#Schistosomiasis prevention

[hopkinrx]

Schistosomiasis: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment 1

IntroductionWhat is Schistosomiasis?Types of Schistosomiasis Schistosoma mansoni Schistosoma haematobium Schistosoma japonicumTransmission of SchistosomiasisLife Cycle of Schistosoma ParasitesSymptoms and Complications of SchistosomiasisRisk FactorsDiagnosis of SchistosomiasisTreatment of SchistosomiasisGeographic DistributionPrevention and Control MeasuresPublic Health EffortsThe Impact of…

[kishorwasan]

Why is it called neglected tropical diseases?

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of infectious diseases that affect more than 1.7 billion people worldwide, particularly those living in poverty-stricken areas of tropical and subtropical countries. They are a diverse group of diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. They are "neglected" because they have historically received very little attention, funding, or research compared to other major diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

But why are these diseases neglected? Several factors contribute to the neglect of NTDs, including their high prevalence in poor and marginalized communities, low visibility and lack of political will, and their complex nature and limited treatment options.

Firstly, NTDs disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized populations, who often lack access to essential healthcare services, clean water, and sanitation. These diseases thrive in environments where poverty, malnutrition, and poor hygiene are prevalent, making them endemic in many rural and urban slum areas of developing countries.

Furthermore, NTDs are often co-endemic, meaning they occur in the same geographical areas and can interact and exacerbate each other's effects. For example, soil-transmitted helminths (intestinal worms) and schistosomiasis (a parasitic infections) often occur in the same communities, leading to increased morbidity and disability.

Secondly, NTDs are often invisible and overlooked by policymakers and the public. Unlike diseases such as HIV or cancer, NTDs do not typically receive high-profile media attention, fundraising campaigns, or advocacy efforts. As a result, they are often not considered a priority in national health agendas or global health initiatives.

Moreover, many NTDs do not cause immediate or dramatic symptoms but instead cause chronic and debilitating conditions that can have long-term impacts on individuals, families, and communities. For example, lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis) can cause severe swelling of the limbs and genitals, leading to disability, social isolation, and stigmatization.

Thirdly, NTDs are complex and often challenging to diagnose, treat, and prevent. Many of these diseases have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts and stages of development, which make them difficult to control and eliminate. In addition, the drugs used to treat NTDs are often old, toxic, and have limited efficacy, leading to high treatment failure rates and drug resistance.

Finally, there needs to be more funding and research dedicated to NTDs. Despite their high burden and impact on global health, NTDs receive only a fraction of the budget and analysis that other major diseases receive. For example, in 2019, the World Health Organization estimated that the total annual cost of delivering preventive chemotherapy for NTDs was US$2.7 billion, which is only a fraction of the amount spent on other diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

In recent years, there has been increased recognition and attention given to NTDs, particularly in global health initiatives and partnerships. The World Health Organization has set a target to eliminate or control 20 NTDs by 2030 and has launched a global strategy to combat NTDs through integrated, cross-sectoral approaches.

In addition, several pharmaceutical companies and non-governmental organizations have committed to donating drugs and resources to NTD control and elimination programs, which has helped scale up interventions and reach more needy people.

However, much more must be done to address the neglected nature of NTDs. This includes increasing funding and research for NTDs, improving access to health services and treatment, and managing the social and economic determinants of NTDs.

[pankajbanerjee-official]

The Cultural Capital of AngloWest Africa - Ghana 🇬🇭

Ghana in 2021, the estimated population of Ghana is approximately 31.4 million people. The country has a relatively young population, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25. The population is also growing rapidly, with an annual population growth rate of 2.15%.

The ethnic composition of Ghana is diverse, with over 100 different ethnic groups. The largest ethnic group is the Akan, who make up around 47% of the population. Other significant ethnic groups include the Mole-Dagbon, Ewe, Ga-Adangbe, and Gurma.

The official language of Ghana is English, but there are many other languages spoken throughout the country, including Akan, Ewe, and Twi. The majority of the population is Christian, with approximately 71% of Ghanaians identifying as Christian. There is also a significant Muslim population, making up around 18% of the population, and a smaller population of traditional African religion practitioners.

Ghana has a relatively high urbanization rate, with approximately 56% of the population living in urban areas. The capital city, Accra, is the largest city in Ghana, with a population of over 2.2 million people. Other major cities in Ghana include Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi.

The median age in Ghana is approximately 21 years, and the life expectancy at birth is around 65 years. The literacy rate in Ghana is relatively high, with approximately 76% of the population over the age of 15 being able to read and write.

Major Health Conditions

Most prevalent health conditions in Ghana include:

Malaria: Malaria is a major public health problem in Ghana, accounting for approximately 29% of all outpatient visits, 25% of all admissions, and 22% of all deaths.

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI): ARI is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, particularly among children under five years old.

Diarrheal Diseases: Diarrheal diseases are common in Ghana, with an estimated 13% of deaths in children under five years old attributed to diarrhea.

