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Topluoglu S, Taylan-Ozkan A, Alp E. Impact of wars and natural disasters on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1215929. [PMID: 37727613 PMCID: PMC10505936 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1215929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases (REIDs) constitute significant health problems and are becoming of major importance. Up to 75% of EIDs and REIDs have zoonotic origin. Several factors such as the destruction of natural habitats leading humans and animals to live in close proximity, ecological changes due to natural disasters, population migration resulting from war or conflict, interruption or decrease in disease prevention programs, and insufficient vector control applications and sanitation are involved in disease emergence and distribution. War and natural disasters have a great impact on the emergence/re-emergence of diseases in the population. According to a World Bank estimation, two billion people are living in poverty and fragility situations. Wars destroy health systems and infrastructure, curtail existing disease control programs, and cause population movement leading to an increase in exposure to health risks and favor the emergence of infectious diseases. A total of 432 catastrophic cases associated with natural disasters were recorded globally in 2021. Natural disasters increase the risk of EID and REID outbreaks by damaging infrastructure and leading to displacement of populations. A Generic National Action Plan covering risk assessment, mechanism for action, determination of roles and responsibilities of each sector, the establishment of a coordination mechanism, etc. should be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seher Topluoglu
- Provincial Health Directorate of Ankara, Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Health, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Emine Alp
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara, Türkiye
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Choi SH, Beer J, Charrow A. Climate change and the displaced person: how vectors and climate are changing the landscape of infectious diseases among displaced and migrant populations. Int J Dermatol 2023; 62:681-684. [PMID: 36912708 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the climate crisis grows, so does the global burden of displacement. Displacement, whether a direct or indirect consequence of natural disaster, can lead to dire health sequelae. Skin health is no exception to this, with dermatologic disease being a leading concern reported by those who care for displaced persons. Health professionals who provide dermatologic care for displaced persons benefit from understanding how climate change impacts the global profile of infectious agents. METHODS This review was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included climate change, displaced person, internally displaced person, and refugee, as well as searches of infectious disease dermatology and the specific diseases of interest. Case reports, case series, reviews, and original research articles were included in this review. Non-English studies were not included. RESULTS In this manuscript several key infectious agents were identified, and we discuss the skin manifestations and impact of climate change on cutaneous leishmaniasis, dengue, chikungunya, zika, malaria, pediculosis, cutaneous larva migrans, cholera, and varicella zoster. CONCLUSIONS Climate change plays a significant role in the challenges faced by displaced persons, including their skin health. Among the many consequences of climate change is its altering of the ecological profile of infectious agents and vectors that impact displaced persons. Being familiar with this impact can improve dermatologic care for this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo H Choi
- Department of Dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jacob Beer
- Department of Dermatology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Alexandra Charrow
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Duffey MM, Patel T, Koukaz Y, Sepulveda T, Barbour K, Fredricks K, Weatherhead JE. The impact of neglected tropical diseases on women and girl refugees: A call for increased awareness and strategic intervention. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.1095174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As the number of forcibly displaced women and girls increases, it becomes ever important to recognize the negative health impacts of being displaced. Women and girl refugees are disproportionately affected by sexual and gender-based violence and mental health concerns. In addition to these health concerns in women, crowding and lack of clean water in refugee camps leads to the spread of infectious diseases in general. Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are infectious diseases of poverty found in tropical areas, and longstanding infections lead to significant morbidity. Particularly for women, these diseases can impact fertility, chronic disease in pregnancy, and social stigma. Despite being a high-risk group, there are minimal data on the impact of NTDs on the health of Women and girl refugees. Diseases such as schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminth infections, strongyloidiasis, and leishmaniasis have all been shown to affect Women and girl refugees, but the majority of these data describe NTDs in this population only after resettlement. Access to medical care with providers that are knowledgeable about NTDs while in situations of displacement as well as after third-country resettlement is crucial to their timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent longstanding sequalae. More studies in this at-risk population are needed to understand the extent of this issue and begin to work towards lasting, equitable healthcare.
