Articles

The control of soil-transmitted helminthiases in the Philippines: the story continues

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have long been an important public health concern in the Philippines. In this review, we describe the current status of STH infections there and highlight the control...

Authors: Mary Lorraine S. Mationg, Veronica L. Tallo, Gail M. Williams, Catherine A. Gordon, Archie C. A. Clements, Donald P. McManus and Darren J. Gray

Patented technologies for schistosomiasis control and prevention filed by Chinese applicants

Many valuable and productive patented technologies have been developed to control schistosomiasis in China in the past 70 years. We conducted a research to analyse patented technologies for schistosomiasis con...

Authors: Yan-Hong Xiong, Xue-Nian Xu and Bin Zheng

Biogeographical characteristics of Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta analysis

In Ethiopia, schistosomiasis is caused by Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium with the former being widespread and more than 4 million people are estimated to be infected by S. mansoni annually with 35 million...

Authors: Keerati Ponpetch, Berhanu Erko, Teshome Bekana, Lindsay Richards and Song Liang

Prevalence and spatial distribution patterns of human echinococcosis at the township level in Sichuan Province, China

Echinococcosis is a global zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus larvae. This disease is highly endemic in Sichuan Province, China. This study investigates the prevalence and spatial distribution char...

Authors: Wei He, Li-Ying Wang, Wen-Jie Yu, Guang-Jia Zhang, Bo Zhong, Sha Liao, Qi Wang, Rui-Rui Li, Liu Yang, Ren-Xin Yao, Yang Liu, Zeli Danba, Sheng-Chao Qin, Shi-An Wang, Yan-Xia Wang, Yan Huang…

Correction to: Risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 in China: an analysis of disease surveillance data

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Authors: Meng-Jie Geng, Li-Ping Wang, Xiang Ren, Jian-Xing Yu, Zhao-Rui Chang, Can-Jun Zheng, Zhi-Jie An, Yu Li, Xiao-Kun Yang, Hong-Ting Zhao, Zhong-Jie Li, Guang-Xue He and Zi-Jian Feng

Operational research capacity building through the Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT) in China: implementation, outcomes and challenges

Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) introduced the Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT IT) into China to build a special capacity and equip public health profess...

Authors: Ning Feng, Jeffrey Karl Edwards, Philip Odhiambo Owiti, Guo-Min Zhang, Zulma Vanessa Rueda Vallejo, Katrina Hann, Shui-Sen Zhou, Myo Minn Oo, Elizabeth Marie Geoffroy, Chao Ma, Tao Li, Jun Feng, Yi Zhang and Xiao-Ping Dong

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the integrated control strategy for schistosomiasis japonica in a lake region of China: a case study

Schistosomiasis japonica remains an important public health concern due to its potential to cause severe outcomes and long-term sequelae. An integrated control strategy implemented in the Peoples’ Republic of ...

Authors: Ling-Ling Wu, He-Hua Hu, Xia Zhang, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Tie-Wu Jia, Can Wang, Zhong Hong and Jing Xu

Evaluation of the effect of the capitation compensation mechanism among pulmonary tuberculosis patients with a full period of treatment

PTB is an infectious disease, which not only seriously affects people’s health, but also causes a heavier disease economic burden on patients. At present, reform of the medical insurance payment can be an effe...

Authors: Xing-Yu Hu and Guang-Ying Gao

Prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum isolates lacking the histidine rich protein 2 gene among symptomatic malaria patients in Kwilu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Malaria rapid diagnostic tests have become a primary and critical tool for malaria diagnosis in malaria-endemic countries where Plasmodium falciparum Histidine Rich Protein 2-based rapid diagnostic tests (PfHRP2-...

Authors: Yannick Bazitama Munyeku, Alain Abera Musaka, Medard Ernest, Chris Smith, Paul Mankadi Mansiangi and Richard Culleton

Control programs for strongyloidiasis in areas of high endemicity: an economic analysis of different approaches

Implementation of control programmes for Strongyloides stercoralis infection is among the targets of the World Health Organization Roadmap to 2030. Aim of this work was to evaluate the possible impact in terms of...

Authors: Dora Buonfrate, Lorenzo Zammarchi, Zeno Bisoffi, Antonio Montresor and Sara Boccalini

Comparison of conventional and non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting Plasmodium falciparum infection in southwestern Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Malaria remains a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with early diagnosis critical to reducing its morbidity and mortality. Despite the increasing Plasmodium spp. diagnostic capabilities, access ...

