Journal of Disease and Global Health

Economic Impact of Lumpy Skin Disease in Africa and Asia: A Systematic Review of Economic Losses, Control Strategies, and Research Gaps

2026-05-29T13:18:53+00:00

Background: Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), is an important transboundary viral disease affecting cattle and water buffalo across Africa and Asia. Although mortality is generally low (<5%), the disease causes substantial economic losses through reduced productivity, treatment expenses, and trade-related disruptions, posing a serious threat to livestock-dependent communities.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesise available evidence on the economic impact of LSD in Africa and Asia, evaluate methodological approaches used in economic assessments, analyse control strategies, and identify key research gaps to support future policy and research priorities.

Methods: This review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2010 and March 2026. Eligible studies included economic impact analyses, cost-benefit evaluations, and livestock disease economic assessments related to LSD. Data from 18 eligible studies were synthesised using narrative synthesis due to methodological and geographical heterogeneity.

Results: The review found that LSD imposes substantial direct and indirect economic losses through reduced milk production (20–65% for 2–8 weeks), weight loss, hide damage, reproductive inefficiency, treatment costs, labour diversion, market disruption, and trade restrictions. Economic impacts were often greater in intensive dairy systems and among crossbred cattle due to higher productivity losses and market value. Vaccination was consistently identified as the most cost-effective control strategy, with reported benefit–cost ratios ranging from 1.4 to 8.1. However, considerable methodological heterogeneity across studies limited comparability of economic estimates. Major research gaps included the absence of standardised economic assessment frameworks, limited evidence from smallholder farming systems, and insufficient long-term economic evaluations.

Conclusion: Lumpy skin disease imposes a significant economic burden across Africa and Asia despite its relatively low mortality. Strengthening vaccination strategies, improving standardised economic evaluation methods, and addressing key research gaps are essential for evidence-based disease control policies and improved livestock sector resilience.

Pandemic Preparedness, Resilience, and Recovery in Health Systems

2026-06-08T12:46:55+00:00

Pandemics and public health emergencies expose vulnerabilities in healthcare systems, disrupt other sectors that provide essential services, and exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities among populations. This narrative review assesses components of pandemic preparedness, health system resilience, and strategies of recovery from a global health crisis. Lessons from COVID-19 and other previous pandemics—such as the importance of early warning systems, robust surveillance, adaptive workforce deployment, sustainable supply chains, and strong governance are considered. In addition to preparation for and management of a pandemic, a health system must not only absorb shock to be considered resilient, but also adapt and transform to deal with a crisis. This healthcare transformation can be achieved through adopting digital health information systems, new methods of healthcare financing, and active involvement of local communities. The importance of protecting essential health services, such as immunization, maternal healthcare, and management of patients with chronic diseases, is highlighted. The review also addresses the disproportionate impact of these health crises on vulnerable populations such as people of low socioeconomic status, the elderly, and displaced people. Finally, recommendations are provided on how to strengthen global health security by strengthening primary health care, ensuring equitable distribution of resources, and investing in local manufacturing of health products and in digital health information systems. Building back better in the aftermath of a pandemic will require sustained political will and, most importantly, international solidarity and a fundamental shift from a health crisis reaction model to a model of equity-centered preparedness and proactiveness. Investment in primary health care, digital health technologies, local manufacturing of health products and emergency preparedness are key to future health security. Strong pandemic preparedness and resilience require sustained political commitment, global solidarity and an equity-oriented proactive approach to protect the world’s population in the face of a health crisis.

Emerging Zoonotic Infections in Odisha: A Systematic Review of Scrub Typhus and Anthrax

2026-06-09T10:10:32+00:00

Background: Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic infections continue to pose major public health challenges in Odisha, India. Scrub typhus and anthrax are increasingly recognized as important zoonotic diseases affecting rural and tribal populations.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA-guided principles. Studies published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Forty eligible studies were included for qualitative synthesis.

Results: The review identified scrub typhus as an increasingly important cause of acute undifferentiated febrile illness, particularly during monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Anthrax remained endemic in livestock-dependent tribal regions. Major determinants of transmission included occupational exposure, environmental vulnerability, delayed healthcare-seeking behavior, inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, and fragmented surveillance systems.

Conclusion: Scrub typhus and anthrax remain significant zoonotic threats in Odisha. Strengthening integrated surveillance systems, decentralized diagnostics, livestock vaccination programs, and One Health-based interventions is essential for improving disease prevention and outbreak preparedness.

