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TropicalMed
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Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases
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Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases

A special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 10669

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Jelena Prpić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: virology; HEV; neglected and emerging viruses; zoonosis; public health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) encompass a diverse group of conditions that disproportionately affect populations living in poverty, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions. Among these NTDs, viral infections play a significant role, causing devastating health, social, and economic consequences.

This Special Issue aims to explore innovative strategies, research, and collaborative efforts specifically focused on neglected tropical viral diseases.

We invite contributions that delve into neglected tropical viral diseases (dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and other related infections).

We invite submissions that aim to do the following:

  • Explore the epidemiology of neglected tropical viral diseases and emphasize cross-border collaboration;
  • Share advancements in diagnostic tools, antiviral therapies, and vaccine development;
  • Discuss vector-borne viral NTDs and effective approaches to control mosquito populations;
  • Highlight community-based programs that raise awareness, promote preventive measures, and empower local populations;
  • Explore the impact of climate variability on disease transmission and adaptation strategies;
  • Share successful examples of international collaboration in tackling viral NTDs.

By transcending borders and fostering collaboration, we can accelerate progress in tackling neglected tropical viral diseases. This Special Issue aims to contribute to a world where no one suffers needlessly due to preventable infections.

Dr. Jelena Prpić
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dengue
  • Zika
  • chikungunya 
  • yellow fever 
  • antiviral therapies 
  • vector control 
  • viral NTDs 
  • transmission and epidemiology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2687 KiB  
Article
Baseline Seroprevalence of Arboviruses in Liberia Using a Multiplex IgG Immunoassay
by Albert To, Varney M. Kamara, Davidetta M. Tekah, Mohammed A. Jalloh, Salematu B. Kamara, Teri Ann S. Wong, Aquena H. Ball, Ludwig I. Mayerlen, Kyle M. Ishikawa, Hyeong Jun Ahn, Bode Shobayo, Julius Teahton, Brien K. Haun, Wei-Kung Wang, John M. Berestecky, Vivek R. Nerurkar, Peter S. Humphrey and Axel T. Lehrer
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(4), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10040092 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1709
Abstract
Insect-borne viruses may account for a significant proportion of non-malaria and non-bacterial febrile illnesses in Liberia. Although the presence of many arthropod vectors has been documented, the collective burden of arbovirus infections and baseline pre-existing immunity remains enigmatic. Our goal was to determine [...] Read more.
Insect-borne viruses may account for a significant proportion of non-malaria and non-bacterial febrile illnesses in Liberia. Although the presence of many arthropod vectors has been documented, the collective burden of arbovirus infections and baseline pre-existing immunity remains enigmatic. Our goal was to determine the seroprevalence of arbovirus exposure across the country using a resource-sparing, multiplex immunoassay to determine IgG responses to immunodominant antigens. 532 human serum samples, from healthy adults, collected from 10 counties across Liberia, were measured for IgG reactivity against antigens of eight common flavi-, alpha-, and orthobunya/nairoviruses suspected to be present in West Africa. Approximately 32.5% of our samples were reactive to alphavirus (CHIKV) E2, ~7% were reactive separately to West Nile (WNV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) NS1, while 4.3 and 3.2% were reactive to Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) N and Dengue virus-2 (DENV-2) NS1, respectively. Altogether, 21.6% of our samples were reactive to ≥1 flavivirus NS1s. Of the CHIKV E2 reactive samples, 8.5% were also reactive to at least one flavivirus NS1, and six samples were concurrently reactive to antigens of all three arbovirus groups, suggesting a high burden of multiple arbovirus infections for some participants. These insights suggest the presence of these four arbovirus families in Liberia with low and moderate rates of flavi- and alphavirus infections, respectively, in healthy adults. Further confirmational investigation, such as mosquito surveillance or other serological tests, is warranted and should be conducted before initiating additional flavivirus vaccination campaigns. The findings of these studies can help guide healthcare resource mobilization, vector control, and animal husbandry practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases)
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11 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Estimation and Characterization of Dengue Serotypes in Patients Presenting with Dengue Fever at Makkah Hospitals
by Sami Melebari, Abdul Hafiz, Hatim A. Natto, Mohamed Osman Elamin, Naif A. Jalal, Ashwaq Hakim, Safiah Rushan, Othman Fallatah, Kamal Alzabeedi, Feras Malibari, Hutaf Mashat, Aisha Alsaadi, Amani Alhakam, Anoud Hadidi, Ghazi Saad Alkhaldi, Ahmed Alkhyami, Ali Alqarni, Abdulaziz Alzahrani, Mohammed Alghamdi, Abdullah Siddiqi, Abdullah Alasmari, Rowaida Bakri, Saleh Alqahtani, Juman M. Al-Bajaly and Asim Khogeeradd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(1), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10010027 - 20 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1666
Abstract
Dengue fever is caused by four common serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Patients infected with one serotype may develop lifelong serotype-specific protective immunity. However, they remain susceptible to reinfection with the other serotypes, often increasing the risk of [...] Read more.
Dengue fever is caused by four common serotypes of the dengue virus (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). Patients infected with one serotype may develop lifelong serotype-specific protective immunity. However, they remain susceptible to reinfection with the other serotypes, often increasing the risk of severe forms of dengue. This cross-sectional study investigates the prevalence of the four dengue serotypes in patients who presented with dengue fever at Makkah hospitals between April 2023 and May 2024. Data were collected from the medical records of the Regional Laboratory in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The 238 positive dengue samples included 185 samples (77.73%) from male patients. The average age of the patients was 37.65 years (SD = 15.05). Dengue type 2 was the most common serotype, followed by type 1, type 3, and type 4. Most of the dengue patients were Saudi nationals, followed by Egyptians. There were 11 dengue-positive samples that were not diagnosed with any of the four dengue serotypes. Since Makkah receives numerous international travelers, these samples might contain novel dengue serotypes circulating in different parts of the world. This study underscores the need for the continuous monitoring of dengue serotypes to predict potential outbreaks and mitigate the risk of severe dengue in susceptible populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases)
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6 pages, 383 KiB  
Communication
Factors Contributing to In-Hospital Mortality in Dengue: Insights from National Surveillance Data in Mexico (2020–2024)
by Eder Fernando Ríos-Bracamontes, Oliver Mendoza-Cano, Agustin Lugo-Radillo, Ana Daniela Ortega-Ramírez and Efrén Murillo-Zamora
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(9), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9090202 - 3 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2255
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the factors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality in laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from 2020 to mid-2024. A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted in Mexico and data from 18,436 participants were analyzed. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals [...] Read more.
This study aimed to identify the factors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality in laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from 2020 to mid-2024. A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted in Mexico and data from 18,436 participants were analyzed. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), estimated using generalized linear regression models, were used to evaluate the factors associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality risk. The overall case–fatality rate was 17.5 per 1000. In the multiple model, compared to dengue virus (DENV) 1 infections, DENV-2 (RR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.15–2.86) and DENV-3 (RR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.19–2.92) were associated with increased mortality risk. Patient characteristics, such as increasing age (RR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03), type 2 diabetes mellitus (RR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.45–2.96), and chronic kidney disease (RR = 3.35, 95% CI 2.03–5.51), were also associated with an increased risk of a fatal outcome. We documented the influence of both the virus and individual susceptibility on mortality risk, underscoring the need for a comprehensive public health strategy for dengue. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases)
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Review

