Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Home treatments alone or mixed with modern treatments for malaria in Finkolo AC, South Mali: reported use, outcomes and changes over 10 years
Conclusions Two trends that emerged are that there is a greater use of modern health facilities for treatment of severe malaria, and a greater use of traditional medicine alone for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Graz, B., Willcox, M., Berthe, D., Ardiet, D.-L., Falquet, J., Diallo, D., Giani, S. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Rwanda
Conclusions Despite their high workplace exposure risk, HBV and HCV sero-prevalence rates among HCWs were low. The low HBV vaccination coverage and poor knowledge of preventative measures among HCWs suggest low levels of viral hepatitis awareness despite this high exposure. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Kateera, F., Walker, T. D., Mutesa, L., Mutabazi, V., Musabeyesu, E., Mukabatsinda, C., Bihizimana, P., Kyamanywa, P., Karenzi, B., Orikiiriza, J. T. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Molecular characterization of chikungunya virus circulating in urban and rural areas of West Bengal, India after its re-emergence in 2006
Conclusions Two sub-lineages of East-central-southern African (ECSA) genotype of CHIKV strains were circulating simultaneously in this state during the study period; one type was circulating in rural areas of the state from 2006 whereas another type was isolated from the metropolitan city of Kolkata in 2011 and 2012. The mutational pattern of those CHIKV strains suggests that the transmission of the viruses might be facilitated by different species of Aedes mosquitoes. Our results represent an important first step towards understanding the circulating strains of CHIKV in the state of West Bengal with the geographical varia...
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Taraphdar, D., Chatterjee, S. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

An epidemiological study of urban and rural children in Pakistan: examining the relationship between delayed psychomotor development, low birth weight and postnatal growth failure
Conclusions The relationship between low birth weight and psychomotor development appears to be mediated largely by postnatal growth and nutritional status. This association suggests that among undernourished children there is significant likelihood of a group that is developmentally delayed. It is important to emphasize developmental needs in programmes that target underprivileged children. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Avan, B. I., Raza, S. A., Kirkwood, B. R. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Evolution from double to triple-antimalarial drug combinations
Drug combinations are used to treat multiple-drug resistant malaria parasites and to attempt to further delay the evolution of drug resistance. Most current antimalarial combinations are binary but it is likely that new triple drug combinations will be required in the future. A review of previous triple combinations of antimalarial drugs was done to focus attention on past problems and possible future combinations. The advantages of such triple drug combinations include greater efficacy against multiple-drug resistant strains, synergistic action between the different medications and simplification of the regimen so that it...
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Shanks, G. D., Edstein, M. D., Jacobus, D. Tags: REVIEWS Source Type: research

Aerosol immunisation for TB: matching route of vaccination to route of infection
TB remains a very significant global health burden. There is an urgent need for better tools for TB control, which include an effective vaccine. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), the currently licensed vaccine, confers highly variable protection against pulmonary TB, the main source of TB transmission. Replacing BCG completely or boosting BCG with another vaccine are the two current strategies for TB vaccine development. Delivering a vaccine by aerosol represents a way to match the route of vaccination to the route of infection. This route of immunisation offers not only the scientific advantage of delivering th...
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Manjaly Thomas, Z.-R., McShane, H. Tags: REVIEWS Source Type: research

Are we nearly there yet? Coverage and compliance of mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis elimination
Lymphatic filariasis has been targeted for elimination by 2020, and a threshold of 65% coverage of mass drug administration (MDA) has been adopted by the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). A recent review by Babu and Babu of 36 studies of MDA for lymphatic filariasis in India found that coverage, defined as receipt of tablets, ranged from 48.8 to 98.8%, while compliance, defined as actual ingestion of tablets, was 22% lower on average. Moreover, the denominator for these coverage figures is the eligible, rather than total, population. By contrast, the 65% threshold, in the original modelling study,...
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Alexander, N. D. E. Tags: COMMENTARIES Source Type: research

