Articles

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

Geospatial epidemiology of leprosy in northwest Bangladesh: a 20-year retrospective observational study

Leprosy is known to be unevenly distributed between and within countries. High risk areas or ‘hotspots’ are potential targets for preventive interventions, but the underlying epidemiologic mechanisms that enab...

Authors: Caroline A. Bulstra, David J. Blok, Khorshed Alam, C. Ruth Butlin, Johan Chandra Roy, Bob Bowers, Peter Nicholls, Sake J. de Vlas and Jan Hendrik Richardus

Land use impacts on parasitic infection: a cross-sectional epidemiological study on the role of irrigated agriculture in schistosome infection in a dammed landscape

Water resources development promotes agricultural expansion and food security. But are these benefits offset by increased infectious disease risk? Dam construction on the Senegal River in 1986 was followed by ...

Authors: Andrea J. Lund, David H. Rehkopf, Susanne H. Sokolow, M. Moustapha Sam, Nicolas Jouanard, Anne-Marie Schacht, Simon Senghor, Assane Fall, Gilles Riveau, Giulio A. De Leo and David Lopez-Carr

Control trial of porcine cysticercosis in Uganda using a combination of the TSOL18 vaccination and oxfendazole

Neurocysticercosis caused by Taenia solium when the parasite lodges in the central nervous system, is an important cause of human seizures and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The parasite is prevalent in many re...

Authors: Zachary Nsadha, Chris Rutebarika, Chrisostom Ayebazibwe, Bukenya Aloys, M. Mwanja, E. Jane Poole, Elizabeth Chesang, Angela Colston, Meritxell Donadeu and Marshall W. Lightowlers

Predictors of lost to follow up from antiretroviral therapy among adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

It is known that ‘drop out’ from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment, the so called lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) occurs to persons enrolled in HIV care services. However, in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the ...

Authors: Hafte Kahsay Kebede, Lillian Mwanri, Paul Ward and Hailay Abrha Gesesew

Bedaquiline-containing regimens in patients with pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in China: focus on the safety

World Health Organization recommends countries introducing new drug and short treatment regimen for drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) should develop and implement a system for active pharmacovigilance that a...

Authors: Jing-Tao Gao, Juan Du, Gui-Hui Wu, Yi Pei, Meng-Qiu Gao, Leonardo Martinez, Lin Fan, Wei Chen, Li Xie, Yu Chen, Hua Wang, Long Jin, Guo-Bao Li, Pei-Lan Zong, Yu Xiong, Qian-Hong Wu…

Efficacy of the combination of modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine in pulmonary fibrosis arising as a sequelae in convalescent COVID-19 patients: a randomized multicenter trial

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a significant number of mortalities worldwide. COVID-19 poses a serious threat to human...

Authors: Zhen-Hui Lu, Chun-Li Yang, Gai-Ge Yang, Wen-Xu Pan, Li-Guang Tian, Jin-Xin Zheng, Shan Lv, Shao-Yan Zhang, Pei-Yong Zheng and Shun-Xian Zhang

COVID-19 case management strategies: what are the options for Africa?

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a strain on health systems globally. Although Africa is the least affected region to date, it has the weakest health systems and an exponential ...

Authors: Joy Luba Lomole Waya, David Ameh, Joseph Lou K. Mogga, Joseph F. Wamala and Olushayo Oluseun Olu

Effect of using electronic medication monitors on tuberculosis treatment outcomes in China: a longitudinal ecological study

In China, an indigenously developed electronic medication monitor (EMM) was designed and used in 138 counties from three provinces. Previous studies showed positive results on accuracy, effectiveness, acceptab...

Authors: Ni Wang, Lei Guo, Hemant Deepak Shewade, Pruthu Thekkur, Hui Zhang, Yan-Li Yuan, Xiao-Meng Wang, Xiao-Lin Wang, Miao-Miao Sun, Fei Huang and Yan-Lin Zhao

Human coronaviruses and therapeutic drug discovery

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are distributed worldwide and have various susceptible hosts; CoVs infecting humans are called human coronaviruses (HCoVs). Although HCoV-specific drugs are still lacking, many potent targ...