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Alam W, Mobayed T, Younis N, Zarif R, Bizri N, Tamim H, Musharrafieh U, Bizri AR. Neglected Tropical Diseases in Lebanon. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:809-819. [PMID: 35113340 PMCID: PMC8811347 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00510-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are highly endemic and distributed within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, affecting an estimated 65 million people. Lebanon suffers from several NTDs as they are either endemic in the country or imported via expats residing in endemic regions, refugees, and foreign labor force. The Syrian crisis and the displacement of refugees to Lebanon have made the country the largest host of refugees per capita right after the Syrian crisis in 2011, peaking in the year of 2013. Additionally, foreign labor in Lebanon come from different countries in Africa and Asia that are endemic with certain NTDs. The Lebanese diaspora is approximately twice the number of those residing in the country and is distributed throughout the continents carrying the risk of importing new NTDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive study about the prevalence of NTDs in Lebanon, their distribution, and factors contributing to spread was performed. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health (LMPH) database regarding reportable transmissible diseases was reviewed for reportable NTDs between 2002 and 2020 in relation to age, gender, prevalence, and geographical distribution. The medical literature was searched using several engines looking for all reports about NTDs in Lebanon, those relevant to regions hosting Lebanese diaspora, and countries where the refugees and migrant workers came from. RESULTS Only leishmaniasis, leprosy, echinococcosis, schistosomiasis, and rabies are mandatorily reportable NTDs by the LMPH. Additionally, case reports about fasciolosis, ascaridiosis, and Dengue were reported from Lebanon. The presence of the Syrian refugees in the country affected the prevalence of leishmaniasis and rabies. The most prevalent NTD in Lebanon is cutaneous leishmaniasis. The Lebanese diaspora reside mainly in South America, Africa, and in some Arab states known to be endemic with certain NTDs. CONCLUSION Little information is known about NTDs in Lebanon. The country is at an increased risk of experiencing several new NTDs due to refugee influx, foreign labor, economic crisis, and ever-growing number of Lebanese seeking work opportunities abroad. More information is needed to assess the true burden of NTDs in Lebanon and the future steps to contain and mitigate their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid Alam
- Department of Oncology, Maidstone Hospital, Maidstone, Kent UK
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tala Mobayed
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nour Younis
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rana Zarif
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Hamra, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nazih Bizri
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hani Tamim
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Umayya Musharrafieh
- Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Abdul Rahman Bizri
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Özbel Y, Töz S, Muñoz C, Ortuño M, Jumakanova Z, Pérez-Cutillas P, Maia C, Conceição C, Baneth G, Pereira A, Van der Stede Y, Gossner CM, Berriatua E. The current epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia and implications for disease emergence in European countries. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:395-407. [PMID: 35615899 PMCID: PMC9545164 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Leishmania spp. are sand fly-borne protozoan parasites causing leishmaniasis in humans and animals. The aim of the study was to analyse the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia from 2005 to 2020 and evaluate the associated risk for disease emergence in European countries. It is based on an analysis of WHO and OIE reported cases between 2005 and 2020, a review of scientific articles published in SCOPUS between 2009 and 2020 and a questionnaire survey to public health and veterinary authorities in these countries. Endemic Leishmania spp. include L. infantum in the three countries, L. major in Azerbaijan and Turkey and L. tropica and L. donovani in Turkey. Leishmaniasis is reported in humans, animals and sand flies and incidence is spatially and temporarily variable. In the southern Caucasus and particularly in Georgia, reported incidence of human visceral leishmaniasis by L. infantum remains high. However, whilst Georgia experienced a gradual decrease from >4.0 cases per 100,000 population in 2005-09 to 1.13 cases per 100,000 population in 2020, the period with highest incidence in Azerbaijan, which ranged between 0.40 and 0.61 cases per 100,000 population, was 2016-2019, and no cases have so far been reported for 2020. Visceral leishmaniasis in the Southern Caucasus affects mostly young children from deprived urban areas and its closely associated to canine leishmaniasis. Turkey reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis between 2005 and 2012 and in 2016 only, and incidence ranged between 0.02 and 0.05 per 100,000 population. In contrast, the reported annual incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Turkey was much greater and peaked at 7.02 cases per 100,000 population in 2013, associated to imported cases from cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic Syria. Leishmaniasis by L. infantum in Azerbaijan and Georgia represents a regional public and animal health challenge that requires support to improve diagnosis, treatment and control. The unprecedented rise of cutaneous leishmaniasis and the spread of L. tropica and L. donovani in Turkey is an important risk factor for their emergence in Europe, especially in Mediterranean countries where competent vectors are widespread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Özbel