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27 pages, 1625 KiB  
Review
Suppression of Interferon Response and Antiviral Strategies of Bunyaviruses
by Yingying He, Min Shen, Xiaohe Wang, Anqi Yin, Bingyan Liu, Jie Zhu and Zhenhua Zhang
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2024, 9(9), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed9090205 - 7 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2349
Abstract
The order Bunyavirales belongs to the class of Ellioviricetes and is classified into fourteen families. Some species of the order Bunyavirales pose potential threats to human health. The continuously increasing research reveals that various viruses within this order achieve immune evasion in the [...] Read more.
The order Bunyavirales belongs to the class of Ellioviricetes and is classified into fourteen families. Some species of the order Bunyavirales pose potential threats to human health. The continuously increasing research reveals that various viruses within this order achieve immune evasion in the host through suppressing interferon (IFN) response. As the types and nodes of the interferon response pathway are continually updated or enriched, the IFN suppression mechanisms and target points of different virus species within this order are also constantly enriched and exhibit variations. For instance, Puumala virus (PUUV) and Tula virus (TULV) can inhibit IFN response through their functional NSs inhibiting downstream factor IRF3 activity. Nevertheless, the IFN suppression mechanisms of Dabie bandavirus (DBV) and Guertu virus (GTV) are mostly mediated by viral inclusion bodies (IBs) or filamentous structures (FSs). Currently, there are no effective drugs against several viruses belonging to this order that pose significant threats to society and human health. While the discovery, development, and application of antiviral drugs constitute a lengthy process, our focus on key targets in the IFN response suppression process of the virus leads to potential antiviral strategies, which provide references for both basic research and practical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases)
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Other

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14 pages, 994 KiB  
Systematic Review
Chikungunya Fever and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by José Kennedy Amaral, Robert Taylor Schoen, Michael E. Weinblatt and Estelita Lima Cândido
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2025, 10(2), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed10020054 - 12 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1734
Abstract
Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a re-emerging infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. A significant number progress to chronic chikungunya arthritis, which shares similarities with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite evidence of a link between CHIKV infection and [...] Read more.
Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a re-emerging infectious disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. A significant number progress to chronic chikungunya arthritis, which shares similarities with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite evidence of a link between CHIKV infection and subsequent RA development, a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between these two diseases is lacking. This study systematically analyzes the incidence of RA after CHIKV infection and its immunological mechanisms, following PRISMA guidelines with literature searches across multiple databases up to 3 September 2024. Eligible studies included retrospective and prospective designs reporting RA diagnoses after CHIKV infection. Data extraction was performed independently, and the risk of bias was assessed using appropriate tools. Sixteen studies involving 2879 patients were included, with 449 individuals diagnosed with RA following CHIKV infection, resulting in a combined incidence of 13.7% (95% CI: 6.12% to 27.87%). High heterogeneity between studies was observed (I2 = 96%), indicating variability related to diagnostic criteria and population characteristics. This review highlights the significant RA incidence after CHIKV infection, emphasizing the need for research on autoimmune mechanisms, long-term rheumatological follow-up, early diagnostic biomarkers, and CHIKV’s long-term health impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Beyond Borders—Tackling Neglected Tropical Viral Diseases)
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