PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Paragonimus proliferus Metacercaria-derived antigens mitigate DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis via immunomodulation and gut microbiota reconfiguration.
Zhang L, Li L, Sun L … +8 more , Cheng D, Yang S, Wang Y, Yan X, Zhu X, Zhang H, Li C, Chunyu W
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42127147 · Full text
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel illness with few treatment options, which means that new ways to treat it are needed. This study examined the protective effects and mechanisms of Paragonimus proli...
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel illness with few treatment options, which means that new ways to treat it are needed. This study examined the protective effects and mechanisms of Paragonimus proliferus metacercaria-derived antigens (PmAg) in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse ulcerative colitis model. We discovered that intraperitoneal delivery of PmAg substantially mitigated colitis severity, as demonstrated by decreased weight loss, lower disease activity index scores, maintained colon length, and enhanced histopathological findings. Mechanistically, PmAg inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and bolstered antioxidant defenses (SOD, GSH). It also restored the integrity of the intestinal barrier by boosting the number of goblet cells and the expression of tight junction proteins (Occludin, Claudin-1), while stopping the activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that PmAg reinstated gut microbiota α-diversity, diminished pathogenic genera (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella), and enhanced beneficial taxa (e.g., Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Alistipes). Integrated fecal metabolomics research revealed that PmAg altered metabolic profiles, specifically as significantly enriched the primary bile acid biosynthesis pathway, alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism pathway and Ubiquinone and other terpenoid-quinone biosynthesis pathways. In conclusion, our results suggested that PmAg could mitigates experimental colitis in mice by anti-inflammatory, improving gut microbiota and modulating fecal metabolomics.
Phlebotomine sand fly fauna characterization and Bartonella bacilliformis DNA detection in Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) robusta at the Ecuador-Peru frontier.
Zorrilla VO, Carrazco-Montalvo A, Espada LJ … +8 more , Fárez-Noblecilla L, Lozano ME, Kosoy M, McKee C, Stoops CA, Larson RT, León R, Vásquez GM
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42127128 · Full text
Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-sucking dipterans widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas and are important vectors of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania spp. parasites and Carrion's diseas...
Phlebotomine sand flies are blood-sucking dipterans widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas and are important vectors of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania spp. parasites and Carrion's disease caused by the bacteria Bartonella bacilliformis. Both are a significant economic burden in rural areas and a major risk to military personnel deployed to endemic areas. To better understand transmission of these pathogens and epidemiological trends, sand flies were collected from nine sites across the Ecuador-Peru border region in 2015 and 2017 and screened for Leishmania using PCR targeting kinetoplast DNA, and Bartonella using PCR targeting the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, citrate synthase (gltA) gene, and NADH dehydrogenase subunit G (nuoG) gene. A total of 548 sand flies belonging to 15 species and 2,711 sand flies belonging to 11 species were collected in Ecuador and Peru, respectively. Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) robusta was generally the most abundant species found across sites sampled in Ecuador and Peru. In the Chinchipe River basin, Pi. (Pif.) robusta, Pintomyia (Pifanomyia) maranonensis, and Lutzomyia (Helcocyrtomyia) castanea were collected on both sides in Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, and Namballe, Peru. Of the 637 phlebotomine sand fly pools screened, no Leishmania positives were found; however, nine pools of Pi. (Pif.) robusta collected in Ecuador were positive for B. bacilliformis based on phylogenetic analysis of the gltA gene. One Pi. (Pif.) maranonensis from Peru and one Pi. (Pif.) robusta from Ecuador were positive for Bartonella DNA sequences that were close to Candidatus Bartonella rondoniensis based on gltA. This is the first reported detection of B. bacilliformis DNA in Pi. (Pif.) robusta, providing evidence for the role of this sand fly species in transmission of this pathogen at the Ecuador-Peru border.
Correction: Community participation and technological innovation: Baseline qualitative insights to inform a five-year cohort on drone-based dengue surveillance in Malaysia.
Dapari R, Tayebi S, Ruano AL … +7 more , Guetterman TC, Wang SM, Hamid SHA, Rahman S, Pilz J, Dom NC, Haque U
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42127025 · Full text
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013979.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013979.].
Elucidating the causal mechanisms of Taenia solium transmission in humans, pigs and the environment: A global systematic review.
Jackson E, Dermauw V, Tchamdja GE … +5 more , Jalal MS, Di Bacco K, Dorny P, Janitz A, Carabin H
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42118797 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniasis disease complex is a multifaceted neglected tropical zoonosis. Previous reviews on T. solium cysticercosis/taeniasis risk factors have been limited by geographic region a...