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Seray Töz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Clara Muñoz
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Maria Ortuño
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Zarima Jumakanova
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Carla Maia
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Conceição
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - André Pereira
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Céline M Gossner
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eduardo Berriatua
- Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum", Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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The Association Between the Syrian Crisis and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Lebanon. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1240-1245. [PMID: 33886042 PMCID: PMC8061447 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00395-3] [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: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Displacement of refugees from highly endemic areas of leishmaniasis to adjacent countries is associated with the spread of Leishmania. Syria is a country with a known high endemicity for cutaneous leishmaniasis and the presence of Syrian refugees in Lebanon has contributed to the re-emergence of the disease. The aim of this article is to evaluate the burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Lebanon in view of the presence of a large number of Syrian refugees. METHODS Data regarding all cases of leishmaniasis were collected from reports by the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health-Epidemiology Surveillance (LMPH-ESU), and the World Health Organization (WHO) between 2005 and 2018. All cases were reviewed in terms of area of residence, age and gender, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome. An extensive literature review was conducted using "PubMed", "Medline", and "Google Scholar". RESULTS The annual number of leishmaniasis cases recorded in Lebanon between 2005 and 2011 ranged between 0 and 6 cases. In 2012, this number increased to 1275 cases and dropped to 263 in 2018, where all those infected were Syrian refugees from Aleppo, with zero cases of local transmission. Seventy-two percent of cases were seen in patients aged < 20 years. The predominant species of Leishmania was L. tropica followed by L. major. CONCLUSION Lebanon was affected by leishmaniasis following the Syrian crisis, and the influx of refugees to the country. Accurate disease monitoring and strategic training of healthcare personnel based within refugee camps are essential for proper containment. Preventative measures remain the best way to avoid both local and adjacent spread of leishmaniasis.
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Montoya AL, Austin VM, Portillo S, Vinales I, Ashmus RA, Estevao I, Jankuru SR, Alraey Y, Al-Salem WS, Acosta-Serrano Á, Almeida IC, Michael K. Reversed Immunoglycomics Identifies α-Galactosyl-Bearing Glycotopes Specific for Leishmania major Infection. JACS AU 2021; 1:1275-1287. [PMID: 34467365 PMCID: PMC8397363 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
All healthy humans have high levels of natural anti-α-galactosyl (α-Gal) antibodies (elicited by yet uncharacterized glycotopes), which may play important roles in immunoglycomics: (a) potential protection against certain parasitic and viral zoonotic infections; (b) targeting of α-Gal-engineered cancer cells; (c) aiding in tissue repair; and (d) serving as adjuvants in α-Gal-based vaccines. Patients with certain protozoan infections have specific anti-α-Gal antibodies, elicited against parasite-derived α-Gal-bearing glycotopes. These glycotopes, however, remain elusive except for the well-characterized glycotope Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAcα, expressed by Trypanosoma cruzi. The discovery of new parasitic glycotopes is greatly hindered by the enormous structural diversity of cell-surface glycans and the technical challenges of classical immunoglycomics, a top-down approach from cultivated parasites to isolated glycans. Here, we demonstrate that reversed immunoglycomics, a bottom-up approach, can identify parasite species-specific α-Gal-bearing glycotopes by probing synthetic oligosaccharides on neoglycoproteins. This method was tested here seeking to identify as-yet unknown glycotopes specific for Leishmania major, the causative agent of Old-World cutaneous leishmaniasis (OWCL). Neoglycoproteins decorated with synthetic α-Gal-containing oligosaccharides derived from L. major glycoinositolphospholipids served as antigens in a chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using sera from OWCL patients and noninfected individuals. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis identified Galpα1,3Galfβ and Galpα1,3Galfβ1,3Manpα glycotopes as diagnostic biomarkers for L. major-caused OWCL, which can distinguish with 100% specificity from heterologous diseases and L. tropica-caused OWCL. These glycotopes could prove useful in the development of rapid α-Gal-based diagnostics and vaccines for OWCL. Furthermore, this method could help unravel cryptic α-Gal-glycotopes of other protozoan parasites and enterobacteria that elicit the natural human anti-α-Gal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba L. Montoya
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Victoria M. Austin
- Department
of Vector Biology, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United
Kingdom
| | - Susana Portillo
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Irodiel Vinales
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Roger A. Ashmus
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Igor Estevao
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Sohan R. Jankuru
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Yasser Alraey
- Department
of Vector Biology, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United
Kingdom
| | - Waleed S. Al-Salem
