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Ogweno G, Mushi V, Silvestri V, Bonaventura W, Justine NC, Noah M, Yoram F, Mohamed H, Tarimo D. Burden and risk factors for Schistosoma mansoni infection among primary school children: A quantitative school-based cross-sectional survey in Busega district, Northern Tanzania. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280180. [PMID: 36634114 PMCID: PMC9836289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal schistosomiasis is one of the most common neglected tropical diseases in Tanzania. Despite massive praziquantel administration, data from Northern Tanzania have reported a prevalence of up to 93.2%. Because the disease is focal, depending on host, environmental and intermediate host factors, there is a need to acquire data in specific settings to better tailor interventions. Therefore, the study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with persistent transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis among school-age children in Busega district, Northern Tanzania. METHODS A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 363 primary school children, randomly selected from school clusters in the Busega district. A single stool sample was collected from each child for S. mansoni ova and infection intensity examination using Kato-Katz. Factors related to intestinal schistosomiasis transmission were acquired through a questionnaire. A malacological survey was carried out to determine the Biomphalaria infectivity rate. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted to analyse the association between schistosoma infection and factors related to transmission in this setting. RESULTS The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 41.3% (95% CI: 36.3-46.5), statistically significantly higher among the younger group aged less than 11 years (46.4% vs 35.3%, p = 0.032). The intensity of infection was heavy in 1.6% of participants, moderate in 9.6%, and light in 30.9%. Studying at Mwamayombo Primary School (AOR = 2.50, 95% CI: 1.12-5.60) was the only factor significantly associated with S. mansoni infestations. The snail intermediate host belonged to Biomphalaria sudanica species, whose infectivity rate was quantified as 0.97%, thus confirming ongoing transmission in the area. CONCLUSIONS There was a high prevalence of S. mansoni infection among school-age children in the Busega district. The presence of the infected Biomphalaria sudanica in the area documents the persistent transmission of the disease, favored by low knowledge and negative attitudes among school-aged children. Hence, the need for multi-approach intervention for schistosomiasis prevention and elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Ogweno
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Vivian Mushi
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Zoology and Wildlife Conservation, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Valeria Silvestri
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Witness Bonaventura
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Nyanda C. Justine
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Mololo Noah
- Maweni Regional Referral Hospital, Kigoma, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Furahini Yoram
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Medicine, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Hussein Mohamed
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Donath Tarimo
- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Infection Rates of Schistosome Transmitting Snails in Southern Africa. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022; 7:tropicalmed7050072. [PMID: 35622699 PMCID: PMC9145527 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed7050072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to interrupt and eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem have increased in several Southern African countries. A systematic review was carried out on the infection rates of snails that cause schistosomiasis in humans. The searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, using the PRISMA guidelines from inception to 24 February 2022. The study quality was assessed by using the Joanna Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal checklist. Pooled infection rates were estimated by using an inverse variance heterogeneity model, while heterogeneity was determined by using Cochran’s Q test and Higgins i2 statistics. A total of 572 articles were screened, but only 28 studies were eligible for inclusion based on predetermined criteria. In the selected studies, 82,471 Bulinus spp. and 16,784 Biomphalaria spp. snails were screened for cercariae. The pooled infectivity of schistosome intermediate host snails, Biomphalaria spp., and Bulinus spp. were 1%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Snail infection rates were higher in the 1900s compared to the 2000s. A Luis Furuya–Kanamori index of 3.16 indicated publication bias, and a high level of heterogeneity was observed. Although snail infectivity in Southern Africa is relatively low, it falls within the interval of common snail infection rates, thus indicating the need for suitable snail control programs that could interrupt transmission and achieve elimination.
