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Lamberti O, Terris-Prestholt F, Bustinduy AL, Bozzani F. A health decision analytical model to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of female genital schistosomiasis screening strategies: The female genital schistosomiasis SCREEN framework. Trop Med Int Health 2024. [PMID: 39095942 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis is a chronic gynaecological disease caused by the waterborne parasite Schistosoma (S.) haematobium. It affects an estimated 30-56 million girls and women globally, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is endemic, and negatively impacts their sexual and reproductive life. Recent studies found evidence of an association between female genital schistosomiasis and increased prevalence of HIV and cervical precancer lesions. Despite the large population at risk, the burden and impact of female genital schistosomiasis are scarcely documented, resulting in neglect and insufficient resource allocation. There is currently no standardised method for individual or population-based female genital schistosomiasis screening and diagnosis which hinders accurate assessment of disease burden in endemic countries. To optimise financial allocations for female genital schistosomiasis screening, it is necessary to explore the cost-effectiveness of different strategies by combining cost and impact estimates. Yet, no economic evaluation has explored the value for money of alternative screening methods. This paper describes a novel application of health decision analytical modelling to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different female genital schistosomiasis screening strategies across endemic settings. The model combines a decision tree for female genital schistosomiasis screening strategies, and a Markov model for the natural history of cervical cancer to estimate the cost per disability-adjusted life-years averted for different screening strategies, stratified by HIV status. It is a starting point for discussion and for supporting priority setting in a data-sparse environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Lamberti
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fiammetta Bozzani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Ndubani R, Lamberti O, Kildemoes A, Hoekstra P, Fitzpatrick J, Kelly H, Vwalika B, Randrianasolo B, Sturt A, Kayuni S, Choko A, Kasese N, Kjetland E, Nemungadi T, Mocumbi S, Samson A, Ntapara E, Thomson A, Danstan E, Chikwari CD, Martin K, Rabiu I, Terkie G, Chaima D, Kasoka M, Joeker K, Arenholt LTS, Leutscher P, Stothard R, Rabozakandria O, Gouvras A, Munthali T, Hameja G, Kanfwa P, Hikabasa H, Ayles H, Shanaube K, Bustinduy AL. The first BILGENSA Research Network workshop in Zambia: identifying research priorities, challenges and needs in genital bilharzia in Southern Africa. Wellcome Open Res 2024; 9:360. [PMID: 39170763 PMCID: PMC11336559 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22429.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are gender-specific manifestations of urogenital schistosomiasis. Morbidity is a consequence of prolonged inflammation in the human genital tract caused by the entrapped eggs of the waterborne parasite, Schistosoma (S.) haematobium. Both diseases affect the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of millions of people globally, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Awareness and knowledge of these diseases is largely absent among affected communities and healthcare workers in endemic countries. Accurate burden of FGS and MGS disease estimates, single and combined, are absent, mostly due to the absence of standardized methods for individual or population-based screening and diagnosis. In addition, there are disparities in country-specific FGS and MGS knowledge, research and implementation approaches, and diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no WHO guidelines to inform practice. The BILGENSA (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) Research Network aimed to create a collaborative multidisciplinary network to advance clinical research of FGS and MGS across Southern African endemic countries. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia over two days in November 2022. Over 150 researchers and stakeholders from different schistosomiasis endemic settings attended. Attendees identified challenges and research priorities around FGS and MGS from their respective countries. Key research themes identified across settings included: 1) To increase the knowledge about the local burden of FGS and MGS; 2) To raise awareness among local communities and healthcare workers; 3) To develop effective and scalable guidelines for disease diagnosis and management; 4) To understand the effect of treatment interventions on disease progression, and 5) To integrate FGS and MGS within other existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In its first meeting, the BILGENSA Network set forth a common research agenda across S. haematobium endemic countries for the control of FGS and MGS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olimpia Lamberti
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Anna Kildemoes
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pytsje Hoekstra
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Helen Kelly
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of gynaecology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
| | | | - Amy Sturt
- Infectious Diseases Section, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Palo Alto, USA
- 8. Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Seke Kayuni
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Augustine Choko
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Eyrun Kjetland
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences,, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Oslo, Norway
| | - Takalani Nemungadi
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences,, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Sibone Mocumbi
- Manhiça Health Research Centre (CISM), Maputo Central Hospital, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Anna Samson
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Elizabeth Ntapara
- Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC), National Institute of Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Anifrid Thomson
