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Ferrer E, Aguilar CM, Viettri M, Torrellas A, Lares M, Diaz M, Delgado O, Feliciangeli MD, Herrera L. Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis, Sympatric Zoonoses Present in Human from Rural Communities of Venezuela. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:616-627. [PMID: 38294711 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. coexist in several endemic areas, and there are few studies of Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection worldwide; for this reason, the objective of this work was to determine the Chagas disease and leishmaniasis coinfection in several rural communities co-endemic for these diseases. METHODS A total of 1107 human samples from six co-endemic rural communities of Cojedes state, Venezuela, were analyzed. Serum samples were evaluated by ELISA, indirect hemagglutination, and indirect immunofluorescence for Chagas disease diagnosis, and individuals were evaluated for leishmaniasis by leishmanin skin test (LST). Approximately, 30% of the individuals were also analyzed by PCR (blood clot samples) for T. cruzi and for Leishmania spp. RESULTS The 14.7% of the individuals were positive to Trypanosoma cruzi infection by serology, and 25.8% were positive to Leishmania spp. current or past infection by LST. Among the group with PCR results, 7.8% were positive for T. cruzi, and 9.4% for Leishmania spp. The coinfection T. cruzi/Leishmania spp. was 6.5%. The T. cruzi DTUs of the positive blood clot samples were TcI, revealed using the molecular markers: (i) intergenic region of the miniexon, (ii) D7 divergent domain of the 24Sα rDNA, (iii) size-variable domain of the 18S rDNA, and (iv) hsp60-PCR-RFLP (EcoRV). The Leishmania species identified were L. (Leishmania) mexicana and L. (Viannia) braziliensis. CONCLUSION A high prevalence was found for T. cruzi and Leishmania spp. single and coinfections in almost all communities studied, being these results of relevance for the implementation of control programs in co-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ferrer
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela.
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela.
| | - Cruz M Aguilar
- Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET-UC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, San Carlos, Cojedes, Venezuela
| | - Mercedes Viettri
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Annhymariet Torrellas
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - María Lares
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Marietta Diaz
- Centro de Investigaciones en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET-UC), Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Carabobo, San Carlos, Cojedes, Venezuela
| | - Olinda Delgado
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical (IMT), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - María D Feliciangeli
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas "Dr. Francisco J. Triana Alonso" (BIOMED), Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, calle Cecilio Acosta, Urb. La Rinconada, Las Delicias, Maracay, estado Aragua, Venezuela
| | - Leidi Herrera
- Instituto de Zoología y Ecología Tropical (IZET), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
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Harada Y, Iwashita H, Moriyasu T, Nagi S, Saito N, Sugawara-Mikami M, Yoshioka K, Yotsu R. The current status of neglected tropical diseases in Japan: A scoping review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0011854. [PMID: 38166156 PMCID: PMC10786391 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Little attention has been paid to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in high-income countries and no literature provides an overview of NTDs in Japan. This scoping review aims to synthesize the latest evidence and information to understand epidemiology of and public health response to NTDs in Japan. Using three academic databases, we retrieved articles that mentioned NTDs in Japan, written in English or Japanese, and published between 2010 and 2020. Websites of key public health institutions and medical societies were also explored. From these sources of information, we extracted data that were relevant to answering our research questions. Our findings revealed the transmission of alveolar echinococcosis, Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, foodborne trematodiases, mycetoma, scabies, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis as well as occurrence of snakebites within Japan. Other NTDs, such as chikungunya, cystic echinococcosis, cysticercosis, leishmaniasis, leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, rabies, and schistosomiasis, have been imported into the country. Government agencies tend to organize surveillance and control programs only for the NTDs targeted by the Infectious Disease Control Law, namely, echinococcosis, rabies, dengue, and chikungunya. At least one laboratory offers diagnostic testing for each NTD except for dracunculiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, and yaws. No medicine is approved for treatment of Chagas disease and fascioliasis and only off-label use drugs are available for cysticercosis, opisthorchiasis, human African trypanosomiasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, and yaws. Based on these findings, we developed disease-specific recommendations. In addition, three policy issues are discussed, such as lack of legal frameworks to organize responses to some NTDs, overreliance on researchers to procure some NTD products, and unaffordability of unapproved NTD medicines. Japan should recognize the presence of NTDs within the country and need to address them as a national effort. The implications of our findings extend beyond Japan, emphasizing the need to study, recognize, and address NTDs even in high-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriko Harada
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hanako Iwashita
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taeko Moriyasu
