Tropical Diseases

What are tropical diseases?

Tropical diseases encompass all diseases that occur in the tropics and the term refers to infectious diseases that thrive in hot and humid conditions. The main reasons for the spread of infectious diseases in these regions are environmental and biological factors that support high levels of pathogen and vector biodiversity as well as host biodiversity.

Social factors also play an important role in the spread of infections, as efforts to control these diseases are undermined. These tropical diseases are: malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and African trypanosomiasis.

What are the most common types of tropical diseases and infections?

The most common types of tropical diseases are listed below:

  • Tuberculosis: this infection represents the leading cause of death associated with infectious diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries and among immigrants from these countries. It is a chronic bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disease develops slowly and is prolonged. Symptoms of TB include cough after three weeks or more, coughing up blood and chest pain.
  • Malaria: this infectious and hematological disease caused by a Plasmodium. It is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease transmitted to humans through the bite of the Anopheles mosquito. Symptoms include chills, high fever, sweating, headache, nausea and vomiting.

Main tropical diseases: malaria, leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and African trypanosomiasis.

  • Diarrhea: rotavirus is one of the most common diseases that can affect young children. Rotavirus is found in countries such as Bangladesh, Somalia, Rwanda and Nepal. More severe epidemics can cause dysentery due to the bacterium Shigella gysenteriae. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fever, vomiting and abdominal pain.
  • Leishmaniasis: This disease is caused by Leishmania parasites and is spread through the bite of certain types of sand flies. It can be present in three main forms. The first, visceral leishmaniasis is the most fatal if untreated in more than 95% of cases. Most cases occur in Brazil, East Africa and Southeast Asia. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, anemia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. The most common type is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin lesions, mainly ulcers on exposed parts of the body. This can leave lifelong scarring and a person with severe disability. The third strain of leishmaniasis is mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which leads to partial or total destruction of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat. It is usually contracted in Bolivia, Brazil, Ethiopia and Peru.
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How are tropical diseases diagnosed?

The physician will order laboratory tests that will analyze blood, urine and throat and will also request stool samples. A lumbar puncture, which is a procedure that obtains a sample of cerebrospinal fluid using a needle inserted between the bones of the lower spine, may also be performed. Imaging scans, such as x-rays, CT scans and MRI scans, may also help in the diagnosis. Biopsies may be needed to take a tissue sample from an internal organ for analysis.

How are they treated?

Treatment depends on the type of bacteria and tropical disease the patient has. There may be several of the following options:

  • Antibiotics
  • Antivirals: medications that treat some, but not all, viruses including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C.
  • Antifungals: used to treat skin or nail infections caused by fungi
  • Antiparasitics: to treat some diseases caused by parasites, however, some strains have resistance to medication.