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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory.

New malaria test kit gives a boost to elimination efforts worldwide
(London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) A new, highly sensitive blood test that quickly detects even the lowest levels of malaria parasites in the body could make a dramatic difference in efforts to tackle the disease in the UK and across the world, according to new research. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 17, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

HTLV-1 cosmopolitan and HTLV-2 subtype b among pregnant women of non-endemic areas of Argentina
Conclusions HTLV-1/2, which have been associated with different diseases, are circulating among PW of Argentina, even in non-endemic areas. Therefore, testing should be recommended in women who have risk factors for these infections given that the majority of HTLV-1/2 mother to child transmission can be prevented by the avoidance of breast feeding. (Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Source: Sexually Transmitted Infections - May 17, 2013 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Berini, C. A., Delfino, C., Torres, O., Garcia, G., Espejo, R., Pianciola, L., Juarez, M., Arribere, G., Nadal, M., Eirin, M. E., Biglione, M. M. Tags: Liver disease, Drugs: infectious diseases, Hepatitis and other GI infections, HIV/AIDS, Travel medicine, Tropical medicine (infectious diseases), Pregnancy, Reproductive medicine, Child health, Hepatitis (sexual health), HIV / AIDS, HIV infections Epide Source Type: research

How to use... neonatal TORCH testing
Toxoplasma gondii, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus have in common that they can cause congenital (TORCH) infection, leading to fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. During the last decades, TORCH screening, which is generally considered to be single serum testing, has been increasingly used inappropriately and questions have been raised concerning the indications and cost-effectiveness of TORCH testing. The problems of TORCH screening lie in requesting the screening for the wrong indications, wrong interpretation of the single serum results and in case there is a good indication for diagnosis of con...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - May 13, 2013 Category: Pediatrics Authors: de Jong, E. P., Vossen, A. C. T. M., Walther, F. J., Lopriore, E. Tags: Epidemiologic studies, Travel medicine, Tropical medicine (infectious diseases), Screening (epidemiology), Screening (public health) Interpretations Source Type: research

Skilled Midwives May be the Key to Healthy Babies
There are 135 million live births every year, with only 11 million benefitting from quality care. Credit: Photo stockThe story goes like this: a young mother lies quietly in a dimly lit room having just given birth to her baby. For the next seven days she watches over the child with caution, nursing and swaddling it patiently. Fearful that the infant will not survive past a few days, she refuses to give it a name. Unfortunately, this scenario remains the reality for many women across the globe. There are 135 million live births every year, with only 11 million benefitting from quality care – a divide not only between...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - May 8, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Joan Erakit Tags: Active Citizens Development & Aid Headlines Health Population Poverty & MDGs TerraViva Europe United Nations Women's Health World infant mortality Maternal Mortality midwives postnatal care prenatal care Save the Children Source Type: news

Have we improved use of medicines in developing and transitional countries and do we know how to? Two decades of evidence
ConclusionsInappropriate medicine use remains a serious global problem. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - May 7, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: K. A. Holloway, V. Ivanovska, A. K. Wagner, C. Vialle‐Valentin, D. Ross‐Degnan Tags: Review Source Type: research

Erectile Dysfunction, Testosterone Deficiency, and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in a Cohort of Men Living with HIV in Belgium
ConclusionsThis study showed that ED and testosterone deficiency are highly prevalent in young to middle‐aged MLHIV and that ED might be associated with an increased risk of CHD. Therefore, healthcare professionals should screen for clinical ED and should consider testing for underlying testosterone deficiency. A clinical diagnosis of ED should trigger a full evaluation of the patient's cardiovascular risk factors, even at younger age. De Ryck I, Van Laeken D, Apers L, and Colebunders R. Erectile dysfunction, testosterone deficiency, and risk of coronary heart disease in a cohort of men living with HIV in Belgium. J Sex ...
Source: The Journal of Sexual Medicine - May 7, 2013 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Iris De Ryck, David Van Laeken, Ludwig Apers, Robert Colebunders Tags: Original Research Source Type: research

