Imperial College London

Joanne P. Webster

Faculty of MedicineSchool of Public Health

Visiting Professor
 
 
 
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Contact

 

joanne.webster Website

 
 
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Location

 

Medical SchoolSt Mary's Campus

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Summary

 

Publications

Publication Type
Year
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257 results found

Davies-Kershaw H, Fahmida U, Htet MK, Kulkarni B, Faye B, Yanti D, Shinta D, Zahra NL, Angelin TC, Madhari R, Pullakhandam R, Palika R, Dasi T, Fernandez Rao S, Banjara SK, Selvaraj K, Palepu DP, Yadev D, Diouf S, Lopez-Sall P, Diallo B, Mouissi P, Fall S, Diallo I, Djigal A, Immerzeel TDV, Tairou F, Diop A, Pradeilles R, Strout S, Momo Kadia B, Tata DT, Jobarteh ML, Allen S, Walker A, Webster JP, Haggarty P, Heffernan C, Ferguson Eet al., 2024, Anthropometric, biochemical, dietary, morbidity and well-being assessments in women and children in Indonesia, India and Senegal: a UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub protocol paper., BMJ Paediatr Open, Vol: 8

INTRODUCTION: Child stunting has a complex aetiology, especially in the first 1000 days of life. Nutrition interventions alone have not produced expected impacts in reducing/preventing child stunting, indicating the importance of understanding the complex interplay between environmental, physiological and psychological factors influencing child nutritional status. This study will investigate maternal and child nutrition, health and well-being status and associated factors through the assessment of: (1) anthropometry, (2) biomarkers of nutrition and health status, (3) dietary intakes, (4) fetal growth and development, (5) infant morbidity, (6) infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and (7) perinatal maternal stress, depression and social support. METHODS: This study will be conducted in a prospective pregnancy cohort in India, Indonesia and Senegal. Pregnant women will be recruited in the second (Indonesia, Senegal) and third (India) trimester of pregnancy, and the mother and infant dyads followed until the infant is 24 months of age. During pregnancy, anthropometric measures will be taken, venous blood samples will be collected for biochemical assessment of nutrition and health status, dietary intakes will be assessed using a 4-pass-24-hour dietary recall method (MP24HR), fetal ultrasound for assessment of fetal growth. After birth, anthropometry measurements will be taken, venous blood samples will be collected, MP24HR will be conducted, infant morbidity and IYCF practices will be assessed and a sample of breastmilk will be collected for nutrient composition analyses. Perinatal maternal stress, depression, social support and hair cortisol levels (stress) will be measured. The results from this study will be integrated in an interdisciplinary analysis to examine factors influencing infant growth and inform global efforts in reducing child stunting. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of the London School of Hygiene an

Journal article

Momo Kadia B, Ramsteijn AS, Dasi T, Fahmida U, Kulkarni B, Faye B, Htet MK, Sow D, Kalashikam RR, Sharma R, Sudibya ARP, Kusuma S, Angelin TC, Nurfadilah M, Jobarteh ML, Diop NS, Gabain I, Calvo-Urbano B, Ferguson E, Haggarty P, Heffernan C, Webster JP, Walker AW, Allen Set al., 2024, Assessment of the role of gut health in childhood stunting in a multisite, longitudinal study in India, Indonesia and Senegal: a UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub protocol., BMJ Paediatr Open, Vol: 8

INTRODUCTION: Childhood stunting has a complex aetiology, with poor gut health being an important contributor. This study will assess inter-relationships between maternal and infant gut health indices and infant linear growth. Inter-relationships between gut health indices, systemic inflammation and growth hormones in early childhood will also be assessed. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A longitudinal observational study of cohorts of 600 newborns and their mothers in India, Indonesia and Senegal will be conducted. Women will be recruited during pregnancy and their children followed up to age 24 months. Stool, urine and blood samples will be collected from the women and children for assessments of helminthic and protozoal parasites, bacterial pathogens, faecal microbiota taxa, biomarkers of environmental enteric dysfunction, systemic inflammation and growth hormones. Child anthropometric measurements will be collected at birth and at ages 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. The gut health indices will be integrated with cohort data from other Action Against Stunting Hub (AASH) workstreams for interdisciplinary analyses of childhood stunting and the development of a new typology of stunting. DISCUSSION: This study will advance scientific understanding of the role of gut health in childhood stunting and will contribute to a broader knowledge of the complex aetiology of this condition as part of the interdisciplinary AASH research to reduce the global burden of childhood stunting. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the relevant Ethics Committees in Senegal, India, and Indonesia and LSHTM. The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Journal article

