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Kargbo-Labour I, Redwood-Sawyerr V, Conteh A, Chop E, Bah MS, Koroma A, Kabia U, Klein L, Juneja S, Houck P, Reid S, Evans D, Weaver AM, Phillips AE, Zhang Y. Re-assessment of schistosomiasis in nine endemic districts with cluster sampling in Sierra Leone. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1415486. [PMID: 38932788 PMCID: PMC11199885 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1415486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Baseline mapping showed that schistosomiasis was highly/moderately endemic in nine districts in Sierra Leone. Mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel started in 2009, and after multiple rounds of treatment, an impact assessment was conducted in 2016 followed by a second re-assessment in 2022 using cluster sampling to provide more granular data for refining chiefdom (sub-district) treatment strategies. Methods On average, 20 rural villages were systematically selected per district by probability proportional to population size across the nine districts. Surveys were conducted in schools, and 24 school children aged between 5 and 14 years were randomly selected, with an equal number of boys and girls. One stool sample and one urine sample were collected per child. Two Kato-Katz slides were examined per stool for Schistosoma mansoni infection. Hemastix strips were used as a proxy for S. haematobium infection with urine filtration used for egg counts on hematuria-positive samples. Results In total, 4,736 stool samples and 4,618 urine samples were examined across 200 schools in 125 chiefdoms. Overall, the prevalence of S. mansoni was 16.3% (95% CI: 15.3-17.4%), while the overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.6-2.4%) by hematuria. The prevalence of heavy infections for S. mansoni and S. haematobium was 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1-1.9%) and 0.02% (95% CI: 0.0-0.14%), respectively. Among 125 chiefdoms surveyed, the overall schistosomiasis prevalence was <10% in 65 chiefdoms, 10-49.9% in 47 chiefdoms, and ≥ 50% in 13 chiefdoms. There was a mixed relationship between schistosomiasis in school children and WASH access in schools. Conclusion Sierra Leone has made significant progress in reducing schistosomiasis prevalence across the country after a decade of MDA intervention. However, high prevalence remains in some hotspot chiefdoms. The next steps are for the national program to investigate and address any potential issues such as low coverage or poor knowledge of schistosomiasis risk behaviors and, where appropriate, consider broadening to community-wide treatment in hotspot chiefdoms or communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Kargbo-Labour
- National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Abdulai Conteh
- National Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Steven Reid
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, United States
| | - Darin Evans
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | | | - Yaobi Zhang
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, United States
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2
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Gurarie D, Mondal A, Ndeffo-Mbah ML. Improved Assessment of Schistosoma Community Infection Through Data Resampling Method. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofad659. [PMID: 38328495 PMCID: PMC10847808 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The conventional diagnostic for Schistosoma mansoni infection is stool microscopy with the Kato-Katz (KK) technique to detect eggs. Its outcomes are highly variable on a day-to-day basis and may lead to biased estimates of community infection used to inform public health programs. Our goal is to develop a resampling method that leverages data from a large-scale randomized trial to accurately predict community infection. Methods We developed a resampling method that provides unbiased community estimates of prevalence, intensity and other statistics for S mansoni infection when a community survey is conducted using KK stool microscopy with a single sample per host. It leverages a large-scale data set, collected in the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) project, and allows linking single-stool specimen community screening to its putative multiday "true statistics." Results SCORE data analysis reveals the limited sensitivity of KK stool microscopy and systematic bias of single-day community testing versus multiday testing; for prevalence estimate, it can fall up to 50% below the true value. The proposed SCORE cluster method reduces systematic bias and brings the estimated prevalence values within 5%-10% of the true value. This holds for a broad swath of transmission settings, including SCORE communities, and other data sets. Conclusions Our SCORE cluster method can markedly improve the S mansoni prevalence estimate in settings using stool microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gurarie
- Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Anirban Mondal
- Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Martial L Ndeffo-Mbah
- Department of Veterinary and Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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3
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Mazigo HD, Justine NC, Bhuko J, Rubagumya S, Basinda N, Zinga MM, Ruganuza D, Misko VR, Briet M, Legein F, De Malsche W. High Specificity but Low Sensitivity of Lab-on-a-Disk Technique in Detecting Soil-Transmitted Helminth Eggs among Pre- and School-Aged Children in North-Western Tanzania. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 9:5. [PMID: 38276635 PMCID: PMC10818991 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9010005] [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] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
An estimated 1.5 billion people are infected with soil-transmitted helminths (hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). These infections are targeted for elimination by the World Health Organization (WHO) by 2030, with the main interventions being mass drug administration using albendazole or mebendazole. Tanzania is one of the endemic countries; it has been implementing MDA to school-aged children for more than a decade and the infection prevalence and intensity of infection have declined. Thus, at this point, the monitoring and evaluation of infection prevalence and intensity of infections, and assessing drug efficacy is crucial and requires accurate diagnostic tests. The currently used standard diagnostic test, the Kato-Katz (KK) technique, has several limitations and the WHO is calling for the development and evaluation of new diagnostic tests. The Lab-on-a-disk (LOD) was developed and tested in the endemic areas of north-western Tanzania to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity using KK and the formol-ether concentration technique. The results showed that when using a duplicate KK slide, the LOD had a sensitivity and specificity of 37.2% (95% CI: 30.7-43.9) and 67.3% (95% CI: 63.1-71.3%). Using four KK slides as a standard technique, the overall sensitivity and specificity were 37.7% (95% CI: 33.1-42.6) and 70.7% (95% CI: 65.5-75.6). The LOD attained high specificity but low sensitivity especially in detecting eggs of Trichuris trichiura. The LOD technique has potential as a promising diagnostic test, but its sensitivity still requires improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humphrey D. Mazigo
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania; (N.C.J.); (J.B.); (M.M.Z.); (D.R.)
