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Alonso S, Arinaitwe M, Atuhaire A, Nankasi AB, Prada JM, McIntosh E, Lamberton PHL. The short-term impact of Schistosoma mansoni infection on health-related quality of life: implications for current elimination policies. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240449. [PMID: 38864320 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0449] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The WHO aims to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2030. However, standard morbidity measures poorly correlate to infection intensities, hindering disease monitoring and evaluation. This is exacerbated by insufficient evidence on Schistosoma's impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We conducted community-based cross-sectional surveys and parasitological examinations in moderate-to-high Schistosoma mansoni endemic communities in Uganda. We calculated parasitic infections and used EQ-5D instruments to estimate and compare HRQoL utilities in these populations. We further employed Tobit/linear regression models to predict HRQoL determinants. Two-thirds of the 560 participants were diagnosed with parasitic infection(s), 49% having S. mansoni. No significant negative association was observed between HRQoL and S. mansoni infection status/intensity. However, severity of pain urinating (β = -0.106; s.e. = 0.043) and body swelling (β = -0.326; s.e. = 0.005), increasing age (β = -0.016; s.e. = 0.033), reduced socio-economic status (β = 0.128; s.e. = 0.032), and being unemployed predicted lower HRQoL. Symptom severity and socio-economic status were better predictors of short-term HRQoL than current S. mansoni infection status/intensity. This is key to disentangling the link between infection(s) and short-term health outcomes, and highlights the complexity of correlating current infection(s) with long-term morbidity. Further evidence is needed on long-term schistosomiasis-associated HRQoL, health and economic outcomes to inform the case for upfront investments in schistosomiasis interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Alonso
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine & Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow , Glasgow, UK
| | - Moses Arinaitwe
- Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Division, Ministry of Health , Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alon Atuhaire
- Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Division, Ministry of Health , Kampala, Uganda
| | - Andrina Barungi Nankasi
- Vector Borne and Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Division, Ministry of Health , Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joaquín M Prada
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, UK
| | - Emma McIntosh
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow , Glasgow, UK
| | - Poppy H L Lamberton
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine & Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow , Glasgow, UK
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Dee DP, Lam G, Edielu A, Anguajibi V, Webb EL, Wamboko A, Mawa PA, Friedman JF, Simpson H, Bustinduy AL. A cross-sectional pilot household study of Schistosoma mansoni burden and associated morbidities in Lake Albert, Uganda. Trop Med Int Health 2024; 29:334-342. [PMID: 38356464 PMCID: PMC10984764 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13978] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schistosomiasis is persistent in Lake Albert, Uganda, but local data are limited. This study aims to describe the local burden of moderate-to-heavy infection and associated morbidity in all ages and identify factors associated with these outcomes to guide further research. METHODS This cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in July-August, 2022 in four village sites (Walukuba, Rwentale, Kyabarangwa and Runga) of the Praziquantel in Preschoolers (PIP) trial. Residents (approximately four per household) of any age of households of PIP participants were eligible, but individuals <10 years were only enrolled if no older individuals were available. Socio-demographic information, household location, single stool Kato-Katz and hepatic ultrasound results were obtained for a convenience sampled subset of trial households. The primary outcome, moderate-to-heavy infection (≥100 eggs per gram of faeces), was analysed using mixed-effects logistic regression, with a household random effect. Univariate analyses were used for the secondary outcome, periportal fibrosis (Niamey protocol ultrasound image pattern C-F). RESULTS Of 243 participants with a median age of 22 (interquartile range 12-33) years from 66 households, 49.8% (103/207 with a Kato-Katz result) had moderate-to-heavy infection and 11.2% (25/224 with ultrasound data) had periportal fibrosis. Moderate-to-heavy infection clustered by household (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.11) and, in multivariable analysis, varied by village (Walukuba vs. Kyabarangwa adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.11, 95% CI 0.02-0.71), was highest in participants aged 10-15 years (vs. 5-9 years aOR 6.14, 95% CI 1.61-23.38) and lower in those reporting praziquantel treatment in the past year (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.88). CONCLUSIONS In this setting, schistosome infection and morbidity are pervasive in all age groups. More intensive interventions are needed, for example more frequent praziquantel treatment, under investigation in the PIP trial and improved water and sanitation. More research is needed to understand local treatment barriers and optimal control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic P Dee
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Germain Lam
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Edielu
