A global call for action to tackle skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs) through integration: An ambitious step change.

On 8 June 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) released pivotal guidance, "Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: A strategic framework for integrated control and management of skin-related neglected tropical diseases." Skin-related neglected tropical diseases, or skin NTDs, comprise a group of NTDs that produce signs and symptoms on the skin and include at least 9 diseases or disease groups. Moving away from disease-specific approaches, it is anticipated that synergies will be identified and integrated building on this shared feature, where possible, to achieve a greater health impact. This paper intends to draw attention to the prospects created by this scheme. The framework is a key basis for a proposal produced by WHO dedicated to skin NTD integration and describes the practical opportunities for this evolving strategy. It underlines the wider health benefits that will follow, thus working towards Universal Health Coverage and skin health for all.

A dermatologic assessment of 101 mpox (monkeypox) cases from 13 countries during the 2022 outbreak: Skin lesion morphology, clinical course, and scarring.

BACKGROUND: In the 2022 mpox (monkeypox) outbreak, 79,000 global cases have been reported. Yet, limited dermatologic data have been published regarding lesion morphology and progression. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize skin lesion morphology, symptomatology, and outcomes of mpox infection over time. METHODS: The American Academy of Dermatology/International League of Dermatological Societies Dermatology COVID-19, Mpox, and Emerging Infections Registry captured deidentified patient cases of mpox entered by health care professionals. RESULTS: From August 4 to November 13, 2022, 101 cases from 13 countries were entered, primarily by dermatologists (92%). Thirty-nine percent had fewer than 5 lesions. In 54% of cases, skin lesions were the first sign of infection. In the first 1-5 days of infection, papules (36%), vesicles (17%), and pustules (20%) predominated. By days 6-10, pustules (36%) were most common, followed by erosions/ulcers (27%) and crusts/scabs (24%). Crusts/scabs were the predominant morphology after day 11. Ten cases of morbilliform rash were reported. Scarring occurred in 13% of the cases. LIMITATIONS: Registry-reported data cannot address incidence. There is a potential reporting bias from the predilection to report cases with greater clinical severity. DISCUSSION: These findings highlight differences in skin findings compared to historical outbreaks, notably the presence of skin lesions prior to systemic symptoms and low overall lesion counts. Scarring emerged as a major possible sequela.

Evaluation of the acceptance and efficacy of a bespoke sun protection package for persons with oculocutaneous albinism living in Malawi.

INTRODUCTION: Skin cancer is the main cause of death in persons with albinism (PWA) in Africa. Education would minimize sun damage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptance of a photoprotection educative and sunscreen (Umozi Max) package designed for PWA in reducing sunburns and skin cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, noncontrolled, before-and-after, interventional study was conducted in PWA > 12 years of age, from February to May, 2019, in Malawi. During the baseline and the follow-up visits (at 8 and 15 weeks), subjects received an educational program designed to PWA and use of Umozi Max. At every visit, photoprotection behavior and knowledge were checked and cutaneous lesions were recorded. Univariate and bivariate analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 210 PWA were analyzed, 50% males, with a mean age of 24.5 (SD 11.29) years. The percentage of people using sun protective clothing increased from 80% to 100% and sunscreen from 81.9% to 99.5%. People avoiding the midday sun increased by 38.9% (P < 0.05). Participants that erroneously applied the sunscreen at night diminished from 40% to 4% (P < 0.001). Absent erythema on the face increased from 40% to 90% (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients with actinic keratoses (AK) on all locations significantly decreased during the study. All the participants preferred Umozi Max to previously used sunscreens. The satisfaction with the program was unanimous. CONCLUSION: The educational program enhanced the use of all photoprotection measures, improved behaviors, and decreased the incidence of solar erythema and contributed to decreasing the incidence of new AKs.

The public health control of scabies: priorities for research and action.

Scabies is a parasitic disease of the skin that disproportionately affects disadvantaged populations. The disease causes considerable morbidity and leads to severe bacterial infection and immune-mediated disease. Scientific advances from the past 5 years suggest that scabies is amenable to population-level control, particularly through mass drug administration. In recognition of these issues, WHO added scabies to the list of neglected tropical diseases in 2017. To develop a global control programme, key operational research questions must now be addressed. Standardised approaches to diagnosis and methods for mapping are required to further understand the burden of disease. The safety of treatments for young children, including with ivermectin and moxidectin, should be investigated. Studies are needed to inform optimum implementation of mass treatment, including the threshold for intervention, target, dosing, and frequency. Frameworks for surveillance, monitoring, and evaluation of control strategies are also necessary.

WhatsApp platforms in tropical public health resource-poor settings.

In order to deliver equal healthcare access to resource-poor settings, sustainable, cost-effective systems of communication should be used. As mobile phone use increases, remote care can be delivered via teledermatology using Apps. This commentary covers how WhatsApp could be used by dermatologists seeking to deliver healthcare in this context.