BACKGROUND: Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniasis disease complex is a multifaceted neglected tropical zoonosis. Previous reviews on T. solium cysticercosis/taeniasis risk factors have been limited by geographic region and/or host, making it difficult to understand the complex web of causes underlying infection at the various stages of its life cycle. Our objective was to elucidate the causal mechanisms involved in the transmission of T. solium to all hosts through a systematic review of the literature. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a systematic literature search about the epidemiology of T. solium infection published before May 2020 (OpenScience protocol https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/U64K3). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and CABAbstracts, and reference lists of systematic reviews identified in our searches for relevant studies meeting the inclusion criteria: i) describing a risk factor-outcome association related to T. solium infection, and ii) published in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese. Qualitative or quantitative epidemiologic associations were extracted and evaluated according to a modified version of the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Our review is reported according the PRISMA guidelines. We extracted 876 associations from 159 studies. Risk factors of human cysticercosis are well-studied, while taeniasis is least-studied (10% of associations). The evidence suggests that male gender is a risk factor for human cysticercosis while female sex is a risk factor for porcine cysticercosis. The direction of association did not differ according to the quality of the studies across most studied risk factors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our rigorous systematic review is the first to consider risk factors of human and porcine T. solium disease simultaneously, allowing a synthesis of information from both hosts in order to elucidate causal mechanisms for risk factors of cysticercosis. Our work also highlights areas of T. solium epidemiology which are understudied, such as the causal mechanisms of taeniasis.
Metabolomic atlas of dengue virus infection reveals distinct circulating bioactive lipid signatures.
Anshad AR, Atchaya M, Saravanan S … +6 more , Murugesan A, Fathima S, Mahasamudram ER, Kannan R, Larsson M, Shankar EM
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42118780 · Full text
Dengue virus (DENV) appears to manipulate several cellular metabolic pathways to permit its replication and immune evasion in the host. Here, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) to investigate the serum...
Dengue virus (DENV) appears to manipulate several cellular metabolic pathways to permit its replication and immune evasion in the host. Here, we employed high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) to investigate the serum metabolomic landscape of clinical DENV infection. Serum specimens from primary dengue (n = 11), secondary dengue (n = 9) samples, and healthy controls (n = 10) were used for untargeted metabolomic quantification on a Waters Xevo G2-XS QTof Mass Spectrometer. The binding potential of selected ligands against DENV NS1, NS3, and NS5 was evaluated. Crystal structures were retrieved from Protein Data Bank and prepared using the Schrodinger's protein preparation wizard. Based on findings from untargeted metabolomics, we validated certain bioactive lipid metabolites using commercial enzyme immunoassays. Serum metabolomic profiling revealed multiple distinct patterns for primary and secondary dengue versus controls. A consistent peak was observed at 2.06 mins across all samples. Certain bioactive lipid metabolites, such as, lysophospholipids, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylserines, and phosphatidylinositols, were detected alongside carnitine fragments, ceramides, diacylglycerols (DAGs), and bile acid conjugates in dengue. Molecular docking showed that DAG consistently exhibited strong binding to all the DENV proteins. Notably, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) 22:6 showed a selectively strong affinity for NS5. Enzyme validation showed that in the secondary dengue cohort, LPC was significantly elevated than primary and healthy controls (p < 0.05). Our investigations of the metabolomic landscaping, unveiled certain characteristic anabolic shift revealing metabolic vulnerabilities in clinical DENV infection, warranting investigations for use as potential biomarkers of inflammation in disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Transmission potential of Culex and Aedes species for Madariaga virus, a member of the eastern equine encephalitis virus complex.
Carvalho-Leandro D, Ferreira FC, Fernández Santos N … +7 more , Sames WJ, Tian Y, Ndeffo-Mbah ML, Costa EA, Turell MJ, Hamer GL, Magalhaes T
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42118771 · Full text
Madariaga virus (MADV), widely distributed in Latin America, can cause severe disease in humans and equids, yet key aspects of its transmission cycle remain unclear. To identify mosquitoes that could act as vectors of MA...
Madariaga virus (MADV), widely distributed in Latin America, can cause severe disease in humans and equids, yet key aspects of its transmission cycle remain unclear. To identify mosquitoes that could act as vectors of MADV, we assessed the vector competence of Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. taeniorhynchus, Culex tarsalis, Cx. coronator, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, following oral exposure to MADV isolated in Panama (all species) or Brazil (Ae. taeniorhynchus only). We also evaluated temporal infection dynamics of MADV from Panama in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. MADV RNA and infectious virus were quantified in mosquito bodies, legs, and saliva. At 14 days post-exposure, five of the six species tested had virus detected in all biological sample types, indicating their potential to become infected with and transmit MADV. Conversely, Cx. quinquefasciatus was susceptible to midgut infection and dissemination but had no positive saliva samples, suggesting limited transmission potential. Aedes taeniorhynchus showed higher infection probabilities with MADV from Brazil compared with MADV from Panama. Time-course analysis revealed distinct infection dynamics in Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, with infection increasing over time in Ae. aegypti, but peaking at 7 days post-exposure and then gradually declining in Ae. albopictus. Our findings indicate that MADV may be compatible with multiple mosquito species with broad geographic distributions, reinforce the need to investigate species- and strain-specific mosquito-virus interactions and their influence on arbovirus transmission dynamics, and support a potential role for Ae. taeniorhynchus as an amplification and bridge vector in endemic regions.