Diabetes is a strong predictor of mortality during tuberculosis treatment: a prospective cohort study among tuberculosis patients from Mwanza, Tanzania
ConclusionDiabetes considerably increases risk of early mortality during TB treatment. The effect may not be explained by increased severity of TB, but could be due to impaired TB treatment response. Research is needed to clarify the mechanism and to assess whether glycaemic control improves survival. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - May 6, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Daniel Faurholt‐Jepsen, Nyagosya Range, George PrayGod, Kidola Jeremiah, Maria Faurholt‐Jepsen, Martine G. Aabye, John Changalucha, Dirk L. Christensen, Harleen M. S. Grewal, Torben Martinussen, Henrik Krarup, Daniel R. Witte, Aase B. Andersen, Henrik Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Human resource assessment for scaling up VL active case detection in Bangladesh, India and Nepal
ConclusionIf all vacant posts were filled, active case detection could be performed more easily. The elimination programme can be scaled up with the current staffing levels in the endemic areas with some short training if and when necessary. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - May 1, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: E. Naznin, A. Kroeger, N. A. Siddiqui, S. Sundar, P. Malaviya, D. Mondal, M. M. Huda, P. Das, P. Karki, M. R. Banjara, N. Dreesch, G. Gedik Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Anopheles culicifacies sibling species in Odisha, eastern India: First appearance of Anopheles culicifacies E and its vectorial role in malaria transmission
ConclusionAn. culicifacies B was the most abundant species, followed by An. culicifacies C and E. High sporozoite rate and HBF of An. culicifacies E indicated that it plays an important role in malaria transmission in Odisha. Appropriate control measures against An. culicifacies E at an early stage are needed to prevent further malaria transmission in Odisha. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 30, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Mumani Das, Biswadeep Das, Aparna P. Patra, Hare K. Tripathy, Namita Mohapatra, Santanu K. Kar, Rupenangshu K. Hazra Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytemia in India: prevalence, age structure, risk factors and the role of a predictive score for detection
ConclusionsGametocytemia was common in India and varied by region. Notably, adults contributed substantially to the reservoir for potential transmission. Predictive modelling to generate a clinical algorithm for detecting gametocytemia did not provide sufficient discrimination for targeting interventions. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 30, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Naman K. Shah, Charles Poole, Pia D. M. MacDonald, Bina Srivastava, Allan Schapira, Jonathan J. Juliano, Anup Anvikar, Steven R. Meshnick, Neena Valecha, Neelima Mishra Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Malaria resistance - it's in the parasite's genes
Tracking malaria resistance is imperative if it is to be prevented, say scientists who have been genotyping the parasites, while former Global Fund head Sir Richard Feachem talks of the malaria "end-game" in which adult men become more vulnerable than the under-5sWorld Malaria Day this last week has brought a flood of stories. One of the more interesting concerns a scientific detective hunt in Cambodia, to find much-needed clues to the development of resistance in the malaria parasite to the life-saving artimisinin drugs which are key to continuing progress against the disease.The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, re...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - April 28, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Sarah Boseley Tags: Blogposts Malaria Infectious diseases guardian.co.uk Drug resistance Global development Society Source Type: news

Reevaluating leishmanin skin test as a marker for immunity against cutaneous leishmaniasis
In this study, we have put this assumption to test. Methods and materialsA total of 273 participants with positive LST living in a hyperendemic area for leishmaniasis were followed for three years for any occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis. ResultsTwenty‐two of the 273 participants contracted leishmaniasis during the 3‐year follow‐up. These new cases included participants who had a previous history of active disease, those who had a history of leishmanization, or those who were suspected of having a history of subclinical infection. DiscussionIn this study, the incidence of leishmaniasis in individuals with posit...
Source: International Journal of Dermatology - April 28, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Amir Momeni Boroujeni, Malih Aminjavaheri, Bahador Moshtaghian, Arash Momeni, Ali Z Momeni Tags: Tropical medicine rounds Source Type: research

