Category: Nevin Manimala

Med Vet Entomol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1111/mve.70082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Characterising the vector role of a species is critical to understand and quantify host-vector-pathogen interactions. This role has to be assessed for each suspected vector species, but also at the population level. Indeed, different populations of the same species can exhibit biological and ecological variability that can amplify or limit their epidemiological role in transmitting pathogens to human and/or animal populations. In this work, we characterise the spatio-temporal dynamics of two major viruses of veterinary interest (bluetongue virus [BTV] and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus [EHDV]) in the five species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) present in Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean. Our aim is to quantify the infection rates of the two viruses in field-collected Culicoides over a 2-year period. A total of 33,358 individuals comprising 11,504 pools were molecularly screened to detect the presence of both viruses. Our work applied an original statistical approach based on the use of Bayesian inference and showed that all five Culicoides species could be involved in the transmission of the two viruses with different levels of infection. EHDV circulated within Culicoides populations for only 4 months over the study period, while BTV circulated within the same populations throughout the entire 2-year period. We hypothesized that although both viruses are transmitted by the same Culicoides species, they exhibit distinct epidemiological patterns: BTV displays enzootic circulation in Reunion Island, whereas EHDV shows an epizootic pattern.

PMID:42104528 | DOI:10.1111/mve.70082

Med Vet Entomol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1111/mve.70082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Characterising the vector role of a species is critical to understand and quantify host-vector-pathogen interactions. This role has to be assessed for each suspected vector species, but also at the population level. Indeed, different populations of the same species can exhibit biological and ecological variability that can amplify or limit their epidemiological role in transmitting pathogens to human and/or animal populations. In this work, we characterise the spatio-temporal dynamics of two major viruses of veterinary interest (bluetongue virus [BTV] and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus [EHDV]) in the five species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) present in Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean. Our aim is to quantify the infection rates of the two viruses in field-collected Culicoides over a 2-year period. A total of 33,358 individuals comprising 11,504 pools were molecularly screened to detect the presence of both viruses. Our work applied an original statistical approach based on the use of Bayesian inference and showed that all five Culicoides species could be involved in the transmission of the two viruses with different levels of infection. EHDV circulated within Culicoides populations for only 4 months over the study period, while BTV circulated within the same populations throughout the entire 2-year period. We hypothesized that although both viruses are transmitted by the same Culicoides species, they exhibit distinct epidemiological patterns: BTV displays enzootic circulation in Reunion Island, whereas EHDV shows an epizootic pattern.

PMID:42104528 | DOI:10.1111/mve.70082

Trop Med Health. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s41182-026-00965-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ethiopian people possess deep knowledge of how to use plant resources and are dependent on plant values mainly for traditional medicine. However, most ethnobotanical studies are restricted to rural areas, leaving urban centers poorly documented, which implies the need for further study. Thus, this study was conducted in Gondar City Administration, aimed at investigating medicinal plants to fill the traditional knowledge documentation gap.

METHODS: The study was conducted from February 2024 to January 2025 in 12 kebeles selected purposively based on vegetation cover, availability of knowledgeable practitioners and representation of both urban and rural settings. Data were collected using interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys with 120 randomly selected general informants and 60 purposively selected key informants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic ethnobotanical data. An independent sample t-test and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze socio-demographic effects of informants on their indigenous knowledge. Different ethnobotanical ranking and clustering methods, Rahman’s similarity index (RSI) and Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity were also used.

RESULTS: A total of 109 medicinal plants distributed across 95 genera and 54 families were recorded to treat 76 ailment types. Asteraceae was the foremost family with 9 (8.26%) species. Shrub was the dominant habit (39.45%) and leaves were the most valuable plant parts used for 33.80% of remedy preparations. Remedies were prepared mainly from fresh forms (76.39%) by crushing (20.37%) and administered through the dermal route (41.20%). Significant knowledge variation on medicinal plants was observed between key and general informants (P = 0.000), rural and urban kebeles (P = 0.001), and between age groups (P = 0.013). Informant type (general vs. key informant) and age had a highly significant interaction effect on the medicinal plant knowledge (P = 0.000). About 14.68% of all recorded species were reported to treat hepatitis. From those, Clutia lanceolata was the most preferred. The highest informant consensus factor value (98%) was associated with respiratory conditions. The RSI ranged from 0.5 to 13.79%, and the JSI ranged from 3.5 to 36%. After a systematic search was performed across various reputable databases (Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), unique ethnobotanical information on the therapeutic roles of 12 medicinal plant species that have not been reported previously was documented.

CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that the rich diversity of medicinal plants in Gondar City, along with unique ethnomedicinal findings, is an indicator of alternative use of traditional medicine by urban inhabitants for their healthcare system. However, urban ethnobotany is a distinct field in which is expected to evolve knowledge systems influenced by migration. So, these knowledge systems could experience an accelerated loss due to urbanization-related factors unless prior documentation is made.

PMID:42104521 | DOI:10.1186/s41182-026-00965-z

Infect Dis Poverty. 2026 May 9;15(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s40249-026-01450-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The expeditious and precise diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is paramount for effective patient management and the control of outbreaks. In this study, a duplex reverse transcription multi-enzyme isothermal amplification (RT-MIRA) assay was established for the simultaneous detection of DENV and CHIKV, followed by a nested RT-MIRA assay for DENV serotyping (DENV-1 to -4).

METHODS: Specific primers and probes targeting the DENV 3′-UTR, CHIKV E1 gene, and four DENV serotypes were designed. The duplex RT-MIRA and nested DENV RT-MIRA serotyping reaction systems were optimized at 39 °C with portable fluorescence or lateral flow dipstick readouts. For methodological validation, specificity was evaluated against 35 related pathogens, and the 95% limit of detection (LOD95) was determined via probit regression. For clinical validation, serum samples from 236 suspected patients were tested, benchmarking against RT-qPCR and serology. Statistical analyses included the Wilson score method for calculating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and Cohen’s kappa (κ). For external verification, 12 CHIKV-positive clinical samples and 5 artificially simulated co-infection samples were retrospectively analyzed to validate assay accuracy.

RESULTS: The duplex RT-MIRA assay exhibited no cross-reactivity with other pathogens. The LOD95 values were 13.47 copies/μl for DENV and 10.49 copies/μl for CHIKV. Clinical validation demonstrated sensitivities of 96.15% (95% CI: 89.28%-98.67%) for DENV and 88.89% (95% CI: 67.20%-96.90%) for CHIKV. Specificity was 100% (95% CI: 92.87%-100%) for both. Agreement with RT-qPCR was strong for DENV (κ = 0.96) and CHIKV (κ = 0.92). The nested RT-MIRA serotyping assay showed high sensitivity (LOD95: 1.6-18.7 copies/μl) without cross-reactivity, accurately differentiating 75 DENV-positive samples into 71 DENV-1 and 4 DENV-2. In the external verification, the assay accurately detected 10 CHIKV mono-infections and 2 CHIKV/DENV co-infections, and distinguished four DENV serotypes in simulated matrices.

CONCLUSIONS: A rapid and sensitive integrated method has been developed that combines duplex RT-MIRA for detecting DENV and CHIKV, and nested RT-MIRA for serotyping DENV. The simplicity and speed of the amplification and detection steps demonstrate this platform’s potential for use in point-of-care testing and surveillance in areas with limited resources, particularly when used alongside portable extraction methods.

PMID:42104518 | DOI:10.1186/s40249-026-01450-9

BMC Nutr. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s40795-026-01327-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system. Treatment for CD relies on a gluten-free diet, and previous studies have suggested alterations in the lipid profile. However, the literature shows no consensus regarding the specific lipid fraction affected, the magnitude of the change, or whether lipid parameters tend to increase or decrease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gluten-free diet on HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in patients with celiac disease reported in the scientific literature.

METHODS: A literature review was conducted in four databases including studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s test, and meta-analyses were performed to estimate mean differences in lipid profile parameters using a random-effects model with the REML estimation method.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, most of them conducted in Italian populations, comprising a total of 1,820 patients with CD, of whom 706 were pediatric. In pediatric patients, the meta-analysis showed no significant change in total cholesterol (6.2 mg/dL; 95% CI – 7.1 to 19.6), a significant decrease in triglycerides (- 14.2 mg/dL; 95% CI – 22.6 to – 5.8), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (11.4 mg/dL; 95% CI 8.5 to 14.2). In contrast, among adults, there was a significant increase in total cholesterol (12.4 mg/dL; 95% CI 5.1 to 19.7), triglycerides (5.9 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.5 to 11.2), and HDL cholesterol (6.1 mg/dL; 95% CI 3.9 to 8.3).

