosis is a chronic granulomatous infectious condition encountered mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. It affects the deep subcutaneous tissues, which may progress to involve the muscles and bones later in the course of the disease. It can be caused by fungi (eumycetoma), and bacteria (actinomycetoma) predominantly affecting the foot.

Spatiotemporal pattern of leprosy in southwest China from 2010 to 2020: an ecological study.

Background: Despite many efforts to control leprosy worldwide, it is still a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income regions. It has been endemic in China for thousands of years, and southwest China has the highest leprosy burden in the country.

Methods: This observational study was conducted with all newly detected leprosy cases in southwest China from 2010 to 2020.

Performance evaluation of Truenat MTB and Truenat MTB-RIF DX assays in comparison to gene XPERT MTB/RIF ultra for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in Uganda.

Background: The World Health Organization endorsed Truenat MTB rapid molecular assay in 2020 and recommended additional in-country evaluation studies before uptake. We evaluated the accuracy and operational feasibility of Truenat MTB assay (Truenat) in comparison with GeneXpert Ultra and culture.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 250 presumptive TB patients, participants were requested to provide a sputum sample on the day of their visit to the clinic.

Community based integrated wound care: Results of a pilot formative research conducted in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa.

Appropriate treatment of chronic wounds is priority in the management of Neglected Tropical Skin Diseases (NTSDs) and non-communicable diseases. We describe an integrated, community-based wound care pilot project carried out in Benin and Cote d'Ivoire that entailed both outreach education and evidence based wound care training for nurses staffing rural clinics. This research was carried out by a transdisciplinary research.

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of in highly endemic areas of China during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Objectives: The present study analyzed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and incidence of new leprosy cases, as well as the diversity, distribution, and temporal transmission of strains at the county level in leprae-endemic provinces in Southwest China.

Methods: A total of 219 new leprosy cases during two periods, 2018-2019 and 2020-2021, were compared. We genetically characterized 83 clinical isolates of in Guizhou using variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Molecular determinants of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Sierra Leone.

Unlabelled: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) management has become a serious global health challenge. Understanding its epidemic determinants on the regional level is crucial for developing effective control measures. We used whole genome sequencing data of 238 of complex (MTBC) strains to determine drug resistance profiles, phylogeny, and transmission dynamics of MDR/rifampicin-resistant (RR) MTBC strains from Sierra Leone.

Development of a multivariate predictive model for dapsone adverse drug events in people with leprosy under standard WHO multidrug therapy.

Background: The occurrence of adverse drug events (ADEs) during dapsone (DDS) treatment in patients with leprosy can constitute a significant barrier to the successful completion of the standardized therapeutic regimen for this disease. Well-known DDS-ADEs are hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, hepatotoxicity, agranulocytosis, and hypersensitivity reactions. Identifying risk factors for ADEs before starting World Health Organization recommended standard multidrug therapy (WHO/MDT) can guide therapeutic planning for the patient.

Health Screening Strategies for Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners for Tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Silicosis: A Case of the USAID-Supported Kunda Nqob'iTB Project in Zimbabwe.

Artisanal and small-scale mining is characterized by excessive exposure to physical, chemical, ergonomic, psychosocial and biological hazards. There is a high burden of tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and silicosis among artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs). The aim of this project report is to describe lessons learned from strategies implemented to reach ASMs with screening services for TB, HIV and silicosis in Zimbabwe through the Kunda-Nqob'i TB (KNTB) project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Task sharing for the management of leprosy by nurses in a tertiary healthcare setting of Northern India.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in managing leprosy due to a shortage of dermatologists and other healthcare professionals.

Methods: A total of 100 leprosy patients were divided into experimental (n=50) and control groups (n=50). The intervention included face-to-face counseling by a trained nurse, motivational videos and exercise demonstrations.

Multimethod evaluation of health services integration for neglected tropical diseases requiring case management in Liberia.

Introduction: The WHO neglected tropical disease (NTD) roadmap stresses the importance of integrating NTDs requiring case management (CM) within the health system. The NTDs programme of Liberia is among the first to implement an integrated approach and evaluate its impact.

Methods: A retrospective study of three of five CM-NTD-endemic counties that implemented the integrated approach was compared with cluster-matched counties with non-integrated CM-NTD.