Epidemiology of sporotrichosis in Venezuela
ConclusionsSporotrichosis is an endemic subcutaneous mycosis in Venezuela. There are no reports to this date of disseminated forms of the disease, even amongst patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Direct microscopic examination of wet mount slides with saline solution or distilled water in the search for asteroid bodies is paramount. Saturated sodium and potassium iodine solutions continue to be extremely efficacious and affordable to most of our patients, therefore our treatment of choice. (Source: International Journal of Dermatology)
Source: International Journal of Dermatology - April 28, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Sofia Mata‐Essayag, Alejandro Delgado, Maria T. Colella, Maria E. Landaeta‐Nezer, Arantza Rosello, Celina Perez de Salazar, Carolina Olaizola, Claudia Hartung, Sylvia Magaldi, Etna Velasquez Tags: Tropical medicine rounds Source Type: research

Increased pfmdr1 copy number in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from Suriname
Abstract Amplification of the pfmdr1 gene is associated with clinical failures and reduced in vivo and in vitro sensitivity to both mefloquine and artemether–lumefantrine in South‐East Asia. Several African countries have reported the absence or very low prevalence of increased copy number, whilst South American reports are limited to Peru without and Venezuela with increased pfmdr1 multiplication. The relative pfmdr1 copy numbers were assessed in 68 isolates from Suriname collected from different endemic villages (2005) and from mining areas (2009). 11% of the isolates harbour multiple copies of the pfmdr1 gene. Isola...
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 27, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Mergiory Labadie‐Bracho, Malti R. Adhin Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research

Spatiotemporal patterns of Aedes aegypti populations in Cairns, Australia: assessing drivers of dengue transmission
ConclusionSpatiotemporal patterns of Ae. aegypti in Cairns are complex, showing spatial autocorrelation and associations with temperature and rainfall. Sticky ovitraps should be placed no more than 1.2 km apart to ensure entomological coverage and efficient use of resources. Vector density maps provide evidence for the targeting of prevention and control activities. Further research is needed to explore the possibility of developing an early warning system of dengue based on meteorological and environmental factors. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 26, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Jennifer Duncombe, Archie Clements, Joe Davis, Wenbiao Hu, Philip Weinstein, Scott Ritchie Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Contracting urban primary healthcare services in Bangladesh – effect on use, efficiency, equity and quality of care
ConclusionsInvestments in urban PHC led to an improvement in the coverage of basic services. Contracting with an NGO had an additional effect in terms of improving coverage, equity, quality of care and efficiency. Increased investments in PHC facilities and contracting with NGOs may be effective in improving urban health services. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 25, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Anna Heard, Dhiraj Kumar Nath, Benjamin Loevinsohn Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Study reveals alcohol industry tactics to influence alcohol policy reform in Scotland
(London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) The alcohol industry misrepresented international evidence on effective alcohol control measures in an attempt to influence the Scottish Government's public health policy to its advantage, according to new research from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - April 23, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Short Communication: Prevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in children in The Gambia, West Africa
ConclusionsExposure to C. burnetii is considerable in the early years of life in The Gambia, and further studies are warranted to estimate the role of Q fever in acute febrile illness in The Gambia and elsewhere in Africa. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 21, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Wim Hoek, Ramu Sarge‐Njie, Tineke Herremans, Thomas Chisnall, Joseph Okebe, Eniyou Oriero, Bart Versteeg, Bart Goossens, Marianne Sande, Beate Kampmann, Davis Nwakanma Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Task shifting an inpatient triage, assessment and treatment programme improves the quality of care for hospitalised Malawian children
ConclusionITAT with VSAs improved vital sign assessments and nearly doubled clinician notifications of patients needing further assessment due to high ITAT scores, while equipment alone made no difference. Task shifting ITAT to VSAs may improve outcomes in paediatric hospitals in the developing world. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 21, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Daniel Olson, Geoffrey A. Preidis, Robert Milazi, Jennifer K. Spinler, Norman Lufesi, Charles Mwansambo, Mina C. Hosseinipour, Eric D. McCollum Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

