Articles

Tuberculosis infection prevention and control: why we need a whole systems approach

Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures to reduce transmission of drug-resistant and drug-sensitive tuberculosis (TB) in health facilities are well described but poorly implemented. The implementation ...

Authors: Karina Kielmann, Aaron S. Karat, Gimenne Zwama, Christopher Colvin, Alison Swartz, Anna S. Voce, Tom A. Yates, Hayley MacGregor, Nicky McCreesh, Idriss Kallon, Anna Vassall, Indira Govender, Janet Seeley and Alison D. Grant

Brucellosis in China: history, progress and challenge

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonosis. It causes acute febrile illness and a potentially debilitating chronic infection in humans, and livestock infection has substantial socioeconomic impact. Over the past two ...

Authors: Hai Jiang, David O’Callaghan and Jia-Bo Ding

Pretreatment HIV drug resistance in adults initiating antiretroviral therapy in China, 2017

After the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infected people, increasing numbers of patients have pretreatment drug resistance (PDR). In this study, the prevalence of PDR was evaluated in adults ...

Authors: Rui-Hua Kang, Shu-Jia Liang, Yan-Ling Ma, Shu Liang, Lin Xiao, Xin-Hui Zhang, Hong-Yan Lu, Xiao-Qin Xu, Shui-Bin Luo, Xiao-Guang Sun, Lin Chen, Jian-Mei He, Guo-Hui Wu, Ling-Jie Liao, Hui Xing, Yi-Ming Shao…

Disability progression among leprosy patients released from treatment: a survival analysis

Leprosy can be cured, but physical disability (PD) as a result of the infection can progress in the post-release from treatment phase. This study evaluated the likelihood of, and factors associated with, the p...

Authors: Aleksandra Rosendo dos Santos, Pãmela Rodrigues de Souza Silva, Peter Steinmann and Eliane Ignotti

The China tuberculosis clinical trials consortium network: a model for international TB clinical trials capacity building

With the second largest tuberculosis (TB) burden globally, China is committed to actively engage in international TB clinical trials to contribute to global TB research. However, lack of research capacity amon...

Authors: Yu-Hong Liu, Shu Chen, Jing-Tao Gao, Yao Zhang, Kimberly Booher, Xiao-Fen Ding, Wei Shu, Jian Du, Jing Bao, Richard Hafner, Carol D. Hamilton and Liang Li

CXCL9 and CXCL10 display an age-dependent profile in Chagas patients: a cohort study of aging in Bambui, Brazil

Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America and still represents an important public health problem in the region. Chronic cardiomyopathy is the most significant chronic form due to its association with morbidi...

Authors: Fernanda Fortes de Araújo, Karen Cecília Lima Torres, Sérgio Viana Peixoto, Antonio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro, Juliana Vaz Melo Mambrini, Vitor Bortolo Rezende, Maria Luiza Lima Silva, Antônio Ignácio Loyola Filho, Andréa Teixeira-Carvalho, Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa and Olindo Assis Martins-Filho

Improvement cues of lesion absorption using the adjuvant therapy of traditional Chinese medicine Qinbudan tablet for retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis with standard anti-tuberculosis regimen

China is the second highest pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) burden country worldwide. However, retreatment of PTB has often developed resistance to at least one of the four first-line anti-TB drugs. The cure rate...

Authors: Shao-Yan Zhang, Ji-You Fu, Xiao-Yan Guo, Ding-Zhong Wu, Tong Zhang, Cui Li, Lei Qiu, Chang-Rong Shao, He-Ping Xiao, Nai-Hui Chu, Qun-Yi Deng, Xia Zhang, Xiao-Feng Yan, Zhao-Long Wang, Zhi-Jie Zhang, Xin Jiang…

Determinants of delayed diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in Cambodia: a mixed-methods study

Cambodia is among the 30 countries in the world with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB), and it is estimated that 40% of people with TB remain undiagnosed. In this study, we aimed to investigate the deter...

Authors: Alvin Kuo Jing Teo, Chetra Ork, Sothearith Eng, Ngovlyly Sok, Sovannary Tuot, Li Yang Hsu and Siyan Yi

Estimated need for anthelminthic medicines to control soil-transmitted helminthiases in school-aged children, 2020–2030

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) are part of the group of neglected tropical diseases traditionally treated with preventive chemotherapy interventions. In recent years, drug donations have been essential t...

