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Opoku M, de Souza DK. Identification and characterisation of Mansonella perstans in the Volta Region of Ghana. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295089. [PMID: 38848396 PMCID: PMC11161070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Mansonella spp. have been reported to have a wide global distribution. Despite the distribution and co-occurrence with other filarial parasites like Wuchereria bancrofti, Onchocerca volvulus and Loa loa, it is given little attention. There are few surveillance programmes for assessing the distribution of mansonellosis, due to the associated mild to no symptoms experienced by infected people. However, addressing this infection is critical to the onchocerciasis control program as current rapid diagnostic tools targeting O. volvulus have the tendency to cross react with Mansonella species. In this study we identified and characterised M. perstans from five sites in two districts in the Volta Region of Ghana and compared them to samples from other regions. Night blood smears and filter blood blots were obtained from individuals as part of a study on lymphatic filariasis. The Giemsa-stained smears were screened by microscopy for the presence of filarial parasites. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood blots from 39 individuals that were positive for M. perstans and Nested PCR targeting the internal spacer 1 (ITS-1) was conducted. Of these, 30 were sequenced and 24 sequences were kept for further analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of 194 nucleotide positions showed no differences in the samples collected. The similarities suggests that there could be one species in this area. However, more robust studies with larger sample sizes are required to draw such conclusions. We also observed a clustering of the samples from Ghana with reference sequences from Africa and Brazil, suggesting they could be related. This study draws further attention to a neglected infection, presents the first characterisation of M. perstans in Ghana and calls for more population-based studies across different geographical zones to ascertain species variations and disease distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millicent Opoku
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Environment and Genetics Department, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dziedzom K. de Souza
- Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Cédric Y, Nadia NAC, Nfufu S, Azizi MA, Sandra TNJ, Payne VK. Nematocidal Activity of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Persea americana Seeds against Heligmosomoides polygyrus using the Worm Microtracker Method. J Parasitol Res 2023; 2023:9545565. [PMID: 37745983 PMCID: PMC10513806 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9545565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infections with gastrointestinal helminths constitute a serious obstacle to the good health of the local population in most African Countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthelminthic activity of Persea americana ethanol and aqueous extracts against Heligmosomoides polygyrus using the worm microtracker. Method Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of P. americana were prepared. Different concentrations of the extracts were tested against the egg and larvae stages of H. polygyrus using an automated high-throughput method. Briefly, embryonated eggs and larvae of this parasite were obtained after the incubation of fresh eggs at 25°C for 24, 48, and 96 hours for embryonated eggs, L1 and L2 larvae, respectively. One hundred microliters of the plant extracts at various concentrations were put in contact in a 96-well microplate with a suspension of 100 embryonated eggs in a total volume of 200 μL and incubated in a worm microtracker where the motility of the worms was recorded every 30 minutes for the ovicidal activity. The final tested extract concentration was 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, and 0.3125 mg/mL, whereas ringer solution (0.95%) and 1.5% Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used as negative controls and levamisole as positive control. The same method was used for larvicidal activities. The anthelmintic activity was determined using the average movement of the worms in the tested product compared with the negative control (1.5% DMSO and ringer solution). Results The egg hatching rates of H. polygyrus had IC50 of 0.49 mg/mL (95% confidence interval: 71.70-92.03) and 0.22 mg/mL (95% confidence interval: 74.28-86.18) for the ethanol and aqueous extract, respectively. These IC50 indicate that the aqueous extract is more active for the inhibition of hatching at a 95% confidence interval. The aqueous and ethanol extracts presented mean inhibitory hatching rates of 78.33 ± 1.67% and 75.67 ± 1.15% at 5 mg/mL, respectively, with no significant differences. The highest percentage of inhibition of L1 larva was observed at 5 mg/mL with 89 ± 2.3%and 85 ± 2.7% for the ethanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The lowest percentage of inhibition was observed at 0.3125 mg/mL, with 54.67 ± 3.38% and 49 ± 2.64% for the ethanol and aqueous extract, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two extracts at 5 mg/mL with an inhibitory percentage of 90.67 ± 3.05% (ethanol) and 89.33 ± 2.08% (aqueous). Conclusion Extracts of P. americana seeds possess nematocidal activity, however, further in silico and in vivo investigations are necessary to confirm their anthelminthic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yamssi Cédric
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Noumedem Anangmo Christelle Nadia
- Department of Microbiology, Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 96 Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Sandra Nfufu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39 Bambili, Cameroon
| | - Mounvera Abdel Azizi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 067 Dschang, Cameroon
| | | | - Vincent Khan Payne
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 067 Dschang, Cameroon
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Vengesai A, Muleya V, Midzi H, Tinago TV, Chipako I, Manuwa M, Naicker T, Mduluza T. Diagnostic performances of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni recombinant proteins, peptides and chimeric proteins antibody based tests. Systematic scoping review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282233. [PMID: 36862712 PMCID: PMC9980832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditional diagnostic tests for schistosome infections are suboptimal, particularly when the parasite burden is low. In the present review we sought to identify recombinant proteins, peptides, and chimeric proteins with potential to be used as sensitive and specific diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis. METHODS The review was guided by PRISMA-ScR guidelines, Arksey and O'Malley's framework, and guidelines from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Five databases were searched: Cochrane library, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo and CINAHL, alongside preprints. Identified literature were assessed by two reviewers for inclusion. A narrative summary was used to interpret the tabulated results. RESULTS Diagnostic performances were reported as specificities, sensitivities, and AUC. The AUC for S. haematobium recombinant antigens ranged from 0.65 to 0.98, and 0.69 to 0.96 for urine IgG ELISA. S. mansoni recombinant antigens had sensitivities ranging from 65.3% to 100% and specificities ranging from 57.4% to 100%. Except for 4 peptides which had poor diagnostic performances, most peptides had sensitivities ranging from 67.71% to 96.15% and specificities ranging from 69.23% to 100%. S. mansoni chimeric protein was reported to have a sensitivity of 86.8% and a specificity of 94.2%. CONCLUSION The tetraspanin CD63 antigen had the best diagnostic performance for S. haematobium. The tetraspanin CD63 antigen Serum IgG POC-ICTs had a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 100%. Peptide Smp_150390.1 (216-230) serum based IgG ELISA had the best diagnostic performance for S. mansoni with a sensitivity of 96.15% and a specificity of 100%. Peptides were reported to demonstrate good to excellent diagnostic performances. S. mansoni multi-peptide chimeric protein further improved the diagnostic accuracy of synthetic peptides. Together with the advantages associated with urine sampling technique, we recommend development of multi-peptide chimeric proteins urine based point of care tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Vengesai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- * E-mail:
| | - Victor Muleya
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Herald Midzi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Isaac Chipako
- Aravas Pharmaceuticals Pvt LTD, Prospect Industrial Area, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Marble Manuwa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Discipline of Optics and Imaging, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Takafira Mduluza
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Frallonardo L, Di Gennaro F, Panico GG, Novara R, Pallara E, Cotugno S, Guido G, De Vita E, Ricciardi A, Totaro V, Camporeale M, De Iaco G, Bavaro DF, Lattanzio R, Patti G, Brindicci G, Papagni R, Pellegrino C, Santoro CR, Segala FV, Putoto G, Nicastri E, Saracino A. Onchocerciasis: Current knowledge and future goals. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.986884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Onchocerciasis, caused by infection by the filarial nematode Onchocerca volvulus, is a neglected public health disease that affects millions of people in the endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. It is also called river blindness because the Blackflies that transmit infection breeds in rapidly flowing fresh water streams and rivers. This review features state-of-the-art data on the parasite, its endobacteria Wolbachia, the prevalence of the infection and its geographical distribution, its diagnostics, the interaction between the parasite and its host, and the pathology of Onchocerciasis. By development and optimization of the control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted in foci of countries in the Americas (Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Guatemala)and inSudan, followed by Onchocerciasis eliminations. The current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategy are described.
