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Editorial

An Interfaith Dialogue on the Neglected Tropical Diseases

Today, the adherents of Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Hinduism comprise roughly 47% of the world’s population yet they account for up to 80% of the world’s cases of intestinal helminth infections and 85% of the world’s registered leprosy cases, in addition to almost two-thirds of the global cases of schistosomiasis and one-quarter of the trachoma cases. The gap in global coverage for MDA and MDT to target the NTDs that disproportionately affect the world’s Muslims, Catholics, and Hindus affords an opportunity to establish a unique interfaith dialogue among religious leaders. Drs. Hotez and Aksoy explore the possibilities for interfaith dialogue and collaboration to address the challenge presented by the NTDs that trap such populations and faiths in a vicious cycle of poverty and despair.

 

Photo Quiz

Generalized Serpiginous Eruption During Immunosuppressive Treatment for Leprosy Reactive Neuritis

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A 49 year-old male farmer with previous diagnosis and treatment of borderline lepromatous leprosy presented with a pruritic cutaneous eruption. What is the diagnosis? Dr. Wambier and colleagues discuss the case in this new Photo Quiz.

 

Review

The Emerging Story of Disability Associated with Lymphatic Filariasis: A Critical Review

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Globally, 40 million people live with the chronic effects of lymphatic filariasis (LF), making it the second leading cause of disability in the world. Despite this, there is limited research into the experiences of people living with the disease. In this review, Dr. Zeldenryk and colleagues summarize the research into the experiences of people living with LF disability. The authors highlight widespread social stigma and oppressive psychological issues facing most people living with LF-related disability and the resulting need for interventions that focus on addressing these biopsychosocial issues.

 

Featured Research

In Vitro and In Vivo Efficacy of Monepantel (AAD 1566) against Laboratory Models of Human Intestinal Nematode Infections

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) affect more than one billion people among the most vulnerable populations in developing countries. Currently, control of these infections primarily relies on chemotherapy. Only five drugs are available, all of which have been in use for decades. Therefore, there is great interest to develop novel drugs against infections with STH. Monepantel, which belongs to a new class of veterinary anthelmintics, the amino-acetonitrile derivatives, might be a potential drug candidate in humans. Dr. Keiser and colleagues describe the in vitro and in vivo effect of monepantel, on Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Necator americanus, Trichuris muris, Strongyloides ratti, and Ascaris suum, five parasite rodent models of relevance to human STH.

 

Individuals with Le(a+b–) blood group have increased susceptibility to symptomatic Vibrio cholerae O1 infection

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Cholera remains a severe diarrheal disease, capable of causing extensive outbreaks and high mortality. Blood group is one of the genetic factors determining predisposition to disease, including infectious diseases. In this study, Dr. Qadri and colleagues have determined the relationship of the Lewis blood group antigen phenotypes with the risk of symptomatic cholera as well as the severity of disease and immune responses following infection.

 

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