Climate change, urbanization and disease: summer in the city...
Climate change and urbanization can alter the burden of human diseases. The tropics, a region that includes the poorest populations and highest disease burdens, are expected to get slightly hotter and substantially more urban. Studies have projected changing burdens under different climate or urbanization scenarios, but it remains unclear what will happen if both happen at once. Interactions could amplify disease burdens, improve health overall, or shift burdens around. Social planners need better data on contemporary seasonal disease incidence patterns across the spectrum of climate, urbanicity and socio-economic status. ...
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Reiner, R. C., Smith, D. L., Gething, P. W. Tags: COMMENTARIES Source Type: research

Mycetoma: an old and still neglected tropical disease
(Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - February 8, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Hay, R. J., Fahal, A. H. Tags: EDITORIAL Source Type: research

Development of a community-based intervention for the control of Chagas disease based on peridomestic animal management: an eco-bio-social perspective
Conclusion Vector control measures without reservoir control are insufficient to reduce transmission risk in areas with persistent triatomine infestation. This integrated vector management program can complement house improvement initiatives by prioritizing households with risk factors such as tiled roofs. Requirement for active participation and multi-sectorial coordination poses implementation challenges. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: De Urioste-Stone, S. M., Pennington, P. M., Pellecer, E., Aguilar, T. M., Samayoa, G., Perdomo, H. D., Enriquez, H., Juarez, J. G. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Experimental control of Triatoma infestans in poor rural villages of Bolivia through community participation
Conclusions Even if cleaning activities were still neglected, community participation proved to be effective in reducing house infestation. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Lardeux, F., Depickere, S., Aliaga, C., Chavez, T., Zambrana, L. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

An innovative ecohealth intervention for Chagas disease vector control in Yucatan, Mexico
Conclusions This ecohealth approach may represent a valuable alternative to vertically-organized insecticide spraying. Further evaluation may confirm that it is sustainable and provides effective control (in the sense of limiting infestation of human dwellings and vector/human contacts) of intrusive triatomines in the region. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Waleckx, E., Camara-Mejia, J., Ramirez-Sierra, M. J., Cruz-Chan, V., Rosado-Vallado, M., Vazquez-Narvaez, S., Najera-Vazquez, R., Gourbiere, S., Dumonteil, E. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Improved dengue fever prevention through innovative intervention methods in the city of Salto, Uruguay
Conclusions The response from the community and national programme managers was encouraging. The intervention evidenced opportunities for cost savings and reducing dengue vector densities (although not to statistically significant levels). The observed low vector density limits the potential reduction due to the intervention. A larger sample size is needed to obtain a statistically significant difference. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Basso, C., Garcia da Rosa, E., Romero, S., Gonzalez, C., Lairihoy, R., Roche, I., Caffera, R. M., da Rosa, R., Calfani, M., Alfonso-Sierra, E., Petzold, M., Kroeger, A., Sommerfeld, J. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Integrating participatory community mobilization processes to improve dengue prevention: an eco-bio-social scaling up of local success in Machala, Ecuador
Conclusions In the rapidly evolving political climate for dengue control in Ecuador, integration of successful social mobilization and empowerment strategies with existing and emerging biolarvicide-based government dengue prevention and control programs is promising in reducing PPI and dengue transmission risk in southern coastal communities like Machala. However, more profound analysis of social determination of health is called for to assess sustainability prospects. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Mitchell-Foster, K., Ayala, E. B., Breilh, J., Spiegel, J., Wilches, A. A., Leon, T. O., Delgado, J. A. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research

Effectiveness and feasibility of long-lasting insecticide-treated curtains and water container covers for dengue vector control in Colombia: a cluster randomised trial
Conclusions Short term impact evaluation indicates that the intervention package can reduce dengue vector density but sustained effect will depend on multiple factors. (Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)
Source: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - January 20, 2015 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Quintero, J., Garcia-Betancourt, T., Cortes, S., Garcia, D., Alcala, L., Gonzalez-Uribe, C., Brochero, H., Carrasquilla, G. Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research