Authors: Chiara Marocco, Fabrizio Tediosi, Mathieu Bangert, Denise Mupfasoni and Antonio Montresor

IL-6 and INF-γ levels in patients with brucellosis in severe epidemic region, Xinjiang, China

The incidence of brucellosis, which is caused by the Brucella species of bacteria, is rapidly rising worldwide; however, few studies have investigated the immune response to this pathogen and clinical biochemical...

Authors: Zhi-Qiang Lin, Guo-Yue Lin, Wen-Wen He, Chi Zhang, Rui Zhang, Yuan-Da Li, Fan Wang, Ying Qin, Li Duan, Dou-Dou Zhao, Xiao-Juan Qu, Hui Gao and Hai Jiang

Mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms and their association with tuberculosis in a Chinese population

Immune- and inflammation-related genes (IIRGs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). However, the relationship between IIRG polymorphisms and TB risk remains unknown. In this study, ...

Authors: Jun-Xian Zhang, Wen-Ping Gong, Dong-Lin Zhu, Hui-Ru An, You-Rong Yang, Yan Liang, Jie Wang, Jing Tang, Wei-guo Zhao and Xue-Qiong Wu

Expression of the SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor gene ACE2 in a wide variety of human tissues

Since its discovery in December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 2 180 000 people worldwide and has caused more than 150 000 deaths as of April 16, 2020...

Authors: Meng-Yuan Li, Lin Li, Yue Zhang and Xiao-Sheng Wang

Preparedness for Chagas disease spreading worldwide

Chagas disease remains a serious problem for public health due to the high disease burden together with its global spreading patterns. However, current treatment and vector control are highly challenged by dru...

Authors: Qin Liu, Jin Chen and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Protecting the gains of malaria elimination in China

Authors: Xinyu Feng, Joshua Levens and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Severity and outcomes of influenza-related pneumonia in type A and B strains in China, 2013–2019

Inconsistencies exist regarding the severity of illness caused by different influenza strains. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of hospitalized adults and adolescents with influenza-r...

Authors: Liang Chen, Xiu-Di Han, Yan-Li Li, Chun-Xiao Zhang and Xi-Qian Xing

Documentary research on social innovation in health in Latin America

Identifying social innovation in health initiatives, promoting quality of life through them, and transforming current health conditions demand the knowledge, comprehension and appropriation of the theoretical ...

Authors: Diana María Castro-Arroyave and Luisa Fernanda Duque-Paz

What did we learn from preparing for cross-border transmission of Ebola virus disease into a complex humanitarian setting – The Republic of South Sudan?

Following the West Africa Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak (2013–2016), WHO developed a preparedness checklist for its member states. This checklist is currently being applied for the first time on a large a...

Authors: Olushayo Oluseun Olu, Richard Lako, Joseph Francis Wamala, Patrick Otim Ramadan, Caroline Ryan, Ifeanyi Udenweze, Kibebu Berta, Argata Guracha Guyo, Alex Sokemawu, Michael Tukuru, Henry John Gray and Alex Chimbaru

Relative transmissibility of shigellosis among male and female individuals: a modeling study in Hubei Province, China

Developing countries exhibit a high disease burden from shigellosis. Owing to the different incidences in males and females, this study aims to analyze the features involved in the transmission of shigellosis ...

Authors: Ze-Yu Zhao, Qi Chen, Bin Zhao, Mikah Ngwanguong Hannah, Ning Wang, Yu-Xin Wang, Xian-Fa Xuan, Jia Rui, Mei-Jie Chu, Shan-Shan Yu, Yao Wang, Xing-Chun Liu, Ran An, Li-Li Pan, Yi-Chen Chiang, Yan-Hua Su…

Accuracy of a reverse dot blot hybridization assay for simultaneous detection of the resistance of four anti-tuberculosis drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from China

Drug resistant tuberculosis poses a great challenge for tuberculosis control worldwide. Timely determination of drug resistance and effective individual treatment are essential for blocking the transmission of...

Authors: Li Wan, Qian Guo, Jian-Hao Wei, Hai-Can Liu, Ma-Chao Li, Yi Jiang, Li-Li Zhao, Xiu-Qin Zhao, Zhi-Guang Liu, Kang-Lin Wan, Gui-Lian Li and Cha-Xiang Guan

The ‘lifecycle’ of human beings: a call to explore vector-borne diseases from an ecosystem perspective

Dengue virus, an Aedes mosquito-borne flavivirus, is associated with close to 400 million reported infections per annum worldwide. Reduction of dengue virus transmission depends entirely on limiting Aedes breedin...

