A Novel Filarial-Multiplexed Probe-Quantitative PCR for the Advance in the Diagnosis of Multiple Infections With Human Filariasis.

The routine diagnostic method used for clinical samples suspected of filarial infection in our laboratory is the Filaria-real time-PCR (F-RT-PCR). The drawback of this method is the need for melting temperature analysis and PCR products' electrophoresis to identify the filarial species. Therefore, the aim of this study was to design a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay using filarial-specific hydrolysis probes, targeting 18S rRNA and ITS1 genes, allowing the simultaneous diagnosis of loiasis, mansonellosis and other human filariasis without the need of electrophoresis or melting temperature analysis.

Mutational profile of pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, pfcrt and pfk13 genes of P. falciparum associated with resistance to different antimalarial drugs in Osun state, southwestern Nigeria.

Background: Nigeria accounts for the greatest burden of malaria disease globally. Malaria control requires an effective treatment after diagnosis. The efficacy of antimalarial drugs can be assessed through the analysis of genetic changes associated with reduced drug sensitivity.

The spread of molecular markers of artemisinin partial resistance and diagnostic evasion in Eritrea: a retrospective molecular epidemiology study.

Background: Eritrea was the first African country to discontinue the use of histidine rich protein 2 (HRP2)-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria diagnosis following reports of a high prevalence of pfhrp2/3-deleted Plasmodium falciparum parasites causing false-negative results in the country. Eritrea was also the first African country to report partial artemisinin resistance due to the P falciparum kelch13 (pfk13) Arg622Ile mutation. We aimed to characterise the spatial distribution of pfk13 mutants and their interactions with pfhrp2/3 deletions in Eritrea and to assess the role of the use of HRP2-detecting RDTs and antimalarial (artesunate-amodiaquine) therapy in the spread of the two variants.

Evolution of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions in Equatorial Guinea between the pre- and post-RDT introduction.

Background: Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions are threatening Plasmodium falciparum malaria diagnosis by rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) due to false negatives. This study assesses the changes in the frequencies of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 deletions (pfhrp2 and pfhrp3, respectively) and the genes in their flaking regions, before and after RDT introduction in Equatorial Guinea.

Methods: A total of 566 P.

Seasonal malaria chemoprevention in a context of high presumed sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine resistance: malaria morbidity and molecular drug resistance profiles in South Sudan.

Background: Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) using sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine plus amodiaquine (SP-AQ), is a community-based malaria preventive strategy commonly used in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. However, to date it has not been implemented in East Africa due to high SP resistance levels. This paper is a report on the implementation of SMC outside of the Sahel in an environment with a high level of presumed SP-resistance: five cycles of SMC using SPAQ were administered to children 3-59 months during a period of high malaria transmission (July-December 2019) in 21 villages in South Sudan.

Using photovoice to generate policy recommendations to improve the alcohol urban environment: A participatory action research project.

The place where we live, work and play may influence our alcohol drinking behaviours. This study aimed to present local policy recommendations on urban determinants for alcohol consumption prevention in a low-income and a high-income area of Madrid (Spain) using a participatory action research method, with photovoice and nominal group techniques. Participants (n = 26) engaged in a photovoice project initiated a process of critical reflection by discussing and analysing their alcohol environment based on photographs they took themselves.

Screening for K13-Propeller Mutations Associated with Artemisinin Resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Yambio County (Western Equatoria State, South Sudan).

Artemisinin-combined treatments are the recommended first-line treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but they are being threatened by emerging artemisinin resistance. Mutations in pfk13 are the principal molecular marker for artemisinin resistance. This study characterizes the presence of mutations in pfk13 in P.

Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 Gene Deletions in Malaria-Hyperendemic Region, South Sudan.

Pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions threaten the use of Plasmodium falciparum malaria rapid diagnostic tests globally. In South Sudan, deletion frequencies were 15.6% for pfhrp2, 20.

Deletion patterns, genetic variability and protein structure of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3: implications for malaria rapid diagnostic test in Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Background: Although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) play a key role in malaria-control strategies, their efficacy has been threatened by deletion and genetic variability of the genes pfhrp2/3. This study aims to characterize the deletion, genetic patterns and diversity of these genes and their implication for malaria RDT effectiveness, as well as their genetic evolution in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Methods: The study included 354 isolates from symptomatic patients from the Amhara region of Ethiopia who tested positive by microscopy.

Temporal evolution of the resistance genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in isolates from Equatorial Guinea during 20 years (1999 to 2019).

Background: Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, particularly in Africa. As such, resistance to anti-malarial drugs is one of the most important problems in terms of global malaria control. This study assesses the evolution of the different resistance markers over time and the possible influence of interventions and treatment changes that have been made in Equatorial Guinea.

Accessibility and availability of alcohol outlets around schools: An ecological study in the city of Madrid, Spain, according to socioeconomic area-level.

Neighborhood accessibility and availability of alcohol products has been associated with increased alcohol consumption and harms among adolescents. This availability has been shown to be higher in neighborhoods with lower socio-economic status (SES). The aim of this study was to examine inequalities in alcohol outlet density and proximity around schools by area-level SES in Madrid, Spain.

Changes in perceptions of the alcohol environment among participants in a Photovoice project conducted in two districts with different socio-economic status.

Perceptions of the alcohol environment may influence alcohol consumption patterns. The purpose of this study was to describe changes in perceptions of the urban alcohol environment as experienced by residents of two districts with different socio-economic status after taking part in a Photovoice study. The study was conducted in Madrid, Spain, in a district with a high socio-economic status (HSES) and another district with a low socio-economic status (LSES).

Impact of Plasmodium falciparum pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions on malaria control worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Deletion of pfhrp2 and/or pfhrp3 genes cause false negatives in malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and threating malaria control strategies. This systematic review aims to assess the main methodological aspects in the study of pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 gene deletions and its global epidemiological status, with special focus on their distribution in Africa; and its possible impact in RDT.

Methods: The systematic review was conducted by examining the principal issues of study design and methodological workflow of studies addressing pfhrp2 deletion.

How patients with COVID-19 managed the disease at home during the first wave in Spain: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Most patients with mild COVID-19 had to stay at home trying to implement an optimal quarantine. The aim of this study was to describe the COVID-19 cases during the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, how they managed the disease at home, focusing on differences by age, as well as differences in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices, compared with the uninfected population.

Design: An online survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of individuals who were 14 years or older living in Spain during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Residents perceptions of the alcohol environment: A participatory photovoice project in two districts with different socio-economic status in a large city.

The purpose of this study was to present the alcohol environment as perceived by its residents in two districts of Madrid using the Photovoice participatory methodology. Secondly, we compared the results according to the socio-economic status of the districts. The study was conducted in the city of Madrid, Spain, in two districts with different socio-economic status.

Availability, Promotion, and Signs of Alcohol Consumption: A Mixed Methods Study of Perceived Exposure and Objective Measures.

This study describes the alcohol environment comparing residents' perceptions and objective measures in two different income-level districts. Measures were gathered between 2017 and 2018 in two districts with different income levels in Madrid, Spain. We obtained perceived measures using Photovoice.