Authors: Lan-Gui Song, Qing-Xing Xie, Hui-Lin Lao and Zhi-Yue Lv

Process evaluation of E-learning in continuing medical education: evidence from the China-Gates Foundation Tuberculosis Control Program

E-learning is a growing phenomenon which provides a unique opportunity to address the challenges in continuing medical education (CME). The China-Gates Foundation Tuberculosis (TB) Control Program implemented ...

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

Implementing a new tuberculosis surveillance system in Zhejiang, Jilin and Ningxia: improvements, challenges and implications for China’s National Health Information System

China is still faced with the public health challenge of tuberculosis (TB), and a robust surveillance system is critical for developing evidence-based TB control policies. The Tuberculosis Information Manageme...

Authors: Wei-Xi Jiang, Fei Huang, Sheng-Lan Tang, Ni Wang, Xin Du, Hui Zhang and Yan-Lin Zhao

Multi-source financing for tuberculosis treatment in China: key issues and challenges

The End Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy of the World Health Organization highlights the need for patient-centered care and social protection measures that alleviate the financial hardships faced by many TB patients...

Authors: Qian Long, Wei-Xi Jiang, Hui Zhang, Jun Cheng, Sheng-Lan Tang and Wei-Bing Wang

The application of social innovation in healthcare: a scoping review

Social innovation has been applied increasingly to achieve social goals, including improved healthcare delivery, despite a lack of conceptual clarity and consensus on its definition. Beyond its tangible artefa...

Authors: Lindi van Niekerk, Lenore Manderson and Dina Balabanova

Effects of management of infection source of echinococcosis in Linzhi, Tibet Autonomous Region of China

Echinococcosis is highly endemic in western and northern China. Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) is the most serious prevalent area. Linzhi is located in southeastern part of TAR. Dogs are the primary infection s...

Authors: Ying Wang, Bing-Cheng Ma, Li-Ying Wang, Gongsang Quzhen and Hua-Sheng Pang

Trends in burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in countries, regions, and worldwide from 1990 to 2017: results from the Global Burden of Disease study

Antituberculosis-drug resistance is an important public health issue, and its epidemiological patterns has dramatically changed in recent decades. This study aimed to estimate the trends of multidrug-resistant...

Authors: Ze-Jin Ou, Dan-Feng Yu, Yuan-Hao Liang, Wen-Qiao He, Yong-Zhi Li, Ya-Xian Meng, Hu-Sheng Xiong, Min-Yi Zhang, Huan He, Yu-Han Gao, Fei Wu and Qing Chen

Spatiotemporal visualization for the global COVID-19 surveillance by balloon chart

Considering the widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the world, it is important to understand the spatiotemporal development of the pandemic. In this study, we aimed to visualize time-...

Authors: Ming-Fan Pang, Zuo-Ru Liang, Zhi-Da Cheng, Xin-Ping Yang, Jie-Wen Wu, Ke Lyu, Jing-Jing Xi, Zhong-Jie Li, Guo-Qing Shi, Yan-Ping Zhang, George F. Gao, Xiao-Peng Qi and Xiao-Ping Dong

Lymphatic filariasis, infection status in Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles species after six rounds of mass drug administration in Masasi District, Tanzania

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination program in Tanzania started in 2000 in response to the Global program for the elimination of LF by 2020. Evidence shows a persistent LF transmission despite more than a de...

Authors: Eliza Lupenza, Dinah B. Gasarasi and Omary M. Minzi

Bridging the health inequality gap: an examination of South Africa’s social innovation in health landscape

Despite the end of apartheid in the early 1990s, South Africa remains racially and economically segregated. The country is beset by persistent social inequality, poverty, unemployment, a heavy burden of diseas...

Authors: Katusha de Villiers

Levels of vaccination coverage among HIV-exposed children in China: a retrospective study

Vaccination is crucial for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed children because of their increased risk of morbidity and mortality from various vaccine-preventable diseases. However, studies have shown ...

Authors: Rui Shen, Ai-Ling Wang, Xiao-Ping Pan, Ya-Ping Qiao, Qian Wang, Xiao-Yan Wang, Shui-Ling Qu and Tong Zhang

Changes in newly notified cases and control of tuberculosis in China: time-series analysis of surveillance data

China has made progress in tuberculosis control, but this disease remains a burden in many regions of China. We performed time-series analysis to examine changes in the rates of newly notified and newly smear-...