Authors: Olav T. Muurlink and Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson

Innovations in maternal and child health: case studies from Uganda

Nearly 300 children and 20 mothers die from preventable causes daily, in Uganda. Communities often identify and introduce pragmatic and lasting solutions to such challenging health problems. However, little is...

Authors: Phyllis Awor, Maxencia Nabiryo and Lenore Manderson

Changes in smoking patterns after HIV diagnosis or antiretroviral treatment initiation: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

Tobacco consumption is more life-threatening in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) than within the general population; therefore, people living with HIV (PLWH) should be highly motivated to ...

Authors: Jobert Richie Nansseu, Dalhia Noelle Tounouga, Jean Jacques Noubiap and Jean Joel Bigna

Integrated vector control of Chagas disease in Guatemala: a case of social innovation in health

Improved access to health care and quality of services require integrated efforts and innovations, including community empowerment and participation in transformation processes. Chagas disease is a neglected t...

Authors: Diana Castro-Arroyave, Maria Carlota Monroy and Maria Isabel Irurita

Fighting against the common enemy of COVID-19: a practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused more than 80 813 confirmed cases in all provinces of China, and 21 110 cases reported in 93 countries of six continents as of 7 March 2020 since m...

Authors: Xu Qian, Ran Ren, Youfa Wang, Yan Guo, Jing Fang, Zhong-Dao Wu, Pei-Long Liu and Tie-Ru Han

Elimination of schistosomiasis requires multifactorial diagnostics: evidence from high- and low-prevalence areas in the Nile Delta, Egypt

Schistosomiasis is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) selected for worldwide elimination in the near future. Egypt has made strong progress against its two endemic species of Schistosoma mansoni and S....

Authors: Hala Elmorshedy, Robert Bergquist, Amel Fayed, Wafaa Guirguis, Ensaf Abdel-Gawwad, Safaa Eissa and Rashida Barakat

Using the spike protein feature to predict infection risk and monitor the evolutionary dynamic of coronavirus

Coronavirus can cross the species barrier and infect humans with a severe respiratory syndrome. SARS-CoV-2 with potential origin of bat is still circulating in China. In this study, a prediction model is propo...

Authors: Xiao-Li Qiang, Peng Xu, Gang Fang, Wen-Bin Liu and Zheng Kou

Spatio-temporal co-occurrence of hotspots of tuberculosis, poverty and air pollution in Lima, Peru

Growing evidence suggests pollution and other environmental factors have a role in the development of tuberculosis (TB), however, such studies have never been conducted in Peru. Considering the association bet...

Authors: Gabriel Carrasco-Escobar, Alvaro Schwalb, Kelly Tello-Lizarraga, Percy Vega-Guerovich and Cesar Ugarte-Gil

Population dynamics, pathogen detection and insecticide resistance of mosquito and sand fly in refugee camps, Greece

As of 2015 thousands of refugees are being hosted in temporary refugee camps in Greece. Displaced populations, travelling and living under poor conditions with limited access to healthcare are at a high risk o...

Authors: Emmanouil Alexandros Fotakis, Ioannis Apostolou Giantsis, Javier Castells Sierra, Filianna Tanti, Sofia Balaska, Konstantinos Mavridis, Sofoklis Kourtidis, John Vontas and Alexandra Chaskopoulou

Epidemiology, causes, clinical manifestation and diagnosis, prevention and control of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during the early outbreak period: a scoping review

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China beginning in December 2019. As of 31 January 2020, this epidemic had sp...

Authors: Sasmita Poudel Adhikari, Sha Meng, Yu-Ju Wu, Yu-Ping Mao, Rui-Xue Ye, Qing-Zhi Wang, Chang Sun, Sean Sylvia, Scott Rozelle, Hein Raat and Huan Zhou

Challenges and opportunities for China entering global research and development for emerging infectious diseases: a case study from Ebola experience

China has emerged as a powerful platform for global pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) amid the 2014 Ebola outbreak. The research and development impact of developing countries on prevention and con...