- Mbeya Medical Research Centre (MMRC), National Institute of Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Elizabeth Danstan
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Harare Province, Zimbabwe
| | - Chido Dziya Chikwari
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Harare Province, Zimbabwe
- The Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Kevin Martin
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Harare Province, Zimbabwe
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Ibrahim Rabiu
- Department of Community Medicine, Gombe State University, Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria
| | - Gifty Terkie
- Department of Community Medicine, Gombe State University, Gombe, Gombe, Nigeria
| | - David Chaima
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Manuel Kasoka
- Department of gynaecology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
| | - Karoline Joeker
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Louise Thomsen Schmidt Arenholt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark
| | - Peter Leutscher
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark
| | - Russel Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Tendai Munthali
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
- Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Grace Hameja
- Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Health, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Kanfwa
- Department of gynaecology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
| | - Halwindi Hikabasa
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | | | - Amaya L. Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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Shanaube K, Ndubani R, Kelly H, Webb E, Mayaud P, Lamberti O, Fitzpatrick J, Kasese N, Sturt A, Van Lieshout L, Van Dam G, Corstjens PLAM, Kosloff B, Bond V, Hayes R, Terris-Prestholt F, Webster B, Vwalika B, Hansingo I, Ayles H, Bustinduy AL. Zipime-Weka-Schista study protocol: a longitudinal cohort study and economic evaluation of an integrated home-based approach for genital multipathogen screening in women, including female genital schistosomiasis, human papillomavirus, Trichomonas and HIV in Zambia. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080395. [PMID: 38858160 PMCID: PMC11168163 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Multiplathogen home-based self-sampling offers an opportunity to increase access to screening and treatment in endemic settings with high coinfection prevalence of sexually transmitted (HIV, Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), human papillomavirus (HPV)) and non-sexually transmitted pathogens (Schistosoma haematobium (Sh)). Chronic coinfections may lead to disability (female genital schistosomiasis) and death (cervical cancer). The Zipime-Weka-Schista (Do self-testing sister!) study aims to evaluate the validity, acceptability, uptake, impact and cost-effectiveness of multipathogen self-sampling for genital infections among women in Zambia. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This is a longitudinal cohort study aiming to enrol 2500 non-pregnant, sexually active and non-menstruating women aged 15-50 years from two districts in Zambia with 2-year follow-up. During home visits, community health workers offer HIV and Tv self-testing and cervicovaginal self-swabs for (1) HPV by GeneXpert and, (2) Sh DNA detection by conventional (PCR)and isothermal (recombinase polymerase assay) molecular methods. Schistosoma ova and circulating anodic antigen are detected in urine. At a clinic follow-up, midwives perform the same procedures and obtain hand-held colposcopic images. High-risk HPV positive women are referred for a two-quadrant cervical biopsy according to age and HIV status. A cost-effectiveness analysis is conducted in parallel. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (UNZABREC) (reference: 1858-2021), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (reference: 25258), Ministry of Health and local superintendents approved the study in September 2021.Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrolment. Identifiable data collected are stored securely and their confidentiality is protected in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Helen Kelly
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Emily Webb
- Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Philippe Mayaud
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Olimpia Lamberti
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Amy Sturt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, UK
| | | | - Govert Van Dam
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Barry Kosloff
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Virginia Bond
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Centre of Global Change and Health, London, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Bellington Vwalika
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Isaiah Hansingo
- Gynecology, Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Hosseini M, Holcombe AO, Kovacs M, Zwart H, Katz DS, Holmes K. Group authorship, an excellent opportunity laced with ethical, legal and technical challenges. Account Res 2024:1-23. [PMID: 38445637 PMCID: PMC11377859 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2024.2322557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Group authorship (also known as corporate authorship, team authorship, consortium authorship) refers to attribution practices that use the name of a collective (be it team, group, project, corporation, or consortium) in the authorship byline. Data shows that group authorships are on the rise but thus far, in scholarly discussions about authorship, they have not gained much specific attention. Group authorship can minimize tensions within the group about authorship order and the criteria used for inclusion/exclusion of individual authors. However, current use of group authorships has drawbacks, such as ethical challenges associated with the attribution of credit and responsibilities, legal challenges regarding how copyrights are handled, and technical challenges related to the lack of persistent identifiers (PIDs), such as ORCID, for groups. We offer two recommendations: 1) Journals should develop and share context-specific and unambiguous guidelines for group authorship, for which they can use the four baseline requirements offered in this paper; 2) Using persistent identifiers for groups and consistent reporting of members' contributions should be facilitated through devising PIDs for groups and linking these to the ORCIDs of their individual contributors and the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) of the published item.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hosseini
