Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Marginalized Populations: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among the Bantar Community of Sunsari, Nepal Mukesh Kumar Mahato, Jitendra Gautam, Niten Bharati, Darwin Niroula, Krishna Prasad Acharya, et al. Public Health Challenges, 2026 Background Nepal continues to exhibit a high burden of intestinal parasite infections (IPIs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among the indigenous Bantar community in Koshi Rural Municipality, Sunsari, Nepal. Methods A total of 180 individuals aged 10–70 years were selected through convenience sampling. Stool samples were preserved in 2.5% potassium dichromate solution. Information on demographic and behavioral characteristics was gathered using a structured questionnaire. Three diagnostics techniques (direct wet mount, saturated salt flotation, and formal ether sedimentation) were employed to identify IPIs. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine association between the predictors and IPIs. Results The overall prevalence of IPIs was 53.3% ( n = 96). Helminthic infections accounted for 33.3% ( n = 61), whereas protozoan infections were observed in 19.4% ( n = 35). The most prevalent parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (16%, n = 29), followed by Giardia lamblia (12.2%, n = 22), Hymenolepis nana (8.3%, n = 15), Entamoeba histolytica (7.2%, n = 13), Strongyloides stercoralis (6.7%, n = 12), and Trichuris trichiura (2.8%, n = 5). Notably, E. histolytica infection was exclusively found in females (14.4%, n = 13) and absent in males. Multivariate logistic regression identified nail‐biting behavior as a significant predictor of intestinal parasitic infections (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12–6.9). Conclusions These findings highlight a substantial parasitic burden in the Bantar community and suggest that lifestyle and hygiene‐related behaviors significantly contributed to infection risk. Targeted health education programs focusing on sanitation, personal hygiene, and food safety are urgently needed to mitigate the high prevalence of IPIs in this vulnerable population.
Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ophthalmic diseases: a binational cohort study Jee Myung Yang, Hayeon Lee, Jaeyu Park, Min Kim, Ho-Seok Sa, et al. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2026 Background Although health problems may persist beyond 4 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection, evidence on long-term ophthalmic sequelae is limited. We conducted a binational, population-based cohort study to evaluate the association between postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the risk of multiple ophthalmic diseases. Methods Data were collected from two large cohorts: South Korea (discovery cohort; n=15,992,761) and Japan (validation cohort; n=12,218,680), including individuals aged ≥20 years who were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Cox proportional hazards models with propensity score-based overlap weighting were used to estimate HRs, with analyses stratified by COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2 variant period. Results In the overlap-weighted discovery cohort, 4 041 250 individuals (mean age 52.52 years (SD 11.52); 59.1% male) were included. SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a long-term increased risk of any ophthalmic disease (HR, 1.23 (95% CI, 1.22–1.25)). Elevated risks were observed for glaucoma (1.21 (1.19–1.23)), cornea and conjunctiva diseases (1.22 (1.21–1.23)), blepharitis (1.19 (1.17–1.22)), retinopathy (1.17 (1.15–1.18)), uveitis (1.11 (1.01–1.22)) and neuro-ophthalmic diseases (1.11 (1.06–1.15)). The risk of ophthalmic diseases gradually attenuated over time after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The risk was more pronounced among individuals with severe COVID-19. The associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the risk of ophthalmic diseases were generally consistent across the pre-Delta, Delta and Omicron eras. Similar patterns were consistently observed in the validation cohort. Conclusions Our findings suggest an increased risk of postacute ophthalmic sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection, underscoring the need for sustained clinical vigilance across a broad range of ophthalmic conditions.
