PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, causing substantial morbidity and millions of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Although the WHO aims to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem in several countries by 2030, limited data on infection prevalence in Zambia has hindered effective Mass Drug Administration (MDA) coverage, contributing to the persistence and resurgence of the disease. MethodsWe assessed the pr...

BackgroundTesting blood samples with multiplex bead assays can assess elimination and identify residual foci of transmission for multiple pathogens simultaneously. In Ecuador, onchocerciasis and yaws are presumed eliminated, and the status of trachoma is unknown. We assessed their elimination status by measuring IgG antibodies in children 6-24 months. MethodsIn a birth cohort of 404 children measured between 2021-2024 in Esmeraldas province, Ecuador, we tested dried blood spots at ages 6, 9, 12...

BackgroundAccurate diagnostic tools are needed in schistosomiasis elimination settings to determine prevalence thresholds for assigning or stopping interventions, guide pre- and post-elimination surveillance, and verify whether elimination has been reached. We assessed the accuracy of six different diagnostic tests in Pemba, Tanzania, a setting approaching Schistosoma haematobium elimination. MethodologyA prospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted from February to April 2025. From an i...

Background: Schistosoma mansoni is a leading cause of hepatosplenic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, associations with current Schistosoma mansoni infections and hepatosplenic organometry remain unclear in the context of widespread mass drug administration and co-endemic infections. Methods: From January to February 2024, we conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study nested within the SchistoTrack cohort in three districts of Uganda. Liver and spleen dimensions were assessed via point...

IntroductionScabies, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects underserved rural communities, where transmission is commonly sustained through prolonged close contact and sharing of personal items. This study assessed household scabies experience and associated factors during a past outbreak in Nyasa District. MethodsA retrospective community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 households from four villages. Data were collected ...

Vector-borne diseases represent a growing public health issue nationwide. Nebraska reports a sustained burden of mosquito-borne diseases and expanding tick-borne disease risk. This study aims to assess trends in vector abundance, vector infection rates, and human vector-borne disease reports using retrospective surveillance data and to examine the relationship between vector factors and human risk across the state. Vector abundance and pathogen infection rates were mapped alongside presence and ...

BackgroundDengue virus (DENV) is an increasingly recognized cause of febrile illness in sub-Saharan Africa, yet its epidemiology in Nigeria remains incompletely characterized due to fragmented surveillance and diagnostic variability. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate marker-specific seroprevalence and to evaluate geographic variation, seasonal patterns, and environmental risk factors associated with DENV infection in Nigeria between 2014 and 2024. MethodsFollowing P...

BackgroundViral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) remain a major public health threat in resource-limited settings. The 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease epidemic exposed critical gaps in laboratory preparedness and diagnostic capacity in most-at-risk countries, including Guinea. Sustainable in-country laboratory capacity is essential for early detection and rapid response to VHF outbreaks, including Lassa fever. MethodsA long-term laboratory capacity-strengthening programme was implemented in Guinea, comb...

IntroductionDengue has been prevalent in a regular fashion in Bangladesh and Chattogram for the last 6-7 years and is showing some serotype twisting. So, the objectives of the present study were to explore the burden of dengue serotypes in Chattogram. MethodsIn this study, 223 Dengue RT-PCR positive patients were evaluated for serotyping. Gender and age group, along with cycle threshold (CT) values, were also collected. Data after collection were compiled, analyzed, and plotted in Microsoft Exc...

India carries a high burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), yet the extent to which essential diagnostic services align with local disease burden across public health facilities remains unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional assessment of diagnostic availability for major NTDs in 332 public health facilities across seven states and one union territory, including sub-centers, primary health centers, community health centers, and district hospitals. Diagnostic availability for malaria, den...

ObjectiveTo estimate dengue virus (DENV) seroprevalence and assess parental vaccine perceptions among children in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). MethodsA cross-sectional serosurvey was conducted during April-May 2022 among 372 children aged 8-16 years from 15 schools across USVI. Past DENV infection was determined using a dengue IgG rapid diagnostic test. Data on demographics, dengue knowledge, and vaccine acceptance were collected from parents. Catalytic models estimated annual DENV force of in...

AbstractsO_ST_ABSBackgroundC_ST_ABSAccurate dengue forecasting is vital for public health preparedness. Despite a surge in forecasting approaches, a quantitative ranking of the relative performance and practical utility of dengue forecasting is lacking. MethodsA systematic review and Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) of studies comparing dengue forecasting methods (2014-2024) was conducted. Models were categorised into five groups: Time Series, Deep Learning (DL), Machine Learning (excluding DL), Hyb...

BackgroundWe recently developed a general egg count framework to support cost-efficient survey design choices to inform soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) control programs. Yet, the interpretation and the application was not always intuitive for program managers. MethodsWe first adapted the existing framework to make the interpretation of risks of incorrect decision making more intuitive and to allow for prior information. Then, we assessed the impact of the allowable risk of incorrect decisi...

Schistosomiasis is a neglected parasitic disease caused by various trematode species of the genus Schistosoma for which 251 million people needed treatment in 2021. Many mathematical models of Schistosoma mansoni transmission incorporate the effect of chemoprophylaxis on parasite burden within the human host. While praziquantel is the most commonly implemented pharmaceutical used to control schistosomiasis, due to its applicability over several species and its negligible side effects, it is not ...

BackgroundSpatial emanators disrupt mosquito behaviour by inducing movement away from chemical stimuli and interfering with host detection and feeding. These tools were recently endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for malaria control, based largely on clinical evidence from East Africa. Mosquito ShieldTM is a passive, transfluthrin-based emanator designed to provide month-long protection in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces. This study evaluated its entomological efficacy under experi...

BackgroundMalaria, transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, where approximately 97% of the population is at risk. Despite large-scale investments, Nigeria continues to bear the worlds highest malaria burden. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are central to prevention, yet their effectiveness is increasingly undermined by non-usage, delayed replacement, and growing outdoor biting activity. National surveys (MIS, PMI) consistently report ...

IntroductionHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a serious condition induced by Dengue virus which becomes fatal if not detected early and treated appropriately. So objectives of the present study are to observe the different patterns of presentations, clinical features and outcome of HLH induced by Dengue. MethodsIn this observational study, 14 patients admitted and diagnosed HLH as per diagnostic criteria, were included after informed written consent. Study conducted in a period of six...

Progress in malaria control has stagnated since the early 21st century in many countries, requiring new approaches such as the use of spatially-targeted interventions. Evidence on the effectiveness of spatially-targeted interventions is mixed. Their success can be dependent on whether the setting is endemic, the metrics used to target the intervention, and the spatial resolution and scale of deployment. We developed a two-age-class, spatially-explicit model of malaria at the community-scale for ...

BackgroundSkin disease affects 4.7-4.9 billion individuals globally; however, little is known about access to dermatological care. MethodsWe conducted a multinational, cross-sectional survey of dermatological care across 194 WHO member states and three additional geographic areas in 2024-2025. Primary outcomes included dermatologist density per 100,000 population and number of dermatologists globally. Secondary outcomes included training programme density, workforce distribution, perceived acce...

BackgroundThe widespread insecticide resistance increasingly threatens malaria elimination, prompting a reassessment of vector control strategies. As Tanzania transitions from standard pyrethroid-only insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to new-generation nets, evaluating the impact of this shift on malaria transmission and resistance is critical. MethodsUsing the agent-based malaria model, EMOD, we assessed the impact of three ITN types, standard pyrethroid-only nets, pyrethroid-PBO nets (Olyset(R)...