| | - Nyanda C. Justine
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania; (N.C.J.); (J.B.); (M.M.Z.); (D.R.)
| | - Jeffer Bhuko
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania; (N.C.J.); (J.B.); (M.M.Z.); (D.R.)
| | - Sarah Rubagumya
- Department of Microbiology, Parasitology and Biotechnology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro P.O. Box 3000, Tanzania;
| | - Namanya Basinda
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania;
| | - Maria M. Zinga
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania; (N.C.J.); (J.B.); (M.M.Z.); (D.R.)
| | - Deodatus Ruganuza
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Entomology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza P.O. Box 1464, Tanzania; (N.C.J.); (J.B.); (M.M.Z.); (D.R.)
| | - Vyacheslav R. Misko
- µFlow Group, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (V.R.M.); (M.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Matthieu Briet
- µFlow Group, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (V.R.M.); (M.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Filip Legein
- µFlow Group, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (V.R.M.); (M.B.); (F.L.)
| | - Wim De Malsche
- µFlow Group, Department of Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (V.R.M.); (M.B.); (F.L.)
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4
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Lim RM, Arme TM, Pedersen AB, Webster JP, Lamberton PHL. Defining schistosomiasis hotspots based on literature and shareholder interviews. Trends Parasitol 2023; 39:1032-1049. [PMID: 37806786 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2023.09.006] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently proposed a new operational definition which designates communities with ≥10% prevalence of Schistosoma spp. infection as a persistent hotspot, when, after at least two rounds of high-coverage annual preventive chemotherapy, there is a lack of appropriate reduction. However, inconsistencies and challenges from both biological and operational perspectives remain, making the prescriptive use of this definition difficult. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of the use of the term 'hotspot' across schistosomiasis research over time, including both literature searches and opinions from a range of stakeholders, to assess the utility and generalisability of the new WHO definition of a persistent hotspot. Importantly, we propose an updated definition based on our analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rivka M Lim
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Thomas M Arme
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Amy B Pedersen
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Biological Sciences, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, Herts, 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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5
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Isaiah PM, Sólveig Palmeirim M, Steinmann P. Epidemiology of pediatric schistosomiasis in hard-to-reach areas and populations: a scoping review. Infect Dis Poverty 2023; 12:37. [PMID: 37069632 PMCID: PMC10108517 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-023-01088-x] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people worldwide. Despite children and the poor being key risk groups, limited research and control activities target pre-school aged children (PSAC) and hard-to-reach populations. As endemic countries shift the goals of their schistosomiasis programs from morbidity control to disease elimination, there is a need for inclusive planning to cover all affected age groups from all geographical areas and populations to achieve sustainable impact and health equity. METHODS We conducted searches in MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid), and LILACS per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Quality assessment of identified articles was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool. Relevant study data were extracted from the articles and entered into Microsoft Excel 2016 for descriptive analysis. RESULTS From the 17,179 screened articles, we identified 13 eligible studies on schistosomiasis in PSAC living in hard-to-reach areas and populations. All identified studies were from sub-Saharan Africa. The mean sample size of the retained studies was 572, with a balanced sex distribution among the young children sampled in each study. Ten studies investigated Schistosoma mansoni, one investigated Schistosoma haematobium, while two covered both S. mansoni and S. haematobium in the target population. The prevalence of S. mansoni among PSAC in the included studies was estimated at 12.9% in Ghana, 80.3-90.5% in Kenya, 35.0% in Madagascar, 9.6-78.0% in Senegal, 11.2-35.4% in Sierra Leone, 44.4-54.9% in Tanzania and 39.3-74.9% in Uganda. Out of the three studies that investigated S. haematobium, the presence of the infection was reported in only one study carried out in Nigeria. Schistosome infections reported in nearly all studies included in this review were of light intensity. Only one study conducted in Nigeria documented visible hematuria in 17.7% of the PSAC studied. CONCLUSIONS The findings document the high prevalence of schistosomiasis among PSAC in hard-to-reach populations and underscore the need to consider this population subgroup when designing the expansion of preventive chemotherapy and schistosomiasis control activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis Munyiva Isaiah
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Marta Sólveig Palmeirim
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Steinmann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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6
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Colley DG, Ramzy RMR, Maganga J, Kinung'hi S, Odiere MR, Musuva RM, Campbell CH. The POC-CCA assay for detection of Schistosoma mansoni infection needs standardization in production and proper quality control to be reliable. Acta Trop 2023; 238:106795. [PMID: 36539024 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Colley
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE), Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
| | - Reda M R Ramzy
- National Nutrition Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jane Maganga
- National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Mwanza Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Safari Kinung'hi
- National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Mwanza Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Maurice R Odiere
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Rosemary M Musuva
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Carl H Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE), Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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7
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Isaiah PM, Palmeirim MS, Steinmann P. Epidemiology of pediatric schistosomiasis in hard-to-reach areas and populations: A scoping review protocol. F1000Res 2023; 11:1203. [PMID: 36761831 PMCID: PMC9898687 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.126884.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that affects millions of people. Children are the most vulnerable group to developing overt disease. An estimated 779 million people are at risk of schistosomiasis and 50 million preschool-age children (PSAC) need treatment. PSAC are not currently targeted by national chemotherapy campaigns due to a lack of suitable pediatric formulations of praziquantel. The Pediatric Praziquantel Consortium has developed an orally dispersible praziquantel formulation (arpraziquantel) and is facilitating its adoption for schistosomiasis control by endemic countries through the ADOPT program - an implementation research program that paves the way for the large-scale delivery of the child-friendly formulation to treat schistosomiasis in preschool-aged children in endemic countries. A key challenge for comprehensive NTD control including schistosomiasis is reaching all at-risk populations, including those hard to reach. Main access barriers include geographic, social and economic conditions. Objective : This scoping literature review aims to document the epidemiology of schistosomiasis in children under 6 years of age living in hard-to-reach areas and populations. Methods : This review will adopt the five-stage scoping review process of identifying the research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting data and collating, summarizing and reporting results. Electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, Embase (Ovid), LILACS and African Journals OnLine (AJOL) will be searched for relevant articles. Two independent reviewers will screen identified articles using a two-stage approach of reviewing the title/abstract and then the full text of provisionally retained articles. Relevant literatures will be downloaded into EndNote X9 to maintain and manage citation and facilitate the overall review process. A meta-analysis will be conducted if indicated. Relevance : The results will provide insights into the burden of schistosomiasis among marginalized PSAC, aiming to produce evidence on the need for inclusion of this population when designing the expansion of preventive chemotherapy programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis Munyiva Isaiah
