scholarly journals Malaria elimination: needs assessment and priorities for the future

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 769-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal El-Moamly
Keyword(s):  
Malaria Elimination ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Health Organization

When the World Health Organization announced the goal of global eradication of malaria in 2007, questions were raised about the naivety of this proposition. Since then, experts have been divided about this goal. Some scientists suggest that when defeating malaria, elimination is a worthy and challenging aim, but this has to be done with modesty and thorough analysis. Others believe that it is time to repeat the experience of smallpox eradication and to open a whole new era for public health, the eradication of many diseases. The opposing view suggests that raising expectations and failing again may set malaria control back, rather than advance its cause. This literature review focuses on malaria elimination. It summarizes the history of malaria elimination, its success factors and reasons for failure, and the controversial issues in malaria elimination. The collected articles on the challenges of elimination, and the technical and financial feasibility that countries must appreciate before proceeding, are identified. Also, this review discusses the current global strategy to eliminate malaria and highlights the main concerns for future plans aimed at elimination. These plans foresee improving currently available diagnostic methods, therapeutic and prophylactic agents and protocols, vector control procedures, vaccine development progress, and other operational tools and approaches. Finally, this review addresses a number of research priorities in the present stage of the fight against malaria.

scholarly journals Advances in Diagnostic Methods for Zika Virus Infection

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Herrada ◽  
Md. Alamgir Kabir ◽  
Rommel Altamirano ◽  
Waseem Asghar
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Transcription ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Genome Structure ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Localized Surface Plasmon ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Health Organization

The Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the most infamous mosquito-borne flavivirus on recent memory due to its potential association with high mortality rates in fetuses, microcephaly and neurological impairments in neonates, and autoimmune disorders. The severity of the disease, as well as its fast spread over several continents, has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare ZIKV a global health concern. In consequence, over the past couple of years, there has been a significant effort for the development of ZIKV diagnostic methods, vaccine development, and prevention strategies. This review focuses on the most recent aspects of ZIKV research which includes the outbreaks, genome structure, multiplication and propagation of the virus, and more importantly, the development of serological and molecular detection tools such as Zika IgM antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Zika MAC-ELISA), plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), reverse transcription-loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensors, nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA). Additionally, we discuss the limitations of currently available diagnostic methods, the potential of newly developed sensing technologies, and also provide insight into future areas of research.

scholarly journals Scabies as a part of the World Health Organization roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030: what we know and what we need to do for global control

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amal A. El-Moamly
Keyword(s):  
World Health Organization ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
World Health ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Global Control ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Scabies is an under-recognized global health problem with an unacceptably high prevalence in many settings worldwide. Fortunately, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formally designated scabies as a neglected tropical disease in 2017, in the hope of increasing awareness and encouraging efforts to eradicate it. Also, scabies has recently been included as part of the WHO roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030, aimed at ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals. Main abstract body This review article places scabies in focus. The literature was reviewed to explore discussions on controversial issues in scabies control, with the aim of clarifying whether global control of scabies is a feasible and worthwhile objective. The existing status of scabies and its burden are discussed along with future prospects for its global control. The article investigates the feasibility of scabies control and provides updates on the various impediments to this goal, such as challenges related to transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccine development. Also examined are relevant research needs, success factors, and reasons for failure. This article aims to increase the global awareness of scabies and promote discussion, enhance coordinated international efforts, and ultimately, enact change at the national and worldwide levels toward the control of this preventable disease of the poor. Conclusion Despite the current challenges, scabies control is now within reach. With sustained interventions, continuous resources, and sincere commitment and support, scabies global control appears to be a worthwhile, realistic goal that is potentially achievable in the not so distant future.

scholarly journals The Search for Natural and Synthetic Inhibitors That Would Complement Antivenoms as Therapeutics for Snakebite Envenoming

