February 2025

The caterpillar of Premolis semirufa, known as Pararama, is found in the Brazilian Amazon, and caused Pararamosis, an inflammatory disease resulting from accidental contact with the caterpillar’s bristles. Findings from de Lima & Pohl et al unravel the significant impact of P. semirufa bristle extracts on human chondrocyte activation and the inflammatory processes associated with pararamosis.

Image Credit: Rafael Marques Porto

Editorial

Revisiting What Constitutes a Neglected Tropical Disease?

Paul J. Brindley, Peter J. Hotez, Shaden Kamhawi

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 20, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012794

Reviews

Enteritis necroticans and Clostridium perfringens type C; Epidemiological and pathological findings over the past 20 years

Stuart Johnson, Andrew M. Skinner, Calob Lostutter, Trevor Duke, Horst Posthaus

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 5, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012836

Bold strides towards the elimination of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT) as a public health problem—A case study of Angola

Johnson O. Ouma, Simon Kayembe, Paul R. Bessell, Don Paul Makana, Amadeu D. C. P. Dala, Luis Baião Peliganga, Joseph M. Ndung’u, Constantina P. F. Machado

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 12, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012847

Mycetoma managment: Therapeutic challenges and the role of pharmacovigilance

Samira M. E. Hussein, Ali Awadallah Saeed, Ahmed Hassan Fahal

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 20, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012827

Redefining the treatment of Chagas disease: a review of recent clinical and pharmacological data for a novel formulation of nifurtimox

Jaime Altcheh, Ulrike Grossmann, Heino Stass, Martin Springsklee, Facundo Garcia-Bournissen

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 25, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012849

Research Articles

Diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potentials of gut microbiome profiling in human schistosomiasis: A comprehensive systematic review

Martin Gael Oyono, Sebastien Kenmoe, Jean Thierry Ebogo Belobo, Leonel Javeres Mbah Ntepe, Mireille Kameni, Leonel Meyo Kamguia, Thabo Mpotje, Justin Komguep Nono

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 3, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012844

Experimental trichuriasis: Changes in the immune response and bacterial translocation during acute phase development illustrated with 3D model animation

Dayane Alvarinho de Oliveira, Renato Oliveira, Brunna Vianna Braga, Lorian Cobra Straker, Luciana Silva Rodrigues, Lilian Lacerda Bueno, Ricardo Toshio Fujiwara, Eduardo José Lopes-Torres

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 3, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012841

Clinical manifestations associated with the chronic phase of Chikungunya Fever: A systematic review of prevalence

Raphael Augusto Santiago, Suelen Pereira Priante Bavaresco, Sheyla Goulart Citrangulo, Roberto de Andrade Medronho, Vanderson Sampaio, Antônio José Leal Costa

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 3, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012810

Temporal shifts in dengue epidemic in Guangdong Province before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a Bayesian model study from 2012 to 2022

Jiaqing Xu, Xiaohua Tan, Yi Quan, Dexin Gong, Hui Deng, Jianguo Zhao, Xing Huang, Yingtao Zhang, Zhoupeng Ren, Zuhua Rong, Weilin Zeng, Xing Li, Wenyuan Zheng, Shu Xiao, Jianpeng Xiao, Meng Zhang

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 3, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012832

Modeling Toxoplasma gondii-gut early interactions using a human microphysiological system

Carlos J. Ramírez-Flores, Nicole D. Hryckowian, Andrew N. Gale, Kehinde Adebayo Babatunde, Marcos Lares, David J. Beebe, Sheena C. Kerr, Laura J. Knoll

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 4, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012855

Changes in circulating filarial antigen status in previously positive individuals: Lessons for treatment monitoring and pre-transmission assessment surveys

Derrick Adu Mensah, Vera Serwaa Opoku, John Boateng, John Opoku, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Charles Gyasi, Prince Obeng, Monica Ahiadorme, Prince Dennis Atisu, Emmanuel Donawobuge Kutu, Inge Kroidl, Ute Klarmann-Schulz, Achim Hoerauf, Linda Batsa Debrah, Alexander Yaw Debrah

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 4, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012802

Stochastic processes govern gut bacterial community assembly in a Schistosoma mansoni-transmitting snail, Biomphalaria straminea

Zhanhong Yuan, Jinni Hong, Jehangir Khan, Jinghuang Lu, Benjamin Sanogo, Zhongdao Wu, Xi Sun, Datao Lin

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 5, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012828

Perceptions of a Buruli ulcer controlled human infection model: How, who, and why?