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland,
| | - Marta Sólveig Palmeirim
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Steinmann
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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8
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Lo NC, Bezerra FSM, Colley DG, Fleming FM, Homeida M, Kabatereine N, Kabole FM, King CH, Mafe MA, Midzi N, Mutapi F, Mwanga JR, Ramzy RMR, Satrija F, Stothard JR, Traoré MS, Webster JP, Utzinger J, Zhou XN, Danso-Appiah A, Eusebi P, Loker ES, Obonyo CO, Quansah R, Liang S, Vaillant M, Murad MH, Hagan P, Garba A. Review of 2022 WHO guidelines on the control and elimination of schistosomiasis. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 22:e327-e335. [PMID: 35594896 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00221-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a helminthiasis infecting approximately 250 million people worldwide. In 2001, the World Health Assembly (WHA) 54.19 resolution defined a new global strategy for control of schistosomiasis through preventive chemotherapy programmes. This resolution culminated in the 2006 WHO guidelines that recommended empirical treatment by mass drug administration with praziquantel, predominately to school-aged children in endemic settings at regular intervals. Since then, school-based and community-based preventive chemotherapy programmes have been scaled-up, reducing schistosomiasis-associated morbidity. Over the past 15 years, new scientific evidence-combined with a more ambitious goal of eliminating schistosomiasis and an increase in the global donated supply of praziquantel-has highlighted the need to update public health guidance worldwide. In February, 2022, WHO published new guidelines with six recommendations to update the global public health strategy against schistosomiasis, including expansion of preventive chemotherapy eligibility from the predominant group of school-aged children to all age groups (2 years and older), lowering the prevalence threshold for annual preventive chemotherapy, and increasing the frequency of treatment. This Review, written by the 2018-2022 Schistosomiasis Guidelines Development Group and its international partners, presents a summary of the new WHO guideline recommendations for schistosomiasis along with their historical context, supporting evidence, implications for public health implementation, and future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan C Lo
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Daniel G Colley
- Department of Microbiology, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Mamoun Homeida
- Academy of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Narcis Kabatereine
- Accelerating Resilient, Innovative, and Sustainable Elimination of NTDs, Vector Control Division, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Nicholas Midzi
- National Institute of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Francisca Mutapi
- Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa Partnership, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joseph R Mwanga
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Reda M R Ramzy
- National Nutrition Institute, General Organization for Teaching Hospitals and Institutes, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fadjar Satrija
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedicine, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia
| | - J Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Joanne P Webster
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Science, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China; School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Paolo Eusebi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Eric S Loker
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Charles O Obonyo
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Song Liang
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Michel Vaillant
- Competence Centre for Methodology and Statistics, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
| | - M Hassan Murad
- Evidence-based Practice Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Paul Hagan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Amadou Garba
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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9
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Wiegand RE, Fleming FM, de Vlas SJ, Odiere MR, Kinung'hi S, King CH, Evans D, French MD, Montgomery SP, Straily A, Utzinger J, Vounatsou P, Secor WE. Defining elimination as a public health problem for schistosomiasis control programmes: beyond prevalence of heavy-intensity infections. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1355-e1359. [PMID: 35961358 PMCID: PMC10184143 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
WHO's 2021-30 road map for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) outlines disease-specific and cross-cutting targets for the control, elimination, and eradication of NTDs in affected countries. For schistosomiasis, the criterion for elimination as a public health problem (EPHP) is defined as less than 1% prevalence of heavy-intensity infections (ie, ≥50 Schistosoma haematobium eggs per 10 mL of urine or ≥400 Schistosoma mansoni eggs per g of stool). However, we believe the evidence supporting this definition of EPHP is inadequate and the shifting distribution of schistosomiasis morbidity towards more subtle, rather than severe, morbidity in the face of large-scale control programmes requires guidelines to be adapted. In this Viewpoint, we outline the need for more accurate measures to develop a robust evidence-based monitoring and evaluation framework for schistosomiasis. Such a framework is crucial for achieving the goal of widespread EPHP of schistosomiasis and to meet the WHO road map targets. We encourage use of overall prevalence of schistosome infection (instead of the prevalence of heavy-intensity infections), development of species-dependent and age-dependent morbidity markers, and construction of a standardised monitoring and evaluation protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Wiegand
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Sake J de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Maurice R Odiere
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Safari Kinung'hi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Charles H King
- School of Medicine, Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Darin Evans
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Susan P Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anne Straily
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Penelope Vounatsou
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland; University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - W Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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10
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Madsen H, Stauffer JR. Schistosomiasis Control Under Changing Ecological Settings in Lake Malawi. ECOHEALTH 2022; 19:320-323. [PMID: 35930197 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-022-01606-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henry Madsen