Authors: Tobias O. Apinjoh, Veronica N. Ntasin, Phil Collins C. Tataw, Vincent N. Ntui, Dieudonne L. Njimoh, Fidelis Cho-Ngwa and Eric A. Achidi

Infestation risk of the intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Yangtze River Basin: improved results by spatial reassessment and a random forest approach

Oncomelania hupensis is only intermediate snail host of Schistosoma japonicum, and distribution of O. hupensis is an important indicator for the surveillance of schistosomiasis. This study explored the feasibilit...

Authors: Jin-Xin Zheng, Shang Xia, Shan Lv, Yi Zhang, Robert Bergquist and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Lymphatic filariasis elimination endgame in an urban Indian setting: the roles of surveillance and residual microfilaremia after mass drug administration

To secure the gains of lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination programs, attention is needed to the ‘residual microfilaremia phase’, in which high-risk populations may be crucial. The present study documents the...

Authors: Anjali Modi, Keshav G. Vaishnav, Kailash Kothiya and Neal Alexander

The effectiveness of E-learning in continuing medical education for tuberculosis health workers: a quasi-experiment from China

Given the context of rapid technological change and COIVD-19 pandemics, E-learning may provide a unique opportunity for addressing the challenges in traditional face-to-face continuing medical education (CME)....

Authors: Zi-Yue Wang, Li-Jie Zhang, Yu-Hong Liu, Wei-Xi Jiang, Jing-Yun Jia, Sheng-Lan Tang and Xiao-Yun Liu

Tocilizumab treatment for COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has killed over 2.5 million people worldwide, but effective care and therapy have yet to be discovered. We conducted this analysis to better understand tocilizumab treatment...

Authors: Qiu Wei, Hua Lin, Rong-Guo Wei, Nian Chen, Fan He, Dong-Hua Zou and Jin-Ru Wei

The World Health Organization road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030: implications for onchocerciasis elimination programs

In its new roadmap for neglected tropical diseases, the World Health Organization proposes three important strategic shifts: (i) Stronger accountability which shifting from process to impact indicators; (ii) I...

Authors: Melissa Krizia Vieri, Makoy Yibi Logora, Kamran Rafiq and Robert Colebunders

Mindfulness-based online intervention on mental health and quality of life among COVID-19 patients in China: an intervention design

COVID-19 can lead to increased psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among patients with COVID-19. Based on the previous mindfulness-based interventions ...

Authors: Ming-Yu Si, Wei-Jun Xiao, Chen Pan, Hao Wang, Yi-Man Huang, Jun Lian, Winnie W. S. Mak, Zhi-Wei Leng, Xiao-You Su, Qiu-Ping Tang, Yu Jiang, Lu-Zhao Feng, Wei-Zhong Yang and Chen Wang

Chronic political instability and HIV/AIDS response in Guinea-Bissau: a qualitative study

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa has a high HIV/AIDS disease burden and has experienced political instability in the recent past. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key stakeho...

Authors: Joshua Galjour, Philip J. Havik, Peter Aaby, Amabelia Rodrigues, Laura Hoemeke, Michael J. Deml, Jinkou Zhao and Emmanuel Kabengele Mpinga

Identifying contextual determinants of problems in tuberculosis care provision in South Africa: a theory-generating case study

Despite progress towards End TB Strategy targets for reducing tuberculosis (TB) incidence and deaths by 2035, South Africa remains among the top ten high-burden tuberculosis countries globally. A large challen...

Authors: Jamie Murdoch, Robyn Curran, André J. van Rensburg, Ajibola Awotiwon, Audry Dube, Max Bachmann, Inge Petersen and Lara Fairall

Epidemiology and evolution of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, 2012–2020

The ongoing transmission of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in the Middle East and its expansion to other regions are raising concerns of a potential pandemic. An in-depth analysis ...

Authors: An-Ran Zhang, Wen-Qiang Shi, Kun Liu, Xin-Lou Li, Ming-Jin Liu, Wen-Hui Zhang, Guo-Ping Zhao, Jin-Jin Chen, Xiao-Ai Zhang, Dong Miao, Wei Ma, Wei Liu, Yang Yang and Li-Qun Fang

Strongyloidiasis: the most neglected tropical disease in Ethiopia

Strongyloidiasis is the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The aim of this commentary is to describe the possible reasons why strongyloidiasis is so overlooked in Ethiopia, and shed ligh...