Lim RM, Arme TM, Pedersen AB, Webster JP, Lamberton PHLet al., 2023, Defining schistosomiasis hotspots based on literature and shareholder interviews, Trends in Parasitology, Vol: 39, Pages: 1032-1049, ISSN: 0169-4758

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently proposed a new operational definition which designates communities with ≥10% prevalence of Schistosoma spp. infection as a persistent hotspot, when, after at least two rounds of high-coverage annual preventive chemotherapy, there is a lack of appropriate reduction. However, inconsistencies and challenges from both biological and operational perspectives remain, making the prescriptive use of this definition difficult. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the use of the term 'hotspot' across schistosomiasis research over time, including both literature searches and opinions from a range of stakeholders, to assess the utility and generalisability of the new WHO definition of a persistent hotspot. Importantly, we propose an updated definition based on our analyses.

Journal article

Diaz AVV, Walker M, Webster JPP, 2023, Reaching the World Health Organization elimination targets for schistosomiasis: the importance of a One Health perspective, PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Vol: 378, ISSN: 0962-8436

Journal article

Qiu Y, Guitian J, Webster JPP, Musallam I, Haider N, Drewe JAA, Song Jet al., 2023, Global prioritization of endemic zoonotic diseases for conducting surveillance in domestic animals to protect public health, PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, Vol: 378, ISSN: 0962-8436

Journal article

Nkemngo FN, W G Raissa L, Nebangwa DN, Nkeng AM, Kengne A, Mugenzi LMJ, Fotso-Toguem YG, Wondji MJ, Shey RA, Nguiffo-Nguete D, Fru-Cho J, Ndo C, Njiokou F, Webster JP, Wanji S, Wondji CSet al., 2023, Epidemiology of malaria, schistosomiasis, and geohelminthiasis amongst children 3-15 years of age during the dry season in Northern Cameroon, PLoS One, Vol: 18, ISSN: 1932-6203

BACKGROUND: The double burden of malaria and helminthiasis in children poses an obvious public health challenge, particularly in terms of anemia morbidity. While both diseases frequently geographically overlap, most studies focus on mono-infection and general prevalence surveys without molecular analysis. The current study investigated the epidemiological determinants of malaria, schistosomiasis, and geohelminthiasis transmission among children in the North Region of Cameroon. METHODOLOGY: School and pre-school children aged 3-15 year-of-age were enrolled from three communities in March 2021 using a community cross-sectional design. Capillary-blood samples were obtained, and each was examined for malaria parasites using rapid-diagnostic-test (RDT), microscopy, and PCR while hemoglobin level was measured using a hemoglobinometer. Stool samples were analyzed for Schistosoma mansoni, S. guineensis, and soil-transmitted-helminthiasis (STH) infections using the Kato Katz method, and urine samples were assessed for the presence of S. haematobium eggs (including hybrids) using the standard urine filtration technique. RESULT: A malaria prevalence of 56% (277/495) was recorded by PCR as opposed to 31.5% (156/495) by microscopy and 37.8% (186/495) by RDT. Similarly, schistosomiasis was observed at prevalence levels of up to 13.3% (66/495) overall [S. haematobium (8.7%); S. mansoni (3.8%); mixed Sh/Sm (0.6%); mixed Sh/Sm/Sg (0.2%). Both infections were higher in males and the 3-9 year-of-age groups. A high frequency of PCR reported P. falciparum mono-infection of 81.9% (227/277) and mixed P. falciparum/P. malariae infection of 17.3% (48/277) was observed. Malaria-helminths co-infections were observed at 13.1% (65/495) with marked variation between P. falciparum/S. haematobium (50.8%, 33/65); P. falciparum/S. mansoni (16.9%, 11/65) and P. falciparum/Ascaris (9.2%, 6/65) (χ2 = 17.5, p = 0.00003). Anemia prevalence was 32.9% (163/495), categorically associated with P. falcipa