- Sections of Parasitology and Aquatic Diseases & Food Safety and Zoonoses, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 100, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Jay Richard Stauffer
- Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Makhanda, RSA
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11
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Williams CR, Seunik M, Meier BM. Human rights as a framework for eliminating female genital schistosomiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010165. [PMID: 35239651 PMCID: PMC8893342 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) affects tens of millions of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa, yet this inequitable threat is often overlooked by advocates in both the neglected tropical disease (NTD) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) communities. FGS causes both acute infection and long-term sexual and reproductive health harm to marginalized women and girls, with gender, poverty, and rurality combining to invisibilize the disease. Human rights and gender imperatives can help to galvanize efforts to control and eliminate FGS, as they have for other NTDs. Specifically, international human rights obligations can frame state efforts to address FGS across healthcare settings, upstream social determinants of health, scientific research, and policy implementation. This article analyzes human rights-based approaches to FGS control and elimination efforts, outlining several areas for forward-looking reforms to health policy, programing, and practice. Building from the lessons learned in applying human rights-based approaches to advance progress on other NTDs, this analysis seeks to provide the NTD community with shared understanding around international legal obligations to engage SRHR advocates and draw heightened attention to FGS. Such human rights-based approaches to FGS control and elimination can help to reduce stigma and improve care for the millions of women and girls currently affected by this preventable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin R. Williams
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Mother and Child Health, Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS-Argentina), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Benjamin Mason Meier
- Department of Public Policy, Department of Health Policy & Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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12
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Novel tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission: study protocol for an intervention study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1024. [PMID: 34592960 PMCID: PMC8482678 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06620-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem is set as target in the new World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Diseases Roadmap for 2030. Due to a long history of interventions, the Zanzibar islands of Tanzania have reached this goal since 2017. However, challenges occur on the last mile towards interruption of transmission. Our study will investigate new tools and strategies for breaking schistosomiasis transmission. Methods The study is designed as an intervention study, documented through repeated cross-sectional surveys (2020–2024). The primary endpoint will be the sensitivity of a surveillance-response approach to detect and react to outbreaks of urogenital schistosomiasis over three years of implementation. The surveys and multi-disciplinary interventions will be implemented in 20 communities in the north of Pemba island. In low-prevalence areas, surveillance-response will consist of active, passive and reactive case detection, treatment of positive individuals, and focal snail control. In hotspot areas, mass drug administration, snail control and behaviour change interventions will be implemented. Parasitological cross-sectional surveys in 20 communities and their main primary schools will serve to adapt the intervention approach annually and to monitor the performance of the surveillance-response approach and impact of interventions. Schistosoma haematobium infections will be diagnosed using reagent strips and urine filtration microscopy, and by exploring novel point-of-care diagnostic tests. Discussion Our study will shed light on the field applicability and performance of novel adaptive intervention strategies, and standard and new diagnostic tools for schistosomiasis elimination. The evidence and experiences generated by micro-mapping of S. haematobium infections at community level, micro-targeting of new adaptive intervention approaches, and application of novel diagnostic tools can guide future strategic plans for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar and inform other countries aiming for interruption of transmission. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISCRCTN91431493. Registered 11 February 2020, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN91431493
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13
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Hamlili FZ, Thiam F, Laroche M, Diarra AZ, Doucouré S, Gaye PM, Fall CB, Faye B, Sokhna C, Sow D, Parola P. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for the identification of freshwater snails from Senegal, including intermediate hosts of schistosomes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009725. [PMID: 34516582 PMCID: PMC8489727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater snails of the genera Biomphalaria, Bulinus, and Oncomelania are intermediate hosts of schistosomes that cause human schistosomiasis, one of the most significant infectious neglected diseases in the world. Identification of freshwater snails is usually based on morphology and potentially DNA-based methods, but these have many drawbacks that hamper their use. MALDI-TOF MS has revolutionised clinical microbiology and has emerged in the medical entomology field. This study aims to evaluate MALDI-TOF MS profiling for the identification of both frozen and ethanol-stored snail species using protein extracts from different body parts. A total of 530 field specimens belonging to nine species (Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus forskalii, Bulinus senegalensis, Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus globosus, Bellamya unicolor, Cleopatra bulimoides, Lymnaea natalensis, Melanoides tuberculata) and 89 laboratory-reared specimens, including three species (Bi. pfeifferi, Bu. forskalii, Bu. truncatus) were used for this study. For frozen snails, the feet of 127 field and 74 laboratory-reared specimens were used to validate the optimised MALDI-TOF MS protocol. The spectral analysis yielded intra-species reproducibility and inter-species specificity which resulted in the correct identification of all the specimens in blind queries, with log-score values greater than 1.7. In a second step, we demonstrated that MALDI-TOF MS could also be used to identify ethanol-stored snails using proteins extracted from the foot using a specific database including a large number of ethanol preserved specimens. This study shows for the first time that MALDI-TOF MS is a reliable tool for the rapid identification of frozen and ethanol-stored freshwater snails without any malacological expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Zohra Hamlili
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Fatou Thiam
- VITROME, Campus International IRD-UCAD de l’IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Helminthologie, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Maureen Laroche
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - Adama Zan Diarra
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | | | - Papa Mouhamadou Gaye
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- VITROME, Campus International IRD-UCAD de l’IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Helminthologie, Département de Biologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cheikh Binetou Fall
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Babacar Faye
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de médecine, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Cheikh Sokhna
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
- VITROME, Campus International IRD-UCAD de l’IRD, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Doudou Sow
