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Linsuke S, Ilombe G, Disonama M, Nzita JD, Mbala P, Lutumba P, Van Geertruyden JP. Schistosoma Infection Burden and Risk Factors among School-Aged Children in a Rural Area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:455. [PMID: 37755916 PMCID: PMC10535068 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8090455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous efforts to control schistosomiasis (SCH) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it still poses a significant challenge. In order to enhance control measures, additional research is necessary. This study documents the burden of SCH infection and its predictors in a rural area of the DRC. We conducted a household cross-sectional study from June to August 2021 among 480 school-aged children (SAC) aged 5-15 years living in a rural area of Kisangi, in the southwest DRC. We collected and examined stool, urine, and blood samples of each child. Additionally, we obtained data on anthropometry, socio-demographics, household information, and individual water contact behaviors. The overall prevalence of SCH infection was 55.8% (95% CI: 51.4-60.3), with prevalences of 41% (95% CI: 36.6-45.5), 36.3% (95% CI: 31.9-40.6), and 38.4% (95% CI: 32.6-44.3) for S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections and both infections, respectively. Among those with SCH infection, most had a light (67.5%) or heavy (51.7%) infection intensity. The geometric mean egg count was 16.6 EP 10 mL (95% CI: 12.9-21.3) for S. haematobium and 390.2 EPG (95% CI: 300.2-507.3) for S. mansoni. However, age (10 years and above (aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5-3.1; p < 0.001)) was an independent risk factor for SCH infection. The overall prevalence of malaria infection was 16.9% (95% CI: 13.5-20.2), that of stunting was 28.7% (95% CI: 24.7-32.8), that of underweight was 17.1% (95% CI: 12.8-21.4), and that of thinness was 7.1% (95% CI: 4.8-9.4). Anemia was prevalent at 49.4% (95% CI: 44.9-5), and the median Hb level of all participants was 11.6 g/dL (IQR: 10.5-12.6 g/dL). Anemia was strongly associated with SCH infection (aOR: 3.4; 95% CI: 2.3-5.1; p < 0.001) yet there was no association with the risk for malaria infection (aOR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6-1.8; p = 0.563). In addition, the risk of anemia increased with heavy infection intensities (p < 0.026 and p < 0.013 for S. haematobium and S. mansoni, respectively). However, stunting had a protective factor for anemia (aOR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.2-0.4; p < 0.001). To conclude, SCH infection was widespread among the SAC and strongly linked to anemia. These results provide evidence of the hyperendemicity of infection in the study area, which requires preventative measures such as chemotherapy to reduce the schistosomiasis-associated morbidity, and micronutrient supplements to avoid anemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Linsuke
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa 01015, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Global Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (G.I.); (J.-P.V.G.)
| | - Gillon Ilombe
- Global Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (G.I.); (J.-P.V.G.)
- Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa 01015, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Michel Disonama
- Health Zone of Kwilu-Ngongo, Kongo-Central Province, Kwilu-Ngongo 20, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (M.D.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Jean Deny Nzita
- Health Zone of Kwilu-Ngongo, Kongo-Central Province, Kwilu-Ngongo 20, Democratic Republic of the Congo; (M.D.); (J.D.N.)
| | - Placide Mbala
- Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), Kinshasa 01015, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Department of Virology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 01015, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Pascal Lutumba
- Department of Tropical Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 01015, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
| | - Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden
- Global Health Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (G.I.); (J.-P.V.G.)
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Akinokun RT, Ilesanmi EB, Adebisi YA, Akingbade O. The status of neglected tropical diseases amidst COVID-19 in Africa: Current evidence and recommendations. Health Promot Perspect 2022; 11:430-433. [PMID: 35079586 PMCID: PMC8767084 DOI: 10.34172/hpp.2021.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Health care services and programs directed towards combating the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have been disrupted because of the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The African continent because of its staggering health care system and poor economy disproportionately bears the burden of these diseases. While successes have been recorded in controlling and eliminating the NTDs, policymakers in Africa should consider the potential of the COVID-19 to dwindle these successes an issue of high priority. This commentary seeks to discuss the current status of NTDs in Africa and proffer recommendations to help combat these diseases at this period. It is worthy to say that similar dedication directed towards fighting the COVID-19 should also be deployed into eliminating other diseases like the NTDs which often, are neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafiat Tolulope Akinokun
- Faculty of Nursing Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.,Institute of Nursing Research, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Oluwadamilare Akingbade
- Institute of Nursing Research, Nigeria.,The Nethersole School of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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Hotez PJ. NTDs in the 2020s: An epic struggle of effective control tools versus the Anthropocene. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007872. [PMID: 32970664 PMCID: PMC7514082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J. Hotez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
- James A Baker III Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Toxocariasis: A neglected infection for the Anthropocene epoch. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2020; 109:879-883. [PMID: 32381232 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
While ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infection dominate global efforts to control human soil-transmitted helminth infections, a picture is unfolding to suggest that toxocariasis is now a fourth and perhaps equally important parasitic disease. Toxocara eggs are widespread in the environment and practically ubiquitous in the soils of many subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Human zoonotic infection is also highly prevalent in these areas, based on serologic studies to detect anti-Toxocara antibodies. The relevance of these findings to human and animal disease burden estimates is still largely unknown, but some studies implicate exposure to Toxocara eggs and larvae to both pulmonary disease leading to asthma, and neurologic disease resulting in epilepsy and cognitive delays. On that basis, human toxocariasis may emerge as one of the most important neglected parasitic infections of humans. With anticipated global warming and urbanization associated with our modern human-transformed geological epoch, known as the Anthropocene, it is likely that toxocariasis will become a dominant infection and one widely prevalent in our future and projected mega-cities.
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