Management of Symptomatic Reticular Oral Lichen Planus Involving the Buccal and Labial Mucosa: A Case Report

2026-06-29T11:01:54+00:00

Aim: This case report describes a symptomatic presentation of reticular oral lichen planus (OLP) and emphasises the therapeutic effectiveness of topical corticosteroid therapy, together with the importance of multidisciplinary management for symptom control.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old female patient presented with a three-month history of persistent burning sensation in the oral cavity, which intensified after the consumption of spicy and hot foods, with a VAS score of 8/10. The patient had no significant medical history, deleterious habits, trauma or cheek-biting habit. Intraoral examination revealed characteristic bilateral interlacing white striations involving the buccal mucosa, extending from the oral commissure to the pterygomandibular region. Similar striae were also noted on the upper and lower left labial mucosa. The lesions were non-scrapable and non-tender on palpation, with no signs of induration. Two small keratotic white patches were also present on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Based on the clinical features, a diagnosis of reticular OLP was considered. The patient was managed with topical clobetasol propionate 0.05%, applied three times daily for 15 days, together with dietary modification and referral for psychological evaluation to address stress- and sleep-related concerns.

Discussion: Oral lichen planus is a chronic immune-mediated disorder characterised by T-cell-mediated epithelial injury. Although the reticular variant is commonly asymptomatic, patients may experience a burning sensation due to mucosal hypersensitivity or external irritants. Topical corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment because of their potent anti-inflammatory action.

Conclusion: The present case was reported to demonstrate the clinical features of symptomatic reticular oral lichen planus and to describe the patient's response to topical corticosteroid therapy during follow-up.

Biochemical Markers of Liver Cirrhosis: From Liver Failure to Clinical Prognosis

2026-07-08T12:19:19+00:00

Liver cirrhosis is a progressive stage of chronic liver disease characterised by structural distortion, impaired hepatocellular function, portal hypertension, and risk of systemic decompensation. Biochemical markers remain central to its evaluation because they provide clinically accessible information on hepatocellular injury, cholestasis, synthetic dysfunction, renal impairment, electrolyte disturbance, and disease severity. This mini review summarises conventional and emerging biochemical markers of liver cirrhosis and discusses their pathophysiological basis, clinical application, and prognostic significance. Routine markers, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, international normalised ratio, platelet count, creatinine, sodium, and ammonia, are considered in relation to their diagnostic and prognostic roles. Composite indices such as Child-Pugh, MELD, MELD-Na, APRI, FIB-4, and ALBI are also discussed because they integrate laboratory and clinical variables for staging and risk stratification. The review emphasises that isolated laboratory abnormalities may be misleading, particularly in compensated cirrhosis, and that markers of injury should be distinguished from markers of true hepatic functional reserve. Emerging blood-based biomarkers may improve assessment of fibrosis, renal dysfunction, inflammation, and short-term deterioration, but broader validation is required before routine use. Overall, biochemical interpretation should be integrated with clinical findings and non-invasive assessment tools to support prognosis and management.

Analysis of Immune Response Mechanism of a Malaria-Autophagy & Immune Response Model

2026-06-30T08:09:59+00:00

Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by infected female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a major public health problem. In addition to adaptive immune responses, autophagy has been recognised as a cellular mechanism that may contribute to the removal of infected cells and pathogens. This study develops a nonlinear within-host mathematical model, formulated as a system of ordinary differential equations, to examine malaria infection in the presence of autophagy and immune response. The model describes interactions among healthy red blood cells, infected red blood cells, free malaria parasites, autophagic activity and activated immune effector cells. It incorporates autophagy-mediated and immune-mediated clearance of infected erythrocytes and free parasites. Positivity, boundedness and the existence of a positively invariant region are established to confirm the biological feasibility of the model. The basic reproduction number is derived using the next-generation matrix approach, and the stability properties of the disease-free equilibrium are analysed. The disease-free equilibrium is locally and globally asymptotically stable when the basic reproduction number is less than unity, indicating that infection cannot be sustained under this threshold condition. When the threshold exceeds unity, parasite persistence may occur depending on the model parameters and initial conditions. The analysis suggests that autophagy can complement immune-mediated clearance after infection has been initiated, although it does not appear explicitly in the initial invasion threshold.

Tuberculosis and Rifampicin Resistance Trends in a Chest Hospital: A 3-Year Retrospective Study

2026-06-30T11:41:41+00:00

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis warrants sustained monitoring of TB prevalence and rifampicin resistance to support disease control and patient management.

Aim: This study evaluated the trend in tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance among suspected patients attending a chest hospital over a three-year period (2023-2025).