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 451
Author(s):  
José María Gutiérrez ◽  
Laura-Oana Albulescu ◽  
Rachel H. Clare ◽  
Nicholas R. Casewell ◽  
Tarek Mohamed Abd Abd El-Aziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Snake Venom ◽  
Serine Proteinase ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Variable Chemical ◽  
Snake Venom Metalloproteinase ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Natural And Synthetic

A global strategy, under the coordination of the World Health Organization, is being unfolded to reduce the impact of snakebite envenoming. One of the pillars of this strategy is to ensure safe and effective treatments. The mainstay in the therapy of snakebite envenoming is the administration of animal-derived antivenoms. In addition, new therapeutic options are being explored, including recombinant antibodies and natural and synthetic toxin inhibitors. In this review, snake venom toxins are classified in terms of their abundance and toxicity, and priority actions are being proposed in the search for snake venom metalloproteinase (SVMP), phospholipase A2 (PLA2), three-finger toxin (3FTx), and serine proteinase (SVSP) inhibitors. Natural inhibitors include compounds isolated from plants, animal sera, and mast cells, whereas synthetic inhibitors comprise a wide range of molecules of a variable chemical nature. Some of the most promising inhibitors, especially SVMP and PLA2 inhibitors, have been developed for other diseases and are being repurposed for snakebite envenoming. In addition, the search for drugs aimed at controlling endogenous processes generated in the course of envenoming is being pursued. The present review summarizes some of the most promising developments in this field and discusses issues that need to be considered for the effective translation of this knowledge to improve therapies for tackling snakebite envenoming.

scholarly journals Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Sleep and Self-Regulation in Spanish Preschoolers during the COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 693
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Alonso-Martínez ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Yesenia García-Alonso ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Antonio García-Hermoso
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
World Health ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviors ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Health Organization

Background: A better understanding of the effects of the lockdown on lifestyle behaviors may help to guide the public health response to COVID-19 at a national level and to update the global strategy to respond COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on device-measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, sleep and self-regulation; and to determine whether PA and sleep are related to self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Methods: PA, sedentary time and sleep were assessed using accelerometry in the week in which the Spanish national state of alarm was declared (n = 21). Parents reported preschooler’s self-regulation difficulties (internalizing and externalizing) before (n = 268) and during the lockdown (n = 157) by a validated questionnaire. Results: Preschoolers showed a decrease in total PA (mean difference [MD] = −43.3 min per day, 95% CI −68.1 to −18.5), sleep efficiency (MD = −2.09%, 95% CI −4.12 to −0.05), an increase in sedentary time (MD = 50.2 min per day, 95% CI 17.1 to 83.3) internalizing (MD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.28) and externalizing (MD = 0.33, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.44) problems. Preschoolers who met the World Health Organization recommendations for PA had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers (MD = −1.28, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.03). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the importance of meeting PA recommendations to reduce psychosocial difficulties during a lockdown situation.

scholarly journals Death of the King: The Introduction of Vaccination into Nepal in 1816

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Heydon
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Smallpox Vaccination ◽  
Communicable Disease Control ◽  
Eradication Programme ◽  
Early Appearance ◽  
Colonial Authority ◽  
History Of ◽  
Global Eradication ◽  
Health Organization

This article explores the introduction of smallpox vaccination into Nepal in 1816 at the request of the Nepalese government; the king, however, was not vaccinated, contracted the disease and died. British hopes that vaccination would be extended throughout the country did not eventuate. The article examines the significance of this early appearance of vaccination in Nepal for both Nepalese and British, and relates it to the longer history of smallpox control and eventual eradication. When the Nepalese requested World Health Organization (WHO) assistance with communicable disease control in the mid-twentieth century little had changed for most Nepalese. We know about the events in 1816 through the letters of the newly imposed British Resident after Nepal’s military defeat in the Anglo-Nepal War (1814–16). By also drawing on other sources and foregrounding Nepal, it becomes possible to build up a more extensive picture of smallpox in Nepal that shows not only boundaries and limits to colonial authority and influence but also how governments may adopt and use technologies on their own terms and for their own purposes. Linking 1816 to the ultimately successful global eradication programme 150 years later reminds us of the need to think longer term as to why policies and programmes may or may not work as planned.