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Guo Q, Zhou K, Chen C, Yue Y, Shang Z, Zhou K, Fu Z, Liu J, Lin J, Xia C, Tang W, Cong X, Sun X, Hong Y. Development of a Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Schistosomiasis Japonica Diagnosis in the Experimental Mice and Domestic Goats. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:791997. [PMID: 34869085 PMCID: PMC8635165 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.791997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the prevalence of schistosomiasis japonica has declined gradually in China, more accurate and sensitive diagnostic methods are urgently needed for the prevention and control of this disease. Molecular diagnostic methods are advantageous in terms of sensitivity and specificity, but they are time-consuming and require expensive instruments and skilled personnel, which limits their application in low-resource settings. In this study, an isothermal DNA amplification assay and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with lateral flow dipstick (LFD) were set up. It was used to detect S. japonicum infections in experimental mice and domestic goats by amplifying a specific DNA fragment of S. japonicum. The lower limit of detection for the LFD-RPA assay was evaluated using dilutions of plasmid containing the target sequence. Cross-reactivity was evaluated using genomic DNA from eight other parasites. The effectiveness of the LFD-RPA assay was verified by assessing 36 positive plasma samples and 36 negative plasma samples from mice. The LFD-RPA assay and real-time PCR were also used to assess 48 schistosomiasis japonica-positive plasma samples and 53 negative plasma samples from goats. The LFD-RPA assay could detect 2.6 femtogram (fg) of S. japonicum target DNA (~39 fg genomic DNA of S. japonicum), only 10-fold less sensitive than real-time PCR assay. There was no cross-reactivity with DNA from the other eight parasites, such as Haemonchus contortus and Spirometra. The whole amplification process could be completed within 15 min at 39°C, and the results can be observed easily using the LFD. The sensitivity and specificity of the LFD-RPA assay were 97.22% (35/36, 95% CI, 85.47%-99.93%) and 100% (36/36, 95% CI, 90.26%-100%) in mice, and 93.75% (45/48, 95% CI, 82.80%-98.69%) and 100% (53/53, 95% CI, 93.28%-100%) in goats. By comparison, the sensitivity and specificity of real-time PCR were 100% (36/36, 95% CI, 90.26%-100%) and 100% (36/36, 95% CI, 90.26%-100%) for mice, and 97.92% (47/48, 95% CI, 88.93%-99.95%) and 100% (53/53, 95% CI, 93.28%-100%) for goats. The LFD-RPA assay exhibits high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica, and it is an alternative method for diagnosis schistosomiasis japonica in low resource setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghong Guo
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Kerou Zhou
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongcheng Yue
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Shang
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Keke Zhou
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqiang Fu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaojiao Lin
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology of Ministry of Agriculture, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyang Xia
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
| | - Wenqiang Tang
- Institute of Animal Science, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Science, Lhasa, China
| | - Xiaonan Cong
- Huancui Development Center for Animal Husbandry, Weihai, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Huancui Development Center for Animal Husbandry, Weihai, China
| | - Yang Hong
- National Reference Laboratory for Animal Schistosomiasis, Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Challenges and Opportunities Presented by Current Techniques for Detecting Schistosome Infections in Intermediate Host Snails: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105403. [PMID: 34069316 PMCID: PMC8158760 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD), causes morbidity and mortality in over 250 million people globally. And 700 million people are at risk of contracting it. It is caused by a parasite of the genus Schistosoma. Freshwater snails of the family Planorbidae are of public health significance as they are intermediate hosts of these highly infective flukes. Accurate diagnostic techniques to detect schistosome infections in intermediate host snails (IHS) and environmental surveillance are needed to institute measures for the interruption of transmission and eventual elimination. We carried out a systematic review of the literature to assess advantages and limitations of different diagnostic techniques for detecting schistosome infections in snails. Literature from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases from 2008 to 2020 were searched using combinations of predefined search terms with Boolean operators. The studies revealed that conventional diagnostics are widely used, although they are labor-intensive, have low specificity and sensitivity levels, and cannot detect prepatent infections. Whereas more advanced techniques such as immunological, nucleic-acid amplification, and eDNA diagnostics have high sensitivity and specificity levels, they are costly, hence, not suitable for field applications and large-scale surveys. Our review highlights the importance of designing and developing innovative diagnostics that are high in specificity and sensitivity as well as affordable and technically feasible for use in field laboratories and for large-scale surveys.
