Schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis and Chagas disease: the leading imported neglected tropical diseases in Italy

Abstract Background In recent years, an increasing number of individuals affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been observed in Italy, due to migration, international travels and climate changes. Reliable data on the current NTD epidemiology in Italy and the health system preparedness on this issue are not available. Methods We report the results of a survey on selected NTDs (schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, echinococcosis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, cysticercosis, filariasis and scabies) in nine Italian sentinel centres, in order to investigate their occurrence throughout the country and identify which ones are a priority for public health interventions, development of protocols for case management, and training activities. To explore the preparedness of the centres, we investigate the availability of specific diagnostic tools and drugs, needed for the management of the most common NTDs. We also reviewed and summarized the available national policies, recommendations and guidelines on NTDs in Italy. Results Overall, 4123 NTDs cases were diagnosed in nine Italian centres within a 7-year period (2011–2017). Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis were the most common NTDs, accounting for about one-third each of all the diagnosed cases, followed by Chagas disease. The number of cases showed a significant trend to increase over time, mainly due to foreign-born subjects. Serology for Schistosoma spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis was available in seven and five centres, respectively. Agar plate stool culture for S. stercoralis was available in three sites. Ivermectin and praziquantel were always available in six centres. Six national policies, recommendations and guidelines documents were available, but for the most part, they are not fully implemented yet. Conclusions This survey showed how some NTDs, such as schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis, are becoming more common in Italy, due to multiple components. A list of seven key actions was proposed, in order to improve diagnosis, management and control of NTDs in Italy.

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Chagas Disease and Primary Health Care in Brazil

Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences ◽

10.37871/jbres1261 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 463-465

Author(s):

Ferreira RA ◽

Diotaiuti LG

Keyword(s):

Chagas Disease ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Control Measures ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Important Public Health ◽

Primary Health ◽

The World ◽

And Control

Chagas disease is an important public health problem in various countries in Latin America [1] both due to the high number of people affected and the failure of endemic countries to adopt preventive and control measures, such that, today, it is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in the world, affecting about 6 to 7 million people [1].

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LAMP in Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Focus on Parasites

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11030521 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 521

Author(s):

Juan García-Bernalt Diego ◽

Pedro Fernández-Soto ◽

Antonio Muro

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Treatment Success ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

Molecular Diagnostic ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

World Population ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Early 21St Century

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), particularly those caused by parasites, remain a major Public Health problem in tropical and subtropical regions, with 10% of the world population being infected. Their management and control have been traditionally hampered, among other factors, by the difficulty to deploy rapid, specific, and affordable diagnostic tools in low resource settings. This is especially true for complex PCR-based methods. Isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques, particularly loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), appeared in the early 21st century as an alternative to PCR, allowing for a much more affordable molecular diagnostic. Here, we present the status of LAMP assays development in parasite-caused NTDs. We address the progress made in different research applications of the technique: xenomonitoring, epidemiological studies, work in animal models and clinical application both for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment success. Finally, we try to shed a light on the improvements needed to achieve a true point-of-care test and the future perspectives in this field.

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Commentary by Spear, R. on “Integration of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for the Prevention and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Rationale for Inter-Sectoral Collaboration:” Can the Control of NTDs Profit from a Good WASH?

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0002473 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e2473 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Robert C. Spear

Keyword(s):

Prevention And Control ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Sanitation And Hygiene ◽

And Control

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Modeling Transmission Dynamics and Control of Vector-Borne Neglected Tropical Diseases

PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

10.1371/journal.pntd.0000761 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. e761 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Paula M. Luz ◽

Claudio J. Struchiner ◽

Alison P. Galvani

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Transmission Dynamics ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Dynamics And Control ◽

Vector Borne ◽

And Control

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Neglected tropical diseases: operational research for elimination and control [Editorial]

Public Health Action ◽

10.5588/pha.12.0054 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 45-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Johan van Griensven

Keyword(s):

Operational Research ◽

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

And Control

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Neglected tropical diseases and disability—what is the link?

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/trz001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 113 (12) ◽

pp. 839-844 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hannah Kuper

Keyword(s):

Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Assistive Devices ◽

Tropical Diseases ◽

Physical Impairments ◽

Disability Awareness ◽

And Control ◽

Global Population

AbstractNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of infectious conditions that vary in their epidemiology, impact and control. They are among the most common conditions globally, affecting approximately one billion people. Many NTDs have long-term consequences, such as visual and physical impairments. As a result, people with NTDs may have difficulties in carrying out activities or participating in society—in other words, NTDs can cause disabilities. Additionally, NTDs are often strongly linked to stigma and can have mental health consequences. It is therefore important to incorporate rehabilitation within NTD programmes. Rehabilitation can be conceptualized narrowly in terms of the provision of clinical services (e.g. physiotherapy and assistive devices) or, more broadly, including efforts to improve employment, overcome stigma and enhance social participation of people with disabilities. Approximately 15% of the global population has a disability, and this large group must be considered when designing NTD programmes. Improving the inclusion of people with disabilities may require adaptations to NTD programmes, such as making them physically accessible or training staff about disability awareness. Without incorporating disability within NTD programmes, the quality of life of people with NTDs will suffer and global targets for elimination and management of NTDs will not be met.

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