John Snow's legacy: epidemiology without borders - Fine P, Victora CG, Rothman KJ, Moore PS, Chang Y, Curtis V, Heymann DL, S.kin G, May RM, Patel V, Roberts I, Wortley R, Torgerson C, Deaton A.
This Review provides abstracts from a meeting held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on April 11-12, 2013, to celebrate the legacy of John Snow. They describe conventional and unconventional applications of epidemiological methods to p... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))
Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) - April 19, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Commentary Source Type: news

UK's Low Bowel Cancer Survival Likely Due To Differences In Staging And Treatment
Incomplete diagnostic investigation and failure to get the best treatment are the most likely reasons why survival for bowel cancer patients is lower in the UK than in other comparable countries, according to new research published in the journal Acta Oncologica. The research, led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, was carried out in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK for the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP). The study included more than 310,000 bowel cancer patients diagnosed during 2000-07... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - April 18, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Colorectal Cancer Source Type: news

Evaluation of urine‐circulating cathodic antigen (Urine‐CCA) cassette test for the detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection in areas of moderate prevalence in Ethiopia
ConclusionsIn moderate and high prevalence areas, urine‐CCA cassette test is more sensitive than the Kato–Katz method and can be used for screening and mapping of S. mansoni infection. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 17, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Berhanu Erko, Girmay Medhin, Tilahun Teklehaymanot, Abraham Degarege, Mengistu Legesse Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Temporal trends and regional variability of 2001–2002 multiwave DENV‐3 epidemic in Havana City: did Hurricane Michelle contribute to its severity?
ConclusionsOur results illustrate the potential impact of climatological events on disease spread, further highlighting the need to be well prepared for potentially worsening disease spread in the aftermath of natural disasters such as hurricanes/typhoons. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 17, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Ying‐Hen Hsieh, Hector Arazoza, Rachid Lounes Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Symptoms of antenatal common mental disorders, preterm birth and low birthweight: a prospective cohort study in a semi‐rural district of Vietnam
ConclusionsThis study confirms that clinically significant symptom levels of ACMD in Vietnam are associated with preterm birth and low birthweight. These findings highlight the importance of cost‐effective public health interventions for ACMD in Vietnam and further exploration of its physiological link with preterm birth and low birthweight. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 17, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Maria Niemi, Torkel Falkenberg, Max Petzold, Nguyen Thi Kim Chuc, Vikram Patel Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV‐infected tuberculosis patients in rural Kenya: an observational study
ConclusionsWe found that in HIV/TB coinfected patients in rural Kenya, early ART initiation (within 8 weeks) was associated with reduced mortality in those with CD4 counts ≤50 cells/μl. In patients with CD4 counts >50 cells/μl, there was no association seen between timing of ART and mortality. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 17, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Alexander J. Stockdale, Joseph Nkuranga, M. Estée Török, Brian Faragher, David G. Lalloo Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

A clinical and histopathological study of histoid leprosy
ConclusionsThe majority of cases in this study were de novo. HL can occur even when there is no history of inadequate or irregular treatment. Papules rather than nodules were the most common skin lesions seen. Earlobe infiltration was seen in the majority of cases unlike that reported in the literature. Lepra reactions are very rare in HL. (Source: International Journal of Dermatology)
Source: International Journal of Dermatology - April 17, 2013 Category: Dermatology Authors: Sukumaran Pradeep Nair, Gopinathan Nanda Kumar Tags: Tropical medicine rounds Source Type: research