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Tamarozzi F, Rodari P, Salas-Coronas J, Bottieau E, Salvador F, Soriano-Pérez MJ, Cabeza-Barrera MI, Van Esbroeck M, Treviño B, Buonfrate D, Gobbi FG. A large case series of travel-related Mansonella perstans (vector-borne filarial nematode): a TropNet study in Europe. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6567953. [PMID: 35417002 PMCID: PMC9635058 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection with Mansonella perstans is a neglected filariasis, widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, characterized by an elusive clinical picture; treatment for mansonellosis is not standardized. This retrospective study aimed to describe the clinical features, treatment schemes and evolution, of a large cohort of imported cases of M. perstans infection seen in four European centres for tropical diseases. METHODS Mansonella perstans infections, diagnosed by identification of blood microfilariae in migrants, expatriates and travellers, collected between 1994 and 2018, were retrospectively analysed. Data concerning demographics, clinical history and laboratory examinations at diagnosis and at follow-up time points were retrieved. RESULTS A total of 392 patients were included in the study. Of the 281 patients for whom information on symptoms could be retrieved, 150 (53.4%) reported symptoms, abdominal pain and itching being the most frequent. Positive serology and eosinophilia were present in 84.4% and 66.1%, respectively, of those patients for whom these data were available. Concomitant parasitic infections were reported in 23.5% of patients. Treatment, administered to 325 patients (82.9%), was extremely heterogeneous between and within centres; the most commonly used regimen was mebendazole 100 mg twice a day for 1 month. A total of 256 (65.3%) patients attended a first follow-up, median 3 months (interquartile range 2-12) after the first visit; 83.1% of patients having received treatment based on mebendazole and/or doxycycline, targeting Wolbachia, became amicrofilaremic, 41.1-78.4% of whom within 12 months from single treatment. CONCLUSIONS Lack of specific symptoms, together with the inconstant positivity of parasitological and antibody-based assays in the infected population, makes the clinical suspicion and screening for mansonellosis particularly difficult. Prospective studies evaluating prevalence of infection in migrants from endemic areas, infection-specific morbidity, presence of Wolbachia endosymbionts in M. perstans populations from different geographical areas and efficacy of treatment regimens are absolutely needed to optimize the clinical management of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Rodari
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Emmanuel Bottieau
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Tropical Medicine Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Marjan Van Esbroeck
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Begoña Treviño
- Tropical Medicine Unit Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico G Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
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Arifin MA, Su Peng C, Baharudin UM, Baharudin MH, Rahim MAA, Rahim SSSA, Atil A, Madrim MF, Ahmad ZNBS, Mokti K, Ramdzan AR, Jeffree MS, Hassan MR. A Systematic Review of Tropical Disease Prevalence among Migrants. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.10211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the burden of tropical diseases among migrants into non-endemic countries.
AIM: This study aimed to systematically review the existing data of the prevalence of tropical diseases globally, including neglected tropical diseases globally.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors conducted a systematic review reporting prevalence (including seroprevalence) of tropical diseases following the PRISMA guidelines and based on the database from PUBMED, WoS, and PROQUEST. All the identified records were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selected articles’ quality was appraised using the mixed methods appraisal tool to ensure its quality.
RESULTS: Overall, 19 studies conducted in 13 countries published between the year 2017–2020 were included in the study. Based on the thematic analysis, two themes (type of organism) and 11 sub-themes (disease) were used. The prevalence of tropical diseases among migrants ranged from 0.2 to 31% for malaria; 3–20% for Chagas Disease; 3.2–3.5% for Giardiasis; 31.7–57.4% for Toxoplasmosis; 0.1–51%, for Schistosomiasis; 0.1–15.8%, for Strongyloidiasis; 0.3–3.8% for Trichuriasis; 0.2–0.9% for Ascariasis; 6.4–9.7% for Toxocariasis; 0.3% for Loiasis; and 0.5% for Filariasis. All migrants warrant thorough screening and testing, based on the country of origin of their last visit. Routine screening and follow-up may reduce the re-emergence of tropical disease in non-endemic countries.
CONCLUSION: Multiple approaches in managing social and health issues among migrants are vital to secure healthy labor forces for the country’s economy and development. Public health sectors should implement strategic promotive, preventive, and curative programs targeted to this group.
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Vengesai A, Naicker T, Midzi H, Kasambala M, Mduluza-Jokonya TL, Rusakaniko S, Mutapi F, Mduluza T. Multiplex peptide microarray profiling of antibody reactivity against neglected tropical diseases derived B-cell epitopes for serodiagnosis in Zimbabwe. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271916. [PMID: 35867689 PMCID: PMC9307155 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Peptides (B-cell epitopes) have broad applications in disease diagnosis and surveillance of pathogen exposure. In this framework, we present a pilot study to design and produce a peptide microarray for the integrated surveillance of neglected tropical diseases. The peptide microarray was evaluated against peptides derived from Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Bacillus anthracis, Mycobacterium leprae, Wuchereria bancrofti, Rabies lyssavirus, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trypanosoma brucei. Methods S. haematobium was diagnosed using the urine filtration technique. S. mansoni, A. lumbricoides, N. americanus and T. trichiura were diagnosed using the Kato Katz and formal ether concentration techniques. Immunogenic peptides were retrieved from the Tackling Infection to Benefit Africa infectious diseases epitope microarray. Further peptides were predicted using ABCpred. IgG and IgM reactivity against the derived peptides were evaluated using peptide microarray multiplex immunoassays. Positive response was defined as fluorescence intensity ≥ 500 fluorescence units. Immunodominant peptides were identified using color-coded heat maps and bar graphs reflecting the obtained fluorescence signal intensities. Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis and Mann-Whitney-U test were performed to determine the diagnostic validity of the peptides. Results Species-specific responses with at least one peptide derived from each NTD pathogen were observed. The reactive peptides included; for S. haematobium, XP_035588858.1-206-220 and XP_035588858.1-206-220 immunodominant for IgG and IgM respectively, for S. mansoni, P20287.1-58-72 immunodominant for both antibodies and for T. trichiura, CDW52482.1-326-340 immunodominant for IgG and CDW57769.1-2017-2031 and CDW57769.1-1518-1532 immunodominant for IgM. According to ROC analysis most of the peptides selected were inaccurate; with AUC < 0.5. Some peptides had AUC values ranging from 0.5 to 0.5875 for both IgM and IgG suggesting no discrimination. Conclusion Multiplex peptide microarrays are a valuable tool for integrated NTDs surveillance and for screening parasites exposure in endemic areas. Species sero-reactivity observed in the study maybe indicative of exposure to the different NTDs parasites. However, although peptides with the least cross reactivity were selected there is need to validate the sero-reactivity with recombinant antigens and immune-blotting techniques such as western blotting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Vengesai
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- * E-mail:
| | - Thajasvarie Naicker
- Department of Optics and Imaging, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Herald Midzi
- Department of Optics and Imaging, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Maritha Kasambala
- Department of Biological Sciences and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tariro L. Mduluza-Jokonya
- Department of Optics and Imaging, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Simbarashe Rusakaniko
- Family Medicine, Global and Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Institute for Immunology and Infection Research and Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Ashworth Laboratories, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Takafira Mduluza
- Department of Biotechnology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
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Rodari P, Tamarozzi F, Tais S, Degani M, Perandin F, Buonfrate D, Nicastri E, Lepore L, Giancola ML, Carrara S, Tavelli A, Cozzi-Lepri A, D'Arminio Monforte A, Silva R, Angheben A. Prevalence of Chagas disease and strongyloidiasis among HIV-infected Latin American immigrants in Italy – The CHILI study. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 48:102324. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Parasitic Infections in Internationally Adopted Children: A Twelve-Year Retrospective Study. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030354. [PMID: 35335678 PMCID: PMC8949827 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasitic infections (PIs) are among the most frequent infectious diseases globally. Previous studies reported discrepant results regarding the prevalence of PIs in internationally adopted children (IAC). Data from IAC referred to our paediatric university hospital in 2009–2021 were collected to evaluate the frequency of PIs by the use of stool microscopic examination, antigen assays for Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum, and serological tests for Toxocara canis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni, Echinococcus spp., Taenia solium, and Trypanosoma cruzi. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for PIs and eosinophilia. The proportion of IAC with at least one positive test was 26.83% (640/2385); 2.13% (n = 51) had positive tests for 2 or 3 parasites. A positive assay for helminthic infection was retrieved in 11.07% of children (n = 264), and 17.86% (n = 426) presented with eosinophilia. The most common positive tests were anti-Toxocara canis antibodies (n = 312; 13.8%), followed by positive stool antigen for Giardia lamblia (n = 290; 12.16%), and positive microscopic stool examination for Blastocystis hominis (n = 76; 3.19%). A statistically significant association was found between PIs and region of origin (children from Latin America and Africa were more likely to present PIs than children from Eastern Europe), age 5–14 years, and eosinophilia. No significant association was observed between PIs and gender, vitamin D deficiency, or anemia. In conclusion, PIs are relevant in IAC and an accurate protocol is needed to evaluate IAC once they arrive in their adoptive country.
