Technical Challenges in Studying Infectious Disease-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension in Low- and Middle-Income Countries with Limited Resources

Journal article : Review

BackgroundPulmonary hypertension (PH) disproportionately affects those residing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Given that these countries also have a high prevalence of infectious diseases, many cases of PH are either directly or indirectly related to infectious etiologies. Despite this correlation, the precise burden of infectious disease-associated PH is largely underappreciated due to a lack of diagnostic resources, a shortage of clinical expertise to carry out right heart catheterization and poor access to healthcare facilities in many low- and middle-income settings.MethodsIn this narrative review, we highlight the significant burden of infectious disease-associated PH in LMICs, outline the technical challenges faced by LMICs when diagnosing PH, and propose possible solutions for diagnosing PH in resource-constrained settings.ConclusionsLow-cost and sustainable solutions for infectious disease-associated PH in LMICs should be prioritized. Meaningful solutions require collaborative efforts and capacity building in LMICs.

Authors: van Heerden, J; Mbanze, I; Louw, E; Aremu, O; Dzudie, A

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: MDPI
• Journal: Infectious Disease Reports
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 109
• Publication date: 2025-09-10
• Acceptance date: 2025-08-09
• DOI: 10.3390/idr17050109
• EISSN: 2036-7449
• ISSN: 2036-7430
• Pmid: 40981329
• Language: English
• Keywords: Infectious disease; HIV; Rheumatic heart disease; schistosomiasis; Low- And Middle-income Countries; Tuberculosis; Pulmonary hypertension
• Subtype: Review