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Emily L Webb
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patrice A Mawa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jennifer F Friedman
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
- Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Hope Simpson
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Global Health Research, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Amaya L Bustinduy
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Reitzug F, Ledien J, Chami GF. Associations of water contact frequency, duration, and activities with schistosome infection risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011377. [PMID: 37315020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease which affects over 230 million people globally. The relationship between contact with open freshwater bodies and the likelihood of schistosome infection remains poorly quantified despite its importance for understanding transmission and parametrising transmission models. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to estimate the average effect of water contact duration, frequency, and activities on schistosome infection likelihood. We searched Embase, MEDLINE (including PubMed), Global Health, Global Index Medicus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception until May 13, 2022. Observational and interventional studies reporting odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR), or sufficient information to reconstruct effect sizes on individual-level associations between water contact and infection with any Schistosoma species were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analysis with inverse variance weighting was used to calculate pooled ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS We screened 1,411 studies and included 101 studies which represented 192,691 participants across Africa, Asia, and South America. Included studies mostly reported on water contact activities (69%; 70/101) and having any water contact (33%; 33/101). Ninety-six percent of studies (97/101) used surveys to measure exposure. A meta-analysis of 33 studies showed that individuals with water contact were 3.14 times more likely to be infected (OR 3.14; 95% CI: 2.08-4.75) when compared to individuals with no water contact. Subgroup analyses showed that the positive association of water contact with infection was significantly weaker in children compared to studies which included adults and children (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.04-2.69 vs. OR 4.24; 95% CI: 2.59-6.97). An association of water contact with infection was only found in communities with ≥10% schistosome prevalence. Overall heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 93%) and remained high across all subgroups, except in direct observation studies (I2 range = 44%-98%). We did not find that occupational water contact such as fishing and agriculture (OR 2.57; 95% CI: 1.89-3.51) conferred a significantly higher risk of schistosome infection compared to recreational water contact (OR 2.13; 95% CI: 1.75-2.60) or domestic water contact (OR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.47-2.48). Higher duration or frequency of water contact did not significantly modify infection likelihood. Study quality across analyses was largely moderate or poor. CONCLUSIONS Any current water contact was robustly associated with schistosome infection status, and this relationship held across adults and children, and schistosomiasis-endemic areas with prevalence greater than 10%. Substantial gaps remain in published studies for understanding interactions of water contact with age and gender, and the influence of these interactions for infection likelihood. As such, more empirical studies are needed to accurately parametrise exposure in transmission models. Our results imply the need for population-wide treatment and prevention strategies in endemic settings as exposure within these communities was not confined to currently prioritised high-risk groups such as fishing populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Reitzug
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Ledien
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Goylette F Chami
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Fine-scale mapping of Schistosoma mansoni infections and infection intensities in sub-districts of Makenene in the Centre region of Cameroon. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010852. [PMID: 36227962 PMCID: PMC9595529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010852] [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: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis control relies mainly on mass drug administration of Praziquantel (PZQ) to school aged children (SAC). Although precision mapping has recently guided decision making, the sub-districts and the epidemiological differences existing between bio-ecological settings in which infected children come from were not taken into consideration. This study was designed to fill this gap by using POC-CCA and KK to comparatively determine the prevalence and infection intensities of Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) and to perform fine-scale mapping of S. mansoni infections and its infection intensities with the overarching goal of identifying sub-districts presenting high transmission risk where control operations must be boosted to achieve schistosomiasis elimination. Methodology During a cross- sectional study conducted in Makenene, 1773 stool and 2253 urine samples were collected from SAC of ten primary schools. S. mansoni infections were identified using the point of care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) and Kato-Katz (KK) test respectively on urine and stool samples. Geographical coordinates of houses of