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Bustamante J, Sainz T, Pérez S, Rodríguez-Molino P, Montero Vega D, Mellado MJ, García López-Hortelano M. Toxocariasis in migrant children: A 6 years' experience in a reference pediatric unit in Spain. Travel Med Infect Dis 2022; 47:102288. [PMID: 35247580 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxocariasis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis that affects characteristically children. Clinical presentation is highly variable, often asymptomatic, and treatment duration is controversial. METHODS A retrospective descriptive study (January 2014-December 2019) was performed in a referral Unit for Pediatric Tropical Diseases. Patients younger than 18 years of age diagnosed with toxocariasis were included. RESULTS Out of 931 children screened for toxocariasis, 49 (5.3%) were seropositive. The median age was 11.0 years, 55.1% male and 30.6% referred contact with puppies. Overall, 34.7% were Latin-American, 24.5% Asiatic, 20.4% European, and 20.4% African. Only 34.7% presented symptoms, gastrointestinal the most common (52.9%). The 57.1% of children presented eosinophilia and 50% elevated total IgE. Most cases (95.9%) corresponded to covert toxocariasis. All children were treated with albendazole for 5-14-21 days, and 4 children required a second course. Follow-up data were available in 32 children (65.3%) for a median of 7 months, showing a progressive decline in eosinophils, IgE-titers and ELISA optical density. CONCLUSION Toxocariasis is mostly asymptomatic in children and eosinophilia is not always present. Serological tests should be included in migrant health screening and in the diagnostic assessment of eosinophilia. Eosinophil count, IgE-titers and ELISA optical-density could be useful during follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bustamante
- Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario Doctor José Molina Orosa, Las Palmas, Spain; La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain.
| | - T Sainz
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Pérez
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Hospital de Torrejón, Madrid, Spain.
| | - P Rodríguez-Molino
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
| | - D Montero Vega
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital La Paz Madrid, Spain.
| | - M J Mellado
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - M García López-Hortelano
- La Paz Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain; General Pediatrics and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain; Red de Investigación Traslacional en Infectología Pediátrica (RITIP), Spain; Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
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Ferreira RR, Waghabi MC, Bailly S, Feige JJ, Hasslocher-Moreno AM, Saraiva RM, Araujo-Jorge TC. The Search for Biomarkers and Treatments in Chagas Disease: Insights From TGF-Beta Studies and Immunogenetics. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:767576. [PMID: 35186778 PMCID: PMC8847772 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.767576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays an important role in Chagas disease (CD), a potentially life-threatening illness caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. In this review we revisited clinical studies in CD patients combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments, presenting three main sections: an overview of epidemiological, economic, and clinical aspects of CD and the need for new biomarkers and treatment; a brief panorama of TGF-β roles and its intracellular signaling pathways, and an update of what is known about TGF-β and Chagas disease. In in vitro assays, TGF-β increases during T. cruzi infection and modulates heart cells invasion by the parasite fostering its intracellular parasite cycle. TGF-β modulates host immune response and inflammation, increases heart fibrosis, stimulates remodeling, and slows heart conduction via gap junction modulation. TGF-β signaling inhibitors reverts these effects opening a promising therapeutic approach in pre-clinical studies. CD patients with higher TGF-β1 serum level show a worse clinical outcome, implicating a predictive value of serum TGF-β as a surrogate biomarker of clinical relevance. Moreover, pre-clinical studies in chronic T. cruzi infected mice proved that inhibition of TGF-β pathway improved several cardiac electric parameters, reversed the loss of connexin-43 enriched intercellular plaques, reduced fibrosis of the cardiac tissue, restored GATA-6 and Tbox-5 transcription, supporting cardiac recovery. Finally, TGF-β polymorphisms indicate that CD immunogenetics is at the base of this phenomenon. We searched in a Brazilian population five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (-800 G>A rs1800468, -509 C>T rs1800469, +10 T>C rs1800470, +25 G>C rs1800471, and +263 C>T rs1800472), showing that CD patients frequently express the TGF-β1 gene genotypes CT and TT at position -509, as compared to noninfected persons; similar results were observed with genotypes TC and CC at codon +10 of the TGF-β1 gene, leading to the conclusion that 509 C>T and +10 T>C TGF-β1 polymorphisms are associated with Chagas disease susceptibility. Studies in genetically different populations susceptible to CD will help to gather new insights and encourage the use of TGF-β as a CD biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (LITEB-IOC/Fiocruz), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (LAGFB-IOC/Fiocruz), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Tania C. Araujo-Jorge, ; Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira,
| | - Mariana Caldas Waghabi
- Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (LAGFB-IOC/Fiocruz), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sabine Bailly
- Laboratory Biology of Cancer and Infection, Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Jacques Feige
- Laboratory Biology of Cancer and Infection, Université Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, Grenoble, France
| | - Alejandro M. Hasslocher-Moreno
- Clinical Research Laboratory of Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberto M. Saraiva
- Clinical Research Laboratory of Chagas Disease, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Disease, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tania C. Araujo-Jorge
- Laboratory of Innovations in Therapies, Education and Bioproducts, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (LITEB-IOC/Fiocruz), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Tania C. Araujo-Jorge, ; Roberto Rodrigues Ferreira,
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Cinardo P, Farrant O, Gunn K, Ward A, Eisen S, Longley N. Screening for neglected tropical diseases and other infections in refugee and asylum-seeker populations in the United Kingdom. Ther Adv Infect Dis 2022; 9:20499361221116680. [PMID: 35958977 PMCID: PMC9358592 DOI: 10.1177/20499361221116680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Asylum-seekers and refugees have an increased burden of infections compared with the general population. This has been widely recognised by countries welcoming those fleeing conflict and persecution; however, there are no screening standardised guidelines and regulatory processes. Identification of certain neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other infections is important for the health and well-being of the individual in addition to public health and biosecurity. In the United Kingdom, screening for infections at port of entry or after arrival is not mandatory. Those on refugee resettlement programmes will have infection screening as part of their pre-entry health assessment, but no such system exists for those claiming asylum in the United Kingdom. In this article, we have reviewed published, peer-reviewed articles looking at the approaches to screening for NTDs and infectious diseases in the United Kingdom. In addition to this, we have reviewed the literature looking at the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of these screening practices. We found that there is a heterogeneous approach to screening practices in the United Kingdom and a paucity of data to support a single ‘best practice’ approach. Based on our findings, we have made recommendations and consideration for NTD screening strategies and highlighted important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cinardo
- Clinical Research Fellow, Acute Medicine, University College Hospital, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU, London, UK
| | - Olivia Farrant
- Infectious Diseases, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK; Acute Medicine, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kimberlee Gunn
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Allison Ward
- Children's & Adolescent Services, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Sarah Eisen
- Children and Young People's Services, University College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nicky Longley
- Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK
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Vellere I, Graziani L, Tilli M, Mantella A, Campolmi I, Mencarini J, Borchi B, Spinicci M, Antonelli A, Rossolini GM, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Strongyloidiasis in the COVID era: a warning for an implementation of the screening protocol. Infection 2021; 49:1065-1067. [PMID: 33970429 PMCID: PMC8107200 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-021-01621-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Iacopo Vellere
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Graziani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marta Tilli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonia Mantella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Campolmi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Jessica Mencarini
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Beatrice Borchi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Antonelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Rossolini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy.