Tuberculosis (TB): TB is a major health problem in Ghana, with an estimated 14,000 new cases reported in 2020.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): NTDs, including schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and onchocerciasis, are endemic in Ghana and affect millions of people.

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs): NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, are on the rise in Ghana due to changing lifestyles and increasing urbanization.

Acne or Pimple or Blemish

Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including those living in Ghana. However, there is limited research available on the prevalence and epidemiology of acne and pimples in Ghana specifically.

One study conducted in Ghana in 2019 examined the prevalence of acne and associated risk factors among students at a tertiary institution. The study found that the overall prevalence of acne was 59.5%, with females being more affected than males. The study also identified several risk factors for acne, including stress, family history, and certain dietary habits.

Another study conducted in 2017 investigated the prevalence of acne and its impact on the quality of life of Ghanaian students. The study found that 67.9% of the participants had acne, and that acne significantly impacted their quality of life in terms of social interactions and self-esteem.

Overall, while limited research exists on the prevalence and epidemiology of acne and pimples in Ghana, available studies suggest that acne is a relatively common skin condition among Ghanaians, particularly among young people. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology and impact of acne in Ghana and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Acid Reflux - The sour fluid

Studies have reported a high burden of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. According to a systematic review published in 2016, the most common GI disorders in sub-Saharan Africa are infectious diarrhea, helminth infections, and viral hepatitis, among others.

Furthermore, a study published in the West African Journal of Medicine in 2010 reported that upper GI symptoms, including heartburn and acid regurgitation, were prevalent among Ghanaians. The study also found that the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was a significant risk factor for upper GI symptoms.

Another study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research in 2018 reported a high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among Ghanaians. The study found that IBS affected 20.7% of the study participants and that females were more affected than males.

Studies suggest that digestive problems are prevalent in Ghana. The most common GI disorders in Ghana are infectious diarrhea, helminth infections, and viral hepatitis. Upper GI symptoms and IBS are also prevalent in Ghana.

Loving thyself is paramount

Male libido problems are not unique to Ghana, as they affect men all over the world. However, there are certain factors specific to Ghana that may contribute to male libido problems, including cultural and societal norms, access to healthcare, and lifestyle factors.

In Ghana, there is a cultural emphasis on masculinity and sexual prowess, which can lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy for men who struggle with low libido. This can make it difficult for men to seek help or talk openly about their issues.

Access to healthcare can also be a barrier for men in Ghana who are experiencing libido problems. Some men may not have access to medical facilities or trained healthcare professionals who can provide appropriate treatment.

Lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and high levels of stress can also contribute to male libido problems in Ghana. These factors can lead to issues such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which are all risk factors for low libido.

To address male libido problems in Ghana, it is important to address these underlying factors. This may involve promoting a more open and accepting attitude towards male sexual health, increasing access to healthcare services, and encouraging healthy lifestyle behaviors. Additionally, healthcare providers can offer treatments such as counseling, medication, and lifestyle interventions to help men overcome their libido problems.

The Size of Prize

The pharmaceutical industry in Ghana has been growing steadily over the years. According to a report by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), the industry's value was estimated to be around $630 million in 2019, with an annual growth rate of 6.8%. The government of Ghana has been implementing policies to promote the development of the pharmaceutical industry, with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in drug production.

The pharmaceutical industry in Ghana can be categorized into the following products:

Generic drugs: These are drugs that are not branded and are marketed under their chemical names. They are cheaper than branded drugs and are essential in providing affordable healthcare.

Branded drugs: These are drugs marketed under a brand name and are usually more expensive than generic drugs. They are protected by patents, which give the manufacturer exclusive rights to produce and market them.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: These are drugs that can be bought without a prescription from a healthcare provider. They are usually used to treat common ailments such as headaches, colds, and coughs.

Medical devices: These are instruments, machines, and apparatus used to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.

The Ghanaian pharmaceutical industry is dominated by local manufacturers who produce generic drugs, with only a few multinational companies operating in the country. The government of Ghana has been implementing policies to promote the development of the pharmaceutical industry, including tax exemptions and incentives for local manufacturers. The industry is also regulated by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

Nature Offers More

The herbal over-the-counter (OTC) products market in Ghana is a significant segment of the country's healthcare industry. Ghana has a rich tradition of herbal medicine, and many Ghanaians rely on traditional herbal remedies to treat various health conditions. The demand for herbal OTC products has been increasing in recent years due to a growing interest in natural and alternative medicine.

Some of the commonly used herbal OTC products in Ghana include herbal teas, capsules, powders, and creams. These products are made from a variety of herbs and plants, such as aloe vera, ginger, neem, moringa, and turmeric. They are marketed as remedies for a range of ailments, including digestive disorders, skin conditions, and respiratory problems.

The herbal OTC products market in Ghana is largely unregulated, and many of these products are sold without proper quality control or safety testing. However, the Ghana Standards Authority has established guidelines for the manufacture, labeling, and packaging of herbal products to ensure quality and safety.

The market for herbal OTC products in Ghana is highly competitive, with many small-scale producers and distributors. However, some larger companies have entered the market, such as Phyto-Riker Pharmaceuticals and Ernest Chemists Limited, which have established themselves as leading manufacturers and distributors of herbal products in Ghana.