Authors: Chao Li, Jing-Yi Chen and Yang-Mu Huang

Factors associated with cutaneous ulcers among children in two yaws-endemic districts in Ghana

Yaws is a chronic relapsing disease caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertunue, which can result in severe disability and deformities. Children below the age of 15 years in resource-poor communities are the...

Authors: Rafiq Nii Attoh Okine, Bismark Sarfo, Richard M. Adanu, Cynthia Kwakye-Maclean and Francis Adjei Osei

Health related behaviors among HIV-infected people who are successfully linked to care: an institutional-based cross-sectional study

By the end of October 2019, there were 958 thousand people were reported living with HIV/AIDS in China. Unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, using illicit drugs and no physical activ...

Authors: Jun-Fang Xu, Pei-Cheng Wang and Feng Cheng

Contrasting resistance patterns to type I and II pyrethroids in two major arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in the Republic of the Congo, Central Africa

In the Republic of Congo, with two massive outbreaks of chikungunya observed this decade, little is known about the insecticide resistance profile of the two major arbovirus vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopi...

Authors: Basile Kamgang, Theodel A. Wilson-Bahun, Aurelie P. Yougang, Arsene Lenga and Charles S. Wondji

The fight against lymphatic filariasis: perceptions of community drug distributors during mass drug administration in coastal Kenya

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), a neglected tropical disease (NTD) and leading cause of global disability, is endemic in 32 countries in Africa with almost 350 million people requiring regular drug administration, ...

Authors: Caroline Kusi, Peter Steinmann and Sonja Merten

Defervescent dengue patients might be a potential source of infection for vector mosquitoes

Dengue is a re-emerging public health problem and mosquito-borne infectious disease that is transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Early diagnosis, isolation, and treatment of patients are critic...

Authors: Ye Xu, Ling-Zhai Zhao, Ya-Zhou Xu, Jin-Bao Gu, Kun Wu, Zhi-Qiang Peng, Xiao-Hong Zhou, Fu-Chun Zhang and Xiao-Guang Chen

Prevalence and incidence of nodding syndrome and other forms of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic areas in northern Uganda after the implementation of onchocerciasis control measures

Around 2007, a nodding syndrome (NS) epidemic appeared in onchocerciasis-endemic districts of northern Uganda, where ivermectin mass distribution had never been implemented. This study evaluated the effect of ...

Authors: Nolbert Gumisiriza, Frank Mubiru, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Martin Mbonye Kayitale, An Hotterbeekx, Richard Idro, Issa Makumbi, Tom Lakwo, Bernard Opar, Joice Kaducu, Joseph Francis Wamala and Robert Colebunders

A mathematical model for simulating the phase-based transmissibility of a novel coronavirus

As reported by the World Health Organization, a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the causative virus of Wuhan pneumonia of unknown etiology by Chinese authorities on 7 January, 2020. The virus w...

Authors: Tian-Mu Chen, Jia Rui, Qiu-Peng Wang, Ze-Yu Zhao, Jing-An Cui and Ling Yin

Social innovation in diagnostics: three case studies

Diagnostics are essential for identifying and controlling diseases. However, limited access to diagnostics hinders public health efforts in many settings. Social innovation may provide a framework for expandin...

Authors: Megan L. Srinivas, Eileen J. Yang, Priyanka Shrestha, Dan Wu, Rosanna W. Peeling and Joseph D. Tucker

The association between internal migration and pulmonary tuberculosis in China, 2005–2015: a spatial analysis

Internal migration places individuals at high risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB). However, there is a scarcity of national-level spatial analyses regarding the association between TB and internal migration ...

Authors: Wei-Bin Liao, Ke Ju, Ya-Min Gao and Jay Pan

Serological evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection as potential risk for the development of lepromatous leprosy in an endemic area for both neglected tropical diseases in Brazil

Mycobacterium leprae and Toxoplasma gondii infections are both neglected tropical diseases highly prevalent in Brazil. Infection with certain parasite species can significantly alter susceptibility to other impor...

Authors: Luciana Regina Pereira Oliveira, Lívia Mattos Martins, Rebeka da Conceição Souza, Yuri Scheidegger de Castro, Letícia Silva Nascimento, Juliana Azevedo da Silva, Edilbert Pellegrini Nahn Junior, Wilmar Dias da Silva and Alba Lucínia Peixoto-Rangel

Malaria epidemiology in Kobeni department, southeastern Mauritania from 2015 to 2017

Plasmodium falciparum malaria is endemic in the southern sahelian zone of Mauritania where intense internal and trans-border human and livestock movement occurs. The risk of importation and spread of drug-resista...