Correction: Molecular and MALDI-TOF identification of ticks and tick-associated bacteria in Mali.
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases Editors
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42118726 · Full text
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005762.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005762.].
Development of novel monoclonal antibodies for detection of pan-Lassa virus.
Paroha R, Saito T, Yamada S … +3 more , Click C, Paessler S, Maruyama J
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113890 · Full text
Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF), poses a significant public health concern in endemic regions due to its high morbidity and mortality. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective cl...
Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF), poses a significant public health concern in endemic regions due to its high morbidity and mortality. Rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical for effective clinical management and containment during LF outbreaks. However, the genetic diversity of LASV, encompassing at least seven distinct lineages, poses a major challenge for the development of broadly reactive diagnostic tools. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop detection methods that are effective across diverse lineages. To address this challenge, we generated a panel of cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the LASV nucleoprotein (NP). Several mAbs exhibited broad reactivity across LASV lineages I-VII in different immunoassays such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blotting, and immunofluorescence assay. Utilizing these broadly reactive mAbs, we developed an antigen-capture sandwich ELISA capable of detecting LASV NP from all seven lineages with high sensitivity. Our findings highlight a set of novel mAbs with broad cross-reactivity across lineage. In addition, we demonstrated their utility in a sandwich ELISA format for pan-LASV detection. This pan-LASV diagnostic approach offers a promising tool for improved LF diagnosis in both clinical and epidemiological settings.
Experimental protothecosis in a murine model.
Proskurnicka A, Duk K, Hutsch T … +5 more , Hoser G, Wrzesień R, Skirecki T, Bielecki J, Jagielski T
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113886 · Full text
Prototheca spp. are unicellular, yeast-like microalgae, and the only plant lineage known to cause opportunistic infections in vertebrates, including humans. The aim of the study was to establish a comprehensive murine mo...
Prototheca spp. are unicellular, yeast-like microalgae, and the only plant lineage known to cause opportunistic infections in vertebrates, including humans. The aim of the study was to establish a comprehensive murine model of protothecosis to systematically investigate the influence of Prototheca species, inoculum dose, infection route, and host immune status on disease development and severity. Three pathogenic (P. wickerhamii, P. bovis, P. ciferrii) and one saprophytic (P. stagnora) species were used to infect immunocompetent or athymic mice. A total of 324 animals were split into 54 groups according to inoculum size (10⁶ or 10⁷) and infection route (subcutaneous, intramammary, or intraperitoneal). Six weeks post-infection, mice were euthanized, and organs were collected for microbiological and histopathological analyses. All four Prototheca species produced infection in mice, yet the infection potential differed considerably between the species. P. ciferrii exhibited the highest infection rate (61.1%), followed by P. bovis (45.8%) and P. wickerhamii (31.9%), whereas P. stagnora was the least virulent (11.1%). Athymic mice were markedly more susceptible compared to wt mice (45.1% vs. 29.9%) and more prone to develop multifocal infections. Higher inocula (10⁷) increased infection yield, while the inoculation route influenced the infection site but not its severity. In the cytokine profile, IL-10 and TNF-α were most prominently elevated, with significantly higher levels in wt than in athymic mice. This study highlights three hallmarks of protothecal disease: a species-specific infection pattern, chronic, asymptomatic infection as the clinical manifestation, and the essential role of host immunity in determining disease trajectory and severity.
Mapping the last mile: Micro-stratification for sustained visceral leishmaniasis elimination in Bangladesh.
Maruf S, Uddin MR, Luba FR … +8 more , Sagar SK, Ghosh D, Hossain MS, Banjara MR, Kroeger A, Halleux C, Aseffa A, Mondal D
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113878 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Bangladesh became the first country to achieve World Health Organization (WHO) validation for eliminating visceral leishmaniasis (VL, Kala-azar) as a public-health problem in 2023. Sustaining this milestone d...