Overall, the herbal OTC products market in Ghana is growing, driven by a strong demand for natural and traditional remedies.

The Access Points

There are various distribution channels for over-the-counter (OTC) and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products. Some of these distribution channels include:

Traditional Trade: This involves the use of small independent retailers such as mom-and-pop stores, kiosks, and corner shops. They are typically located in residential areas and are convenient for consumers to access.

Supermarkets/Hypermarkets: These are larger stores that offer a wider range of products and are typically located in commercial areas or shopping malls.

Pharmacies and Drug Stores: These are stores that specialize in the sale of pharmaceutical and healthcare products. They are typically located in urban areas and are often frequented by consumers seeking OTC products.

Direct Selling: This involves the use of a network of independent distributors who sell products directly to consumers. This method is commonly used for products such as cosmetics and personal care items.

Online Retail: With the rise of e-commerce, online retail has become an increasingly popular channel for the distribution of OTC and FMCG products. Online marketplaces such as Jumia, Konga, and Jiji have become prominent players in the Ghanaian retail market.

Wholesalers and Distributors: These are companies that buy products in bulk from manufacturers and sell them to retailers. They are often used by manufacturers to reach a wider market.

The distribution channels for OTC and FMCG products in Ghana are diverse, ranging from traditional trade to online retail. Manufacturers often use a combination of these channels to ensure their products are widely available to consumers.

[ramawaterfilters]

How Low-Quality Water Affects Your Body

Water is the essence of life. It makes up over half your body weight and plays a vital role in countless bodily functions. It helps manage body temperature, prevents dehydration, aids digestion, and maintains healthy skin. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to clean and safe drinking water. 

Poor-quality water can have serious impacts on your health, leading to illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea. In this post, we’ll explore how low-quality water affects your body and what you can do to ensure you’re drinking safe water.

Effects of Poor-Quality Water Drinking low-quality water can lead to a range of health issues, from minor irritations to severe illnesses. These include:

Waterborne Diseases:Untreated water can be a breeding ground for contaminants like bacteria, parasites, and viruses, which cause severe gastrointestinal issues. This can lead to stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. While some waterborne diseases can be treated with medication, prolonged exposure can disrupt the digestive system’s normal functioning and may require hospitalization for treatment. 

According to the WHO, “Microbiologically contaminated drinking water is estimated to result in around 5,05,000 diarrhoeal deaths each year through the transmission of diseases like cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, dysentery, and polio.” 

Developmental Issues:Heavy metals like lead and arsenic in water can cause long-term health problems. Their consumption can lead to developmental problems in children, increase cancer risks, and damage the nervous system. Additionally, exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides, and pollutants in drinking water can impair cognitive function and brain development. These contaminants can cloud your mind and hinder your ability to perform well in personal and professional settings.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD):NTDs such as trachoma, Buruli ulcer, schistosomiasis, and Guinea worm disease thrive in environments with unsafe drinking water. These diseases affect millions and are closely linked to inadequate water hygiene.

Pressure on the Immune System:Contaminated water forces the immune system to work harder to combat foreign particles, which can weaken it over time. This added strain can reduce the immune system’s ability to fight off other illnesses, making you more susceptible to infections.

Lead, for example, can damage the developing nervous system in children, leading to learning difficulties and behavioral problems. Arsenic exposure has been linked to various cancers and skin conditions. 

Being aware of potential contaminants in your water supply and taking steps for filtration or purification is crucial for maintaining good health.

So What’s the solution?  To ensure you have access to clean and safe drinking water, Rama's best non-electric water filter for home is here, offering the perfect solution. Investing in the water filter system not only improves the quality of water by effectively filtering harmful substances like viruses, bacteria, chlorine, and heavy metals but also offers plenty of other benefits:

Rama water filters are easy on the pocket and require minimal maintenance. 

The filter is made using high-quality 304-grade stainless steel materials, guaranteeing durability. 

The water filter does not require electricity to purify drinking water, which means you can use it 24/7 yet save on electricity expenses.

Rama Gravity Water Filters are the ideal solution for you. You can use them continuously even during floods, power cuts, cyclones, and other emergencies.

Source Link: https://ramawaterfilter.com/blogs/news/how-low-quality-water-affects-your-body

[petnews2day]

Dog-Killing Worms Found In The United States

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/5N2oT

Dog-Killing Worms Found In The United States

Your dog’s regular heartworm medicine or flea prevention regimen will not protect your pet from the parasite. Signs of an infection include general lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. If the dog-killing worm is caught soon enough, veterinary treatment can help your dog escape a grim fate.  While other types of worms can cause schistosomiasis […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/5N2oT #DogNews

[hardynwa]