Journal article

Li YQ, Ghafari M, Holbrook AJ, Boonen I, Amor N, Catalano S, Webster JP, Li YY, Li HT, Vergote V, Maes P, Chong YL, Laudisoit A, Baelo P, Ngoy S, Mbalitini SG, Gembu GC, Musaba AP, Goüy de Bellocq J, Leirs H, Verheyen E, Pybus OG, Katzourakis A, Alagaili AN, Gryseels S, Li YC, Suchard MA, Bletsa M, Lemey Pet al., 2023, The evolutionary history of hepaciviruses., bioRxiv

In the search for natural reservoirs of hepatitis C virus (HCV), a broad diversity of non-human viruses within the Hepacivirus genus has been uncovered. However, the evolutionary dynamics that shaped the diversity and timescale of hepaciviruses evolution remain elusive. To gain further insights into the origins and evolution of this genus, we screened a large dataset of wild mammal samples (n = 1,672) from Africa and Asia, and generated 34 full-length hepacivirus genomes. Phylogenetic analysis of these data together with publicly available genomes emphasizes the importance of rodents as hepacivirus hosts and we identify 13 rodent species and 3 rodent genera (in Cricetidae and Muridae families) as novel hosts of hepaciviruses. Through co-phylogenetic analyses, we demonstrate that hepacivirus diversity has been affected by cross-species transmission events against the backdrop of detectable signal of virus-host co-divergence in the deep evolutionary history. Using a Bayesian phylogenetic multidimensional scaling approach, we explore the extent to which host relatedness and geographic distances have structured present-day hepacivirus diversity. Our results provide evidence for a substantial structuring of mammalian hepacivirus diversity by host as well as geography, with a somewhat more irregular diffusion process in geographic space. Finally, using a mechanistic model that accounts for substitution saturation, we provide the first formal estimates of the timescale of hepacivirus evolution and estimate the origin of the genus to be about 22 million years ago. Our results offer a comprehensive overview of the micro- and macroevolutionary processes that have shaped hepacivirus diversity and enhance our understanding of the long-term evolution of the Hepacivirus genus.

Journal article

Calvo-Urbano B, Léger E, Gabain I, De Dood CJ, Diouf ND, Borlase A, Rudge JW, Corstjens PLAM, Sène M, Van Dam GJ, Walker M, Webster JPet al., 2023, Sensitivity and specificity of human point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) test in African livestock for rapid diagnosis of schistosomiasis: A Bayesian latent class analysis, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol: 17, ISSN: 1935-2727

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease (NTD) affecting both humans and animals. The morbidity and mortality inflicted upon livestock in the Afrotropical region has been largely overlooked, in part due to a lack of validated sensitive and specific tests, which do not require specialist training or equipment to deliver and interpret. As stressed within the recent WHO NTD 2021-2030 Roadmap and Revised Guideline for schistosomiasis, inexpensive, non-invasive, and sensitive diagnostic tests for livestock-use would also facilitate both prevalence mapping and appropriate intervention programmes. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the currently available point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen test (POC-CCA), designed for Schistosoma mansoni detection in humans, for the detection of intestinal livestock schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma bovis and Schistosoma curassoni. POC-CCA, together with the circulating anodic antigen (CAA) test, miracidial hatching technique (MHT) and organ and mesentery inspection (for animals from abattoirs only), were applied to samples collected from 195 animals (56 cattle and 139 small ruminants (goats and sheep) from abattoirs and living populations) from Senegal. POC-CCA sensitivity was greater in the S. curassoni-dominated Barkedji livestock, both for cattle (median 81%; 95% credible interval (CrI): 55%-98%) and small ruminants (49%; CrI: 29%-87%), than in S. bovis-dominated Richard Toll ruminants (cattle: 62%; CrI: 41%-84%; small ruminants: 12%, CrI: 1%-37%). Overall, sensitivity was greater in cattle than in small ruminants. Small ruminants POC-CCA specificity was similar in both locations (91%; CrI: 77%-99%), whilst cattle POC-CCA specificity could not be assessed owing to the low number of uninfected cattle surveyed. Our results indicate that, whilst the current POC-CCA does represent a potential diagnostic tool for cattle and possibly for predominantly S. curassoni-infected livestoc

Journal article

Kadia BM, Otiti MI, Ramsteijn AS, Sow D, Faye B, Heffernan C, Hall LJ, Webster JP, Walker AW, Allen Set al., 2023, Modulating the early-life gut microbiota using pro-, pre-, and synbiotics to improve gut health, child development, and growth, NUTRITION REVIEWS, ISSN: 0029-6643

