Neglected and (re-)emergent infections of the CNS in low-/middle-income countries

Abstract

Low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) have suffered from long-term health system deficiencies, worsened by poor living conditions, lack of sanitation, a restricted access to health facilities and running water, overcrowding, and overpopulation. These factors favor human displacement and deepen marginalization; consequently, their population endures a high burden of infectious diseases. In this context, the current epidemiological landscape and its impact on health and economic development are not promissory, despite the commitment by the international community to eradicate neglected tropical infections -especially tuberculosis and malaria, by 2030. Neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are a major public health concern in these countries, as they cause a great morbidity and mortality; furthermore, survivors often suffer from severe neurological disabilities. Herein, we present a retrospective review focused on some neglected and (re)-emerging infectious diseases, including neurocysticercosis, malaria, rabies, West Nile virus encephalitis, tuberculosis, neuroborreliosis, and SARS-CoV-2 in LMIC.

Effective degradation of various bacterial toxins using ozone ultrafine bubble water

“…The high burden of infectious diseases in LMICs is due to long-term health system deficiencies, compounded by poor living conditions, inadequate sanitation, limited access to health facilities and running water, overcrowding, and overpopulation [ 50 ]. Furthermore, LMICs are the most affected by foodborne diseases, with an estimated annual cost of US$ 110 billion in productivity losses, trade-related losses, and medical treatment expenses resulting from the consumption of unsafe food.…”

Concordance between two monoclonal antibody-based antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for measuring cysticercal antigen levels in sera from pigs experimentally infected with Taenia solium and Taenia hydatigena

“…Taenia solium is a zoonotic cestode in which humans are hosts of the adult stage (taeniasis) and pigs (as well as humans) are hosts of the intermediate stage (cysticercus) [ 1 – 3 ]. Taenia solium is endemic in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) that are characterized by poor sanitation and where pigs roam freely for food, increasing the risk of ingesting T. solium eggs and developing cysts in their musculature [ 4 , 5 ]. Neurocysticercosis (NCC), the cyst infection of the central nervous system (CNS) is considered the main cause of human acquired epilepsy worldwide [ 6 , 7 ], whereas porcine cysticercosis is an indicator of the level of environmental contamination with T. solium , and also affects the economy of farmers due to the confiscation of infected pork [ 1 , 8 ].…”

Concordance between two monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the measurement of cysticercal antigen levels in sera of pigs experimentally infected with Taenia solium and Taenia hydatigena

“…Cysticercosis is the parasitic tissue infection with the larval stage (cysticercus) of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, in which pigs serve as the natural intermediate host and the reservoir for human tapeworm infections [1,2,3]. Cysticercosis is endemic in rural areas of many low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) that are characterized by poor sanitary conditions, and where informal pig husbandry allows pigs to roam freely for food, increasing the risk of ingestion of T. solium eggs due to its coprophagic habits, developing cysts in their esh [4,5]. Humans can also acquire cysticercosis by accidental ingestion of eggs by the fecal-oral route.…”