NTDs: River Blindness, Elephantiasis eliminated in Anambra - Commissioner

The Anambra State Government in partnership with Carter Centre said it successfully eliminated two Neglected Tropical Diseases - River Blindness and Elephantiasis, through mass drug administration and vector control programmes. Dr Afam Obidike, state's Commissioner for Health, made the announcement at a news conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Interventions, to mark the 2024 World NTDs Day, in Awka on Friday. The theme for this year's commemoration is "Unite to Act Towards Elimination of NTDs". World NTDs Day is marked every Jan. 30 to create awareness and call on everyone to support the growing momentum for the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases. Obidike who was represented by Dr Afam Aneme, Acting Director, Public Health Department, saidthe state gained the laudable achievements following concerted efforts to prevent, control and eliminate NTDs. He identified Onchocerciasis known as River Blindness, Lymphatic Filariasis also known as Elephantiasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), as the NTDs in the state. According to him, NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. "Of the four preventive NTDs under intervention, we successfully interrupted the transmission of two, River Blindness and Elephantiasis through mass drug administration and vector control programmes. "The achievements were evident during 2020 Epidemiological Reclassification Survey on Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) in 16 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs). "And in the 2022 Transmission Assessment Survey on Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in 21 endemic LGAs, which reported lower prevalences of 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively. "Today all endemic LGAs have stopped mass drug administration against the two diseases and entered post treatment surveillance stage," he said. The Commissioner said the other two NTDs - Soil Transmitted Helminth infections and schistosomiasis were currently receiving public health attention in the 12 endemic LGAs. Obidike said that 1,211 health workers, 350 Community Directed Distributors, 106 Community Supervisors and 3,455 were trained for identification and treatment of different NTDs in the state. He thanked Carter Centre, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) and other partners for supporting the state in the fight to eradicate NTDs. Also speaking, Programme Officer, the Carter Centre, Mrs Egeonu Attamah-Isiani, said NTDs wrecked havoc in the human body and required attention. She said that the NTD drugs were administered in homes, churches, offices, markets and at social gatherings, free of charge to achieve the feat. "The Federal Ministry of Health conducted surveys and assessments, with the results, the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee in Abuja declared that Anambra state had eliminated these diseases. "There were steps the state went through in partnership with the federal ministry of health, Carter Centre and other partners to achieve this milestone. "The other two NTDs are yet to be eliminated and we needed to intensify awareness and interventions in the state,"she said. Read the full article

[korven-kuningas]

For the past decade, De Leo, a professor of oceans in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and his collaborators have been testing out an unconventional solution in Senegal: controlling the disease [schistosomiasis] by controlling the ecosystem.

In 2012, researchers began adding snail-eating African river prawns to contaminated water, trying to prove that an animal predator could remove a key part of the parasites’ life cycle, stop them from proliferating, and prevent people from becoming infected. But environmental research on schisto was so nascent that the team had to invent their way through the most basic processes, and by the end of the prawn project in 2018, their approach was far from proven. Still, the group’s foundational discoveries have cut a path toward better, faster solutions.

That’s important, De Leo says, because when it comes to diseases heavily mediated by the environment, the best medicine might not be medicine at all. It might be a prawn.

[creatiview]

