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The Public Health Minister Nicola Blackwood this week announced that the UK has a specialist team of health experts ready to be deployed to tackle outbreaks of deadly disease anywhere in the world within 48 hours. The University of Oxford epidemic diseases research group, led by Professor Peter Horby, is providing the clinical research capabilities of the PHRST.
Safety and tolerability of metformin in overweight and obese patients with dengue: An open-label clinical trial (MeDO)
Posted 05/08/2025. Nguyet Nguyen Minh and colleagues at OUCRU-Vietnam investigated the safety and tolerability of metformin as an adjunctive therapy in patients with dengue and obesity. Metformin was associated with more adverse events, mainly severe gastrointestinal symptoms and did not improve clinical, laboratory or virological parameters. The data does not support progression to a larger randomised controlled trial.
Risk factors and mitigation strategies of laboratory-acquired infections in research and clinical laboratories worldwide: a systematic review
Posted 01/08/2025. Causes of laboratory‑acquired infections and pathogen escapes are often under‑reported. A review from 2000–2024 identified 712 cases and 17 deaths. Common incidents included needlestick injuries and PPE failures. Research laboratories reported more decontamination issues, while clinical laboratories faced sample‑handling risks. These findings support targeted improvements in laboratory risk management practices. By Sandhya Dhawan
Optimization of heat inactivation protocols for Orientia and Rickettsia species
Posted 30/07/2025. Stuart Blacksell and colleagues evaluated heat inactivation of Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, R. conorii, and R. honei at 56 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C for varying times. All were inactivated at 56 °C for 5 minutes. O. tsutsugamushi showed greater reduction, with time–temperature effects differing by species, highlighting important pathogen‑specific heat‑treatment requirements for biosafety purposes.
Over the counter use of topical corticosteroid for skin conditions among patients before attending skin specialist clinic in Nepal: A qualitative study
Posted 29/07/2025. Why do many patients arrive at skin clinics only after their conditions worsen, despite early treatment? This study from Nepal reveals how over-the-counter steroid use, informal networks, convenience, and customary practices shape care-seeking for skin conditions. These factors also mirror patterns seen in over-the-counter antimicrobial use. By Bipin Adhikari.
Evaluation of the Wondfo G6PD/Hb Test for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: preliminary performance, matrix equivalence, and usability
Posted 25/07/2025. Increased availability of validated G6PD tests can enhance diagnostic capacity in LMIC for vivax radical cure and neonatal health. This preliminary evaluation of a new point-of-care G6PD quantitative test showed excellent performance in frozen and fresh samples collected in Thailand (SMRU) and USA. A WHO pre-qualification study is now ongoing in Brazil and Thailand. By Germana Bancone
R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine drives diverse immune responses in pre-exposed adults: insights from a phase IIb controlled human malaria infection trial
Posted 23/07/2025. Elizabeth Kibwana and colleagues show the R21/Matrix-M vaccine induces broad, durable and functional antibody responses (IgG1/3, IgA, IgM) with complement fixing ability, and produces memory B cells, along with increased T follicular helper cells in Kenyan adults. These findings support its potential effectiveness in malaria-endemic populations, advancing vaccine strategies for individuals with prior exposure
Changing the narrative: visual methods can reinforce or reduce disease-related stigma
Posted 22/07/2025. Visual methods, like photography and video, play a powerful role in shaping perceptions of skin diseases in global health. They can overcome language barriers, amplify lived experiences, and challenge stigma. Yet, if poorly designed, they risk reinforcing harmful stereotypes and further marginalizing affected communities. Ethical, inclusive approaches are essential for meaningful impact. By Marlous Grijsen
Comparative virulence analysis of seven diverse strains of Orientia tsutsugamushi reveals a multifaceted and complex interplay of virulence factors responsible for disease
Posted 17/07/2025. Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, varies in severity depending on the bacterial strain. Jeanne Salje and colleagues compared seven strains in mice and found no single predictor of virulence. Instead, disease severity results from multiple bacterial genes influencing immune responses. These findings could inform future vaccine development and diagnostics.
Single low dose primaquine to block the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum—proposed stand-alone and ACT-adapted regimens
Posted 16/07/2025. At long last and almost 13 years since the WHO recommendation, we now have evidenced-based regimens of single low dose primaquine to block the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and help eliminate artemisinin and partner drug resistant malaria which is currently spreading rapidly across eastern Africa and beyond. By Bob Taylor
Why should we be concerned by internalised racism in global health?