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alex O Holcombe
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marton Kovacs
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
- MNB Institute, John von Neumann University, Kecskemét, Hungary
| | - Hub Zwart
- Erasmus School of Philosophy, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daniel S Katz
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Computer Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
- School of Information Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kristi Holmes
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Galter Health Sciences Library and Learning Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Umbelino-Walker I, Wong F, Cassolato M, Pantelias A, Jacobson J, Kalume C. Integration of female genital schistosomiasis into HIV/sexual and reproductive health and rights and neglected tropical diseases programmes and services: a scoping review. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2023; 31:2262882. [PMID: 37850814 PMCID: PMC10586082 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2023.2262882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects approximately 56 million women and girls across sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with up to a threefold increased prevalence of HIV. Integrating FGS with HIV programmes as part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services may be one of the most significant missed opportunities for preventing HIV incidence among girls and women. A search of studies published until October 2021 via Scopus and ProQuest was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to assess how FGS can be integrated into HIV/SRH and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) programmes and services. Data extraction included studies that integrated interventions and described the opportunities and challenges. A total of 334 studies were identified, with 22 eligible for analysis and summarised conducting a descriptive numerical analysis and qualitative review. We adapted a framework for integrated implementation of FGS, HIV, and HPV/cervical cancer to thematically organise the results, classifying them into five themes: awareness and community engagement, diagnosis, treatment, burden assessment, and economic evaluation. Most activities pertained to awareness and community engagement (n = 9), diagnosis (n = 9) and were primarily connected to HIV/AIDS (n = 8) and school-based services and programming (n = 8). The studies mainly described the opportunities and challenges for integration, rather than presenting results from implemented integration interventions, highlighting an evidence gap on FGS integration into HIV/SRH and NTD programmes. Investments are needed to realise the potential of FGS integration to address the burden of this neglected disease and improve HIV and SRH outcomes for millions of women and girls at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felicia Wong
- Independent Consultant, Frontline AIDS, Worthing, UK
| | | | | | - Julie Jacobson
- Managing Partner, Co-Founder, Bridges to Development, Seattle, WA, USA
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Ursini T, Scarso S, Mugassa S, Othman JB, Yussuph AJ, Ndaboine E, Mbwanji G, Mazzi C, Leonardi M, Prato M, Pomari E, Mazigo HD, Tamarozzi F. Assessing the prevalence of Female Genital Schistosomiasis and comparing the acceptability and performance of health worker-collected and self-collected cervical-vaginal swabs using PCR testing among women in North-Western Tanzania: The ShWAB study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011465. [PMID: 37410782 PMCID: PMC10353784 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected disease of the genital tract due to the inflammatory response to the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the genital tract. The WHO has prioritized the improvement of diagnostics for FGS and previous studies have explored the PCR-based detection of Schistosoma DNA on genital specimens, with encouraging results. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FGS among women living in an endemic district in North-western Tanzania, using PCR on samples collected though cervical-vaginal swabs, and to compare the performance of self-collected and healthcare worker-collected (operator-collected) samples, and the acceptability of the different sampling methods. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 211 women living in 2 villages in the Maswa district of North-western Tanzania. Urine, self-collected and operator-collected cervical-vaginal swabs were obtained from participants. A questionnaire was administered, focusing on the comfortability in undergoing different diagnostic procedures. Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, as assessed by eggs in urine, was 8.5% (95%CI 5.1-13.1). DNA was pre-isolated from genital swabs and transported at room temperature to Italy for molecular analysis. Prevalence of active schistosomiasis, urinary schistosomiasis, and FGS were 10.0% (95% CI 6.3-14.8), 8.5% (95%CI 5.1-13.1), and 4.7% (95%CI 2.3-8.5), respectively. When real-time PCR was performed after a pre-amplification step, the prevalence of active schistosomiasis increased to 10.4% (95%CI 6.7-15.4), and FGS to 5.2% (95%CI 2.6-9.1). Of note, more cases were detected by self-collected than operator-collected swabs. The vast majority of participants (95.3%) declared that they were comfortable/very comfortable about genital self-sampling, which was indicated as the preferred sampling method by 40.3% of participants. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The results of this study show that genital self-sampling followed by pre-amplified PCR on room temperature-stored DNA is a useful method from both technical and acceptability point of views. This encourages further studies to optimize samples processing, and identify the best operational flow to allow integration of FGS screening into women health programmes, such as HPV screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Ursini
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scarso