BACKGROUND: Bangladesh became the first country to achieve World Health Organization (WHO) validation for eliminating visceral leishmaniasis (VL, Kala-azar) as a public-health problem in 2023. Sustaining this milestone demands a post-validation surveillance strategy that concentrates its efforts on residual transmission foci and deploys resources efficiently. We therefore conducted the country's first Mouza-level micro-stratification to refine risk maps and guide targeted interventions. METHODS: The study used routinely reported VL line-list data (January 2017 - June 2025) from the national DHIS2 platform for every Upazila (sub-districts) that recorded ≥1 VL case. Each Mouza-the smallest administrative unit for land records comprising of one or more villages-was categorised as high (≥3 new VL cases), moderate (2 cases), low (1 case) or non-endemic (0 cases) over the nine-year period. Hot-spot maps were created in Python. Associations between endemicity (endemic vs non-endemic) were tested with chi-squared statistics, yielding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 17,123 Mouzas in 128 case-reporting Upazilas, only 478 (2.8%) reported ≥1 new VL case between 2017 and 2025. High-endemic Mouzas (n = 33; 0.2%) accounted for 35% of total incident cases and clustered primarily in Mymensingh, Dhaka and Rajshahi divisions. However, year-on-year mapping showed reduction in the number of endemic Mouzas with no sustained new foci. CONCLUSIONS: VL transmission in Bangladesh is now intensely focal, confined to <3% of Mouzas within historically endemic Upazilas. While broad surveillance coverage remains essential, micro-stratification at the Mouza level can guide the prioritization of targeted interventions, such as indoor residual spraying and active case detection in high-risk areas, improving program efficiency without compromising case detection. Periodic updating of Mouza-level risk maps will be essential to identify emerging hotspots, prevent resurgence, and inform strategies in other countries approaching VL elimination.
Leptospirosis-associated meningitis in an urban tropical endemic setting in northeastern Brazil: Three New cases and a meta-summary of 176 reported cases.
Gadelha Farias LAB, Neto OMV, Sobrinho EPL … +8 more , de Almeida Vale CL, Júnior GBS, de Francesco Daher E, de Alcântara GFT, Neto ASL, Coelho TMS, de Oliveira MS, Neto LVP
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113872 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease with a broad clinical spectrum. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is uncommon and under-recognized, and leptospiral-associated meningitis (LAM)...
BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a globally distributed zoonotic disease with a broad clinical spectrum. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is uncommon and under-recognized, and leptospiral-associated meningitis (LAM) is primarily described in isolated case reports and small series. No study to date has integrated institutional cases with published reports to characterize cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) profiles in LAM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis admitted to a tertiary infectious diseases center in northeastern Brazil. Cases of LAM were identified among patients with aseptic meningitis. In parallel, a narrative literature review was performed, and a meta-summary of published cases was constructed. CSF parameters from both datasets were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics and graphical (boxplot) methods. RESULTS: Among 809 patients with meningitis or encephalitis, 447 presented with aseptic meningitis. Three cases (0.67%) of LAM were identified, presenting as isolated meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Among 179 patients, including 176 identified in the medical literature, mean CSF values were: cellularity 68 cells/mm3 (range, 30-7800), lymphocytes 73% (0-100), neutrophils 18% (0-96), glucose 60 mg/dL (0-140), and protein 67-90 mg/dL (31-2590). CSF findings in the institutional cohort showed mild to moderate pleocytosis with lymphocytic predominance, normal to elevated glucose levels, and increased protein concentrations. The integrated analysis of cohort and published cases-the first combined CSF profile synthesis of LAM-demonstrated a consistent pattern of lymphocytic pleocytosis, mildly elevated cellularity, preserved glucose levels, and increased protein, with substantial inter-case variability. CONCLUSION: LAM is an uncommon but clinically relevant cause of CNS infection in endemic settings. This study provides the first integrated synthesis of CSF profiles from both institutional cases and published literature, supporting a characteristic but variable CSF pattern in leptospiral CNS disease. Clinicians should consider leptospirosis in patients with aseptic meningitis in endemic areas, particularly when epidemiological risk factors are present. Improved diagnostic capacity and prospective studies using standardized criteria are needed to better define disease burden and refine diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Furuncular myiasis by Cordylobia anthropophaga in three Italian children: First case series and implications for non-endemic regions.
Mancinelli L, Guercio M, Vrenna G … +8 more , Onori M, De Liberato C, Magliano A, Diociaiuti A, Raponi M, Perno CF, El Hachem M, Bernaschi P
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113858 · Full text
Cordylobia anthropophaga, commonly known as the tumbu fly, is a leading cause of cutaneous myiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. This condition is characterized by a papulopustular lesion that evolves in a painful boil-like nod...