Consensus criteria for the diagnosis of scabies: A Delphi study of international experts.

BACKGROUND: Scabies was added to the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases portfolio in 2017, and further understanding of the disease burden is now required. There are no uniformly accepted test methods or examination procedures for diagnosis, which limits the interpretation of research and epidemiological findings. The International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) designated harmonization of diagnostic procedures as a priority for the development of a global control strategy. Therefore, we aimed to develop consensus criteria for the diagnosis of scabies. METHODOLOGY / PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted an iterative, consensus (Delphi) study involving international experts in the diagnosis of scabies. Panel members were recruited through expression of interest and targeted invitation of experts. The Delphi study consisted of four rounds of anonymous surveys. Rounds 1 and 2 involved generation and ranking an extensive list of possible features. In Rounds 3 and 4, participants were presented results from previous rounds and indicated agreement with a series of draft criteria. Panel participants (n = 34, range per Round 28-30) were predominantly highly experienced clinicians, representing a range of clinical expertise and all inhabited continents. Based on initial rounds, a draft set of criteria were developed, incorporating three levels of diagnostic certainty-Confirmed Scabies, Clinical Scabies and Suspected Scabies. Consensus was reached in Round 4, with a very high level of agreement (> 89%) for all levels of criteria and subcategories. Adoption of the criteria was supported by 96% of panel members. CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE: Consensus criteria for scabies diagnosis were established with very high agreement. The 2018 IACS Criteria for the Diagnosis of Scabies can be implemented for scabies research and mapping projects, and for surveillance after control interventions. Validation of the criteria is required.

Skin disease prevalence study in schoolchildren in rural Côte d'Ivoire: Implications for integration of neglected skin diseases (skin NTDs).

BACKGROUND: Early detection of several skin-related neglected tropical diseases (skin NTDs)-including leprosy, Buruli ulcer, yaws, and scabies- may be achieved through school surveys, but such an approach has seldom been tested systematically on a large scale in endemic countries. Additionally, a better understanding of the spectrum of skin diseases and the at-risk populations to be encountered during such surveys is necessary to facilitate the process. METHODS: We performed a school skin survey for selected NTDs and the spectrum of skin diseases, among primary schoolchildren aged 5 to 15 in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. This 2-phase survey took place in 49 schools from 16 villages in the Adzopé health district from November 2015 to January 2016. The first phase involved a rapid visual examination of the skin by local community healthcare workers (village nurses) to identify any skin abnormality. In a second phase, a specialized medical team including dermatologists performed a total skin examination of all screened students with any skin lesion and provided treatment where necessary. RESULTS: Of a total of 13,019 children, 3,504 screened positive for skin lesions and were listed for the next stage examination. The medical team examined 1,138 of these children. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 25.6% (95% CI: 24.3-26.9%). The predominant diagnoses were fungal infections (n = 858, prevalence: 22.3%), followed by inflammatory skin diseases (n = 265, prevalence: 6.9%). Skin diseases were more common in boys and in children living along the main road with heavy traffic. One case of multi-bacillary type leprosy was detected early, along with 36 cases of scabies. Our survey was met with very good community acceptance. CONCLUSION: We carried out the first large-scale integrated, two-phase pediatric multi-skin NTD survey in rural Côte d'Ivoire, effectively reaching a large population. We found a high prevalence of skin diseases in children, but only limited number of skin NTDs. With the lessons learned, we plan to expand the project to a wider area to further explore its potential to better integrate skin NTD screening in the public health agenda.

Spectrum and burden of dermatophytes in children.

Tinea capitis is the most important superficial fungal condition in children. It is often unrecognised but the presence of alopecia, scale and lymphadenopathy, especially in inner-city children should prompt investigation. An understanding of changing epidemiology and prevalence of causative organisms is important in deciding appropriate therapy. The use of diagnostic aids including dermoscopy is increasing and is reported to be helpful in identifying subtle signs. Trichophyton tonsurans accounts for the majority of cases in the UK and terbinafine is increasingly advocated as a safe and effective therapy. Exclusion from school is unnecessary provided the child is receiving appropriate systemic and topical therapy, but family members should be screened and carriers should receive treatment. Steroids and surgical treatments should be avoided. Treatment failure is common and may be multifactorial. Mycological cure after completing treatment should be sought and therefore follow up is necessary for Tinea capitis cases. Development of molecular diagnostic methods may improve our ability to diagnose Tinea capitis accurately and quickly in the future. Emerging new dermatophytoses affecting other anatomical sites are discussed which, although not common in the UK, may be seen due to increasing travel worldwide.

Opportunities for Integrated Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases That Affect the Skin.

