Scabies, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis mite burrowing into the skin, is a highly contagious disease characterized by intense nocturnal itching. Its global impact is considerable, affecting more than 200 million individuals annually and posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. Transmission occurs primarily through direct skin-to-skin contact, contributing to its widespread prevalence and emergence as a substantial public health concern affecting large populations. This review presents consensus-based clinical practice guidelines for diagnosing and managing scabies, developed through the fuzzy Delphi method by dermatology, parasitology, pediatrics, pharmacology, and public health experts. The presence of burrows containing adult female mites, their eggs, and excreta is the diagnostic hallmark of scabies. Definitive diagnosis typically involves direct microscopic examination of skin scrapings obtained from these burrows, although dermoscopy has become a diagnostic tool in clinical practice. Treatment modalities encompass topical agents, such as permethrin, balsam of Peru, precipitated sulfur, and benzyl benzoate. In cases where topical therapy proves inadequate or in instances of crusted scabies, oral ivermectin is recommended as a systemic treatment option. This comprehensive approach addresses the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with scabies, optimizing patient care, and management outcomes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of annual mass drug administration (MDA) as the strategy for controlling and eliminating the five preventive chemotherapy neglected tropical diseases (PC-NTDs). The success of MDAs hinges on community acceptance, active participation, and compliance. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of community members, to obtain a more thorough understanding of their openness and willingness to participate in MDA and other NTD elimination activities. A mixed-methods approach was employed, utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive data collection. Eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) and sixteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted to explore community engagement, participation, medication utilization, and programme perception. Triangulation of findings from interviews and discussions with household survey results was performed to gain a deeper understanding of emerging themes. The household survey involved interviewing 1220 individuals (Abaji: 687; Bwari: 533). Audio tapes recorded KIIs and FGDs, with interview transcripts coded using Nvivo 12.0 software based on predefined themes. Descriptive analysis using SPSS version 21 was applied to quantitative data. Results indicated high awareness of mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns in both area councils (Abaji: 84.9%; Bwari: 82.9%), with a small percentage claiming ignorance (15.1%), attributed to lack of information or absence during health campaigns. Respondents primarily participated by taking medication (82.5%), with minimal involvement in other MDA campaigns. Perception of medicines was generally positive, with a significant association between participation level and performance rating (p < 0.05). The study recommends leveraging high awareness and community responsiveness to enhance engagement in various MDA activities, ensuring sustainability and ownership of the programme.

Human mycoses cover a diverse field of fungal diseases from skin disorders to systemic invasive infections and pose an increasing global health problem based on ineffective treatment options, the hampered development of new efficient drugs, and the emergence of resistant fungal strains. Niclosamide is currently applied for the treatment of worm infections. Its mechanisms of action, which include the suppression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (also known as mitochondrial uncoupling), among others, has led to a repurposing of this promising anthelmintic drug for the therapy of further human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections. Given the urgent need to develop new drugs against fungal infections, the considerable antifungal properties of niclosamide are highlighted in this review. Its chemical and pharmacological properties relevant for drug development are also briefly mentioned, and the described mitochondria-targeting mechanisms of action add to the current arsenal of approved antifungal drugs. In addition, the activities of further salicylanilide-based niclosamide analogs against fungal pathogens, including agents applied in veterinary medicine for many years, are described and discussed for their feasibility as new antifungals for humans. Preliminary structure-activity relationships are determined and discussed. Various salicylanilide derivatives with antifungal activities showed increased oral bioavailabilities when compared with niclosamide. The simple synthesis of salicylanilide-based drugs also vouchsafes a broad and cost-effective availability for poorer patient groups. Pertinent literature is covered until 2024.

UNASSIGNED: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and an important parasite negatively impacting socio-economic factors. Ethiopia\'s Federal Ministry of Health targeted the elimination of schistosomiasis infection in school-aged children by 2020. However, Schistosoma mansoni still affects approximately 12.3 million school-aged children in Ethiopia. Although the study was conducted in some regions of the country, previous studies were conducted on urban school children and were limited to the burden of infection. Overall, there is a lack of information about schistosomiasis in eastern Ethiopia, particularly among school children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection among primary school children in Kersa district, Eastern Ethiopia.
UNASSIGNED: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 419 school children using systematic random sampling from April 10 to May 09, 2019. The stool samples were collected and examined using the Keto-Katz method. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data from participants. Data were entered using Epi-Data version 3.1 and analysed using SPSS version 24. A bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection. P-value < 0.05 and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) were used to identify statistically significant associations.
UNASSIGNED: This study\'s overall prevalence of S. mansoni was 19.4% (95% CI [16-23]). Absence of the latrines in household (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI [1.25-4.38]), swimming in the river (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI [1.33-5.88]), unprotected water sources (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI [1.72-7.10]), irregular shoe wearing habits (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI [1.51-5.23]), and water contact during cross of river (AOR = 2.192; 95% CI [1.113-4.318]) were factors independently associated with S. mansoni infection.
UNASSIGNED: Schistosoma mansoni infection remains a public health problem in the study area. Using a latrine in each household, using protected water, wearing shoes regularly, and reducing water contact were necessary to control Schistosoma mansoni infection.

