Publications
166 results found
Mutapi F, Maizels R, Fenwick A, et al., 2016, Human schistosomiasis in the post mass drug administration era, LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Vol: 17, Pages: E42-E48, ISSN: 1473-3099
Lo NC, Addiss DG, Hotez PJ, et al., 2016, A call to strengthen the global strategy against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis: the time is now, LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES, Vol: 17, Pages: E64-E69, ISSN: 1473-3099
Ortu G, Assoum M, Wittmann U, et al., 2016, The impact of an 8-year mass drug administration programme on prevalence, intensity and co-infections of soil-transmitted helminthiases in Burundi, Parasites & Vectors, Vol: 9, Pages: 513-513, ISSN: 1756-3305
BACKGROUND: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are amongst the most prevalent infections in the world. Mass drug administration (MDA) programmes have become the most commonly used national interventions for endemic countries to achieve elimination. This paper aims to describe the effect of an 8-year MDA programme on the prevalence, intensity of infection and co-infection of STH in Burundi from 2007 to 2014 and critically appraise the trajectory towards STH elimination in the country. RESULTS: Annual STH parasitological surveys (specifically, a "pilot study" from 2007 to 2011, an "extension study" from 2008 to 2011, and a "national reassessment" in 2014; n = 27,658 children), showed a significant drop in prevalence of infection with any STH ("pooled STH") between baseline and 2011 in both studies, falling from 32 to 16 % in the pilot study, and from 35 to 16 % in the extension study. Most STH infections were of low intensity according to WHO classification. The national reassessment in 2014 showed that prevalence of pooled STH remained significantly below the prevalence in 2007 in both studies but there was no further decrease in STH prevalence from 2011 levels during this time. Spatial dependence analysis showed that prevalence of Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides had a tendency to cluster over the years, whilst only trends in spatial dependence were evident for hookworm infections. Spatial dependence fluctuated over the course of the programme for Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. However, spatial trends in spatial dependence were evident in 2010 for Ascaris lumbricoides. Analysis of spatial clustering of intensity of infection and heavy infections revealed that the intensity changed over time for all parasites. Heavy intensity was only evident in Ascaris lumbricoides for 2008 and did not appear in proceeding years and other parasites. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstra
Robinson O, Toledano MB, Sands C, et al., 2016, Global metabolic changes induced by plant-derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids following a human poisoning outbreak and in a mouse model, Toxicology Research, Vol: 5, Pages: 1594-1603, ISSN: 2045-4538
Several hundred cases of Hirmi Valley Liver Disease (HVLD), an often fatal liver injury, occurred from 2001 to 2011 in a cluster of rural villages in Tigray, Ethiopia. HVLD is principally caused by contamination of the food supply with plant derived pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), with high exposure to the pesticide DDT among villagers increasing their susceptibility. In an untargeted global approach we aimed to identify metabolic changes induced by PA exposure through 1H NMR spectroscopic based metabolic profiling. We analysed spectra acquired from urine collected from HVLD cases and controls and a murine model of PA exposure and PA/DDT co-exposure, using multivariate partial least squares discriminant analysis. In the human models we identified changes in urinary concentrations of tyrosine, pyruvate, bile acids, N-acetylglycoproteins, N-methylnicotinamide and formate, hippurate, p-cresol sulphate, p-hydroxybenzoate and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid. Tyrosine and p-cresol sulphate were associated with both exposure and disease. Similar changes to tyrosine, one-carbon intermediates and microbial associated metabolites were observed in the mouse model, with tyrosine correlated with the extent of liver damage. These results provide mechanistic insight and implicate the gut microflora in the human response to challenge with toxins. Pathways identified here may be useful in translational research and as “exposome” signals.