[ad_1] Vainesi, a former trachoma trichiasis patient, cheers in celebration knowing that trachoma has been eliminated in Malawi. Vainesi had suffered with the pain caused by trachoma for 10 years before a local disability mobiliser encouraged her to go to the hospital for treatment. Opinion by Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera (lilongwe)Monday, January 30, 2023Inter Press ServiceLILONGWE, Jan 30 (IPS) - H.E. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is President of Malawi“I was blind, but now I see.” This is what Vainesi, from Salima District in Central Malawi, said after surgery to treat trachoma. A mother of three, Vainesi had been unable to work or provide for her family once the disease began to affect her eyesight.Vainesi is one of millions of Malawians who joins me in celebrating a historic milestone – in October, Malawi became the first nation in southern Africa to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.Trachoma is a bacterial infection of the eyes that causes severe swelling and scarring of the eyelids and is the world’s leading cause of infectious blindness. As recently as 2015, 7.6 million people in Malawi were at risk from this disease, but now this threat has been removed from our land. I wish to pay particular tribute to all our partners and friends of Malawi who supported our efforts in fighting trachoma.Our success in eliminating trachoma comes hot on the heels of another elimination success. Two years ago, in 2020, we also eliminated lymphatic filariasis, a parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes that leads to disfiguring swelling and disability.Both trachoma and lymphatic filariasis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a group of 20 diseases and conditions that cause immeasurable suffering and affect more than one billion people worldwide. These diseases disproportionately affect those living in rural areas, like Vainesi, and often trap affected individuals in cycles of poverty.Today, as countries across the globe commemorate World NTD Day 2023, I would like to reaffirm Malawi’s commitment to ending the burden of these diseases in our country and improving the quality of life of our citizens. And I am so proud of what we have accomplished so far.Many children will be able to go to school and achieve their full potential. Malawi’s 2063 vision of a wealthy, industrialized, inclusive and self-reliant nation, able to stand tall amongst nations, will be fully realized.It will take healthy people who can participate fully in economic development to make this a reality. Investing in NTD elimination programmes creates a ripple effect in society. It leads to better education, health and employment outcomes, and transforms lives and communities.Individuals like Vainesi in Salima District, who is no longer housebound and unable to see, are a powerful example of how incredible this transformation can be. This is why it is important that preventable diseases that limit the potential of individuals to play an active role as proud citizens, can be eliminated. H.E. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of MalawiThe return on investment that we’ve seen in fighting these diseases has been both robust and far-reaching. These same health systems are now being leveraged to deliver steady progress against several other NTDs, including river blindness and schistosomiasis.  What we now know is that progress fighting one NTD accelerates progress fighting other NTDs, building momentum and generating results. Of the 20 NTDs in existence, only six are present in Malawi today.Other countries in Africa are also seeing great success using this approach. Just this August, Togo celebrated eliminating an amazing four neglected tropical diseases since 2011 —trachoma, lymphatic filariasis, human African trypanosomiasis, and Guinea worm disease.However, there is still much work to be done – particularly in Southern Africa. An estimated 190 million people require treatment for at least one NTD among the 16 members states that comprise the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Malawi is the only SADC country to have eliminated an NTD, and the COVID-19 pandemic has threatened hard-earned progress. Concerted action is needed to galvanise action against NTDs and prevent future health threats from unraveling years of progress.But my message is one of hope – and of the importance of making a commitment and accountability. This is why, I was proud to lead my country Malawi in endorsing the Kigali Declaration on NTDs - a high-level, political declaration which is helping mobilise political will and secure commitments against NTDs, joining Botswana, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, and Vanuatu.The theme of World NTD Day 2023 includes an important message: “Act now. Act together. Invest in NTDs.” I would like to see the names of all the countries in SADC on this list. When nations work together to lead NTD elimination efforts, we can accomplish so much. So today, I am calling on Heads of State in southern Africa to endorse the Kigali Declaration on NTDs – and commit to its delivery.We are 100% committed to ending NTDs. Join us in committing to build a healthier, happier future.© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press ServiceWhere next?Related newsBrowse related news topics:Latest newsRead the latest news stories:"I Was Blind, But Now I See" Celebrating Malawis Progress on World NTD Day Monday, January 30, 2023ASEAN Parliamentarians Cannot Escape 'Lawfare' or Violations of their Human Rights Monday, January 30, 2023Will the Ukraine War be Resolved With Talks-- or with Tanks? Monday, January 30, 2023‘A great victory’: Odesa mayor reacts to UNESCO Heritage List inclusion Monday, January 30, 2023Hate Speech: Turning the tide Monday, January 30, 2023Hate speech: Nations fight back Sunday, January 29, 2023‘All sides need to think about the future they want for Venezuela’, says UN human rights chief Saturday, January 28, 2023We must not simply remember, ‘but speak out and stand up’: UN chief Guterres Saturday, January 28, 2023Hate speech: A growing, international threat Saturday, January 28, 2023The Value of Insects: Why We Must Act Now to Protect Them Friday, January 27, 2023In-depthLearn more about the related issues:Share thisBookmark or share this with others using some popular social bookmarking web sites:Link to this page from your site/blogAdd the following HTML code to your page:"I Was Blind, But Now I See" Celebrating Malawis Progress on World NTD Day, Inter Press Service, Monday, January 30, 2023 (posted by Global Issues)… to produce this:"I Was Blind, But Now I See" Celebrating Malawis Progress on World NTD Day, Inter Press Service, Monday, January 30, 2023 (posted by Global Issues) [ad_2] Source link

[yeshealthplease]

Water temperature key to schistosomiasis risk and prevention strategies

Water temperature key to schistosomiasis risk and prevention strategies

Karena Nguyen in the Emory biology lab with two freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for the parasites that cause schistosomiasis. Credit: Rachel Hartman About one billion people worldwide are at risk for schistosomiasis—a debilitating disease caused by parasitic worms that live in fresh water and in intermediate snail hosts. A new study finds that the transmission risk for…

[fnord888]

I also just think it's pretty implausible that if you treat a child with intestinal parasites for the intestinal parasites, they are actually not better off at all,

(link)

Is it really that implausible? There are a number of globally endemic diseases that don’t seem to cause notable problems despite high population rates.

Even just considering intestinal worms, you’ve got Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm or threadworm), which has estimated prevalences in the double-digit percentages around the world, including the 1st world. Symptomatic cases get treated (in the 1st world, at least), but doesn’t seem to cause any problems in other cases.

Obviously, worst case for, eg, schistosomiasis is much worse than the worst case for pinworm. But the controversial part of deworming isn’t the benefit of treating/preventing severe disease, it’s the purported population-wide benefits of treating mild cases.

[bpod-bpod]

Close Contact

Parasitic flatworms colonising the circulatory system, schistosomes are a serious global health concern, estimated to infect 220 million people, mostly in poorer nations, and causing around 250,000 deaths a year. Most health problems associated with schistosomiasis stem from the females’ huge production of eggs, which can accumulate inside organs. To become reproductively active and keep laying eggs, a female worm (pictured, in pink), must be paired with a larger male (in blue), slotting into a groove along its body. Researchers have long known this association is essential, but only recently uncovered how males control female reproduction. Paired males produce an enzyme, SmNRPS, that synthesises a small peptide, named BATT; secreted out into the environment, this pheromone then activates female reproduction, and can do so even in the absence of a male. Disrupting this signalling pathway could prevent egg production, suggesting new avenues for treatments to reduce the symptoms of infection.