Journal article

Parsons DAJ, Walker AJ, Emery AM, Webster JP, Lawton SPet al., 2023, Evolution of tetraspanin antigens in the zoonotic Asian blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum, Parasites and Vectors, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1756-3305

BACKGROUND: Despite successful control efforts in China over the past 60 years, zoonotic schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum remains a threat with transmission ongoing and the risk of localised resurgences prompting calls for a novel integrated control strategy, with an anti-schistosome vaccine as a core element. Anti-schistosome vaccine development and immunisation attempts in non-human mammalian host species, intended to interrupt transmission, and utilising various antigen targets, have yielded mixed success, with some studies highlighting variation in schistosome antigen coding genes (ACGs) as possible confounders of vaccine efficacy. Thus, robust selection of target ACGs, including assessment of their genetic diversity and antigenic variability, is paramount. Tetraspanins (TSPs), a family of tegument-surface antigens in schistosomes, interact directly with the host's immune system and are promising vaccine candidates. Here, for the first time to our knowledge, diversity in S. japonicum TSPs (SjTSPs) and the impact of diversifying selection and sequence variation on immunogenicity in these protiens were evaluated. METHODS: SjTSP sequences, representing parasite populations from seven provinces across China, were gathered by baiting published short-read NGS data and were analysed using in silico methods to measure sequence variation and selection pressures and predict the impact of selection on variation in antigen protein structure, function and antigenic propensity. RESULTS: Here, 27 SjTSPs were identified across three subfamilies, highlighting the diversity of TSPs in S. japonicum. Considerable variation was demonstrated for several SjTSPs between geographical regions/provinces, revealing that episodic, diversifying positive selection pressures promote amino acid variation/variability in the large extracellular loop (LEL) domain of certain SjTSPs. Accumulating polymorphisms in the LEL domain of SjTSP-2, -8 and -23 led to altered structural, fu

Journal article

Gabain IL, Ramsteijn AS, Webster JP, 2023, Parasites and childhood stunting - a mechanistic interplay with nutrition, anaemia, gut health, microbiota, and epigenetics, TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY, Vol: 39, Pages: 167-180, ISSN: 1471-4922

Journal article

Milne GC, Webster JP, Walker M, 2023, Is the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis declining?, Trends in Parasitology, Vol: 39, Pages: 26-37, ISSN: 0169-4758

Prenatal infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital toxoplasmosis (CT), an often fatal or lifelong-disabling condition. Several studies of human populations have reported temporal decreases in seroprevalence, suggesting declining CT incidence. However, the consistency of this trend among diverse populations remains unclear, as does its implication for prenatal screening programmes, the major intervention against CT. Using temporally resolved data on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in various countries, we discuss how the parasite's changing epidemiology may affect trends in CT incidence in varying and counterintuitive ways. We argue that parasite stage-specific serology could be helpful for understanding underlying causes of secular changes in seroprevalence. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of updating cost-effectiveness estimates of screening programmes, accounting for neuropsychiatric sequelae.

Journal article

Wang N, Peng H-Q, Gao C-Z, Cheng Y-H, Sun M-T, Qu G-L, Webster JP, Lu D-Bet al., 2022, In vivo efficiency of praziquantel treatment of single-sex Schistosoma japonicum aged three months old in mice., Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist, Vol: 20, Pages: 129-134

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease mainly caused by Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum and S. mansoni, and results in the greatest disease burden. Mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel (PZQ), a single drug only available for the disease, has played a vital role in schistosomiasis control. Therefore, any possibility of selection of the parasites for PZQ resistance or low sensitivity may hamper the 2030's target of global disease elimination. We had experimentally demonstrated the long-term survival and reproductive potential of single-sex (of either sex) S. japonicum infections in definitive hosts mice. What has not yet been adequately addressed is whether the long live single-sex schistosomes remain sensitive to PZQ, and what reproduction potential for those schistosomes surviving treatment may have. We therefore performed experimental mice studies to explore the treatment effectiveness of PZQ (at total doses of 200 or 400 mg/kg, corresponding to the sub-standard or standard treatment doses in humans) for single-sex S. japonicum aged three months old. The results showed that no treatment efficiency was observed on female schistosomes, whereas on male schistosomes only at PZQ 400 mg/kg a significant higher efficiency in reducing worm burdens was observed. Moreover, either schistosome males or females surviving PZQ treatment remained their reproduction potential as normal. The results indicate that long (i.e., three months) live single-sex S. japonicum can easily survive the current treatment strategy, and moreover, any schistosomes, if with PZQ resistance or low sensitivity, could be easily transmitted in nature. Therefore, in order to realize the target for the national and the global schistosomiasis elimination, there is undoubtedly a great need for refining PZQ administration and dosage, looking for alternative therapies, and/or developing vaccines against schistosome.

