Scorpion envenomation is a major public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical countries, especially in Africa, MiddleEast, Latin America and India. At times it poses a significant lifethreatening acute time limiting cardiovascular emergency. Irrespective of different species of scorpion, similar cardiovascular effects are reported. Irrespective of the understanding of the pathophysiology ...

The spectrum of surgical care in the tropics varies from excellent to almost non-existent. The majority of the tropical countries, being developing countries, share the common phenomenon of scarce surgical resources both in terms of personnel and medical equipment. The estimated number of surgeons per 100,000 populations is only 7 for Colombia; 1.5 for the Philippines; 0.5 for West Africa and o...

In developing countries, acquired bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents is common in isolates from healthy persons and from persons with community-acquired infections. Complex socioeconomic and behavioral factors associated with antibiotic resistance, particularly regarding diarrheal and respiratory pathogens, in developing tropical countries, include misuse of antibiotics by health prof...

This book is published jointly by the International Potash Institute (IPI) and the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA). It discusses the possibilities and constraints to food production on the many different soil types found in tropical and subtropical countries. By indicating ways in which crop nutrition and hence crop production can be increased on these soils in developing co...

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes amebic dysentery and liver abscess. The disease is common in tropical regions of the world where hygiene and sanitation is often approximate. The epidemiology of E. histolytica has been studied around the world. However, there is a dearth of comprehensive literature on the epidemiology of this pathogen as well as its pathogenicity in the...

In a recent issue of PNAS, Grainger (1) claimed that the evidence for decline of global tropical forests is ‘‘unclear’’ and that it is difficult to demonstrate that it is happening ‘‘convincingly using available tropical forest area data.’’ We agree with most of the article, yet we feel these statements overstate the uncertainty about tropical deforestation. His assessment is based only on the ...

Branded in 2005, "neglected tropical diseases" have gained traction in terms of advocacy, interest for research, enhanced funding and political will for their control and eventual elimination. Starting with an initial set of 13 neglected tropical diseases--seven helminth, three bacterial and three protozoal infections--the list considerably expanded to more than 40 diseases that now also includ...

On! a! global! level,! landfilling! is! still! the! main! method! to! dispose! of! waste.! In! particular! low:! and! middle:income! countries! almost! exclusively! depend! on! landfilling,! due! to! its! low! costs! and! convenient! operation! and! management.! Regulations!and!guidelines!exist!for!landfills!in!moderate!climates!(Western!Europe,! United! States).! These! guidelines,! neverthele...

dear editor, the problem of congenital hemoglobin disorder is common in tropical asia. in tropical southeast asian countries, very high prevalence of thalassemia disorder especially for beta thalassemia is observed. this tropical hematological problem affects millions of population and cause several health disorders. of interest, the issue of reproductive health impairment of the population wit...

Reducing atmospheric carbon emissions from tropical deforestation is at present considered a cost-effective option for mitigating climate change. However, the forces associated with tropical forest loss are uncertain1. Here we use satellite-based estimates of forest loss for 2000 to 2005 (ref. 2) to assess economic, agricultural and demographic correlates across 41 countries in the humid tropic...