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Clin Med (Lond) 2019 Mar;19(2):157-160

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

The term neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) describes a disparate group of diseases which affect populations living in poverty and are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Global programmes for the control of NTDs benefit large-scale donations made by pharmaceutical companies. A number of NTDs have internationally agreed targets for their control, elimination and eradication. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 02 25;13(2):e0007125. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Independent consultant, Madrid, Spain.

Background: Yaws is targeted for eradication by 2020 in the WHA66.12 resolution of the World Health Assembly. The objective of this study was to describe the occurrence of yaws in the Americas and to contribute to the compilation of evidence based on published data to undertake the certification of yaws eradication. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Apr;100(4):940-942

Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.

Yaws is a neglected tropical disease targeted for eradication by 2020. Kiribati, a Pacific Island nation, was previously endemic for yaws but lacks recent data from which its current endemicity status could be determined. This study tested antibody responses to to determine if transmission of yaws is taking place among children in Kiribati. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019 01 2;13(1):e0007076. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Innovation to End Neglected Diseases (IT-ENDs), East Palo Alto, CA, United States of America.

Background: Gallium is a semi-metallic element known since the 1930s to have antimicrobial activity. This activity stems primarily from gallium's ability to mimic trivalent iron and disrupt specific Fe(III)-dependent pathways, particularly DNA synthesis (due to inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase). Because of its novel mechanism of action, gallium is currently being investigated as a new antibacterial agent, particularly in light of the increasing resistance of many pathogenic bacteria to existing antibiotics. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 12 4;12(12):e0006953. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted yaws for global eradication. Eradication requires certification that all countries are yaws-free. While only 14 Member States currently report cases to WHO, many more are known to have a history of yaws and some of them may have ongoing transmission. Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2018 Nov 14;3(4). Epub 2018 Nov 14.

School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8102, Japan.

Integration of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) into the public health agenda has been a priority in global health for the last decade. Because a number of these diseases share not only the geographical distribution, but also a common feature which is skin involvement, bringing together a sub-group of 'skin NTDs' is one way forward to promote further integration among NTDs. With these diseases, which include leprosy, Buruli ulcer, yaws, mycetoma, lymphatic filariasis, and leishmaniasis, patients may be left with life-long deformities and disabilities when diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 10;2018:8304129. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos (LABTRIP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 - Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil.

Despite interest in the origins of syphilis, paleopathological analysis has not provided answers, and paleogenetic diagnosis remains a challenge. Even venereal syphilis has low infectivity which means there are few circulating bacteria for most of the individual's life. Human remains recovered from the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church (17th to 19th centuries) and the Praça XV Cemetery (18th to 19th centuries), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were subjected to paleogenetic analysis. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 10 29;12(10):e0006840. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America.

Background: In the global program for the eradication of yaws, assessments of the prevalence of the disease are used to decide where to initiate mass treatment. However, the smallest administrative unit that should be used as the basis for making decisions is not clear. We investigated spatial and temporal clustering of yaws to help inform the choice of implementation unit. Read More

Trop Doct 2019 Jan 15;49(1):44-45. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

2 Paediatric Officer (Honorary), Vila Central Hospital, Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Chronic leg ulcers in children in tropical developing countries are common. They are difficult to diagnose clinically and to manage. Our case illustrates that even in areas where yaws is endemic and point of care testing is available, the diagnosis remains difficult. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 10 10;12(10):e0006867. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.

Background: Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of yaws, a multistage disease endemic in tropical regions in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. To date, seven TPE strains have been completely sequenced and analyzed including five TPE strains of human origin (CDC-2, CDC 2575, Gauthier, Ghana-051, and Samoa D) and two TPE strains isolated from the baboons (Fribourg-Blanc and LMNP-1). Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2018 Aug 29;3(3). Epub 2018 Aug 29.

Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK.

Yaws is one of the three endemic treponematoses and is recognised by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease. Yaws is currently reported in 15 countries in the Pacific, South-East Asia, West and Central Africa, predominantly affects children, and results in destructive lesions of the skin and soft tissues. For most of the twentieth century penicillin-based treatment was the standard of care and resistance to penicillin has still not been described. Read More

Emerg Microbes Infect 2018 09 19;7(1):157. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Epidemiology of Highly Pathogenic Microorganisms, Robert Koch Institute, Seestraße 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.