Stephen Muhi, Simone Schmidt, Julia L. Marshall, Daniel P. O’Brien, Paul D. R. Johnson, James S. McCarthy, Euzebiusz Jamrozik, Joshua Osowicki, Timothy P. Stinear

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 5, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012593

Improved limit of detection for zoonotic Plasmodium knowlesi and P. cynomolgi surveillance using reverse transcription for total nucleic acid preserved samples or dried blood spots

Kamil A. Braima, Kim A. Piera, Inke N. D. Lubis, Rintis Noviyanti, Giri S. Rajahram, Pinkan Kariodimedjo, Irbah R. A. Nainggolan, Ranti Permatasari, Leily Trianty, Ristya Amalia, Sitti Saimah Sakam, Angelica F. Tan, Timothy William, Jacob A. F. Westaway, PingChin Lee, Sylvia Daim, Henry Surendra, Nathaniel Christy, Andrew G. Letizia, Christopher L. Peatey, Mohd Arshil Moideen, Bridget E. Barber, Colin J. Sutherland, Nicholas M. Anstey, Matthew J. Grigg

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 6, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012129

Hybrid and/or mixed infection by pig and human Ascaris in a Guarani indigenous village in southern Brazil

Veridiana Lenartovicz Boeira, Renata Coltro Bezagio, Marina Silva de Carvalho, Rinaldo Ferreira Gandra, Ana Paula de Abreu, Cristiano Lara Massara, Cristiane Maria Colli, Max Jean de Ornelas Toledo

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 6, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012271

Geospatial modeling of geographical spread of Aedes species, in relation to climatic and topographical factors in Lagos State, Nigeria

Ayodele Samuel Babalola, Adedapo O. Adeogun, Hala S. Thabet, Reham A. TagEldin, Tolulope Oyeniyi, Olanrewaju Adekunle, Romoke Izekor, Oluwakemi Adetunji, Olagundoye Olalekan, Ahmed Omotayo, Olakiigbe Abiodun, Adewale Daniel Adediran, Taye Adekeye, Adesoye O. Adegbola, Chidinma Isaac, Phillip O. Okoko, James F. Harwood

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 6, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012860

Epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in 16 districts of Burkina Faso after two decades of mass treatment

Dramane Zongo, Josiane Marie Agathe Tiendrebeogo, Wendegoudi Mathias Ouedraogo, Mohamed Bagayan, Sidwaya Hamed Ouedraogo, Clarisse Bougouma, Christophe Nassa, Mamadou Serme, Dieudonné Naré, Adama Zida, Ibrahim Sangaré, Micheline O. Ouedraogo, Patricia Houck, Steven Reid, Anna E. Phillips, Jennifer Magalong, Angela M. Weaver, Yaobi Zhang, Joseph Kouesyandé Soubeiga

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 6, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012858

Comprehensive proteolytic profiling of Aedes aegypti mosquito midgut extracts: Unraveling the blood meal protein digestion system

Anthony J. O’Donoghue, Chenxi Liu, Carter J. Simington, Saira Montermoso, Elizabeth Moreno-Galvez, Mateus Sá M. Serafim, Olive E. Burata, Rachael M. Lucero, James T. Nguyen, Daniel Fong, Khanh Tran, Neomi Millan, Jamie M. Gallimore, Kamille Parungao, Jonathan Fong, Brian M. Suzuki, Zhenze Jiang, Jun Isoe, Alberto A. Rascón Jr

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 6, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012555

Epidemiological surveillance and phylogenetic diversity of Orthohantavirus hantanense using high-fidelity nanopore sequencing, Republic of Korea

Kyungmin Park, Jongwoo Kim, Juyoung Noh, Seong-Gyu Kim, Hee-Kyung Cho, Kijin Kim, Ye-rin Seo, Taehun Lim, Seonghyeon Lee, Jaeyeon Lee, Seung In Lim, Young Hoon Joo, Buddle Lee, Seok Hyeon Yun, Changbo Park, Won-Keun Kim, Jin-Won Song

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 7, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012859

Prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of different diagnostic tests for Chagas disease in an indigenous community of the Paraguayan Chaco

Sofia Ardiles-Ruesjas, Vidalia Lesmo, Valeria González-Romero, Zully Cubilla, Lilian Chena, Claudia Huber, María José Rivas, Patricia Saldaña, Adrián Carrascosa, Susana Méndez, Sergi Sanz, Sören L. Becker, Julio Alonso-Padilla, Irene Losada

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 7, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012861

Assessing the ecological resilience of Ebola virus in Africa and potential influencing factors based on a synthesized model

Li Shen, Jiawei Song, Yibo Zhou, Xiaojie Yuan, Samuel Seery, Ting Fu, Xihao Liu, Yihong Liu, Zhongjun Shao, Rui Li, Kun Liu

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 7, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012843

Sugar feeding by Aedes albopictus in the Torres Strait, Australia

Boni F. Sebayang, Tanya L. Russell, Susannah Mosby, Richard Gela, Darcy L. Roeger, Bram van de Straat, Kyran M. Staunton, Thomas R. Burkot