Journal article

Li Y, Bletsa M, Zisi Z, Boonen I, Gryseels S, Kafetzopoulou L, Webster JP, Catalano S, Pybus OG, Van de Perre F, Li H, Li Y, Li Y, Abramov A, Lymberakis P, Lemey P, Lequime Set al., 2022, Endogenous Viral Elements in Shrew Genomes Provide Insights into Pestivirus Ancient History., Mol Biol Evol, Vol: 39

As viral genomic imprints in host genomes, endogenous viral elements (EVEs) shed light on the deep evolutionary history of viruses, ancestral host ranges, and ancient viral-host interactions. In addition, they may provide crucial information for calibrating viral evolutionary timescales. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive in silico screening of a large data set of available mammalian genomes for EVEs deriving from members of the viral family Flaviviridae, an important group of viruses including well-known human pathogens, such as Zika, dengue, or hepatitis C viruses. We identified two novel pestivirus-like EVEs in the reference genome of the Indochinese shrew (Crocidura indochinensis). Homologs of these novel EVEs were subsequently detected in vivo by molecular detection and sequencing in 27 shrew species, including 26 species representing a wide distribution within the Crocidurinae subfamily and one in the Soricinae subfamily on different continents. Based on this wide distribution, we estimate that the integration event occurred before the last common ancestor of the subfamily, about 10.8 million years ago, attesting to an ancient origin of pestiviruses and Flaviviridae in general. Moreover, we provide the first description of Flaviviridae-derived EVEs in mammals even though the family encompasses numerous mammal-infecting members. This also suggests that shrews were past and perhaps also current natural reservoirs of pestiviruses. Taken together, our results expand the current known Pestivirus host range and provide novel insight into the ancient evolutionary history of pestiviruses and the Flaviviridae family in general.

Journal article

Pennance T, Neves MI, Webster BL, Gower CM, Knopp S, Khamis IS, Ame SM, Ali SM, Rabone M, Emery A, Allan F, Muhsin MA, Suleiman KR, Kabole F, Walker M, Rollinson D, Webster JPet al., 2022, Potential drivers for schistosomiasis persistence: Population genetic analyses from a cluster-randomized urogenital schistosomiasis elimination trial across the Zanzibar islands, PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES, Vol: 16, ISSN: 1935-2735

Journal article

Berger DJ, Leger E, Sankaranarayanan G, Sene M, Diouf ND, Rabone M, Emery A, Allan F, Cotton JA, Berriman M, Webster JPet al., 2022, Genomic evidence of contemporary hybridization between <i>Schistosoma</i> species, PLOS PATHOGENS, Vol: 18, ISSN: 1553-7366

Journal article

Lo NC, Bezerra FSM, Colley DG, Fleming FM, Homeida M, Kabatereine N, Kabole FM, King CH, Mafe MA, Midzi N, Mutapi F, Mwanga JR, Ramzy RMR, Satrija F, Stothard JR, Traoré MS, Webster JP, Utzinger J, Zhou X-N, Danso-Appiah A, Eusebi P, Loker ES, Obonyo CO, Quansah R, Liang S, Vaillant M, Murad MH, Hagan P, Garba Aet al., 2022, Review of 2022 WHO guidelines on the control and elimination of schistosomiasis., Lancet Infectious Diseases, ISSN: 1473-3099

Schistosomiasis is a helminthiasis infecting approximately 250 million people worldwide. In 2001, the World Health Assembly (WHA) 54.19 resolution defined a new global strategy for control of schistosomiasis through preventive chemotherapy programmes. This resolution culminated in the 2006 WHO guidelines that recommended empirical treatment by mass drug administration with praziquantel, predominately to school-aged children in endemic settings at regular intervals. Since then, school-based and community-based preventive chemotherapy programmes have been scaled-up, reducing schistosomiasis-associated morbidity. Over the past 15 years, new scientific evidence-combined with a more ambitious goal of eliminating schistosomiasis and an increase in the global donated supply of praziquantel-has highlighted the need to update public health guidance worldwide. In February, 2022, WHO published new guidelines with six recommendations to update the global public health strategy against schistosomiasis, including expansion of preventive chemotherapy eligibility from the predominant group of school-aged children to all age groups (2 years and older), lowering the prevalence threshold for annual preventive chemotherapy, and increasing the frequency of treatment. This Review, written by the 2018-2022 Schistosomiasis Guidelines Development Group and its international partners, presents a summary of the new WHO guideline recommendations for schistosomiasis along with their historical context, supporting evidence, implications for public health implementation, and future research needs.