Cordylobia anthropophaga, commonly known as the tumbu fly, is a leading cause of cutaneous myiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. This condition is characterized by a papulopustular lesion that evolves in a painful boil-like nodule with central ulceration. Human infestations typically occur on covered body parts, due to the fly's habit of laying eggs on damp clothing. This report describes the first cluster of three pediatric cases of furuncular myiasis caused by C. anthropophaga, diagnosed at the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (Rome, Italy) between April 2024 and April 2025. All patients had recent travel history to endemic African regions and presented with cutaneous nodules, some accompanied by systemic signs such as fever or regional lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis was confirmed through clinical evaluation and morphological identification of the extracted larvae. Treatment consisted of occlusive therapy to facilitate larval expulsion or surgical extraction of the maggots and systemic antibiotics. One patient also exhibited a family cluster, with larval extraction from a parent. Laboratory results were largely unremarkable, consistent with localized infection. These cases highlight the growing relevance of imported myiasis in non-endemic countries like Italy, due to increased international travel and potential climate-driven changes in vector distribution. Enhanced awareness among travelers and healthcare providers, together with proactive public health measures, is crucial. By documenting these cases, we hope to contribute to the understanding of emerging parasitic diseases in non-endemic regions and reinforce the need for vigilance in this time of global environmental changes.
Three Leishmania species identified in domestic dogs in Tunisia: New insights into canine leishmaniosis.
Zribi L, Maurelli MP, De Santi M … +6 more , Montella MO, Bouratbine A, Foglia Manzillo V, Rinaldi L, Aoun K, Oliva G
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113845 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Tunisia represents the perfect example of a Mediterranean Country where different Leishmania species may express their infectivity causing Visceral leishmaniasis by Leishmania (L.) infantum, Zoonotic Cutaneou...
BACKGROUND: Tunisia represents the perfect example of a Mediterranean Country where different Leishmania species may express their infectivity causing Visceral leishmaniasis by Leishmania (L.) infantum, Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis by L. major and chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis by L. tropica. The recent detection of L. major in two dogs living in Tunisia confirms how this animal may host both visceral and cutaneous Leishmania species. The present study reports the results of 4 field surveys performed in central and southern districts of Tunisia: Zaghouan (ZA); Kairouan (2 surveys, K1 and K2); Tataouine (TA), to assess the prevalence of Leishmania species in dog. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen dogs were enrolled. Blood, lymph node and skin samples were collected with theowner' consent. Thirty-two were enrolled during 2021 in ZA (n = 32), fifty-four were enrolled in KA during 2022 (K1; n = 22) and 2024 (K2, n = 32) and thirty were enrolled in TA during 2024 (n = 30). All dogs correspond to new surveys other than those investigated in a previous study. In total 218 biological samples were analyzed by qPCR (kDNA), end-point PCR (ITS-1) and nested-PCR (SSUrRNA). The purified positive PCR products were sequenced. All dogs were classified as asymptomatic or with mild clinical signs, not specifically attributable to Canine Leishmaniosis due to the presence of fleas and tick infestation. RESULTS: Thirty-eight dogs tested positive by molecular techniques (32.75%%). Leishmania infantum was the most identified species (31/116, 26.72%). Extremely high prevalence was found in K2 (23/32, 71.87%) compared with the previous study K1 (10/22, 45.45%). One dog (K1) was positive to L. tropica, the first detection of this species in Tunisia, while two dogs (ZA and K2) confirmed the presence of L. major. Interestingly, we found for the first time a dog positive to L. infantum/donovani in TA, an arid area where no VL cases have been previously recorded. CONCLUSIONS: This study pointed out the high circulation of L. infantum in north and central Tunisia and underlines as the dog can host all the 3 Leishmania species present in this country.
Identification and genetic characterization of a distinct genotype of Puumala orthohantavirus in Hebei Province, China.
Cai Y, Wei Y, Du G … +9 more , Zhang X, Wang Z, Wang Z, Han Z, Zhang Y, Xu Y, Han X, Li J, Li Q
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113832 · Full text
Orthohantavirus infections pose a significant threat to human health, while numerous orthohantaviruses have been identified, suspected viral infections remain undiagnosed in the world, which highlights the need for furth...
Orthohantavirus infections pose a significant threat to human health, while numerous orthohantaviruses have been identified, suspected viral infections remain undiagnosed in the world, which highlights the need for further identification and characterization of viruses circulating in humans and host animals. In this study, viral metagenomics was utilized to investigate orthohantaviruses present in tissue samples collected from rodents trapped at the Bashang Grassland of Hebei Province, China. A total of 145 wild rodents belonging to six species were captured in the study area, and 725 tissue samples (lung, liver, kidney, spleen, gut) were collected in 2024. A Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV), named Guyuan strain, was identified in Myodes rufocanus, with a positive rate of 0.69%. The complete genomic sequences of the L, M, and S segments were obtained and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of these genomic sequences with those of other orthohantavirus species showed that the L, M, and S segments clustered with PUUV genomic sequences, while sharing a nucleotide sequence similarity of 81.2%, 80.2%, and 84.3% with previously characterized reference viral strains Kitahiyama128L, Tobetsu_04, and Baltic/205 Cg, respectively. Amino acid homology analysis demonstrated that the sequences exhibited the highest identity to PUUV Hokkaido strain at a level of 95.4%, 94.6%, and 97.0% respectively. Viral particles were observed in lung and kidney tissues using transmission electron microscopy, and viral protein antigen was detected in viral RNA-positive lung, liver, and kidney tissues through immunofluorescence assay with antibodies against the PUUV nucleocapsid protein, thereby confirming the virus's multiorgan tropism. The results demonstrated that a distinct genotype of PUUV was circulating in rodents in the study areas, which may have implications for zoonotic transmission surveillance and public health management in Hebei Province.