THE ROLE OF LIVE BIRD MARKETS SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA INFECTIONS Georgian Medical News, 2025
Rabies Krishna Prasad Acharya, Sarita Phuyal Neglected Zoonoses and Antimicrobial Resistance Impact on One Health and Sustainable Development Goals, 2024
Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Marginalized Populations: Prevalence and Risk Factors Among the Bantar Community of Sunsari, Nepal MK Mahato, J Gautam, N Bharati, D Niroula, KP Acharya, TR Gompo, ... Public Health Challenges 5 (2), e70275 , 2026 2026
Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ophthalmic diseases: a binational cohort study JM Yang, H Lee, J Park, M Kim, HS Sa, JY Lee, KR Sung, F Branda, ... British Journal of Ophthalmology , 2026 2026
Strengthening pandemic preparedness for H5N1 threats in Southeast Asia: a national pandemic toolbox for Nepal D Shrestha, K Subedi, Y Shah, SP Dumre, P Joshi, SB Pun, KP Acharya, ... Infectious Diseases , 2026 2026
Intradermal immunisation against rabies in animals F Branda The Veterinary Record 198 (10), 443-444 , 2026 2026
The hidden dimension of tuberculosis: non-human primate reservoirs and One Health strategies Y Shah, KP Acharya, S Paudel, SP Dumre, K Pandey, L Khanal, AK Singh, ... The Lancet Global Health , 2026 2026
Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 SB Sirota, RG Bender, RMV Dominguez, A Vongpradith, A Movo, ... The Lancet Neurology 25 (5), 451-468 , 2026 2026
Elimination is not eradication: lessons from Nepal and global challenges in measles control KP Acharya, G Ceccarelli, F Scarpa, M Ciccozzi, Y Shah, SP Dumre, ... American Journal of Infection Control , 2026 2026
Evolutionary blind spots: how systematic barriers obscure effective antimicrobial options F Branda, D Shrestha, K Subedi, KP Acharya, Y Shah, SB Pun The Lancet Microbe , 2026 2026
Designing out rabies: a conceptual urban planning framework for dog-mediated rabies control in informal settlements G Ceccarelli, F Branda, C Ceccarelli, KP Acharya, MM Ahmed, F Scarpa, ... Pathogens and Global Health, 1-12 , 2026 2026
A call for urgent action to protect wild yak in the Himalayan regions KP Acharya, S Phuyal, BR Lamichhane Global Ecology and Conservation 66, e04075 , 2026 2026
Global burden of lower respiratory infections and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 SB Sirota, RG Bender, RMV Dominguez, A Movo, LR Swetschinski, ... The Lancet infectious diseases 26 (4), 343-361 , 2026 2026 Citations: 26
Nipah virus: a regional threat south Asia keeps underestimating Y Shah, SP Dumre, P Joshi, SB Pun, KP Acharya, F Branda Lancet (London, England), S0140-6736 (26) 00450-2 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Climate Change, Ecosystem Disruption, and Disease Emergence in the Himalayas and One Health Perspective S Pantha, S Jyoti, KP Acharya, S Pandit, D Subedi Next Research , 2026 2026
From vaccination success to new outbreaks: reassessing Japanese encephalitis control in Nepal KP Acharya, F Branda, S Phuyal, M Ciccozzi, F Scarpa, H Kandu, ... The Lancet Microbe , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Improving AMR reporting in low-and middle-income countries: a public health priority KP Acharya, S Phuyal, K Pandey, SB Pun, B Adhikari Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 10.1097 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Why did rabies control fail in low-income and middle-income countries? KP Acharya, S Phuyal, RT Wilson, N Acharya, SB Pun, K Pandey The Lancet Microbe , 2026 2026 Citations: 8
Zoonotic risks arising from the exotic pet trade KP Acharya, S Phuyal, RT Wilson, SB Pun, RP Parajuli, K Pandey The Veterinary Record 197 (11), 463-464 , 2025 2025
Correction to: Rethinking the system of post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in veterinary practice KP Acharya, S Phuyal, J Oh, DK Yon, F Branda Discover Applied Sciences 7 (12), 1437 , 2025 2025