Ezeamama AE, He C-L, Shen Y, et al., 2016, Gaining and sustaining schistosomiasis control: study protocol and baseline data prior to different treatment strategies in five African countries, BMC Infectious Diseases, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1471-2334
BackgroundThe Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was established in 2008 to answer strategic questions about schistosomiasis control. For programme managers, a high-priority question is: what are the most cost-effective strategies for delivering preventive chemotherapy (PCT) with praziquantel (PZQ)? This paper describes the process SCORE used to transform this question into a harmonized research protocol, the study design for answering this question, the village eligibility assessments and data resulting from the first year of the study.MethodsBeginning in 2009, SCORE held a series of meetings to specify empirical questions and design studies related to different schedules of PCT for schistosomiasis control in communities with high (gaining control studies) and moderate (sustaining control studies) prevalence of Schistosoma infection among school-aged children. Seven studies are currently being implemented in five African countries. During the first year, villages were screened for eligibility, and data were collected on prevalence and intensity of infection prior to randomisation and the implementation of different schemes of PZQ intervention strategies.ResultsThese studies of different treatment schedules with PZQ will provide the most comprehensive data thus far on the optimal frequency and continuity of PCT for schistosomiasis infection and morbidity control.ConclusionsWe expect that the study outcomes will provide data for decision-making for country programme managers and a rich resource of information to the schistosomiasis research community.
Fenwick A, Jourdan P, 2016, Schistosomiasis elimination by 2020 or 2030?, International Journal for Parasitology, Vol: 46, Pages: 385-388, ISSN: 1879-0135
Schistosomiasis has been a public health burden in a number of countries across the globe for centuries and probably beyond. The World Health Organization and partners are currently preparing to move towards elimination of this disease. However, given the historical challenges and barriers to ridding areas of this water-borne parasite infection, we question whether the current targets for eliminating schistosomiasis as a global health problem can be achieved.
Knopp S, Person B, Ame SM, et al., 2016, Praziquantel coverage in schools and communities targeted for the elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Zanzibar: a cross-sectional survey, Parasites & Vectors, Vol: 9, ISSN: 1756-3305
BACKGROUND: Biannual mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel and additional interventions to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis has been implemented on the Zanzibar islands, United Republic of Tanzania, since 2012. We aimed to assess the coverage of school-based treatment (SBT) and community-wide treatment (CWT), to validate the coverage reported by the Zanzibar Ministry of Health (MoH) and to identify reasons for non-compliance. METHODS: We conducted a post-MDA cross-sectional survey in 93 schools and 92 communities on Pemba and Unguja islands in early 2014, 3-5 months after the last MDA round. Pupils and adults were asked whether they had received and taken the praziquantel treatment provided in the last SBT or CWT, respectively, and the observed and reported coverage were compared. Reasons for non-compliance were recorded in a pretested questionnaire and assessed in qualitative interviews. Urine samples of participants were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs with a single urine filtration. RESULTS: Around 8000 pupils and 4000 adults were included in the analysis. Our survey revealed a SBT coverage of 85.2% in Pemba and of 86.9% in Unguja, which was in line with MoH reports from Pemba (84.3%) and higher than reports from Unguja (63.9%). However, 15 among the 48 schools surveyed in Unguja had not received SBT. Among the interviewed adults, 53.6% in Pemba and 64.9% in Unguja had received praziquantel during CWT, which was less than the 59.0% and 67.7%, respectively, indicated by MoH reports. Moreover, only 43.8% and 54.0% of adults in Pemba and Unguja, respectively, had taken all the tablets as recommended. The main reasons for not receiving or taking praziquantel were absence during CWT, no drug distributor coming, being busy, fear of adverse events, pregnancy, breastfeeding or feeling healthy. CONCLUSION: To increase coverage and compliance in Zanzibar, SBT should target all schools and mobilization, sensitization and implementation of the CWT ne
Chami GF, Fenwick A, Bulte E, et al., 2015, Influence of Schistosoma mansoni and Hookworm Infection Intensities on Anaemia in Ugandan Villages, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol: 9, ISSN: 1935-2735