Outbreak of dengue fever in Ghana: The emergence of DENV-1 serotype.
Pratt D, Larbi YA, Ofori M … +25 more , Agbodzi B, Wiley J, Mante AOA, Kumordjie S, Eshun M, Bour S, Enimil N, Acquah-Amaning JND, Ketorwoley P, Boapea MS, Nutakor DD, Salisu M, Stephens G, Boateng EA, Adjandeh T, Koomson J, Laryea D, Asiedu-Bekoe F, Kuma-Aboagye P, Avevor PM, Guracha AG, Ohene SA, Sanders T, Wiley M, Bonney JHK
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42113825 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Dengue, a mosquito-borne virus continues to be a public health concern in the tropics and subtropical parts of Africa. Due to the increase of urbanization, climate change and trans-Atlantic trade, the transmi...
BACKGROUND: Dengue, a mosquito-borne virus continues to be a public health concern in the tropics and subtropical parts of Africa. Due to the increase of urbanization, climate change and trans-Atlantic trade, the transmitting vector, Aedes aegypti, has become prevalent hence the rapid growth of the disease, globally. In Ghana, there have been sporadic laboratory-confirmed cases of dengue reported over the years through surveillance activities. However, despite the detection of these cases, Ghana had never experienced a major outbreak (unlike its neighboring countries) until July 2024. METHODS: During this outbreak, a total of 1471 suspected dengue fever specimen received from various health facilities in Ghana in NMIMR for molecular diagnostic testing using a RT-qPCR assay for dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses and selected positives sequenced using Illumina Next Generation Sequencing. RESULTS: Dengue fever virus RNA was detected from 206 samples and serotyped as DENV-1 with one DENV-3 coinfection. Thirty-nine genomes were successfully generated after sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of DENV-1 strains revealed two main clusters with AFI isolates in Ghana and isolates from other West African countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Senegal) circulating between 2017-2019. In 2023, DENV-1 was frequently isolated which could account for it being the predominant serotype transmitted in the recent outbreak. CONCLUSION: The outbreak response and the case management procedures deployed by the health authorities during this outbreak were swift and was enough to prevent a fatal difficult-to-control situation. With the absence of a widely accepted commercialized vaccine and treatment for dengue fever, there is a need to enhance surveillance activities and control the vectors which can transmit DENV in-country to curb the occurrence of outbreaks.
Diagnostic performance of the TR Chagas Bio-Manguinhos rapid test for detecting anti-Trypanosoma cruzi IgG in human samples from three Southern Cone countries.
Vasconcelos LCM, Ossowski MS, Silva ED … +9 more , Sampaio DD, Pavan TBS, Ferreira RQV, Jesus FSS, Chadi R, Fernández ML, Hernández Y, Gómez KA, Santos FLN
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42102145 · Full text
Chagas disease (CD) remains a major public health challenge in Latin America, largely due to persistent underdiagnosis, particularly in endemic and resource-limited settings. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer a pragmat...
Chagas disease (CD) remains a major public health challenge in Latin America, largely due to persistent underdiagnosis, particularly in endemic and resource-limited settings. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer a pragmatic approach to expand serological screening; however, their performance varies across epidemiological contexts and parasite genetic backgrounds. The TR Chagas Bio-Manguinhos test, based on recombinant chimeric antigens, has shown high sensitivity in previous evaluations, but data from Southern Cone remain limited. We conducted a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study using 311 anonymized human plasma samples obtained in Argentina, including 233 Trypanosoma cruzi-positive and 78 negative samples classified by a composite reference standard based on at least two independent serological assays. Diagnostic performance of the TR Chagas Bio-Manguinhos rapid test was assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratio, and agreement. Sensitivity was further stratified by country of origin (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay) and by cardiac involvement according to the Kuschnir classification. The TR Chagas Bio-Manguinhos test demonstrated high overall performance, with a sensitivity of 97.0% (95% CI: 93.9-98.5%), specificity of 94.9% (95% CI: 87.5-98.0%), and accuracy of 96.5% (95% CI: 93.8-98.0%). Agreement with the reference standard was almost perfect (κ = 0.91). Sensitivity remained consistently high across geographical origins and Kuschnir cardiac stages, with no statistically significant differences between subgroups. The negative likelihood ratio (0.03) indicated strong ability to rule out infection. These findings provide the first independent evidence supporting the high performance of the TR Chagas Bio-Manguinhos test in people from Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. The combination of very high sensitivity and robust specificity supports its use as a frontline serological screening tool for chronic T. cruzi infection in the Southern Cone, provided that reactive results are subsequently confirmed by laboratory- based assays in accordance with international guidelines.