UNASSIGNED: Recently recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease, Noma, an acute and destructive gangrenous disease affecting the gums and facial structures within the oral cavity, has a high mortality rate if untreated.
UNASSIGNED: To investigate the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective study.
UNASSIGNED: This retrospective study investigates the prevalence and impact of Noma among internally displaced populations in Northeastern Nigeria. Noma is endemic in Northern Nigeria, Africa, and its occurrence has been linked to extreme poverty, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and inadequate healthcare - conditions exacerbated by the ongoing Boko Haram conflict.
UNASSIGNED: The retrospective descriptive cross-sectional analysis of 17 cases reveals a median age of 8 years, with most of the patients being children who suffer significant social stigmas, such as difficulties in speaking, eating, and social integration, including reduced school attendance and marital prospects.
UNASSIGNED: The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research into the etiology of Noma and its socio-economic impact. It emphasizes the necessity for early and effective intervention strategies, particularly in conflict-stricken areas with limited healthcare access.

In this part 1 of a 2-part continuing medical education series, the epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnostic methods for fungal skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which include eumycetoma, chromoblastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, emergomycosis, talaromycosis, and lobomycosis, are reviewed. These infections, several of which are officially designated as NTDs by the World Health Organization (WHO), cause substantial morbidity and stigma worldwide and are receiving increased attention due to the potential for climate change-related geographic expansion. Domestic incidence may be increasing in the setting of global travel and immunosuppression. United States dermatologists may play a central role in early detection and initiation of appropriate treatment, leading to decreased morbidity and mortality.

In this part 2 of a 2-part continuing medical education series, the management, outcomes, and morbidities for fungal skin neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including eumycetoma, chromoblastomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, emergomycosis, talaromycosis, and lobomycosis are reviewed. While fungal skin NTDs are associated with poverty in resource-limited settings, they are more often associated with immunosuppression and global migration in the United States. These infections have a high morbidity burden, including disfigurement, physical disability, coinfection, malignant transformation, mental health issues, and financial impact. For most fungal skin NTDs, management is difficult and associated with low cure rates. Dermatologists play a central role in initiating appropriate treatment early in disease course in order to improve patient outcomes.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a neglected tropical disease (NTD), is a major public health problem in Yemen with widespread distribution in rural areas. Evaluating the knowledge and understanding of people\'s beliefs towards the disease is essential to the implementation of effective control measures. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, practices (KAP) and treatment-seeking behaviour concerning CL among rural populations in the western highlands of Yemen. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 289 household heads in four rural areas of the Utmah District. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. All the participants had heard about the disease; however, only 9.3% attributed it to sandflies. Nearly half (48.1%) of the participants could not mention any preventive measures for CL, and nearly two-thirds (65.4%) could not do so for sandflies. The overall \'good\' knowledge about CL was found to be 51.2%, and it was 33.9% for sandflies. The participants\' attitude and prevention practices towards CL were not satisfactory, as only 38.1% and 16.3% had a positive attitude and good CL-related prevention practices, respectively. Moreover, 45.7% believed CL to be a stigmatising disease, and 50% had used traditional remedies to treat suspected CL lesions. Multivariate analyses showed that age, sex, presence of CL-confirmed cases in the same household, residency, occupation and monthly household income were the significant predictors associated with KAP concerning CL among the participants. The findings support an urgent need for integrated health education and community mobilisation interventions to improve awareness of these vulnerable populations about this devastating disease.

Sporotrichosis is a traumatic mycosis affecting the skin or subcutaneous tissues caused by Sporothrix dimorphic fungus. The fungal complex includes several pathogenic species, out of which S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii are predominant in Brazil. In Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) state, the first human and animal cases were reported in 2016 in Corumbá and Ladário cities. Accordingly, we present the first occurrences of feline sporotrichosis detected in the state capital Campo Grande, MS, by the Zoonoses Control Service (ZCS) of the Municipal Public Health Department. The study included four allochthonous cases of feline sporotrichosis originating from Corumbá, MS, attended by the ZCS. All four cats presented classical clinical signs of sporotrichosis, as ulcerative nodular cutaneous lesions. Three slides tested positive by direct microscopy and PCR, followed by Sanger sequencing confirmed Sporothrix brasiliensis in two samples. The initial suspicion and diagnosis of feline sporotrichosis at the ZCS highlights the importance of accurate surveillance of sporotrichosis in non-endemic areas to enhance the capacity to prevent, detect and respond to emerging diseases in Campo Grande.

Hawai\'i, the United States\' most western geographic state in the Pacific, is intermediate between the North and South American continents and Indo-Pacific regions, including Japan. The Hawaiian Islands\' tropical environmental conditions provide favorable ecosystems for various infectious pathogens, their vectors, and reservoirs. This creates a conducive environment for-transmission of various zoonotic diseases that affect both humans and animals. Hawai\'i has experienced an increase in outbreaks of dengue, leptospirosis, and murine typhus. Further, toxoplasmosis and neuroangiostrongyliasis cases remain prevalent throughout the state, and the putative presence of autochthonous Zika cases in a retrospective study may be of national public health concern. Understanding the factors that affect the transmission and distribution of zoonoses is necessary to identify at-risk places and populations. The One Health approach seeks to understand, report, and interpret these factors and requires collaborations between private and government institutions. One Health should focus its efforts on neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and prioritize intervention development to control and prevent the transmission of diseases that spread between animals and humans. This review will focus on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of under-recognized zoonotic and NTD affecting Hawai\'i: leptospirosis, murine typhus, neuroangiostrongyliasis, toxoplasmosis, dengue, and Zika infections.