- Office for Global Relations, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Nagi
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Tropical Medicine (NEKKEN), Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nobuo Saito
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Mariko Sugawara-Mikami
- West Yokohama Sugawara Dermatology Clinic, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kota Yoshioka
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Interfaculty Initiative in Planetary Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Rie Yotsu
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
- Department of Dermatology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Casulli A, Antinori S, Bartoloni A, D'Amelio S, Gabrielli AF, Gazzoli G, Rinaldi L, Bruschi F. Neglected Tropical Diseases in Italy: introducing IN-NTD, the Italian network for NTDs. Parasitology 2023; 150:1082-1088. [PMID: 37264942 PMCID: PMC10801374 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023000422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) as a diverse group of primarily infectious diseases, which disproportionately affect poor and marginalized populations worldwide. In this context, NTDs are responsible for important morbidity and mortality and justify a global response. Moreover, NTDs are relatively neglected by research and development as well as by funding, if compared with the magnitude of the public health problem they represent. This happens even though, unlike other infectious diseases, they can be prevented, controlled and eliminated by targeted public health interventions. NTDs are mainly prevalent in communities from low-income countries in tropical and sub-tropical areas but are also present in upper–middle-income countries, including several in Europe. Here, we provide an update on the most relevant parasitic endemic or imported NTDs in Italy and illustrate the rationale for the establishment of the Italian network on NTDs, an alliance of scientific societies, institutes, foundations, universities and non-profit organizations united to fight NTDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriano Casulli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- European Union Reference Laboratory for Parasites (EURLP), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Spinello Antinori
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
- Italian Society for Infectious and Tropical Diseases (SIMIT), Prato, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Albis Francesco Gabrielli
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Giovanni Gazzoli
- Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO), Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., School of Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Italian Society of Parasitology (SoIPa), c/o Department of Public Health, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Maia C, Conceição C, Pereira A, Rocha R, Ortuño M, Muñoz C, Jumakanova Z, Pérez-Cutillas P, Özbel Y, Töz S, Baneth G, Monge-Maillo B, Gasimov E, Van der Stede Y, Torres G, Gossner CM, Berriatua E. The estimated distribution of autochthonous leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum in Europe in 2005-2020. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011497. [PMID: 37467280 PMCID: PMC10389729 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study describes the spatial and temporal distribution between 2005 and 2020 of human and animal leishmaniasis by Leishmania infantum in European countries reporting autochthonous cases, and highlights potential activities to improve disease control. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS It was based on a review of the scientific literature and data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Ministries of Health, including hospital discharges in some countries. Autochthonous infections were reported in the scientific literature from 22 countries, including 13 and 21 countries reporting human and animal infections, respectively. In contrast, only 17 countries reported autochthonous human leishmaniasis cases to the WHO and 8 countries animal infections to the WOAH. The number of WOAH reported cases were 4,203, comprising 4,183 canine cases and 20 cases in wildlife. Of 8,367 WHO reported human cases, 69% were visceral leishmaniasis cases-of which 94% were autochthonous-and 31% cutaneous leishmaniasis cases-of which 53% were imported and mostly in France. The resulting cumulative incidence per 100,000 population of visceral leishmaniasis between 2005-2020, was highest in Albania (2.15 cases), followed by Montenegro, Malta, Greece, Spain and North Macedonia (0.53-0.42), Italy (0.16), Portugal (0.09) and lower in other endemic countries (0.07-0.002). However, according to hospital discharges, the estimated human leishmaniasis incidence was 0.70 in Italy and visceral leishmaniasis incidences were 0.67 in Spain and 0.41 in Portugal. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Overall, there was no evidence of widespread increased incidence of autochthonous human leishmaniasis by L. infantum in European countries. Visceral leishmaniasis incidence followed a decreasing trend in Albania, Italy and Portugal, and peaked in Greece in 2013, 2014 and 2017, and in Spain in 2006-2007 and 2011-2013. Animal and human cutaneous leishmaniasis remain highly underreported. In humans, hospital discharge databases provide the most accurate information on visceral leishmaniasis and may be a valuable indirect source of information to identify hotspots of animal leishmaniasis. Integrated leishmaniasis surveillance and reporting following the One Health approach, needs to be enhanced in order to improve disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Conceição
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - André Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rafael Rocha
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- SaBio, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Zarima Jumakanova