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Kamel B, Laidemitt MR, Lu L, Babbitt C, Weinbaum OL, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Detecting and identifying Schistosoma infections in snails and aquatic habitats: A systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009175. [PMID: 33760814 PMCID: PMC8021170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We were tasked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the following question: What techniques should be used to diagnose Schistosoma infections in snails and in the water in potential transmission sites? Our goal was to review and evaluate the available literature and provide recommendations and insights for the development of WHO's Guidelines Development Group for schistosomiasis control and elimination. METHODOLOGY We searched several databases using strings of search terms, searched bibliographies of pertinent papers, and contacted investigators who have made contributions to this field. Our search covered from 1970 to Sept 2020. All papers were considered in a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, and retained papers were grouped by technique and subjected to our GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) evidence assessment profile determined in consultation with WHO. We also considered issues of sensitivity, specificity, coverage, cost, robustness, support needs, schistosome species discrimination, and relevant detection limits. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Our PRISMA process began with the perusal of 949 articles, of which 158 were retained for data extraction and evaluation. We identified 25 different techniques and for each applied a GRADE assessment considering limitations, inconsistency, imprecision, indirectness, and publication bias. We also provide advantages and disadvantages for each category of techniques. CONCLUSIONS Our GRADE analysis returned an assessment of moderate quality of evidence for environmental DNA (eDNA), qPCR and LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal amplification). No single ideal diagnostic approach has yet been developed, but considerable recent progress has been made. We note a growing trend to use eDNA techniques to permit more efficient and replicable sampling. qPCR-based protocols for follow-up detection offer a versatile, mature, sensitive, and specific platform for diagnosis though centralized facilities will be required to favor standardization. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) can play a complementary role if inhibitors are a concern, or more sensitivity or quantification is needed. Snail collection, followed by shedding, is encouraged to provide specimens for sequence verifications of snails or schistosomes. LAMP or other isothermal detection techniques offer the prospect of less expensive and more distributed network of analysis but may face standardization and verification challenges related to actual sequences amplified. Ability to detect schistosome infections in snails or in the water is needed if control and elimination programs hope to succeed. Any diagnostic techniques used need to be regularly verified by the acquisition of DNA sequences to confirm that the detected targets are of the expected species. Further improvements may be necessary to identify the ideal schistosome or snail sequences to target for amplification. More field testing and standardization will be essential for long-term success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishoy Kamel
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Martina R. Laidemitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Babbitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Ola Liota Weinbaum
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Center for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
- Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States of America
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Hailegebriel T, Nibret E, Munshea A. Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in Snail Intermediate Hosts in Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Trop Med 2020; 2020:8850840. [PMID: 32963554 PMCID: PMC7492904 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8850840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is caused by Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in Africa. These schistosome parasites use freshwater snail intermediate hosts to complete their lifecycle. Varied prevalence rates of these parasites in the snail intermediate hosts were reported from several African countries, but there were no summarized data for policymakers. Therefore, this study was aimed to systematically summarize the prevalence and geographical distribution of S. mansoni and S. haematobium among freshwater snails in Africa. METHODS Literature search was carried out from PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus which reported the prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium among freshwater snails in Africa. The pooled prevalence was determined using a random-effect model, while heterogeneities between studies were evaluated by I 2 test. The meta-analyses were conducted using Stata software, metan command. RESULTS A total of 273,643 snails were examined for the presence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium cercaria in the eligible studies. The pooled prevalence of schistosome cercaria among freshwater snails was 5.5% (95% CI: 4.9-6.1%). The pooled prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium cercaria was 5.6% (95% CI: 4.9-6.3%) and 5.2% (95% CI: 4.6-5.7%), respectively. The highest pooled prevalence was observed from Nigeria (19.0%; 95% CI: 12.7-25.3%), while the lowest prevalence was reported from Chad (0.05%; 95% CI: 0.03-0.13). Higher prevalence of schistosome cercaria was observed from Bulinus globosus (12.3%; 95% CI: 6.2-18.3%) followed by Biomphalaria sudanica (6.7%; 95% CI: 4.5-9.0%) and Biomphalaria pfeifferi (5.1%; 95% CI: 4.1-6.2%). The pooled prevalence of schistosome cercaria obtained using PCR was 26.7% in contrast to 4.5% obtained by shedding cercariae. CONCLUSION This study revealed that nearly 6% of freshwater snails in Africa were infected by either S. haematobium or S. mansoni. The high prevalence of schistosomes among freshwater snails highlights the importance of appropriate snail control strategies in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamirat Hailegebriel
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Endalkachew Nibret
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Abaineh Munshea
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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