Authors: Abebaw Tiruneh, Endalew Zemene and Zeleke Mekonnen

The development of a capacity-strengthening program to promote self-care practices among people with lymphatic filariasis-related lymphedema in the Upper West Region of Ghana

The Upper West region of Ghana is mostly made up of rural communities and is highly endemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF), with a significant burden of disability due to lymphedema and hydrocele. The aim of th...

Authors: Solomon Abotiba Atinbire, Benjamin Marfo, Bright Alomatu, Collins Ahorlu, Paul Saunderson and Stefanie Weiland

Implementation of isoniazid preventive therapy in southern Lima, Peru: an analysis of health center characteristics

Tuberculosis (TB) prevention through the use of preventive treatment is a critical activity in the elimination of TB. In multiple settings, limited staffing has been identified as a barrier to managing prevent...

Authors: Roberto Zegarra-Chapoñan, Lily Victoria Bonadonna, Courtney M. Yuen, Martha Brigida Martina-Chávez and Jhon Zeladita-Huaman

Coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in Beijing’s Xinfadi Market, China: a modeling study to inform future resurgence response

A local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case confirmed on June 11, 2020 triggered an outbreak in Beijing, China after 56 consecutive days without a newly confirmed case. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (N...

Authors: Xiao-Li Wang, Xin Lin, Peng Yang, Zun-You Wu, Gang Li, Jennifer M. McGoogan, Zeng-Tao Jiao, Xin-Jun He, Si-Qi Li, Hong-Hao Shi, Jing-Yuan Wang, Sheng-Jie Lai, Chun Huang and Quan-Yi Wang

Cutaneous leishmaniasis control in Alta Verapaz (northern Guatemala): evaluating current efforts through stakeholders’ experiences

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), endemic in Guatemala, mostly affects poor people living in the northern region. A national control program that includes surveillance, diagnose, and treatment offered free of cost...

Authors: Renata Mendizábal-Cabrera, Isabel Pérez, Víctor Becerril Montekio, Freddy Pérez, Erick Durán and Mei L. Trueba

Distribution of avian influenza viruses according to environmental surveillance during 2014–2018, China

Recurrent infections of animal hosts with avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have posted a persistent threat. It is very important to understand the avian influenza virus distribution and characteristics in enviro...

Authors: Hong Bo, Ye Zhang, Li-Bo Dong, Jie Dong, Xi-Yan Li, Xiang Zhao, Zi Li, Yue-Long Shu and Da-Yan Wang

The precision of epidemiological investigation of COVID-19 transmission in Shanghai, China

Shanghai had a local outbreak of COVID-19 from January 21 to 24. Timely and precise strategies were taken to prevent further spread of the disease. We discussed and shared the experience of COVID-19 containmen...

Authors: Ying Shi, Hong-Lin Jiang, Mei-Xia Yang, Lin-Juan Dong, Yue Chen, Yi-Biao Zhou and Qing-Wu Jiang

Nontuberculous mycobacteria in China: incidence and antimicrobial resistance spectrum from a nationwide survey

Information on the prevalence and resistance spectrum of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in China is mainly based on regional or local data. To estimate the proportion of NTM cases in China, a national surve...

Authors: Chun-Fa Liu, Yi-Meng Song, Wen-Cong He, Dong-Xin Liu, Ping He, Jing-Jing Bao, Xin-Yang Wang, Yan-Ming Li and Yan-Lin Zhao

Molecular epidemiology of mosquito-borne viruses at the China–Myanmar border: discovery of a potential epidemic focus of Japanese encephalitis

Mosquito-based arbovirus surveillance can serve as an early warning in evaluating the status of mosquito-borne virus prevalence and thus prevent local outbreaks. Although Tengchong County in Yunnan Province—wh...

Authors: Yuan Fang, Xi-Shang Li, Wei Zhang, Jing-Bo Xue, Jia-Zhi Wang, Shou-Qin Yin, Sheng-Guo Li, Xin-He Li and Yi Zhang

Demand for longer quarantine period among common and uncommon COVID-19 infections: a scoping review

As one of the non-pharmacological interventions to control the transmission of COVID-19, determining the quarantine duration is mainly based on the accurate estimates of the incubation period. However, patient...

Authors: Zhi-Yao Li, Yu Zhang, Liu-Qing Peng, Rong-Rong Gao, Jia-Rui Jing, Jia-Le Wang, Bin-Zhi Ren, Jian-Guo Xu and Tong Wang

Key Chagas disease missing knowledge among at-risk population in Spain affecting diagnosis and treatment

Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America and, over the last few decades, due to population movements, the disease has spread to other continents. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in terms of improv...