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that patients with celiac disease experience significant changes in lipid profile following adherence to a gluten-free diet, with a differential pattern between pediatric and adult populations.

PMID:42104507 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-026-01327-y

Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s40794-026-00303-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Viral-bacterial codetection is common and may increase clinical severity, but evidence in the Peruvian pediatric population is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and seasonal characteristics associated with viral-bacterial codetection in children hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

METHODS: Cross-sectional secondary database study from a private hospital in Lima, Peru. We included patients < 13 years hospitalized for LRTIs with RT-qPCR results for respiratory viruses and/or bacteria. Viral-bacterial codetection was compared against other detection patterns using Poisson regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for continuous outcomes, with false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS: A total of 548 patients were included (median age 2.0 years; 50.5% female). Viral-bacterial codetection was identified in 21.5% of patients (n = 118), with RSV + Haemophilus influenzae being the most frequent combination. Compared with other detection patterns, viral-bacterial codetection was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of crackles (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.08-1.57), lower oxygen saturation at admission (β: -0.57; 95% CI: -1.04 to – 0.10), higher platelet counts (β: 30,452; 95% CI: 5,113-55,792), higher hemoglobin levels (β: 0.29 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.03-0.56), and longer hospital stay (β: 0.66 days; 95% CI: 0.02-1.29). However, after FDR correction for multiple comparisons, none of these associations reached statistical significance (q-values: 0.056-0.113). No difference was detected according to seasonality.

CONCLUSIONS: Viral-bacterial codetection was common and was associated with crackles, lower oxygen saturation, longer hospital stay, and higher platelet counts; however, after FDR correction, none of these associations remained statistically significant, underscoring the exploratory nature of these findings and the need for larger, confirmatory studies.

PMID:42104506 | DOI:10.1186/s40794-026-00303-5

BMC Rheumatol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s41927-026-00651-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a functional syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain and a variety of associated symptoms. Previous research has shown that close relatives are at a higher risk of developing the syndrome compared to the general population. Previous findings also suggest that symptoms tend to decrease with age. Our primary objective is to examine whether having a close relative with fibromyalgia is associated with greater symptom severity among patients in primary care. In addition, we assess the relationship between age and symptom severity.

METHODS: The study is based on a cross-sectional design. The data were collected at the Nokia Health Centre, Finland, in 2016. Patients meeting the ACR 2010 criteria were included in this study (n = 91). We used three validated questionnaires to assess disease severity (PSD, FIQ and EQ-VAS) and patient-reported information on fibromyalgia in a close relative.

RESULTS: The independent-samples t-test was used to examine the association. Participants were divided into four age groups, and differences in symptom severity between age groups were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were no statistically significant differences between family history and symptom severity, nor age groups and symptom severity. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant linear association between age and symptom severity, nor between symptom severity and family history of fibromyalgia. These findings remained unchanged after adjusting for family history. However, given the lack of statistical significance and our small sample size, these observations should be interpreted cautiously.

CONCLUSIONS: Symptom severity and functional limitations appeared broadly similar across age groups in our sample, which may suggest that increasing age is not necessarily associated with substantial symptom relief. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the cross-sectional design and small sample size.

PMID:42104504 | DOI:10.1186/s41927-026-00651-x

BMC Psychol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s40359-026-04729-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social communication deficits and emotional dysregulation. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has shown potential benefits in various psychiatric conditions; however, evidence regarding its effectiveness in individuals with ASD remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DBT-based interventions on emotional regulation, suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms in ASD.

METHODS: Six English and Chinese databases were searched from inception to April 1, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DBT-based interventions with control conditions in individuals with ASD were included. Data were pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and subgroup analyses were conducted.

RESULTS: Four RCTs involving 375 participants were included. Compared with controls, DBT-based interventions were associated with significant improvements in emotional regulation (SMD = – 0.89, 95% CI: -1.67 to – 0.10) and reductions in suicidal ideation (SMD = – 1.97, 95% CI: -3.02 to – 0.91) and depressive symptoms (SMD = – 2.23, 95% CI: -4.35 to – 0.11). Subgroup analysis indicated that shorter session duration (≤ 60 min) was associated with greater improvements in emotional regulation, whereas no significant effect was observed for longer sessions (> 60 min). No significant effects were found for anxiety.