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Strongyloidiasis in Children Outside the Tropics: Do We Need to Increase Awareness? Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091905. [PMID: 34576800 PMCID: PMC8465658 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases, due to diagnostic difficulties and the lack of systematic screening. Studies on strongyloidiasis prevalence are often heterogenous and mainly performed in adults in endemic countries. We retrospectively enrolled 2633 children referred to a tertiary care hospital in Italy between 2009 and 2020 and tested for S. stercoralis infection. Sixty-one (2.3%) had a positive serology and for 55 of them, clinical and epidemiological information were available. Thirteen cases (24%) were diagnosed in Italian children without history residency or travel to foreign countries, while the remaining were internationally adopted or migrant children. Seropositive patients were mostly asymptomatic, and often eosinophilia was the only sign of strongyloidiasis. Sero-reactivity to Toxocara canis was found in 1/3 of patients. Ivermectin was used in 37 (75.5%) treated patients. A significant reduction of eosinophil levels and IgG titer was seen after treatment. Our study confirms that strongyloidiasis is usually asymptomatic in children. However, due to the ability of the parasite to cause a life-long infection together with the risk of a severe form in case of immunosuppression, it is important to identify and treat infected children. Special consideration should be reserved to high-risk groups, such as immigrants and international adoptees, where screening for S. stercoralis is indicated. However, the study highlights that sporadic cases of autochthonous strongyloidiasis in Italy may occur. Therefore, pediatricians should be aware of this condition, which is often under-recognized.
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15
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Silva JT, Fernández-Ruiz M, Grossi PA, Hernández-Jimenez P, López-Medrano F, Mularoni A, Prista-Leão B, Santos L, Aguado JM. Reactivation of latent infections in solid organ transplant recipients from sub-Saharan Africa: What should be remembered? Transplant Rev (Orlando) 2021; 35:100632. [PMID: 34130253 DOI: 10.1016/j.trre.2021.100632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
International migration from Sub-Saharan African countries to the European Union and the United States has significantly increased over the past decades. Although the vast majority of these immigrants are young and healthy people, a minority can be affected by chronic conditions eventually leading to solid organ transplantation (SOT). Importantly, these candidates can bear geographically restricted fungal and parasitic latent infections that can reactivate after the procedure. An appropriate evaluation before transplantation followed by treatment, whenever necessary, is essential to minimize such risk, as covered in the present review. In short, infection due to helminths (Schistosoma spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis) and intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia or Cyclospora cayetanensis) can be diagnosed by multiple direct stool examination, serological assays and stool antigen testing. Leishmaniasis can be assessed by means of serology, followed by nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) if the former test is positive. Submicroscopic malaria should be ruled out by NAAT. Screening for Histoplasma spp. or Cryptococcus spp. is not routinely indicated. Consultation with an Infectious Diseases specialist is recommended in order to adjust preemptive treatment among Sub-Saharan African SOT candidates and recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Tiago Silva
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mario Fernández-Ruiz
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paolo Antonio Grossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria and ASST Sette Laghi, Ospedale di Circolo of Varese, Varese, Italy
| | - Pilar Hernández-Jimenez
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Medrano
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alessandra Mularoni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad alta specializzazione (IRCCS-ISMETT), Palermo, Italy
| | - Beatriz Prista-Leão
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Center "São João", School of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lurdes Santos
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Center "São João", School of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - José María Aguado
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital "12 de Octubre", Research Institute Hospital "12 de Octubre" (imas12), Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
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Modi G, Borchi B, Giaché S, Campolmi I, Trotta M, Di Tommaso M, Strambi N, Bartoloni A, Zammarchi L. Emerging Infectious Diseases in Pregnant Women in a Non-Endemic Area: Almost One Out of Four Is at Risk. Pathogens 2021; 10:56. [PMID: 33435140 PMCID: PMC7827164 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the results of a targeted testing strategy for five emerging infectious diseases (Chagas disease, human T-lymphotropic virus 1 infection, malaria, schistosomiasis, and Zika virus infection) in pregnant women accessing an Italian referral centre for infectious diseases in pregnancy for unrelated reasons. The strategy is based on a quick five-question questionnaire which allows the identification of pregnant women at risk who should be tested for a specific disease. One hundred and three (24%) out of 429 pregnant women evaluated in a 20 month period were at risk for at least one emerging infectious disease. Three (2.9%, all from sub-Saharan Africa) out of 103 at-risk women resulted in being affected (one case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, two cases of schistosomiasis) and were appropriately managed. Prevalence of emerging infectious disease was particularly high in pregnant women from Africa (three out of 25 pregnant women tested, 12%). The proposed strategy could be used by health care professionals managing pregnant women in non-endemic setting, to identify those at risk for one of the five infection which could benefit for a targeted test and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Modi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (G.M.); (A.B.)
| | - Beatrice Borchi
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.B.); (S.G.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Susanna Giaché
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.B.); (S.G.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
| | - Irene Campolmi
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.B.); (S.G.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Michele Trotta
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.B.); (S.G.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mariarosaria Di Tommaso
- Department of Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Branch, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.D.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Noemi Strambi
- Department of Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Branch, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (M.D.T.); (N.S.)
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (G.M.); (A.B.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (G.M.); (A.B.)