BackgroundThe association of anaemia with intestinal schistosomiasis and hookworm infections are poorly explored in populations that are not limited to children or pregnant women.MethodsWe sampled 1,832 individuals aged 5–90 years from 30 communities in Mayuge District, Uganda. Demographic, village, and parasitological data were collected. Infection risk factors were compared in ordinal logistic regressions. Anaemia and infection intensities were analyzed in multilevel models, and population attributable fractions were estimated.FindingsHousehold and village-level predictors of Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm were opposite in direction or significant for single infections. S. mansoni was found primarily in children, whereas hookworm was prevalent amongst the elderly. Anaemia was more prevalent in individuals with S. mansoni and increased by 2.86 fold (p-value<0.001) with heavy S. mansoni infection intensity. Individuals with heavy hookworm were 1.65 times (p-value = 0.008) more likely to have anaemia than uninfected participants. Amongst individuals with heavy S. mansoni infection intensity, 32.0% (p-value<0.001) of anaemia could be attributed to S. mansoni. For people with heavy hookworm infections, 23.7% (p-value = 0.002) of anaemia could be attributed to hookworm. A greater fraction of anaemia (24.9%, p-value = 0.002) was attributable to heavy hookworm infections in adults (excluding pregnant women) as opposed to heavy hookworm infections in school-aged children and pregnant women (20.2%, p-value = 0.001).ConclusionCommunity-based surveys captured anaemia in children and adults affected by S. mansoni and hookworm infections. For areas endemic with schistosomiasis or hookworm infections, WHO guidelines should include adults for treatment in helminth control programmes.
French MD, Churcher TS, Webster JP, et al., 2015, Estimation of changes in the force of infection for intestinal and urogenital schistosomiasis in countries with schistosomiasis control initiative-assisted programmes, PARASITES & VECTORS, Vol: 8, ISSN: 1756-3305
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- Citations: 14
Knowles SCL, Webster BL, Garba A, et al., 2015, Epidemiological interactions between urogenital and intestinal human schistosomiasis in the context of praziquantel treatment across three West African countries, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol: 9, ISSN: 1935-2735
BackgroundIn many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis co-occur, and mixed species infections containing both Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni can be common. During co-infection, interactions between these two species are possible, yet the extent to which such interactions influence disease dynamics or the outcome of control efforts remains poorly understood.Methodology/Principal FindingsHere we analyse epidemiological data from three West African countries co-endemic for urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis (Senegal, Niger and Mali) to test whether the impact of praziquantel (PZQ) treatment, subsequent levels of re-infection or long-term infection dynamics are altered by co-infection. In all countries, positive associations between the two species prevailed at baseline: infection by one species tended to predict infection intensity for the other, with the strength of association varying across sites. Encouragingly, we found little evidence that co-infection influenced PZQ efficacy: species-specific egg reduction rates (ERR) and cure rates (CR) did not differ significantly with co-infection, and variation in treatment success was largely geographical. In Senegal, despite positive associations at baseline, children with S. mansoni co-infection at the time of treatment were less intensely re-infected by S. haematobium than those with single infections, suggesting competition between the species may occur post-treatment. Furthermore, the proportion of schistosome infections attributable to S. mansoni increased over time in all three countries examined.Conclusions/SignificanceThese findings suggest that while co-infection between urinary and intestinal schistosomes may not directly affect PZQ treatment efficacy, competitive interspecific interactions may influence epidemiological patterns of re-infection post-treatment. While re-infection patterns differed most strongly according to geographic location, interspecific interact
Lamberton PH, Mitchell K, Gower CM, et al., 2015, HOTSPOTS OF <i>SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI</i> TRANSMISSION TEN YEARS INTO A MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM, Publisher: AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, Pages: 558-558, ISSN: 0002-9637