PLoS One 2018 12;13(9):e0203632. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

Laboratory Reference and Research Branch, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

Yaws is a neglected tropical disease caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue. The disease primarily affects children under 15 years of age living in low socioeconomic conditions in tropical areas. As a result of a renewed focus on the disease owing to a recent eradication effort initiated by the World Health Organization, we have evaluated a typing method, adapted from and based on the enhanced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention typing method for T. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2018 Sep 6;11(1):501. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.

Background: Biting aquatic insects belonging to the order Hemiptera have been suggested as potential vectors of Mycobacterium ulcerans in endemic areas for Buruli ulcer (BU). If this is the case, these insects would be expected to co-exist with M. ulcerans in the same geographical areas. Read More

Science 2018 Jul;361(6399):216-221

Lihir Island in Papua New Guinea.

BMC Infect Dis 2018 Jul 11;18(1):324. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O.Box 2040, 3000, CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Indonesia ranking third in the world, regarding leprosy burden. Chemoprophylaxis is effective in reducing risk of developing leprosy among contacts. 'Blanket approach' is an operational strategy for leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis in which all members of an isolated community, high endemic for leprosy are screened and given a single dose of rifampicin (SDR) in the absence of signs and symptoms of leprosy. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 06 25;12(6):e0006584. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of several communicable diseases prevalent in the tropical and subtropical areas. The co-endemicity of these diseases, the similarity of the clinical signs, and need to maximize limited financial and human resources have necessitated implementation of integrated approach. Our study aims to share the lessons of this integrated approach in the fight against Buruli ulcer (BU), leprosy and yaws in a rural district in Benin. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 06 21;12(6):e0006447. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Institute for Archaeological Sciences, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

Treponema pallidum infections occur worldwide causing, among other diseases, syphilis and yaws. In particular sexually transmitted syphilis is regarded as a re-emerging infectious disease with millions of new infections annually. Here we present three historic T. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Jan;68(3):482-489

Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clínic-University of Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Treponema pallidum subsp pertenue and Haemophilus ducreyi are causative agents of cutaneous ulcer (CU) in yaws-endemic regions in the tropics. However, a significant proportion of CU patients remain polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negative for both bacterial agents. We aimed to identify potential additional etiological agents of CU in a yaws-endemic region. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2018 06;24(6):1002-1009

We investigated Treponema pallidum infection in 8 nonhuman primate species (289 animals) in Tanzania during 2015-2017. We used a serologic treponemal test to detect antibodies against the bacterium. Infection was further confirmed from tissue samples of skin-ulcerated animals by 3 independent PCRs (polA, tp47, and TP_0619). Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 05 17;12(5):e0006489. Epub 2018 May 17.

Global Buruli Ulcer Initiative, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Early detection of several skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs)-including leprosy, Buruli ulcer, yaws, and scabies- may be achieved through school surveys, but such an approach has seldom been tested systematically on a large scale in endemic countries. Additionally, a better understanding of the spectrum of skin diseases and the at-risk populations to be encountered during such surveys is necessary to facilitate the process.

Methods: We performed a school skin survey for selected NTDs and the spectrum of skin diseases, among primary schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. Read More

JAMA 2018 Apr;319(15):1539

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 04 19;12(4):e0006360. Epub 2018 Apr 19.

Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom.

Introduction: The human treponematoses comprise venereal syphilis and the three non-venereal or endemic treponematoses yaws, bejel, and pinta. Serological assays remain the most common diagnostic method for all treponemal infections. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) for syphilis and yaws allow testing without further development of infrastructure in populations where routine laboratory facilities are not available. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 04 12;12(4):e0006396. Epub 2018 Apr 12.

Mast Diagnostica GmbH, Reinfeld, Germany.