- Referral Centre for Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.B.); (S.G.); (I.C.); (M.T.)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Referral Centre for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
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17
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Should obstetricians working in non-endemic countries care about emerging tropical diseases? Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 257:25-34. [PMID: 33359921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.11.066] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Due to migration and international travels, obstetricians are increasingly faced with a globalized obstetric setting and should adapt their daily clinical and diagnostic approach to the modifications of tropical and subtropical infections epidemiology. This paper is focused on five emerging infectious diseases, namely Chagas disease, HTLV-1 infection, malaria, schistosomiasis and Zika virus infection, having a high prevalence in migrant populations and which can affect international travelers. These diseases frequently pass unrecognized since they are characterized by few or no symptoms during pregnancy, however they may cause a relevant maternal, fetal and neonatal impact. Specific and reliable diagnostic and treatment options are available but are rarely used during routine obstetrical practice.
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Castaldo M, Cavani A, Segneri MC, Costanzo G, Mirisola C, Marrone R. Anthropological study on Chagas Disease: Sociocultural construction of illness and embodiment of health barriers in Bolivian migrants in Rome, Italy. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240831. [PMID: 33064748 PMCID: PMC7567347 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chagas Disease (CD) is endemic in many Latin-American countries, Bolivia in particular. It is now spreading in Italy as a host country for transcontinental migrants and becoming an emerging health problem. This anthropological action-research, as part of a wider medical project on Neglected Tropical Diseases, has the purpose of analyzing the sociocultural construction of CD and its representation in Bolivian people living in Rome as well as barriers, such as the stigma about the illness, to access the National Health Service for those potentially affected. METHODS The ethnographic study was carried out from 2016 to 2018 by a medical anthropologist at the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP) on 72 Bolivian migrants (47 women and 25 men) living in Rome. The study was carried out through: a territorial mapping of Bolivian networks and communities aimed at recruiting people, participant observation, and application of semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The interviews were hold in Spanish and proposed to all participants before or during medical examination, or during events organized by the Bolivian community in Rome. The interview consisted of 16 items and covered four macro areas: personal and migration history, health status, access to the Italian National Health Service and knowledge about CD; plus 5 items for those who received a diagnosis of Chagas Disease in Italy. RESULTS The sociocultural construction and the deep stigma about the illness built by participants and their families could hinder both diagnosis and treatment. Institutional barriers also contributed to reduce adherence to screening tests: often, opening hours of the outpatient clinic were incompatible with participants' precarious employments. To guarantee participant's access to public health services and their adherence to the diagnostic protocol, we implemented a profound revision of our cultural and institutional approach to them. CONCLUSIONS The analysis evidenced the limitations of the conventional approach applied by the Italian National Health Service to this migrant community, such as the absence of socio-cultural and linguistics competences that can help understanding patients' perception and representation of the illness. The multidisciplinary approach instead-with clinicians using the ethnographic results to adjust their work to the participants' needs-was a successful attempt to ensure therapeutic alliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Castaldo
- Department of Mental Health - Medical Anthropological Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Cavani
- Scientific Coordination Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (NIHMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Segneri
- Department of Mental Health - Medical Anthropological Unit, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Costanzo
- Medical Directorate, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Mirisola
- INMP Directorate, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalia Marrone
- Multispecialty and Medical Professions Department, National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), Rome, Italy
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Boga JA, Casado L, Fernández-Suarez J, Moran N, Rodríguez-Perez M, Martínez-Sela M, Pérez A, Garcia-Perez A, Menendez C, Santos S, Rodriguez-Guardado A. Screening Program for Imported Diseases in Immigrant Women: Analysis and Implications from a Gender-Oriented Perspective. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:480-484. [PMID: 32342844 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The female immigrant population is especially vulnerable to imported diseases. We describe the results of a prospective screening program for imported diseases performed in immigrant female patients. The protocol included tests for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Treponema pallidum, Trypanosoma cruzi, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma spp., intestinal parasites, malaria, and the detection of microfilaremia, according to the patient's origin. Six hundred eleven patients were studied. The most frequent imported diseases were intestinal parasitosis (39.4%), followed by syphilis (14.6%), HIV infection (9%), chronic HCV (5%), and HBV (3.3%). Most of the cases of HIV (78%) and HBV (85%) were diagnosed in patients aged between 16 and 45 years. Hepatitis C virus appeared mostly in patients in the 46- to 65-year range (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OD]: 3.667 [1.741-7.724]) or older than 65 years (P = 0.0001; OR: 26.350 [7.509-92.463]). Syphilis was diagnosed more frequently in patients older than 46 years (P = 0.0001; OR: 4.273 [2.649-6.893]). Multivariate analysis confirmed a greater presence of HCV infection (P = 0.049) and syphilis (P = 0.0001) in patients aged between 46 and 65 years. In 15.4% of patients, screening did not find any pathology. These data show a high prevalence of imported diseases in the female immigrant population, which may have serious consequences in terms of morbimortality and vertical transmission. Our results encourage the establishment of policies of active screening both in women of childbearing age and within the specific pregnancy screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Boga
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.,Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis Casado
- Internal Medicine, Hospital de Cruz Roja, Gijón, Spain
| | - Jonathan Fernández-Suarez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.,Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Noelia Moran
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mercedes Rodríguez-Perez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.,Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - María Martínez-Sela
- Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Pérez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.,Microbiology Unit, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Candela Menendez
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fundación Hospital de Aviles, Aviles, Spain
| | - Sagrario Santos
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes, Gijón, Spain
| | - Azucena Rodriguez-Guardado
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital Universitario de Cabueñes, Gijón, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
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Requena-Méndez A, Salas-Coronas J, Salvador F, Gomez-Junyent J, Villar-Garcia J, Santin M, Muñoz C, González-Cordón A, Cabezas Fernández MT, Sulleiro E, Arenas MDM, Somoza D, Vazquez-Villegas J, Treviño B, Rodríguez E, Valls ME, Llaberia-Marcual J, Subirá C, Muñoz J. High Prevalence of Strongyloidiasis in Spain: A Hospital-Based Study. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9020107. [PMID: 32053864 PMCID: PMC7167856 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9020107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Strongyloidiasis is a prevailing helminth infection ubiquitous in tropical and subtropical areas, however, seroprevalence data are scarce in migrant populations, particularly for those coming for Asia. Methods: This study aims at evaluating the prevalence of S. stercoralis at the hospital level in migrant populations or long term travellers being attended in out-patient and in-patient units as part of a systematic screening implemented in six Spanish hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted and systematic screening for S. stercoralis infection using serological tests was offered to all eligible participants. Results: The overall seroprevalence of S. stercoralis was 9.04% (95%CI 7.76-10.31). The seroprevalence of people with a risk of infection acquired in Africa and Latin America was 9.35% (95%CI 7.01-11.69), 9.22% (7.5-10.93), respectively. The number of individuals coming from Asian countries was significantly smaller and the overall prevalence in these countries was 2.9% (95%CI -0.3-6.2). The seroprevalence in units attending potentially immunosuppressed patients was significantly lower (5.64%) compared with other units of the hospital (10.20%) or Tropical diseases units (13.33%) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We report a hospital-based strongyloidiasis seroprevalence of almost 10% in a mobile population coming from endemic areas suggesting the need of implementing strongyloidiasis screening in hospitalized patients coming from endemic areas, particularly if they are at risk of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Requena-Méndez
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (J.M.)