Written by Emmanuelle Briolat

Image by James Collins and Ana Vieira, UTSW. Research by Rui Chen and Jipeng Wang, et al, Collins Lab

Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern (UTSW) Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

Image copyright held by the original authors

Research published in Cell, April 2022

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[doctorfoxtor]

i don't have an interesting title for today

100 days of productivity

day 48

CVS/RS

stable INR <4 in pt on warfy is sufficient for dental procedures

uraemic pericarditis does NOT show typical stage 1 ECG changes (eg, pan-lead STE) bc there is no actual inflammation (no inflammatory infiltrate into the pericardium)

pesudoxanthoma elasticum → MVP

uses of some cardiac imagings: CTCA (CECT) → most sensitive for IHD, MRI → congenital diseases, myopathy, masses; SPECT → myocardial viability (perfusion study); MUGA → LVEF (esp before starting cardiotoxic chemo)

PR prolongation/1° block - Lyme leaves a MILD RASH: Myotonic musc dystrophy, IHD, Lyme, Digoxin, RHD, Aortic abscess, Sarcoid, Hypokalaemia

Major difference between Brugada and other inherited channelopathies: Brugada is assoc w/ spontaneous cardiac events (including in sleep), whereas with (eg) long QT arrhythmias are precipitated with stressors such as exercise

Rheum/Derm/Immuno

classfn of cellulitis → 1: no systemic signs, no comorbidity that would delay healing; 2: some systemic signs (eg, fever) OR comorbidity; 3: significant sensorial or autonomous disturbances; 4: life threatening complication (sepsis, necfasc, etc)

Still's disease tells you what drug works best, STILL stands for STop IL-1 (1 looks like lowercase L) (so give anakinra)

irradiated blood products are to prevent GVHD

vitamin D reduces Th1 response

Scheuermann's disease: self-limiting childhood skeletal disorder w/ posterior angle > anterior angle

Other

Katayama fever = acute schistosomiasis = transient pale urticarial bumps, fever, lethargy, cough + B/L pulmonary infiltrates on CXR, hepsplen, eosinophilia; usually self limiting, but single dose praziquantel can be used (or mefloquine)

Eagle-Barrett syndrome = prune belly syndrome: abdominal wall defects, genitourinary defects, cryptorchidism; also malrotation of gut, club foot

Stats

for normally distributed ordinal, interval or rational data: unpaired t-test for unpaired data, paired t-test for paired data

for not normally distributed or nonparametric ordinal, interval or rational data: Mann-Whitney U test for unpaired data, Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired data

intention to treat = include patients who leave the study up until the point where data is not available to preserve randomisation

Pearson's correlation coefficient: relationship between 2 variables, calculated by their covariance/(SD1 x SD2); -1 to 1; |coeff| >0.5 → strong correlation

when randomisation is tough to achieve (eg, in high flux areas like ICUs where admissions are hard to control), case-risk adjustment can reduce the chance of selection bias instead

chi-square test can only be used when the follow-up periods are the same

meta-analysis = forest plot and funnel plot

funnel plots - show publication bias in meta-analyses (symmetric = lack of bias, asymmetric = presence of bias)

forest plots - look like a bunch of box-and-whiskers, but consist of ORs/HRs/RRs w/ confidence intervals

hazard ratio = similar to risk ratio but used when risk is not constant over time, such as in year-survival analyses

The mean follows the skew. In a positive skew, mean > median. In a negative skew, mean < median.

Tukey's test: analysis the difference between the means of two samples at baseline

[w-insights]

Contaminated drinking water not only leads to the transmission of fatal diseases but also leads to death. Around 1.23 million people died as a result of the consumption of unsafe water in 2017.

Unsafe water has been ranked 19th, surpassing drug usage and poor sanitation to become one of the biggest causes and risk factors for deaths around the world.

Mere access is not enough, the quality of water matters the most. There is a huge gap in providing basic drinking water services. Consumption of contaminated water leads to the transmission of hazardous diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and many more.

Diarrhea is the most widely known hazardous disease which is transmitted by consumption of contaminated water. Consumption of contaminated water causes 485 000 diarrheic deaths every year. In 2017, around 220 million people were in need of preventive treatment for schistosomiasis – a chronic disease caused by parasitic worms which are transmitted through the consumption of infected water.

Learn more: https://worldref.co/w-insights/global-safe-drinking-water/

[themedicalstate]

She Tested Negative for Lyme Disease. So What Was Wrong?

By Lisa Sanders, M.D. (The New York Times)

Photo illustration by Ina Jang

The 50-year-old physician dropped into the leather chair in her psychiatrist’s Manhattan office. Her new normal, she announced to Dr. Deborah Cabaniss, was constant fatigue. Cabaniss noted that although her patient looked put together as usual, she could see the exhaustion in her eyes. “You don’t look like yourself,” the therapist agreed.