- VITROME, Campus International IRD-UCAD de l’IRD, Dakar, Senegal
- Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, UFR Sciences de la Santé, Université Gaston Berger de Saint Louis, Senegal
| | - Philippe Parola
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France
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14
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Ayabina D, Kura K, Toor J, Graham M, Anderson RM, Hollingsworth TD. Maintaining Low Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni: Modeling the Effect of Less Frequent Treatment. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:S140-S145. [PMID: 33909064 PMCID: PMC8201569 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization previously set goals of controlling morbidity due to schistosomiasis by 2020 and attaining elimination as a public health problem (EPHP) by 2025 (now adjusted to 2030 in the new neglected tropical diseases roadmap). As these milestones are reached, it is important that programs reassess their treatment strategies to either maintain these goals or progress from morbidity control to EPHP and ultimately to interruption of transmission. In this study, we consider different mass drug administration (MDA) strategies to maintain the goals. METHODS We used 2 independently developed, individual-based stochastic models of schistosomiasis transmission to assess the optimal treatment strategy of a multiyear program to maintain the morbidity control and the EPHP goals. RESULTS We found that, in moderate-prevalence settings, once the morbidity control and EPHP goals are reached it may be possible to maintain the goals using less frequent MDAs than those that are required to achieve the goals. On the other hand, in some high-transmission settings, if control efforts are reduced after achieving the goals, particularly the morbidity control goal, there is a high chance of recrudescence. CONCLUSIONS To reduce the risk of recrudescence after the goals are achieved, programs have to re-evaluate their strategies and decide to either maintain these goals with reduced efforts where feasible or continue with at least the same efforts required to reach the goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diepreye Ayabina
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Klodeta Kura
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, London,United Kingdom
| | - Jaspreet Toor
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, London,United Kingdom.,Abdul Latif Jameel Institute for Disease and Emergency Analytics (J-IDEA), School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Graham
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roy M Anderson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, London,United Kingdom.,The DeWorm3 Project, The Natural History Museum of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - T Deirdre Hollingsworth
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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15
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Wiegand RE, Secor WE, Fleming FM, French MD, King CH, Montgomery SP, Evans D, Utzinger J, Vounatsou P, de Vlas SJ. Control and Elimination of Schistosomiasis as a Public Health Problem: Thresholds Fail to Differentiate Schistosomiasis Morbidity Prevalence in Children. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab179. [PMID: 34307724 PMCID: PMC8297701 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current World Health Organization guidelines utilize prevalence of heavy-intensity infections (PHIs), that is, ≥50 eggs per 10 mL of urine for Schistosoma haematobium and ≥400 eggs per gram of stool for S. mansoni, to determine whether a targeted area has controlled schistosomiasis morbidity or eliminated schistosomiasis as a public health problem. The relationship between these PHI categories and morbidity is not well understood. METHODS School-age participants enrolled in schistosomiasis monitoring and evaluation cohorts from 2003 to 2008 in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia were surveyed for infection and morbidity at baseline and after 1 and 2 rounds of preventive chemotherapy. Logistic regression was used to compare morbidity prevalence among participants based on their school's PHI category. RESULTS Microhematuria levels were associated with the S. haematobium PHI categories at all 3 time points. For any other S. haematobium or S. mansoni morbidity that was measured, PHI categories did not differentiate morbidity prevalence levels consistently. CONCLUSIONS These analyses suggest that current PHI categorizations do not differentiate the prevalence of standard morbidity markers. A reevaluation of the criteria for schistosomiasis control is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan E Wiegand
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - W Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Susan P Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Darin Evans
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Penelope Vounatsou
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sake J de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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16
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Wendt GR, Reese ML, Collins JJ. SchistoCyte Atlas: A Single-Cell Transcriptome Resource for Adult Schistosomes. Trends Parasitol 2021; 37:585-587. [PMID: 33975779 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomes cause untold disease and disability in the developing world. Here, we introduce SchistoCyte Atlas, a web-based platform for exploring gene expression at single-cell resolution in adult Schistosoma mansoni. Similar resources accessible to non-specialists across the globe will expedite our ability to understand the biology of these devastating parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- George R Wendt
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michael L Reese
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James J Collins
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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17
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Current status of Schistosoma mansoni infection among previously treated rural communities in the Abbey and Didessa Valleys, Western Ethiopia: Implications for sustainable control. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247312. [PMID: 33630891 PMCID: PMC7906404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schistosoma constitutes a major public health problem and developmental challenges in the majority of developing and subtropical regions. The World Health Organization has set guidelines for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis. Ethiopia is providing school-based Mass Drug Administration (MDA) at the study areas of the Abbey and Didessa Valleys of western Ethiopian since 2015. Moreover, mass treatment was already done in the same villages 30 years ago. However, the current Schistosoma mansoni infection status among humans and snails in the study areas is not known. Hence, the present study aims to determine the current status. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the three communities; Chessega, Agallu Metti and Shimala in Schistosoma mansoni endemic areas of the Abbey and Didessa valleys in Western Ethiopia. Using the list of households obtained from the Kebele administration, a systematic sampling technique was used to select households in each village. Results Even though the area is under the Ethiopian national Mass Drug Administration campaign, the present study reports prevalence above 50%. Although the majority of the infections were moderate, we found that 13% had heavy infection, above 400 eggs per gram of stool, which is at the same level as before the treatment campaign 30 years ago. The infection was significantly higher among those below 12 years of age, among non-attending school-age children and daily laborers. Conclusion Schistosoma mansoni infection is still a public health problem in the study areas, despite control efforts already 30 years ago and present mass treatment in the last years. We suggest making the mass treatment campaign just early after the rainy season, when the snails are washed away. This should be supplemented with provisions of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and reduction of water contact and possible snail control efforts’ to prevent reinfection.