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Solna, Sweden
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-652-870-779
| | - Joaquin Salas-Coronas
- Tropical Medicine Unit. Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, 04700 Almería, Spain; (J.S.-C.); (M.T.C.F.)
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Joan Gomez-Junyent
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-J.), (M.S.)
| | - Judith Villar-Garcia
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital del Mar-IMIM, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (J.V.-G.); (M.d.M.A.)
| | - Miguel Santin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, 08907 Barcelona, Spain; (J.G.-J.), (M.S.)
| | - Carme Muñoz
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (J.L.-M.)
| | | | | | - Elena Sulleiro
- Department of Microbiology, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Maria del Mar Arenas
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital del Mar-IMIM, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (J.V.-G.); (M.d.M.A.)
| | - Dolors Somoza
- Department of Microbiology. Hospital Universitari Bellvitge, 08907 Barcelona, Spain;
| | | | - Begoña Treviño
- Tropical Medicine Unit Vall d’Hebron-Drassanes, PROSICS Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Esperanza Rodríguez
- Parasitology Department, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia—Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28020 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Jaume Llaberia-Marcual
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain; (C.M.); (J.L.-M.)
| | - Carme Subirá
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (J.M.)
| | - Jose Muñoz
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal-Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; (C.S.); (J.M.)
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21
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Comelli A, Riccardi N, Canetti D, Spinicci M, Cenderello G, Magro P, Nicolini LA, Marchese V, Zammarchi L, Castelli F, Bartoloni A, Di Biagio A, Caligaris S, Gaiera G. Delay in schistosomiasis diagnosis and treatment: a multicenter cohort study in Italy. J Travel Med 2020; 27:5588084. [PMID: 31616948 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taz075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Barriers to access to care, different diagnostic strategies and low awareness remain challenging issues in the fight against schistosomiasis.Our study aims to examine management of schistosomiasis in migrants attending large tertiary hospitals in Italy, in order to call for a comprehensive approach. METHODS A retrospective review of schistosomiasis cases was carried out between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, in five large Infectious Disease Centers in Italy. We included all patients diagnosed with schistosomiasis. We differentiated among (i) asymptomatic patients diagnosed by serology either as healthy 'migrant evaluation' or as 'late evaluation' in patients followed because of a different infection and (ii) patients tested because of a suggestive clinical presentation. Patients characteristics and clinical data were recorded. RESULTS One hundred forty-nine patients were included, 137 (91.9%) were male, the median age was 26 years and 70% of them came from Sub-Saharan Africa.Thirty-eight asymptomatic patients (25.5%) were diagnosed by serology [15, (10.1%) among 'migrant evaluation' and 23 (15.4%) among 'late evaluation' group], and 111 (74.5%) presented with signs/symptoms.The median diagnostic delay from arrival in Italy was 31 months: 110 for asymptomatic group and 16 months for symptomatic patients. Among the 111 symptomatic patients, 41 individuals were already followed in our clinics, and they never underwent screening before appearance of evident disease. Among patients with positive serology who were tested by microscopy, 32/86 (37.2%) had confirmed diagnosis. Forty-five (37.8%) patients presented radiologic abnormalities. Praziquantel was the treatment of choice (70.1% for 3 days and 29.9% in a single-day dose), and 77 (51.7%) were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS In our centers, a high proportion of patients were tested late after arrival, and most of them presented with clinical apparent disease. Well-defined strategies and implementation of recent guidelines are needed to improve early diagnosis and to overcome heterogeneity of practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Comelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Niccolò Riccardi
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Diana Canetti
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cenderello
- Infectious Diseases Unit, EO Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy.,Infectious Diseases Unit, ASL-1 Imperiese, Sanremo, Italy
| | - Paola Magro
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Marchese
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Biagio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Policlinico San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvio Caligaris
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and ASST Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gaiera
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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22
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Zammarchi L, Gobbi F, Angheben A, Spinicci M, Buonfrate D, Calleri G, De Paola M, Bevilacqua N, Carrara S, Attard L, Vanino E, Gulletta M, Festa E, Iacovazzi T, Grimaldi A, Sepe A, Salomone Megna A, Gaiera G, Castagna A, Parodi P, Albonico M, Bisoffi Z, Castelli F, Olliaro P, Bartoloni A. Schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease: the leading imported neglected tropical diseases in Italy. J Travel Med 2020; 27:5678667. [PMID: 31840757 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taz100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, an increasing number of individuals affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been observed in Italy, due to migration, international travels and climate changes. Reliable data on the current NTD epidemiology in Italy and the health system preparedness on this issue are not available. METHODS We report the results of a survey on selected NTDs (schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, echinococcosis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, cysticercosis, filariasis and scabies) in nine Italian sentinel centres, in order to investigate their occurrence throughout the country and identify which ones are a priority for public health interventions, development of protocols for case management, and training activities. To explore the preparedness of the centres, we investigate the availability of specific diagnostic tools and drugs, needed for the management of the most common NTDs. We also reviewed and summarized the available national policies, recommendations and guidelines on NTDs in Italy. RESULTS Overall, 4123 NTDs cases were diagnosed in nine Italian centres within a 7-year period (2011-2017). Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis were the most common NTDs, accounting for about one-third each of all the diagnosed cases, followed by Chagas disease. The number of cases showed a significant trend to increase over time, mainly due to foreign-born subjects. Serology for Schistosoma spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis was available in seven and five centres, respectively. Agar plate stool culture for S. stercoralis was available in three sites. Ivermectin and praziquantel were always available in six centres. Six national policies, recommendations and guidelines documents were available, but for the most part, they are not fully implemented yet. CONCLUSIONS This survey showed how some NTDs, such as schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis, are becoming more common in Italy, due to multiple components. A list of seven key actions was proposed, in order to improve diagnosis, management and control of NTDs in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Florence, 37024, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S., Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S., Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Michele Spinicci
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Florence, 37024, Italy
| | - Dora Buonfrate
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S., Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy
| | - Guido Calleri
- Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, 10149, Italy
| | - Mirella De Paola
- Ospedale Amedeo di Savoia, ASL Città di Torino, Turin, 10149, Italy
| | - Nazario Bevilacqua
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases I.R.C.C.S. L. Spallanzani, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Stefania Carrara
- National Institute for Infectious Diseases I.R.C.C.S. L. Spallanzani, Rome 00149, Italy
| | - Luciano Attard
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Elisa Vanino
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, 40138, Italy
| | - Maurizio Gulletta
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili General Hospital, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Elena Festa
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili General Hospital, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Tiziana Iacovazzi
- U.O.C. Malattie Infettive ASL BA, P.O. Fallacara, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
| | - Anna Grimaldi
- U.O.C. Laboratorio di Ricerche Chimico-Cliniche e Microbiologiche ASL BA, P.O. Fallacara, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
| | | | - Angelo Salomone Megna
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Gaetano Rummo Hospital, Benevento, 82100, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gaiera
- Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Raffaele Hospital, Milano, 00144, Italy
| | - Antonella Castagna
- Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Raffaele Hospital, Milano, 00144, Italy
| | | | - Marco Albonico
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S., Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, 10123, Italy
| | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, I.R.C.C.S., Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Verona 37024, Italy.,Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, 37134, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili General Hospital, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Piero Olliaro