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 7, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012856

Clinical features of puff adder envenoming: case series of Bitis arietans snakebites in Kenya and a scoping review of the literature

Frank-Leonel Tianyi, Cecilia Ngari, Mark Wilkinson, Stanley Parkurito, Elizabeth Chebet, Evans Mumo, Anna Trelfa, Denis Otundo, Edouard Crittenden, Geoffrey Maranga Kephah, Robert A. Harrison, Ymkje Stienstra, Nicholas R. Casewell, David G. Lalloo, George O. Oluoch

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 10, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012845

Impact of cerebrospinal fluid leukocyte infiltration and activated neuroimmune mediators on survival with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis

Samuel Okurut, David R. Boulware, Yukari C. Manabe, Lillian Tugume, Caleb P. Skipper, Kenneth Ssebambulidde, Joshua Rhein, Abdu K. Musubire, Andrew Akampurira, Elizabeth C. Okafor, Joseph O. Olobo, Edward N. Janoff, David B. Meya, for ASTRO Trial Team

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 10, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012873

Investigating the impact of Premolis semirufa caterpillar bristle toxins on human chondrocyte activation and inflammation

Cinthya Lais de Lima, Paula C. Pohl, Isadora M. Villas-Boas, Giselle Pidde, Denise V. Tambourgi

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 10, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012816

Mass spectrometry imaging reveals spatial metabolic variation and the crucial role of uridine metabolism in liver injury caused by Schistosoma japonicum

Qingkai Xue, Xiangyu Zhou, Yuyan Wang, Yiyun Liu, Xiaojing Li, Chunrong Xiong, Xinjian Liu, Yuzheng Huang

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 11, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012854

Geographical mapping and seroprevalence of Burkholderia pseudomallei amongst livestock species in Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Suwei Zheng, James R. Young, Syseng Khounsy, Phouvong Phommachanh, Peter Christensen, Watthana Theppangna, Tom Hughes, Adisone Temmerath, Alex Inthavong, Phoummavanh Inthapanya, Sivone Panyasith, Koukeo Phommasone, Direk Limmathurotsakul, Elizabeth A. Ashley, Stuart D. Blacksell, Michael P. Ward

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 12, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012711

Incidence of loiasis clinical manifestations in a rural area of the Republic of Congo: Results from a longitudinal prospective study (the MorLo project)

Jérémy T. Campillo, Biam-Miveck Pakat-Pambou, Bachiratou Sahm, Sébastien D.S. Pion, Marlhand C. Hemilembolo, Elodie Lebredonchel, Michel Boussinesq, François Missamou, Cédric B. Chesnais

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 12, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012868

Spatial distribution of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein copy number variation and Duffy genotype, and their association with parasitemia in Ethiopia

Yasin Nasir, Eshetu Molla, Getnet Habtamu, Solomon Sisay, Legesse Alamerie Ejigu, Fikregabrail Aberra Kassa, Mulugeta Demisse, Wakweya Chali, Melat Abdo, Dawit Hailu Alemayehu, Lina Alemayehu, Alemayehu Letebo, Tadele Emiru, Jimma Dinsa Deressa, Tajudin Abdurhaman Hamza, Abel Beliyu Tamirat, Tadesse Misganaw, Alayu Bogale, Zufan Yiheyis Abriham, Sisay Dugassa, Migbaru Keffale, Fekadu Massebo, Hassen Mamo, Endalamaw Gadisa, Chris Drakeley, Alemayehu Godana Birhanu, Cristian Koepfli, Fitsum G Tadesse

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 13, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012837

Livestock production losses attributable to brucellosis in northern and central Tanzania: Application of an epidemiological-economic modelling framework

Ângelo J. F. Mendes, Daniel T. Haydon, William A. de Glanville, Rebecca F. Bodenham, AbdulHamid S. Lukambagire, Paul C. D. Johnson, Gabriel M. Shirima, Sarah Cleaveland, Emma McIntosh, Nick Hanley, Jo E. B. Halliday

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 14, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012814

Treatment heterogeneity of water, sanitation, hygiene, and nutrition interventions on child growth by environmental enteric dysfunction and pathogen status for young children in Bangladesh

Zachary Butzin-Dozier, Yunwen Ji, Jeremy Coyle, Ivana Malenica, Elizabeth T. Rogawski McQuade, Jessica Anne Grembi, James A. Platts-Mills, Eric R. Houpt, Jay P. Graham, Shahjahan Ali, Md Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Alauddin, Syeda L. Famida, Salma Akther, Md. Saheen Hossen, Palash Mutsuddi, Abul K. Shoab, Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Ohedul Islam, Rana Miah, Mami Taniuchi, Jie Liu, Sarah T. Alauddin, Christine P. Stewart, Stephen P. Luby, John M. Colford Jr., Alan E. Hubbard, Andrew N. Mertens, Audrie Lin