CONCLUSION: DBT-based interventions show potential benefits in improving emotional regulation, reducing suicidal ideation, and alleviating depressive symptoms in individuals with ASD. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of trials and substantial heterogeneity. Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are warranted.

PMID:42104500 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-026-04729-6

Arch Public Health. 2026 May 9. doi: 10.1186/s13690-026-01924-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Somalia has one of the lowest childhood immunization coverage rates globally, with only 34.8% of children aged 0-59 months having received at least one vaccine and a high burden of zero-dose children. Immunization uptake is influenced by socioeconomic, maternal, healthcare access, and geographic factors. This study examined determinants of childhood immunization coverage in Somalia to inform equity-focused strategies.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using nationally representative data from the 2020 Somalia Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS), including 7,373 mother-child pairs. bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between sociodemographic, economic, maternal, healthcare access, and geographic characteristics and child vaccination status, accounting for survey design and confounders.

RESULTS: Overall vaccination coverage was 34.8%. Health facility delivery was the strongest independent predictor (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI:1.68-2.22; p < 0.001). Children from the highest household wealth quintile had higher odds than the poorest (AOR = 2.45; 95% CI:2.00-3.00; p < 0.001). Maternal primary and secondary education were positively associated with vaccination (AOR = 1.58; 95% CI:1.34-1.87 and AOR = 1.94; 95% CI:1.40-2.67; respectively; p < 0.001). Nomadic residence was associated with higher odds compared with rural residence (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI:1.46-1.96; p < 0.001). Compared with infants aged 0-11 months, children aged 12-23 months (AOR = 1.36; 95% CI:1.10-1.69; p = 0.005) and 24-59 months (AOR = 1.33; 95% CI:1.12-1.59; p = 0.001) were more likely to be vaccinated. Lack of radio exposure was associated with lower vaccination odds (AOR = 0.64; 95% CI:0.50-0.82; p < 0.001). Children living in Gedo region had markedly lower odds of vaccination than those in Awdal region (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI:0.17-0.39; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Childhood immunization coverage in Somalia remains critically low, reflecting socioeconomic, maternal, healthcare access, and geographic inequalities that require strategies targeting disadvantaged populations and regions.

PMID:42104499 | DOI:10.1186/s13690-026-01924-0

Trop Med Health. 2026 May 8;54(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s41182-026-00967-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The escalation of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) illnesses is now a major global threat, with countries like Uganda having a prevalence of over 31 %. Herbal medicines (HM) are widely used to treat GIT illnesses in many low-resource settings including Sironko District in Eastern Uganda, but their safety remains a grave concern because they often contain bioactive phytochemicals that may cause harmful side effects. In Sironko, herbalists commonly rely on indigenous knowledge rather than formal pharmacological training when prescribing HM hence the potential for adverse reactions linked to toxic phytocompounds is substantial, warranting comprehensive scientific investigation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore plant species used to treat GIT illnesses and perceptions of their adverse effects in Sironko District, to inform safer herbal medicine use.

METHODS: A sample of 70 herbalists was subjected to an ethnobotanical survey using pre-validated semi-structured questionnaires to profile plant species primarily used against GIT illnesses plus awareness and perceptions about the associated side effects. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA version-15.0. Graphs were plotted with GraphPad Prism^® version 9.0.0.

RESULTS: A total of 80 plants species used against GIT infections were documented, mainly in families; Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae, indicated for treatment and prevention of 24 gastrointestinal illnesses, mostly diarrhea (18.94%), ulcers (11.81%), and stomachaches (8.52%), plus 39 ailments affecting other body systems. Informant consensus factors were high for all disease categories (≥ 0.630), showing homogeneity of ethnomedicinal knowledge. Chenopodium opulifolium, Tithonia diversifolia and Senna didymobotrya were reported to pose the greatest number of side effects, including headache and insomnia. The 70% of participants were unaware that HM can be toxic, 57% were certain that HM do not have side effects, yet those that opposed the need for urgent action against HM adversity were significantly more than participants who perceived it as vital (χ², p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: There is a high diversity of plant species used to treat primarily GIT illnesses in Sironko, but many potentially stimulate life-threatening adverse effects such as severe headache and vomiting. These results highlight a need for considerable investment in herbal medicine safety to leverage its optimal use in health promotion and economic development.

PMID:42104496 | DOI:10.1186/s41182-026-00967-x