Recurrence of preterm birth and perinatal mortality in northern Tanzania: registry‐based cohort study
ConclusionPrevious delivery of a preterm infant is a strong predictor of future preterm births in Tanzania. Previous or repeated preterm births increase the risk of perinatal death substantially in the subsequent pregnancy. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 16, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Michael J. Mahande, Anne K. Daltveit, Joseph Obure, Blandina T. Mmbaga, Gileard Masenga, Rachel Manongi, Rolv T. Lie Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Differences in staging and treatment likely to be behind UK's low bowel cancer survival
(London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) Incomplete diagnostic investigation and failure to get the best treatment are the most likely reasons why survival for bowel cancer patients is lower in the UK than in other comparable countries, according to new research led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - April 16, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

Shingles vaccine reduces risk of infection by 50% and of linked complications by up to 60%
The research, carried out by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, found that immunising the elderly against the virus dramatically lowered the risk of infection. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - April 15, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

[Perspectives] Maps and legends
John Snow must be one of the few 19th-century physicians with an ardent 21st-century fanbase. Labour-of-love encyclopaedic websites, an active society devoted to his life and works, numerous books and articles—all testify to the sort of hero worship normally reserved for the era's novelists, actors, or Romantic poets. On the bicentenary of his birth, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine provides another fitting tribute: an exhibition entitled Cartographies of Life & Death—John Snow & Disease Mapping. (Source: LANCET)
Source: LANCET - April 13, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Lee Jackson Tags: Perspectives Source Type: research

[Review] John Snow's legacy: epidemiology without borders
This Review provides abstracts from a meeting held at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on April 11–12, 2013, to celebrate the legacy of John Snow. They describe conventional and unconventional applications of epidemiological methods to problems ranging from diarrhoeal disease, mental health, cancer, and accident care, to education, poverty, financial networks, crime, and violence. Common themes appear throughout, including recognition of the importance of Snow's example, the philosophical and practical implications of assessment of causality, and an emphasis on the evaluation of preventive, ameliorativ...
Source: LANCET - April 13, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Paul Fine, Cesar G Victora, Kenneth J Rothman, Patrick S Moore, Yuan Chang, Val Curtis, David L Heymann, Gary Slutkin, Robert M May, Vikram Patel, Ian Roberts, Richard Wortley, Carole Torgerson, Angus Deaton Tags: Review Source Type: research

An improved tool for household faeces management in rural Bangladeshi communities
ConclusionsPromoting modified local tools may contribute to improving environmental sanitation and health. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - April 12, 2013 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Rebeca Sultana, Utpal K. Mondal, Nadia Ali Rimi, Leanne Unicomb, Peter J. Winch, Nazmun Nahar, Stephen P. Luby Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Fever, splenomegaly and lymphopenia in sarcoidosis
Clinical presentation A 42-year-old woman was referred to our department with a 5 months history of intermittent fever and fatigue. Her past medical history included a consolidated diagnosis of sarcoidosis (obtained 7 years before with a sub-carinal lymph node biopsy) and in the previous years she had been treated with steroids, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and azathioprine with persistent and progressive enlargement of mediastino-hilar adenopathies and bilateral nodular infiltrates. Her symptoms progressed despite a course of antibiotics prescribed for presumed community-acquired pneumonia and a course of co...
Source: Thorax - April 12, 2013 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Ravaglia, C., Gurioli, C., Casoni, G. L., Asioli, S., Poletti, V. Tags: Lung infection, Lung neoplasms, Open access, Drugs: infectious diseases, Pneumonia (infectious disease), TB and other respiratory infections, Tropical medicine (infectious diseases), Lung cancer (oncology), Chemotherapy, Screening (oncology), Lung cancer Source Type: research

Point‐of‐care testing: filling the diagnostic gaps in tropical medicine?
(Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection)
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - April 11, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: E. Bottieau Tags: Editorial Source Type: research