Randrianasolo BS, Jourdan PM, Ravoniarimbinina P, et al., 2015, TARGETING THE BURDEN OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN MADAGASCAR: GYNAECOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN AN AREA SCALING UP MASS DRUG ADMINISTRATION OF PRAZIQUANTEL, Publisher: AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, Pages: 561-562, ISSN: 0002-9637
Chami GF, Kontoleon AA, Bulte E, et al., 2015, Profiling Nonrecipients of Mass Drug Administration for Schistosomiasis and Hookworm Infections: A Comprehensive Analysis of Praziquantel and Albendazole Coverage in Community-Directed Treatment in Uganda, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Vol: 62, Pages: 200-207, ISSN: 1537-6591
Background. Repeated mass drug administration (MDA) with preventive chemotherapies is the mainstay of morbidity control for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths, yet the World Health Organization recently reported that less than one-third of individuals who required preventive chemotherapies received treatment.Methods. Coverage of community-directed treatment with praziquantel (PZQ) and albendazole (ALB) was analyzed in 17 villages of Mayuge District, Uganda. National drug registers, household questionnaires, and parasitological surveys were collected to track 935 individuals before and after MDA. Multilevel logistic regressions, including household and village effects, were specified with a comprehensive set of socioeconomic and parasitological variables. The factors predicting who did not receive PZQ and ALB from community medicine distributors were identified.Results. Drug receipt was correlated among members within a household, and nonrecipients of PZQ or ALB were profiled by household-level socioeconomic factors. Individuals were less likely to receive either PZQ or ALB if they had a Muslim household head or low home quality, belonged to the minority tribe, or had settled for more years in their village. Untreated individuals were also more likely to belong to households that did not purify drinking water, had no home latrine, and had no members who were part of the village government.Conclusions. The findings demonstrate how to locate and target individuals who are not treated in MDA. Infection risk factors were not informative. In particular, age, gender, and occupation were unable to identify non-recipients, although World Health Organization guidelines rely on these factors. Individuals of low socioeconomic status, minority religions, and minority tribes can be targeted to expand MDA coverage.
Deol AK, Webster JP, Harrison W, et al., 2015, Development of a Markov transition probability model to predict changes in schistosomiasis infection following treatment, TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH, Vol: 20, Pages: 237-237, ISSN: 1360-2276
Savioli L, Fenwick A, Rollinson D, et al., 2015, An achievable goal: control and elimination of schistosomiasis., Lancet, Vol: 386, Pages: 739-739, ISSN: 1474-547X
Fenwick A, 2015, Praziquantel: do we need another antischistosoma treatment?, FUTURE MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY, Vol: 7, Pages: 677-680, ISSN: 1756-8919
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- Citations: 17
Assare RK, Knopp S, N'Guessan NA, et al., 2014, Sustaining control of schistosomiasis mansoni in moderate endemicity areas in western Cote d'Ivoire: a SCORE study protocol, BMC PUBLIC HEALTH, Vol: 14
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- Citations: 22
Lamberton PHL, Kabatereine NB, Oguttu DW, et al., 2014, Sensitivity and Specificity of Multiple Kato-Katz Thick Smears and a Circulating Cathodic Antigen Test for <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Diagnosis Pre- and Post-repeated-Praziquantel Treatment, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, Vol: 8, ISSN: 1935-2735
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- Citations: 108
Cleland CR, Tukahebwa EM, Fenwick A, et al., 2014, Mass drug administration with praziquantel reduces the prevalence of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and improves liver morbidity in untreated preschool children, TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE, Vol: 108, Pages: 575-581, ISSN: 0035-9203
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- Citations: 10
Adriko M, Standley CJ, Tinkitina B, et al., 2014, Evaluation of circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) urine-cassette assay as a survey tool for <i>Schistosoma</i> <i>mansoni</i> in different transmission settings within Bugiri District, Uganda, ACTA TROPICA, Vol: 136, Pages: 50-57, ISSN: 0001-706X
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- Citations: 63
Webster JP, Molyneux DH, Hotez PJ, et al., 2014, The contribution of mass drug administration to global health: past, present and future, PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Vol: 369, ISSN: 0962-8436
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- Citations: 122
