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...

BackgroundFor lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination, the World Health Organization recommends multiple rounds of mass drug administration (MDA). While LF antigen (Ag) is routinely used to monitor progress, recent evidence suggests more time-sensitive indicators are needed during the immediate post-MDA period. In Samoa, triple-drug MDA was distributed in 2018 and 2023. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Samoas second round of triple-drug MDA on human and mosquito-based indicators. Method...

BackgroundIn 2018, Samoa was the first country to distribute nationwide triple-drug mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination. Prevalence of filarial antigen (Ag) is the main programmatic indicator used to define elimination target thresholds; however, anti-filarial antibodies (Ab) may provide more sensitive measures of transmission compared Ag. We aimed to investigate the utility of Ag and Ab to measure the impact of one round of triple-drug MDA on LF transmission...

BackgroundOnchocerciasis elimination programs increasingly rely on tests that detect antibodies to the Ov16 antigen, yet the performance of currently available rapid tests remains uncertain. The existing Ov16 rapid test shows inconsistent sensitivity when used on whole blood and does not consistently meet international thresholds for mapping or stopping mass drug administration. Two new Ov16 rapid tests have recently been developed, but their accuracy has not been fully evaluated using methods t...

BackgroundScabies is one of the common infectious skin conditions globally, with a significantly high burden in hot and tropical countries, resource-poor settings, and areas with high population density. Rohingya refugee camps in Coxs Bazar are one of the most protracted refugee crises in the world, sheltering approximately 1,143,096 refugees in 33 overcrowded refugee camps. While most existing literature focuses on mass drug administration (MDA) interventions or community-level estimates, the e...

IntroductionPrevious studies up to early 2000s found that leptospirosis incidence in humans was high across the Caribbean region (CR), yet up-to-date and reliable surveillance data are scarce. Limited research capacity in the region has further contributed to less robust characterisation of transmission drivers, perpetuating a cycle of neglect. To address these gaps and support evidence-based public health responses, this study aims to update incidence estimates in the CR by integrating data fro...

The Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex comprises morphologically indistinguishable species, making accurate diagnosis difficult and leading to overestimations in amebiasis prevalence. This study aimed to establish a sensitive and specific molecular method to differentiate these species in human fecal samples from Coyaima, Tolima, Colombia. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene was developed and optimized under various amplificat...

BackgroundIrregular migration across Central America and Mexico has increased in recent years, exposing migrants to various health risks, including vector-borne diseases such as leishmaniasis. The migration corridor from South America, through the Darien Gap, to northern Mexico traverses multiple leishmaniasis-endemic regions with active Leishmania spp. transmission, where environmental exposure during migrants transit may increase the risk of infection. Methodology / Principal FindingsFrom 202...

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...

BackgroundDengue virus infection remains among the most prevalent infectious diseases globally, with an estimate of 100-400 million cases occurring each year. Prior ecological studies have documented spatial and temporal correlations between dengue occurrence and either socioeconomic or climatic conditions independently. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between multidimensional typologies, including socioeconomic, geographic, climatic, and infrastructure factors and the rate ...

BackgroundMalaria and schistosomiasis are co-endemic across sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in frequent co-infection, yet the shared risk factors driving co-infection remain poorly synthesized. MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify shared risk factors for malaria-Schistosoma co-infection and to narratively synthesize the statistical methodologies applied in the literature. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, and Global Health f...

BackgroundDespite ongoing rabies control efforts in Arequipa, Peru--including mass dog vaccination campaigns and reactive ring interventions--the region has failed to reduce the number of rabid dogs, leading to the first reported human dog-mediated rabies case after 8 years. The gaps in the rabies control program and the complex dynamics among stakeholders are unknown. ObjectiveTo integrate epidemiologic, socio-ecological, and policy data to identify the factors contributing to the 2023 human r...

Mass drug administration (MDA) of praziquantel is an intervention used in the treatment and prevention of schistosomiasis. Its effectiveness and sustainability require identifying subpopulations that are at risk of infection. A longitudinal survey was conducted among 3,810 subjects aged 5-19 years old recruited at baseline across ten council wards in Katsina Ala, Benue, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence, intensity, and index of potential contamination of urogenital schistosomiasis for three s...

BackgroundThe success of programs to control Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) like schistosomiasis is heavily dependent on the knowledge and health behaviors of affected populations. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and health-seeking behaviours regarding urinary schistosomiasis among female adolescents, a key demographic, in riverine communities of Abuja, Nigeria. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 female adolescents (aged 10-19) in Gui War...

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/AimMalaria, in Nigeria, is a disease of public health concern that has caused both morbidity and mortality, with the highest prevalence in Kebbi State. Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been instrumental in controlling the burden of the disease. This study aims to assess the effect of LLINs on malaria transmission dynamics in Kebbi State, Nigeria. MethodsRoutine data for the confirmed uncomplicated malaria cases in Kebbi State, Nigeria, from January 2015 to May 2024 were us...

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...

BackgroundSchistosomiasis control relies on the continued effectiveness of praziquantel (PZQ), yet individual and spatial heterogeneity in PZQ efficacy in the context of repeated mass drug administration (MDA) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify individual and spatial determinants of PZQ efficacy against Schistosoma mansoni in rural Uganda. MethodsWe studied 3870 participants aged 5-90 years from 52 villages in Pakwach, Buliisa, and Mayuge districts in Uganda. Participants w...

IntroductionMalaria research in Zambia has largely focused on pregnant women and children under five, yet adults also play a critical role in sustaining transmission. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with malaria among adults aged [≥]18 years attending Chongwe District Hospital. MethodologyThe study used an analytical cross-sectional study design. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire capturing socio-demographic information, including age, sex, educatio...

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 ...