infected SAC were recorded using a global position system device. Schistosome infections and infection intensities were map using QGIS software. Results The prevalence of S. mansoni inferred from POC-CCA and KK were 51.3% and 7.3% respectively. Most infected SAC and those bearing heavy infections intensities were clustered in sub-districts of Baloua, Mock-sud and Carrière. Houses with heavily-infected SAC were close to risky biotopes. Conclusion This study confirms the low sensitivity of KK test compared to POC-CCA to accurately identify children with schistosome infection and bearing different schistosome burden. Fine-scale mapping of schistosome infections and infection intensities enabled to identify high transmission sub-districts where control measures must be boosted to reach schistosomiasis elimination. Although some disparities in terms of prevalence and infection intensities have been acknowledged within and between schistosomiasis endemic areas, the current control measures did not take into consideration the disparities within endemic areas. To improve the control of schistosomiasis, a fine-scale mapping of schistosome infections and their intensities were undertaken using KK in comparison to POC-CCA to identify sub-districts with potential high transmission risk and where control operations must be boosted to achieve elimination. After the identification of schistosome infections by the point of care circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) and Kato-Katz (KK) test, the geographical coordinates of each infected child’s house were recorded using a global position system device (GPS). QGIS software was used to create a map showing schistosome infections and their infection intensities. Our results showed that the majority of infected children and those bearing heavy infection intensities were clustering mostly in Baloua, Carrière and Mock-Sud sub-districts of Makenene while children with light and moderate infection intensity were widely distributed and far away from risky biotopes. The fine-scale mapping of schistosome infections and their infection intensities enable to identify hotspot transmission sites where control strategy must be boosted to achieve the elimination of intestinal schistosomiasis in Makenene.
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Tamir Z, Animut A, Dugassa S, Gebreselassie A, Tsegaye A, Kassa T, Eguale T, Kebede T, Negash Y, Mekonnen Z, Erko B. Intestinal helminthiasis survey with emphasis on schistosomiasis in Koga irrigation scheme environs, northwest Ethiopia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272560. [PMID: 35939493 PMCID: PMC9359581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272560] [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: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Distribution of schistosomiasis is more focal due to spatial heterogeneities in intermediate host snail dynamics and water contact behavior of humans. This makes the search for new transmission foci of schistosomiasis and its connection with malacologically receptive water bodies essential for effective control of its transmission. This study was intended to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among schoolchildren and Schistosoma mansoni transmission in Koga irrigation scheme surroundings, northwest Ethiopia. Materials and methods Cross-sectional parasitological and malacological surveys were conducted in three schools and nearby water bodies, respectively around Koga irrigation scheme. Stool specimens were collected from 421 randomly selected schoolchildren and microscopically examined using Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. Malacological surveys were carried out and the identified Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails were screened for schistosome infection. Swiss albino mice were exposed to schistosome cercariae shed by Biomphalaria pfeifferi for definite identification of Schistosoma species. Results Among the examined schoolchildren, 22.6% (95% CI: 18.7%-26.9%) were positive for at least one intestinal helminths species. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequent intestinal helminth detected among forty (9.5%) children. Schistosoma mansoni was detected among 4.8% (95% CI: 2.9%-7.2%) of children and its prevalence was significantly higher among male children (p = 0.038) and those attending in Mengesha Jemberie Primary School (p = 0.044). Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails were identified in water bodies in close proximity to Mengesha Jemberie and Wotete Abay Primay schools. Schistosoma mansoni adult worms were harvested after exposure of mice to cercariae shed from Biomphalaria pfeifferi snails collected from water bodies nearby Mengesha Jemberie Primary School. Conclusions Schistosoma mansoni infection of schoolchildren, findings of schistosome infected snails and establishment of mice infection confirm that transmission is taking place in the study areas. Hence, snail control and other measures such as provision of sanitary facilities and health education are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zemenu Tamir
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Abebe Animut
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Dugassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Araya Gebreselassie
- Department of Zoological Sciences, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aster Tsegaye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfu Kassa
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Eguale
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Kebede
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yohannes Negash
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Berhanu Erko
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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