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Bu L, Habib MR, Lu L, Mutuku MW, Loker ES, Zhang SM. Transcriptional profiling of Bulinus globosus provides insights into immune gene families in snails supporting the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 154:105150. [PMID: 38367887 PMCID: PMC10932938 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2024.105150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis, urogenital and intestinal, afflicts 251 million people worldwide with approximately two-thirds of the patients suffering from the urogenital form of the disease. Freshwater snails of the genus Bulinus (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) serve as obligate intermediate hosts for Schistosoma haematobium, the etiologic agent of human urogenital schistosomiasis. These snails also act as vectors for the transmission of schistosomiasis in livestock and wildlife. Despite their crucial role in human and veterinary medicine, our basic understanding at the molecular level of the entire Bulinus genus, which comprises 37 recognized species, is very limited. In this study, we employed Illumina-based RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to profile the genome-wide transcriptome of Bulinus globosus, one of the most important intermediate hosts for S. haematobium in Africa. A total of 179,221 transcripts (N50 = 1,235) were assembled and the benchmarking universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO) was estimated to be 97.7%. The analysis revealed a substantial number of transcripts encoding evolutionarily conserved immune-related proteins, particularly C-type lectin (CLECT) domain-containing proteins (n = 316), Toll/Interleukin 1-receptor (TIR)-containing proteins (n = 75), and fibrinogen related domain-containing molecules (FReD) (n = 165). Notably, none of the FReDs are fibrinogen-related proteins (FREPs) (immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) + fibrinogen (FBG)). This RNAseq-based transcriptional profile provides new insights into immune capabilities of Bulinus snails, helps provide a framework to explain the complex patterns of compatibility between snails and schistosomes, and improves our overall understanding of comparative immunology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijing Bu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Mohamed R Habib
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Lijun Lu
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Martin W Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), P.O Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA; Parasitology Division, Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, 87131, USA
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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Archer J, Yeo SM, Gadd G, Pennance T, Cunningham LJ, Juhàsz A, Jones S, Chammudzi P, Kapira DR, Lally D, Namacha G, Mainga B, Makaula P, LaCourse JE, Kayuni SA, Musaya J, Stothard JR, Webster BL. Development, validation, and pilot application of a high throughput molecular xenomonitoring assay to detect Schistosoma mansoni and other trematode species within Biomphalaria freshwater snail hosts. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PARASITOLOGY & VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES 2024; 5:100174. [PMID: 38618156 PMCID: PMC11010794 DOI: 10.1016/j.crpvbd.2024.100174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic trematodes of the genus Schistosoma that can lead to debilitating morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization recommend molecular xenomonitoring of Biomphalaria spp. freshwater snail intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni to identify highly focal intestinal schistosomiasis transmission sites and monitor disease transmission, particularly in low-endemicity areas. A standardised protocol to do this, however, is needed. Here, two previously published primer sets were selected to develop and validate a multiplex molecular xenomonitoring end-point PCR assay capable of detecting S. mansoni infections within individual Biomphalaria spp. missed by cercarial shedding. The assay proved highly sensitive and highly specific in detecting and amplifying S. mansoni DNA and also proved highly sensitive in detecting and amplifying non-S. mansoni trematode DNA. The optimised assay was then used to screen Biomphalaria spp. collected from a S. mansoni-endemic area for infection and successfully detected S. mansoni infections missed by cercarial shedding as well as infections with non-S. mansoni trematodes. The continued development and use of molecular xenomonitoring assays such as this will aid in improving disease control efforts, significantly reducing disease-related morbidities experienced by those in schistosomiasis-endemic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Archer
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5HD, UK
| | - Shi Min Yeo
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5HD, UK
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Grace Gadd
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5HD, UK
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5HD, UK
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, 97355, USA
| | - Lucas J. Cunningham
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Alexandra Juhàsz
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, H-1089, Hungary
| | - Sam Jones
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Priscilla Chammudzi
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - Donales R. Kapira
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - David Lally
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - Gladys Namacha
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - Bright Mainga
- Laboratory Department, Mangochi District Hospital, Mangochi, P.O. Box 42, Malawi
| | - Peter Makaula
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
| | - James E. LaCourse
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Sekeleghe A. Kayuni
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - Janelisa Musaya
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, P.O. Box 30096, Malawi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), Blantyre, 360, Malawi