The patient had seen Cabaniss for more than a decade. She valued the sessions as a chance to talk about the stresses of balancing a medical practice with the demands of family, but since a few months earlier, all the patient could talk about was how awful she felt.

Her summer had gotten off to a great start. She spent Memorial Day weekend in 2019 with her children at her family’s beach house in the Hamptons on Long Island. Then she traveled with friends to Tanzania and Uganda. She saw all kinds of wildlife and even swam in Lake Tanganyika. But not long after she returned home, she started to feel sick. She had gone with her family to the beach house for the Fourth of July weekend. While she was there, she spiked a fever of 102. She spent most of the holiday in bed with chills and drenching sweats interrupted by occasional bouts of diarrhea.

A Prolonged Illness

After that weekend, she never felt well. Every two weeks, her fever came back for a couple of days. It didn’t make her sick enough to stay in bed, but she had to drag herself to meet her obligations to her patients and her family. Between these fevers, she was constantly exhausted. Every joint ached. The diarrhea persisted.

She went to see her primary-care doctor, who immediately sent off a series of blood tests to look for Lyme disease and a couple of other common tick-borne infections endemic to the region. The doctor also sent a blood smear to look for malaria. Although the patient had taken the recommended medicine to prevent infection in East Africa, some types of malaria are resistant. All the test results were negative.

The patient called one of her teachers from medical school, a specialist in infectious diseases, who recommended testing for other diseases she might have been exposed to in East Africa, including schistosomiasis — an infection transmitted by the snails in Lake Tanganyika — and other diseases carried by mosquitoes, like chikungunya fever. Again, all the tests were negative. By September the fevers abated, but she still had the full-body joint pain, the devastating fatigue and the occasional cramps and diarrhea.

The Fatigue Continues

She saw a gastroenterologist. When he couldn’t find anything, he prescribed a two-week course of an antibiotic called rifaximin for a suspected intestinal infection. Her diarrhea improved. But nothing else did.

Cabaniss had been reluctant to offer her patient any nonpsychiatric advice. But that day, seeing her so sick and still without a diagnosis, the therapist decided to speak up. A colleague of hers ran a center specializing in tick-borne diseases at Columbia University, she told her patient. If her illness wasn’t something she picked up in Africa, maybe it was something she brought home from the Hamptons.

Photo illustration by Ina Jang

The next day the patient made an appointment to see Dr. Brian Fallon, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center. Fallon trained as a psychiatrist, but early in his career, in the 1990s, his interest in neuropsychiatric conditions led him to focus on a multisystem infectious disease caused by a bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi — Lyme disease.

Going Beyond the Usual

Fallon is a slender man with a tidy salt-and-pepper beard and a soft-spoken manner. The patient briskly outlined the events of the past few months, then described her current symptoms. She had no energy for anything and went to bed right after dinner most nights. She slept but never felt rested. And once she got out of bed, every joint in her body ached; it was the worst in her hands. Both hands? Fallon asked. Yes. And it was a different kind of pain from the many sports injuries she’d had. All she wanted was to feel herself again.

Fallon spent nearly an hour getting the rest of her medical history. But by the end of the visit, he wasn’t at all certain this was Lyme or any tick-borne infection. They can all cause fever and fatigue, but the joint pain in Lyme, the most common of these diseases, was usually limited to one side. Two other common tick-borne infections, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, can produce similar syndromes of fever, fatigue and body pain but are usually far more severe. Babesia, a parasite transmitted by the tick that carries both ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease, was possible, but that infection destroys red blood cells, causing severe anemia along with fever and malaise. Fallon ordered the extensive panel of tests used in his center to look for other infections that ticks can cause.

An Insidious Bite

Because her symptoms weren’t typical, Fallon also ordered tests to investigate other possibilities. Rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.) often causes joint pain that can be worse in the hands. Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, can cause this combination of gastrointestinal distress and joint pain. He also checked her thyroid hormones, her red-blood-cell count and calcium level. The results came back over the next couple of weeks: She wasn’t anemic. Her calcium was normal. It wasn’t her thyroid. She didn’t have celiac disease or R.A. She didn’t have Lyme disease either. Nor did she have babesiosis or ehrlichiosis.

Only one result was positive — the test for a distant cousin of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme. It’s called Borrelia miyamotoi, and it causes one of the newest tick-borne diseases. The first cases, in Russia, were reported in 2011. Cases were reported in the U.S. two years later. B. miyamotoi, like Lyme, is carried by the black-legged deer tick, but it’s a much easier infection to get. With Lyme, the tick has to be attached to a body for two to three days before the bug can be transmitted. That’s because B. burgdorferi lives deep in the tick’s gut. But B. miyamotoi lives in the tick’s mouth and can invade the body almost immediately.

When untreated, B. miyamotoi can cause recurrent episodes of illness because of an unusual ability to fool the immune system by changing its outer layer. Once it has eluded our disease-fighting antibodies by the equivalent of changing clothes, it can reproduce again and produce a new round of fever, headache, fatigue and body pain that characterize this as well as most other tick-borne infections.