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, OX3 7LG, UK
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental & Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University and Hospital, Florence, 37024, Italy
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23
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Buonfrate D, Gobbi F, Marchese V, Postiglione C, Badona Monteiro G, Giorli G, Napoletano G, Bisoffi Z. Extended screening for infectious diseases among newly-arrived asylum seekers from Africa and Asia, Verona province, Italy, April 2014 to June 2015. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 23. [PMID: 29692316 PMCID: PMC5915973 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2018.23.16.17-00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Management of health issues presented by newly-arrived migrants is often limited to communicable diseases even though other health issues may be more prevalent. We report the results of infectious disease screening proposed to 462 recently-arrived asylum seekers over 14 years of age in Verona province between April 2014 and June 2015. Methods: Screening for latent tuberculosis (TB) was performed via tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or QuantiFERON-TB Gold in-tube assay and/or chest X-ray. An ELISA was used to screen for syphilis. Stool microscopy was used to screen for helminthic infections, and serology was also used for strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis. Screening for the latter also included urine filtration and microscopy. Results: Most individuals came from sub-Saharan Africa (77.5%), with others coming from Asia (21.0%) and North Africa (1.5%). The prevalence of viral diseases/markers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was 1.3%, HCV infection was 0.85% and hepatitis B virus surface antigen was 11.6%. Serological tests for syphilis were positive in 3.7% of individuals. Of 125 individuals screened for TB via the TST, 44.8% were positive and of 118 screened via the assay, 44.0% were positive. Of 458 individuals tested for strongyloidiasis, 91 (19.9%) were positive, and 76 of 358 (21.2%) individuals from sub-Saharan Africa were positive for schistosomiasis. Conclusions: The screening of viral diseases is questionable because of low prevalence and/or long-term, expensive treatments. For opposing reasons, helminthic infections are probably worth to be targeted by screening strategies in asylum seekers of selected countries of origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Buonfrate
- Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD), Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Gobbi
- Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD), Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Valentina Marchese
- University Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD), Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Postiglione
- Prevention Department, Unità Locale Socio Sanitaria (ULSS) 9, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Giorli
- Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD), Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Zeno Bisoffi
- Centre for Tropical Diseases (CTD), Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar, Verona, Italy
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24
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Antinori S, Ridolfo AL, Giacomelli A, Bonazzetti C, Corbellino M, Galli M. Chagas disease in Italy: the study's contribution of Italian researchers. Panminerva Med 2019; 61:464-472. [PMID: 31362479 DOI: 10.23736/s0031-0808.19.03723-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is an emerging infection in Italy as the consequence of the huge immigration from Latin American countries observed during the last ten-fifteen years. However, the interest of Italian researchers on CD dates back to the '80-90s of the last century with studies conducted in collaboration with Brazilian and Argentinian colleagues by Italian cardiologists and pathologists. Moreover, the first demonstration of the existence in the pre-Columbian America of Chagas disease in a Peruvian mummy was made by a group of Italian paleopathologists. Seroprevalence studies performed between 2010-2014 in Negrar (Verona), Bergamo, Milan, Florence and Rome shows Trypanosoma cruzi infection ranging from 3.9% to 17.1% with people coming from Bolivia as the most affected. As observed in Latin America about 30% of screened subjects in Italy are affected by cardiac or digestive forms of CD. More than 20% of subjects treated with benznidazole discontinued it permanently due to adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spinello Antinori
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy - .,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy -
| | - Anna L Ridolfo
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Giacomelli
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bonazzetti
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Corbellino
- III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Galli
- Luigi Sacco Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,III Division of Infectious Diseases, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Luigi Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy
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25
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Pérez-Ayala A, Fradejas I, Rebollo L, Lora-Pablos D, Lizasoain M, Herrero-Martínez JM. Usefulness of the ARCHITECT Chagas ® assay as a single test for the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. Trop Med Int Health 2019; 23:634-640. [PMID: 29683542 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Imported Chagas disease (CD) is an emerging health problem in Europe due to immigration from endemic countries. Although WHO currently recommends two different serological methods to establish diagnosis, new tools like the ARCHITECT Chagas assay have potential for use as a single diagnostic test. Our objective was to determine an optimal signal-to-cut-off (S/CO) value for the ARCHITECT Chagas assay to diagnose CD with a single test. METHODS A retrospective study conducted at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital (Madrid, Spain). All patients with requests for Chagas screening between January 2014 and August 2017 were consecutively included. All samples were routinely tested with the ARCHITECT assay. Negative samples (S/CO < 0.8) required no further testing. Immunochromatographic testing (ICT) and/or indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) was used to confirm samples with S/CO ≥ 0.8. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined the ARCHITECT S/CO value that yielded 100% specificity and positive predictive value. SPSS software, version 22.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS A total of 4153 samples were analysed; 361 (8.69%) gave a reactive ARCHITECT Chagas result. 261/361 (72.3%) were women; median age was 38 years old (2-79). 92.8% were Bolivian. A total of 307 (85.0%) were confirmed as cases of Chagas; 52 (14.4%) were not infected; two (0.6%) were not evaluable. Seroprevalence was 7.39%. An S/CO ≥ 3.80 yielded 100% specificity (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93-1.00) and 100% positive predictive value (95% CI, 0.99-1.00). CONCLUSIONS Using S/CO ≥ 3.80, the ARCHITECT Chagas could be used as a single test for diagnosis of chronic CD in Bolivian immigrants. Patients with S/CO between 0.80 and 3.80 would require additional testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pérez-Ayala
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Fradejas
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes Rebollo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Lora-Pablos
- Clinical Research Department, Hospital 12 Octubre Research Institute, Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Lizasoain
- Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
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26
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The diagnosis and treatment of urogenital schistosomiasis in Italy in a retrospective cohort of immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa. Infection 2019; 47:447-459. [PMID: 30666616 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-019-01270-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate ultrasound and praziquantel to, respectively, assess and reduce urogenital schistosomiasis (UGS)-associated morbidity in migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS Migrants from SSA with UGS attending three Italian centres for tropical diseases during 2011-2016 were retrospectively enrolled. Data on clinical symptoms, routine laboratory, parasitological tests, and ultrasound reported as per the WHO-Niamey protocol were collected at baseline and at available follow-up visits after treatment with praziquantel 40 mg/kg/day for 3 days. RESULTS One hundred and seventy patients with UGS were enrolled and treated with praziquantel. Baseline ultrasonography showed urinary tract abnormalities in 115/169 patients (68%); the mean global Schistosoma haematobium score was 2.29 (SD 2.84, IQR 0-2), the mean urinary bladder intermediate score 1.75 (SD 1.73, IQR 0-2), and the mean upper urinary tract intermediate score 0.54 (SD 2.37, IQR 1-10). Abnormalities were more common among the 111 (65%) who were symptomatic (p < 0.02; OR 2.53; 95% CI 1.19-5.35). Symptoms started in 94/111 (85%) before arriving (median 63 months, IQR 12-119). At follow-up, we observed a significant reduction in the prevalence of UGS-related symptoms, blood, urine, and ultrasound abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Our study results support the use of ultrasound and praziquantel for assessing and reducing UGS-associated morbidity in migrants. Health-seeking behaviour, diagnostic, and treatment delays contribute to the advanced pathology and qualified treatment success. To ensure earlier treatment, based on our findings, clinical experience, and available literature, we propose an algorithm for the diagnosis and clinical management of UGS. Multicentre studies are needed to improve the management of subjects with UGS in non-endemic countries.