Journal article

Liang S, Ponpetch K, Zhou Y-B, Guo J, Erko B, Stothard JR, Murad MH, Zhou X-N, Satrija F, Webster JP, Remais JV, Utzinger J, Garba Aet al., 2022, Diagnosis of Schistosoma infection in non-human animal hosts: A systematic review and meta-analysis., PLoS Negl Trop Dis, Vol: 16

BACKGROUND: Reliable and field-applicable diagnosis of schistosome infections in non-human animals is important for surveillance, control, and verification of interruption of human schistosomiasis transmission. This study aimed to summarize uses of available diagnostic techniques through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We systematically searched the literature and reports comparing two or more diagnostic tests in non-human animals for schistosome infection. Out of 4,909 articles and reports screened, 19 met our inclusion criteria, four of which were considered in the meta-analysis. A total of 14 techniques (parasitologic, immunologic, and molecular) and nine types of non-human animals were involved in the studies. Notably, four studies compared parasitologic tests (miracidium hatching test (MHT), Kato-Katz (KK), the Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory technique (DBL), and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation-digestion (FEA-SD)) with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and sensitivity estimates (using qPCR as the reference) were extracted and included in the meta-analyses, showing significant heterogeneity across studies and animal hosts. The pooled estimate of sensitivity was 0.21 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.48) with FEA-SD showing highest sensitivity (0.89, 95% CI: 0.65-1.00). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that the parasitologic technique FEA-SD and the molecular technique qPCR are the most promising techniques for schistosome diagnosis in non-human animal hosts. Future studies are needed for validation and standardization of the techniques for real-world field applications.

Journal article

Marsh KJ, Raulo AM, Brouard M, Troitsky T, English HM, Allen B, Raval R, Venkatesan S, Pedersen AB, Webster JP, Knowles SCLet al., 2022, Synchronous Seasonality in the Gut Microbiota of Wild Mouse Populations, FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, Vol: 13

Journal article

Raj E, Calvo-Urbano B, Heffernan C, Halder J, Webster JPet al., 2022, Systematic review to evaluate a potential association between helminth infection and physical stunting in children, PARASITES & VECTORS, Vol: 15, ISSN: 1756-3305

Journal article

Walker M, Freitas LT, Halder JB, Brack M, Keiser J, King CH, Levecke B, Ai-Lian Lim Y, Pieri O, Sow D, Stothard JR, Webster JP, Zhou X-N, Terry RF, Guérin PJ, Basáñez M-Get al., 2022, Improving anthelmintic treatment for schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases through sharing and reuse of individual participant data, Wellcome Open Research, Vol: 7, ISSN: 2398-502X

The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO, https://www.iddo.org) has launched a clinical data platform for the collation, curation, standardisation and reuse of individual participant data (IPD) on treatments for two of the most globally important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs). This initiative aims to harness the power of data-sharing by facilitating collaborative joint analyses of pooled datasets to generate robust evidence on the efficacy and safety of anthelminthic treatment regimens. A crucial component of this endeavour has been the development of a Research Agenda to promote engagement with the SCH and STH research and disease control communities by highlighting key questions that could be tackled using data shared through the IDDO platform. Here, we give a contextual overview of the priority research themes articulated in the Research Agenda-a 'living' document hosted on the IDDO website-and describe the three-stage consultation process behind its development. We also discuss the sustainability and future directions of the platform, emphasising throughout the power and promise of ethical and equitable sharing and reuse of clinical data to support the elimination of NTDs.

