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Human paragonimiasis is a foodborne disease caused by trematode worms of the genus Paragonimus (1). Several species that have different geographic distributions have been associated with human infection (2). Paragonimiasis [...]

Objective: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is considered the major cause of epilepsy in endemic regions. In the rural areas of the Bolivian Chaco prevalence of NCC among people with epilepsy (PWE) was 27.4%, according to a population‐based survey carried out in 1994. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of Epilepsy Associated with Tonic–Clonic Seizures (EATCS) and to evaluate the prevalence of NCC among PWE in the rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco after 30 years. Methods: Twenty‐two rural communities (total population 12 852) were involved in the study. PWE in the study area were ascertained by multiple sources and the diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist. All PWE identified were invited to undergo brain CT scan examination and diagnosis of NCC was sought according to the revised Del Brutto criteria. Results: Seventy‐eight PWE (30 men, 38.4%; mean age at onset was 12.7 ± 13.2 years) with EATCS were identified giving a crude prevalence of 6.1/1000 (95% CI: 4.7–7.3). Due to the COVID‐19 lockdown, the study was interrupted in 2020 and only 36 PWE (46%) of the whole sample underwent CT scan examination. Of these, 8 (22.2%) fulfilled the criteria for NCC of whom 6 (75%) presented only single or multiple calcifications. Significance: This is the first study reassessing the prevalence of NCC among PWE after 30 years, in the same rural area and using a population‐based design. T. solium is still endemic in the Bolivian Chaco where more than 20% of EATCS may be attributable to NCC. Our findings show a substantially unchanged prevalence of NCC over the past 30 years despite improved knowledge, underlining the need for active intervention programs to control T. solium transmission in this area. Plain Language Summary: Neurocysticercosis is still endemic in the Bolivian Chaco. The proportion of epilepsy attributable to neurocysticercosis is about 22%. Systematic efforts towards elimination of neurocysticercosis in these areas should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense has not been reported in Italy. We report 2 cases diagnosed in the summer of 2004. Theses cases suggest an increased risk for [...]

The article discusses the prevalence of the strongyloidiasis, an infection with a soil-transmitted helminth. It highlights the development and the efficacy of both clinical medicine and the public health programs in the management of the disease. It also notes that the parasitic worm can cause a life-threatening hyperinfection syndrome in immunocompromised individuals.

The article presents the author views on Strongyloidiasis which is an underestimated public health problem. It presents a review published by Professor William Sydney Thayer "On the Occurrence of Strongyloides intestinalis in the United States," that emphasis on several points including association of Diarrhoea, parasite is more frequent than hitherto and more systematic examinations is required.

It is well documented that Chagas disease (CD) can pose a public health problem to countries. As one of the World Health Organization Neglected Tropical Diseases undoubtedly calls for comprehensive healthcare, transcending a restricted biomedical approach. After more than a century since their discovery, in 1909, people affected by CD are still frequently marginalised and/or neglected. The aim of this article is to tell the story of their activism, highlighting key historical experiences and successful initiatives, from 1909 to 2019. The first association was created in 1987, in the city of Recife, Brazil. So far, thirty associations have been reported on five continents. They were created as independent non-profit civil society organisations and run democratically by affected people. Among the common associations' objectives, we notably find: increase the visibility of the affected; make their voice heard; build bridges between patients, health system professionals, public health officials, policy makers and the academic and scientific communities. The International Federation of Associations of People Affected by CD - FINDECHAGAS, created in 2010 with the input of the Americas, Europe and the Western Pacific, counts as one of the main responses to the globalisation of CD. Despite all the obstacles and difficulties encountered, the Federation has thrived, grown, and matured. As a result of this mobilisation along with the support of many national and international partners, in May 2019 the 72nd World Health Assembly decided to establish World Chagas Disease Day, on 14 April. The associative movement has increased the understanding of the challenges related to the disease and breaks the silence around Chagas disease, improving surveillance, and sustaining engagement towards the United Nations 2030 agenda.

., Introduction: Against the increasing recognition of the critical importance of a direct participation of community members to assure effective health care in peripheral areas of Middle and Low Income Countries (MLIC), representative field experiences of their essential role are only occasionally available., Aims and Methods: We report a narrative, factual documentation of a spectrum of projects covering the basic and specific health needs of the disperse communities in Ecuador, a model MLIC, and discuss the broader implications of the role and performance of HPs over a long period, 1980-2018, in the project activation, implementation and monitoring., Results: The role of 60 HPs, with the coordination of a small core group of professionals of the Centro de Epidemiologia Comunitaria y Medicina Tropical (CECOMET) is documented through their main achievements which include: infectious diseases and in particular Neglected Tropical Diseases (eradication of onchocerciasis and yaws; virtual elimination of malaria and of strongyloidiasis; identification and control of a new focus of Chagas Disease; control of tuberculosis), mother and child health, reproductive health, hypertension (as model of the emergence of non-transmissible, chronic diseases). The most effective and sustainable strategies and methods are discussed also in terms of their more general transferability, already partially tested in programs in Bolivia, Burkina Faso, undeserved areas of Argentina., Conclusions: The systematic availability of non-professional, trained HPs should be recommended as a sustainable and reliable component of health care strategies and interventions targeted to marginalized settings, to assure a concrete accessibility to the fundamental human right to life.

We analyzed the accuracy of Chagas Quick Test ® , a rapid diagnostic test, for the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease through a retrospective study on a cohort of 669 patients consecutively examined at a single reference center in Italy, during a 7-year period. We observed high concordance with serological reference standard but low accuracy for screening purposes (sensitivity/specificity: 82.8%/98.7%) at least in our nonendemic context.

The results of a program for the treatment and control of arterial hypertension in a rural community of the northern area of Ecuador are reported through the voices and the posters used for patients education, by nurses and health promoters (non professional representatives of the community, with a nursing role) of the district. The steps of the program, from the awareness of the problem because of its high impact on mortality; to the organization of the screening for hypertension of 4284 adults (half of the local adult population); to the systematic collection of data on mortality are described. One of the strategies adopted is the discussion of patients' stories with the local communities: the death of a young patient who refused the treatment and died had a strong influence in convincing at risk patients to enter the program. Treatments were available for 1 dollar a month. Nurses and community health promoters have a pivotal role in guaranteeing pressure control and in identifying at risk patients with the help of community adapted risk tables. From the analysis of data of the first 18 months of follow-up some improvements can be observed: grade II hypertensive patients shifted from 34% to 25%; grade III from 35% to 29%. Lack of compliance with the drug therapy is still one of the main problems.