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18
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Casacuberta-Partal M, Beenakker M, de Dood C, Hoekstra P, Kroon L, Kornelis D, Corstjens P, Hokke CH, van Dam G, Roestenberg M, van Lieshout L. Specificity of the Point-of-Care Urine Strip Test for Schistosoma Circulating Cathodic Antigen (POC-CCA) Tested in Non-Endemic Pregnant Women and Young Children. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2021; 104:1412-1417. [PMID: 33534739 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The point-of-care urine based strip test for the detection of circulating cathodic antigen (POC-CCA) in schistosome infections is a frequently used tool for diagnosis and mapping of Schistosoma mansoni in school-aged children. Because of its ease of use, the test is increasingly applied to adults and preschool-aged children (PSAC), but its performance has not been specifically evaluated in these target groups. Recent observations have raised concerns about possible reduced specificity, in particular in pregnant women (PW) and PSAC. We thus explored specificity of the POC-CCA urine strip test (Rapid Medical Diagnostics, Pretoria, South Africa) in a non-endemic, nonexposed population of 47 healthy nonpregnant adults (NPAs), 52 PW, and 58 PSAC. A total of 157 urines were tested with POC-CCA, of which five (10.6%) NPAs, 17 (32.7%) PW, and 27 (46.5%) PSAC were positive. The highest scores were found in the youngest babies, with an infant of 9 months being the oldest positive case. On measuring pH, it appeared that all POC-CCA strongly positive urines were acidic (pH range 5-5.5), whereas addition of pH-neutral buffer to a subsample reversed the false positivity. We conclude that the POC-CCA test has reduced specificity in PW and infants younger than 9 months, but that the false positivity might be eliminated by modifications in the buffers used in the test.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margreet Beenakker
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia de Dood
- 2Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pytsje Hoekstra
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Kroon
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke Kornelis
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Corstjens
- 2Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis H Hokke
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Govert van Dam
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Meta Roestenberg
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,3Department of Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette van Lieshout
- 1Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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19
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Baseline and Impact of First-Year Intervention on Schistosoma haematobium Infection in Seasonal Transmission Foci in the Northern and Central Parts of Côte d'Ivoire. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:tropicalmed6010007. [PMID: 33429843 PMCID: PMC7838999 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to assess the impact of different control strategies against Schistosoma haematobium in seasonal transmission foci in Côte d’Ivoire, a three-year cluster randomized trial was implemented. The decrease in S. haematobium prevalence among children aged 9−12 years was the primary outcome. In the first step, an eligibility survey was conducted, subjecting 50 children aged 13−14 years to a single urine filtration. Sixty-four villages with a prevalence of S. haematobium of ≥4% were selected and randomly assigned to four intervention arms consisting of annual mass drug administration (MDA) before (arm 1) and after (arm 2) the peak transmission, biannual treatment with praziquantel before and after the peak transmission season (arm 3), and annual MDA before the peak transmission season, coupled with focal chemical snail control using molluscicides (arm 4). At baseline, we observed a prevalence of 24.8%, 10.1%, 13.9%, and 15.9% in study arms 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. One year after the first intervention, the prevalence decreased in all study arms by about two-thirds or more. The prevalence in arm 2 was lower than in arm 1 (3.5% vs. 8.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant (odds ratio (OR) = 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.10−1.80). After adjusting for baseline prevalence, arms 1 and 2 performed roughly similarly (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.34−3.07). The prevalence in arms 3 and 4 (1.9% and 2.2%) were significantly lower compared to arm 1 in the unadjusted and the adjusted models (arm 3 vs. arm 1, OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.05−0.95, aOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.08−0.48; arm 4 vs. arm 1, OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.08−0.85, aOR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.06−0.87). The initial intervention showed a significant impact on the prevalence of S. haematobium. It will be interesting to monitor the comparative impact of the different intervention arms and to determine whether the interruption of seasonal transmission of S. haematobium can be achieved in this epidemiological setting within three years.