Many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect the skin, causing considerable disability, stigma, and exacerbation of poverty. However, there has been relatively little investment into laboratory research, epidemiology, diagnostic tools or management strategies to control tropical skin disease. Integration may advance the control of skin disease across a range of domains, including mapping, diagnosis, clinical management, and community control measures such as mass drug administration. Examples of successful integration strategies include programs targeting scabies, impetigo, yaws, and diseases causing lymphoedema. Future strategies should build on these experiences and the experience of integration of other NTDs, strengthen existing health systems, and contribute toward the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. Strong partnerships and political support and will be necessary to achieve these goals.

Severity of acute ocular involvement is independently associated with time to resolution of ocular disease in toxic epidermal necrolysis patients.

PURPOSE: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a severe, life-threatening mucocutaneous disorder that frequently involves the ocular surface. This study aims to investigate the natural history and resolution of acute ocular involvement in patients with TEN admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: Case notes of patients admitted to ICU with TEN at a tertiary referral centre in a 9-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' characteristics, severity of ocular involvement, SCORTEN systemic severity score and treatment were correlated with resolution of ocular involvement and time to resolution. RESULTS: Nine out of 10 (90%) patients had ocular involvement with 4 graded as mild, 2 as moderate and 3 as severe. All had bilateral ocular disease. The median length of hospital stay was 28 days and the median time to resolution of ocular involvement was 19 days. Four out of 9 (44%) patients still had active ocular disease at the time of discharge. Only older age (p=0.032) and a milder grade of ocular disease (p=0.001) were significantly associated with resolution of ocular disease. In a multivariable Cox-regression model, only a milder grade of ocular disease remained independently associated with time to resolution of ocular disease (p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Grading of acute ocular disease severity does not reflect systemic disease severity and is significantly associated with resolution and time to resolution of ocular involvement in TEN. The high rate of ocular involvement in patients with TEN and relatively large proportion of patients with active disease on discharge reiterates the need for constant ophthalmological monitoring of these patients.

Opportunities to investigate the effects of ivermectin mass drug administration on scabies.

The recent article by Mohammed et al. demonstrates an impressive effect of ivermectin mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis on the burden of scabies. Partnering scabies research within the evaluation and monitoring of Neglected Tropical Disease programmes could potentially increase our understanding of the epidemiology and control of scabies and its important bacterial complications.

Epidemiology of scabies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Scabies is a common skin infestation globally, particularly in the developing world. With the launch of the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies (IACS) in 2012, this review aims to present the recent evidence of the current epidemiological situation for scabies across the globe. Mindful of the fact that the downstream complications of scabies infestations, pyoderma, streptococcal glomerulonephritis and subsequent chronic renal impairment and rheumatic fever, have been recognized as being more significant to global health than previously acknowledged, the review focusses also on the epidemiological evidence from developing countries. RECENT FINDINGS: Scabies occurrence rates vary in the recent literature from 2.71 per 1000 to 46%. Although it is responsible for larger disease burdens and complications such as pyoderma and renal and heart disease in the tropics, scabies outbreaks in the developed world amongst vulnerable communities and health institutions contribute a significant cost to the health services managing them. SUMMARY: Scabies remains common across the world, but is such a health issue in the developing world that the suggestion that it be considered a neglected tropical disease is a pertinent one. Standardized diagnostic criteria and even a point-of-care diagnostic test would be a major contribution to the understanding of this epidemic.

Changing face of tinea capitis in Europe.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this review is to update the latest epidemiological situation in Europe, explore recent issues in recognition and emerging opportunities in diagnosis and look at progressions in treatment. Papers reviewed have, in the main, been published within the last 2 years. RECENT FINDINGS: The predominantly responsible organism varies with country. Trichophyton tonsurans accounts for 50-90% of cases in the UK, Microsporum canis is commonest in Central and Southern Europe and T. violaceum in Greece and Belgium. Confirming the diagnosis of tinea capitis is best undertaken with more than one sampling method to include scraping of scalp, and either scalp massage brush, toothbrush, moistened cotton gauze swab or cytobrush to increase sensitivity. Advances in the speed of species identification is offered by the novel PCR-based detection/identification scheme, and although not yet commercially available, with potential turnaround times of <24 h this will offer a significant advance in the speed of diagnosis, allowing treatment to be organism tailored. Although griseofulvin remains the only licensed treatment in the UK and a meta-analysis confirms it is effective against the major tinea capitis pathogens, a new granule formulation of terbinafine has been shown to be more effective against T. tonsurans. SUMMARY: With the evolving organism profile across Europe, obtaining an accurate diagnosis and species identification is crucial. Using more than one sampling method followed by rapid species identification techniques will facilitate this. Although there are no changes in specific product license to include children, the production of a child-friendly formulation of terbinafine will contribute to improved compliance.