Overcoming vaccine cold chain challenges in Nepal's animal health sector: innovative strategies for effective immunisation KP Acharya, S Phuyal, BS Lopes Vaccine 67, 127857 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Zoonotic diseases in low and middle-income countries (LMICs): Economic burden, challenges, strategies, and future directions S Pantha, D Subedi, S Jyoti, SP Shrestha, TR Ghimire, KP Acharya Animals and Zoonoses , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Antimicrobial resistance in Nepal KP Acharya, RT Wilson Frontiers in medicine 6, 105 , 2019 2019 Citations: 243
One-health approach: A best possible way to control rabies KP Acharya, N Acharya, S Phuyal, M Upadhyaya, S Lasee One Health 10, 100161 , 2020 2020 Citations: 198
Access to and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in low-income countries KP Acharya, TR Ghimire, SH Subramanya npj Vaccines 6 (1), 54 , 2021 2021 Citations: 163
Applied research in low-income countries: why and how? KP Acharya, S Pathak Frontiers in Research Metrics and Analytics 4, 3 , 2019 2019 Citations: 138
Rabies control in South Asia requires a One Health approach KP Acharya, D Subedi, RT Wilson One health 12, 100215 , 2021 2021 Citations: 97
First outbreak of lumpy skin disease in Nepal KP Acharya, D Subedi Preventive Veterinary Medicine 102 (4), 274-283 , 2020 2020 Citations: 87
Emerging technologies revolutionising disease diagnosis and monitoring in aquatic animal health K Bohara, P Joshi, KP Acharya, G Ramena Reviews in Aquaculture , 2023 2023 Citations: 82
The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic stewardship SH Subramanya, DM Czyż, KP Acharya, H Humphreys Virusdisease 32 (2), 330-337 , 2021 2021 Citations: 78
One health approach in Nepal: Scope, opportunities and challenges KP Acharya, S Karki, K Shrestha, K Kaphle One Health 8, 100101 , 2019 2019 Citations: 77
Ecological and socioeconomic factors in the occurrence of rabies: a forgotten scenario D Subedi, D Chandran, S Subedi, KP Acharya Infectious Disease Reports 14 (6), 979-986 , 2022 2022 Citations: 71
Nepal at the edge of sword with two edges: The COVID-19 pandemics and sustainable development goals T Joshi, RP Mainali, S Marasini, KP Acharya, S Adhikari Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 4, 100138 , 2021 2021 Citations: 68
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the scientific community SH Subramanya, B Lama, KP Acharya Qatar Medical Journal 2020 (1), 21 , 2020 2020 Citations: 51
The role of waste management in control of rabies: A neglected issue N Wright, D Subedi, S Pantha, KP Acharya, LH Nel Viruses 13 (2), 225 , 2021 2021 Citations: 40
Animal welfare in Nepal KP Acharya, N Acharya, RT Wilson Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 22 (4), 342-356 , 2019 2019 Citations: 40
Propensity score matching for causal inference and reducing the confounding effects: statistical standard and guideline of Life Cycle Committee SW Lee, KP Acharya Life Cycle 2 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
Rabies elimination: is it feasible without considering wildlife? KP Acharya, R Chand, F Huettmann, TR Ghimire Journal of Tropical Medicine 2022 (1), 5942693 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
Combatting antimicrobial resistance in Nepal: The need for precision surveillance programmes and multi-sectoral partnership KP Acharya, SH Subramanya, BS Lopes JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance 1 (3), dlz066 , 2019 2019 Citations: 39
One health: The interface between veterinary and human health K Shrestha, KP Acharya, S Shrestha International Journal of One Health 4 (47), 8-14 , 2018 2018 Citations: 39
Possible Consequences of Climate Change on Survival, Productivity and Reproductive Performance, and Welfare of Himalayan Yak (Bos grunniens) S Sapkota, KP Acharya, R Laven, N Acharya Veterinary Sciences , 2022 2022 Citations: 36
Cross-sectional sero-prevalence study of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goats of Syangja and Kaski districts of Nepal N Acharya, SP Poudel, KP Acharya VirusDisease 29 (2), 173-179 , 2018 2018 Citations: 35