Journal article

Platt RN, Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD, McDew-White M, LoVerde PT, de Assis RR, Oliveira G, Kinung'hi S, Djirmay AG, Steinauer ML, Gouvras A, Rabone M, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery AM, Rollinson D, Anderson TJCet al., 2022, Genomic analysis of a parasite invasion: Colonization of the Americas by the blood fluke Schistosoma mansoni, MOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Vol: 31, Pages: 2242-2263, ISSN: 0962-1083

Journal article

Adeyemo P, Leger E, Hollenberg E, Diouf N, Sene M, Webster JP, Hasler Bet al., 2022, Estimating the financial impact of livestock schistosomiasis on traditional subsistence and transhumance farmers keeping cattle, sheep and goats in northern Senegal, PARASITES & VECTORS, Vol: 15, ISSN: 1756-3305

Journal article

Li YQ, Bletsa M, Zisi Z, Boonen I, Gryseels S, Kafetzopoulou L, Webster JP, Catalano S, Pybus OG, Van de Perre F, Li HT, Li YY, Li YC, Abramov A, Lymberakis P, Lemey P, Lequime Set al., 2022, Discovery of Flaviviridae-derived endogenous viral elements in shrew genomes provide novel insights into <i>Pestivirus</i> ancient history

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>As viral genomic imprints in host genomes, endogenous viral elements (EVEs) shed light on the deep evolutionary history of viruses, ancestral host ranges, and ancient viral-host interactions. In addition, they may provide crucial information for calibrating viral evolutionary timescales. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive <jats:italic>in silico</jats:italic> screening of a large dataset of available mammalian genomes for EVEs deriving from members of the viral family <jats:italic>Flaviviridae</jats:italic>, an important group of viruses including well-known human pathogens. We identified two novel pestivirus-like EVEs in the reference genome of the Indochinese shrew (<jats:italic>Crocidura indochinensis</jats:italic>). Homologs of these novel EVEs were subsequently detected <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> by molecular detection and sequencing in 27 shrew species, including 26 species representing a wide distribution within the Crocidurinae subfamily and one in the Soricinae subfamily. Based on this wide distribution, we estimate that the integration event occurred before the last common ancestor of the subfamily, about 10.8 million years ago, attesting to an ancient origin of pestiviruses and <jats:italic>Flaviviridae</jats:italic> in general. Moreover, we provide the first description of <jats:italic>Flaviviridae</jats:italic>-derived EVEs in mammals even though the family encompasses numerous mammal-infecting members, including major human pathogens such as Zika, dengue, or hepatitis C viruses. This also suggests that shrews were past and perhaps also current natural reservoirs of pestiviruses. Taken together, our results expand the current known <jats:italic>Pestivirus</jats:italic> host range and provide novel insight into the ancient evolutionary history of pestiviruses and the <jats:italic>Flaviviridae

Journal article

Behnke JM, Stewart A, Smales L, Cooper G, Lowe A, Kinsella JM, Bajer A, Dwuznik-Szarek D, Herman J, Fenn J, Catalano S, Diagne CA, Webster JPet al., 2022, Parasitic nematodes of the genus Syphacia Seurat, 1916 infecting Cricetidae in the British Isles: the enigmatic status of Syphacia nigeriana, PARASITOLOGY, Vol: 149, Pages: 76-94, ISSN: 0031-1820

Journal article

Le Clec'h W, Chevalier FD, Mattos ACA, Strickland A, Diaz R, McDew-White M, Rohr CM, Kinung'hi S, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery AM, Rollinson D, Djirmay AG, Al Mashikhi KM, Al Yafae S, Idris MA, Mone H, Mouahid G, LoVerde P, Marchant JS, Anderson TJCet al., 2021, Genetic analysis of praziquantel response in schistosome parasites implicates a transient receptor potential channel, SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, Vol: 13, ISSN: 1946-6234

Journal article

Díaz AV, Walker M, Webster JP, 2021, Surveillance and control of SARS-CoV-2 in mustelids: An evolutionary perspective., Evolutionary Applications: evolutionary approaches to environmental, biomedical and socio-economic issues, Vol: 14, Pages: 2715-2725, ISSN: 1752-4563

The relevance of mustelids in SARS-CoV-2 transmission has become increasingly evident. Alongside experimental demonstration of airborne transmission among ferrets, the major animal model for human respiratory diseases, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within- and/or between-commercial mink farms has occurred and continues to occur. The number of mink reared for the luxury fur trade is approximately 60.5 million, across 36 mustelid-farming countries. By July 2021, SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks have been reported in 12 of these countries, at 412 European and 20 North American mink farms. Reverse zoonotic transmission events (from humans to mink) have introduced the virus to farms with subsequent extensive mink-to-mink transmission as well as further zoonotic (mink-to-human) transmission events generating cases among both farm workers and the broader community. Overcrowded housing conditions inherent within intensive mink farms, often combined with poor sanitation and welfare, both guarantee spread of SARS-CoV-2 and facilitate opportunities for viral variants, thereby effectively representing biotic hubs for viral transmission and evolution of virulence. Adequate preventative, surveillance and control measures within the mink industry are imperative both for the control of the current global pandemic and to mitigate against future outbreaks.