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20
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Campbell CH, Binder S, King CH, Knopp S, Rollinson D, Person B, Webster B, Allan F, Utzinger J, Ame SM, Ali SM, Kabole F, N'Goran EK, Tediosi F, Salari P, Ouattara M, Diakité NR, Hattendorf J, S Andros T, Kittur N, Colley DG. SCORE Operational Research on Moving toward Interruption of Schistosomiasis Transmission. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:58-65. [PMID: 32400354 PMCID: PMC7351301 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of its diverse portfolio, the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) included two cluster-randomized trials evaluating interventions that could potentially lead to interruption of schistosomiasis transmission (elimination) in areas of Africa with low prevalence and intensity of infection. These studies, conducted in Zanzibar and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrated that multiyear mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel failed to interrupt the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis, even when provided biannually and/or supplemented by small-scale implementation of additional interventions. Other SCORE activities related to elimination included a feasibility and acceptability assessment of test–treat–track–test–treat (T5) strategies and mathematical modeling. Future evaluations of interventions to eliminate schistosomiasis should recognize the difficulties inherent in conducting randomized controlled trials on elimination and in measuring small changes where baseline prevalence is low. Highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for use in very low–prevalence areas for schistosomiasis are not routinely available, which complicates accurate measurement of infection rates and assessment of changes resulting from interventions in these settings. Although not encountered in these two studies, as prevalence and intensity decrease, political and community commitment to population-wide MDA may decrease. Because of this potential problem, SCORE developed and funded the T5 strategy implemented in Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is likely that focal MDA campaigns, along with more targeted approaches, including a T5 strategy and snail control, will need to be supplemented with the provision of clean water and sanitation and behavior change communications to achieve interruption of schistosome transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Rollinson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bobbie Person
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Bonnie Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - 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
| | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health Zanzibar, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Eliézer K N'Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mamadou Ouattara
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Nana R Diakité
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara S Andros
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Nupur Kittur
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Daniel G Colley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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21
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Colley DG, Jacobson JA, Binder S. Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE): Its Foundations, Development, and Evolution. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:5-13. [PMID: 32400343 PMCID: PMC7351300 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was established in late 2008 to conduct operational research that would inform practices related to the control and elimination of schistosomiasis. This article traces SCORE’s beginnings and underpinnings. These include an emphasis on openness and contributing to the development of a cohesive schistosomiasis control community, building linkages between researchers and national programs, and focusing on answering questions that will help Neglected Tropical Disease program managers to better control and eliminate schistosomiasis. It describes the development and implementation of SCORE’s multiple projects. SCORE began by drawing on advice from a broad range of experts by holding wide-ranging meetings that informed the priorities and protocols for SCORE research. SCORE’s major efforts included large, multicountry field studies comparing multiple strategies for mass drug administration with praziquantel, assessment of approaches to elimination, evaluation of a point-of-care assay for field mapping Schistosoma mansoni, and increasing the sensitivity of a laboratory-based diagnostic. SCORE also supported studies on morbidity due to schistosomiasis, quantification of vector snails and the detection of schistosome infections in snails, and changes in schistosome population genetics under praziquantel drug pressure. SCORE data and specimens are archived and will remain available for future research. Although much remains to be carried out, our hope is that through the already published articles and SCORE results described in this supplement, we will have provided a body of evidence to assist policy makers in the development of judicious guidelines for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Colley
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | | | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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22
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Bergquist NR. Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation: Mission Accomplished. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:1-4. [PMID: 32400351 PMCID: PMC7351299 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE), a program focusing on schistosomiasis control in sub-Saharan Africa between 2008 and 2019, investigated ways to improve coverage and efficacy of ongoing chemotherapy programs and concluded that because of continued transmission, mass distribution of praziquantel cannot eliminate the disease without complementary control activities. Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation's activities comprised large-scale, multicountry field studies comparing various mass drug administration strategies and some specific research avenues, such as assessment of high-sensitivity diagnostics, identification of hotspots, quantification of the role of the snail host, predictive modeling, and changes in schistosome population genetics under drug pressure. The discoveries made and the insights gained regarding cost-effective strategies for delivering preventive chemotherapy should assist policy makers to develop guidelines for the control and ultimate elimination of schistosomiasis.
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23
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Corstjens PLAM, de Dood CJ, Knopp S, Clements MN, Ortu G, Umulisa I, Ruberanziza E, Wittmann U, Kariuki T, LoVerde P, Secor WE, Atkins L, Kinung’hi S, Binder S, Campbell CH, Colley DG, van Dam GJ. Circulating Anodic Antigen (CAA): A Highly Sensitive Diagnostic Biomarker to Detect Active Schistosoma Infections-Improvement and Use during SCORE. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:50-57. [PMID: 32400344 PMCID: PMC7351307 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) was funded in 2008 to conduct research that would support country schistosomiasis control programs. As schistosomiasis prevalence decreases in many places and elimination is increasingly within reach, a sensitive and specific test to detect infection with Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium has become a pressing need. After obtaining broad input, SCORE supported Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) to modify the serum-based antigen assay for use with urine, simplify the assay, and improve its sensitivity. The urine assay eventually contributed to several of the larger SCORE studies. For example, in Zanzibar, we demonstrated that urine filtration, the standard parasite egg detection diagnostic test for S. haematobium, greatly underestimated prevalence in low-prevalence settings. In Burundi and Rwanda, the circulating anodic antigen (CAA) assay provided critical information about the limitations of the stool-based Kato-Katz parasite egg-detection assay for S. mansoni in low-prevalence settings. Other SCORE-supported CAA work demonstrated that frozen, banked urine specimens yielded similar results to fresh ones; pooling of specimens may be a useful, cost-effective approach for surveillance in some settings; and the assay can be performed in local laboratories equipped with adequate centrifuge capacity. These improvements in the assay continue to be of use to researchers around the world. However, additional work will be needed if widespread dissemination of the CAA assay is to occur, for example, by building capacity in places besides LUMC and commercialization of the assay. Here, we review the evolution of the CAA assay format during the SCORE period with emphasis on urine-based applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L. A. M. Corstjens
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Claudia J. de Dood