We show proof of concept for gene targets (polA, tprL, and TP_0619) that can be used in loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays to rapidly differentiate infection with any of the three Treponema pallidum subspecies (pallidum (TPA), pertenue (TPE), and endemicum (TEN)) and which are known to infect humans and nonhuman primates (NHPs). Four TPA, six human, and two NHP TPE strains, as well as two human TEN strains were used to establish and validate the LAMP assays. All three LAMP assays were highly specific for the target DNA. Read More

Infect Genet Evol 2018 07 22;61:92-107. Epub 2018 Mar 22.

Work Group Neglected Tropical Diseases, Pathology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany,. Electronic address:

Treponema pallidum is an uncultivable bacterium and the causative agent of syphilis (subsp. pallidum [TPA]), human yaws (subsp. pertenue [TPE]), and bejel (subsp. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 03 22;12(3):e0006303. Epub 2018 Mar 22.

Center for Global Health, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America.

Introduction: The WHO yaws eradication strategy consists of one round of total community treatment (TCT) of single-dose azithromycin with coverage of > 90%.The efficacy of the strategy to reduce the levels on infection has been demonstrated previously in isolated island communities in the Pacific region. We aimed to determine the efficacy of a single round of TCT with azithromycin to achieve a decrease in yaws prevalence in communities that are endemic for yaws and surrounded by other yaws-endemic areas. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2018 04;24(4):786-789

Haemophilus ducreyi, which causes chancroid, has emerged as a cause of pediatric skin disease. Isolation of H. ducreyi in low-income settings is challenging, limiting phylogenetic investigation. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 03 7;12(3):e0006308. Epub 2018 Mar 7.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd. Read More

Lancet Glob Health 2018 04 16;6(4):e357-e358. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.

Lancet Glob Health 2018 04 16;6(4):e401-e410. Epub 2018 Feb 16.

Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: A dose of 30 mg/kg of azithromycin is recommended for treatment of yaws, a disease targeted for global eradication. Treatment with 20 mg/kg of azithromycin is recommended for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. In some settings, these diseases are co-endemic. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 02 12;12(2):e0006233. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Yaounde 1, Yaounde, Cameroon.

Background: Although leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humanity, it remains largely misunderstood. Misconceptions about leprosy lead to stigma towards people with the disease. This study aimed at exploring the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding leprosy in rural Cameroon. Read More

Lancet 2018 04 7;391(10130):1555-1556. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University in Brno, Brno CZ-625 00, Czech Republic.

Lancet 2018 04 7;391(10130):1599-1607. Epub 2018 Feb 7.

Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: Yaws is a substantial cause of chronic disfiguring ulcers in children in at least 14 countries in the tropics. WHO's newly adopted strategy for yaws eradication uses a single round of mass azithromycin treatment followed by targeted treatment programmes, and data from pilot studies have shown a short-term significant reduction of yaws. We assessed the long-term efficacy of the WHO strategy for yaws eradication. Read More

Hist Cienc Saude Manguinhos 2017 Oct-Dec;24(4):1089-1106

PhD Candidat, Newcastle University. School of History, Classics and Archaeology/Newcastle University. NE1 7RU - Newcastle-upon-Tyne - Reino Unido.

This article examines anti-treponematoses work as part of US occupation public health policy in Haiti, a unique event in the history of international health. Yaws was highly prevalent in Haiti, but occupation doctors initially ignored it because of its close association with syphilis and stigmas attached to sexually transmitted disease. This changed when C. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2018 Apr 31;216:229-232. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Department of Biology, Animal Physiology and Neurobiology Section, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, box 2465, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Tetradenia (T.) riparia (Hochst.) Codd (Lamiaceae), formerly known as Iboza riparia (Hochst. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 12 27;11(12):e0006113. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America.

Background: Yaws is a neglected tropical disease, caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue. The disease causes chronic lesions, primarily in young children living in remote villages in tropical climates. Read More

Am J Epidemiol 2018 Apr;187(4):837-844

Mathematics Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom.