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Yusuf Özbel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Seray Töz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Begoña Monge-Maillo
- Unidad de Referencia Nacional para Enfermedades Tropicales, Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elkhan Gasimov
- Division of Country Health Programmes, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yves Van der Stede
- Biological Hazards, Animal Health and Welfare (BIOHAW) Unit, European Food Safety Authority, Parma, Italy
| | - Gregorio Torres
- Science Department, World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Paris, France
| | - Céline M. Gossner
- Disease Programme Unit, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Fontecha G. The Honduran diaspora and infectious diseases: An urgent need for action. Travel Med Infect Dis 2023; 53:102567. [PMID: 36958705 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there has been a significant increase in irregular migration from Central America's northern triangle (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador). Hondurans who migrate to North America face numerous risks to their lives and health. Infectious diseases are one of the most serious threats to migrants both during the migration process and once they arrive in the host country. The major infectious diseases affecting both migrants and the health services in non-endemic countries that care for these migrants are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Fontecha
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, Ciudad Universitaria, Bulevard Suyapa, Edificio J1, Segundo Piso, 11101, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
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Zammarchi L, Botta A, Tilli M, Gobbi F, Bartoloni A, Boccalini S. Presumptive treatment or serological screening for schistosomiasis in migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa could save both lives and money for the Italian National Health System: results of an economic evaluation. J Travel Med 2023; 30:6845442. [PMID: 36420915 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis can lead to severe irreversible complications and death if left untreated. Italian and European guidelines recommend serological screening for this infection in migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, studies on clinical and economic impact of this strategy in the Italian and European settings are lacking. This study aims to compare benefits and costs of different strategies to manage schistosomiasis in migrants from SSA to Italy. METHODS A decision tree and a Markov model were developed to assess the health and economic impacts of three interventions: (i) passive diagnosis for symptomatic patients (current practice in Italy); (ii) serological screening of all migrants and treating those found positive and (iii) presumptive treatment for all migrants with praziquantel in a single dose. The time horizon of analysis was one year to determine the exact expenses, and 28 years to consider possible sequelae, in the Italian health-care perspective. Data input was derived from available literature; costs were taken from the price list of Careggi University Hospital, Florence, and from National Hospitals Records. RESULTS Assuming a population of 100 000 migrants with schistosomiasis prevalence of 21·2%, the presumptive treatment has a greater clinical impact with 86.3% of the affected being cured (75.2% in screening programme and 44.9% in a passive diagnosis strategy). In the first year, the presumptive treatment and the screening strategy compared with passive diagnosis prove cost-effective (299 and 595 cost/QALY, respectively). In the 28-year horizon, the two strategies (screening and presumptive treatment) compared with passive diagnosis become dominant (less expensive with more QALYs) and cost-saving. CONCLUSION The results of the model suggest that presumptive treatment and screening strategies are more favourable than the current passive diagnosis in the public health management of schistosomiasis in SSA migrants, especially in a longer period analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Annarita Botta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Tilli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Sara Boccalini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Barbiero A, Mazzi M, Mantella A, Trotta M, Rossolini GM, Antonelli A, Bordonaro P, Colao MG, Speciale AR, Di Benedetto T, Di Tommaso M, Mantengoli E, Petraglia F, Galli L, Pezzati M, Dani C, Caldes Pinilla MJ, Berni C, Dannaoui B, Albajar Viñas P, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. A Questionnaire Integrated with the Digital Medical Record Improved the Coverage of a Control Program for Congenital Chagas Disease in Tuscany, Italy. Microorganisms 2023; 11:154. [PMID: 36677446 PMCID: PMC9866674 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The leading route of Chagas disease transmission in nonendemic countries is congenital. However, policies concerning screening, prevention, and management of congenital Chagas disease are rare in these settings. Since 2012, serological screening for Chagas disease should be provided for pregnant women at risk in Tuscany, Italy according to a Regional resolution. Due to difficulties in the implementation, in November 2019, a checklist aimed at identifying pregnant women at risk for Chagas disease was introduced in digital clinical records at Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Chagas checklist", data about the number of deliveries by women at risk and their screening coverage between 2012 and June 2022 were collected. Out of 1348 deliveries by women at risk, 626 (47%) Trypanosoma cruzi serology tests were performed during the study period. The annual screening coverage increased from an average of 40.3% between 2012 and 2019 to 75.7% between 2020 and June 2022, underlining the big impact of the checklist. Four Chagas disease serological tests out of 626 (0.6%) resulted positive, corresponding to 2 affected women. No cases of congenital transmission occurred. The study showed that a simple digital tool led to a tangible improvement in the coverage of the screening program; its application in a setting where digital charts are available will contribute to the control and elimination of congenital Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Barbiero