- Department of Cell and Chemical Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michelle N. Clements
- SCI Foundation, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Irenee Umulisa
- Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division, Neglected Tropical Diseases and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Ministry of Health, Kigali, Rwanda
- African Leaders Malaria Alliance, Dar-es-Salam, Tanzania
| | - Eugene Ruberanziza
- Malaria and Other Parasitic Diseases Division, Neglected Tropical Diseases and Other Parasitic Diseases Unit, Rwanda Biomedical Center, Ministry of Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Udo Wittmann
- SCI Foundation, London, United Kingdom
- Consult AG Statistical Services, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kariuki
- Institute of Primate Research, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
- African Academy of Sciences, Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Philip LoVerde
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas
| | - William Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Lydia Atkins
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Castries, St. Lucia
| | - Safari Kinung’hi
- Mwanza Research Centre, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Carl H. Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Daniel G. Colley
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Govert J. van Dam
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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24
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King CH, Binder S, Shen Y, Whalen CC, Campbell CH, Wiegand RE, Olsen A, Secor WE, Montgomery SP, Musuva R, Mwinzi PNM, Magnussen P, Kinung’hi S, Andrade GN, Ezeamama AE, Colley DG. SCORE Studies on the Impact of Drug Treatment on Morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium Infection. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:30-35. [PMID: 32400348 PMCID: PMC7351303 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research (SCORE) was funded in 2008 to improve the evidence base for control and elimination of schistosomiasis-better understanding of the systemic morbidities experienced by children in schistosomiasis-endemic areas and the response of these morbidities to treatment, being essential for updating WHO guidelines for mass drug administration (MDA) in endemic areas. This article summarizes the SCORE studies that aimed to gauge the impact of MDA-based treatment on schistosomiasis-related morbidities. Morbidity cohort studies were embedded in the SCORE's larger field studies of gaining control of schistosomiasis in Kenya and Tanzania. Following MDA, cohort children had less undernutrition, less portal vein dilation, and increased quality of life in Year 5 compared with baseline. We also conducted a pilot study of the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-2) in conjunction with the Kenya gaining control study, which demonstrated beneficial effects of treatment on classroom behavior. In addition, the SCORE's Rapid Answers Project performed systematic reviews of previously available data, providing two meta-analyses related to morbidity. The first documented children's infection-related deficits in school attendance and achievement and in formal tests of learning and memory. The second showed that greater reductions in egg output following drug treatment correlates significantly with reduced odds of most morbidities. Overall, these SCORE morbidity studies provided convincing evidence to support the use of MDA to improve the health of school-aged children in endemic areas. However, study findings also support the need to use enhanced metrics to fully assess and better control schistosomiasis-associated morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Christopher C. Whalen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Carl H. Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Ryan E. Wiegand
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Parasitic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Olsen
- Section for Parasitology and Aquatic Pathobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - William Evan Secor
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Parasitic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Susan P. Montgomery
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Parasitic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rosemary Musuva
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Pauline N. M. Mwinzi
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Pascal Magnussen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Safari Kinung’hi
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Research Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Gisele N. Andrade
- Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Amara E. Ezeamama
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
| | - Daniel G. Colley
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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25
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Binder S, Campbell CH, Andros TS, Castleman JD, Kittur N, King CH, Colley DG. The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation 2008-2020: Approaches, Experiences, Lessons, and Recommendations. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:114-124. [PMID: 32400350 PMCID: PMC7351309 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
For the past 10 years, the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE), funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has been supporting operational research to provide a stronger evidence base for controlling and moving toward elimination of schistosomiasis. The SCORE portfolio was developed and implemented with engagement from many stakeholders and sectors. Particular efforts were made to include endemic country neglected tropical disease program managers. Examples of the challenges we encountered include the need to balance rigor (e.g., conducting large cluster-randomized trials) with ensuring relevance to real-world settings, allowing for local contexts while standardizing key study aspects, adjusting to evolving technologies, and incorporating changing technologies into multiyear studies. The Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation's findings and data and the collected specimens will continue to be useful in the years to come. Our experiences and lessons learned can benefit both program managers and researchers conducting similar work in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Carl H Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Tamara S Andros
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Jennifer D Castleman
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Nupur Kittur
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Daniel G Colley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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26
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King CH, Kittur N, Wiegand RE, Shen Y, Ge Y, Whalen CC, Campbell CH, Hattendorf J, Binder S. Challenges in Protocol Development and Interpretation of the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation Intervention Studies. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:36-41. [PMID: 32400342 PMCID: PMC7351306 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2010, the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) began the design of randomized controlled trials to compare different strategies for praziquantel mass drug administration, whether for gaining or sustaining control of schistosomiasis or for approaching local elimination of Schistosoma transmission. The goal of this operational research was to expand the evidence base for policy-making for regional and national control of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the 10-year period of its research programs, as SCORE operational research projects were implemented, their scope and scale posed important challenges in terms of research performance and the final interpretation of their results. The SCORE projects yielded valuable data on program-level effectiveness and strengths and weaknesses in performance, but in most of the trials, a greater-than-expected variation in community-level responses to assigned schedules of mass drug administration meant that identification of a dominant control strategy was not possible. This article critically reviews the impact of SCORE’s cluster randomized study design on performance and interpretation of large-scale operational research such as ours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H King
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Nupur Kittur
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Ryan E Wiegand
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Parasitic Diseases Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Ye Shen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Yang Ge
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Christopher C Whalen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Carl H Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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