Methodology: A retrospective descriptive hospital-based design was used. Laboratory records of suspected tuberculosis patients were reviewed, and only records with complete documented results were included. Extracted data included age, sex, tuberculosis test result and rifampicin resistance status detected using the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, confidence intervals and Chi-square testing, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: Complete records for 4,508 suspected tuberculosis patients were reviewed. Of these, 811 patients (18.0%; 95% CI: 16.3-20.1) tested positive for tuberculosis, while 3,697 (82.0%) tested negative. Yearly tuberculosis positivity was 18.0% in 2023, 17.7% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2025, indicating a relatively stable pattern across the study period. Males had a slightly higher positivity rate than females, but tuberculosis positivity was not significantly associated with sex (χ² = 0.48, p = 0.489). Among the tuberculosis-positive patients, 766 (94.5%) were rifampicin-susceptible, 33 (4.1%) had indeterminate rifampicin resistance and 12 (1.5%; 95% CI: 0.8-2.6) were rifampicin-resistant. Confirmed rifampicin resistance remained low and showed no marked annual increase.

Conclusion: Tuberculosis prevalence among suspected patients was stable during the three-year period, while confirmed rifampicin resistance was relatively low. Continued surveillance, timely diagnosis, treatment adherence and strengthened tuberculosis control remain important for limiting transmission and preventing further drug resistance.

Histomorphological Demonstration of Stromal Components in Palpable Female Breast Tumors, Counterstained with Annatto Seed Crude Extract

2026-07-10T06:59:24+00:00

Background: Annatto seed, obtained from Bixa orellana, contains natural yellow-orange pigments that may be useful as biological staining agents.

Aims: This study evaluated the histomorphological demonstration of stromal components in palpable female breast tumours using crude annatto seed extracts as counterstains to haematoxylin.

Methods: A total of 100 female breast tissue blocks were examined, comprising fibroadenoma (40 blocks), fibrocystic change (30 blocks), and invasive ductal carcinoma (30 blocks). Dried annatto seeds were used for crude dye extraction. One hundred grams of seed material was extracted in 200 ml of each solvent, including 95% ethanol, 70% ethanol, distilled water, and acetone. Phytochemical assessment of the extract was performed. Tissue sections were stained using routine haematoxylin and eosin as the control method, while the annatto seed extracts were used as counterstains to Harris haematoxylin. Stained sections were evaluated photomicrographically for staining intensity, visibility of stromal components, and preservation of tissue architecture.

Results: The extracts produced varying colour intensity and staining performance. Acetone produced the highest colour yield and volume, followed by 95% ethanol, 70% ethanol, and distilled water. However, sections stained with acetone showed a yellowish background that reduced cellular clarity. Sections counterstained with 95% ethanolic extract showed clearer stromal visualisation and better preservation of tissue morphology across fibroadenoma, fibrocystic change, and invasive ductal carcinoma when compared with the other crude extracts. The appearance was closer to that observed in routine haematoxylin and eosin-stained control sections.

Conclusion: Crude annatto seed extract, particularly the 95% ethanolic preparation, demonstrated potential as a counterstain for stromal components in selected palpable female breast tumours. Further optimisation and quantitative validation are required before routine diagnostic use can be recommended.

Molecular Docking Study of Selected Phytoconstituents Against Human Diabetic Target Proteins

2026-07-13T11:20:00+00:00

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by persistent hyperglycaemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Medicinal plants are widely explored as potential sources of antidiabetic agents because of their diverse phytochemical constituents and comparatively fewer side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of selected phytoconstituents through molecular docking against diabetes-related target proteins. Phytoconstituents from Momordica charantia, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Syzygium cumini, and Gymnema sylvestre were selected based on their reported medicinal importance. Molecular docking studies were performed using PyRx and AutoDock Vina against alpha-glucosidase, PPAR-γ, and PPAR-δ receptors. Binding affinity, docking score, and ligand–protein interactions were analysed using BIOVIA Discovery Studio. Among the studied compounds, Momordicoside 1 demonstrated the highest binding affinity against alpha-glucosidase, with a docking score of −9.8 kcal/mol. Flavonoids such as Quercetin, Kaempferol, Catechin, Apigenin, and Genistein also exhibited strong and consistent interactions with all target proteins. ADMET analysis showed favourable pharmacokinetic properties for most flavonoids, indicating their suitability as potential drug candidates. The study suggests that these phytoconstituents have promising antidiabetic potential and may serve as lead compounds for future antidiabetic drug development. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to validate their therapeutic efficacy and safety.