Authors: Ye-Sheng Wang, Wen-Long Zhu, Tao Li, Wei Chen and Wei-Bing Wang

Detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA using polymerase chain reaction from serum and dried blood spot card samples of an adult population in North-western Tanzania

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for diagnosing schistosomiasis. However, this method should be performed in a laboratory, usually located distant from the sample co...

Authors: Antje Fuss, Humphrey D. Mazigo and Andreas Mueller

Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths in school-aged children in Muyuka–Cameroon following implementation of control measures: a cross sectional study

Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism, its health impacts have been inadequately studied. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium, Pl...

Authors: Irene Ule Ngole Sumbele, Ofon Vitalis Otia, Orelien Sylvain Mtopi Bopda, Calvin Bisong Ebai, Helen KuoKuo Kimbi and Theresa Nkuo-Akenji

A new candidate vaccine for human brucellosis based on influenza viral vectors: a preliminary investigation for the development of an immunization schedule in a guinea pig model

A new candidate vector vaccine against human brucellosis based on recombinant influenza viral vectors (rIVV) subtypes H5N1 expressing Brucella outer membrane protein (Omp) 16, L7/L12, Omp19 or Cu–Zn SOD proteins ...

Authors: Dina Bugybayeva, Zhailaubay Kydyrbayev, Nadezhda Zinina, Nurika Assanzhanova, Bolat Yespembetov, Yerken Kozhamkulov, Kunsulu Zakarya, Sholpan Ryskeldinova and Kaissar Tabynov

Global burden of active smoking among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Although the high burden of both active smoking and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is clearly known, the relationship between them is still not well characterized. Therefore, we estimated the global preval...

Authors: Boni Maxime Ale, Franck Amahowe, Motto Malea Nganda, Célestin Danwang, Nelly Njeri Wakaba, Ateeq Almuwallad, Franck Biaou Guy Ale, Alamou Sanoussi, Suleiman Hudu Abdullahi and Jean Joel Bigna

COVID-19 case fatality risk by age and gender in a high testing setting in Latin America: Chile, March–August 2020

Early severity estimates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are critically needed to assess the potential impact of the ongoing pandemic in different demographic groups. Here we estimate the real-time dela...

Authors: Eduardo A. Undurraga, Gerardo Chowell and Kenji Mizumoto

The new COVID-19 poor and the neglected tropical diseases resurgence

Authors: Peter J. Hotez, Alan Fenwick and David Molyneux

Potentials of marine natural products against malaria, leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis parasites: a review of recent articles

Malaria and neglected communicable protozoa parasitic diseases, such as leishmaniasis, and trypanosomiasis, are among the otherwise called diseases for neglected communities, which are habitual in underprivile...

Authors: Justus Amuche Nweze, Florence N. Mbaoji, Yan-Ming Li, Li-Yan Yang, Shu-Shi Huang, Vincent N. Chigor, Emmanuel A. Eze, Li-Xia Pan, Ting Zhang and Deng-Feng Yang

Impact of multiple policy interventions on the screening and diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: a cascade analysis on six prefectures in China

The detection of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a major health concern in China. We aim to summarize interventions related to the screening and detection of DR-TB in Jiangsu Province, analyse their imp...

Authors: Xiao-Yan Ding, Wen-Hui Mao, Wei Lu, Hao Yu, Qiao Liu, Peng Lu, Hui Jiang, Xing Zhang, Feng Lu, Jie Xu, Chong-Qiao Zhong, Jin-Liu Hu, Wei-Xi Jiang, Lei Guo, Sheng-Lan Tang and Li-Mei Zhu

Incidence and time-varying predictors of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among male sex workers in Mexico City

Male sex workers are at high-risk for acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We quantified incidence rates of STIs and identified their time-varyin...