Yaws is a disabling bacterial infection found primarily in warm and humid tropical areas. The World Health Organization strategy mandates an initial round of total community treatment (TCT) with single-dose azithromycin followed either by further TCT or active case-finding and treatment of cases and their contacts (the Morges strategy). We sought to investigate the effectiveness of the Morges strategy. Read More

Global Health 2017 Nov 14;13(1):82. Epub 2017 Nov 14.

Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.

Background: "Neglected Tropical Diseases" (NTDs) affect millions of people in Africa, Asia and South America. The two primary ways of strategic interventions are "preventive chemotherapy and transmission control" (PCT), and "innovative and intensified disease management" (IDM). In the last 5 years, phenomenal progress has been achieved. Read More

Lancet Glob Health 2017 12 26;5(12):e1172-e1173. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.

Lancet Glob Health 2017 12 26;5(12):e1268-e1274. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clinic-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Paediatric Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Treatment of latent yaws is a crucial component of the WHO yaws eradication strategy to prevent relapse and the resulting transmission to uninfected children. We assessed the effectiveness of single-dose azithromycin to treat patients with latent yaws.

Methods: This population-based cohort study included children (age <20 years) living on Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea, with high-titre (rapid plasma reagin titre ≥1:8) latent or active yaws, between April, 2013, and May, 2015. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Oct 26;11(10):e0005985. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Unit of General Epidemiology and Disease Control, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background: Yaws is a non-venereal treponemal infection caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue. The disease is targeted by WHO for eradication by 2020. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are envisaged for confirmation of clinical cases during treatment campaigns and for certification of the interruption of transmission. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2018 Mar;66(6):818-824

Wellcome Trust Sanger Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Background: Yaws-like chronic ulcers can be caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue, Haemophilus ducreyi, or other, still-undefined bacteria. To permit accurate evaluation of yaws elimination efforts, programmatic use of molecular diagnostics is required. The accuracy and sensitivity of current tools remain unclear because our understanding of T. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2017 Nov;65(12):2085-2090

Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Haemophilus ducreyi (HD) and Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue (TP) are major causative agents of cutaneous ulcer (CU) in the tropics. Azithromycin is recommended to treat sexually transmitted HD infections and has good in vitro activity against HD strains from both genital and skin ulcers. We investigated the efficacy of oral single-dose azithromycin on HD-CU. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Oct 5;11(10):e0005922. Epub 2017 Oct 5.

Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Of the three diseases targeted for eradication by WHO, two are so-called Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)-guinea worm disease (GWD) and yaws. The Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP) is in its final stages, with only 25 reported in 2016. However, global eradication still requires certification by WHO of the absence of transmission in all countries. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Sep 8;11(9):e0005894. Epub 2017 Sep 8.

Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, Czech Republic.

Background: Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of yaws, a multi-stage disease, endemic in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. To date, four TPE strains have been completely sequenced including three TPE strains of human origin (Samoa D, CDC-2, and Gauthier) and one TPE strain (Fribourg-Blanc) isolated from a baboon. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 Jul 31;11(7):e0005820. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana.

Introduction: Yaws is endemic in Ghana. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new global eradication campaign based on total community mass treatment with azithromycin. Achieving high coverage of mass treatment will be fundamental to the success of this new strategy; coverage is dependent, in part, on appropriate community mobilisation. Read More

Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2017 12 11;13(4):522-524. Epub 2017 Jul 11.

Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Level 3 Medical School North Building, Frome Road, Adelaide,, 5005, Australia.

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 May 10;11(5):e0004958. Epub 2017 May 10.

Lihir Medical Centre- International SOS, Newcrest Mining, Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea.

Background: Haemophilus ducreyi and Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue are major causes of leg ulcers in children in Africa and the Pacific Region. We investigated the presence of DNA (PCR positivity) from these bacteria on asymptomatic people, flies, and household linens in an endemic setting. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017 May 8;11(5):e0005557. Epub 2017 May 8.

School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.

Background: Yaws is an infectious, debilitating and disfiguring disease of poverty that mainly affects children in rural communities in tropical areas. In Cameroon, mass-treatment campaigns carried out in the 1950s reduced yaws to such low levels that it was presumed the disease was eradicated. In 2010, an epidemiological study in Bankim Health District detected 29 cases of yaws. Read More