- Department
of Vector Biology, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United
Kingdom
| | - Álvaro Acosta-Serrano
- Department
of Vector Biology, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United
Kingdom
| | - Igor C. Almeida
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
| | - Katja Michael
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79968, United States
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Rosa LB, Aires RL, Oliveira LS, Fontes JV, Miguel DC, Abbehausen C. A "Golden Age" for the discovery of new antileishmanial agents: Current status of leishmanicidal gold complexes and prospective targets beyond the trypanothione system. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1681-1695. [PMID: 33615725 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is one of the most neglected diseases worldwide and is considered a serious public health issue. The current therapeutic options have several disadvantages that make the search for new therapeutics urgent. Gold compounds are emerging as promising candidates based on encouraging in vitro and limited in vivo results for several AuI and AuIII complexes. The antiparasitic mechanisms of these molecules remain only partially understood. However, a few studies have proposed the trypanothione redox system as a target, similar to the mammalian thioredoxin system, pointed out as the main target for several gold compounds with significant antitumor activity. In this review, we present the current status of the investigation and design of gold compounds directed at treating leishmaniasis. In addition, we explore potential targets in Leishmania parasites beyond the trypanothione system, taking into account previous studies and structure modulation performed for gold-based compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia B Rosa
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rochanna L Aires
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Laiane S Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Josielle V Fontes
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Institute of Biology, University of Campinas UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilla Abbehausen
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas, PO Box 6154, 13083-970, Campinas, SP, Brazil)
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Lindner AK, Richter J, Gertler M, Nikolaus M, Equihua Martinez G, Müller K, Harms G. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in refugees from Syria: complex cases in Berlin 2015-2020. J Travel Med 2020; 27:5905945. [PMID: 33057714 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taaa161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Syrian conflict has led to a dramatic increase of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), triggered by continuous population displacements, disrupted control programmes, poor shelter and sanitation. METHODS A retrospective patient record study was conducted at the Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health in Berlin. Records of all refugees from Syria treated for CL between January 2015 and March 2020 were reviewed. RESULTS Twenty refugees from Syria were treated. Seventeen refugees (85%) had complex lesions, mainly due to previous therapy failure or localization on the face. A long disease duration (50% > 1 year), pronounced facial scarring (20%), recurrences (20%), or worsening of existing lesions (20%) were observed. Nine patients (45%) had been pretreated in Syria. Complete remission was achieved in 10 of 16 patients (63%) treated with perilesional antimony. Eight patients (40%) required systemic treatment, thereof four (20%) repeated systemic treatment. Eight patients (40%) reported a delay of therapy ≥3 months in Germany, thereof one patient with a delay of 12 months and one patient with a delay of 32 months. CONCLUSION Between 2015 and 2020, Syrian refugees presented with severe morbidities of CL frequently requiring systemic and even consecutive systemic treatments. We assume a combination of socioeconomic and environmental factors associated with the ongoing Syrian conflict and migration to be responsible for the complex clinical presentations in this case series. More attention should be drawn to the situation of Syrian refugees with CL in countries where they are displaced to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K Lindner
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Joachim Richter
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Gertler
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marc Nikolaus
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Pneumology, Immunology and Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Equihua Martinez
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Müller
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gundel Harms
- Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
"Currently, an estimated 70.8 million individuals worldwide are forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and persecution. Barriers to providing dermatologic care include the large number of affected people, their movement within and across international borders, security issues, and limited access to dermatology expertise and formularies. Screening protocols for skin diseases and sexually transmitted infections differ worldwide, raising the need for shared guidelines to assess migrants' health. This article reviews the literature of skin and sexually transmitted infections in migrants and displaced persons, highlighting the impact of social determinants on skin health and challenges faced in providing care."
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Gianchecchi E, Montomoli E. The enemy at home: leishmaniasis in the Mediterranean basin, Italy on the focus. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:563-577. [DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1751611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi S.r.l, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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