Authors: Karla Y. Ganley, Marta Wilson-Barthes, Andrew R. Zullo, Sandra G. Sosa-Rubí, Carlos J. Conde-Glez, Santa García-Cisneros, Mark N. Lurie, Brandon D. L. Marshall, Don Operario, Kenneth H. Mayer and Omar Galárraga

Predictors of malaria rapid diagnostic test positivity in a high burden area of Paletwa Township, Chin State in Western Myanmar

Despite major reductions in malaria burden across Myanmar, clusters of the disease continue to persist in specific subregions. This study aimed to assess the predictors of test positivity among people living i...

Authors: Pyae Linn Aung, Myat Thu Soe, Thit Lwin Oo, Aung Khin, Aung Thi, Yan Zhao, Yaming Cao, Liwang Cui, Myat Phone Kyaw and Daniel M. Parker

Accessing the syndemic of COVID-19 and malaria intervention in Africa

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused substantial disruptions to health services in the low and middle-income countries with a high burden of other diseases, such as malaria in sub...

Authors: Benyun Shi, Jinxin Zheng, Shang Xia, Shan Lin, Xinyi Wang, Yang Liu, Xiao-Nong Zhou and Jiming Liu

Experience and practice of the Emergency Operations Center, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention: a case study of response to the H7N9 outbreak

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a place to provide response to public health emergencies. Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC)’s EOC was officially established in 2016, which has ...

Authors: Fan Ding, Qun Li and Lian-Mei Jin

Risk factors associated with mortality of COVID-19 in 3125 counties of the United States

The number of cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States has risen sharply since March 2020. A county health ranking and roadmaps program has been established to identify factors associated wi...

Authors: Ting Tian, Jingwen Zhang, Liyuan Hu, Yukang Jiang, Congyuan Duan, Zhongfei Li, Xueqin Wang and Heping Zhang

Efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: potential entry points for neglected tropical diseases

The damage inflicted by the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic upon humanity is and will continue to be considerable. Unprecedented progress made in global health over the past 20 years has reverted...

Authors: John P. Ehrenberg, Jürg Utzinger, Gilberto Fontes, Eliana Maria Mauricio da Rocha, Nieves Ehrenberg, Xiao-Nong Zhou and Peter Steinmann

Neglected tropical diseases activities in Africa in the COVID-19 era: the need for a “hybrid” approach in COVID-endemic times

With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic showing no signs of abating, resuming neglected tropical disease (NTD) activities, particularly mass drug administration (MDA), is vital. Failure to resume...

Authors: David Molyneux, Simon Bush, Ron Bannerman, Philip Downs, Joy Shu’aibu, Pelagie Boko-Collins, Ioasia Radvan, Leah Wohlgemuth and Chris Boyton

Epidemiology of Blastocystis infection from 1990 to 2019 in China

Blastocystis is ubiquitous presence in animals and humans worldwide and has a high level genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to conduct a summary of Blastocystis prevalence, subtypes (STs) in humans and ...

Authors: Chao-Qun Ning, Zhu-hua Hu, Jun-hu Chen, Lin Ai and Li-Guang Tian

Functional biomarker signatures of circulating T-cells and its association with distinct clinical status of leprosy patients and their respective household contacts

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease classified into two subgroups for therapeutic purposes: paucibacillary (PB) and multibacillary (MB), closely related to the host immune responses. In this context it is ...

Authors: Pedro Henrique Ferreira Marçal, Rafael Silva Gama, Lorena Bruna Pereira de Oliveira, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, Roberta Olmo Pinheiro, Euzenir Nunes Sarno, Milton Ozório Moraes and Lucia Alves de Oliveira Fraga

Evaluating the yield of systematic screening for tuberculosis among three priority groups in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

In order to end tuberculosis (TB), it is necessary to expand coverage of TB care services, including systematic screening initiatives. However, more evidence is needed for groups among whom systematic screenin...

Authors: Luan Nguyen Quang Vo, Andrew James Codlin, Rachel Jeanette Forse, Nga Thuy Nguyen, Thanh Nguyen Vu, Giang Truong Le, Vinh Van Truong, Giang Chau Do, Ha Minh Dang, Lan Huu Nguyen, Hoa Binh Nguyen, Nhung Viet Nguyen, Jens Levy, Knut Lonnroth, S. Bertel Squire and Maxine Caws