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Leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses in the vicious circle of neglect
Tshokey Tshokey1,2, Ablert I Ko3,4, Bart J Currie5
1Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory, University Hospital Geelong, Geelong, Australia.
Abstract:
The global priorities in the field of infectious diseases are constantly changing. While emerging viral infections have regularly dominated public health attention, which has only intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous bacterial diseases have previously caused, and continue to cause, significant morbidity and mortality-deserving equal attention. Three potentially life-threatening endemic bacterial diseases (leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses) are a huge public health concern especially in low- and middle-income countries. Despite their continued threat, these diseases do not receive proportionate attention from global health organizations and are not even included on the WHO list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This, in turn, has led to a vicious circle of neglect with continued, yet conceivably preventable, hospitalizations and deaths each year especially in the vulnerable population. This is a call from a group of multi-institutional experts on the urgent need to directly address the circle of neglect and raise support in terms of funding, research, surveillance, diagnostics, and therapeutics to alleviate the burden of these 3 diseases.
Insights
Three neglected bacterial infections—leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses—cause significant illness and death, particularly in low-income nations. Increased global health focus, funding, and research are urgently needed to combat these preventable diseases.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
- Global Health
Background:
- Emerging viral infections often overshadow persistent bacterial threats like leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses.
- These endemic bacterial diseases cause substantial morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.
- Despite their impact, these diseases are often overlooked by global health organizations and excluded from neglected tropical disease (NTD) initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant public health burden of leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses.
- To advocate for increased attention and resources for these under-recognized bacterial infections.
- To call for urgent action to break the cycle of neglect surrounding these diseases.
Main Methods:
- Expert consensus and review of existing literature on the epidemiology and impact of leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses.
- Analysis of global health priorities and funding allocation for infectious diseases.
- Identification of research, surveillance, diagnostic, and therapeutic gaps.
Main Results:
- Leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses represent a major, yet under-addressed, global health challenge.
- A significant disparity exists between the disease burden and the attention/funding these infections receive.
- Vulnerable populations in resource-limited settings bear the brunt of preventable hospitalizations and deaths.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need to address the neglect of leptospirosis, melioidosis, and rickettsioses.
- Increased investment in research, surveillance, diagnostics, and therapeutics is crucial.
- Elevating the profile of these diseases is essential to reduce global morbidity and mortality.
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