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Mazzi
- School of Human Health Sciences, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Antonia Mantella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Tuscany Regional Referral Center for Tropical Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Trotta
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Tuscany Regional Referral Center for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Antonelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bordonaro
- Hospital General Laboratory, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Colao
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Rosa Speciale
- Department of Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Tullio Di Benedetto
- Department of Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Department of Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology Branch, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mantengoli
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Galli
- Department of Health Sciences University of Florence, Paediatric Infectious Diseases Division, Anna Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Pezzati
- Pediatric Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, AUSL Toscana Centro, Via Antella, 58, Bagno a Ripoli, 50012 Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Dani
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria José Caldes Pinilla
- Tuscany Regional Center for Global Health, Anna Meyer Children’s University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Cecilia Berni
- Citizenship Rights and Social Cohesion Directorate, Tuscany Region, Via Camillo Cavour, 2, 50122 Florence, Italy
| | - Bassam Dannaoui
- Technological Innovation in Clinical-Assistance Activities Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Pedro Albajar Viñas
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Tuscany Regional Referral Center for Tropical Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Tuscany Regional Referral Center for Tropical Diseases, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Tuscany Regional Referral Center for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy, Careggi University Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Cerebral Taenia crassiceps larvae infection in a 71-year-old immunocompetent male. Infection 2023; 51:277-281. [PMID: 36083404 PMCID: PMC9879806 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01912-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
We report a rare case of a cerebral infection with Taenia crassiceps tapeworm larvae in an immunocompetent 71-year-old German male. Initially, an intracerebral malignoma was suspected after the patient experienced stroke-like symptoms. After surgery, helminth larvae, later identified as T. crassiceps, were detected. Identification on the species level was possible by specific PCR and sequencing. After complete surgical removal, the patient was treated with albendazole and dexamethasone for two weeks. No residual symptoms were reported up to date.
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Riccò M, Zaniboni A, Satta E, Ranzieri S, Cerviere MP, Marchesi F, Peruzzi S. West Nile Virus Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study on Italian Medical Professionals during Summer Season 2022. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7120404. [PMID: 36548659 PMCID: PMC9786547 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7120404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) has progressively endemized in large areas of continental Europe, and particularly in Northern Italy, in the Po River Valley. During summer season 2022, Italy experienced an unprecedented surge in incidence cases of WNV infections, including its main complications (West Nile fever (WNF) and West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)). As knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical professionals may be instrumental in guaranteeing a prompt diagnosis and an accurate management of incident cases, we performed a cross-sectional study specifically on a sample of Italian medical professionals (1 August 2022-10 September 2022; around 8800 potential recipients). From a total of 332 questionnaires (response rate of 3.8%), 254 participating medical professionals were eventually included in the analyses. Knowledge status of participants was unsatisfying, as most of them exhibited knowledge gaps on the actual epidemiology of WNV, with similar uncertainties on the clinical features of WNF and WNND. Moreover, most of participants substantially overlooked WNV as a human pathogen when compared to SARS-CoV-2, TB, and even HIV. Interestingly, only 65.4% of respondents were either favorable or highly favorable towards a hypothetical WNV vaccine. Overall, acknowledging a higher risk perception on WNV was associated with individual factors such as reporting a seniority ≥ 10 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.39, 95% Confidence interval [95%CI] 1.34 to 4.28), reporting a better knowledge score (aOR 2.92, 95%CI 1.60 to 5.30), having previously managed cases of WNV infections (aOR 3.65, 95%CI 1.14 to 14.20), being favorable towards a hypothetic vaccine (aOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.15 to 4.04), and perceiving WNV infections as potentially affecting daily activities (aOR 2.57, 95%CI 1.22 to 5.42). In summary, substantial knowledge gaps and the erratic risk perception collectively enlighten the importance and the urgency for appropriate information campaigns among medical professionals, and particularly among frontline personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccò
