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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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Roriz SJ, Pereira TA, Vaz de Melo Trindade G, Caporali JFDM, Lambertucci JR. Quality of Life Assessment Among Patients Living With Hepatosplenic Schistosomiasis and Schistosomal Myeloradiculopathy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:629484. [PMID: 34141713 PMCID: PMC8203918 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.629484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in tropical areas of the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement is being widely used to evaluate the impact of a disease or treatment in several aspects of daily life. However, few studies evaluated the impact of severe forms of schistosomiasis on HRQOL of affected individuals and compared them to healthy controls with a similar socio-demographic background. Our aims were to evaluate the HRQOL in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HS) and schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) and healthy volunteers (HV) and determine if clinical complications of the disease are associated with HRQOL scores. We interviewed and evaluated the HRQOL in 49 patients with HS, 22 patients with SMR, and 26 HV from an outpatient clinic of the Federal University of Minas Gerais University Hospital using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. SMR and HS patients had a significantly lower overall quality of life score when comparing with the HV control group (p = 0.003 and p = 0.005, respectively). Multivariate ordinal regression model adjusted for sex, age, and educational level indicated that HS and SMR patients have three and five times more chances of having a lower quality of life than healthy volunteers (Odds Ratio 3.13 and 5.04, respectively). There was no association between complications of HS disease and quality of life scores. In contrast, worse quality of life was observed in SMR patients that presented back or leg pain, leg paresthesia, and bladder dysfunction. In conclusion, HS and SMR significantly impact the overall quality of life of the affected individuals, reinforcing the importance of efforts to control and eradicate this debilitating disease and suggesting that multidisciplinary clinical management of schistosomiasis patients would be more appropriate and could potentially improve patient's quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Júnia Roriz
- Graduate Program in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Thiago Almeida Pereira
- Graduate Program in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Guilherme Vaz de Melo Trindade
- Graduate Program in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Physiology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Júlia Fonseca de Morais Caporali
- Graduate Program in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - José Roberto Lambertucci
- Graduate Program in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.,Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Sanya RE, Tumwesige E, Elliott AM, Seeley J. Perceptions about interventions to control schistosomiasis among the Lake Victoria island communities of Koome, Uganda. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005982. [PMID: 28968470 PMCID: PMC5638603 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Praziquantel-based mass treatment is the main approach to controlling schistosomiasis mansoni in endemic areas. Interventions such as provision and use of safe water, minimising contact with infested water, disposal of stool in latrines and snail control provide key avenues to break the transmission cycle and can sustain the benefits of mass treatment in the long term. Efforts are also being made to develop a schistosomiasis vaccine which, if effective, might reduce the incidence of re-infection after treatment. However, any interventions deployed need to be acceptable to, and sustainable by, the target communities. Methods In this qualitative study, we investigated the perceptions of six Lake Victoria island communities of Koome, Uganda, about interventions to control Schistosoma mansoni infection and their willingness to participate in Schistosoma vaccine trials. Thirty-two in-depth interviews, 12 key informant interviews and 10 focus group discussions were conducted. Data were analysed using a thematic content approach. Findings Intestinal schistosomiasis was not regarded as a serious health problem because a mass treatment programme is in place. However, the communities lack safe water sources and latrines. Mass treatment with praziquantel, safe water supplies and use of toilets were deemed the most acceptable interventions by the participants. The communities are willing to participate in Schistosoma vaccine trials. Conclusion/Significance Knowledge of a community’s perception about interventions to control schistosomiasis can be valuable to policy makers and programme implementers intending to set up interventions co-managed by the community members. In this study, the views of the Lake Victoria island communities of Koome are presented. This study also provides data to guide further work on alternative interventions such as Schistosoma vaccine trials in these communities. Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by the blood fluke Schistosoma, is still a huge burden in sub-Saharan Africa. The modalities for its control are mass treatment of the population with praziquantel, minimising contact with infested water, provision and use of safe water, intermediate host snail control and disposal of stool in toilets/latrines. For sustainable control of the parasite, the recipient communities need to embrace the interventions. In this study, we investigated the perceptions of fishing communities on the Lake Victoria Islands about interventions to control schistosomiasis and their willingness to participate in Schistosoma vaccine trials. We assessed their knowledge of schistosomiasis, their views on the interventions and the interventions most acceptable to them. We show that the community members of this schistosomiasis-endemic area prefer mass treatment with praziquantel, safe water supplies and use of toilets to minimise contact with infested water and snail control. The communities are also willing to participate in Schistosoma vaccine trials. This information is valuable to policy makers and programme implementers intending to set up interventions co-managed by the recipient communities. In addition, the study provides support for future Schistosoma vaccine trials in these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E. Sanya
