14 September 2023 – Below we feature a compilation of headlines, scientific articles, and technical reports on innovations, R&D and elimination progress towards polio, malaria, onchocerciasis, and lymphatic filariasis. We will be publishing these updates bi-weekly and hope they are useful.

Vector Control

  • What constitutes high-quality evidence for malaria vector control? – Link  

Diagnostic testing and treatment

  • Safety and tolerability of moxidectin and ivermectin combination treatments for lymphatic filariasis in Côte d’Ivoire: A randomized controlled superiority study – Link 
  • DCN Dx & BIOASTER announce collaboration for development of multiplex rapid diagnostic for neglected tropical diseases – Link
  • Testing and treatment for malaria elimination: a systematic review – Link

Drug and vaccine development

  • Anti-malarial activity of the alkaloid, heptaphylline, and the furanocoumarin, imperatorin, from Clausena anisata against human Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites: ex vivo trophozoitocidal, schizonticidal and gametocytocidal approach – Link

Drug resistance

  • Malaria-causing parasites resistant to both treatment and detection have emerged in Ethiopia – Link | Link to Paper

Surveillance

  • PAHO calls for strengthened surveillance and response to malaria in non-endemic countries of the Americas – Link

Elimination progress

  • Zanzibar’s malaria elimination efforts: progress, challenges, and lessons – Link

Climate and Health

  • Climate change poses threats to Kenya’s fight against malaria – Link
  • Why climate mitigation starts with life-saving vaccines – Link

Other

  • Management of onchocerciasis among adolescents in nkwanta north district of Ghana: Qualitative study of adolescents’ perception, community and health system support – Link
  • How correlations between treatment access and surveillance inclusion impact neglected tropical disease monitoring and evaluation—A simulated study – Link
  • Coverage evaluation of mass drug administration with triple drug regimen in an evaluation unit in Nagpur district of Maharashtra, India – Link
  • Malaria misdiagnosis in the routine health system in Arba Minch area district in southwest Ethiopia: an implication for malaria control and elimination – Link
  • Coverage of preventive measures and surveillance for neglected tropical diseases in hard-to-reach communities in Ghana – Link
  • Malaria epidemiological characteristics and control in Guangzhou, China, 1950–2022 – Link
  • Adherence to malaria treatment guidelines among health care workers in private health facilities in Kampala’s informal settlements, Uganda – Link
  • Sharing results with participants (and community) in malaria related research: Perspectives and experience from researchers – Link
  • A case for aligning private and philanthropic investment in Africa – Link
  • Barriers to accessing malaria treatment amongst school-age children in rural Malawi – Link
  • Magnitude of malaria and associated factors among febrile adults in Siraro District Public Health facilities, West Arsi Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia 2022: a facility-based cross-sectional study – Link
  • Our “One Gavi” mindset can help us meet three urgent goals – Link
  • First report of filarial nematodes in the genus Onchocerca infecting black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Iran – Link
  • Chad, DR Congo, Yemen report more polio cases – Link
  • Inflammation slows malaria parasite growth in the body – Link | Link to Paper

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