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5HD, UK
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Tumusiime J, Kagoro-Rugunda G, Tolo CU, Namirembe D, Schols R, Hammoud C, Albrecht C, Huyse T. An accident waiting to happen? Exposing the potential of urogenital schistosomiasis transmission in the Lake Albert region, Uganda. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:398. [PMID: 37919743 PMCID: PMC10623741 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by the parasitic blood fluke Schistosoma haematobium is the most common form of that constitutes a majority of over 240 million schistosomiasis cases. The enigmatic absence of urogenital schistosomiasis in Uganda has, until now, been attributed to the absence of substantial populations of suitable snail intermediate hosts. METHODS Malacological surveys were carried out in 73 sites southeast of Lake Albert, Uganda in October and November 2020. Collected snails were transported to the laboratory for identification. The snails were identified using partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one and nuclear internal transcribed spacer barcoding. Schistosome infections in snails were also assessed using cercarial shedding and rapid diagnostic PCR techniques. RESULTS We found Bulinus globosus and Bulinus nasutus productus, the main intermediate species in the transmission of S. haematobium in mainland East Africa. In this survey, B. globosus was more common than B. nasutus productus, with the former reported at four sites (total count = 188) and the latter reported at one site (total count = 79). Molecular testing revealed a high prevalence of Schistosoma bovis in B. nasutus productus (16%), but no S. haematobium infections were found. CONCLUSIONS Given the abundance of snail hosts and the risky human water contact behaviours observed, we highlight the potential for urogenital schistosomiasis transmission in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Tumusiime
- Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda.
- Institute of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Grace Kagoro-Rugunda
- Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Casim Umba Tolo
- Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Daisy Namirembe
- Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Ruben Schols
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, KU Leuven, Campus Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Cyril Hammoud
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
- Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Albrecht
- Department of Biology, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
- Institute of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tine Huyse
- Department of Biology, Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium
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Trippler L, Knopp S, Welsche S, Webster BL, Stothard JR, Blair L, Allan F, Ame SM, Juma S, Kabole F, Ali SM, Rollinson D, Pennance T. The long road to schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar: A systematic review covering 100 years of research, interventions and control milestones. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2023; 122:71-191. [PMID: 37657854 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Zanzibar is among the few places in sub-Saharan Africa where interruption of Schistosoma transmission seems an achievable goal. Our systematic review identifies and discusses milestones in schistosomiasis research, control and elimination efforts in Zanzibar over the past 100 years. The search in online databases, libraries, and the World Health Organization Archives revealed 153 records published between May 1928 and August 2022. The content of records was summarised to highlight the pivotal work leading towards urogenital schistosomiasis elimination and remaining research gaps. The greatest achievement following 100 years of schistosomiasis interventions and research is undoubtedly the improved health of Zanzibaris, exemplified by the reduction in Schistosoma haematobium prevalence from>50% historically down to<5% in 2020, and the absence of severe morbidities. Experiences from Zanzibar have contributed to global schistosomiasis guidelines, whilst also revealing challenges that impede progression towards elimination. Challenges include: transmission heterogeneity requiring micro-targeting of interventions, post-treatment recrudescence of infections in transmission hotspots, biological complexity of intermediate host snails, emergence of livestock Schistosoma species complicating surveillance whilst creating the risk for interspecies hybridisation, insufficient diagnostics performance for light intensity infections and female genital schistosomiasis, and a lack of acceptable sanitary alternatives to freshwater bodies. Our analysis of the past revealed that much can be achieved in the future with practical implementation of integrated interventions, alongside operational research. With continuing national and international commitments, interruption of S. haematobium transmission across both islands is within reach by 2030, signposting the future demise of urogenital schistosomiasis across other parts of sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Trippler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Bonnie L Webster
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Fiona Allan
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom; University of St Andrews, St Andrews, United Kingdom
| | - Shaali Makame Ame
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Lumumba, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Saleh Juma
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Mkoroshoni, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Lumumba, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Said Mohammed Ali
- Public Health Laboratory - Ivo de Carneri, Wawi, Chake Chake, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - David Rollinson
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom; Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Pennance
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom; Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, United States.