Authors: Sileye Mamadou Diallo, Hervé Bogreau, Nasserdine Papa Mze, Mohamed Salem Ould Ahmedou Salem, Mohamed Lemine Ould Khairy, Philippe Parola, Leonardo Basco and Ali Ould Mohamed Salem Boukhary

Challenges in early phase of implementing the 1-3-7 surveillance and response approach in malaria elimination setting: A field study from Myanmar

The National Plan for Malaria Elimination (NPME) in Myanmar (2016–2030) aims to eliminate indigenous Plasmodium falciparum malaria in six states/regions of low endemicity by 2020 and countrywide by 2030. To achie...

Authors: Poe Poe Aung, Zaw Win Thein, Zar Ni Min Hein, Kyaw Thet Aung, Nwe Oo Mon, Nay Yi Yi Linn, Aung Thi, Khin Thet Wai and Thae Maung Maung

Evaluation of malaria surveillance system in Kano State, Nigeria, 2013–2016

Malaria surveillance system strengthening is essential in the progress towards malaria elimination. In Nigeria, more attention is being given to this recently as the country is striving towards achieving elimi...

Authors: Tyakaray Ibrahim Visa, Olufemi Ajumobi, Eniola Bamgboye, IkeOluwapo Ajayi and Patrick Nguku

Loiasis in sub-Saharan migrants living in Spain with emphasis of cases from Equatorial Guinea

Loiasis is an uncommon and poorly understood parasitic disease outside endemic areas of Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and biological patterns and treatment of imported loiasis by s...

Authors: Sabino Puente, German Ramírez-Olivencia, Mar Lago, Mercedes Subirats, Francisco Bru, Eugenio Pérez-Blazquez, Marta Arsuaga, Concepción Ladron de Guevara, Fernando de la Calle-Prieto, Belén Vicente, Montserrat Alonso-Sardón, Moncef Belhassen-Garcia and Antonio Muro

Out-of-pocket payments and economic consequences from tuberculosis care in eastern China: income inequality

Despite the availability of free tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment, TB care still generates substantial costs that push people into poverty. We investigated out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for TB care and...

Authors: Yan Liu, Cai-Hong Xu, Xiao-Mo Wang, Zhen-Yu Wang, Yan-Hong Wang, Hui Zhang and Li Wang

Incidence and risk factors of tuberculosis among the elderly population in China: a prospective cohort study

China is facing challenges of the shifting presentation of tuberculosis (TB) from younger to elderly due to an ageing population, longer life expectancy and reactivation disease. However, the burden of elderly...

Authors: Jun Cheng, Yan-Ni Sun, Can-You Zhang, Yan-Ling Yu, Li-Hong Tang, Hong Peng, Ying Peng, Yu-Xia Yao, Shuang-Yi Hou, Jian-Wei Li, Jin-Ming Zhao, Lan Xia, Lin Xu, Yin-Yin Xia, Fei Zhao, Li-Xia Wang…

The year 2020, a milestone in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and illness in China

Marking the end of the five-year programme initiated by the Chinese Government to lift more than 70 million people out of poverty, the year 2020 is a milestone. Poverty alleviation has moved strongly forward i...

Authors: Yun-Ping Wang and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Yaws in the Philippines: first reported cases since the 1970s

Yaws is a chronic, highly contagious skin and bone infection affecting children living in impoverished, remote communities and caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue. The Philippines was thought to be f...

Authors: Belen Lardizabal Dofitas, Sherjan P. Kalim, Camille B. Toledo and Jan Hendrik Richardus

Neglected tropical diseases: an effective global response to local poverty-related disease priorities

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have long been overlooked in the global health agenda. They are intimately related to poverty, cause important local burdens of disease, but individually do not represent glo...

Authors: Dirk Engels and Xiao-Nong Zhou

Effects of environmental modification on the diversity and positivity of anopheline mosquito aquatic habitats at Arjo-Dedessa irrigation development site, Southwest Ethiopia

Irrigated agriculture is key to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in Africa. However, unintended negative public health impacts (e.g. malaria) of such environmental modification have ...

Authors: Dawit Hawaria, Assalif Demissew, Solomon Kibret, Ming-Chieh Lee, Delenasaw Yewhalaw and Guiyun Yan