: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), driven by socioeconomic disparities, weak healthcare systems, and inadequate pharmaceutical regulation. This review examines AMR prevalence, drivers, and consequences in SSA, emphasizing the need for urgent interventions. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including studies published from January 2000 to June 2024. The focus was on AMR epidemiology, public health impacts, and interventions specific to SSA. High resistance rates were identified in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus. Key drivers include limited healthcare access; antibiotic misuse; poor surveillance; inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure; and poverty. AMR leads to increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs, with SSA projected to face 4.1 million AMR-related deaths annually by 2050 without action. Addressing AMR in SSA requires strengthening healthcare systems, expanding surveillance, enforcing pharmaceutical regulations, and enhancing education. International collaboration and funding are essential to mitigate AMR’s impacts and support progress toward universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
19 February 2025 in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Migration to Europe has intensified due to recent political conflicts, economic crises, and climate change, introducing an increased risk of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) within this population. While NTDs typically impact tropical regions, their presence among migrants in Europe presents a growing challenge, compounded by limited research in this area. This study provides the first meta-analysis on the prevalence of NTDs in migrants across European nations. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted focusing on studies that included NTD prevalence among migrant populations in Europe, with data sourced until July 2024. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were eligible, with bias assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Prevalence rates for various NTDs were calculated using a random-effects model, and meta-regressions were performed to assess potential moderators like sample size, age, and gender. A total of 148 studies comprising 228,798 migrants were analyzed. The most prevalent NTDs were strongyloidiasis (11.53%) and schistosomiasis (10.8%), with American trypanosomiasis also present. Dengue and lymphatic filariasis showed significant rates, though high heterogeneity was noted. Data quality was frequently low, with most studies at a high risk of bias. This study underscores the need for robust screening and diagnostic protocols in Europe for NTDs, particularly as clinician familiarity with these diseases is limited. Test-and-treat strategies appear promising, yet more comprehensive efforts are necessary. Establishing a European NTD registry could improve monitoring and management. Future studies should prioritize higher-quality data and address the barriers migrants face in accessing health services.
Chronic endometritis (CE) is a persistent inflammatory condition of the endometrium characterized by abnormal infiltration of plasma cells into the endometrial stroma. Frequently associated with repeated implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and infertility, CE significantly impacts women’s health, contributing to conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding and endometriosis. Treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy; however, the efficacy of these treatments is increasingly compromised by the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This paper examines the critical links between AMR and CE, proposing strategies to enhance clinical management and optimize treatment outcomes.
2 July 2025 in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease
Background: Nurses play a pivotal role in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, the success of local and national AMR containment efforts hinges on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of nursing staff and undergraduate students. Objectives: This study aims to explore the determinants of nurses’ KAP regarding AMR, offering insights to control the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens. Methods: This cross-sectional, multicenter survey involving Italian nurses, nursing students, and healthcare professionals was conducted administering an anonymous online questionnaire focusing on AMR. The median score of 12 was taken as the cutoff for “good KAP.” The association between study variables and good KAP was assessed using chi-square or t-tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis for statistically significant (p < 0.05) variables. Findings: Among 848 participants, 61.9% (n = 525) were students, and 39.6% (n = 336) scored as having “low KAP.” High KAP was associated with being female and studying AMR independently. Conversely, living in southern Italy and receiving AMR training from pharmaceutical companies were associated with low KAP. Conclusions: Among Italian nurses, AMR awareness relies on those who have studied AMR as self-taught and is affected by gender and region. Italian universities lack in lectures on AMR management, and much needs to be done to improve awareness of antimicrobial stewardship among nonmedical health workers.
Background: Dracunculiasis, also known as Guinea worm disease (GWD), is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by a parasite (Dracunculus medinensis). In the past, dracunculiasis was known as “the disease of the empty granary” because of the difficulties patients had in going to work in fields or to school when affected by this disease. In tropical areas, the condition has been widespread in economically disadvantaged communities, and has been associated with reduced economic status and low levels of education. Methods: we searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and WHO websites for literature addressing dracunculiasis published in the last 50 years. Results: by development and optimization of multi-layered control measures, transmission by the vector has been interrupted, but there are foci in several African countries with a high risk of compromising the results obtained in the control of this neglected disease. Conclusion: this review features state-of-the-art data on the infection prevalence, geographical distribution, diagnostics, parasite–host interactions, and the pathology of dracunculiasis. Also described are the current state and future perspectives for vector control and elimination strategies.