Fallon was a little surprised by the unusual result, but it made sense. The patient had been on Long Island where there are many ticks. And she reported this unusual relapsing fever. He called her with the news. She was ecstatic to finally have an answer. The recommended treatment is two weeks of an antibiotic called doxycycline.

Rare or Not Rare

Fallon had seen only a handful of cases of B. miyamotoi. And yet, based on research done by another scientist at the center, he knew that up to a quarter of the people who came for testing there had antibodies to B. miyamotoi, suggesting they had been infected with it previously. The only way he could explain this discrepancy was that sometime earlier, these patients had gone to their doctors with a febrile illness and a possible tick exposure and were treated for a presumed Lyme infection before the test results came back. Most tick-borne infections are treated with doxycycline. It was possible that the doctors and patients may have assumed the patients had Lyme disease, even after the test came back negative — when actually they had B. miyamotoi. Moreover, specific testing for B. miyamotoi is not available at most labs at this point. The disease is just too new.

The patient started feeling like herself again early this spring. Because of Covid-19, they’ve had to skip their usual trips to the beach house for both Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends. Although the patient loves the tradition and the beach, she was happy to forgo it this year.

[hardynwa]

NTDs: River Blindness, Elephantiasis eliminated in Anambra - Commissioner

The Anambra State Government in partnership with Carter Centre said it successfully eliminated two Neglected Tropical Diseases - River Blindness and Elephantiasis, through mass drug administration and vector control programmes. Dr Afam Obidike, state's Commissioner for Health, made the announcement at a news conference on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Interventions, to mark the 2024 World NTDs Day, in Awka on Friday. The theme for this year's commemoration is "Unite to Act Towards Elimination of NTDs". World NTDs Day is marked every Jan. 30 to create awareness and call on everyone to support the growing momentum for the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases. Obidike who was represented by Dr Afam Aneme, Acting Director, Public Health Department, saidthe state gained the laudable achievements following concerted efforts to prevent, control and eliminate NTDs. He identified Onchocerciasis known as River Blindness, Lymphatic Filariasis also known as Elephantiasis, Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), as the NTDs in the state. According to him, NTDs are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins. "Of the four preventive NTDs under intervention, we successfully interrupted the transmission of two, River Blindness and Elephantiasis through mass drug administration and vector control programmes. "The achievements were evident during 2020 Epidemiological Reclassification Survey on Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) in 16 endemic Local Government Areas (LGAs). "And in the 2022 Transmission Assessment Survey on Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in 21 endemic LGAs, which reported lower prevalences of 0.3 per cent and 0.1 per cent respectively. "Today all endemic LGAs have stopped mass drug administration against the two diseases and entered post treatment surveillance stage," he said. The Commissioner said the other two NTDs - Soil Transmitted Helminth infections and schistosomiasis were currently receiving public health attention in the 12 endemic LGAs. Obidike said that 1,211 health workers, 350 Community Directed Distributors, 106 Community Supervisors and 3,455 were trained for identification and treatment of different NTDs in the state. He thanked Carter Centre, Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) and other partners for supporting the state in the fight to eradicate NTDs. Also speaking, Programme Officer, the Carter Centre, Mrs Egeonu Attamah-Isiani, said NTDs wrecked havoc in the human body and required attention. She said that the NTD drugs were administered in homes, churches, offices, markets and at social gatherings, free of charge to achieve the feat. "The Federal Ministry of Health conducted surveys and assessments, with the results, the National Onchocerciasis Elimination Committee in Abuja declared that Anambra state had eliminated these diseases. "There were steps the state went through in partnership with the federal ministry of health, Carter Centre and other partners to achieve this milestone. "The other two NTDs are yet to be eliminated and we needed to intensify awareness and interventions in the state,"she said. Read the full article

[sciencenewsforstudents]

Tiny aquatic invertebrates, once a nuisance to scientists studying snail fever, may actually hold the key to fighting the spread of the tropical disease.

Snail fever, or schistosomiasis, is caused by several species of freshwater parasitic worms that penetrate human skin to enter the bloodstream. The parasites must first infect aquatic snails before developing into larvae, the life cycle stage that can infect people. For decades, scientists studied the parasites as they infested snails, and grew frustrated when specimens were contaminated by microscopic invertebrates called rotifers. Somehow, the presence of rotifers paralyzed the larvae, preventing them from infecting other organisms.

Now, scientists have identified a molecule secreted by rotifers that causes the paralysis. Larvae of Schistosoma mansoni worms, a type of schistosome or blood fluke, became paralyzed within 30 seconds of being submerged in water containing the molecule in tiny quantities. Paralyzed larvae in rotifer-contaminated water also could not infect mice whose tails were placed in the same water for half an hour, the team reports October 17 in PLOS Biology.

The researchers “have taken what was considered kind of a nuisance for people who work with schistosomes … and used it to come up with a really novel, interesting finding,” says Robert Greenberg, a parasitologist at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine who was not involved in the work.