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27
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Coinfections between Persistent Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases and Viral Infections among Prisoners from Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. J Trop Med 2018; 2018:7218534. [PMID: 30532789 PMCID: PMC6247427 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7218534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Swiss prisons, more than 70% of detained people are foreigners and over one-third originate from sub-Saharan Africa or Latin America. These two regions are endemic for various tropical diseases and viral infections, which persist after migration to nonendemic countries. Parasitic infections (schistosomiasis; strongyloidiasis) and cooccurrent viral infections (HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV)) are especially of concern for clinical care but have been neglected in empirical research. These diseases often remain silent for years before causing complications, especially if they occur concomitantly. Our research aimed to study the prevalence rates and coinfections of two neglected tropical diseases, namely, Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma sp. and viral infections among sub-Saharan Africans (SSA) and Latin Americans (LA) in Switzerland's largest pretrial prison. We carried out a cross-sectional prevalence study using a standardized questionnaire and serological testing. Among the 201 participants, 85.6% were SSA and 14.4% LA. We found the following prevalence ratios: 3.5% of HIV (4.1% in SSA, 0% in LA), 12.4% of chronic HBV (14.5% in SSA, 0% in LA), 2.0% of viraemic HCV (1.7% in SSA, 3.4% in LA), and 8.0% of strongyloidiasis (8.1% in SSA, 6.9% in LA). The serological prevalence of schistosomiasis among SSA was 20.3% (not endemic in Latin America). Two infections were simultaneously detected in SSA: 4.7% were coinfected with schistosomiasis and chronic HBV. Four other coinfections were detected among SSA: schistosomiasis-HIV, HIV-chronic HBV, HIV-HCV, and schistosomiasis-strongyloidiasis. To conclude, the high prevalence rates of persistent viral and parasitic infections and their potential coinfections among SSA and LA detained migrants highlight the need to implement control strategies and programs that reach people in detention centers in nonendemic countries.
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28
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW With increasing international travel and mass global population migration, clinicians in nonendemic countries must be familiar with imported neglected tropical diseases including onchocerciasis, which is commonly known as 'river blindness'. RECENT FINDINGS Imported onchocerciasis manifests differently in travelers compared with migrants from endemic areas and is likely underdiagnosed in both groups. Recent clinical studies confirm that eosinophilia is not a sensitive marker for Onchocerca volvulus, with one-third of patients having a normal eosinophil count. Novel diagnostics measuring antibodies to multiple recombinant O. volvulus antigens maintain a high sensitivity while improving specificity compared with conventional pan-filarial serologic testing. A 6-week course of doxycycline has macrofilaricidal activity through Wolbachia depletion and may be useful in nonendemic areas in addition to standard serial ivermectin. SUMMARY Recent studies characterizing distinct clinical presentations in travelers and migrants may enable clinicians to better recognize imported onchocerciasis. Although novel diagnostics have improved specificity, most remain restricted to tropical disease reference laboratories and to date there is no marker of cure. Prolonged doxycycline treatment may reduce the need for serial ivermectin, though more potent short-course macrofilaricidal drugs are being developed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas B. Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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29
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Carrai P, Zammarchi L, Pollina LE, Giordani L, Mangano V, Iapoce R, Rinaldi F, Bartoloni A, Filipponi F, De Simone P, Bruschi F. Post-transplant liver graft schistosomiasis in a migrant from Sub-Saharan Africa. Transpl Infect Dis 2018; 20:e12950. [PMID: 29890019 DOI: 10.1111/tid.12950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
We report a case of post-transplant liver graft infection with Schistosoma spp in a migrant from sub-Saharan Africa transplanted for HBV-related cirrhosis and with undiagnosed schistosomiasis pre-transplantation. The occurrence of tropical diseases in non-endemic areas warrants screening protocols for organ donors and recipients with a history of exposure in endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Carrai
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zammarchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Referral Center for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Luca Giordani
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Mangano
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Riccardo Iapoce
- Infectious Diseases, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Rinaldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bartoloni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Referral Center for Tropical Diseases of Tuscany, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Franco Filipponi
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo De Simone
- Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Unit, University of Pisa Medical School Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bruschi
- Department of Translational Research, N.T.M.S., University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Programma Monitoraggio delle Malattie Parassitarie, AOU Pisana, Pisa, Italy
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Rodari P, Angheben A, Gennati G, Trezzi L, Bargiggia G, Maino M, Ruggeri M, Rampello S, Soavi L, Rizzi M. Congenital Chagas disease in a non-endemic area: Results from a control programme in Bergamo province, Northern Italy. Travel Med Infect Dis 2018; 25:31-34. [PMID: 29680285 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In non-endemic countries, one of the most important routes of transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi is vertical transmission. The objective of this work is to report the results of the screening activities for the control of congenital Chagas Disease (CD) implemented in Bergamo province between January 2014 and December 2016. METHODS The programme addressed Bolivian pregnant women settled in Bergamo province. All the eight hospitals offering antenatal and delivery care in that area were involved. We retrospectively calculated the coverage rate of the screening programme, the prevalence of CD in this population, as well as transmission rate to their offspring. RESULTS During the study period, 376 Bolivian women accounted for 387 deliveries. The coverage rate of serologic screening was 85.6%. Confirmed seropositive women were 28, accounting for a prevalence of CD of 8.7% (95% IC 5.9-11.5). Among 29 children born to positive mothers, one infected child was detected (transmission rate of 4.3%, 95% IC 0-12.6) and treated accordingly. Other 13 children previously born from the same mothers were retrieved and tested for CD: no additional congenital cases were diagnosed. DISCUSSION Our screening programme presented a high coverage, although widely variable in the different birthing facilities. National guidelines recommending CD testing in pregnant women would help to increase case detection countrywide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Rodari
- Centro per le Malattie Tropicali, Ospedale Classificato Equiparato Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria, Negrar, Verona, Italy; Malattie Infettive, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, Bergamo, Italy.
| | - Andrea Angheben
- Centro per le Malattie Tropicali, Ospedale Classificato Equiparato Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria, Negrar, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | - Graziano Bargiggia
- SMeL Microbiologia e Virologia, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marzia Maino
- Patologia Neonatale, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Soavi
- Malattie Infettive, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Marco Rizzi
- Malattie Infettive, ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII, Piazza OMS 1, Bergamo, Italy
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Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Migrants in Apulia, a Region of Southern Italy, in the Years 2006-2016. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:8257310. [PMID: 29435460 PMCID: PMC5757092 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8257310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent tropical disease in the world after malaria. According to the World Health Organization, the disease afflicts more than 240 million people in about 80 countries. Recently, an epidemiological surveillance study performed between 1997 and 2010 by the European Network for Tropical Medicine and Health Travel regarding schistosomiasis between immigrants and travelers has been published. No data are available in the literature regarding the situation in South Italy. Herein, we report the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in a population of migrants in Apulia referring to our outpatient clinic for immigrant diseases in the period 2006-2016. Since all cases of schistosomiasis were related to the last three years of observation, the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study population were compared before and after 2014. Nearly 51% of all patients visited (1762) were from high/moderate endemic countries for schistosomiasis, and nine cases of urinary schistosomiasis were diagnosed. Prevalence was 1% among migrants from endemic areas and 10% in those from Mali and Senegal. Our findings confirm that schistosomiasis is a widespread infection among immigrants, even if it is often underdiagnosed because of the multifaceted clinical presentation. Changes in migratory dynamics can affect clinical observations very quickly.
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Song Y, Jiao JG, Chen ZJ. Exploring on the elderly health management model in tropic area. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:614-618. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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