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 18, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012881

Research on health education and health promotion during the process of schistosomiasis elimination II Awareness among university students in endemic regions

Jing Zhang, Shuying Xie, Huiqun Xie, Yifeng Li, Jun Ge, Junjiang Chen, Jun Wu, Fei Hu

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 18, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012865

Performance of real-time polymerase chain reaction and Kato-Katz for diagnosing soil-transmitted helminth infections and evaluating treatment efficacy of emodepside in randomized controlled trials

Christian N. Lotz, Emmanuel C. Mrimi, Pierre H. H. Schneeberger, Said M. Ali, Jan Hattendorf, Jennifer Keiser

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 18, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012872

Prevalence of antibodies against dengue virus in the city of Buenos Aires: Results of a probabilistic population survey

Cristián Biscayart, Patricia Angeleri, María Belén Bouzas, Lilia Mammana, Alejandro Macchia

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 18, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012886

Phylogenetic analysis of Mycobacterium bovis reveals animal and zoonotic tuberculosis spread between Morocco and European countries

Hind Yahyaoui Azami, Claudia Perea, Tod Stuber, Mohammed Bouslikhane, Jaouad Berrada, Hamid Aboukhassib, Alberto Oscar Allepuz Palau, Ana C. Reis, Mónica V. Cunha, Tyler C. Thacker, Suelee Robbe-Austerman, Liliana C. M. Salvador, Frederick D. Quinn

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 18, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011982

Temporal trends in the incidence and case severity of COVID-19 cases among the Syrian refugees in Azraq camp in Jordan: A retrospective observational study

Ahmad Waleed Zghool, Ahmad Alrawashdeh, Zaid I. Alkhatib, Sara A. Nasser, Natalya Kostandova, Shiromi M. Perera, Jomana W. Alsulaiman, Adi H. Khassawneh, Abdel-Hameed W. Al-Mistarehi, Amer Abu-Shanab, Khalid A. Kheirallah

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 19, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012875

Impact of a multi-pronged cholera intervention in an endemic setting

Alexandre Blake, Adam Walder, Ephraim M. Hanks, Placide Okitayemba Welo, Francisco Luquero, Didier Bompangue, Nita Bharti

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 19, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012867

Improving neglected tropical disease services and integration into primary healthcare in Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region, Ethiopia: Results from a mixed methods evaluation of feasibility, acceptability and cost effectiveness

Laura Donovan, Tedila Habte, Esey Batisso, Dawit Getachew, Ann-Sophie Stratil, Agonafer Tekalegne, Fikre Seife, Damen Mariam, Kevin Baker

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 20, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011718

A composite subunit vaccine confers full protection against Buruli ulcer disease in the mouse footpad model of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection

Justice Kofi Boakye-Appiah, Andy C. Tran, Matthew J. Paul, Peter Hart, Richard O. Phillips, Thomas S. Harrison, Mark Wansbrough-Jones, Rajko Reljic

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 21, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012710

Patient insights research exploring disease awareness, patient life experience, and current management of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India

Shyam Sundar, Fabiana Alves, Koert Ritmeijer, Margriet den Boer, Colin Forsyth, Bethan Hughes, Clare Zamble, Kirsten Carter, Gerhild Angyalosi

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 25, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012326

Whole-genome sequencing reveals evidence for inter-species transmission of the yaws bacterium among nonhuman primates in Tanzania

Klára Janečková, Christian Roos, Petr Andrla, Pavla Fedrová, Nikola Tom, Simone Lueert, Julius D. Keyyu, Idrissa S. Chuma, David Šmajs, Sascha Knauf

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 26, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012887

Estimating per-infection cost and burden for dengue and Zika as a function of antibody-dependent enhancement

Christopher M. Kribs

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 27, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012876

High correlation between detection of dengue IgG from dried blood spots and serum using an indirect IgG ELISA assay: A validation study in Fortaleza, Brazil

Monica Zahreddine, Beatriz Parra, Laura Pierce, Danielle Ferreira de Oliveira, Mabel Carabali, Katia Charland, Kellyanne Abreu, Valéry Ridde, Danielle Malta Lima, Kate Zinszer

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 28, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012880

Antigen-specific T cell responses following single and co-administration of tick-borne encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, and yellow fever virus vaccines: Results from an open-label, non-randomized clinical trial-cohort

David Wullimann, John Tyler Sandberg, Mira Akber, Marie Löfling, Sara Gredmark-Russ, Jakob Michaëlsson, Marcus Buggert, Kim Blom, Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases: published February 28, 2025 | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0012693

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Editorial

Reviews

Research Articles