Hiding in plain sight: A call to prevent cutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in the United States.
Ramírez JD, Gunter SM, Coffee M … +2 more , Beatty N, Wetzel DM
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42102101 · Full text
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), once considered a travel-associated tropical disease, is increasingly transmitted within the United States, particularly in southern regions. Despite mounting evidence of local transmission,...
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), once considered a travel-associated tropical disease, is increasingly transmitted within the United States, particularly in southern regions. Despite mounting evidence of local transmission, public health recognition and preventive infrastructure remain limited. This Viewpoint highlights the urgent need to shift the U.S. CL response from questioning endemicity to preventing transmission. We review ecological, clinical, and surveillance data demonstrating the presence of competent vectors, animal reservoirs, and autochthonous human cases. Diagnostic delays, underreporting, and insufficient provider training contribute to missed prevention opportunities. Climate change and peri-urban rodent-human contact data further heighten future risk. A coordinated response is essential, including national notifiability, expanded diagnostics, integrated vector and reservoir surveillance, clinical education, and One Health-focused research. Without immediate action, CL risks becoming an entrenched, neglected zoonosis in the United States.
Artificial intelligence algorithm for real-time detection and counting of Trypanosoma cruzi parasites using smartphone microscopy.
Lin L, Solano AV, Gonzales F … +12 more , Torrico MC, Illanes D, Díez N, Bermejo-Peláez D, Dacal E, Vallés-López R, Pastor L, Mancebo-Martín R, Ledesma-Carbayo MJ, Luengo-Oroz M, Rubio JM, Flores-Chavez M
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42096492 · Full text
Chagas disease affects 6-7 million people worldwide and causes approximately 12,000 deaths annually. Diagnostic methods vary by disease stage, with serological tests commonly used in the chronic phase, while microscopy a...
Chagas disease affects 6-7 million people worldwide and causes approximately 12,000 deaths annually. Diagnostic methods vary by disease stage, with serological tests commonly used in the chronic phase, while microscopy and molecular techniques like PCR and LAMP are employed in the acute phase. While microscopy remains the most accessible tool in resource constrained settings, its effectiveness depends on skilled personnel, creating diagnostic bottlenecks. To overcome these limitations, we developed a portable, smartphone-integrated AI system for real-time Trypanosoma cruzi detection in microscopy images. The platform combines a 3D-printed microscope adapter which aligns the smartphone camera with the microscope ocular to digitize images, with telemedicine-enabled annotation workflows, and lightweight AI models (SSD-MobileNetV2, YOLOv8) deployed on smartphone for real-time analysis. Trained on a diverse dataset of human samples (478 images from 20 samples), including thick/thin blood smears and cerebrospinal fluid) and murine thin smears (570 images from 33 samples), the SSD-MobileNetV2 model achieved 86% precision, 87% recall, and 86.5% F1-score on human samples, demonstrating robust performance across variable imaging conditions. We additionally piloted a real-world experiment with the proposed system. Three thin blood smears were scanned by a user operating the smartphone-based system, with predictions generated in real time. Model outputs were benchmarked against expert annotations as the ground truth. At the object level, the algorithm achieved a precision of 67.1%, a recall of 96.4%, and an F1-score of 79.1%, showing high sensitivity under operational conditions with a configuration possibly suitable for screening. This system could enable rapid, accurate parasite detection in field settings without advanced infrastructure, addressing critical gaps in early diagnosis and monitoring. Its modular design allows adaptation to other pathogens and cellular structures, offering a scalable solution for neglected tropical disease diagnostics. By bridging AI innovation with microscopy, this approach holds promise for advancing equitable healthcare delivery in endemic regions and aligning with global health priorities.
Mass drug administration for soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis in selected districts of Rwanda: Coverage, implementation factors, and household water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions.
Hakizimana D, Nshimiyimana L, Uwizeyimana J … +9 more , Mbonigaba JB, Mbituyumuremyi A, Hitiyaremye N, Tuyishime A, Ower A, Palacio K, Huston T, Sempele I, Ruberanziza E
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42096474 · Full text
BACKGROUND: In Rwanda, about 1 in 3 people are affected by soil-transmitted helminthiases (38.7%) and 1 in 4 by schistosomiasis in high-risk areas (27.2% by point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen), both associated wi...