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Stella Mugassa
- School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Behavioural Sciences, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Jeffer Bhuko Othman
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Edgar Ndaboine
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Gladys Mbwanji
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Cristina Mazzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Martina Leonardi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Marco Prato
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Pomari
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Tamarozzi
- Department of Infectious-Tropical Diseases and Microbiology, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
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Bustinduy AL, Randriansolo B, Sturt AS, Kayuni SA, Leustcher PDC, Webster BL, Van Lieshout L, Stothard JR, Feldmeier H, Gyapong M. An update on female and male genital schistosomiasis and a call to integrate efforts to escalate diagnosis, treatment and awareness in endemic and non-endemic settings: The time is now. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2022; 115:1-44. [PMID: 35249661 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The last decades have brought important insight and updates in the diagnosis, management and immunopathology of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS). Despite sharing a common parasitic aetiological agent, FGS and MGS have typically been studied separately. Infection with Schistosoma haematobium manifests with gender-specific clinical manifestations and consequences of infection, albeit having a similar pathogenesis within the human genital tract. Schistosoma haematobium is a known urinary bladder carcinogen, but its potential causative role in other types of neoplasia, such as cervical cancer, is not fully understood. Furthermore, the impact of praziquantel treatment on clinical outcomes remains largely underexplored, as is the interplay of FGS/MGS with relevant reproductive tract infections such as HIV and Human Papillomavirus. In non-endemic settings, travel and immigrant health clinics need better guidance to correctly identify and treat FGS and MGS. Our review outlines the latest advances and remaining knowledge gaps in FGS and MGS research. We aim to pave a way forward to formulate more effective control measures and discuss elimination targets. With a growing community awareness in health practitioners, scientists and epidemiologists, alongside the sufferers from these diseases, we aspire to witness a new generation of young women and men free from the downstream disabling manifestations of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Amy S Sturt
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, United States
| | - Seke A Kayuni
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom; MASM Medi Clinics Limited, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Peter D C Leustcher
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjoerring, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Lisette Van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Hermann Feldmeier
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Margaret Gyapong
- Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
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Rafferty H, Sturt AS, Phiri CR, Webb EL, Mudenda M, Mapani J, Corstjens PLAM, van Dam GJ, Schaap A, Ayles H, Hayes RJ, van Lieshout L, Hansingo I, Bustinduy AL. Association between cervical dysplasia and female genital schistosomiasis diagnosed by genital PCR in Zambian women. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:691. [PMID: 34273957 PMCID: PMC8286581 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06380-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a neglected tropical gynaecological disease that affects millions of women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). FGS is caused by Schistosoma haematobium, a parasitic carcinogen involved in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Cervical cancer incidence and mortality are highest in SSA, where pre-cancerous cervical dysplasia is often detected on screening with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). There are no studies evaluating the association between VIA positivity and FGS diagnosed by genital PCR. METHODS Women were recruited from the Bilharzia and HIV (BILHIV) study in Zambia a community-based study comparing genital self-sampling to provider obtained cervicovaginal-lavage for the diagnosis of FGS in women aged 18-31. FGS was defined as positive Schistosoma DNA from any genital PCR. Urogenital schistosomiasis diagnostics included urine circulating anodic antigen, urine microscopy and portable colposcopy. Participants were offered cervical cancer screening using VIA at Livingstone Central Hospital. Associations of PCR confirmed FGS and other diagnostics with VIA positivity were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS VIA results were available from 237 BILHIV participants. A positive Schistosoma PCR in any genital specimen was detected in 14 women (5.9%), 28.6% (4/14) of these women had positive VIA compared to 9.0% without PCR evidence of schistosome infection (20/223). Schistosoma PCR positivity in any genital specimen was strongly associated with VIA positivity (OR: 6.08, 95% CI: 1.58-23.37, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to find an association between FGS and positive VIA, a relationship that may be causal. Further longitudinal studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Rafferty
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - A S Sturt
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | | | - E L Webb
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - M Mudenda
- Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - J Mapani
- Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - P L A M Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - G J van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - H Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - R J Hayes
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - L van Lieshout
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - I Hansingo
- Livingstone Central Hospital, Livingstone, Zambia
| | - A L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
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