- Occupational Health and Safety Service on the Workplace/Servizio di Prevenzione e Sicurezza Ambienti di Lavoro (SPSAL), Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-339-2994343 or +39-522-837587
| | | | - Elia Satta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Silvia Ranzieri
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | | | - Federico Marchesi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Peruzzi
- Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche e Microbiologiche, Ospedale Civile di Guastalla, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42016 Guastalla, Italy
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Brito SPDS, Lima MDS, Ferreira AF, Ramos AN. [Hospital admissions due to neglected tropical diseases in Piauí, in the Northeast region of Brazil: costs, time trends, and spatial patterns, 2001-2018]. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2022; 38:e00281021. [PMID: 36169444 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xpt281021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To characterize the magnitude of hospital admissions and costs of patients with neglected tropical diseases, their time trends, and spatial patterns in Piauí, in the Northeast Region of Brazil, in 2001-2018. Ecological study of mixed designs, with calculation of relative risk (RR), time-trend analysis by Poisson regression, and inflection points, using data from neglected tropical diseases Hospital Admission Authorizations available in the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIH/SUS). Data showed 49,832 hospital admissions due to neglected tropical diseases in the period (rate: 86.70/100,000 inhabitants; 95%CI: 83.47; 89.93); of these, dengue (78.2%), leishmaniasis (8.6%), and leprosy (6.4%). The total cost was BRL 34,481,815.43, 42.8% of which referred to medium complexity cases. Higher risks of hospitalization occurred among people ≥ 60 years (RR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.5; 2.2), mixed race/color (RR = 1.7; 95%CI: 1.1; 2.4), residents of municipalities presenting medium social vulnerability (RR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.3; 1.6), and population size (RR = 1.6; 95%CI: 1.4; 1.9). The time trend showed a reduction in hospital admissions due to neglected tropical diseases, 2003-2018 (annual percent change - APC: -10.3; 95%CI: -14.7; -5.6). The spatial pattern showed clusters with higher rates of hospital admission in border municipalities located south of the Mid-north macroregion, north of the Semiarid macroregion, and south of the Cerrados macroregion. Piauí remains with high hospital admission rates and costs for neglected tropical diseases. Despite the reduction in time trends, knowledge burden, population groups, and municipalities at greater risk and vulnerability reinforce the importance of monitoring and strengthening control actions to maintain the reduction of the burden and costs of hospital admission due to neglected tropical diseases in the state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila Paloma de Sousa Brito
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brasil.,Coordenação de Sistemas de Informação, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Picos, Brasil
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Vellere I, Lagi F, Spinicci M, Mantella A, Mantengoli E, Corti G, Colao MG, Gobbi F, Rossolini GM, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Arbo-Score: A Rapid Score for Early Identification of Patients with Imported Arbovirosis Caused by Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika Virus. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111731. [PMID: 33158274 PMCID: PMC7716211 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chikungunya (CHIKV), Dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses present significant clinical and epidemiological overlap, making an accurate and rapid diagnosis challenging. Timely activation of preventive vector control measures is crucial to avoid outbreaks in non-endemic settings. Diagnosis is based on combination of serological and molecular assays which could be time consuming and sometimes disappointing. METHODS We report the results of a retrospective case-control study carried out at a tertiary teaching hospital in Italy, including all febrile subjects returning from tropical countries during the period 2014-2019. Controls were travelers with other febrile illnesses who tested negative in laboratory analysis for CHIKV, DENV, ZIKV arbovirosis. A score weighted on the regression coefficients for the independent predictors was generated. RESULTS Ninety patients were identified: 34 cases (22 DENV, 4 CHIKV, and 8 ZIKV) and 56 controls. According to our results, myalgia, cutaneous rash, absence of respiratory symptoms, leukopenia, and hypertransaminasemia showed the strongest association with arbovirosis. Combining these variables, we generated a scoring model that showed an excellent performance (AUC 0.93). The best cut-off (>=2) presented a sensitivity of 82.35% and specificity of 96.43%. CONCLUSION A handy and simple score, based on three clinical data (myalgia, cutaneous rash and absence of respiratory symptoms) and two laboratory results (leukopenia and hypertransaminasemia), provides a useful tool to help diagnose arboviral infections and appropriately activate vector control measures in order to avoid local transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iacopo Vellere
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Filippo Lagi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Antonia Mantella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
| | - Elisabetta Mantengoli
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Giampaolo Corti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Colao
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious/Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, 37024 Negrar, Verona, Italy;
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (I.V.); (F.L.); (M.S.); (A.M.); (G.C.); (G.M.R.); (A.B.)
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0557949431
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