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5
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Babbitt CR, Laidemitt MR, Mutuku MW, Oraro PO, Brant SV, Mkoji GM, Loker ES. Bulinus snails in the Lake Victoria Basin in Kenya: Systematics and their role as hosts for schistosomes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0010752. [PMID: 36763676 PMCID: PMC9949660 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The planorbid gastropod genus Bulinus consists of 38 species that vary in their ability to vector Schistosoma haematobium (the causative agent of human urogenital schistosomiasis), other Schistosoma species, and non-schistosome trematodes. Relying on sequence-based identifications of bulinids (partial cox1 and 16S) and Schistosoma (cox1 and ITS), we examined Bulinus species in the Lake Victoria Basin in Kenya for naturally acquired infections with Schistosoma species. We collected 6,133 bulinids from 11 sites between 2014-2021, 226 (3.7%) of which harbored Schistosoma infections. We found 4 Bulinus taxa from Lake Victoria (B. truncatus, B. tropicus, B. ugandae, and B. cf. transversalis), and an additional 4 from other habitats (B. globosus, B. productus, B. forskalii, and B. scalaris). S. haematobium infections were found in B. globosus and B. productus (with infections in the former predominating) whereas S. bovis infections were identified in B. globosus, B. productus, B. forskalii, and B. ugandae. No nuclear/mitochondrial discordance potentially indicative of S. haematobium/S. bovis hybridization was detected. We highlight the presence of Bulinus ugandae as a distinct lake-dwelling taxon closely related to B. globosus yet, unlike all other members of the B. africanus species group, is likely not a vector for S. haematobium, though it does exhibit susceptibility to S. bovis. Other lake-dwelling bulinids also lacked S. haematobium infections, supporting the possibility that they all lack compatibility with local S. haematobium, thereby preventing widespread transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in the lake's waters. We support B. productus as a distinct species from B. nasutus, B. scalaris as distinct from B. forskalii, and add further evidence for a B. globosus species complex with three lineages represented in Kenya alone. This study serves as an essential prelude for investigating why these patterns in compatibility exist and whether the underlying biological mechanisms may be exploited for the purpose of limiting schistosome transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Babbitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasites, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Martina R. Laidemitt
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasites, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Martin W. Mutuku
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Polycup O. Oraro
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sara V. Brant
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasites, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Gerald M. Mkoji
- Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eric S. Loker
- Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology, Division of Parasites, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America
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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 JP. Potential drivers for schistosomiasis persistence: Population genetic analyses from a cluster-randomized urogenital schistosomiasis elimination trial across the Zanzibar islands. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010419. [PMID: 36215334 PMCID: PMC9584424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization's revised NTD Roadmap and the newly launched Guidelines target elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in all endemic areas by 2030. Key to meeting this goal is elucidating how selective pressures imposed by interventions shape parasite populations. Our aim was to identify any differential impact of a unique cluster-randomized tri-armed elimination intervention (biannual mass drug administration (MDA) applied alone or in association with either mollusciciding (snail control) or behavioural change interventions) across two Zanzibarian islands (Pemba and Unguja) on the population genetic composition of Schistosoma haematobium over space and time. Fifteen microsatellite loci were used to analyse individual miracidia collected from infected individuals across islands and intervention arms at the start (2012 baseline: 1,522 miracidia from 176 children; 303 from 43 adults; age-range 6-75, mean 12.7 years) and at year 5 (2016: 1,486 miracidia from 146 children; 214 from 25 adults; age-range 9-46, mean 12.4 years). Measures of genetic diversity included allelic richness (Ar), Expected (He) and Observed heterozygosity (Ho), inbreeding coefficient (FST), parentage analysis, estimated worm burden, worm fecundity, and genetic sub-structuring. There was little evidence of differential selective pressures on population genetic diversity, inbreeding or estimated worm burdens by treatment arm, with only the MDA+snail control arm within Unguja showing trends towards reduced diversity and altered inbreeding over time. The greatest differences overall, both in terms of parasite fecundity and genetic sub-structuring, were observed between the islands, consistent with Pemba's persistently higher mean infection intensities compared to neighbouring Unguja, and within islands in terms of infection hotspots (across three definitions). These findings highlight the important contribution of population genetic analyses to elucidate extensive genetic diversity and biological drivers, including potential gene-environmental factors, that may override short term selective pressures imposed by differential disease control strategies. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ISRCTN48837681.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Pennance
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - M. Inês Neves
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bonnie L. Webster
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte M. Gower
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iddi Simba Khamis
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Shaali M. Ame
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Said M. Ali
- Public Health Laboratory—Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Muriel Rabone
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Aidan Emery
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Mtumweni Ali Muhsin
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | | | - Fatama Kabole
- Neglected Diseases Programme, Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Martin Walker
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Rollinson
- Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanne P. Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), London, United Kingdom
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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