scholarly journals Disease ecology, health and the environment: a framework to account for ecological and socio-economic drivers in the control of neglected tropical diseases

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1722) ◽  
pp. 20160128 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Garchitorena ◽  
S. H. Sokolow ◽  
B. Roche ◽  
C. N. Ngonghala ◽  
M. Jocque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Modelling Framework ◽  
Environmental Reservoir

Reducing the burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is one of the key strategic targets advanced by the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the unprecedented effort deployed for NTD elimination in the past decade, their control, mainly through drug administration, remains particularly challenging: persistent poverty and repeated exposure to pathogens embedded in the environment limit the efficacy of strategies focused exclusively on human treatment or medical care. Here, we present a simple modelling framework to illustrate the relative role of ecological and socio-economic drivers of environmentally transmitted parasites and pathogens. Through the analysis of system dynamics, we show that periodic drug treatments that lead to the elimination of directly transmitted diseases may fail to do so in the case of human pathogens with an environmental reservoir. Control of environmentally transmitted diseases can be more effective when human treatment is complemented with interventions targeting the environmental reservoir of the pathogen. We present mechanisms through which the environment can influence the dynamics of poverty via disease feedbacks. For illustration, we present the case studies of Buruli ulcer and schistosomiasis, two devastating waterborne NTDs for which control is particularly challenging. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Conservation, biodiversity and infectious disease: scientific evidence and policy implications’.

Proteomics of Select Neglected Tropical Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-336
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Saviola ◽  
Fernanda Negrão ◽  
John R. Yates
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Drug Discovery And Development ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Invaluable Tool ◽  
The Subject ◽  
External Stimuli

Technological advances in mass spectrometry have enabled the extensive identification, characterization, and quantification of proteins in any biological system. In disease processes proteins are often altered in response to external stimuli; therefore, proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins and their functions, represents an invaluable tool for understanding the molecular basis of disease. This review highlights the use of mass spectrometry–based proteomics to study the pathogenesis, etiology, and pathology of several neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a diverse group of disabling diseases primarily associated with poverty in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. While numerous NTDs have been the subject of proteomic studies, this review focuses on Buruli ulcer, dengue, leishmaniasis, and snakebite envenoming. The proteomic studies highlighted provide substantial information on the pathogenic mechanisms driving these diseases; they also identify molecular targets for drug discovery and development and uncover promising biomarkers that can assist in early diagnosis.

scholarly journals Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in Three Health Districts of Côte d’Ivoire

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboa Paul Koffi ◽  
Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽  
Yves Thierry BAROGUI ◽  
Gabriel Diez ◽  
Simplice Djakeaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Health Districts

Abstract Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends that affected countries implement integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs, remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw.Method: This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. The study was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting.Results: We included in the study all patients with skin signs and symptoms at the screening stage who voluntarily accepted screening.In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed with Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients identified, as well as follow-up of identified patients, including those with other skin conditions.Conclusions: The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of staff capacity building and minimal care of identified patients.

scholarly journals Economic inequality caused by feedbacks between poverty and the dynamics of a rare tropical disease: the case of Buruli ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1818) ◽  
pp. 20151426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Garchitorena ◽  
Calistus N. Ngonghala ◽  
Jean-Francois Guegan ◽  
Gaëtan Texier ◽  
Martine Bellanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Heath Community

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have received increasing attention in recent years by the global heath community, as they cumulatively constitute substantial burdens of disease as well as barriers for economic development. A number of common tropical diseases such as malaria, hookworm or schistosomiasis have well-documented economic impacts. However, much less is known about the population-level impacts of diseases that are rare but associated with high disability burden, which represent a great number of tropical diseases. Using an individual-based model of Buruli ulcer (BU), we demonstrate that, through feedbacks between health and economic status, such NTDs can have a significant impact on the economic structure of human populations even at low incidence levels. While average wealth is only marginally affected by BU, the economic conditions of certain subpopulations are impacted sufficiently to create changes in measurable population-level inequality. A reduction of the disability burden caused by BU can thus maximize the economic growth of the poorest subpopulations and reduce significantly the economic inequalities introduced by the disease in endemic regions.