BACKGROUND: In Rwanda, about 1 in 3 people are affected by soil-transmitted helminthiases (38.7%) and 1 in 4 by schistosomiasis in high-risk areas (27.2% by point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen), both associated with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Mass drug administration (MDA) is the primary control strategy, but reported coverage may not reflect true reach. This study assessed MDA coverage of albendazole/mebendazole and praziquantel in selected districts, identified reasons for non-reach, examined factors associated with uptake, and described household WASH conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional, community-based survey was conducted in five purposively selected districts using a stratified cluster design. Survey-weighted estimates summarized treatment reach (offered the drug), uptake (swallowed the drug), and household WASH conditions. Survey-weighted logistic regression was used to identify individual and implementation factors associated with uptake. RESULTS: Albendazole/mebendazole uptake was 91.9% (95% CI: 84.3-96.0), closely matching reported coverage of 96%. The main reasons for non-reach were drug stockouts (23.7%), absence during MDA (15.8%), and unwillingness to take the drug (15.2%). Praziquantel uptake was 88.0% (95% CI: 78.7-93.6), consistent with reported coverage of 80%. For praziquantel, unwillingness to take tablets (29.6%) and absence during MDA (14.4%) were the most common reasons for non-reach. Receiving sufficient information about MDA to make an informed decision was associated with higher odds of uptake for both ALB/MBZ (adjusted odds ratios [aOR]: 5.17, 95% CI: 2.01-13.27) and PZQ (aOR: 3.58, 95% CI: 1.33-9.64). For ALB/MBZ, finding MDA participation easy (aOR: 11.41, 95% CI: 2.59-50.16), feeling comfortable with the MDA distributor (aOR: 10.05, 95% CI: 2.43-41.47), and feeling comfortable with the MDA location (aOR: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.25-8.39) were each independently associated with higher uptake. For PZQ, males had significantly higher odds of uptake compared to females (aOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.15-6.07). Among households, 65.6% used improved drinking water sources, 91.4% obtained water from public places, 50.7% treated their water, 84.4% had improved toilets, 51.6% had visibly clean toilets, and 62% lacked a handwashing station. CONCLUSION: MDA coverage in Rwanda exceeded WHO targets and closely matched reported estimates, reflecting strong implementation. Addressing remaining gaps in drug supply, MDA communication, and WASH infrastructure will be important to sustain and strengthen control of soil-transmitted helminthiases and schistosomiasis.
Mycetoma as a major cause of limb amputation in Northeastern Ethiopia: A facility-based retrospective study.
Enbiale W, Nyaoke B, Bekele A … +2 more , Mohammed KA, Bedane D
PLoS Negl Trop Dis · 2026 May · PMID 42090427 · Full text
Background Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive infection that can result in severe disability and limb loss. In Ethiopia, diagnostic capacity and access to effective treatment remain limited, and the burden...
Background Mycetoma is a chronic, progressively destructive infection that can result in severe disability and limb loss. In Ethiopia, diagnostic capacity and access to effective treatment remain limited, and the burden of mycetoma is poorly characterized. Recent clinical observations from the Afar Region suggest a high frequency of advanced disease and amputation, yet systematic evidence on the burden is lacking. This study aimed to describe the clinical burden of mycetoma, diagnostic and treatment practices, care-seeking patterns, and the extent of limb amputation at Dubti General Hospital in Afar region, northeastern Ethiopia. We conducted a facility-based retrospective review of all patients with a clinical diagnosis of mycetoma managed at Dubti General Hospital between September 2020 and August 2025. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnostic investigations, treatment modalities, disability status, and surgical outcomes were summarized descriptively. Factors associated with delayed presentation (>12 months from symptom onset) were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. A total of 143 patients were identified, with a mean age of 30.9 years (SD ± 11.7); 79% were male, 85.3% resided in rural areas, and 46% were pastoralists. All cases involved the lower limb and presented with localized swelling. Pain (90.9%), warmth (54.5%), sinus formation (42.7%), and discharge (40.6%) were common. Diagnosis relied primarily on clinical assessment alone (58.7%), with limited use of imaging and biopsy. The mean duration of illness before first presentation was 33.8 months (SD ± 29), and 89.5% of patients presented after more than 12 months of symptoms. Compared with farmers, merchants had lower odds of delayed presentation (AOR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.27-0.59). Nineteen patients (13.3%) underwent limb amputation, accounting for 23.5% of all orthopaedic amputations performed at the hospital during the study period. Disability at presentation was frequent, with 14.0% of patients experiencing severe motor impairment. Mycetoma in Afar predominantly affects young rural men and presents almost exclusively with advanced lower-limb disease. Profound diagnostic limitations, delayed care-seeking, and restricted surgical options contribute to poor outcomes. Integrating mycetoma into national neglected tropical disease strategies, strengthening early detection and diagnostic services, ensuring consistent access to essential medications, and expanding limb-sparing surgical capacity are critical to reducing preventable disability and aligning Ethiopia's response with global NTD control targets.
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