Journal article

Platt RN, Le Clech W, Chevalier FD, McDew-White M, LoVerde PT, de Assis RR, Oliveira G, Kinunghi S, Djirmay AG, Steinauer ML, Gouvras A, Rabone M, Allan F, Webster BL, Webster JP, Emery A, Rollinson D, Anderson TJCet al., 2021, Genomic analysis of a parasite invasion: colonization of the Americas by the blood fluke, <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i>

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:italic>Schistosoma mansoni,</jats:italic> a snail-vectored, blood fluke that infects humans, was introduced into the Americas from Africa during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. As this parasite shows strong specificity to the snail intermediate host, we expected that adaptation to S. American <jats:italic>Biomphalaria</jats:italic> spp. snails would result in population bottlenecks and strong signatures of selection. We scored 475,081 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in 143 <jats:italic>S. mansoni</jats:italic> from the Americas (Brazil, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico) and Africa (Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda), and used these data to ask: (i) Was there a population bottleneck during colonization? (ii) Can we identify signatures of selection associated with colonization? And (iii) what were the source populations for colonizing parasites? We found a 2.4-2.9-fold reduction in diversity and much slower decay in linkage disequilibrium (LD) in parasites from East to West Africa. However, we observed similar nuclear diversity and LD in West Africa and Brazil, suggesting no strong bottlenecks and limited barriers to colonization. We identified five genome regions showing selection in the Americas, compared with three in West Africa and none in East Africa, which we speculate may reflect adaptation during colonization. Finally, we infer that unsampled African populations from central African regions between Benin and Angola, with contributions from Niger, are likely the major source(s) for Brazilian <jats:italic>S. mansoni</jats:italic>. The absence of a bottleneck suggests that this is a rare case of a serendipitous invasion, where <jats:italic>S. mansoni</jats:italic> parasites were preadapted to the Americas and were able to establish with relative ease.</jats:p>

Journal article

Marsh KJ, Raulo AM, Brouard M, Troitsky T, English HM, Allen B, Raval R, Webster JP, Knowles SCLet al., 2021, Synchronous seasonality in the gut microbiota of wild wood mouse populations

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type="order"><jats:list-item><jats:p>The gut microbiome performs many important functions in mammalian hosts, with community composition shaping its functional role. However, what factors drive individual microbiota variation in wild animals and to what extent these are predictable or idiosyncratic across populations remains poorly understood.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Here, we use a multi-population dataset from a common rodent species (the wood mouse,<jats:italic>Apodemus sylvaticus</jats:italic>), to test whether a consistent set of ‘core’ gut microbes is identifiable in this species, and to what extent the predictors of microbiota variation are consistent across populations.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Between 2014 and 2018 we used capture-mark-recapture and 16S rRNA profiling to intensively monitor two wild UK mouse populations and their gut microbiota, as well as characterising the microbiota from a laboratory-housed colony of the same species.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Although broadly similar at high taxonomic levels and despite being only 50km apart, the two wild populations did not share a single bacterial amplicon sequence variant (ASV). Meanwhile, the laboratory-housed colony shared many ASVs with one of the wild populations from which it is thought to have been founded decades ago. Despite strong taxonomic divergence in the microbiota, the factors predicting compositional variation in each wild population were remarkably similar. We identified a strong and consistent pattern of seasonal microbiota restructuring that occurred at both sites, in all years, and within individual mice. While the microbiota was highly individualised, seasonal convergence in the gut microbiota among individuals occu

Journal article

Borlase A, Rudge JW, Leger E, Diouf ND, Fall CB, Diop SD, Catalano S, Sene M, Webster JPet al., 2021, Spillover, hybridization, and persistence in schistosome transmission dynamics at the human-animal interface, PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Vol: 118, ISSN: 0027-8424

Journal article

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