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/ UVRI) Uganda Research Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Edward Tumwesige
- Social Aspects of Health Programme, Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/ UVRI) Uganda Research Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Alison M. Elliott
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/ UVRI) Uganda Research Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Seeley
- Social Aspects of Health Programme, Medical Research Council/ Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/ UVRI) Uganda Research Unit, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Falanga YT, Frascoli M, Kaymaz Y, Forconi C, Ong'echa JM, Bailey JA, Berg LJ, Moormann AM. High pathogen burden in childhood promotes the development of unconventional innate-like CD8+ T cells. JCI Insight 2017; 2:93814. [PMID: 28768916 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular and humoral constituents of the immune system differ significantly between children and adults, yet very little is known about the impact of early-life pathogen exposure on this immunologic transition. We examined CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression in two longitudinal pediatric cohorts experiencing divergent levels of pathogen burden. Using multiparameter flow cytometry, along with serological, cytokine, and transcriptomic data, we show that cumulative pathogen burden promotes the development of atypical CD8dim T cells with an innate-like profile (Granzyme Bhi, IFNγlow, TNFαlow, PLFZhi, ID2hi, IKZF2hi) in contrast to age-matched children residing in a low pathogen-exposure area who display a more conventional CD8bright profile (IFNγ+, TNFα+, CCL4+). Furthermore, these unconventional T cells had stunted proliferation, distinct transcriptional programs, and impaired T cell receptor signaling and were enriched in hallmark TNFα, NF-κB, and IL-6 gene signaling pathways, reminiscent of NK cells and type-1 innate lymphoid cells. Our findings suggest that these unconventional CD8dim T cells arise in a very particular immunological context and may provide a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity in human immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves T Falanga
- Department of Pathology.,Program in Molecular Medicine, and
| | | | - Yasin Kaymaz
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey A Bailey
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Something old, something new: is praziquantel enough for schistosomiasis control? Future Med Chem 2016; 7:681-4. [PMID: 25996059 DOI: 10.4155/fmc.15.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Abstract
Mass drug administration using praziquantel is the backbone of the current strategy for the control of schistosomiasis. As the theoretical plans have moved into practical application, certain challenges with this approach have surfaced, and it is likely that annual mass drug administration alone may not be sufficient to achieve program goals. However, mass drug administration is still the only available intervention that can be readily used in the wide variety of settings where schistosomiasis is endemic. The task then becomes how to improve this approach and identify what adjuncts to mass drug administration are effective, as programs move from morbidity control to elimination goals. Other aspects worthy of consideration include how best to employ new diagnostic tools to more easily identify where treatment is needed, and new formulations of praziquantel to extend the availability of treatment to all age groups. The aim of this review is to highlight both areas of challenge and of opportunity to improve the public health impact of schistosomiasis control programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Evan Secor
- Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
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Diagnostics for schistosomiasis in Africa and Arabia: a review of present options in control and future needs for elimination. Parasitology 2014; 141:1947-61. [PMID: 25158604 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182014001152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Within the World Health Organization 2012-2020 roadmap for control and elimination of schistosomiasis, the scale-up of mass drug administration with praziquantel is set to change the epidemiological landscape across Africa and Arabia. Central in measuring progress is renewed emphasis upon diagnostics which operate at individual, community and environmental levels by assessing reductions in disease, infections and parasite transmission. However, a fundamental tension is revealed between levels for present diagnostic tools, and methods applied in control settings are not necessarily adequate for application in elimination scenarios. Indeed navigating the transition from control to elimination needs careful consideration and planning. In the present context of control, we review current options for diagnosis of schistosomiasis at different levels, highlighting several strengths and weaknesses therein. Future challenges in elimination are raised and we propose that more cost-effective diagnostics and clinical staging algorithms are needed. Using the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a contemporary example, embedding new diagnostic methods within the primary care health system is discussed with reference to both urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis.
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