Posted 15/07/2025. Internalised racism is an overlooked concept that can shape how professionals from historically marginalised backgrounds see themselves within global health. This essay by Bipin Adhikari and colleagues offers a space for reflection on how deep-rooted racial hierarchies may quietly influence identity, behaviour, and institutional culture. Advancing equity in global health also means understanding how these patterns take hold within us.
Phenotypic and genotypic insecticide resistance profiles of main malaria vectors in Kwale county, coastal Kenya
Posted 17/06/2025. Marta Maia and colleagues characterised phenotypic and genotypic insecticide resistance of malaria vectors in Coastal Kenya. Multiple mutations associated with resistance mechanisms were detected, including target site (L1014S and L1014F) and metabolic resistance (CYP6P9a, CYP6P9b, 6.5kb S.V, GSTe2-L119F). Resistance has increased since 2017. Evidence supports regular monitoring and the use of PBO-combination nets.
Pneumococcal density and respiratory co-detection in severe pediatric pneumonia in Laos
Posted 03/06/2025. Worldwide, acute respiratory infection is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The first study in Laos on respiratory pathogen co-detection was conducted at Mahosot Hospital and confirmed an association between pneumococcal density and influenza but not between respiratory syncytial virus and severe pneumonia in children less than 5 years old. By Audrey Dubot-Peres and Sue Lee.
Hide and seek with falsified medicines: Current challenges and physico-chemical and biological approaches for tracing the origin of trafficked products
Posted 28/05/2025. The trade in falsified medical products is a major public health threat and also a huge, profitable business. Despite detection methods, tracing their origin remains difficult. Cathrin Hauk and colleagues explore analytical techniques adapted from other fields such as food, drug, and wildlife investigation to help identify their sources and empower enforcement efforts.
Genetic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum populations following treatment policy revisions in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Posted 27/05/2025. The GenRe-Mekong project analysed 5,982 Plasmodium falciparum samples in the Greater Mekong Subregion (2017–2022), using genetic surveillance to inform malaria control. A sharp decline in piperaquine-resistant strains followed drug policy changes, highlighting how real-time genetic data can support timely, evidence-based responses to shifting malaria threats. By Varanya Wasakul
Operational evaluation of the deployment of Malaria/CRP Duo and Dengue Duo rapid diagnostic tests for the management of febrile illness by village malaria workers in rural Cambodia
Posted 23/05/2025. Village malaria workers in rural Cambodia provide essential early diagnosis and treatment; however, their importance is diminishing following a significant decline in malaria. James Callery and colleagues explore the potential expansion of their roles to ensure that febrile patients continue to utilise their services until local malaria elimination is achieved and the risk of reimportation subsides.
A comparison of national seasonal influenza treatment guidelines across the Asia Pacific region
Posted 21/05/2025. Seasonal influenza remains a major health burden in Asia. Our new comparative analysis reviews national influenza treatment guidelines across Asia Pacific countries, finding significant variation in availability, rigour, and recommendations. Our findings reveal key opportunities to strengthen evidence-informed, systematic guideline development as part of national and regional influenza preparedness and response. By Ellen Beer.
The impact of mass screening and treatment interventions on malaria incidence and prevalence: a retrospective analysis of a malaria elimination programme in eastern Myanmar, and systematic review and meta-analysis
Posted 20/05/2025. Targeted interventions are often necessary to eliminate malaria, but some are more effective than others. Jade Rae and colleagues investigated the impact of village-level mass screening and treatment interventions, highlighting key factors that influence the effectiveness of targeted malaria interventions, including baseline endemicity, population demographics, and the timing and uptake of the intervention.
Age structure and parity status determination of Afrotropical malaria vectors using MALDI-TOF MS
Posted 15/05/2025. Understanding the age structure of a mosquito populations is the best way to evaluate how well vector control interventions are working. However, age-grading is hard and usually done through complex dissections. Here Marta Maia and colleagues present a method using MALDI-TOF MS exploiting protein changes associated with senescence for age-grading of malaria vectors.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Afghanistan
Posted 13/05/2025. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a very neglected tropical disease. Afghanistan has an exceptionally high CL burden fueled by war and poverty. This review focuses on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of CL and highlights the need to grow the research culture so evidence can inform policy. By Bob Taylor
How do study participants want to be informed about study results: Findings from a malaria trial in Cambodia, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and Indonesia
Posted 13/05/2025. Patient interest in receiving clinical trial results varies widely across countries, underscoring that one-size-fits-all strategies fall short. This study, embedded in an antimalarial trial, explores locally tailored dissemination approaches shaped by patient preferences and stakeholder input offering essential guidance for ethical result sharing in diverse global health settings. By Bipin Adhikari