scholarly journals Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in three health districts of Côte d’Ivoire

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboa Paul Koffi ◽  
Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽  
YVES Thierry BAROGUI ◽  
Gabriel Diez ◽  
Simplice Djakeaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Health Districts

Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For an effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends to affected countries the implementation of integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw three skin NTDs. Method This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 Districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. It was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting. Results In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed as Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients detected, as well as follow up of detected patients including those with other skin conditions. Conclusions The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of a staff capacity building and a minimal care of the detected patients.

scholarly journals Integrated Approach in the Control and Management of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases in three health districts of Côte d’Ivoire

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboa Paul Koffi ◽  
Théodore Ange Kouakou Yao ◽  
Yves Thierry BAROGUI ◽  
Gabriel Diez ◽  
Simplice Djakeaux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
Skin Conditions ◽  
Health Districts

Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) comprise 20 communicable diseases that are prevalent in rural poor and remote communities with less access to the health system. For an effective and efficient control, the WHO recommends to affected countries the implementation of integrated control interventions that take into account the different co-endemic NTDs in the same community. However, implementing these integrated interventions involving several diseases with different etiologies, requiring different control approaches and driven by different vertical programs remains a challenge. We report here the results and lessons learned from a pilot test of this integrated approach based on integrated screening of skin diseases in three co-endemic health districts of Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country endemic for Buruli ulcer, leprosy and yaw. Method This cross-sectional study took place from April 2016 to March 2017 in 3 Districts of Côte d’Ivoire co-endemic for BU, leprosy and yaws. It was carried out in 6 stages: identification of potentially co-endemic communities; stakeholder training; social mobilization; mobile medical consultations; case detection and management; and a review meeting. Results We have included in the study all patients with ‘skin signs and symptoms at the screening stage who accepted voluntarily to be screened. In total, 2310 persons screened had skin lesions at the screening stage. Among them, 07 cases were diagnosed as Buruli ulcer. There were 30 leprosy cases and 15 yaws detected. Other types of ulcerations and skin conditions have been identified and represent the majority of cases detected. We learned from this pilot experience that integration can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities in Côte d’Ivoire. Health workers are motivated and available to implement integrated interventions instead of interventions focused on a single disease. However, it is essential to provide capacity building, a minimum of drugs and consumables for the care of the patients detected, as well as follow up of detected patients including those with other skin conditions. Conclusions The results of this study show that the integration of activities can be successfully implemented in co-endemic communities under the condition of a staff capacity building and a minimal care of the detected patients.

scholarly journals Policy Implications for Controlling Communicable Diseases in Indigenous Communities: Case of Strongyloidiasis in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Miller ◽  
Michelle L Smith ◽  
Jenni A Judd ◽  
Rick Speare
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Strongyloides Stercoralis ◽  
Institutional Racism ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Prevention Policy

The objective of this paper is to document the knowledge and experiences of healthcare professionals and researchers in Australia about the barriers to controlling Strongyloides stercoralis in Australian Indigenous communities. Qualitative research methods were used to conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews, which were digitally recorded, transcribed, and participant-checked. Data were thematically analysed to identify significant themes. Five major themes were identified:1)    Barriers to health/treatment;2)    Access to healthcare;3)    Policy;4)    Learning opportunity; and5)    Ideas for intervention.The findings suggest that Australian Indigenous communities will continue to suffer increased morbidity and mortality due to a lack of control or prevention of Strongyloides stercoralis. Issues such as institutional racism, improvements to health promotion, education, socioeconomic determinants, and health care system policy and procedures need to be addressed. This study identifies several direct implications for Indigenous health:The need for increased knowledge and understanding of the risks to health for Indigenous community members;The need for prevention policy development for neglected tropical diseases in Indigenous communities;The need for increased knowledge and understanding of the treatment, diagnosis, and healthcare access concerning Strongyloides stercoralis for health professionals and policymakers who work within Indigenous health;The need to raise awareness of systematic institutional racism in the control and prevention of neglected tropical diseases in Indigenous communities; andThe need for a health promotion framework that can provide the basis for multiple-level interventions to control and prevent Strongyloides in Indigenous communities.

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