scholarly journals The 2016 Vaccine Development Pipeline: A special issue from the World Health Organization Product Development for Vaccine Advisory Committee (PDVAC)

Vaccine ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26) ◽  
pp. 2863-2864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgitte K. Giersing ◽  
Kayvon Modjarrad ◽  
David C. Kaslow ◽  
Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele ◽  
Vasee S. Moorthy
Keyword(s):  
Product Development ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
World Health ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The World ◽  
Development Pipeline ◽  
Health Organization

scholarly journals Antibody titers measured by commercial assays are correlated with neutralizing antibody titers calibrated by international standards

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-An Kung ◽  
Chung-Guei Huang ◽  
Sheng-Yu Huang ◽  
Kuan-Ting Liu ◽  
Peng-Nien Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
International Standards ◽  
World Health ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Health Organization

The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the importance of an international standard (IS) for SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titer detection, with the aim of calibrating different diagnostic techniques. In this study, IS was applied to calibrate neutralizing antibody titers (IU/mL) and binding antibody titers (BAU/mL) in response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Serum samples were collected from participants receiving the Moderna (n = 20) and Pfizer (n = 20) vaccines at three time points: pre-vaccination, after one dose, and after two doses. We obtained geometric mean titers of 1404.16 and 928.75 IU/mL for neutralizing antibodies after two doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, respectively. These values provide an important baseline for vaccine development and the implementation of non-inferiority trials. We also compared three commercially available kits from Roche, Abbott, and MeDiPro for the detection of COVID-19 antibodies based on binding affinity to S1 and/or RBD. Our results demonstrated that antibody titers measured by commercial assays are highly correlated with neutralizing antibody titers calibrated by IS.

scholarly journals COVID-19: Current Developments and Further Opportunities in Drug Delivery and Therapeutics

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Saman Zafar ◽  
Muhammad Sohail Arshad ◽  
Sameen Fatima ◽  
Amna Ali ◽  
Aliyah Zaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Disease Spread ◽  
Plasma Therapy ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Spread Of Infection

SARS-CoV-2 has affected people from all age groups, races and ethnicities. Given that many infected individuals are asymptomatic, they transmit the disease to others unknowingly, which has resulted in the spread of infection at an alarming rate. This review aims to provide an overview of the pathophysiology, preventive measures to reduce the disease spread, therapies currently in use, an update on vaccine development and opportunities for vaccine delivery. The World Health Organization has advised several precautions including social distancing, hand washing and the use of PPE including gloves and face masks for minimizing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. At present, several antiviral therapies previously approved for other infections are being repositioned to study their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, some medicines (i.e., remdesivir, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine) have received emergency use authorisation from the FDA. Plasma therapy has also been authorised for emergency use for the treatment of COVID-19 on a smaller scale. However, no vaccine has been approved so far against this virus. Nevertheless, several potential vaccine targets have been reported, and development of different types of vaccines including DNA, mRNA, viral vector, inactivated, subunit and vaccine-like particles is in process. It is concluded that a suitable candidate delivered through an advanced drug delivery approach would effectively boost the immune system against this coronavirus.

scholarly journals Invest in physical activity to protect and promote health: the 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidde P. van der Ploeg ◽  
Fiona C. Bull
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
New Guidelines ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractIn this editorial we discuss the new 2020 World Health Organization guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour and a series of related papers that are published simultaneously in IJBNPA. The new guidelines reaffirm that physical activity is a ‘best buy’ for public health and should be used to support governments to increase investment in policy and research to promote and ensure physical activity opportunities are available for everyone. New recommendations on sedentary behaviour and inclusion of specific guidelines for people living with disability and/or chronic disease and pregnant and postpartum women are major developments since 2010. We discuss research priorities, as well as policy implementation and the contribution to the sustainable development agenda. The new guidelines can catalyse the paradigm shifts needed to enable equitable opportunities to be physically active for everyone, everywhere, every day.

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