Authors: María Romay-Barja, Laura Iglesias-Rus, Teresa Boquete, Agustín Benito and Teresa Blasco-Hernández

Impacts of a comprehensive tuberculosis control model on the quality of clinical services and the financial burden of treatment for patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in China: a mixed-methods evaluation

The China National Health Commission-Gates TB Project Phase III implemented a comprehensive TB control model including multiple interventions to address the burden of drug-resistant TB (DRTB). This study aims ...

Authors: Wei-Xi Jiang, Zhi-Peng Li, Qi Zhao, Meng-Qiu Gao, Qian Long, Wei-Bing Wang, Fei Huang, Ni Wang and Sheng-Lan Tang

From 30 million to zero malaria cases in China: lessons learned for China–Africa collaboration in malaria elimination

Malaria was once one of the most serious public health problems in China, with more than 30 million malaria cases annually before 1949. However, the disease burden has sharply declined and the epidemic areas h...

Authors: Jun-Hu Chen, Jun Fen and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Effectiveness of potential antiviral treatments in COVID-19 transmission control: a modelling study

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes an immense disease burden. Although public health countermeasures effectively controlled the epidemic in China, non-pharmaceutical interventions can neither be ...

Authors: Sheng-Nan Lin, Jia Rui, Qiu-Ping Chen, Bin Zhao, Shan-Shan Yu, Zhuo-Yang Li, Ze-Yu Zhao, Yao Wang, Yuan-Zhao Zhu, Jing-Wen Xu, Meng Yang, Xing-Chun Liu, Tian-Long Yang, Li Luo, Bin Deng, Jie-Feng Huang…

Epidemiology of dengue virus infections in Nepal, 2006–2019

Dengue is one of the newest emerging diseases in Nepal with increasing burden and geographic spread over the years. The main objective of this study was to explore the epidemiological patterns of dengue since ...

Authors: Komal Raj Rijal, Bipin Adhikari, Bindu Ghimire, Binod Dhungel, Uttam Raj Pyakurel, Prakash Shah, Anup Bastola, Binod Lekhak, Megha Raj Banjara, Basu Dev Pandey, Daniel M. Parker and Prakash Ghimire

A remote management system for control and surveillance of echinococcosis: design and implementation based on internet of things

As a neglected cross-species parasitic disease transmitted between canines and livestock, echinococcosis remains a global public health concern with a heavy disease burden. In China, especially in the epidemic...

Authors: Shi-Jie Yang, Ning Xiao, Jing-Zhong Li, Yu Feng, Jun-Ying Ma, Gong-Sang Quzhen, Qing Yu, Ting Zhang, Shi-Cheng Yi and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Distribution and factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis in the Tiko Health District, a semi-urban setting, South West Region, Cameroon

Increased risk of schistosomiasis in peri-urban and urban towns is not uncommon. An epidemiological survey was carried out in the Tiko Health District (THD), an unmapped transmission focus for urogenital schis...

Authors: Adeline Enjema Green, Judith Kuoh Anchang-Kimbi, Godlove Bunda Wepnje, Vicky Daonyle Ndassi and Helen Kuokuo Kimbi

Risk factors for developing severe COVID-19 in China: an analysis of disease surveillance data

COVID-19 has posed an enormous threat to public health around the world. Some severe and critical cases have bad prognoses and high case fatality rates, unraveling risk factors for severe COVID-19 are of signi...

Authors: Meng-Jie Geng, Li-Ping Wang, Xiang Ren, Jian-Xing Yu, Zhao-Rui Chang, Can-Jun Zheng, Zhi-Jie An, Yu Li, Xiao-Kun Yang, Hong-Ting Zhao, Zhong-Jie Li, Guang-Xue He and Zi-Jian Feng

Impact of micro-environmental factors on survival, reproduction and distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails

Schistosomiasis japonica is a chronic parasitic disease that seriously harms people's health. Oncomelania hupensis is the only intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum. The micro-environmental factors surroundi...

Authors: Mao-Mao Liu, Yun Feng and Kun Yang

HIV incidence among men who have sex with men using geosocial networking smartphone application in Beijing, China: an open cohort study

Sexual transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) is the dominant route of HIV transmission in China. Extensive use of geosocial networking (GSN) smartphone application (app) has dramatically changed t...