Ndayishimiye O, Ortu G, Magalhaes RJS, et al., 2014, Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Burundi: Partnerships, Achievements, Challenges, and Lessons Learned after Four Years of Programme Implementation, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, Vol: 8, ISSN: 1935-2735
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- Citations: 23
Robinson O, Want E, Coen M, et al., 2014, Hirmi Valley liver disease: a disease associated with exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids and DDT, J Hepatol, Vol: 60, Pages: 96-102, ISSN: 0168-8278
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hirmi Valley liver disease was first reported in 2001 in Tigray, Ethiopia. 591 cases, including 228 deaths, were reported up to December 2009. The pyrrolizidine alkaloid acetyllycopsamine was detected in stored grain and residents reported adding the pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene) directly to their food stores. We aimed to characterise the clinical features of the disease, and explore the role of these chemicals in its aetiology. METHODS: 32 cases were examined and full clinical histories taken. Nine cases underwent liver biopsy in hospitals. Serum and urine samples were collected from cases and controls. Urine was analysed for acetyllycopsamine by UPLC-MS. Total DDT in serum was measured by ELISA. Hepatotoxicity of DDT and acetyllycopsamine alone or in combination was explored in C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS: Clinical presentation included epigastric pain, abdominal swelling, bloody diarrhoea, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and ascites. Histology revealed acute injury characterised by centrilobular necrosis or chronic injury with bile ductular reaction, cytomegaly and fibrosis but no hepatic vein occlusion. Acetyllycopsamine was detected in urine samples taken in the affected area with significantly greater concentrations in 45 cases than in 43 controls (p=0.02). High levels of DDT (>125 ppb) were detected in 78% of serum samples. In mice, DDT (3 x 75 mg/kg) significantly increased the hepatotoxicity (plasma ALT, p=0.0065) of acetyllycopsamine (750 mg/kg), and in combination induced liver pathology similar to Hirmi Valley liver disease including centrilobular necrosis and cytomegaly. CONCLUSIONS: This novel form of disease appears to be caused by co-exposure to acetyllycopsamine and DDT.
Gower CM, Gouvras AN, Lamberton PHL, et al., 2013, Population genetic structure of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> from across six sub-Saharan African countries: Implications for epidemiology, evolution and control, ACTA TROPICA, Vol: 128, Pages: 261-274, ISSN: 0001-706X
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- Citations: 56
Gouvras AN, Kariuki C, Koukounari A, et al., 2013, The impact of single versus mixed <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>mansoni</i> infections on morbidity profiles amongst school-children in Taveta, Kenya, ACTA TROPICA, Vol: 128, Pages: 309-317, ISSN: 0001-706X
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- Citations: 24
Garba A, Lamine MS, Barkire N, et al., 2013, Efficacy and safety of two closely spaced doses of praziquantel against <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>mansoni</i> and re-infection patterns in school-aged children in Niger, ACTA TROPICA, Vol: 128, Pages: 334-344, ISSN: 0001-706X
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- Citations: 48
Bustinduy AL, Sousa-Figueiredo JC, Adriko M, et al., 2013, Fecal Occult Blood and Fecal Calprotectin as Point-of-Care Markers of Intestinal Morbidity in Ugandan Children with <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Infection, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, Vol: 7, ISSN: 1935-2735
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- Citations: 27
Garba A, Lamine MS, Djibo A, et al., 2013, Safety and efficacy of praziquantel syrup (Epiquantel®) against <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> and <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> in preschool-aged children in Niger, ACTA TROPICA, Vol: 128, Pages: 318-325, ISSN: 0001-706X
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- Citations: 17
Freeman MC, Ogden S, Jacobson J, et al., 2013, Integration of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for the Prevention and Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Rationale for Inter-Sectoral Collaboration, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, Vol: 7, ISSN: 1935-2735
Sanghvi MM, Hotez PJ, Fenwick A, 2013, Neglected tropical diseases as a cause of chronic liver disease: the case of Schistosomiasis and Hepatitis C Co-infections in Egypt, LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Vol: 33, Pages: 165-168, ISSN: 1478-3223
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- Citations: 7
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