Authors: Guo-Dong Mi, Bin-Bin Zhang, Fei Yu, Xian-Long Ren, Jason J. Ong, Ya-Qi Fan, Feng-Hua Guo, Chun-Jun Li, Mian-Zhi Zhang and Min-Ying Zhang

Fluorescence polarization assay improves the rapid detection of human brucellosis in China

Brucellosis is an infectious-allergic zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. Early diagnosis is the key to preventing, treating, and controlling brucellosis. Fluorescence polarization immunoas...

Authors: Shuai-Bing Dong, Di Xiao, Jing-Yao Liu, Hui-Mei Bi, Zun-Rong Zheng, Li-Da Wang, Xiao-Wen Yang, Guo-Zhong Tian, Hong-Yan Zhao, Dong-Ri Piao, Zhi-Feng Xing and Hai Jiang

The relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration and the risk of recurrent positive

The management of discharge COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA is challenging. However, there are fewer scientific dissertations about the risk of recurrent positive. The aim of this stud...

Authors: Hong Zhao, Chi Zhang, Xian-Xiang Chen, Qi Zhu, Wen-Xiang Huang, Yi-Lan Zeng, Ying-Xia Liu, Guo-Jun Li, Wei-Jun Du, Jing Yao, Jia-Wen Li, Peng Peng and Gui-Qiang Wang

The role of prophylactic antibiotics in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients at risk of bacterial infection: a retrospective study

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is characterized by an excessive systemic inflammatory response and organ failure and has high mortality. Bacterial infections (BIs) worsen the clinical course of ACLF and...

Authors: Xiao-Qin Liu, Xue-Yun Zhang, Yue Ying, Jian-Ming Zheng, Jian Sun, Wen-Hong Zhang, Ji-Ming Zhang and Yu-Xian Huang

Gut microbiota signatures in Schistosoma japonicum infection-induced liver cirrhosis patients: a case–control study

Several studies have assessed the role of gut microbiota in various cirrhosis etiologies, however, none has done so in the context of Schistosoma japonicum infection in humans. We, therefore, sought to determine ...

Authors: Qi-Feng Gui, Hui-Lin Jin, Feng Zhu, Hai-Feng Lu, Qin Zhang, Jia Xu, Yun-Mei Yang and Chi Xiao

Molecular characteristics of Brucella melitensis isolates from humans in Qinghai Province, China

The prevalence of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province of China has been increasing rapidly, with confirmed cases distributed across 31 counties. However, the epidemiology of brucellosis transmission has not ...

Authors: Zhi-Jun Zhao, Ji-Quan Li, Li Ma, Hong-Mei Xue, Xu-Xin Yang, Yuan-Bo Zhao, Yu-Min Qin, Xiao-Wen Yang, Dong-Ri Piao, Hong-Yan Zhao, Guo-Zhong Tian, Qiang Li, Jian-Ling Wang, Guang Tian, Hai Jiang and Li-Qing Xu

Scale-up of a comprehensive model to improve tuberculosis control in China: lessons learned and the way forward

Authors: Qian Long, Fei Huang, Shi-Tong Huan and Yan-Lin Zhao

Facilitating fine-grained intra-urban dengue forecasting by integrating urban environments measured from street-view images

Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that has threatened tropical and subtropical regions in recent decades. An early and targeted warning of a dengue epidemic is important for vector contr...

Authors: Kang Liu, Ling Yin, Meng Zhang, Min Kang, Ai-Ping Deng, Qing-Lan Li and Tie Song

Patients with severe schistosomiasis mansoni in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Severe hepatosplenic complications arise in patients with chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection after heavy exposure to disease agents in endemic areas. These complications are rarely reported and, hence, underes...

Authors: Maurice M. Nigo, Peter Odermatt, David Wully Nigo, Georgette B. Salieb-Beugelaar, Manuel Battegay and Patrick R. Hunziker

Dynamic modeling and optimal control of cystic echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most severe helminth zoonosis with a drastic impact on human health and livestock industry. Investigating optimal control strategy and assessing the crucial factors are esse...

Authors: Xinmiao Rong, Meng Fan, Huaiping Zhu and Yaohui Zheng

Mental health and preventive behaviour of pregnant women in China during the early phase of the COVID-19 period

The COVID-19 has caused significant toll over the globe. Pregnant women are at risk of infection. The present study examined the frequency of washing hands with soap and wearing face mask when going out, preva...

Authors: Qian Wang, Phoenix K. H. Mo, Bo Song, Jiang-Li Di, Feng-Rong Zhou, Juan Zhao, Ying-Lan Wu, Hong Tian, Li-Qian Qiu, Jianhong Xia, Lan Wang, Fen Li and Lin-Hong Wang